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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.

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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

Electrical System complaints

43 reports
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194,000 miles · Oct 2, 2025
Electrical System

The contact owns a 2008 Pontiac Grand Prix. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the ignition switch unintendedly turned off the vehicle, and the vehicle lost power. The contact was able to immediately restart the vehicle. Occasionally, the contact had to wait for several minutes before the vehicle restarted …

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The contact owns a 2008 Pontiac Grand Prix. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the ignition switch unintendedly turned off the vehicle, and the vehicle lost power. The contact was able to immediately restart the vehicle. Occasionally, the contact had to wait for several minutes before the vehicle restarted and was able to be driven. The failure had become more persistent over time and the contact became aware that the failure mostly occurred in warmer weather. The contact became aware of NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V400000 (Electrical System); however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer to be diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 194,000.

NHTSA ODI #11690909

Mileage unknown · Oct 28, 2024
Electrical System

Purchased the car in march and filed with local dealership to get the recall repaired for the ignition. 6 months later and the dealership says that GM hasn’t sent the part. It’s needs repaired now. I’m tired of waiting, it shouldn’t take this long to get a recall repaired.

NHTSA ODI #11622229

65,000 miles · May 8, 2018
Electrical System

I FILED A COMPLAINT IN AUG OF 2017. NEVER HEARD ANYTHING. MY CAR IS WORSE. IN THE SHOP AGAIN. THE CAR WILL DIE OUT IN PARK OR WHILE DRIVING IT. DIES OUT WAITING AT A RED LIGHT OR AT A STOP SIGN. IT ALSO STARTS WHEN IT WANTS TO START. THE ENGINE CRANKS OVER NORMALLY WHEN YOU ATTEMPT TO START THE CAR, BUT THE ENGINE DOES …

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I FILED A COMPLAINT IN AUG OF 2017. NEVER HEARD ANYTHING. MY CAR IS WORSE. IN THE SHOP AGAIN. THE CAR WILL DIE OUT IN PARK OR WHILE DRIVING IT. DIES OUT WAITING AT A RED LIGHT OR AT A STOP SIGN. IT ALSO STARTS WHEN IT WANTS TO START. THE ENGINE CRANKS OVER NORMALLY WHEN YOU ATTEMPT TO START THE CAR, BUT THE ENGINE DOES NOT START AT FIRST ATTEMPT. CAN TAKE UP TO 4 ATTEMPTS AND 15 MINUTES (GIVE OR TAKE MINUTES) BETWEEN EACH ATTEMPT TO FINALLY START. 3 AUTO PLACES AND NO ONE CAN FIND OUT WHAT IT WRONG. THIS CAR CAN CAUSE AN ACCIDENT WHEN IT DIES OUT WHILE DRIVING.

NHTSA ODI #11092569

122,000 miles · Nov 8, 2017
Electrical SystemExterior LightingVisibility/wiper

I WAS DRIVING AT DARK HOURS WITH HEADLIGHTS ON AND LIGHTS JUST WENT OUT. TURNED ON BRIGHT LIGHTS AND THE LIGHTS WORKED. TURNED BACK TO DIM AND LIGHTS WORKED FOR ABOUT HALF A MILE.LIGHTS WENT OUT AGAIN TURNED ON BRIGHTS AND SAME THING AS BEFORE THE LIGHTS WORKED. I THOUGHT I SEEN SOMEWHERE A RECALL WAS ISSUED FOR THIS PROBLEM. I …

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I WAS DRIVING AT DARK HOURS WITH HEADLIGHTS ON AND LIGHTS JUST WENT OUT. TURNED ON BRIGHT LIGHTS AND THE LIGHTS WORKED. TURNED BACK TO DIM AND LIGHTS WORKED FOR ABOUT HALF A MILE.LIGHTS WENT OUT AGAIN TURNED ON BRIGHTS AND SAME THING AS BEFORE THE LIGHTS WORKED. I THOUGHT I SEEN SOMEWHERE A RECALL WAS ISSUED FOR THIS PROBLEM. I GUESS I DIDNT.

NHTSA ODI #11044743

Mileage unknown · Oct 13, 2017
Electrical SystemExterior LightingFuel/propulsion System

CAR IS TURNED OFF BUT HEADLIGHTS JUST RANDOMLY COME ON AND A LOUD FAN BLOWING TYPE NOISE UNDER THE HOOD.

