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2008 Pontiac Grand Prix

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 2008 Pontiac Grand Prix do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 88.

About this comparison →

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

112 reports with mileage · 30 unknown

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.

  • Electrical System. Review the 43 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Exterior Lighting. Review the 29 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Air Bags. Review the 22 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

9 crash reports3 fire reports8 injury reports

Air Bags complaints

22 reports
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120,000 miles · Sep 22, 2014
Air BagsCrashInjury

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, ANOTHER VEHICLE CRASHED HEAD ON INTO THE VEHICLE AND THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER FRONTAL AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY CAUSING THE CONTACT FACE TO HIT THE STEERING WHEEL. THE CONTACT SUFFERED INJURIES TO THE FACE AND KNEE, THE FR…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, ANOTHER VEHICLE CRASHED HEAD ON INTO THE VEHICLE AND THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER FRONTAL AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY CAUSING THE CONTACT FACE TO HIT THE STEERING WHEEL. THE CONTACT SUFFERED INJURIES TO THE FACE AND KNEE, THE FRONT PASSENGER SUFFERED INJURIES TO THE LEGS AND FACE, AND THE REAR PASSENGER SUFFERED INJURIES TO THE LEGS AND FACE. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000.

NHTSA ODI #10638078

85,000 miles · Aug 29, 2014
Air Bags

I HAVE HAD MY CAR 2YRS NOW AND MY PASSENGER AIRBAG LIGHT STILL DOESN'T COME ON ALL TIME WHEN MY FIANCEE SITS ON MY FRONT PASSENGER SIDE OF MY CAR. MY FIANCEE IS LITTLE AND ONLY WEIGH ABOUT 125LBS BUT I AM GETTING FRUSTRATED WITH CONSTANTLY TURNING THE CAR ON AND OFF AND MAKING HER GET IN AND OUT OFF THE CAR UNTIL THE SENSOR REA…

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I HAVE HAD MY CAR 2YRS NOW AND MY PASSENGER AIRBAG LIGHT STILL DOESN'T COME ON ALL TIME WHEN MY FIANCEE SITS ON MY FRONT PASSENGER SIDE OF MY CAR. MY FIANCEE IS LITTLE AND ONLY WEIGH ABOUT 125LBS BUT I AM GETTING FRUSTRATED WITH CONSTANTLY TURNING THE CAR ON AND OFF AND MAKING HER GET IN AND OUT OFF THE CAR UNTIL THE SENSOR READS THAT SHE IS IN THE SEAT. WHEN MY BOTHER AND I SIT ON THE PASSENGER SIDE THE AIRBAG IS LIGHT COMES ON FIRST TRY. MY BROTHER AND I BOTH WEIGH 250+ AND I'M STARTING TO THINK IT MAY HAVE SOMETHING TO DO WITH THE AMOUNT OF WEIGHT IN THE SEAT FOR THE SENSOR TO PICK UP. PLEASE HELP TO RESOLVE THIS BECAUSE I AM AFRAID THAT IF I EVER HAVE A WRECK AND MY FIANCEE IS IN THE PASSENGER SEAT THE AIRBAG MAY NOT DEPLOY. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10629265

92,159 miles · Jul 28, 2014
Air BagsElectrical SystemService Brakes

WE GOT THIS 2008 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX FROM A SECOND HAND DEALER THAT SOLD 2008 OR NEWER, WE WERE ON A LEASE WITH THIS AUTO WE ALSO HAD A WARRANTY AS WELL. WE TOOK A SHORT TRIP TO OHIO AND WE CHECKED INTO THE HOTEL , WENT OUT GOT INTO THE CAR WAS HEADING TO THEIR CASINO FOR THE NIGHT WAS DRIVING ON INTERSTATE 75 DOING ABOUT 72 MPH.…

