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: 1 of 88 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.
Service Brakes, Hydraulic. Review the 47 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Structure. Review the 10 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Electrical System. Review the 8 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
5 crash reports1 fire reports2 injury reports
What owners actually said
88 reports
154,000 miles · Jan 17, 2016
Electrical SystemSteering
I KEEP LISTENING TO THE NEWS ABOUT THE GM IGNITION SWITCH AND CARS CUTTING OFF. I LIVED IN NJ BOUGHT 1988 GRAND PRIX BRAND NEW WITH ONLY 9 MILES ON IT WHEN I TOOK POSSESSION. THE FIRST TITLE OFF IT HAD 24 MIES ON IT. I TOOK IT BACK TIME AFTER TIME RUNNING UP A SERVICE BILL WHICH EVENTUALLY CONTRIBUTED TO MY BANKRUPTCY BUT NJ H…
Read full complaint
I KEEP LISTENING TO THE NEWS ABOUT THE GM IGNITION SWITCH AND CARS CUTTING OFF. I LIVED IN NJ BOUGHT 1988 GRAND PRIX BRAND NEW WITH ONLY 9 MILES ON IT WHEN I TOOK POSSESSION. THE FIRST TITLE OFF IT HAD 24 MIES ON IT. I TOOK IT BACK TIME AFTER TIME RUNNING UP A SERVICE BILL WHICH EVENTUALLY CONTRIBUTED TO MY BANKRUPTCY BUT NJ HD NO LEMON LAW SO I WAS STUCK IN IT. I FINALLY WAS ABLE TO GET RID OF IT WITH 154000+ MILES ON IT AND IT WAS STILL CUTTING OFF WHENEVER. IT WAS SCARY TO DRIVE BECAUSE YOU NEVER KNOW WHEN YOU TOOK YOUR FOR OFF THE GAS IF THE ENGINE WOULD SHUT OFF AND THE STEERING WOULD FREEZE. I AM REPORTING THIS SO SOMEONE KNOWS THAT THE ISSUE HAS BEEN GOING ON WAY LONGER THAN GM IS LETTING ON.
NHTSA ODI #10820709
Mileage unknown · Jul 19, 2004
Seats
WHEN GETTING INTO THE DRIVER'S SIDE FRONT SEAT CONSUMER NOTICED THAT THE DRIVER'S SIDE CAME OFF THE ASSEMBLY. CONSUMER STATED THAT THIS WAS THE THIRD TIME THAT SEAT WAS REPLACED. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10083242
Mileage unknown · May 13, 2003
Suspension
WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS BEING STARTED THE LEFT BALL JOINT FELL OFF AND THE AXLE BROKE. *NLM
NHTSA ODI #10019785
Mileage unknown · Sep 4, 2002
Structure
WHILE DRIVING CRADLE BOLTS BROKE, CAUSING ENGINE TO FALL, AND VEHICLE TO BREAK DOWN.*AK
NHTSA ODI #8017902
Mileage unknown · Jul 10, 2002
Seat BeltsInjury
CONSUMER WAS INJURED WHEN HER SEATBELTS FAILED TO PROPERLY RESTRAIN HER WHILE DRIVING, HOWEVER THERE WAS A RECALL CAMPAIGN 90V054000 REGARDING THE BELTS.(ATTORNEY ON BEHALF OF CLIENT)*JB
NHTSA ODI #566608
Mileage unknown · May 6, 2002
Structure
NHTSA RECALL 00 V 189 000/MANUFACTURER'S RECALL 00061/65 CONCERNING CRADLE BOLTS. DEALER:PONIAC PUBLIC SERVICE GARAGE, MARQUETTE,MI; PHONE# 906/226-6518 WILL NOT HONOR RECALL, AND MANUFACTURER OFFERED $200 FOR COST OF RECALL. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMTION.*AK
NHTSA ODI #8009303
Mileage unknown · Apr 15, 2002
Suspension
WHILE DRIVING AT 50 MPH FRONT COIL SPRING ON THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE OF VEHICLE BROKE AND CUT UP THE TIRE, CAUSING VEHICLE TO LOSE CONTROL.*AK CONSUMER STATES SPRING AND STRUT SUPPORT BROKE OFF CAUSING SPRING TO PUSH SUPPORT PLATE DOWN INTO THE PATH OF THE TIRE RIPPING THE TIRE. *YH
NHTSA ODI #8007573
Mileage unknown · Apr 8, 2002
Structure
