Electrical System. Review the 65 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Power Train. Review the 61 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Exterior Lighting. Review the 48 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

17 crash reports21 fire reports16 injury reports

Power Train complaints

61 reports

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103,500 miles · Jun 16, 2011

Power Train

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I HAVE A 2006 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX GXP WITH THE 5.3L V8 ENGINE. THE CAR HAS LESS THAN 104,000 MILES ON IT AND THE TRANSMISSION DOES NOT ALWAYS ENGAGE FIRST GEAR WHEN ATTEMPTING TO ACCELERATE FROM A STOP. WHEN FIRST GEAR FINALLY ENGAGES IT DOES SO WITH A VERY PHYSICAL BANGING FEELING. ALSO, THE TRANSMISSION SHIFTS EXTREMELY SLOWING FROM 2ND TO 3RD GEAR AT TIMES. THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY HAZARD WHEN ATTEMPTING TO PULL OUT IN TRAFFIC, IF YOU ARE GIVING YOURSELF ENOUGH TIME TO MAKE A TURN, AND THE TRANSMISSION WILL NOT ENGAGE, AND THEN FORCEFULLY DOES SO, IT COULD CAUSE AN ACCIDENT THAT RESULTS IN INJURY OR EVEN DEATH. I KNOW THAT MY CAR IS ONLY ONE OF VERY MANY W-BODY V8'S THAT HAVE/ARE EXPERIENCING TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS. WE ARE FORCED TO SPEND OUR MONEY AND HURT OUR CREDIT TO FIX A TRANSMISSION THAT SHOULD NEVER HAVE BEEN PUT IN THE CAR TO BEGIN WITH. AMERICAN CARS SHOULD BE BUILT BETTER THAN THIS! IF THE GOVERNMENT WON'T HOLD GM ACCOUNTABLE FOR THIS MESS, MORE CONSUMERS WILL HAVE THE SAME PROBLEMS THAT I AND MANY OTHERS ARE EXPERIENCING. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10407152

65,000 miles · Apr 27, 2011

Power Train

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MY CAR SLAMS INTO GEAR FROM A DEAD-STOP. IT GRINDS VERY LOUDLY WHEN THEN TCC IS APPLIED. SHIFTS HARD AND SHAKES VERY VIOLENTLY, SOMETIMES TO THE POINT WHERE IT IS ALMOST UNDRIVABLE. GM DEALER REFUSES TO ACKNOWLEDGE THE PROBLEM BECAUSE THEY DON'T WANT TO FIX IT. THEY CLAIMED THE GRINDING NOISE IS A TICK OR RATTLE CAUSED BY TIMING CHAIN FOR THE DISPLACEMENT ON DEMAND WHEN THE ENGINE GOES FROM 8 TO 4 CYLINDERS. THE TSB ONLY STATES IT WOULD MAKE THE NOISE WHEN GOING FROM 8 TO 4, NOT 4 TO 8. MY CAR ONLY MAKES THE NOISE WHEN I'M ON THE THROTTLE, SO IT WOULD NOT BE GOING INTO 4 CYLINDER MODE. GM ARE A BUNCH OF LYING DIRTBAGS WHO DON'T WANT TO FIX THE PROBLEMS THEY CAUSE. THEY COMPROMISED THE RELIABILITY OF THIS TRANSMISSION TO MAKE IT SHIFT SMOOTHER. I'M A MEMBER OF AN ONLINE FORUM OF JUST THE LS4/4T65E-HD FWD CARS AND THERE ARE OVER 138 PEOPLE WITH THESE CARS WHO HAD OR ARE HAVING TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS/FAILURES. WHY HASN'T THERE BEEN SOME KIND OF RECALL YET? THIS IS CERTAINLY A BIG ENOUGH PROBLEM TO WARRANT A RECALL! *TR

NHTSA ODI #10398052

60,000 miles · Mar 30, 2011

Power Train

2006 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX GXP TRANSMISSION FAILURE AT 60,000 AND 100,000 MILES. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10393762