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WE GOT THIS 2008 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX FROM A SECOND HAND DEALER THAT SOLD 2008 OR NEWER, WE WERE ON A LEASE WITH THIS AUTO WE ALSO HAD A WARRANTY AS WELL. WE TOOK A SHORT TRIP TO OHIO AND WE CHECKED INTO THE HOTEL , WENT OUT GOT INTO THE CAR WAS HEADING TO THEIR CASINO FOR THE NIGHT WAS DRIVING ON INTERSTATE 75 DOING ABOUT 72 MPH. WHILE I WAS IN THE FAST LANE I LOST ALL POWER DIDN'T KNOW WHAT HAD HAPPEN HAD TO TRY TO GET THE CAR ALL THE WAY OVER TO RIGHT SIDE OF THE HIGHWAY. THIS WAS IN ON JUNE 26,2012 POLICE CAME I CALLED THE WARRANTY COMPANY THEY STATED THAT WE WOULD HAVE TO HAVE THE CAR TOWED TO A GM DEALERSHIP SO WE DID, THE NEXT MORNING I GOT UP AND CALLED THE DEALER TOLD THEM WHAT HAPPEN WHILE I WAS DRIVING THE CAR IT CRANKS AND DOES NOT START CHECK AND PLEASE ADVISE. WHILE WAITING ON THEM I CALLED THE LEASE COMPANY TO SEE WHAT KIND OF HELP WE COULD GET FROM THEM THE ANSWER WAS POINT BLANK NONE WAS NEVER LATE ON PAYMENTS WITH THEM THE CAR ONLY HAD 92152 MILES ON IT AT THIS TIME WE GOT IT BACK IN AUG.2009. SO THE DEALER CALLED BACK AND TOLD US THE THE CAR HAD A BAD IGNITION CONTROL MODULE AND COIL , THIS NOT THE KILLING PART WE HAD TO PAY $705.88 AND WOW GENERAL MOTORS SAYING THEY DON'T HAVE ANY RECALLS ON THIS MODEL OR YEAR. I HAVE BEEN TRYING TO GET REIMBURSE FOR THE AMOUNT WE PAID TO HAVE THIS DONE, I KNOW THAT IT'S A WHOLE LOT OF PEOPLE OUT HERE THAT HAVE HAD SOME OF THE SAME ISSUES THAT I HAVE HAD BUT DIDN'T GET THEM REPAIRED. OTHER ISSUES (1) POWER STERRING(2) BRAKE LIGHTS STAYING ON ALOT OF THE TIME(3)AIRBAG ,AND THE LIST GOES ON. *JS

NHTSA ODI #10617000

25,000 miles · Jul 23, 2014
Air Bags

AIRBAG LIGHT GOES ON INTERMITTENTLY AND WON'T TURN OFF. TOOK CAR TO GM DEALERSHIP AND WAS TOLD THAT THE PASSENGER PRESENCE MODULE WAS BAD WHICH CAUSES THE AIRBAGS TO BECOME INOPERABLE WHEN THE LIGHT GOES ON. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10615708

46,000 miles · Jul 7, 2014
Air BagsSeat BeltsService Brakes

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKES FAILED TO RESPOND ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE BRAKE PEDAL HAD TO BE PUMPED IN ORDER TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE SEATBELT SENSOR ILLUMINATED AFTER THE SEATBELT WAS LATCHED AND THAT THE AIR BAG SEN…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKES FAILED TO RESPOND ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE BRAKE PEDAL HAD TO BE PUMPED IN ORDER TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE SEATBELT SENSOR ILLUMINATED AFTER THE SEATBELT WAS LATCHED AND THAT THE AIR BAG SENSOR FLASHED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 46,000.

NHTSA ODI #10608744

100,000 miles · May 16, 2014
Air BagsCrashInjury

I WAS IN AN ACCIDENT GOING ABOUT 35 MILES PER HOUR WHEN I HIT A BRONCO I KNOCKED HIS TIRES OFF COMPLETE TOTAL OF MY VEHICLE THE HOOD WAS DESTROYED I HAVE PICTURES OF MY CAR THE AIR BAGS DID NOT GO OFF AND I HIT MY HEAD PRETTY HARD ON THE STEERING WHEEL I'M GLAD IT WAS JUST ME AS MY KIDS WOULD HAVE BEEN INJURED BUT MY CONCERN IS …

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I WAS IN AN ACCIDENT GOING ABOUT 35 MILES PER HOUR WHEN I HIT A BRONCO I KNOCKED HIS TIRES OFF COMPLETE TOTAL OF MY VEHICLE THE HOOD WAS DESTROYED I HAVE PICTURES OF MY CAR THE AIR BAGS DID NOT GO OFF AND I HIT MY HEAD PRETTY HARD ON THE STEERING WHEEL I'M GLAD IT WAS JUST ME AS MY KIDS WOULD HAVE BEEN INJURED BUT MY CONCERN IS WITH THE AIRBAGS NOT DEPLOYING EVEN THE COP ON SCENE SAID THEY SHOULD HAVE DEPLOYED. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10588983

96,000 miles · May 5, 2014
Air BagsStructureCrash

A VEHICLE TURNED IN FRONT OF ME CAUSING A SUBSEQUENT CRASH RESULTING IN FRONT DAMAGE TO MY CAR. AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY ALTHOUGH BUMPER WAS TORN OFF AND HOOD BENT. ADDITIONALLY ASIDE FROM THE CRASH, MY CAR HAS STARTED LOSING POWER WHILE DRIVING. I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY WHEN IT LOST POWER. I WAS ABLE TO MANEUVER AND GET …

