Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
Limited mileage data: 2 of 139 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.
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.
Service Brakes, Hydraulic. Review the 63 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Structure. Review the 18 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Electrical System. Review the 14 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
6 crash reports0 fire reports1 injury reports
What owners actually said
139 reports
Mileage unknown · Dec 17, 2015
Engine
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1989 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V701000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING); HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE …
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1989 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V701000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING); HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.
NHTSA ODI #10810910
135,000 miles · Mar 15, 2010
Electrical System
INSTRUMENT CLUSTER GOES OUT INTERMITTENTLY. SOMETIMES IT IS OFF ALL THE TIME, OTHER TIMES ONLY WHEN HEADLIGHTS ON, OTHER TIMES ONLY WHEN HEADLIGHTS ARE OFF. SPEED, FUEL ODOMETER... NOTHING CAN BE SEEN. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10319667
110,000 miles · Dec 26, 2008
Exterior Lighting
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1989 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HIS BRAKE LIGHT LAMPS WOULD REMAIN ILLUMINATED WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS NOT IN OPERATION. THIS CAUSED THE BATTERY TO FAIL. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 90V185000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS:SWITCH); …
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1989 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HIS BRAKE LIGHT LAMPS WOULD REMAIN ILLUMINATED WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS NOT IN OPERATION. THIS CAUSED THE BATTERY TO FAIL. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 90V185000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS:SWITCH); THEREFORE, THEY WOULD NOT ASSUME ANY RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE REPAIRS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 110,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 200,000. UPDATED 2/5/09 *CN UPDATED 02/10/09. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10252825
Mileage unknown · Jul 6, 2005
Structure
DT: THE CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A LOCAL SERVICE DEALER AND INQUIRED ABOUT RECALLS. THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONSUMER THERE WAS A RECALL, NHTSA CAMPAIGN 00V189000. THE VEHICLE WAS AT DEALER FOR AN ALIGNMENT. WHEN THEY TRIED TO FIX THE RECALL THEY FOUND THAT THE CRADLE FRAME WAS RUSTED, AND THEY REFUSED TO DO THE RECALL REP…
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DT: THE CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A LOCAL SERVICE DEALER AND INQUIRED ABOUT RECALLS. THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONSUMER THERE WAS A RECALL, NHTSA CAMPAIGN 00V189000. THE VEHICLE WAS AT DEALER FOR AN ALIGNMENT. WHEN THEY TRIED TO FIX THE RECALL THEY FOUND THAT THE CRADLE FRAME WAS RUSTED, AND THEY REFUSED TO DO THE RECALL REPAIRS. CONSUMER THEN SPOKE WITH THE SERVICE MANAGER AND HE WAS RUDE. CONSUMER THEN ASKED TO SPEAK WITH THE MANUFACTURER AND WAS TOLD THAT THE DEALERSHIP WAS THE ONE TO MAKE THE DETERMINATION WHETHER RECALL WORK WOULD BE DONE. CONSUMER THEN CALLED GM ON HIS OWN, AND WAS TOLD TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO ANOTHER DEALERSHIP. HE CALLED THAT DEALERSHIP, AND WAS TOLD THEY COULD LOOK AT VEHICE NEXT WEEK ON JULY 11. THEY SAID THEY RAN INTO SITUATIONS LIKE THIS, AND THE CRADLE SUB FRAME NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AT CONSUMER'S EXPENSE. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10127673
Mileage unknown · Jun 15, 2005
Structure
DT: ONE OF THE BOLTS BROKE TO THE BODY OF THE FRAME, AND WHEN STEERING THE VEHICLE THE TIRE WAS PIVOTED TO THE RIGHT OF THE VEHICLE BECAUSE THE CRADLE DROPPED. NO FOR WARNING, HUSBAND A MECHANIC STATED THE SAME THING WAS WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10125348
