IllustrationCAR DOESNT ROLL FROM A DEAD STOP. *TR
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 →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
80–25K
1425–50K
1950–75K
3075–100K
29100–150K
12150K+
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
What owners actually said
142 reports2008 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX HEADLIGHTS GO OUT WHEN HEATER FAN IS TURNED ON. *TR
2008 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX, TOTAL IGNITION FAILURE, WHILE DRIVING WITHOUT WARNING. VEHICLE HAS ONLY 39000 MILES, AND WAS PROPERLY MAINTAINED. THERE WAS NO CHECK ENGINE LIGHT. REPAIR WAS TO CHANGE IGNITION MODULE AND THREE COIL PACKS. THE FUSE WAS ALSO BLOWN. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE NOTICED A MILDEW ODOR IN THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE WAS CAUSED BY THE AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEM. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALERSHIP WHERE THE AIR CONDITIONING FAN WAS TURNED ON BUT THE PROBLEM PERSISTED. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER WHO…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE NOTICED A MILDEW ODOR IN THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE WAS CAUSED BY THE AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEM. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALERSHIP WHERE THE AIR CONDITIONING FAN WAS TURNED ON BUT THE PROBLEM PERSISTED. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER WHO ADVISED HER TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP AGAIN FOR DIAGNOSIS. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 40,000. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 24,000-
RIGHT TIE ROD ENDS THREADS STRIPPED AT 43000 MILE UNDER NORMAL USE. *CN
2008 GRAND PRIX GXP FRONT WHEEL CRACKED, LOSING AIR WITH 24K MILES. THE WEEK BEFORE IT WAS BRAKE PADS AND ROTORS. TOTAL OUT OF POCKET EXPENSES 1,200.00 IN TWO WEEKS. I FIND THIS ABSOLUTELY UNACCEPTABLE FOR A CAR WITH BUMPER TO BUMPER COVERAGE. JUST EXACTLY WHAT DO THEY COVER? LAST I CHECKED MY WHEELS WERE BETWEEN MY BUMPERS, AND…
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2008 GRAND PRIX GXP FRONT WHEEL CRACKED, LOSING AIR WITH 24K MILES. THE WEEK BEFORE IT WAS BRAKE PADS AND ROTORS. TOTAL OUT OF POCKET EXPENSES 1,200.00 IN TWO WEEKS. I FIND THIS ABSOLUTELY UNACCEPTABLE FOR A CAR WITH BUMPER TO BUMPER COVERAGE. JUST EXACTLY WHAT DO THEY COVER? LAST I CHECKED MY WHEELS WERE BETWEEN MY BUMPERS, AND IF GM CAN'T BUILD A CAR ROAD WORTHY OF A MICHIGAN WINTER THEY SHOULD NOT BE ALLOWED TO SELL THEM HERE. THIS WOULD BE ALOT EASIER TO SWALLOW IF IT WERE A USED CAR, BUT NEW WITH 24K MILES IS ABSURD! *TR
P-0411 CODE; AIR CONTROL VALVE SOLENOID. MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT KEPT GOING ON AND THEN WOULD GO OFF. THIS PROCESS REPEATED A FEW TIMES. BOUGHT NEW GAS CAP A FEW TIMES. FINALLY, LIGHT CAME ON AND WOULD NOT GO OFF. TOOK IT TO DEALER WHO TOLD ME IT WAS THE AIR CONTROL VALVE SOLENOID AND IT WAS NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. AFTER…
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P-0411 CODE; AIR CONTROL VALVE SOLENOID. MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT KEPT GOING ON AND THEN WOULD GO OFF. THIS PROCESS REPEATED A FEW TIMES. BOUGHT NEW GAS CAP A FEW TIMES. FINALLY, LIGHT CAME ON AND WOULD NOT GO OFF. TOOK IT TO DEALER WHO TOLD ME IT WAS THE AIR CONTROL VALVE SOLENOID AND IT WAS NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. AFTER LOOKING INTO THIS PROBLEM ONLINE, IT SEEMS THAT THIS IS NOT A NEW PROBLEM WITH THESE CARS. HTTP://AUTOFORUM.CLASSIFIEDS1000.COM/PONTIAC-GRAND_PRIX/SECONDARY_AIR_PUMP HAS SOME LISTINGS. IF YOU SEARCH SECONDARY AIR PUMP; PONTIAC GRAND PRIX CARS - YOU GET MULTIPLE HITS. *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX. THE VEHICLE HAS GOODYEAR VIVA TOURING TIRES, SIZE P205/70R15. IN JULY OF 2008, THE CONTACT TOOK HIS VEHICLE TO WAL-MART FOR A TIRE ROTATION. HE WAS INFORMED THAT THE STEEL BELT FAILED INSIDE THE RUBBER OF TWO TIRES. THE REPAIR WILL NOT BE MADE FOR FREE AND THE CONTACT WOULD HAVE…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX. THE VEHICLE HAS GOODYEAR VIVA TOURING TIRES, SIZE P205/70R15. IN JULY OF 2008, THE CONTACT TOOK HIS VEHICLE TO WAL-MART FOR A TIRE ROTATION. HE WAS INFORMED THAT THE STEEL BELT FAILED INSIDE THE RUBBER OF TWO TIRES. THE REPAIR WILL NOT BE MADE FOR FREE AND THE CONTACT WOULD HAVE TO PAY APPROXIMATELY $40 TO REPLACE BOTH OF THE TIRES. THE VIN AND DOT NUMBER WERE UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 41,000.
ON CERTAIN OCCASIONS, THE FRONT PASSENGER AIR BAG SENSOR TURNS THE AIRBAG "OFF" EVEN THOUGH AN ADULT OF SUITABLE WEIGHT WHO IS PROPERLY SEATED IN THE SEAT IS PRESENT. THE PROBLEM IS USUALLY (BUT NOW ALWAYS) CORRECTED WHEN THE VEHICLE IS TURNED OFF AND RESTARTED. TWO DEALERSHIPS WERE UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE, DETECT AND CORRECT THE P…
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ON CERTAIN OCCASIONS, THE FRONT PASSENGER AIR BAG SENSOR TURNS THE AIRBAG "OFF" EVEN THOUGH AN ADULT OF SUITABLE WEIGHT WHO IS PROPERLY SEATED IN THE SEAT IS PRESENT. THE PROBLEM IS USUALLY (BUT NOW ALWAYS) CORRECTED WHEN THE VEHICLE IS TURNED OFF AND RESTARTED. TWO DEALERSHIPS WERE UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE, DETECT AND CORRECT THE PROBLEM SINCE IT IS INTERMITTENT. THIS PROBLEM EXPOSES THE FRONT ADULT PASSENGER TO SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH IF AN ACCIDENT OCCURS AND THE AIR BAG IS NOT ACTIVATED BECAUSE OF THIS FAULTY SENSOR. *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX. WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH AFTER PURCHASING THE VEHICLE, THE PAINT BEGAN PEELING. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS CAUSED BY EXPOSURE TO ACID RAIN AND THEY OFFERED TO RE-PAINT THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT ALSO FELT A HARD VIBRATION WHEN DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL AND ACCELERATING TO …
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX. WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH AFTER PURCHASING THE VEHICLE, THE PAINT BEGAN PEELING. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS CAUSED BY EXPOSURE TO ACID RAIN AND THEY OFFERED TO RE-PAINT THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT ALSO FELT A HARD VIBRATION WHEN DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL AND ACCELERATING TO 55-65 MPH. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 400 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 800.
Official recalls
114V400000 · 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
1RQ17002 · 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.