1990 Pontiac Grand Prix Problems

What owners report

Owners of this model year most often describe problems with the rear brakes, where calipers and rotors corrode or stick, and with the front and rear cradle retainers that hold the engine subframe to the body; many complaints describe the engine dropping and the steering shaft separating when those retainers rust through. Complaints are spread across a wide mileage range, from cars under 50,000 miles to ones past 200,000, and many describe recurring repairs to the same parts rather than a single failure.

1. 1
   Body and structure

   Engine cradle retainers rust and drop the subframe

   • 26 complaints (15%)
   • median 74,987 mi at 14.3 yrs old (3 state mileage, few)
   • filed 1997–2007

   Complaints describe the front or rear cradle bolts and retainers rusting through so the cradle drops, the engine sags or falls, and the steering shaft separates, which owners say led to loss of control. Several note that a campaign covered the rear retainers but that their front retainers rusted out too, and they paid for that repair themselves. Others report not receiving a notice or being told the vehicle was not covered. Most often described on cars in the Northeast and other road-salt states, typically at higher mileages but also reported on vehicles under 75,000 miles.

   Recall 00V189000Recall 97V058000

   What to check: Have the car put on a lift and inspect the cradle bolts, retainers and surrounding frame rails for rust-through, front and rear, and ask whether recall 97V058000 or 00V189000 work was done.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Rear left and right carriage bolts pulled through retainers, causing the steering shaft to split and the engine cradle to drop to the ground. Pontiac admits responsibility and also agreed to provide work according to warranty I.e. Pontiac will absorb the cost of repair. Work done by russ at woburn, mass. Pontiac. The GM rep spoke with my husband several times, indicating Pontiac's responsibility and that the work was being done as a recall. …”

   NHTSA complaint #763513, filed 2002-06

   “Consumer stated that while waiting at an atm engine fell out of vehicle. Consumer had vehicle towed to the mechanic, who said that the cradle bolts rusted. Consumer indicated he never received a recall notice. But when he called gmc he was told that this vehicle was included in the recall.”

   NHTSA complaint #10052280, filed 2004-02, 74,987 miles
2. 2
   Brakes

   Rear brakes drag, seize or rust

   • 51 complaints (29%)
   • typically at 5.5 yrs old
   • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 1995–2003

   Complaints describe the rear calipers sticking or seizing so the rear brakes drag, overheat, or stop working entirely, leaving the front brakes to do all the stopping. Owners report repeated replacement of calipers, rotors and pads, sometimes several times within a few years, and some say a dealer told them this was common on these cars. Others describe rust buildup on the rear rotors and pads so the surfaces no longer meet. Reported across a wide mileage range, often after several years of use, and several owners describe the problem returning within months of a repair.

   What to check: Drive the car and feel for dragging or a pulling rear brake after a short stop, and look at the rear rotors for heavy rust or uneven pad wear. Ask when the rear calipers were last replaced.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “When releasing parking brake caliper releases shoes from holding drums. But a malfunctioning caliper will not release rotors and damage brakes. This is the sixth time that dealer had to replace calipers. Dealer told consumer that this was common with these cars.”

   NHTSA complaint #859878, filed 2000-04

   “Rear disc brakes drag causing overheating of brake caliper, wheel and hydraulic fluid resulting in complete loss of breaking. This has happened several times. Each time the rear caliper was serviced or replaced and again the condition repeated after several months of driveing. The last repair was done at tom rice Pontiac in huntington, ny where a complete rear brake overhaul, including brand new brake calipers, was done. The problem has again recured.”

   NHTSA complaint #726388, filed 2000-08
3. 3
   Brakes

   ABS loses pressure or the pedal goes to the floor

   • 12 complaints (7%)
   • typically at 7.7 yrs old
   • 2 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 1995–1999

   Owners describe the brake pedal traveling all the way down with little or no stopping power, sometimes after the ABS warning light flashed. Complaints mention the ABS pump or system being replaced, the problem returning afterward, and in some cases a dealer being unable to identify the cause. Some report the warning lights coming on intermittently before a failure. Described at low speeds and during normal driving, across a broad mileage range with no clear pattern in the sample.