NHTSA ODI #11033218

Mileage unknown · Aug 13, 2017
Electrical System

RECALL FOR MY CAR 14V400. I WAS GIVEN 2 LITTLE KEY RINGS FOR MY KEYS, AND A LITTLE BLACK RUBBER INSERT WAS PLACED IN THE KEY SLOT. THE RUBBER INSERT, BY THE WAY, ALWAYS COMES OUT (3 DAYS AFTER IT WAS PUT IN) IT WILL NOT STAY IN AT ALL. I AM VERY WORRIED DRIVING MY CAR. MY CAR HAS DIED OUT 3 TIMES AT A RED LIGHT AF…

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RECALL FOR MY CAR 14V400. I WAS GIVEN 2 LITTLE KEY RINGS FOR MY KEYS, AND A LITTLE BLACK RUBBER INSERT WAS PLACED IN THE KEY SLOT. THE RUBBER INSERT, BY THE WAY, ALWAYS COMES OUT (3 DAYS AFTER IT WAS PUT IN) IT WILL NOT STAY IN AT ALL. I AM VERY WORRIED DRIVING MY CAR. MY CAR HAS DIED OUT 3 TIMES AT A RED LIGHT AFTER I HAD THE LITTLE KEY RINGS AND RUBBER INSERT. ( I HAVE NOTHING ON MY CAR KEY HANGING WHEN IT GOES INTO MY IGNITION ) . I DO HAVE PROOF OF ONE TIME IT DIED OUT, ITS ON PAPER FROM SPITZER'S AUTO. THEY WERE TRYING TO FIND OUT WHY MY CAR WON'T START AT FIRST ATTEMPT, AND WHY IT TOTALLY DIES OUT. THIS ISSUE IS STILL GOING ON. IT IS REALLY GETTING WORSE. IT WILL NOT START ON 2ND OR 3RD TRY ANY MORE (WAITING FOR 10 MIN. IN- BETWEEN TRIES. ITS WORSE, IT TAKES 20 MIN TO 40 MIN IN-BETWEEN TRIES FOR IT TO START. MY CAR DIES OUT ON ME AT RED LIGHTS, ITS A SHORTER TIME PERIOD IN-BETWEEN TRIES. WHEN IT DIES OUT, TAKES 10 TO 15 MINUTE WAIT, TRY TO START IT AGAIN, IT WILL START. I DONT FEEL SAFE IN MY CAR. I REALLY NEED THIS LOOKED INTO. FROM READING THE PAPER I WAS SENT EXPLAINING ABOUT THE RECALL .. I FEEL THAT IF MY CAR IGNITION IS GOING TO THE "RUN" POSITION, BY ITSELF, THEN THE KEY RINGS AND RUBBER INSERT DID NOT FIX THE PROBLEM. IF YOU NEED ANY FURTHER INFO PLEASE LET ME KNOW. THANK YOU .IT IS ASKING DOWN BELOW "WHEN DID THIS HAPPEN" ..I HAVE SEVERAL DATES, IT WILL ONLY LET ME CHOOSE ONE.

NHTSA ODI #11014966

194,400 miles · May 9, 2017
Electrical System

ANTI-THEFT DETERRENT SYSTEM (PASSCODE 3?) FAILS TO RECOGNIZE AND ENABLE VEHICLE KEYS AS REPLACED FROM PREVIOUS (IGNITION) RECALL. CAR WILL NOT START, EVEN AFTER RESET PROCEDURES PER GM. VEHICLE STATIONARY. NEW KEYS CODED CITY MOTOR, GREAT FALLS, MT ELECTRONIC COMPONENT BLOCKS OWNER FROM USING DEALER RECALL KEYS.