FRAME CRADLE BOLTS PULLED THROUGH RETAINERS DUE TO CORROSION OF RETAINERS, CAUSING MOTOR TO DROP OUT. TOOK TO DEALER TO HAVE IT REPAIRED.*AK
NHTSA ODI #8007006
Mileage unknown · Mar 28, 2002
Structure
CONSUMER STATES WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH AND WITHOUT WARNING THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR FELL OFF TRACK, WHEN CONSUMER PARKED VEHICLE THE DOOR FELL OFF THE DOOR HINGE, BOTH HINGE PINS BROKE IN HALF. NLM *TT
NHTSA ODI #8006580
Mileage unknown · Feb 20, 2002
Fuel System, Gasoline
DUE TO GAS TANK RUSTING, VEHICLE STARTED LEAKING FUEL. HAD GAS TANK REPLACED BY MECHANIC. *AK CONSUMER STATED THAT PRIOR TO REPLACING THE GAS TANK, MECHANIC TRIED TO MAKE REPAIRS BY USING JB WELD, HOWEVER THAT FAILED AND THE TANK HAD TO BE REPLACED. *SLC
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES ORIGINALLY SOLD OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE STATES OF CONNECTICUT, DELAWARE, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, IOWA, MAINE, MARYLAND, MASSACHUSETTS, MICHIGAN, MINNESOTA, MISSOURI, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW JERSEY, NEW YORK, OHIO, PENNSYLVANIA, RHODE ISLAND, VERMONT, WEST VIRGINIA, WISCONSIN, AND THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, WHERE ROAD SALT USE IS HEAVY. A CONDITION WHERE ONE OR BOTH FRONT ENGINE CRADLE BOLTS CAN PULL THROUGH THE RETAINERS DUE TO CORROSION OF THE RETAINERS.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IF BOTH BOLTS PULL THROUGH, THE FRONT OF THE CRADLE WOULD NO LONGER BE SUPPORTED AT THE MOUNTING LOCATIONS AND THE STEERING INTERMEDIATE SHAFT COULD SEPARATE FROM THE STEERING GEAR.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FRONT AND REAR FRAME/CRADLE BOLTS AND RETAINERS.
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES AND MINI VANS ORIGINALLY SOLD OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE FOLLOWING STATES: CONNECTICUT, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, MAINE, MASSACHUSETTS, MICHIGAN, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW JERSEY, NEW YORK, OHIO, PENNSYLVANIA, RHODE ISLAND, VERMONT AND WISCONSIN. THE REAR CRADLE BOLTS PULL THROUGH THE RETAINERS DUE TO CORROSION OF THE RETAINER. IF BOTH BOLTS PULL THROUGH, THE REAR CRADLE WOULD NOT LONGER BE SUPPORTED AT THESE MOUNTING LOCATIONS AND THE STEERING INTERMEDIATE SHAFT CAN SEPARATE FROM THE STEERING GEAR.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IF THIS WERE TO OCCUR WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION, A VEHICLE CRASH COULD RESULT.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE REAR CRADLE BOLTS AND RETAINERS.
CRACKS DEVELOP IN THE WHEEL MOUNTING SURFACE. IF THESE CRACKS BECOME SEVERE ENOUGH, THE WHEEL WILL COMPLETELY SEPARATE FROM THE VEHICLE.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IF WHEEL SEPARATION OCCURS WHILE THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION, LOSS OF STEERING AND BRAKE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE OCCURS, AND A VEHICLE CRASH COULD RESULT WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE MANUFACTURING DATE CODES STAMPED ON EACH WHEEL OF THE VEHICLE AND IF A WHEEL FALLS WITHIN THE SPECIFIED DATE CODE RANGE, THE DEALER WILL REPLACE THAT WHEEL ASSEMBLY.
