1993 Pontiac Grand Prix Problems
- Complaints
- 131filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- 130,000miles, 6 complaints with mileage
- Recalls
- 1campaigns on record
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
- NHTSA crash rating
- —overall rating starts with 2011 models
- EPA fuel economy
- 20 mpgcombined, 3.1L 6-cyl FWD · 17 city / 25 hwy
Sources: NHTSA records for the 1993 Pontiac Grand Prix (complaints, recalls, investigations), NHTSA crash tests, EPA fuel economy. Report an error
What owners report
Owners of the 1993 Grand Prix most often write about the rear brakes, and second about smoke from the steering column. The sampled complaints show brake work repeated over and over, and column smoke usually appearing around the hazard or turn-signal switch. Most reports come at high mileage, so many of these cars have already had related repairs.
- Brakes
Rear brake calipers seizing and overheating
- 48 complaints (37%)
- median 115,000 mi at 9.4 yrs old (1 states mileage, few)
- 7 mention a crash, fire or injury
- filed 1995–2008
Complaints describe rear calipers that stick instead of releasing, so the pads stay against the rotor and the brakes drag, overheat and wear out quickly. Owners say calipers, pads, rotors and slide pins were replaced repeatedly, sometimes several times in a year, and that the problem came back. Some report the wheel hubcap or brake area getting hot or smoking, and the dealer sometimes fitted a new caliper only for the symptom to return. A separate group describes the pedal going hard or long stopping distances, and owners note that dealers could not always find a fault. Reported across the model year at a wide range of mileages, often after a brake job or in wet weather.
What to check: Have a mechanic pull the rear wheels and check that the calipers and slide pins move freely and release fully, and look for uneven pad wear or heat damage. Ask for service records showing whether the rear brakes have been redone more than once.
2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records
“I received a letter from Pontiac or soneone a year ago about some brake problems ant that Pontiac would pay for any repair. My auto mechanic informed me that my rear calipers were froze and it would cost $400-500 to repair the car. He seems to think that the brake problen was the one Pontiac was paying for. Could you give me some information about this thanks-tim isbell.”
NHTSA complaint #738698, filed 2001-01“I originally purchased vehicle knowing it had a brake problem and haggled on the price in order to repair afterward. After replacing front brake pads, the problem presisted. I took the vehicle to several mechanics with no probem found. I took the vehicle back to the dealership I had bought it from and their mechanics found no problem. I invested several hundred dollars and countless hours trying to solve problem. Me and my wife must use a lot caution when driving the vehicle.”
NHTSA complaint #725397, filed 2000-07 - Electrical system
Smoke or fire from the steering column
- 30 complaints (23%)
- median 115,000 mi at 9.4 yrs old (1 states mileage, few)
- 7 mention a crash, fire or injury
- filed 1996–2004
Owners describe smoke, a burning smell or flames coming from the steering column or steering wheel, frequently around the hazard switch or turn-signal switch. Several say the smoke appeared after using the turn signals or hazard lights, and some report the signal or flasher stopped working at the same time. Dealers replaced the hazard switch or the turn-signal assembly, and in some cases the fix did not last. A few owners report the ignition switch or dash wiring caught fire and the column, dash and instrument cluster had to be replaced. Mostly described on cars by the late 1990s, often on starting the car or when the signals were used, with mileages rarely reported.
What to check: Check that the turn signals and hazards click and stay on without being held, and look for melted or discolored plastic or off smells around the column switches. Ask whether the hazard or turn-signal switch has ever been replaced.
2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records
“I own a 1993 Grand Prix. Ever since I bought it used in 2001, I have had to pull the turning signal mechanism forward to make them operable. About a month ago, my 19-year-old daughter was borrowing the car. When she used the turning signal it started to smoke. The whole steering column caught fire and flames shot up through the vents in the car. Fortunately, she was close to home so we could extinguish it with a fire extinguisher. The fire department was called to disconnect the battery. I have since heard of various problems with this model. …”
NHTSA complaint #10020737, filed 2003-05“Several problems at different times.olt fell out of rear of engine cradle causing loss of steering. Went into the ditch and could have been serious if it had happened at a different location. Severe oil leak in engine, origin unknown.ilting mechanism in steering column is loose which caused bracket to break and allows steering wheel to move up and down. While steering wheel is down and being turned, the car dies. Seat tilt mechanism on front passenger seat does not hold seat back in upright position. …”
NHTSA complaint #10053179, filed 2004-01, 115,000 miles - Engine cooling
Engine cradle bolts or cradle rust failure
Mentioned in 5 of 60 sampled complaints
Owners describe the bolts holding the front engine cradle coming loose or the cradle itself cracking and rusting through, and in some cases the engine dropping. Because the cradle carries the steering, loss of power steering or steering control follows, and several owners say they ended up in a ditch. Some owners reference manufacturer recalls for similar cradle problems on other years but say their car was not covered. One complaint groups this with a loss of steering on the road. Reported on cars around 108,000 to 150,000 miles in the sample, typically years into ownership.
