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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

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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

Exterior Lighting complaints

9 reports
Clear category filter
Mileage unknown · Jan 7, 2001
Exterior Lighting

I CAN BE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AND MY HEADLIGHTS WILL GO OUT FOR NO REASON, IN THE OWNERS MANUAL IT SHOWS THIS PROBLEM SO THY MUST HAVE KNOWN IT WHEN IT WAS MANUFACTURED.....HELP, WHEN I BOUGHT THE VEHICLE THEY SAID THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH IT, AND THEY EVEN ADVERTISE A WARRANTY BUT WHEN I APPROACHED THEM ABOUT IT, THEY SAID…

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I CAN BE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AND MY HEADLIGHTS WILL GO OUT FOR NO REASON, IN THE OWNERS MANUAL IT SHOWS THIS PROBLEM SO THY MUST HAVE KNOWN IT WHEN IT WAS MANUFACTURED.....HELP, WHEN I BOUGHT THE VEHICLE THEY SAID THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH IT, AND THEY EVEN ADVERTISE A WARRANTY BUT WHEN I APPROACHED THEM ABOUT IT, THEY SAID IT WAS SOLD AS IS..THE LABOR RATE TO HAVE IT LOOKED AT IS TOO GREAT....IF U COULD CONTACT ME I COULD GO INTO THE DETAILS FURTHER..THANK YOU. *AK

NHTSA ODI #738926

Mileage unknown · Oct 6, 2000
Exterior Lighting

NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOV EVEHICLE. *AK

NHTSA ODI #733612

Mileage unknown · Jan 6, 2000
Exterior Lighting

PLASTIC HEADLAMP LENSES BECOME EXTREMELY DULL, CLOUDY, AND YELLOWED ON THE OUTSIDE, GREATLY REDUCING HEADLIGHT EFFECTIVENESS. I HAVE SPOKEN WITH MANY OTHER GRAND PRIX OWNERS, AND THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE PLASTIC HEADLAMPS. EUROPEAN COUNTRIES DO NOT ALLOW PLASTIC HEADLAMP LENSES FOR GOOD REASON. *AK

NHTSA ODI #716958

Mileage unknown · Jun 12, 1998
Electrical SystemExterior LightingInterior Lighting

HEAD LAMPS COME ON BY THEMSELVES. ALSO COURTESY LAMPS INOPERATIVE/REPLACED INSTRUMENT CLUSTER TWICE.

NHTSA ODI #536810

Mileage unknown · Oct 22, 1997
Exterior Lighting

WHEN SWITCHING FROM HIGH BEAM TO LOW BEAM HAVE NO HEADLIGHTS UNLESS USING HIGH BEAM. THE RELAY SWITCH WAS REPLACED IN 1994 FOR THE SAME REASON. THE SAME PROBLEM HAS OCCURRED AGAIN. THE PROBLEM WILL BE CORRECTED BY DEALER. *AK

NHTSA ODI #817374

Mileage unknown · Jul 14, 1997
Exterior Lighting

WHEN DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL THE BRAKE LIGHT WILL STAY ILLUMINATED DUE TO A FAULTY STOP LAMP. CONSUMER STATED THERE IS A RECALL LISTED FOR THE PROBLEM, VEHICLE NOT INCLUDED. *AKPLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS. *AK

NHTSA ODI #814135

Mileage unknown · Jul 8, 1997
Exterior Lighting

BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH FAILED BEFORE/AFTER RECALL REPAIRS.

NHTSA ODI #519199

Mileage unknown · Oct 19, 1995
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine CoolingEquipment

JACK 'CORK-SCREWED' WHILE TIRE WAS BEING CHANGED, CAUSING DAMAGE TO WHEEL/JACK.

NHTSA ODI #500930

Mileage unknown · Jan 18, 1995
Exterior Lighting

RECALL RELATED, 90V185000 SWITCH LIGHTING, WAS PERFORM BY DEALERSHIP, PROBLEM. TT

NHTSA ODI #958844

Official recalls

8

00V189000 · 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

10

RP01001 · 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

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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