   What to check: With the engine running, press and hold the brake pedal to check it feels firm and does not sink, and confirm the ABS and brake warning lights come on with the key and then go out.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Abs braking system malfunctioned, causing the pedal to travel to the floor, resulting in extended stopping distance. Also problems with the struts which broke and needed to be replaced. In addition, electrical system malfuctioned, causing headlights and instrument lights to go on and off, affecting visibility and may result in an accident.”

   NHTSA complaint #836172, filed 1999-04

   “Abs braking system failed completely. High pressure pump stopped running and left absolutely no braking capability. Check ABS light had flashed earlier, but had gone out. Owners manual gives the impression that service brake will continue to function, but it did not.”

   NHTSA complaint #710081, filed 1999-08
4. 4
   Suspension

   Front ball joints and suspension parts separate

   • 11 complaints (6%)
   • median 77,500 mi at 12.5 yrs old (2 state mileage, few)
   • 3 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 1995–2006

   Complaints describe a front ball joint separating or breaking, letting the wheel collapse and leaving steering and brakes inoperable, and one owner says the same ball joint was replaced four times. Others report broken struts, a failed control arm and a trailing arm failure. Repairs were often done at a repair shop after a tow. Reported from moderate to high mileage, with several complaints on vehicles well past 100,000 miles.

   What to check: Ask for service records on ball joints, control arms and struts, and have a mechanic check the front suspension for play or torn boots before buying.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “The turn signal problem involved smoke coming from the steering column, signals do not work all the time. The smoke would stop, the after several days start again. Now the turn lights do not always work. The problem with the front right ball joint has required replacing the ball 4 times, due to the ball breaking off at the point where the ball is attached to the threaded part. At the present, the car stalls most of the time when slowing down. …”

   NHTSA complaint #718120, filed 2000-01

   “Emergency brake cable broke 1994; ball joints broke onceon street; brakes went out completely once on street;; rear main seal out; complete rebuilt front end, 1999; smoking in steering is intermittent.”

   NHTSA complaint #706485, filed 1999-05
5. 5
   Electrical system

   Steering column smoke and turn signal faults

   • 5 complaints (3%)
   • median 50,000 mi at 10.7 yrs old (1 states mileage, few)
   • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 1995–2005

   Owners describe smoke coming from the steering column, often when the turn signal is used, with the signals working only intermittently afterward. Some say the problem stopped on its own and returned later, and one owner reports the dealer declined to repair it. Separate complaints describe the steering wheel becoming loose or wobbling and needing column parts replaced. Reported from around 50,000 miles upward, sometimes appearing intermittently over months before being addressed.

   What to check: Operate the turn signals and hazards and watch for flickering or a burning smell, and check whether the steering wheel has any play or wobble.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “If you use the turn signal, the steering wheel will start smoking. Took vehicle to dealer and dealer didn't want to fix it. Turn signals still worked when applied.”

   NHTSA complaint #10143848, filed 2005-11, 50,000 miles

   “There have been many brake failures since owning this vehicle, including one complete when on road. The fire in steering column stopped, then happened several times later. What has been done about brakes and ignition/steering fires in this vehicle. There are sister models of buick and olds which have the same problems. Please respond.”

   NHTSA complaint #711213, filed 2000-04

Buying note. On this model year, the most consequential things to verify are the condition of the cradle retainers and the rear brakes, since both are described repeatedly in complaints. A pre-purchase inspection on a lift, plus checking that any cradle recall work was completed, is worth the cost on a car this old.

Summary written with AI from a sample of 60 NHTSA complaints for this model year (picked at random, with complaints that state a mileage and recent ones taken first), then checked automatically against the source records. Where a problem shows a complaint count, every complaint for this model year was matched with fixed keyword rules (written with AI and tested against the sample), and the mileage, age and repair figures are calculated from those complaints; owners' figures are as stated, not verified. Other counts refer to the sample. The excerpts come from NHTSA's public complaint records and are unverified; capitalisation is normalised, NHTSA staff notes are removed, and shortened text ends with “…”. Something wrong? Request a correction.