IllustrationTHE TRANSMISSION WENT COMPLETELY OUT ON THE HIGHWAY . *AK
1985 Pontiac Grand Prix
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
Limited comparison data
There is not enough comparable history to draw a useful model-year comparison.
Counts are not adjusted for sales, age, mileage exposure or reporting. A lower count does not establish that a car is problem-free.
About this comparison →3Owner complaints
Model-year median: 88
1Recall campaignsView recall details →
4InvestigationsView investigation details →
Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗ Model-level counts do not show whether a particular VIN is affected or repaired.
Inspection summary
1985 Pontiac Grand Prix
NHTSA snapshot: September 18, 2026. 3 owner complaints · 1 recall campaigns · 4 investigations.
Counts are not failure probabilities and are not adjusted for sales, age, mileage exposure or reporting. One report may name several categories. Comparison method and limitations.
Top reported categories (up to 5)
- Engine And Engine Cooling: 1 reports
- Power Train: 1 reports
- Seats: 1 reports
Full reported-category list and vehicle report
Recall links
Check a VIN with NHTSA. Model-level history does not establish whether a particular VIN is affected or repaired.
Print the top reported categories, recall links, snapshot date and comparison limits.
How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Grand Prix years →Counts vary with age, sales, mileage exposure and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
Limited mileage data: 0 of 3 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
- Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 1 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Power Train. Review the 1 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Seats. Review the 1 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
1 crash reports1 fire reports1 injury reports
Power Train complaints
1 reportsRecall campaigns
187V046000 · Structure:body:door
Apr 3, 1987
DRIVERS SIDE POWER DOOR LOCK SWITCH MAY SEPARATE DURING ACTUATION, EXPOSING THE ELECTRICAL TERMINAL.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THE TERMINAL MAY CONTACT THE STEEL REMOTE MIRROR CABLE,A SHORT CAN OCCUR WITHOUT BLOWING A FUSE. THIS MAY ALLOW THE CABLE TO OVERHEATAND COULD RESULT IN A VEHICLE FIRE.
Remedy: INSPECT AND MODIFY POWER DOOR LOCK SWITCH AS REQUIRED.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
Defect investigations
4PE89145 · Parking Brake Cable
Opened Jul 21, 1989 · Closed Sep 22, 1989
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Parking Brake
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PE89104 · Jammed Steering Mechanism
Opened Mar 17, 1989 · Closed May 12, 1989
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Steering
SUMMARY: THE OIL FILL TUBE MAY BECOME LOOSE, CAUSING IT TO FALL ANDPOSSIBLY BECOME LODGED NEAR THE STEERING GEAR.THIS MAY CAUSE THESTEERING MECHANISM TO BECOME JAMMED, RESULTING IN A LOSS OF VEHICLECONTROL.===
C89001 · Throttle NON-RETURN
Opened Mar 6, 1989 · Closed Jan 16, 1990
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Vehicle Speed Control:linkages
There is no summary currently available
EA86025 · Windshield Wipers
Opened Aug 25, 1986 · Closed Mar 2, 1988
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Visibility
SUMMARY:GM BELIEVES THE PROBLEM HAS BEEN CORRECTED THROUGH ITS PUBLI-CATION OF 7 SERVICE BULLETINS CONCERNING THIS MATTER. IN ADDITION, GMDOES NOT BELIEVE WINDSHIELD WIPER FAILURE REPRESENTS A SAFETY HAZARD.ANALYSIS: THREE FAILURE MODES HAVE BEEN IDENTIFIED; INSULATING FILM MAYBUILD UP BETWEEN THE BRUSH FACE AND THE COMMUTATOR OF THE WIPER MOTOR,CORROSION MAY FORM IN THE WIPER MOTOR BRUSH AND DISENGAGEMENT OF THEWIPER ARMS MAY OCCUR. IN VIEW OF THE EXISTING LEGAL PRECEDENT, THE LARGENUMBER OF WARRANTY CLAIMS CONCERNING WIPER MOTOR FAILURES (114,000) ANDTHE HIGH WIPER MOTOR AND MOTOR KIT PART SALES (251,000), IT IS IMPERATIVETHAT THIS MATTER RECEIVE MANAGEMENT SUPPORT.STATUS: GM RESPONSE DATED 2/23/87. ANALYZING AS TIME PERMITS.EA CLOSED 3/2/88.=== D@
An investigation is not a finding of a defect, and closure does not prove a vehicle is problem-free.