2007 Pontiac Grand Prix Problems

What owners report

Owners of this model year most often describe headlamps, particularly low beams, going out or behaving erratically while driving at night, frequently at higher mileages. Electrical complaints, from seeming total shutdowns to no-start conditions, and transmission shifting or engagement problems also appear repeatedly in the sample. Many complaints describe intermittent faults that dealers were unable to duplicate.

1. 1
   Exterior lighting

   Low-beam headlights cut out while driving

   • 103 complaints (47%)
   • median 100,000 mi at 7.7 yrs old (83 state mileage)
   • 17 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2008–2024

   Owners describe low-beam headlamps turning off without warning, often at night, while high beams and other lamps continue to work. Some report that cycling the ignition or switching to high beams restores light temporarily, and that replacing relays, fuses or modules only worked for a short time before the fault returned. Several complaints mention that a dealer could not reproduce the problem during a shop visit. Reported across a wide mileage range, mostly between about 50,000 and 150,000 miles, usually during night driving.

   Recall 15V5190001 related service bulletin

   What to check: Ask whether the headlamp recall work was completed and whether the headlamp relay or module has been replaced; test the low beams at night over a longer drive, and confirm high beams and turn signals work normally.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “While driving down the street my low beam headlights shutoff. This has been going on foe a year and half. I changed the relay and the new one got so hot it melted. So then I changed the whole fuse box under the hood. It seemed to have worked until the other week. Now its the same problem.”

   NHTSA complaint #10748258, filed 2015-08, 126,789 miles

   “The low beams just stopped working but all other lights were fine. First it happened when we were driving at night to go home. Tried all types of ways such as set the alarm off on the car which worked for a few minutes to reset the lights. Then the low beams went off again. We replaced the headlights, the fuse for the headlamps. This worked for about three weeks, then again driving at night they turned off. Nothing worked to get the low beams back on. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10483943, filed 2012-11, 104,000 miles
2. 2
   Electrical system

   Sudden loss of power or stalling while driving

   • 35 complaints (16%)
   • median 103,277 mi at 8.2 yrs old (30 state mileage)
   • 4 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • owner-quoted repair $940 (median of 5 quotes)
   • filed 2008–2024

   Owners describe the engine shutting down or electrical power dropping out while driving, sometimes at highway speed, with a loss of power steering and power brakes at the same time. Some report messages such as reduced power or starting disabled on the information display, and several say shops found no stored codes or could not duplicate the fault. Repairs such as throttle body, brake switch or module replacement are described as not resolving the problem. Spread from about 45,000 to over 200,000 miles, at a wide range of speeds including highway driving.

   Recall 14V4000001 related service bulletin

   What to check: Ask whether the ignition recall work was performed and whether the ignition switch, throttle body or body control module has been replaced; check for stored codes and whether a second key works reliably.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Driving down the road just got up to 55 everything shut off no power no steering no power brakes no motor running got it stopped turned key it started went to my local shop (the same day) put on computer no codes he checked everything no problems ???? It has also failed to start for my wife several times( yesterday was the latest) after a few attempts started just fine took to my local shop after each time no problems local dealer offered no help.”

   NHTSA complaint #10648272, filed 2014-10, 45,000 miles

   “After traveling about 150 miles from macon, ga, in the morning of the 16th, the car shut down on I-75 in heavy traffic going 75 MPH in the passing lane. We had no engine power, power steering or brakes, but managed to coast to the shoulder. I was able to restart the car after a few minutes only to have it stall out after 10 or 15 miles. The only warning was 2 chimes from the car before total shut down. We did have flasher lights and were able to restart the car each time. This happened about 6 or 8 times. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10705175, filed 2015-04, 108,300 miles
3. 3
   Transmission and drivetrain

   Delayed or harsh transmission engagement and slipping

   • 26 complaints (12%)
   • median 72,200 mi at 5.1 yrs old (23 state mileage)
   • filed 2007–2021

   Complaints describe the car bogging or hesitating when accelerating from a stop, harsh or sudden shifts, and occasionally no movement in drive until the driver manually selects a lower gear. In some cases the transmission was replaced or rebuilt, and owners report the symptoms returning afterward. Some describe a clanking noise traced to the transmission area. Reported from very low mileage on a new car up to roughly 150,000 miles, often noticed from a stop or at low speeds.

