IllustrationIF YOU USE THE TURN SIGNAL, THE STEERING WHEEL WILL START SMOKING. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER AND DEALER DIDN'T WANT TO FIX IT. TURN SIGNALS STILL WORKED WHEN APPLIED. *NM
1990 Pontiac Grand Prix
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
More warning signs than most Grand Prix years
Owner complaints for the 1990 Pontiac Grand Prix are substantially higher than the model-year median of 88.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Grand Prix years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
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: 7 of 176 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 92 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Structure. Review the 25 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Electrical System. Review the 17 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
10 crash reports1 fire reports7 injury reports
Electrical System complaints
17 reportsTHERE HAVE BEEN MANY BRAKE FAILURES SINCE OWNING THIS VEHICLE, INCLUDING ONE COMPLETE WHEN ON ROAD. THE FIRE IN STEERING COLUMN STOPPED, THEN HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES LATER. WHAT HAS BEEN DONE ABOUT BRAKES AND IGNITION/STEERING FIRES IN THIS VEHICLE. THERE ARE "SISTER" MODELS OF BUICK AND OLDS WHICH HAVE THE SAME PROBLEMS. PLE…
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THERE HAVE BEEN MANY BRAKE FAILURES SINCE OWNING THIS VEHICLE, INCLUDING ONE COMPLETE WHEN ON ROAD. THE FIRE IN STEERING COLUMN STOPPED, THEN HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES LATER. WHAT HAS BEEN DONE ABOUT BRAKES AND IGNITION/STEERING FIRES IN THIS VEHICLE. THERE ARE "SISTER" MODELS OF BUICK AND OLDS WHICH HAVE THE SAME PROBLEMS. PLEASE RESPOND. *AK
THE TURN SIGNAL PROBLEM INVOLVED SMOKE COMING FROM THE STEERING COLUMN, SIGNALS DO NOT WORK ALL THE TIME. THE SMOKE WOULD STOP, THE AFTER SEVERAL DAYS START AGAIN. NOW THE TURN LIGHTS DO NOT ALWAYS WORK. THE PROBLEM WITH THE FRONT RIGHT BALL JOINT HAS REQUIRED REPLACING THE BALL 4 TIMES, DUE TO THE BALL BREAKING OFF AT THE PO…
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THE TURN SIGNAL PROBLEM INVOLVED SMOKE COMING FROM THE STEERING COLUMN, SIGNALS DO NOT WORK ALL THE TIME. THE SMOKE WOULD STOP, THE AFTER SEVERAL DAYS START AGAIN. NOW THE TURN LIGHTS DO NOT ALWAYS WORK. THE PROBLEM WITH THE FRONT RIGHT BALL JOINT HAS REQUIRED REPLACING THE BALL 4 TIMES, DUE TO THE BALL BREAKING OFF AT THE POINT WHERE THE BALL IS ATTACHED TO THE THREADED PART. AT THE PRESENT, THE CAR STALLS MOST OF THE TIME WHEN SLOWING DOWN. AT A STOP IT STALLS AND REQURIRES HOLDING THE ACCELERATOR TO KEEP RPM AT AROUND 1000 TO PREVENT STALLING. AUTO WAS AT A QUALIFIED SHOP FOR DIAGNOSIS AND REPAIR. THEY WERE UNABLE TO STOP THE PROBLEM. THEY FELT THEY HAD TRIED EVERY AVENUE POSSIBLE, INCLUDING: CLEANING THROTTLE BODY AND IAC MOTOR, CHANGING MAP SENSOR AND IAC VALVE, CHECKED PROM UPDATE AND PROM, WHICH WAS NOT DEFECTIVE. CODES WERE 35, 44, 45 WERE STORED. CAR STALLS INTERMITTENTLY. RADIO HAS STATIC, CHECK GAGES LIGHT COMES ON AND TURNS OFF. ENGINE SURGES. SEVERAL MECHANICS HAVE RUN DIAGNOSTICS AND NO SOLUTION! WE ARE TIRED OF SPENDING MONEY ON IT!