What to check: Have the front cradle bolts and cradle metal inspected for rust, looseness or cracking before buying, and ask whether the car was ever checked against manufacturer campaigns for cradle bolts.
2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records
“Found out that my main problem with my steering and suspension is that the cradle that holds the engine is cracked and rusted out ready to break I replaced the cradle in june 2003 but I had it welded in jan of 2002 these is same defect as in GM geographic recall for 1991 model”
NHTSA complaint #10069213, filed 2004-01, 150,000 miles“The vehicle experienced the same defect with it's rear cradle bolts as stated in recall # 97 v 058 000. The consumers vehicle was not included in the recall due to VIN.”
NHTSA complaint #10019722, filed 2003-05, 108,000 miles - Exterior lighting
Turn signals that must be held and stop working
Mentioned in 4 of 60 sampled complaints
Complaints describe a turn signal that only works while the lever is held by hand, and dealers telling owners the turn-signal unit under the steering wheel needs replacement. Owners tie this to the same column switch area where others report smoke, so a failing switch can show up first as an inoperative signal. Reported on older cars in the sample, with no consistent mileage given.
What to check: With the engine running, flip each turn signal and the hazards and confirm they latch and work without holding the lever.
An excerpt from owner complaints in NHTSA records
“While driving driver noticed a puff of smoke coming from steering wheel. Dealer will be notified. This smell of something burning had occured twice. The dealer indicated the 1994's were recalled for this problem and it should be recalled now too.”
NHTSA complaint #883933, filed 2001-03
Buying note. On a car this old, budget for a thorough brake inspection and a look at the steering column switches, since both problems recur in owner reports. Also have the cradle and seat hardware checked, and confirm any open recall work was done.
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.
NHTSA recorded 131 consumer complaints for the 1993 Pontiac Grand Prix. 6 of the complaints include a mileage, and 0% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 130,000 miles. Of all complaints, 11 involved a crash, 8 a fire, 13 an injury, 1 a death, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign and 1 technical service bulletin for this model year.
Not compared (before 2008). Model years 2008–2023 of the same vehicle that have at least 25 complaints are compared, and a model needs at least 3 of them.
Which parts are reported most
Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.
- Brakes57 44%
- Electrical system32 24%
- Engine cooling10 7.6%
- Exterior lighting10 7.6%
- Steering9 6.9%
- Seats5 3.8%
- Seat belts4 3.0%
- Other or unknown3 2.3%
- Body and structure3 2.3%
Also reported: Suspension (3), Latches, locks and linkages (2), Tires (2), Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors) (2), Wheels (2), Air bags (1), Vehicle speed control (1).
Example complaints
Brakes: “This is addendum to odi # 700647: on may 14, 1997, I had my brakes relined and paid for the following: rear pads, front pads, boot kit, retainers, cut rotors, slide pins and anti-rattle clips. On my way home, the right rear brake overheated and began smoking. I called the dealer and scheduled an appointment. After he worked on the car, I still had problems. I returned and he charged me for a new caliper and said the problem was solved. Total cost of the repairs including trial and error was $369.34. The problem continues and the dealer installed a new brake hose at no charge. …”
NHTSA complaint #700648, filed 1998-11Electrical system: “I own a 1993 Pontiac Grand Prix that I purchased used in 1998. 2 years ago, occassionally smoke started to come out of the steering wheel when I would start the car, fearing it would catch on fire, I would only drive it when I really had to. I have talked to Pontiac and they said more complaints would have to come in for them to do anything. My father-in-law bought a 2000 Grand Prix and last week it did the same thing. Can we get a recall on this?”
NHTSA complaint #10004992, filed 2003-01Engine cooling: “There were bolts missing or not put in at the manufacturer to cause the upper an lower gasket to go bad right were the two bolts were messing . They said that there was suppose to be 14bolts an I had 12 bolts thats why the upper an lower gasket blew right ware the to bolts were messing . Now when I got this car it had 32100 mileson it the clear coat was coming off then took it to a to bolts and I had 12 an ware the to bolts were messing is were the gasket blew out. So I had to pay 678.63 .and then the clear coat started peeling and chipping on the car . …”
NHTSA complaint #743614, filed 2001-04Exterior lighting: “Ocasional smoke emitting from the steering column. Took to a dealer to repair. They replaced the hazard light switch. Problem returned about 3 months later. I am very concerned about the possibility of a fire staring in the steering wheel.”
NHTSA complaint #536776, filed 1998-06Mileage when problems were reported
0% of the 6 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 108,000 and 150,000 miles.
