Electrical System. Review the 65 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Power Train. Review the 61 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Exterior Lighting. Review the 48 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

17 crash reports21 fire reports16 injury reports

Steering complaints

42 reports

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18,000 miles · Mar 3, 2010

Steering

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 15 MPH ON NORMAL ROAD CONDITIONS; PROCEEDING TO MAKE A TURN. THE STEERING WHEEL BEGAN TO MAKE A LOUD WHINING NOISE WITH A LOSS OF POWER STEERING. THE SPEED RATE WAS INCREASED AND THE VEHICLE RESUMED TO NORMAL OPERATION. THERE WAS ALSO A REDUCTION IN THE WHINING NOISE. THE FAILURES OCCURRED WHENEVER TRAVELING AT A LOW SPEED RATE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR INSPECTION. THE MECHANIC DISPENSED AN UNKNOWN SOLUTION IN THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURES CONTINUED WITH NO RESOLUTION. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 18,000.

NHTSA ODI #10316025

33,000 miles · Feb 25, 2010

SteeringSuspension

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX. HE HEARD A RATTLING NOISE IN THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE WHILE DRIVING 10 MPH. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THEY REPLACED COMPONENTS IN THE STEERING SHAFT, UNKNOWN TO THE CONTACT. THE CONTACT CONTINUED TO HEAR THE RATTLING NOISE IN THE VEHICLE AND THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER WHERE THEY REPLACED AN UNKNOWN COMPONENT IN THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS RELEASED TO THE CONTACT WITH THE SAME RATTLING NOISE. THE CONTACT INVESTIGATED THE VEHICLE FURTHER AND FOUND THAT THE LOWER BALL JOINTS WERE FAILING. THE DEALER VERIFIED THE LOWER BALL JOINTS WERE WORN OUT AND THEY WERE REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY AT 33,000 MILES. WITHIN 12,00 MILES, THE RATTLING NOISE WAS BACK BUT WOULD ONLY OCCUR WHILE TRAVELING OVER ANY UNEVEN ROAD SURFACE. NO ADDITIONAL REPAIRS WERE MADE TO THE VEHICLE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 33,000 AND THE CURRENT WAS 46,000.

NHTSA ODI #10314405

34,200 miles · Jan 29, 2010

Service Brakes, HydraulicSteeringTraction Control System

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2006 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX 34,200 MILES ON IT. BRAKE SYSTEM LIGHT ON, ANTILOCK BRAKE SYSTEM (ABS) LIGHT ON. TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT ON, SERVICE BRAKE/ABS/TRACTION/STABILITY MESSAGE DISPLAYED. THIS HAPPENED ALL AT ONCE THIS MORNING, CAR FELT LIKE IT DIDN'T WANT TO STOP. NO WARNING! I ONLY COMMUTE 10 MILES TO WORK EACH DAY WITH THIS VEHICLE. THIS SHOULDN'T BE HAPPENING WITH A FAIRLY NEW CAR RIGHT? TRADED MY CAMRY FOR THIS CAR. TRIED TO STAY AMERICAN!!! I WOULD ALSO LIKE TO STATE THAT I HAD TROUBLE STOPPING, WHEN TRYING TO TURN A CORNER AND APPLY BRAKE. (JUST TWO DAYS AGO) FELT LIKE A KNOCKING UNDER BRAKE PEDAL. LOOKING BACK I WONDER IF THIS COULD BE RELATED. I BOUGHT THIS CAR BRAND NEW, FROM IN YORK, PA. I AM AFRAID TO DRIVE THIS CAR, AND I DON'T SEE HOW THIS PROBLEM IS RELATED TO EVERYDAY USE. I FEEL CHEATED AND UNSAFE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10303198

