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1990 Pontiac Grand Prix

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

More warning signs than most Grand Prix years

Owner complaints for the 1990 Pontiac Grand Prix are substantially higher than the model-year median of 88.

About this comparison →

How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

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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

Limited mileage data: 7 of 176 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 92 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Structure. Review the 25 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electrical System. Review the 17 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

10 crash reports1 fire reports7 injury reports

Structure complaints

25 reports
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260,000 miles · Oct 19, 2007
SteeringStructure

REAR SUBFRAME RETAINERS RUSTED OUT CAUSING ENGINE/TRANSAXLE TO DROP AND STEERING SHAFT TO SEPARATE CAUSING LOSS OF CONTROL WHERE THE VEHICLE ENDED UP IN THE ON COMING LANE OF TRAFFIC. THE RETAINERS HAVE BEEN REPLACED AT LEAST ONCE BEFORE. REPLACEMENT PARTS HAVE THE SAME DEFECT AS THE ORIGINAL PARTS. I DON'T BELIEVE THAT IS A S…

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REAR SUBFRAME RETAINERS RUSTED OUT CAUSING ENGINE/TRANSAXLE TO DROP AND STEERING SHAFT TO SEPARATE CAUSING LOSS OF CONTROL WHERE THE VEHICLE ENDED UP IN THE ON COMING LANE OF TRAFFIC. THE RETAINERS HAVE BEEN REPLACED AT LEAST ONCE BEFORE. REPLACEMENT PARTS HAVE THE SAME DEFECT AS THE ORIGINAL PARTS. I DON'T BELIEVE THAT IS A SOLUTION. ONE GM DEALER (DON MILLER IN MADISON) DENIED ANY KNOWLEDGE OF A RECALL. ANOTHER GM DEALER SAID GM WILL OFFER A COUPLE HUNDRED DOLLARS AND TAKE THE CAR, BUT THERE IS NO REPAIR OPTION. YOUR PERSON I SPOKE WITH AT THE (888) PHONE NUMBER DIRECTED BE TO A GM (800) NUMBER WHO COULD NOT FIND ANY INFORMATION EVEN THOUGH I GAVE THEM THE RECALL NUMBER. IN ADDITION TO THE BOLTS AND RETAINERS THAT ARE "COVERED", THE RUBBER CUSHIONS AND TOP RETAINERS WERE UNABLE TO BE FOUND AND WILL REQUIRE REPLACEMENT. I HAVE ORDERED THE PARTS AT A COST OF ABOUT $110 AND A $60 TOW BILL PLUS ANY LABOR CHARGE I INCUR. LOOKING OVER THE NUMBER OF THESE FAILURES ON YOUR SITE, IT IS AMAZING TO ME THAT NO ACCIDENTS HAVE RESULTED THAT HAVE BEEN REPORTED. I WONDER HOW MANY HAVE OCCURRED AND THE CAUSE WAS NOT DISCOVERED. IT SEEMS TO ME THAT THE RECALL SHOULD BE CONTINUED TO INSPECT VEHICLES THAT HAVE BEEN "REPAIRED" WITH THE SAME DEFECTIVE PARTS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10206369

Mileage unknown · Jan 6, 2005
Structure

RECALL CAMPAIGN, HAVING SOME PROBLEMS WITH RECALLS NEVER RECEIVED. *BF THE REAR CRADLE BOLTS PULLED THROUGH THE RETAINERS DUE TO CORROSION. RECALL# 00V189000. *SC *JB

NHTSA ODI #10109406

74,987 miles · Feb 19, 2004
Structure

CONSUMER STATED THAT WHILE WAITING AT AN ATM ENGINE FELL OUT OF VEHICLE. CONSUMER HAD VEHICLE TOWED TO THE MECHANIC, WHO SAID THAT THE CRADLE BOLTS RUSTED. CONSUMER INDICATED HE NEVER RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE. BUT WHEN HE CALLED GMC HE WAS TOLD THAT THIS VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10052280