   2 related service bulletins

   What to check: Drive from a stop several times in traffic and note any hesitation or hard shifts, check transmission fluid condition and service history, and ask whether the transmission has ever been repaired or replaced.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “The car has had off and on transmission issues. From a stop, when trying to accelerate. It bogged badly, like it was in 2nd, suddenly it slammed into first and I was on my way. There have been several instances of rough shifts. Also, at times I'll be going very slow 0-10mph and need to accelerate in traffic. The car hesitates for a second before regaining RPM. I have not been stranded yet but wanted to record the incidents. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10448588, filed 2012-02, 60,000 miles

   “Drive gear won't engage from a stop. Started vehicle and it stalled. Reverse out of parking spot and put in drive to leave parking lot. Went to accelerate from a stop and engine revved and would not move like it was in neutral. Had to place vehicle in 1st gear to move up through 3rd and then put in drive after getting up to speed. Problem started without warning and mileage is only at 84,400. Never had a GM vehicle with this type of issue before and I have only owned GM. Very disappointed.”

   NHTSA complaint #10450239, filed 2012-03, 84,400 miles
4. 4
   Steering

   Power steering assist cutting out

   • 23 complaints (10%)
   • median 58,117 mi at 7.9 yrs old (22 state mileage)
   • 6 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2007–2024

   Owners report the steering suddenly becoming very heavy or losing assist while driving, sometimes at low speed and sometimes on the highway, and in some accounts the wheel would not turn as expected. In several complaints the assist returned after restarting the vehicle, and one report attributes the loss to a failed rack-and-pinion unit. Complaints also mention noise or looseness from the steering column. Mostly reported between about 50,000 and 150,000 miles, at various speeds.

   Recall 14V4000001 related service bulletin

   What to check: Ask whether the steering rack, column or universal joint has been serviced, and test low-speed and parking-lot steering for heaviness, noise or play.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “When I start my car, it will stall out, not turn over or it will idle for a few seconds, then immediately shut off. I mean shut the whole car down so nothing electrical can work at which point my key will be stuck in the ignition and I cannot get it out. I am able to restart the car normally, however the steering wheel vibrates along with the body of my car while in motion and while parked. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11209261, filed 2019-05, 108,630 miles

   “Husband was driving home from work, coming around curve and could not turn the wheel/ steer to the right to make the turn.... Crashed head on with a dodge ram 3500 truck. Car is totalled. Husband was rushed to emergency room with a concussion, cervical sprain, and hip contusion. Thank god my children were not in the car.”

   NHTSA complaint #10614696, filed 2014-07, 145,000 miles
5. 5
   Exterior lighting

   High beams switch on when using the turn signal

   • 14 complaints (6%)
   • median 90,000 mi at 8.4 yrs old (12 state mileage)
   • filed 2009–2022

   Several owners report that operating the turn signal, most often when signaling a right turn or when the stalk clicks back, turns the high beams on and sometimes makes them hard to switch off. The behavior is described as recurring on nearly every trip, and owners link it to the turn signal stalk or multifunction switch. Dealers are described as either unable to identify the source or replacing the stalk assembly. Reported from roughly 75,000 to 170,000 miles, during both night and day driving.

   What to check: With the lights on, cycle the turn signal both directions and watch whether the high beams flick on; ask whether the turn signal or multifunction switch has ever been replaced.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “I have a secondary air issue that we can't seem to get fixed, even with all the parts we have replaced. Also at night every time I use my blinker the high beams come on and won't turn off. The issue is when im driving at night it seems to happen when my blinker clicks back into place.”

   NHTSA complaint #11362542, filed 2020-10, 90,000 miles

   “When using my turn signal (primarily/ consistently when signaling a right hand turn) my bright lights come on and it is quite difficult to get them to turn off. Occurs occasionally when signaling a left hand turn. This happens when moving or stationary.”

   NHTSA complaint #11054273, filed 2017-12, 150,000 miles

Buying note. Because the most common complaints are intermittent lighting and electrical faults, check that the applicable recalls were completed and that the headlamp relay or module and ignition switch are in good order, and budget for possible diagnosis time at a shop. A test drive at night and a check of the transmission and steering behavior from a stop will show much of what owners describe.

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.