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A VEHICLE TURNED IN FRONT OF ME CAUSING A SUBSEQUENT CRASH RESULTING IN FRONT DAMAGE TO MY CAR. AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY ALTHOUGH BUMPER WAS TORN OFF AND HOOD BENT. ADDITIONALLY ASIDE FROM THE CRASH, MY CAR HAS STARTED LOSING POWER WHILE DRIVING. I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY WHEN IT LOST POWER. I WAS ABLE TO MANEUVER AND GET IT TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. IT FINALLY RESTARTED. IT WILL NOT START SOMETIMES. HAD THE ENGINE LIGHT CHECKED AND IT SHOWS THERE IS A SENSOR PROBLEM. WILL NOT IDENTIFY WHICH PEDAL SENSOR. FRUSTRATED AND WILL NOT DRIVE IT ON THE HIGHWAY. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10586494

107,000 miles · Mar 14, 2014
Air BagsCrashInjury

MY FATHER-IN-LAW WAS DRIVING MY GRAND PRIX AND MY MOTHER-IN-LAW WAS IN THE PASSENGER SEAT. MY FATHER-IN-LAW LOST CONSCIOUSNESS AT THE WHEEL AND THEY WENT LEFT OF CENTER AND RAN ANOTHER VEHICLE OFF THE ROAD. MY MOTHER-IN-LAW GRABBED THE WHEEL TO AVOID A COLLISION AND THEY WENT OFF THE ROAD TO THE RIGHT AND WENT AIRBORNE AND CRASH…

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MY FATHER-IN-LAW WAS DRIVING MY GRAND PRIX AND MY MOTHER-IN-LAW WAS IN THE PASSENGER SEAT. MY FATHER-IN-LAW LOST CONSCIOUSNESS AT THE WHEEL AND THEY WENT LEFT OF CENTER AND RAN ANOTHER VEHICLE OFF THE ROAD. MY MOTHER-IN-LAW GRABBED THE WHEEL TO AVOID A COLLISION AND THEY WENT OFF THE ROAD TO THE RIGHT AND WENT AIRBORNE AND CRASHED INTO A TREE. MY FATHER-IN-LAW DIED IN THE CRASH AND MY MOTHER-IN-LAW WAS LIFE-FLIGHTED. THE CAR HAD EXTENSIVE DAMAGE AND WAS TOTALED. THE AIRBAGS NEVER DEPLOYED. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10569277

38,000 miles · Oct 6, 2011
Air BagsElectrical System

PASSENGER SEAT AIR BAG WEIGHT SENSOR CYCLES ON AND OFF WHEN PASSENGER OF APPROX 150 LBS. IS IN SEAT. HAD DEALER CHECK, SAID WOULD COST APPROX $900 TO REPAIR.AS CAR WAS OUT OF WARRANTY (4YR). THIS IS A VERY EXPENSIVE REPAIR ON A VITAL SAFETY DEVICE THAT SHOULD RELIABLE WELL BEYOND A 3 OR 4 YR PERIOD. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10429021

75,000 miles · Jun 7, 2011
Air Bags

I HAVE A 2008 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX, THE AIR BAG SENSOR LIGHT CAME ON, I CHECKED WITH THE DEALER REPAIR SERVICE, THEY SAID IT WOULD BE $1,100 TO FIX IT. I CALLED GM AND THEY DID OFFER TO PAY FOR HALF THE COST TO FIX IT, BUT MY AIR BAGS WERE NOT ABLE TO WORK WITH THE SENSOR OUT. I HAD TO PAY $475 TO HAVE THE SENSOR REPLACED, IT WO…

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I HAVE A 2008 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX, THE AIR BAG SENSOR LIGHT CAME ON, I CHECKED WITH THE DEALER REPAIR SERVICE, THEY SAID IT WOULD BE $1,100 TO FIX IT. I CALLED GM AND THEY DID OFFER TO PAY FOR HALF THE COST TO FIX IT, BUT MY AIR BAGS WERE NOT ABLE TO WORK WITH THE SENSOR OUT. I HAD TO PAY $475 TO HAVE THE SENSOR REPLACED, IT WOULD SEEM THAT IS SOMETHING THAT SHOULD BE COVERED FOR MORE THAN 3 YEARS, BEINGS THE CAR IS 3 YEARS OLD, NEVER BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT, SO AS FAR AS I KNOW, THE AIRBAGS HAVE NEVER BEEN DEPLOYED, SO WHY WOULD I HAVE TO PAY $1,100 FOR THAT? THAT IS A SAFETY ISSUE, AND IF I WOULD HAVE BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT, THE AIRBAGS WOULD NOT HAVE WORKED. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10405525

Official recalls

1

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

1

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.