94,500 miles · May 19, 2009

SteeringCrashInjury

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MY POWER STEERING WENT ON MY 2006 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX THAT I PURCHASED FROM A DEALERSHIP ON 09/22/07. WHEN I FIRST GOT THE CAR THE STEERING COLUMN WAS MAKING NOISES. DEALER REPAIRED AND ALL OF A SUDDEN IN APRIL MY WHEEL GOT TIGHT AND I CONTACTED THE DEALER AND THEY SAID THERE WASN'T NOTHING MUCH THEY CAN DO AND FOR ME TO BRING THE CAR IN FOR INSPECTION. I WAS UNABLE TO BRING IT IN DUE TO WORK SCHEDULE CONFLICTS. MY HUSBAND WAS DRIVING AND THE WHEEL LOCKED UP AND RESULTED IN MY CAR FLIPPING OVER AND A LOSS OF TOTAL DAMAGE TO THE CAR. THERE WERE 4 PASSENGERS AND WE ALL CLIMBED OUT OF THE BACK WINDOW WHILE THE CAR WAS FLIPPED UPSIDE DOWN. ME AND THE OTHER 2 PASSENGERS WERE TRANSPORTED TO THE ER VIA AMBULANCE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10269392

25,000 miles · May 10, 2009

Service Brakes, HydraulicSteeringStructure

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I AM WRITING A COMPLAINT REGARDING MY CAR. I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE IN 2006. I HAD TO REPLACE THE STABILIZER PIN, WHEEL BEARINGS, FRONT BRAKES AND IT SEEMS LIKE SOMETHING IS WRONG IN THE STEERING WHEEL. PARTS INSIDE OF THE CAR ARE FALLING OFF. I'VE HAD TO BUY NEW TIRES DUE TO ALL THESE FRONT END PROBLEMS WITH THE CAR AND NOT KNOWING UNTIL IT HAS CAUSED A PROBLEM SOMEWHERE ELSE. NOW THE TIRES THAT I PURCHASED ABOUT A 1 1/2 YEAR AGO IS NOW VERY WORN FROM THESE FRONT END PROBLEMS WITH THE CAR. I AM VERY UPSET BECAUSE I FEEL LIKE, I HAVE BEEN ROBBED. I AM A SINGLE PARENT WORKING 2 FULL-TIME JOBS JUST TO PAY FOR A CAR THAT SEEMS TO BE BREAKING DOWN ON ME NO MATTER HOW MUCH I TRY TO TAKE TOTAL CARE OF IT. PAYING A VERY COSTLY CAR NOTE, INSURANCE, AND WARRANTY. I TELL MYSELF IS THIS WHAT I AM WORKING SO HARD TO PAY FOR. THIS CAR OUT WEIGHS WHAT I PAY FOR RENT EACH MONTH. I REMEMBER A TIME THAT PONTIAC MADE GOOD CARS THAT WAS BUILT TO LAST AS LONG AS YOU TAKE CARE OF IT. NOW IT SEEMS THAT IT IS BUILT TO BREAK DOWN BEFORE YOU COULD PAY THERE VEHICLES OFF. I AM REALLY FURIOUS AND OUTRAGED WITH THIS CAR THAT I CAN'T REALLY RELY ON. *TR UPDATED 06/02/09.*JB

NHTSA ODI #10268324

48,000 miles · Apr 6, 2008

SteeringTires

THE OUTER TIE-ROD ON MY 2006 GRAND PRIX NEEDS REPLACED. MY VEHICLE HAS LESS THAN 50,000 MILES AND I ALSO HAD TO REPLACE MY TIRES AFTER AROUND 45,000 BECAUSE OF THE TIE-ROD PROBLEM. ALL TOGETHER THIS IS COSTING ME AROUND $700 WHICH IS A LOT TO SPEND ON A PROBLEM THAT I FEEL IS A RESULT OF IMPROPER MANUFACTURING. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10223498