64,000 miles · Feb 18, 2011

Power Train

TRANSMISSION SHUDDER AT CRUISING SPEEDS. DELAY WHEN LEAVING FROM DEAD STOP. CAR SLAMS INTO GEAR HARD. GRINDING/CRUSHING SOUND. *LN

NHTSA ODI #10383202

64,900 miles · Feb 11, 2011

Power Train

MY TRANSMISSION HAS NOT FAILED COMPLETELY AS OF YET, BUT I AM EXPERIENCING A LOT OF PROBLEMS WITH IT.THE CAR SHUDDERS VIOLENTLY DURING ACCELERATION. SOMETIMES MORE SEVERE THAN OTHERS. VERY NOTICEABLE LOSS OF POWER. HAD THE TRANSMISSION SERVICED AND THE FLUID WAS ALMOST BLACK AND THERE WAS A EXCESSIVE AMOUNT OF METAL OR TCC MATER…

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NHTSA ODI #10381519

70,000 miles · Jan 7, 2011

Power Train

TRANSMISSION FAILURE, THE TRANSMISSION FAILS TO FULLY ENGAGE IN TO ANY GEAR WHEN IT IS SUPPOSED TO, IT WILL SLIP AND CATCH FROM A STOP, THE TORQUE CONVERTER FAILS TO LOCK UP AND ALL GEARS SLIP UNDER MODERATE TO HEAVY ACCELERATION. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10375197

83,000 miles · Jan 7, 2011

Power Train

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NO MAJOR EVENTS LEADING UP TO THE FAILURE, JUST AVERAGE CITY/HIGHWAY DRIVING WITH LITTLE TO NO AGGRESSIVE ACCELERATION. REGULAR MAINTENANCE IS ALWAYS TAKEN CARE OF. THE TRANSMISSION IN MY 2006 GRAND PRIX GXP, WITH 88,000KM, LIKES TO SLIP EVERY NOW AND THEN AND SOMETIMES FAILS TO ACCELERATE UNTIL IT THE RPMS REACH ABOUT 1800, THEN IT FINALLY CATCHES AND PULLS HARD. THIS DOES NOT HAPPEN ALL THE TIME, BUT I'M WORRIED THE TRANSMISSION IS TAKING DAMAGE EVERYTIME IT DOES OCCUR, AND MAY EVENTUALLY LEAD TO A FAILURE, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A CRASH. NOTHING HAS BEEN DONE YET TO FIX THE PROBLEM, AS IT ONLY HAPPENS A FEW TIMES WEEK, AND MY POWERTRAIN WARRANTY HAS EXPIRED. I'VE DONE SOME RESEARCH, AND JUDGING BY MY SOURCES, THE TRANSMISSION MATED TO THE 5.3L LS4 VA FRONT DRIVE GM VEHICLES IS RATED AT 280LB-FT OF TORQUE, WHILE THE MOTOR IS CLEARLY ADVERTISED AT 323LB-FT OF TORQUE. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10375181

Mileage unknown · Apr 7, 2010

Power Train

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I WAS JUST INFORMED BY THE DEALERSHIP ON APRIL 3 2010 THAT MY TRANSMISSION NEEDS TO BE REPLACED IN MY 2006 GRAND PRIX, WHICH I PURCHASED NEW. THIS IS A VERY DISTURBING DISCOVERY BEING THAT MY CAR WAS BRAND NEW AT THE TIME OF PURCHASE AND NOW NEEDS AN ENTIRELY NEW TRANSMISSION. THE INCIDENT THAT OCCURRED WHICH PROMPTED ME TO TAKE MY CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP HAPPENED APPX 2 WEEKS AGO WHEN I TRIED TO PRESS THE GAS PEDAL AND THE CAR WOULD NOT ACCELERATE. LUCKILY, I WAS ON A SIDE STREET AND NOT ON A MAJOR HIGHWAY WHICH WOULD HAVE CAUSED SERIOUS INCIDENTS. THIS IS THE ONLY TIME THIS HAS HAPPENED AND I HAVE RECEIVED NO NOTIFICATIONS THROUGH ONSTAR THAT THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH MY TRANSMISSION. SO, I AM CONCERNED ABOUT THIS ISSUE AND WONDERED WHERE I CAN SEEK ASSISTANCE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10324358