Mileage unknown · Mar 27, 2003
Structure
THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED THE SAME PROBLEM AS STATED IN RECALL 00 V 189 00. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10014627
Mileage unknown · Oct 15, 2002
Wheels
CONSUMER STATES THAT THE DEALERSHIP FAILED TO REPLACE ALL 4 BOLTS. DUE TO THE 1 DEFECTED BOLT BEING LEFT ON VEHICLE THE STEERING IS OFF. MR
NHTSA ODI #8020838
Mileage unknown · Sep 30, 2002
Structure
CONSUMER STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING THE FRONT CRADLE MOUNTS BROKE RESULTING IN LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL. NLM
NHTSA ODI #8019866
Mileage unknown · Sep 29, 2002
StructureCrash
ABELOFF HAS HAD MY VEHICLE SINCE 9/10/02 DUE TO THE RECALL AND HAS NOT YET REPAIRED IT. I AM WITH OUT A VEHICLE. PLEASE LOOK IN TO THIS MATTER SO THAT I MAY HAVE MY CAR BACK. MR
NHTSA ODI #767874
Mileage unknown · Aug 26, 2002
Structure
TOOK CAR IN FOR RECALL CAMPAIGN # 00V189000 DEALER REFUSED TO PERFORM RERPAIR BECAUSE LEFT CRADLE WAS NOT STRONG ENOUGH FOR REPAIR TO BE EFFECTIVE, DEALER REFUSED TO NEGOTIATE ON RERQUIRED REPAIR DO TO APPARENT DESIGN DEFECT.*AK
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES ORIGINALLY SOLD OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE STATES OF CONNECTICUT, DELAWARE, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, IOWA, MAINE, MARYLAND, MASSACHUSETTS, MICHIGAN, MINNESOTA, MISSOURI, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW JERSEY, NEW YORK, OHIO, PENNSYLVANIA, RHODE ISLAND, VERMONT, WEST VIRGINIA, WISCONSIN, AND THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, WHERE ROAD SALT USE IS HEAVY. A CONDITION WHERE ONE OR BOTH FRONT ENGINE CRADLE BOLTS CAN PULL THROUGH THE RETAINERS DUE TO CORROSION OF THE RETAINERS.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IF BOTH BOLTS PULL THROUGH, THE FRONT OF THE CRADLE WOULD NO LONGER BE SUPPORTED AT THE MOUNTING LOCATIONS AND THE STEERING INTERMEDIATE SHAFT COULD SEPARATE FROM THE STEERING GEAR.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FRONT AND REAR FRAME/CRADLE BOLTS AND RETAINERS.
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES AND MINI VANS ORIGINALLY SOLD OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE FOLLOWING STATES: CONNECTICUT, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, MAINE, MASSACHUSETTS, MICHIGAN, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW JERSEY, NEW YORK, OHIO, PENNSYLVANIA, RHODE ISLAND, VERMONT AND WISCONSIN. THE REAR CRADLE BOLTS PULL THROUGH THE RETAINERS DUE TO CORROSION OF THE RETAINER. IF BOTH BOLTS PULL THROUGH, THE REAR CRADLE WOULD NOT LONGER BE SUPPORTED AT THESE MOUNTING LOCATIONS AND THE STEERING INTERMEDIATE SHAFT CAN SEPARATE FROM THE STEERING GEAR.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IF THIS WERE TO OCCUR WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION, A VEHICLE CRASH COULD RESULT.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE REAR CRADLE BOLTS AND RETAINERS.
CRACKS DEVELOP IN THE WHEEL MOUNTING SURFACE. IF THESE CRACKS BECOME SEVERE ENOUGH, THE WHEEL WILL COMPLETELY SEPARATE FROM THE VEHICLE.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IF WHEEL SEPARATION OCCURS WHILE THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION, LOSS OF STEERING AND BRAKE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE OCCURS, AND A VEHICLE CRASH COULD RESULT WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE MANUFACTURING DATE CODES STAMPED ON EACH WHEEL OF THE VEHICLE AND IF A WHEEL FALLS WITHIN THE SPECIFIED DATE CODE RANGE, THE DEALER WILL REPLACE THAT WHEEL ASSEMBLY.
CRACKS DEVELOP IN THE WHEEL MOUNTING SURFACE. IF THESE CRACKS BECOME SEVERE ENOUGH, THE WHEEL WILL COMPLETELY SEPARATE FROM THE VEHICLE.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IF WHEEL SEPARATION OCCURS WHILE THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION, LOSS OF STEERING AND BRAKE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE OCCURS, AND A VEHICLE CRASH COULD RESULT WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE MANUFACTURING CODES STAMPED ON EACH WHEEL OF THE VEHICLE AND IF A WHEEL FALLS WITHIN THE SPECIFIED DATE CODE RANGE, THE DEALER WILL REPLACE THAT WHEEL ASSEMBLY.