CRACKS DEVELOP IN THE WHEEL MOUNTING SURFACE. IF THESE CRACKS BECOME SEVERE ENOUGH, THE WHEEL WILL COMPLETELY SEPARATE FROM THE VEHICLE.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IF WHEEL SEPARATION OCCURS WHILE THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION, LOSS OF STEERING AND BRAKE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE OCCURS, AND A VEHICLE CRASH COULD RESULT WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE MANUFACTURING CODES STAMPED ON EACH WHEEL OF THE VEHICLE AND IF A WHEEL FALLS WITHIN THE SPECIFIED DATE CODE RANGE, THE DEALER WILL REPLACE THAT WHEEL ASSEMBLY.
BRAKE STOPLAMPS MAY NOT ILLUMINATE OR, IN SOME CASES, STOPLAMPS MAY NOT STAY ILLUMINATED ALL THE TIME WHEN BRAKES ARE APPLIED DUE TO A FAULTY STOPLAMP SWITCH. ALSO, IN VEHICLES WITH CRUISE CONTROL, A FAULTY STOPLAMP SWITCH CAN RESULT IN RESUMPTION OF THE CRUISE CONTROL FUNCTION UPON RELEASE OF THE BRAKE PEDAL.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: A TRAILING VEHICLE MAY NOT RECOGNIZE A BRAKING ACTIONIN TIME TO RESPOND APPROPRIATELY. ALSO, CRUISE CONTROL WILL REENGAGE UPONRELEASE OF THE BRAKE PEDAL AND RESUME THE SET SPEED. IN EITHER CASE, IT COULDRESULT IN A CRASH WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING.
Remedy: INSTALL AN IMPROVED DESIGN STOPLAMP SWITCH.
FRONT SHOULDER BELT GUIDE LOOP ATTACHMENT FASTENER MAY PULL THROUGH DOOR MOUNTED ANCHOR PLATE.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: SEAT BELT MAY NOT SUSTAIN LOADS REQUIRED BY FMVSS 210, AND IN A VEHICLE ACCIDENT, THE SEAT BELT MAY NOT PROPERLY RESTRAIN A PASSENGER, RESULTING IN INCREASED RISK OF GREATER INJURY TO AN OCCUPANT.
Remedy: REPLACE FRONT SHOULDER BELT GUIDE LOOP ATTACHMENT NUTS AND INSTALL NEW GUIDE COVER.
Consequence: IF PRIMARY LATCH DISENGAGES, HOOD COULD UNEXPECTEDLYOPEN. IF CAR WAS IN MOTION, HOOD COULD CONTACT THE WINDSHIELD, REDUCE THEDRIVERS FORWARD VISION AREA, AND COULD RESULT IN AN ACCIDENT.
THE FRONT SHOULDER BELT GUIDE LOOP ATTACHED TO THE UPPER REAR CORNER OF THE DOOR MAY INTERFERE WITH THE GARNISH MOLDING.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THIS INTERFERENCE COULD LIMIT THE ROTATION OF THE GUIDELOOP. IF THIS CONDITION EXISTS AND VEHICLE IS INVOLVED IN A CRASH IT COULD BEPOSSIBLE FOR THE SHOULDER BELT WELDING TO BE CUT BY THE GUIDE. LOSS OF THESHOULDER BELT FUNCTION DURING A VEHICLE CRASH COULD INCREASE THE RISK OFINJURIES TO OCCUPANTS.
Remedy: A NEWLY DESIGNED GUIDE LOOP NUT AND SPACER WILL BE INSTALLED TO ELIMINATE THE POTENTIAL FOR INTERFERENCE CONDITIONS.
