2006 Pontiac Grand Prix Problems

What owners report

Owners of this model year most often describe low-beam headlights that cut out intermittently while driving and a transmission that slips, bangs into gear, or fails to engage from a stop. Starter and ignition complaints (no start, key stuck, key not turning) also appear repeatedly, often starting somewhere in the five- to six-figure mileage range. Reports generally build up gradually at higher mileages rather than occurring on new cars.

1. 1
   Transmission and drivetrain

   Transmission slips, bangs, or fails to engage

   • 51 complaints (21%)
   • median 80,617 mi at 6.4 yrs old (40 state mileage)
   • owner-quoted repair $3,000 (median of 5 quotes)
   • filed 2007–2016

   Owners describe harsh engagement from a stop, slipping under acceleration, shuddering, RPM flare at steady speed, and sometimes a vehicle that will not move in drive until it is shut off and restarted. Some complaints note dark fluid and metal debris at service. Repair shops and dealers are described as doing fluid services, one overhaul, or module replacement, with some reports of the symptoms continuing. Often reported between about 65,000 and 180,000 miles, frequently first noticed at highway speed or in stop-and-go traffic.

   2 related service bulletins

   What to check: Drive it cold and warm through stop-and-go and highway speeds, feeling for flares, hard shifts or delayed engagement; ask for transmission service history and whether the fluid has been changed.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “The initial issue that I noticed was when I was driving at 70mph at about 2000 rpms the rpms would jump up about 300 rpms when I would drive at a steady speed, just flat ground. It got worse and more frequent as a month went on, so I then brought to a GM dealership and they decided to do a transmission service (fluid and filter) and inspect what they could, everything looked good . …”

   NHTSA complaint #10606781, filed 2014-06, 100,000 miles

   “My transmission has not failed completely as of yet, but I am experiencing a lot of problems with it.the car shudders violently during acceleration. Sometimes more severe than others. Very noticeable loss of power. Had the transmission serviced and the fluid was almost black and there was a excessive amount of metal or tcc material in the bottom of the pan. Car just reached 65,000 miles.”

   NHTSA complaint #10381519, filed 2011-02, 64,900 miles
2. 2
   Exterior lighting

   Low-beam headlights cut out while driving

   • 43 complaints (18%)
   • median 121,500 mi at 9.7 yrs old (34 state mileage)
   • 6 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2008–2021

   Complaints describe low beams going dark without warning and coming back on after minutes or after a restart, sometimes with only the high beams working. Some owners point to the headlamp driver module or relay in the fuse panel; one reported a melted relay found after a burning smell. Dealers are described as replacing the lighting module or relay, and some owners say the problem returned afterward. Mostly reported between roughly 40,000 and 290,000 miles, often at night or in rural driving where the loss of light is immediately noticed.

   2 related service bulletins

   What to check: Test the low beams at night and check the headlamp module and relay in the fuse panel for heat damage or melting; ask whether the lighting relay or module has been replaced.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Driving down the road early morning or late night my low beams will turn off and come back on 20 minutes later, this is a very big safety issue. I have replaced fuses and everything possible to do with headlights and they still continue to fail. I have had my car looked at by a certified mechanic and they will not mess with it due to the fact that there are to many wiring harnesses. I have read every forum for grand prixs with low beam issues and nothing solves it. This issues needs to be resolved.”

   NHTSA complaint #10744493, filed 2015-07, 200,000 miles

   “My power steering went out and when you try to go over 40 the car lunges forward and has a hard time shifting and will continue while in cruise control. I already had work done on the fuel line cause the line was clogged and the vehicle would lunge forward cause the fuel wasn't getting pushed through. My power steering went out after my boyfriend parked it. He only noticed it when he tried driving away and he couldn't turn the wheel like usual. The cruise control does its thing while in motion. Also the headlamps! …”

   NHTSA complaint #11398596, filed 2021-03, 218,000 miles
3. 3
   Electrical system

   Stalling with reduced engine power or throttle messages

   • 26 complaints (11%)
   • median 103,500 mi at 8.4 yrs old (25 state mileage)
   • filed 2009–2020

   Complaints describe the engine shutting off while driving, often with messages such as starting disabled due to electronic throttle control or reduced engine power, and sometimes with loss of dash lighting. Some owners say a dealer replaced the ignition switch or applied the ignition recall repair and the stalling returned; others report the cause was not found. Reported from roughly 60,000 to 165,000 miles, at varied speeds including highway and at stop lights.