Mileage unknown · Jun 26, 2002
Structure

REAR LEFT AND RIGHT CARRIAGE BOLTS PULLED THROUGH RETAINERS, CAUSING THE STEERING SHAFT TO SPLIT AND THE ENGINE CRADLE TO DROP TO THE GROUND. PONTIAC ADMITS RESPONSIBILITY AND ALSO AGREED TO PROVIDE WORK ACCORDING TO "WARRANTY" I.E. PONTIAC WILL ABSORB THE COST OF REPAIR. WORK DONE BY RUSS AT WOBURN, MASS. PONTIAC. THE GM RE…

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REAR LEFT AND RIGHT CARRIAGE BOLTS PULLED THROUGH RETAINERS, CAUSING THE STEERING SHAFT TO SPLIT AND THE ENGINE CRADLE TO DROP TO THE GROUND. PONTIAC ADMITS RESPONSIBILITY AND ALSO AGREED TO PROVIDE WORK ACCORDING TO "WARRANTY" I.E. PONTIAC WILL ABSORB THE COST OF REPAIR. WORK DONE BY RUSS AT WOBURN, MASS. PONTIAC. THE GM REP SPOKE WITH MY HUSBAND SEVERAL TIMES, INDICATING PONTIAC'S RESPONSIBILITY AND THAT THE WORK WAS BEING DONE AS A RECALL. HOWEVER, WHEN THE WORK WAS COMPLETED AND THE CAR WAS READY TO BE PICKED UP, GM'S FINAL WORD WAS HANDED DOWN AND THEY REFUSE TO ABSORB THE COST (800-762-2737 FILE #S19313957). THE COST OF THE REPAIR IS $620.00 (WHICH INCLUDES AN INFLATED TOW CHARGE OF $115.00 -- THE ACTUAL COST OF THE TOW ACCORDING TO THE DRIVER IS $65.00). MY NORMAL DRIVING HABITS TAKE ME 15 MILES TO AND FROM WORK ON THE HIGHWAY, IF THIS HAD HAPPED ON A WEEKDAY AND I WAS TRAVELLING AT MY USUAL AVERAGE RATE OF SPEED OF 70 MPH I WOULD BE HAVE BEEN SERIOUSLY INJURED OR DEAD. I EXPECT TO BE FULLY COMPENSATED FOR THIS FAILURE AS A GOOD FAITH GESTURE THAT PONTIAC STANDS BEHIND THEIR VEHICLES EVEN AFTER 10 YEARS. IT APPEARS THAT THE BOLTS LOOSENED THEMSELVES FROM THE CARRIAGE. THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY DEFECT, WHICH PONTIAC IS RESPONSIBLE TO CORRECT BOTH PROFESSIONALLY AND FINANCIALLY. PRIOR TO THE ENGINE FALLING ONTO THE GROUND, THIS WAS A DEPENDABLE, EXCELLENT RUNNING VEHICLE. I CAN ONLY HOPE THAT THERE WAS NO DAMAGE TO THE ENGINE WHEN THE BOLTS FAILED. YOUR INTERVENTION IS APPRECIATED.*AK

NHTSA ODI #763513

Mileage unknown · Apr 10, 2002
Structure

ENGINE CRADLE HAD ROTTED OUT UNDERNEATH FRAME. THERE IS RECALL 10946 00 V 189 000. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK

NHTSA ODI #8007236

Mileage unknown · Feb 21, 2001
Structure

RETAINER AND INSULATER THAT HOLD ENGINE CRADLE HAD TO BE REPLACED DUE TO RUST. MANUFACTURER WILL BE NOTIFIED.*AK THREE OF THE FOUR RETAINER RUSTED OUT COMPELETELY. EVENTHOUGH THERE WAS A RECALL, THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT IN THE LIST. *YH

NHTSA ODI #880967

Mileage unknown · Jan 26, 2001
Structure

CONSUMER RECEIVED RECALL 00V189, HOWEVER IN 1999 THE REPAIR WAS COMPLETED BY SOMEONE OTHER THAN GM, CONSUMER SUBMITTED BILL FOR REFUND AND WAS DENIED DUE TO THE REPLACEMENT PARTS WERE NOT GM PARTS.

