IllustrationCONSUMER HAD RECALL (00V-189) REPAIR COMPLETED, HOWEVER ADDITIONAL DAMAGE TO THE POWER STEERING SYSTEM DUE TO RECALL RELATED FAILURE. *MJS
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
What owners actually said
176 reportsTHE ABS PUMP AND MOTOR QUIT PUMPING BECAUSE THEY GET HOT, SMALL METAL PIECES ARE PRESENT IN THE BRAKE FLUID TANK. THE ANTI-LOCK LITE FLASHES AND THE PUMP WONT SHUT OFF LEAVING THE CAR WITH DIMINISHED BRAKING. IT ALSO CAUSES OTHER RELATED PROBLEMS WITH THE IGN. SWITCH GETTING HOT AND THE CAR NOT STARTING, ALSO PEOPLE TRYING TO RE…
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THE ABS PUMP AND MOTOR QUIT PUMPING BECAUSE THEY GET HOT, SMALL METAL PIECES ARE PRESENT IN THE BRAKE FLUID TANK. THE ANTI-LOCK LITE FLASHES AND THE PUMP WONT SHUT OFF LEAVING THE CAR WITH DIMINISHED BRAKING. IT ALSO CAUSES OTHER RELATED PROBLEMS WITH THE IGN. SWITCH GETTING HOT AND THE CAR NOT STARTING, ALSO PEOPLE TRYING TO REPLACING THEIR BATTERIES AND ALTERNATORS BECAUSE THE SYSTEM IS OVER HEATED FROM THE DRAIN OF THE ELECTRIC ABS POWER BOOSTER PUMP RUNNING ALL THE TIME.
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOV EVEHICLE. *AK
REAR RETAINER BOLT FAILED DUE TO CORRISION, CAUSING THE FRONT BOLT TO SNAP . DEALER WILL NOT REPLACE IT. *AK
FRONT CRADLE THAT HOLDS ENGINE FELL OUT, POSSIBLY DUE TO CORROSION . *AK INTERMEDIATE SHAFT FOR RACK AND PINION STEERING ALSO SEPARATED CAUSING LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL. *YH
DRIVING TO WORK AT 9 PM WHEN POWER STEERING NO LONGER WORKED - CONTINUED DRIVING TO WORK BELIEVING POWER STEERING PUMP HAD FINALLY FAILED DUE TO AGE. WHEN I ARRIVED AT WORK, I CHECKED THE POWER STEERING FLUID, IT WAS AT CORRECT LEVEL AND SO AGAIN ASSUMED PUMP FAILED DUE TO AGE. WHEN I PREPARED TO LEAVE WORK THE NEXT MORNING AT…
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DRIVING TO WORK AT 9 PM WHEN POWER STEERING NO LONGER WORKED - CONTINUED DRIVING TO WORK BELIEVING POWER STEERING PUMP HAD FINALLY FAILED DUE TO AGE. WHEN I ARRIVED AT WORK, I CHECKED THE POWER STEERING FLUID, IT WAS AT CORRECT LEVEL AND SO AGAIN ASSUMED PUMP FAILED DUE TO AGE. WHEN I PREPARED TO LEAVE WORK THE NEXT MORNING AT 11AM, I DISCOVERED THE CRADLE WAS HANGING DOWN BELOW THE THE FRONT FACIA OF THE CAR. I INVESTIGATED UNDERNEATH THE CAR AND DISCOVERED THAT BOTH THE LEFT AND RIGHT BOLTS SUPPORTING THE CRADLE BASE HAD SLIPPED THROUGH SLOTS IN CRADLE BASE ALLOWING CRADLE TO FALL TO ITS CURRENT POSITION. WE SPOKE TO OUR LOCAL PONTIAC DEALERSHIP WHO ADVISED US THERE IS NO RECALL ON THIS PARTICULAR PROBLEM THAT IS HAS BEEN ADVISED OF. UPON MY FURTHER CHECKING ON THE INTERNET, IT APPEARS THAT A RECALL HAS JUST BEEN ISSUED THIS MONTH, BUT NOTIFICATION HAS NOT GONE OUT TO DEALERSHIPS AND OWNERS. PONTIAC , UPON RESEARCHING OUR PROBLEM. ADVISED THAT CAMPAIGN #00061 RELATING TO THIS PROBLEM HAS BEEN ISSUED. WE BROUGHT THIS INFORMATION BACK TO OUR LOCAL PONTIAC DEALERSHIP, BUT THEY WERE STILL UNABLE TO PROVIDE ASSISTANCE AS THEY HAVE NOT RECEIVED THE "OFFICIAL" NOTIFICATION.*AK
WHILE DRIVING AT 20 MPH REAR CRADLE BOLTS BROKE THROUGH, CAUSING ENGINE TO DROP AND THE STEERING SHAFT TO DICONNECT, RESULTING IN A LOSS OF STEERING. DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED. *AK
REAR DISC BRAKES DRAG CAUSING OVERHEATING OF BRAKE CALIPER, WHEEL AND HYDRAULIC FLUID RESULTING IN COMPLETE LOSS OF BREAKING. THIS HAS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES. EACH TIME THE REAR CALIPER WAS SERVICED OR REPLACED AND AGAIN THE CONDITION REPEATED AFTER SEVERAL MONTHS OF DRIVEING. THE LAST REPAIR WAS DONE AT TOM RICE PONTIAC IN H…
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REAR DISC BRAKES DRAG CAUSING OVERHEATING OF BRAKE CALIPER, WHEEL AND HYDRAULIC FLUID RESULTING IN COMPLETE LOSS OF BREAKING. THIS HAS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES. EACH TIME THE REAR CALIPER WAS SERVICED OR REPLACED AND AGAIN THE CONDITION REPEATED AFTER SEVERAL MONTHS OF DRIVEING. THE LAST REPAIR WAS DONE AT TOM RICE PONTIAC IN HUNTINGTON, NY WHERE A COMPLETE REAR BRAKE OVERHAUL, INCLUDING BRAND NEW BRAKE CALIPERS, WAS DONE. THE PROBLEM HAS AGAIN RECURED.
CONSUMER WENT TO CHANGE OIL AND NOTICED FRONT CRADLE BOLTS WERE CORRODED, CAUSING SAFETY HAZARD. WHEN TOOK TO DEALER FOR RECALL, ONLY REAR CRADLE BOLTS WERE REPLACED. OWNER PAID TO HAVE THE FRONT BOLTS REPLACED AS WELL BECAUSE THEY ALSO POSED A POTENTIAL PROBLEM. *AK *ML
CONSUMER HEARD A SQUEAKING NOISE WHEN TAKING FOOT OFF THE BRAKES. COULD FEEL CAR GRABBING AND LURCHING. SHORTLY AFTER ,REAR BRAKES STARTED SQUEAKING, THEY BEGAN TO GRIND. CURRENTLY, CONSUMER HAS NO REAR BRAKES. *AK
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