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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

Electrical System complaints

43 reports
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41,000 miles · Feb 13, 2015
Electrical SystemFire

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE CONTACT NOTICED SMOKE APPEARING FROM THE HOOD. THE CONTACT COASTED THE VEHICLE TO AN EMERGENCY LANE, OPENED THE HOOD, AND NOTICED THAT THE FUSE BOX IGNITED INTO FLAMES. THE CONTACT PLACED A TOWEL ON THE FUSE BOX, WHICH EXTINGUISHED THE FLAMES…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE CONTACT NOTICED SMOKE APPEARING FROM THE HOOD. THE CONTACT COASTED THE VEHICLE TO AN EMERGENCY LANE, OPENED THE HOOD, AND NOTICED THAT THE FUSE BOX IGNITED INTO FLAMES. THE CONTACT PLACED A TOWEL ON THE FUSE BOX, WHICH EXTINGUISHED THE FLAMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 41,000.

NHTSA ODI #10683200

58,000 miles · Jan 14, 2015
Electrical SystemEngine

WE PURCHASED THE VEHICLE FROM A DEALER INTHE TRI-CITIES AREA OF EASTERN WASHINGTON IN 2010. THE CAR MAY HAVE BEEN A LEASE RETURN. HOWEVER ONE OF THE SELLING POINTS WITH THE CAR WAS THE REMOTE STARTER OPTION. THE WEATHER IN EASTERN OREGON WHERE WE LIVED AT THE TIME WAS A LIFE SAVER. HOWEVER WHEN THE BATTERY WENT DEAD AND REPLACED…

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WE PURCHASED THE VEHICLE FROM A DEALER INTHE TRI-CITIES AREA OF EASTERN WASHINGTON IN 2010. THE CAR MAY HAVE BEEN A LEASE RETURN. HOWEVER ONE OF THE SELLING POINTS WITH THE CAR WAS THE REMOTE STARTER OPTION. THE WEATHER IN EASTERN OREGON WHERE WE LIVED AT THE TIME WAS A LIFE SAVER. HOWEVER WHEN THE BATTERY WENT DEAD AND REPLACED AT THE DEALER THE REMOTE START QUIT WORKING. NOT ONLY QUIT WORKING BUT IT EVEN DISAPPEARED FROM THE VEHICLE DIC. THE REMOTE START IS EVEN LISTED IN THE VEHICLE OWNERS MANUAL. BUT THE DEALER IN MEDFORD, OREGON, AIR PORT CHEVY/CADDI CANT SEEM TO FIGURE IT OUT. WE HAVE HAD THE VEHICLE AT THE DEALERS IN MEDFORD 6 TIMES. EVEN DURING THE RECALL FOR THE KEY FOB ISSUES AND IGNITION SWITCH FIRES, THE DEALERS ALSO LOOKED INTO THE DARN FAILURE OF THE REMOTE START BUT THEY NEVER DID FIX ANYTHING NOR DO THEY HAVE ANY IDEAS AS TO GET THE THING FIXED. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10672515

181,104 miles · Dec 30, 2014
Electrical SystemEngineFire

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE'S SPEED REDUCED AND SMOKE APPEARED UNDER THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE HOOD. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE GAUGES FLUCTUATED AND ALL THE WARNING LIGHTS AND THE INTERIOR LIGHTS FLICKERED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED THAT UNKNOWN …

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE'S SPEED REDUCED AND SMOKE APPEARED UNDER THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE HOOD. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE GAUGES FLUCTUATED AND ALL THE WARNING LIGHTS AND THE INTERIOR LIGHTS FLICKERED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED THAT UNKNOWN WIRES WERE MELTED. AS A RESULT, THE FUSE BLOCK AND THE ENGINE HARNESS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. IN ADDITION, NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V400000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM) COULD NOT BE PERFORMED DUE TO THE FAILURE THAT NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED PRIOR TO PERFORMING THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 181,104.

NHTSA ODI #10669172

Mileage unknown · Nov 26, 2014
Electrical System

2008 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX LOST TOTAL POWER TO THE CAR. DISCOVERED THAT THE IGNITION MODULE HAD GONE BAD. *MW THE CONSUMER STATED IT WASN'T UNTIL AFTER THE REPAIR SHOP REPLACED THE IGNITION MODULE AND DID A MAINTENANCE CHECK RIDE, THEY DISCOVERED THE SOURCE OF THE IGNITION MODULE FAILING, WAS THE IGNITION COIL, WHICH ALSO HAD TO…

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2008 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX LOST TOTAL POWER TO THE CAR. DISCOVERED THAT THE IGNITION MODULE HAD GONE BAD. *MW THE CONSUMER STATED IT WASN'T UNTIL AFTER THE REPAIR SHOP REPLACED THE IGNITION MODULE AND DID A MAINTENANCE CHECK RIDE, THEY DISCOVERED THE SOURCE OF THE IGNITION MODULE FAILING, WAS THE IGNITION COIL, WHICH ALSO HAD TO BE REPLACED. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10653335