Complaints by year filed
Trend: stable. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
Crash test ratings
NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 1993 Pontiac Grand Prix. Frontal results are shown driver / passenger; rollover shows the star rating and NHTSA's estimated risk of rolling over in a single-vehicle crash.
| Version | Overall | Frontal | Side | Side pole | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Grand Prix · sedan | not rated | 2 / – | — | — | — |
Ratings before the 2011 model year come from an older, less demanding test and are not comparable with ratings for 2011 and later.
Source: NHTSA New Car Assessment Program (5-Star Safety Ratings), nhtsa.gov/ratings.
Fuel economy and running cost
EPA ratings for each 1993 Pontiac Grand Prix version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving).
| Version | Engine | Transmission | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Grand Prix FWD | 3.1L 6-cyl | 3-speed automatic | 17 | 25 | 20 | $3,350 |
| Grand Prix FWD | 3.1L 6-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 17 | 27 | 20 | $3,350 |
| Grand Prix FWD | 3.4L 6-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 15 | 24 | 18 | $3,700 |
| Grand Prix FWD | 3.4L 6-cyl | 5-speed manual | 15 | 24 | 18 | $3,700 |
Source: U.S. EPA and Department of Energy, fueleconomy.gov. Ratings are for comparing vehicles; real-world mileage varies with driving and conditions.
Recalls and investigations
- 93V035000Mar 9, 1993SeatsCovers: Pontiac Grand Prix 1993, Oldsmobile Cutlass 1993, Buick Regal 1993 +1 more
The driver and passenger front seat manual reclining mechanisms do not comply with the requirements of fmvss 207, "seating systems." the seat back mechanisms will not latch under certain conditions.
Recall details for the 1993 Pontiac Grand Prix → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls
Technical service bulletins
TSBs are manufacturer notes to dealers about known repair procedures. They are not recalls and do not by themselves mean a vehicle has a fault. 1 on record; the latest 1 are shown.
- 10246631Sep 1, 2013Engine cooling. Expanded Availability for Remanufacture and Return (R&R) Electronic Control Modules
Other model years of the Pontiac Grand Prix
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | Crash ★ | MPG | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 143 | 81,000 | 1 | — | 21 | Not compared (fewer than 3 comparable model years) | Falling |
| 2007 | 220 | 90,000 | 3 | — | 20 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2006 | 239 | 91,162 | 1 | — | 20 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2005 | 148 | 70,250 | 1 | — | 20 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2004 | 454 | 72,975 | 7 | — | 20 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2003 | 106 | 100,000 | 3 | — | 20 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2002 | 330 | 92,100 | 3 | — | 20 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2001 | 308 | 97,000 | 6 | — | 21 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2000 | 461 | 97,000 | 5 | — | 21 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 1999 | 412 | 94,685 | 4 | — | 21 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 1998 | 499 | 94,000 | 4 | — | 21 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 1997 | 810 | 104,352 | 5 | — | 20 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 1996 | 79 | 39,153 | 1 | — | 21 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1995 | 169 | 116,379 | 3 | — | 20 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1994 | 213 | 127,500 | 1 | — | 20 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1993 | 131 | 130,000 | 1 | — | 20 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1992 | 114 | 130,000 | 1 | — | 20 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1991 | 172 | 126,000 | 4 | — | 20 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1990 | 176 | 73,518 | 8 | — | 19 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1989 | 139 | 122,500 | 9 | — | 20 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1988 | 88 | 154,000 | 11 | — | 21 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
All Pontiac Grand Prix model years · Best and worst years by complaints
Frequently asked questions
What are the most common problems with the 1993 Pontiac Grand Prix?
Owners of the 1993 Grand Prix most often write about the rear brakes, and second about smoke from the steering column. The issues reported most often: Rear brake calipers seizing and overheating; Smoke or fire from the steering column; Engine cradle bolts or cradle rust failure.
How many NHTSA complaints does the 1993 Pontiac Grand Prix have?
NHTSA recorded 131 consumer complaints for the 1993 Pontiac Grand Prix as of Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 1993 Pontiac Grand Prix is reported most often?
Brakes is named most often, in 57 complaints (44% of the total), followed by electrical system with 32.
Has the 1993 Pontiac Grand Prix been recalled?
NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 1993 Pontiac Grand Prix get?
The EPA rates the 1993 Pontiac Grand Prix (Grand Prix, 3.1L 6-cyl) at 20 mpg combined, 17 city and 25 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $3,350 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.
At what mileage are problems with the 1993 Pontiac Grand Prix reported?
Among the 6 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 130,000 miles and the middle half falls between 108,000 and 150,000 miles; 0% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. Crash ratings are from NHTSA’s New Car Assessment Program. Fuel economy is from the EPA and DOE (fueleconomy.gov).
Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.