MotorDeets

Pontiac Grand Prix problems, recalls & best years

The deets on every Grand Prix from 1990 to 2008: 5,184 owner complaints and 62 recalls across 19 model years.

The model years with the most owner complaints are 1997 (810), 1998 (499), 2000 (461). Best fuel economy: 22 mpg combined (1990).

Pontiac Grand Prix
Photo: Elise240SX · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons. Representative photo of this generation; trim may differ.

Problem areas across all years

Engine & cooling876
Electrical866
Steering655
Exterior lights620
Engine574
Brakes (hydraulic)553
Transmission & drivetrain400
Visibility (wipers, glass)339

Year by year

YearRecallsComplaintsBest mpg
1990817622
1991417221
1992111420
1993113120
1994121320
1995316920
199617921
1997581021
1998449921
1999441221
2000546121
2001630821
2002333021
2003310621
2004745421
2005114821
2006123921
2007322021
2008114321

Want the full repair deets? Get the factory manual.

Recall and complaint data tells you what goes wrong. A service manual tells you how to fix it: torque specs, wiring diagrams, fluid capacities and step-by-step procedures for the Pontiac Grand Prix.

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Mitchell 1 DIY Online access, factory-level data

Pro-shop repair procedures, wiring diagrams and TSBs for your exact car.

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ALLDATAdiy Online access, factory OEM info

OEM procedures, specs and recall/TSB info, the same source many shops use.

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Haynes Print book or AllAccess online

Step-by-step photos written from a real teardown. Great for first-timers.

Books ~$30–$40 · AllAccess $34.99/mo
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FAQ

What is the worst year for the Pontiac Grand Prix?

The model years with the most owner complaints are 1997 (810), 1998 (499), 2000 (461).

How many recalls has the Pontiac Grand Prix had?

Across 1990–2008, NHTSA lists 62 vehicle recall campaigns by model year (a campaign that covers several years counts once per year).