78,000 miles · Nov 20, 2014
Electrical System

I PURCHASED A 2008 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX IN MARCH 2014 AND SHORTLY AFTER WHEN I TRIED TO START IT IT DIDN'T WANT TO START. THIS HAS HAPPENED PROBABLY 10-15 TIMES A MONTH GIVE OR TAKE MAYBE MORE SEEING AS I'M NOT THE ONLY ONE WHO DRIVES IT SO I DON'T KNOW BUT I KNOW IT'S ABOUT 10-15 TIMES A MONTH FOR ME. WHEN THIS HAPPENS I HAVE TO …

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I PURCHASED A 2008 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX IN MARCH 2014 AND SHORTLY AFTER WHEN I TRIED TO START IT IT DIDN'T WANT TO START. THIS HAS HAPPENED PROBABLY 10-15 TIMES A MONTH GIVE OR TAKE MAYBE MORE SEEING AS I'M NOT THE ONLY ONE WHO DRIVES IT SO I DON'T KNOW BUT I KNOW IT'S ABOUT 10-15 TIMES A MONTH FOR ME. WHEN THIS HAPPENS I HAVE TO GIVE IT GAS TO GET GOING SO I'M NOT STRANDED SOMEPLACE AND I'M NOT SURE IF THIS IS AN ELECTRICAL PROBLEM AN IGNITION PROBLEM OR A PROBLEM WITH THE FUEL PUMP I'M NOT SURE WHAT'S GOING ON BUT I WOULD LIKE TO HAVE SOME ANSWERS DUE TO THIS BEING A NEWER CAR THAN WHAT WE HAVE AND THIS BEING AN ISSUE THAT COULD CAUSE ME OR SOMEONE ELSE TO END UP BEING STRANDED DUE TO THE CAR NOT WANT TO START PROPERLY. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10659613

71,000 miles · Oct 28, 2014
Electrical SystemFire

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FUSE BOX BEGAN TO CATCH FIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT THE FUSE BOX AND THE WIRING HARNESS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE …

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FUSE BOX BEGAN TO CATCH FIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT THE FUSE BOX AND THE WIRING HARNESS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 71,000.

NHTSA ODI #10650839

Mileage unknown · Oct 17, 2014
Electrical SystemPower Train

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX. WHILE TRAVELING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE VEHICLE JERKED VIOLENTLY AND DECELERATED. ALSO, UPON TURNING THE KEY IN THE IGNITION, THE VEHICLE HESITATED AND STALLED MULTIPLE TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V400000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DI…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX. WHILE TRAVELING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE VEHICLE JERKED VIOLENTLY AND DECELERATED. ALSO, UPON TURNING THE KEY IN THE IGNITION, THE VEHICLE HESITATED AND STALLED MULTIPLE TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V400000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNAVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI #10648319

180,000 miles · Oct 14, 2014
Electrical System

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX. THE CONTACT HAD TO MAKE SEVERAL ATTEMPTS TO START THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE OCCURRED MULTIPLE TIMES. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTIFICATION FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V400000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM); HOWEVER, THE PARTS NEEDED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURE…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX. THE CONTACT HAD TO MAKE SEVERAL ATTEMPTS TO START THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE OCCURRED MULTIPLE TIMES. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTIFICATION FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V400000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM); HOWEVER, THE PARTS NEEDED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 180,000.

NHTSA ODI #10644442

Mileage unknown · Oct 9, 2014
Electrical System

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTIFICATION FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V400000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM); HOWEVER, THE PART NEEDED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.

NHTSA ODI #10643559

80,000 miles · Oct 1, 2014
Air BagsElectrical SystemExterior Lighting

WITHIN A MONTH OF PURCHASING A PRE-OWNED 2008 PONTIAC, GRAND PRIX FROM MIKE SMITH BUICK GMC, LOCATED IN LOCKPORT, NY, I REALIZED THE SENSOR FOR THE PASSENGER AIRBAG WOULD TURN OFF AND ON WHILE I HAVE A PASSENGER WEIGHING OVER 200LBS IN THE PASSENGER SEAT. I NOTIFIED DEALERSHIP AND MADE AN APPT. ON SEPT 22, 2014. MY CAR WENT IN F…

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WITHIN A MONTH OF PURCHASING A PRE-OWNED 2008 PONTIAC, GRAND PRIX FROM MIKE SMITH BUICK GMC, LOCATED IN LOCKPORT, NY, I REALIZED THE SENSOR FOR THE PASSENGER AIRBAG WOULD TURN OFF AND ON WHILE I HAVE A PASSENGER WEIGHING OVER 200LBS IN THE PASSENGER SEAT. I NOTIFIED DEALERSHIP AND MADE AN APPT. ON SEPT 22, 2014. MY CAR WENT IN FOR SERVICE ON SEPTEMBER 29, 2014. THE TECHNICIAN INFORMED ME HE RESET THE MODULE BUT NO CODES WERE COMING UP FOR THE ELECTRONIC CONTROL UNIT AND THIS WAS TOO EXPENSIVE AND TIME CONSUMING TO FIX AND WOULD NOT BE COVERED UNDER THE NEW YORK STATE LEMON LAW WARRANTY. THIS CONCERNS ME AS A SAFETY DEFECT AND I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW IF THIS IS COVERED UNDER GENERAL MOTORS CORPORATION. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10640645

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.