1991 Pontiac Grand Prix Problems

What owners report

Owners of this model year most often describe two long-running problems: rear brake calipers and rotors that corrode or seize, and corrosion of the front cradle bolts that hold the engine and steering in place. Complaints also cover headlamps and turn signals cutting out, warning lights that stay on, and engine cooling trouble such as cracked heads and head gaskets. Many reports are past 100,000 miles, though the cradle-bolt reports also appear on low-mileage cars.

1. 1
   Body and structure

   Engine cradle bolts corrode and pull through

   • 33 complaints (19%)
   • median 138,000 mi at 16.8 yrs old (5 state mileage, few)
   • 4 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 1998–2016

   Owners describe the bolts holding the rear of the engine cradle pulling through their retainers or breaking because of corrosion, which lets the cradle and engine drop and can take the steering with it. Complaints describe sudden loss of steering, a snapped steering shaft or column, and in one case a collision after the cradle separated. Several owners say a dealer declined the repair or told them the vehicle identification number was not covered by the related recalls. Reported from roughly 11,000 to 168,000 miles, including cars used in areas with heavy road salt; many reports involve older vehicles still in service.

   Recall 00V189000Recall 97V058000

   What to check: Ask whether the cradle-bolt recalls were performed on this vehicle and inspect the rear cradle bolts and retainers for rust or elongation; a check of the steering and subframe mounting is worth doing before purchase.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “My 1991 Pontiac Grand Prix has exhibited the same exact issues described by NHTSA campaign 00v189000. The bolts that hold the back end of the motor cradle corroded through and the engine fell as described in the description of GM campaign 00061, including the steering shaft separating so that the car became . The VIN of my vehicle places it as about 4000 units after the end of the recall.”

   NHTSA complaint #10173359, filed 2006-11, 130,000 miles

   “I was driving down a main road (speed limit 55 MPH) when my steering went completely out, the steering wheel spun in either direction without stopping w/no action at tires. Luckily I was able to brake and maneuver the vehicle to the shoulder. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10209921, filed 2007-11, 150 miles
2. 2
   Brakes

   Rear brake calipers corrode and seize

   • 55 complaints (32%)
   • typically at 4.8 yrs old
   • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 1995–2003

   Complaints describe rear disc brakes that stop working properly, with caliper slide pins frozen and rotors heavily rusted even where the car was seldom driven. Owners report long stopping distances, a pedal that feels hard or lacks assist, and repeated replacement of rear brake parts; in some cases the rear system was replaced more than once. Some complaints mention repair programs or service notices covering rear brake corrosion, and dealers in some cases replaced rotors, calipers and slide kits without resolving the complaint. Mostly reported on 1990s-model cars, with several owners describing problems that appeared or recurred over many years of use; mileage is seldom stated in these complaints.

   What to check: Have the rear brakes inspected on a lift, looking for frozen slide pins, rusted rotors and uneven pad wear, and ask for service records showing whether the rear calipers or rotors were replaced.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “While approaching a stop sign, brakes were applied and the pedal was very hard as if there was a lock on it. There was little reaction the vehicle vaguely slowed down. Consumer had to drop the vehicle into a lower gear along with still applying the brakes to stop. Dealer has been cotacted.”

   NHTSA complaint #851879, filed 1999-10

   “Consumer found out from repair shop that rear brakes had no power. One of the brakes was completely disconnected. Also, they were both rusted. Consumer will contact manufacturer.”

   NHTSA complaint #863564, filed 2000-06
3. 3
   Exterior lighting

   Headlights and fog lights cut out while driving

   • 7 complaints (4%)
   • median 96,000 mi at 15.8 yrs old (1 states mileage, few)
   • filed 1997–2007

   Complaints describe headlights and fog lights going dark for seconds to minutes with no warning and then coming back on, sometimes at highway speed. One owner reports the service manager attributing it to a faulty high/low beam switch in the turn-signal stalk, and another links the symptom to a recall covering simultaneous operation of fog and headlamps overloading the circuit breaker. Dealers told several owners no open recall applied to their vehicle. Reports come from the late 1990s and 2000s on high-mileage cars; one complaint notes 96,000 miles.

   Recall 92V182000

   What to check: Test the headlamps, fog lamps and turn signals at night, watch for flickering, and ask whether the headlamp switch or circuit breaker has been replaced; also confirm whether recall 92V182000 applies to the vehicle's identification number.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “While driving on the road at 65 MPH, the headlights failed;the driving lights also failed at the same time. I checked with the manufacturer about a recall for this problem and there was none listed for this year. There was a recall for similar problem that only went back to the 1994 model. The service manager at dealrship informed me that this was a fairly common occurance in grand prixs,olds cutless,and whatever the buick model based on the same platform is. …”

   NHTSA complaint #714311, filed 1999-11

   “Intermittently while driving headlights go off for a couple of seconds to a minute, and then go back on. This happens without any kind of warning. Dealer was notified about the problem. Dealer stated that no open recall was issued on the vehicle. Problem has not been corrected.”

   NHTSA complaint #857614, filed 2000-02
4. 4
   Electrical system

   Steering column smoke or burning smell

   • 10 complaints (6%)
   • median 96,000 mi at 15.8 yrs old (1 states mileage, few)
   • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 1995–2007

   Owners report smoke and a burning smell coming from the steering column when using the turn signals or starting the car, and one describes smoke appearing when a turn signal is applied. One owner also notes that fuses blow and that the car will not start unless the steering wheel is turned to a certain position. Reported in the late 1990s and 2000s; mileage is generally not stated in these complaints.

   What to check: Operate the turn signals and ignition while watching and smelling around the steering column, and ask whether wiring or the turn-signal switch has been serviced for smoke or fuse problems.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Intermittently while using the turn signal smoke will come out of the steering column. It is a burning smell, but not a fire. Also, low beams work intermittently.”

   NHTSA complaint #833228, filed 1999-02

   “The contact owns a 1991 Pontiac Grand Prix ste. The contact stated that the vehicle fails to start unless the steering wheel is turned in a certain position. She also stated that the brake lights will not work unless the headlights are activated. As a result, fuses have blown and the vehicle occasionally overheats. She notified the dealer who stated that her VIN was not included in any recalls. The contact referenced recall # 92v182000 (electrical system:fuses and circuit breakers). …”

   NHTSA complaint #10192527, filed 2007-06

Buying note. These cars are now old enough that maintenance history matters more than mileage: confirm whether the cradle-bolt recalls were applied to this specific vehicle and have the rear brakes and steering inspected before purchase. Headlamp and electrical faults are also common enough that a night-time test drive is worthwhile.

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.