37,000 miles · Jan 18, 2008

Steering

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PREMATURE WEAR OF THE OUTER TIE ROD ENDS. WE PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE (2006 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX GXP) NEW, IT CURRENTLY HAS 37,000 MILES ON IT. ON JANUARY 16, 2008 THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A VA. STATE INSPECTION STATION FOR AN ANNUAL SAFETY CHECK. THE TECHNICIAN DISCOVERED THAT BOTH OF THE OUTER TIRE ROD ENDS WORN BEYOND SAFETY ALLOWANCES. THE ORIGINATING DEALER WAS CONTACTED AND THE SERVICE WRITER AND THE SERVICE MANAGER DENIED COVERAGE UNDER THE BASIC WARRANTY, BASIC WARRANTY EXPIRED @ 36,000 MILES. CONTACT WAS MADE TO PONTIAC CUSTOMER ASSISTANCE CENTER AND A CASE NUMBER WAS ASSIGNED. THE CUSTOMER ASSISTANCE CENTER IS STILL PROCESSING ISSUE, NO DECISION HAS BEEN MADE ON WHETHER GM IS GOING TO COVER REPAIRS UNDER THE BASIC WARRANTY. THE TIE ROD ENDS ARE NON- SERVICEABLE ITEMS, THEY ARE LUBRICATED AND SEALED WHEN INSTALLED AND SHOULD LAST WELL OVER 100,000 MILES. WEAR OF THIS PART CAUSES PREMATURE TIRE WEAR. FAILURE OF THIS PART WILL RESULT IN LOSS OF CONTROL. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10215366

17,707 miles · Jan 3, 2008

Steering

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2006 PONTIAC GRANDPRIX WITH 25000 MILES DEVELOPED EXCESSIVE NOISE FROM FRONT OF CAR. RACK&PINION WAS LOOSE & STEERING STUB SHAFT WORN OUT. VEHICLE STEERING STILL MAKES NOISE AND WANDERS.CLUNKING NOISES FROM BOTH TIRE AREAS,OUTSIDE EDGE OF TIRES HAVE CHUNKES MISSING AROUND WHOLE TIRE.POWER STEERING NOW MAKING NOISE AGAIN,VEHICALE TAKES VERY LONG TIME TO RECOVER FROM NORMAL ROAD BUMPS .LOCAL DEALERSHIP TELLS ME CANNOT DUPLICATE COSTUMER COMPLAINT,FRONT-END CHECKS OUT. DURING THE LAST YEAR FRONT SUSPENTION NOISE HAS INCREASED AND CONTROL AND STABILATY IS CONSIDERABLY WORSE.ALSO DEVELOPED CLUNKING NOISE FROM TRANSMISSION AND TRANSAXLE AREA RECENTLY.*CN

NHTSA ODI #10213559

37,000 miles · Oct 5, 2007

SteeringTires

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OUTER TIE ROD ENDS FOR BOTH FRONT WHEELS FAILED AT 39,000 MILES PROBABLY EVEN SOONER. TIRES WERE WORN OUT VERY QUICKLY AND HAD TO PAY 300.00 TO GET TIE RODS REPLACED. MECHANIC SAID THE TIE ROD ENDS MAY HAVE COME FROM THE FACTORY WITHOUT BEING GREASED AND THE DID NOT HAVE GREASE FITTINGS ON THEM LIKE THE NEW ONES HE PUT ON. FAILURE CAUSED TIRES TO JUMP AND SLOPPY STEERING, WHICH COULD OF BEEN DANGEROUS. *JB THE CONSUMER STATED TIRES WERE WORN OUT AT 35,000 MILES WHICH COULD OF HAPPENED BECAUSE OF THE TIE ROD END FAILURE. UPDATED 10/24/07 *TR

NHTSA ODI #10205101

37,000 miles · May 30, 2007

SteeringSuspensionCrash

MY VEHICLE HAD 32,000 MILES ON IT WHEN I BOUGHT IT. IT SEEMED THAT THE STEERING HAD A GOOD AMOUNT OF PLAY IN IT FOR ONLY BEING A YEAR OLD. MY GIRLFRIEND WAS DRIVING MY CAR AND HIT A PARKED CAR. SHE WAS NOT INJURED. SHE SAID SHE DIDN'T KNOW WHY SHE LOST CONTROL AND WAS UNABLE TO STEER IT. IT LOOKED LIKE THE WHEEL CAME LOOSE FR…

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NHTSA ODI #10192003

Official recalls

14V400000 · Electrical System:ignition

Jul 3, 2014

This defect can affect the safe operation of the airbag system. Until this recall is performed, customers should remove all items from their key rings, leaving only the ignition key. The key fob (if applicable), should also be removed from the key ring. General Motors LLC (GM) notified the agency on July 3, 2014, that they are recalling 5,877,718 model year 2000-2005 Chevrolet Impala and Monte Carlo, 1997-2003 Chevrolet Malibu, 2004-2005 Malibu Classic, 1999-2004 Oldsmobile Alero, 1998-2002 Oldsmobile Intrigue, 1999-2005 Pontiac Grand Am and 2004-2008 Pontiac Grand Prix vehicles. In these models, the weight on the key ring and/or road conditions or some other jarring event may cause the ignition switch to move out of the run position, turning off the engine.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: If the key is not in the run position, the air bags may not deploy if the vehicle is involved in a crash, increasing the risk of injury.

Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will install two key rings and an insert in the key slot or a cover over the key head on all ignition keys, free of charge. The recall began on September 9, 2014. GM's number for this recall is 14350.

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

RQ17002 · Loss Of Headlights

Opened Apr 24, 2017 · Closed Mar 29, 2021

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Exterior Lighting:headlights

The subject vehicles are model year (MY) 2002-2009 Chevrolet Trailblazer, GMC Envoy, 2004-2007 Buick Rainier, 2003-2008 Isuzu Ascender, 2005-2009 Saab 9-7X, 2002-2004 Oldsmobile Bravada, 2003-2006 Chevrolet SSR, 2005-2009 Buick Lacrosse, and 2006-2008 Pontiac Grand Prix. This scope includes the Trailblazer/Envoy variants: 2002-2006 Envoy XL/Trailblazer EXT and 2004-2005 Envoy XUV. The original scope of this investigation was expanded to include all vehicles equipped with the subject Headlight Driver Module (HDM). The focus of the investigation was to determine whether actions performed by General Motors adequately addressed any unreasonable risk to motor vehicle safety in the subject vehicles concerning the headlights and the HDM that controls them.Under normal electrical load and environmental conditions, the HDM can overheat inside the Underhood Electrical Center (UEC). This can cause the module to fail and result in a simultaneous loss of both low beam headlights and both daytime running lights (DRLs), often with no warning or prior detectability to the driver. This failure can be intermittent or permanent. No other exterior lights are affected. High beams, turn signals, brake lights, and reverse lights are still operational.General Motors addressed this issue with 2 recalls (14V755 & 15V519) and a special coverage program (N172091910). In view of the recalls and special coverage program implemented by GM and the vehicle high beams continuing to operate, ODI has tentatively concluded that the actions taken by GM mitigate any unreasonable risk to safety posed by HDM failure in the subject vehicles.Accordingly, the investigation is closed. The closing of this investigation does not constitute a finding by NHTSA that a safety-related defect does not exist. The agency reserves the right to take additional action if warranted by new circumstances.The ODI reports cited above are available for review online at NHTSA.gov under the identification numbers in the attached document.

PE09025 · Power Steering Fluid Leaks - Fires

Opened May 13, 2009 · Closed Oct 2, 2009

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Steering:hydraulic Power Assist System; Steering:hydraulic Power Assist:hose, Piping, And Connections; Steering:hydraulic Power Assist:power Steering Fluid

