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: 6 of 131 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 57 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Electrical System. Review the 32 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 10 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
11 crash reports8 fire reports9 injury reports
What owners actually said
131 reports
Mileage unknown · Nov 16, 1998
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
THIS IS ADDENDUM TO ODI # 700647: ON MAY 14, 1997, I HAD MY BRAKES RELINED AND PAID FOR THE FOLLOWING: REAR PADS, FRONT PADS, BOOT KIT, RETAINERS, CUT ROTORS, SLIDE PINS AND ANTI-RATTLE CLIPS. ON MY WAY HOME, THE RIGHT REAR BRAKE OVERHEATED AND BEGAN SMOKING. I CALLED THE DEALER AND SCHEDULED AN APPOINTMENT. AFTER HE WORKED…
Read full complaint
THIS IS ADDENDUM TO ODI # 700647: ON MAY 14, 1997, I HAD MY BRAKES RELINED AND PAID FOR THE FOLLOWING: REAR PADS, FRONT PADS, BOOT KIT, RETAINERS, CUT ROTORS, SLIDE PINS AND ANTI-RATTLE CLIPS. ON MY WAY HOME, THE RIGHT REAR BRAKE OVERHEATED AND BEGAN SMOKING. I CALLED THE DEALER AND SCHEDULED AN APPOINTMENT. AFTER HE WORKED ON THE CAR, I STILL HAD PROBLEMS. I RETURNED AND HE CHARGED ME FOR A NEW CALIPER AND SAID THE PROBLEM WAS SOLVED. TOTAL COST OF THE REPAIRS INCLUDING TRIAL AND ERROR WAS $369.34. THE PROBLEM CONTINUES AND THE DEALER INSTALLED A NEW BRAKE HOSE AT NO CHARGE. WHEN THE SAME RIGHT REAR LINING WORE OUT PREMATURELY AND BROKE IN HALF, THE DEALER RELINED THE REAR BRAKES AT NO CHARGE, BUT THE BRAKE STILL OVERHEATS ON DAMP DAYS. I CONTACTED PONTIAC AND ASKED THEM TO ASSUME SOME RESPONSIBILITY, BUT THEY REFUSED. THE DEALER ALSO REFUSES TO ASSUME ANY RESPONSIBILITY, BUT ADMITS THAT THIS IS A PROBLEM WITH MANY GM AUTOMOBILES--THAT IT'S NOT A GOOD BRAKE SYSTEM.
NHTSA ODI #700648
Mileage unknown · Nov 16, 1998
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
ON MAY 14, 1997 I HAD MY BRAKES RE-LINED, ROTORS TURNED,
NHTSA ODI #700647
Mileage unknown · Sep 1, 1998
Electrical SystemFire
THE VEHICLE FILLED UP WITH SMOKE THAT CAME FROM THE STEERING COLUMN AREA WHILE DRIVING. VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO DEALERSHIP WHERE DEALER STATED THAT THE DIRECTIONAL ASSEMBLY SHORTED OUT AND MELTED THE WIRES, RESULTING IN A FIRE. THOSE PARTS HAVE BEEN REPLACED. *AK
NHTSA ODI #826911
Mileage unknown · Aug 18, 1998
Exterior Lighting
TURN SIGNAL SWITCH SHORTED OUT.
NHTSA ODI #540448
Mileage unknown · Jun 11, 1998
Exterior Lighting
OCASIONAL SMOKE EMITTING FROM THE STEERING COLUMN. TOOK TO A DEALER TO REPAIR. THEY REPLACED THE HAZARD LIGHT SWITCH. PROBLEM RETURNED ABOUT 3 MONTHS LATER. I AM VERY CONCERNED ABOUT THE POSSIBILITY OF A FIRE STARING IN THE STEERING WHEEL.
FRONT SEAT BACK IS BROKEN, IT WILL NOT SIT UP-RIGHT.
NHTSA ODI #532802
Mileage unknown · Mar 4, 1998
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
BRAKE FAILURE, DESPITE PRESSING PEDAL TO THE FLOOR.
NHTSA ODI #531888
Mileage unknown · Mar 4, 1998
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
ABS IS INCONSISTENT AND BRAKING POWER IF POOR.
NHTSA ODI #531880
Mileage unknown · Jan 27, 1998
SeatsCrashInjury
THE VEHICLE WAS REAR ENDED BY ANOTHER VEHICLE AND THE DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT COLLAPSED; AND THE BACK OF THE SEAT WENT IN THE BACK SEAT OF THE CAR, CAUSING INJURIES TO THE DRIVER. *AK
THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER FRONT SEAT MANUAL RECLINING MECHANISMS DO NOT COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS 207, "SEATING SYSTEMS." THE SEAT BACK MECHANISMS WILL NOT LATCH UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THE SEATS MAY RECLINE WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING, RESULTINGIN A HAZARD TO SEAT OCCUPANTS AND POSSIBLE LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL.
Remedy: REPLACE THE MANUAL SEAT RECLINER MECHANISM WITH A MECHANISM THAT COMPLIES WITH FMVSS 207.
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
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
1993 Pontiac Grand Prix Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year
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