AN INTERFERENCE BETWEEN THE TRANSMISSION SHIFT CABLE AND THE BELLCRANK CLIP IN THE STEERING COLUMN CAN RESULT IN DISENGAGEMENT OF THE TRANSMISSION CABLE.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THIS CONDITION COULD ALLOW THE TRANSMISSION TO BE IN AGEAR OTHER THAN THAT DISPLAYED BY THE SHIFT INDICATOR. THE VEHICLE COULD MOVEIN AN UNEXPECTED DIRECTION AND CAUSE A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING.
Remedy: A NEWLY DESIGNED BELLCRANK CLIP WILL BE INSTALLED.
WHEEL LUG NUTS WERE NOT PROPERLY TORQUED TO SPECIFICATIONS.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: WHEEL LUG NUTS COULD LOOSEN AND/OR COME OFF THE WHEELSTUDS. THIS COULD EVENTUALLY RESULT IN WHEEL SEPARATING FROM THE VEHICLE.LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL AND A VEHICLE CRASH COULD OCCUR.
Remedy: INSPECTION OF VEHICLE AND ASSURE PROPER TORQUE REPLACES ANY MISSING LUG NUT OR LOOSE STUD.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
11
RP01001 · Structure
Opened Nov 28, 2001 · Closed Jun 13, 2002
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Structure
There is no summary currently available
RQ99002 · Engine Cradle Separation
Opened Mar 4, 1999 · No close date supplied
Status: open (inferred from source dates) · Engine And Engine Cooling:engine
ON APRIL 1, 1997, GENERAL MOTORS CORPORATION FILED A DEFECT INFORMATION REPORT TO RECALL THE SUBJECT VEHICLES, REGISTERED IN 14 HIGH CORROSION STATES, TO REPLACE THE REAR ENGINE CRADLE BOLTS AND RETAINERS.THE REAR ENGINE CRADLE BOLTS WOULD EITHER FRACTURER OR PULL THROUGH THE RETIANERS DUE TO CORROSION.AS OF SEPTEMBER 1998, THE SIXTH QUARTER, 59.3% OF THE SUBJECT VEHICLES HAD BEEN REPAIRED.IN ADDITION TO THE COMPLAINTS OF FRONT ENGINE CRADLE BOLT FAILURES IN THE ABOVE FAILURE REPORT SUMMARY, ODI HAS RECEIVED SIX REPORTS OF POSSIBLE FRONT ENGINE CRADLE BOLT FAILURES, INCLUDING TWO CRASHES.AN RQ IS WARRANTED TO DETERMINE THE EXTENT OF FAILURES OF THE FRONT ENGINE CRADLE BOLTS AND RETAINERS ON THE SUBJECT VEHICLES.
RQ97017 · Cradle Bolt Failures
Opened Oct 2, 1997 · No close date supplied
Status: open (inferred from source dates) · Structure
There is no summary currently available
PE94063 · Corroded Rear Disk Brakes
Opened Aug 12, 1994 · Closed Dec 21, 1994
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Service Brakes, Hydraulic
There is no summary currently available
EA92024 · Sticking Throttle
Opened Jun 26, 1992 · Closed Jan 31, 1994
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Vehicle Speed Control:linkages
There is no summary currently available
EA91051 · Brake Light Switch Failure
Opened Nov 26, 1991 · Closed Jun 30, 1992
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Exterior Lighting
There is no summary currently available
PE91133 · W-CAR Hinge Pin Failure
Opened Oct 1, 1991 · Closed Dec 5, 1991
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Structure
There is no summary currently available
PE91072 · Steering Wheel Separation
Opened May 1, 1991 · Closed Jul 8, 1991
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Steering
There is no summary currently available
PE90088 · Failure Stop Lamp Switch
Opened Jun 11, 1990 · Closed Oct 31, 1990
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Exterior Lighting
There is no summary currently available
PE89145 · Parking Brake Cable
Opened Jul 21, 1989 · Closed Sep 22, 1989
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Parking Brake
===
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
1988 Pontiac Grand Prix Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year
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