45,000 miles · Oct 22, 2008

Electrical SystemEngine And Engine CoolingPower Train

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE VEHICLE JERKED AND THEN STALLED AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT. SHE SHIFTED THE GEAR INTO PARK IN ORDER TO RESTART THE VEHICLE. AFTERWARDS, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT ACCELERATE PAST TEN MPH. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP AND THEY STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION WAS DEFECTIVE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. APPROXIMATELY TWO MONTHS LATER, SHE NOTICED A LOUD NOISE AND HER VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP. THE MECHANIC INFORMED HER THAT THERE WAS A HOLE IN THE WATER PUMP THAT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. FOUR MONTHS LATER, THE WINDOWS WOULD NOT ROLL DOWN. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP AND THE MECHANIC REVIEWED A DIAGRAM OF THE VEHICLE. THE DIAGRAM STATED THAT THE FUSE FOR THE WINDOW WAS NOT LOCATED IN THE PROPER PLACE. THE WINDOW HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS NOT UNDER WARRANTY. THE MANUFACTURER HAS NOT BEEN NOTIFIED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 50,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 45,000.

NHTSA ODI #10246386

59,090 miles · Mar 11, 2008

Power Train

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APPROX. ONE WEEK OF TRANSMISSION TRYING TO KICK INTO NEXT GEAR, THEN ONE DAY (AFTER ABOUT 4 DAYS OF THIS OCCURRING) TRANSMISSION COMPLETELY DIED. ABLE TO PUT INTO DRIVE BUT TRANS WAS NOT COMMUNICATING WITH WHEELS (PER ONSTAR DIAGNOSTIC REPORT). HAD TO BE TOWED TO DEALER WHO SAID THAT THERE WERE "SEVERAL NOTES ON COMPUTER SYSTEM" AND THAT THE FLUID WAS "BURNT BEYOND RECOGNITION." HAD CAR TOWED TO A DIFFERENT SHOP W/ ASE CERTIFIED MECHANIC WHO SAID THAT WHILE TRANS. FLUID WAS A LITTLE BURNT, WAS NOT THAT BAD. EITHER WAY, A NEW TRANSMISSION IS GOING TO HAVE TO BE PUT INTO CAR AND THERE IS A CHANCE OF THIS HAPPENING AGAIN. PONTIAC/GM IS AWARE OF PROBLEM DUE TO TSB'S BEING PUT OUT FOR PROBLEM, BUT NO RECALL HAS BEEN ISSUED YET. REFUSE TO PURCHASE A 3-4K TRANSMISSION FOR THIS PROBLEM TO PROBABLY HAPPEN AGAIN BEFORE 60K MILES. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10220754

Official recalls

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

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.

PE09025 · Power Steering Fluid Leaks - Fires

Opened May 13, 2009 · Closed Oct 2, 2009

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Steering:hydraulic Power Assist System; Steering:hydraulic Power Assist:hose, Piping, And Connections; Steering:hydraulic Power Assist:power Steering Fluid