NHTSA ODI #559216

Mileage unknown · Dec 26, 2000
Air BagsStructureCrashInjury

WHILE DRIVING 30MPH HIT A TREE AND FRONT WAS IN A V SHAPE AFTER ACCIDENT. AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. RADIATOR AND HOOD WERE NO GOOD. *AK THE BUMPER WAS SPLIT IN HALF AND THE HOOD BUCKLED IN A 45 DEGREE ANGLE. *YH

NHTSA ODI #876956

Mileage unknown · Dec 7, 2000
Structure

CONSUMER PAID FOR THE REPAIRS FOR THE FRAME MOUNTS FOR RECALL 00V189, CONSUMER REQUESTS REIMBURSEMENT. *SLC

NHTSA ODI #558246

Mileage unknown · Nov 22, 2000
Structure

CONSUMER RECEIVED RECALL #00V189000/ FRONT ENGINE CRADLE BOLTS WHICH WAS POSTMARKED 9-27-00. CONSUMER CONTACTED TULLEY BUICK /PONTIAC AND MADE 2 APPOINTMENTS WHICH DEALER CANCELLED . DEALER ADVISED CONSUMER THAT NO PARTS WERE AVAILABLE, AND WOULD HAVE TO WAIT ABOUT 3 WEEKS OR LONGER. IN MEANTIME CONSUMER SHOULD NOT DRIVE VEHIC…

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CONSUMER RECEIVED RECALL #00V189000/ FRONT ENGINE CRADLE BOLTS WHICH WAS POSTMARKED 9-27-00. CONSUMER CONTACTED TULLEY BUICK /PONTIAC AND MADE 2 APPOINTMENTS WHICH DEALER CANCELLED . DEALER ADVISED CONSUMER THAT NO PARTS WERE AVAILABLE, AND WOULD HAVE TO WAIT ABOUT 3 WEEKS OR LONGER. IN MEANTIME CONSUMER SHOULD NOT DRIVE VEHICLE . CONSUMER FELT THIS RECALL WAS NOT BEING DONE IN A TIMELY MANNER.*AK

NHTSA ODI #875405

Official recalls

8

00V189000 · Structure

Jul 11, 2000

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.

97V058000 · Structure

Apr 8, 1997

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.

95V115000 · Wheels

Jun 5, 1995

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.

94V041000 · Wheels

Mar 28, 1995

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.

91V005000 · Seat Belts

Oct 2, 1991

FRONT SHOULDER SAFETY BELT WEBBING MAY SEPARATE AT FRONT BELT UPPER GUIDE LOOPS ON EITHER SIDE OF THE FRONT SEAT.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: WEBBING SEPARATION COULD OCCUR WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING ANDINCREASE THE RISK OF INJURY TO BELTED FRONT OUTBOARD OCCUPANTS IN A HIGH ENERGYCRASH.

Remedy: INSTALL A CONTROLLED ROTATION BRACKET ON DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE FRONT SEAT BELT GUIDE LOOPS.

90V185000 · Exterior Lighting:brake Lights:switch

Oct 16, 1990

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.

90V054000 · Seat Belts

Mar 14, 1990

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.

90V036000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:storage:tank Assembly

Feb 20, 1990

DURING A REAR END COLLISION, THE REAR EXHAUST SYSTEM HEAT SHIELD, WHICH IS WELDED TO THE TAIL PIPE ASSEMBLY, MAY PUNCTURE THE FUEL TANK.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: IN THE PRESENCE OF AN EXTERNAL SOURCE OF IGNITION, THIS COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.

Remedy: REMOVE REAR EXHAUST SYSTEM HEAT SHIELD FROM THE 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

10

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

PE93085 · Wheel Failures

Opened Sep 29, 1993 · Closed Feb 28, 1994

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Suspension

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

EA91049 · Jack Failure

Opened Nov 26, 1991 · Closed Oct 28, 1992

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Equipment

===

PE91107 · Jack Failure

Opened Aug 1, 1991 · Closed Nov 26, 1991

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Equipment

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