GENERAL MOTORS (GM) INITIATED A CUSTOMER SATISFACTION CAMPAIGN IN OCTOBER OF 2006 TO ADDRESS A FAILURE OF THE POWER STEERING HOSE AND/OR CLAMPS THAT COULD OCCUR WHEN THE ENGINE IS STARTED IN VEHICLES PRIMARILY OPERATED IN THE FOLLOWING STATES THAT EXPERIENCE EXTREMELY COLD TEMPERATURES:ALASKA, MAINE, MINNESOTA, MONTANA, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NORTH DAKOTA, SOUTH DAKOTA, VERMONT, WISCONSIN AND WYOMING.AT THE TIME THIS PRELIMINARY EVALUATION (PE) WAS OPENED, ONLY 1 OF THE 33 COMPLAINTS RECEIVED BY THE OFFICE OF DEFECTS INVESTIGATION (ODI) WAS FROM A STATE COVERED BY THE CUSTOMER SATISFACTION CAMPAIGN.IN RESPONSE TO AN INFORMATION REQUEST SENT BY THE ODI, GM PROVIDED INFORMATION THAT INCLUDED 6 ALLEGED FIRES AND 1 ALLEGED MINOR CRASH POTENTIALLY RELATED TO THE ALLEGED DEFECT. ONE OF THE ALLEGED FIRES IS A DUPLICATE OF A REPORT RECEIVED BY ODI.OF THE FIRE INCIDENTS, 2 OF THE 6 ALLEGED FIRE INCIDENTS OCCURRED AFTER THE REMEDY DETAILED IN THE CUSTOMER SATISFACTION PROGRAM WAS PERFORMED.ONE OF THE VEHICLES WAS TOTALED AS A RESULT OF THE INCIDENT.IT IS UNDETERMINED WHETHER THE INCIDENTS WERE RELATED TO THE ALLEGED DEFECT OR WERE A BY PRODUCT OF THE REPAIR.OF THE OTHER FOUR ALLEGED FIRE INCIDENTS, 1 INCIDENT INVOLVED SMOKE ONLY AND NO VISIBLE FLAMES.BASED ON THE INFORMATION PROVIDED, THE REMAINING 3 FIRE INCIDENTS WERE LOCALIZED EVENTS THAT PRIMARILY INVOLVED DAMAGE TO THE POWER STEERING COMPONENTS AND SURROUNDING WIRING.ALL 3 OF THESE VEHICLES WERE SUBSEQUENTLY REPAIRED.NONE OF THE ALLEGED FIRE INCIDENTS OCCURRED WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS UNATTENDED.ODI IS AWARE OF 1 ADDITIONAL ALLEGED FIRE INCIDENT THAT WAS NOT INCLUDED IN GM'S INFORMATION REQUEST RESPONSE.BASED ON THE CONSUMER'S DESCRIPTION OF THE INCIDENT, THE FIRE WAS QUICKLY EXTINGUISHED BY A FRIEND AND THE VEHICLE WAS SUBSEQUENTLY REPAIRED AT A DEALERSHIP.IN TOTAL ODI IS AWARE OF 6 ALLEGED FIRE INCIDENTS WHERE THE CONSUMER ALLEGED FLAMES WERE VISIBLE.ALL OF THE ALLEGED FIRE INCIDENTS OCCURRED WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS STILL ATTENDED. ODI IS AWARE 1 MINOR CRASH ALLEGED TO BE RELATED TO A POWER STEERING FLUID LEAK.THE CONSUMER ALLEGED A MINOR CRASH OCCURRED AS THE CONSUMER WAS ATTEMPTING TO PULL INTO A DRIVEWAY AND HAD DIFFICULTY NEGOTIATING THE TURN DUE TO EXPERIENCING HIGH POWER STEERING EFFORTS AND STRUCK A SNOW BANK.IN A LETTER DATED SEPTEMBER 21, 2009, GM INFORMED ODI THAT A CUSTOMER SATISFACTION PROGRAM WILL COMMENCE IN DECEMBER OF 2009 FOR THE ENTIRE US. AS A REMEDY THE POWER STEERING HOSE ASSEMBLY FOR VEHICLES WITH V8 ENGINES AND THE POWER STEERING RETURN HOSE AND CLAMPS FOR VEHICLES WITH V6 ENGINES WILL BE REPLACED WITH UPGRADED COMPONENTS.BASED ON THE LOW FREQUENCIES AND MINOR SEVERITIES OF THE ALLEGED FIRE INCIDENTS AND CRASH,NO SAFETY RELATED DEFECT TREND HAS BEEN IDENTIFIED IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES.GM'S EXPANDED CUSTOMER SATISFACTION PROGRAM WILL PROVIDE FREE REPAIRS TO VEHICLES EXCLUDED FROM THE ORIGINAL CAMPAIGN.ACCORDINGLY, THIS INVESTIGATION HAS BEEN CLOSED.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT DOES NOT EXIST.THE AGENCY WILL CONTINUE TO MONITOR COMPLAINTS AND OTHER INFORMATION RELATING TO THE ALLEGED DEFECT IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES AND TAKE FURTHER ACTION IN THE FUTURE IF WARRANTED.

Additional source detail variants (3)

Steering:hydraulic Power Assist:hose, Piping, And Connections

Steering:hydraulic Power Assist:power Steering Fluid

Steering:hydraulic Power Assist System