BRAKE STOPLAMPS MAY NOT ILLUMINATE OR, IN SOME CASES, STOPLAMPS MAY NOT STAY ILLUMINATED ALL THE TIME WHEN BRAKES ARE APPLIED DUE TO A FAULTY STOPLAMP SWITCH. ALSO, IN VEHICLES WITH CRUISE CONTROL, A FAULTY STOPLAMP SWITCH CAN RESULT IN RESUMPTION OF THE CRUISE CONTROL FUNCTION UPON RELEASE OF THE BRAKE PEDAL.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: A TRAILING VEHICLE MAY NOT RECOGNIZE A BRAKING ACTIONIN TIME TO RESPOND APPROPRIATELY. ALSO, CRUISE CONTROL WILL REENGAGE UPONRELEASE OF THE BRAKE PEDAL AND RESUME THE SET SPEED. IN EITHER CASE, IT COULDRESULT IN A CRASH WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING.
Remedy: INSTALL AN IMPROVED DESIGN STOPLAMP SWITCH.
BRAKE STOPLAMPS MAY NOT ILLUMINATE OR, IN SOME CASES, STOPLAMPS WILL NOT STAY ILLUMINATED ALL THE TIME WHEN BRAKES ARE APPLIED DUE TO A FAULTY STOPLAMP SWITCH. ALSO IN VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH CRUISE CONTROL, A FAULTY STOPLAMP SWITCH CAN RESULT IN RESUMPTION OF THE CRUISE CONTROL FUNCTION UPON RELEASE OF THE BRAKE PEDAL.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: A TRAILING VEHICLE MAY NOT RECOGNIZE A BRAKING ACTIONIN TIME TO RESPOND APPROPRIATELY. ALSO, CRUISE CONTROL WILL REENGAGE UPONRELEASE OF THE BRAKE PEDAL AND RESUME THE SET SPEED. IN EITHER CASE, IT COULDRESULT IN A CRASH WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING.
Remedy: INSTALL AN IMPROVED DESIGN STOPLAMP SWITCH.
FRONT SHOULDER BELT GUIDE LOOP ATTACHMENT FASTENER MAY PULL THROUGH DOOR MOUNTED ANCHOR PLATE.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: SEAT BELT MAY NOT SUSTAIN LOADS REQUIRED BY FMVSS 210, AND IN A VEHICLE ACCIDENT, THE SEAT BELT MAY NOT PROPERLY RESTRAIN A PASSENGER, RESULTING IN INCREASED RISK OF GREATER INJURY TO AN OCCUPANT.
Remedy: REPLACE FRONT SHOULDER BELT GUIDE LOOP ATTACHMENT NUTS AND INSTALL NEW GUIDE COVER.
FUEL RETURN LINES COULD FRACTURE AND ALLOW FUEL TO LEAK IN THE AREA OF THE FUEL TANK.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IN PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, THIS CONDITION COULDRESULT IN A FIRE.
Remedy: INSTALL NEW FUEL RETURN PIPE ASSEMBLY.
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
9
RP01001 · Structure
Opened Nov 28, 2001 · Closed Jun 13, 2002
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Structure
There is no summary currently available
EA00011 · Engine Cradle Separation
Opened Apr 10, 2000 · Closed Jan 12, 2001
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Engine And Engine Cooling
THE ENGINE CRADLE FRONT BOLTS AND/OR RETAINERS MAY FAIL, ALLOWING THE FRONT OF THE ENGINE CRADLE TO FALL, POSSIBLY SEPARATING THE STEERING INTERMEDIATE SHAFT FROM THE STEERING GEAR, WITH COMPLETE LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL
RQ97017 · Cradle Bolt Failures
Opened Oct 2, 1997 · No close date supplied
Status: open (inferred from source dates) · Structure
There is no summary currently available
PE94063 · Corroded Rear Disk Brakes
Opened Aug 12, 1994 · Closed Dec 21, 1994
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Service Brakes, Hydraulic
There is no summary currently available
EA92024 · Sticking Throttle
Opened Jun 26, 1992 · Closed Jan 31, 1994
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Vehicle Speed Control:linkages
There is no summary currently available
EA91051 · Brake Light Switch Failure
Opened Nov 26, 1991 · Closed Jun 30, 1992
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Exterior Lighting
There is no summary currently available
PE91133 · W-CAR Hinge Pin Failure
Opened Oct 1, 1991 · Closed Dec 5, 1991
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Structure
There is no summary currently available
PE91072 · Steering Wheel Separation
Opened May 1, 1991 · Closed Jul 8, 1991
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Steering
There is no summary currently available
PE90088 · Failure Stop Lamp Switch
Opened Jun 11, 1990 · Closed Oct 31, 1990
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Exterior Lighting
There is no summary currently available
1989 Pontiac Grand Prix Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year
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