   Recall 14V4000003 related service bulletins

   What to check: Ask whether the ignition recall work (14V400000) was completed and whether the throttle body or ignition switch has been replaced; note any stored codes for misfire or throttle faults.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “I was on an interstate heading home in the rain. Traffic was moving about 10 MPH. I tried to accelerate, but I didn't go anywhere. My car died and the entire dashboard was blank-no lights at all. I was able to get to the shoulder of the interstate. I put the car in park, shut if off, and it restarted with no problem. Has not occurred before. Obviously, a very dangerous situation to be in.”

   NHTSA complaint #10278595, filed 2009-07, 48,000 miles

   “Engine shuts off in the middle of driving and says starting disabled due to electric throttle control, reduced engine power, ABS traction control off. This happens while moving at the correct speed on the highway, stopped at a stop light in the city, and while making turns. Sometimes when it happens I lose power steering and have almost o control of where my car goes. At first this only happened about once a week, but now it can happen up to 10+ times a day”

   NHTSA complaint #11207276, filed 2019-05, 137,000 miles
4. 4
   Steering

   Hard steering or power steering fluid leaks

   • 20 complaints (8%)
   • median 98,800 mi at 8.6 yrs old (17 state mileage)
   • 3 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2007–2021

   Owners describe the steering suddenly becoming very hard to turn, sometimes after the car sat, and low or empty power steering fluid with visible leaks. Some complaints mention a failed rack and pinion or steering knuckle, and one reported the pump pulley coming off the belt. Dealers are described as replacing the rack and pinion, with one owner saying the problem continued. Mostly reported between about 60,000 and 225,000 miles.

   1 related service bulletin

   What to check: Check the power steering fluid level and look for leaks at the pump, lines and rack; turn the wheel lock to lock and listen for noise or a rattle in the front end.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “My car started on fire while on a city road because of the power steering pump pulley completely sprung off serpentine belt melted coolant reservoir melted fuse box be melted from the fire how many other things something to do with the power steering pump leaking fluid and hitting my exhaust causing a fire in my car”

   NHTSA complaint #11389713, filed 2021-01, 160,240 miles

   “Went to the local convenience store to get some items, on the way back home the steering got very hard to turn. My brother investigated and found the power steering reseavore empty of fluid. He refilled it and looked under the car and found it leaking, (stream of fluid).”

   NHTSA complaint #11076174, filed 2018-03, 192,000 miles
5. 5
   Steering

   Early wear of outer tie rod ends

   • 10 complaints (4%)
   • median 31,000 mi at 1.9 yrs old (8 state mileage, few)
   • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2007–2014

   Complaints describe both outer tie rod ends worn out well before expected, sometimes around 37,000 to 48,000 miles, with sloppy steering and rapid tire wear. Owners say shops replaced the tie rod ends, with some noting the original parts lacked grease fittings. One owner reported the dealer declined warranty coverage just past the basic warranty mileage. Mostly reported under about 50,000 miles, and linked to uneven inner tire wear.

   1 related service bulletin

   What to check: Have the front end inspected on a lift, look for uneven inner tire wear, and ask whether the tie rod ends have been replaced with greasable parts.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “The outer tie-rod on my 2006 Grand Prix needs replaced. My vehicle has less than 50,000 miles and I also had to replace my tires after around 45,000 because of the tie-rod problem. All together this is costing me around $700 which is a lot to spend on a problem that I feel is a result of improper manufacturing.”

   NHTSA complaint #10223498, filed 2008-04, 48,000 miles

   “Outer tie rod ends for both front wheels failed at 39,000 miles probably even sooner. Tires were worn out very quickly and had to pay 300.00 to get tie rods replaced. Mechanic said the tie rod ends may have come from the factory without being greased and the did not have grease fittings on them like the new ones he put on. Failure caused tires to jump and sloppy steering, which could of been dangerous. The consumer stated tires were worn out at 35,000 miles which could of happened because of the tie rod end failure. Updated 10/24/07”

   NHTSA complaint #10205101, filed 2007-10, 37,000 miles

Buying note. Have a mechanic check the headlamp circuit, transmission behavior, front suspension and power steering before purchase, and confirm which recall and service bulletin work has been completed. Service records showing transmission fluid changes and ignition recall repairs are worth asking for.

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.