NHTSA ODI #10984590

135,000 miles · Mar 5, 2017
Electrical SystemService BrakesSuspension

THE DOOR LOCKS ON THE 2008 MODEL DO NOT LOCK WITH REMOTE AND THE DRIVERS DOOR KEY ENTRY LOCK DOESN'T WORK.WON'T TURN LEFT OR RIGHT.ONLY ONE KEY ENTRY ON THE ENTIRE CAR SO YOU MUST USE THE DRIVERS SIDE KEY ENTRY.HAVE TO KEEP REPLACING CAR REMOTES AT $125.00 A PIECE ALMOST YEARLY. HAVE HAD CAR SINCE 2009.KEEP HAVING TO GET STRUTS…

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THE DOOR LOCKS ON THE 2008 MODEL DO NOT LOCK WITH REMOTE AND THE DRIVERS DOOR KEY ENTRY LOCK DOESN'T WORK.WON'T TURN LEFT OR RIGHT.ONLY ONE KEY ENTRY ON THE ENTIRE CAR SO YOU MUST USE THE DRIVERS SIDE KEY ENTRY.HAVE TO KEEP REPLACING CAR REMOTES AT $125.00 A PIECE ALMOST YEARLY. HAVE HAD CAR SINCE 2009.KEEP HAVING TO GET STRUTS REPLACED ON THE RIGHT SIDE AND REPLACE BRAKES ON THE FRONT WHEELS.THE LIGHTS ON THE GEAR PANEL KEEP GOING OUT AND ALSO THE LIGHTS WHERE THE RADIO STATION SHOWS IS DIMMED OR BURNING OUT.MY LEFT HEADLIGHT KEEPS GOING OUT.ELECTRIC IN THE CAR BASICALLY AN OVERALL ONGOING ISSUE.WHEN CAR IS PLACED IN REVERSE IT DOESN'T REVERSE SOMETIMES.I HAVE TO TURN IT OFF AND RESTART THE CAR THEN PLACE IT IN REVERSE BEFORE IT WILL REVERSE.THE CAR SHAKES AFTER GOING OVER 65MPH.SUSPENSION IS OFF.HAVE TO REPAIR TIRES CONSTANTLY BECAUSE INNER TIRES WEAR OUT QUICKLY.

NHTSA ODI #10958652

110,000 miles · Dec 6, 2016
Electrical SystemExterior Lighting

UPON STARTING OF THE CAR UNDER NORMAL CONDITIONS, NOTICED A SLIGHT BURNT ELECTRICAL SMELL, AFTER INSPECTION OF THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT, I DID NOT NOTICE ANY SMOKE OR OBVIOUS SIGNS, AND THE SMELL WENT AWAY, THIS HAPPENED TWICE WHILE OUT SHOPPING AT VARIOUS PLACES. ON THE FINAL LEG OF THE TRIP ON THE WAY HOME, I NOTICED THE SMELL …

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UPON STARTING OF THE CAR UNDER NORMAL CONDITIONS, NOTICED A SLIGHT BURNT ELECTRICAL SMELL, AFTER INSPECTION OF THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT, I DID NOT NOTICE ANY SMOKE OR OBVIOUS SIGNS, AND THE SMELL WENT AWAY, THIS HAPPENED TWICE WHILE OUT SHOPPING AT VARIOUS PLACES. ON THE FINAL LEG OF THE TRIP ON THE WAY HOME, I NOTICED THE SMELL BECOMING MORE APPARENT, AND THE SMELL WAS NOTICEABLE AT TRAFFIC LIGHT STOPS. ONCE HOME, I ONCE AGAIN INSPECTED THE COMPARTMENT, AND NOTICED A MELTED SPOT ON THE TOP OF THE FUSE BOX, AFTER OPENING, THE LOW BEAM RELAY WAS BURNT BEYOND RECOGNITION AND FUSED TO THE WIPER RELAY. IN ORDER TO USE HEADLIGHTS, I NOW HAVE TO REPLACE THE WHOLE FUSE BOX DUE TO THE BURNT SPOT IN THE COVER AND THE FUSE BOX. SEE ATTACHED PICTURES. I COULD NOT ATTACH THE PICTURE OF PLASTIC DUST WHICH IS WHAT IS LEFT OF THE RELAY, DUE TO SIZE LIMITATIONS.

NHTSA ODI #10930231

155,000 miles · Sep 10, 2016
Electrical SystemExterior Lighting

WENT TO CAR TO GO TO WORK AND FOUND DURING THE NIGHT THE FUSE BOX UNDER THE HOOD HAD BURNT UP WHILE PARKED IN DRIVEWAY OVER NIGHT.

NHTSA ODI #10905475

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.