EMERGENCY BRAKE CABLE BROKE 1994; BALL JOINTS BROKE ONCEON STREET; BRAKES WENT OUT COMPLETELY ONCE ON STREET;; REAR MAIN SEAL OUT; COMPLETE REBUILT FRONT END, 1999; SMOKING IN STEERING IS INTERMITTENT. *AK
ABS BRAKING SYSTEM MALFUNCTIONED, CAUSING THE PEDAL TO TRAVEL TO THE FLOOR, RESULTING IN EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE. ALSO PROBLEMS WITH THE STRUTS WHICH BROKE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. IN ADDITION, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM MALFUCTIONED, CAUSING HEADLIGHTS AND INSTRUMENT LIGHTS TO GO ON AND OFF, AFFECTING VISIBILITY AND MAY RESU…
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ABS BRAKING SYSTEM MALFUNCTIONED, CAUSING THE PEDAL TO TRAVEL TO THE FLOOR, RESULTING IN EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE. ALSO PROBLEMS WITH THE STRUTS WHICH BROKE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. IN ADDITION, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM MALFUCTIONED, CAUSING HEADLIGHTS AND INSTRUMENT LIGHTS TO GO ON AND OFF, AFFECTING VISIBILITY AND MAY RESULT IN AN ACCIDENT. *AK
HEAD LAMPS COME ON BY THEMSELVES. ALSO COURTESY LAMPS INOPERATIVE/REPLACED INSTRUMENT CLUSTER TWICE.
REAR BRAKE CALIPERS FAILED.
INSTUMENT PANEL/CLUSTER MODULE FAILURE CAUSED VEHICLE TO STALL. *AK
INSTRUMENT PANEL CLUSTER MODULE FAILURE. *AK
FUEL INJECTORS FAILED.
Official recalls
800V189000 · Structure
Jul 11, 2000
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.
97V058000 · Structure
Apr 8, 1997
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.
95V115000 · Wheels
Jun 5, 1995
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.
94V041000 · Wheels
Mar 28, 1995
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.
91V005000 · Seat Belts
Oct 2, 1991
FRONT SHOULDER SAFETY BELT WEBBING MAY SEPARATE AT FRONT BELT UPPER GUIDE LOOPS ON EITHER SIDE OF THE FRONT SEAT.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: WEBBING SEPARATION COULD OCCUR WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING ANDINCREASE THE RISK OF INJURY TO BELTED FRONT OUTBOARD OCCUPANTS IN A HIGH ENERGYCRASH.
Remedy: INSTALL A CONTROLLED ROTATION BRACKET ON DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE FRONT SEAT BELT GUIDE LOOPS.
90V185000 · Exterior Lighting:brake Lights:switch
Oct 16, 1990
BRAKE STOPLAMPS MAY NOT ILLUMINATE OR, IN SOME CASES, STOPLAMPS WILL NOT STAY ILLUMINATED ALL THE TIME WHEN BRAKES ARE APPLIED DUE TO A FAULTY STOPLAMP SWITCH. ALSO IN VEHICLES EQUIPPED 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.
90V054000 · Seat Belts
Mar 14, 1990
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.
90V036000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:storage:tank Assembly
Feb 20, 1990
DURING A REAR END COLLISION, THE REAR EXHAUST SYSTEM HEAT SHIELD, WHICH IS WELDED TO THE TAIL PIPE ASSEMBLY, MAY PUNCTURE THE FUEL TANK.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IN THE PRESENCE OF AN EXTERNAL SOURCE OF IGNITION, THIS COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.
Remedy: REMOVE REAR EXHAUST SYSTEM HEAT SHIELD FROM THE PIPE ASSEMBLY.
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
10RP01001 · Structure
Opened Nov 28, 2001 · Closed Jun 13, 2002
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Structure
There is no summary currently available
EA00011 · Engine Cradle Separation
Opened Apr 10, 2000 · Closed Jan 12, 2001
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Engine And Engine Cooling
THE ENGINE CRADLE FRONT BOLTS AND/OR RETAINERS MAY FAIL, ALLOWING THE FRONT OF THE ENGINE CRADLE TO FALL, POSSIBLY SEPARATING THE STEERING INTERMEDIATE SHAFT FROM THE STEERING GEAR, WITH COMPLETE LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL
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
PE93085 · Wheel Failures
Opened Sep 29, 1993 · Closed Feb 28, 1994
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Suspension
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
EA91049 · Jack Failure
Opened Nov 26, 1991 · Closed Oct 28, 1992
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Equipment
===
PE91107 · Jack Failure
Opened Aug 1, 1991 · Closed Nov 26, 1991
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Equipment
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