GENERAL MOTORS (GM) INITIATED A CUSTOMER SATISFACTION CAMPAIGN IN OCTOBER OF 2006 TO ADDRESS A FAILURE OF THE POWER STEERING HOSE AND/OR CLAMPS THAT COULD OCCUR WHEN THE ENGINE IS STARTED IN VEHICLES PRIMARILY OPERATED IN THE FOLLOWING STATES THAT EXPERIENCE EXTREMELY COLD TEMPERATURES:ALASKA, MAINE, MINNESOTA, MONTANA, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NORTH DAKOTA, SOUTH DAKOTA, VERMONT, WISCONSIN AND WYOMING.AT THE TIME THIS PRELIMINARY EVALUATION (PE) WAS OPENED, ONLY 1 OF THE 33 COMPLAINTS RECEIVED BY THE OFFICE OF DEFECTS INVESTIGATION (ODI) WAS FROM A STATE COVERED BY THE CUSTOMER SATISFACTION CAMPAIGN.IN RESPONSE TO AN INFORMATION REQUEST SENT BY THE ODI, GM PROVIDED INFORMATION THAT INCLUDED 6 ALLEGED FIRES AND 1 ALLEGED MINOR CRASH POTENTIALLY RELATED TO THE ALLEGED DEFECT. ONE OF THE ALLEGED FIRES IS A DUPLICATE OF A REPORT RECEIVED BY ODI.OF THE FIRE INCIDENTS, 2 OF THE 6 ALLEGED FIRE INCIDENTS OCCURRED AFTER THE REMEDY DETAILED IN THE CUSTOMER SATISFACTION PROGRAM WAS PERFORMED.ONE OF THE VEHICLES WAS TOTALED AS A RESULT OF THE INCIDENT.IT IS UNDETERMINED WHETHER THE INCIDENTS WERE RELATED TO THE ALLEGED DEFECT OR WERE A BY PRODUCT OF THE REPAIR.OF THE OTHER FOUR ALLEGED FIRE INCIDENTS, 1 INCIDENT INVOLVED SMOKE ONLY AND NO VISIBLE FLAMES.BASED ON THE INFORMATION PROVIDED, THE REMAINING 3 FIRE INCIDENTS WERE LOCALIZED EVENTS THAT PRIMARILY INVOLVED DAMAGE TO THE POWER STEERING COMPONENTS AND SURROUNDING WIRING.ALL 3 OF THESE VEHICLES WERE SUBSEQUENTLY REPAIRED.NONE OF THE ALLEGED FIRE INCIDENTS OCCURRED WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS UNATTENDED.ODI IS AWARE OF 1 ADDITIONAL ALLEGED FIRE INCIDENT THAT WAS NOT INCLUDED IN GM'S INFORMATION REQUEST RESPONSE.BASED ON THE CONSUMER'S DESCRIPTION OF THE INCIDENT, THE FIRE WAS QUICKLY EXTINGUISHED BY A FRIEND AND THE VEHICLE WAS SUBSEQUENTLY REPAIRED AT A DEALERSHIP.IN TOTAL ODI IS AWARE OF 6 ALLEGED FIRE INCIDENTS WHERE THE CONSUMER ALLEGED FLAMES WERE VISIBLE.ALL OF THE ALLEGED FIRE INCIDENTS OCCURRED WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS STILL ATTENDED. ODI IS AWARE 1 MINOR CRASH ALLEGED TO BE RELATED TO A POWER STEERING FLUID LEAK.THE CONSUMER ALLEGED A MINOR CRASH OCCURRED AS THE CONSUMER WAS ATTEMPTING TO PULL INTO A DRIVEWAY AND HAD DIFFICULTY NEGOTIATING THE TURN DUE TO EXPERIENCING HIGH POWER STEERING EFFORTS AND STRUCK A SNOW BANK.IN A LETTER DATED SEPTEMBER 21, 2009, GM INFORMED ODI THAT A CUSTOMER SATISFACTION PROGRAM WILL COMMENCE IN DECEMBER OF 2009 FOR THE ENTIRE US. AS A REMEDY THE POWER STEERING HOSE ASSEMBLY FOR VEHICLES WITH V8 ENGINES AND THE POWER STEERING RETURN HOSE AND CLAMPS FOR VEHICLES WITH V6 ENGINES WILL BE REPLACED WITH UPGRADED COMPONENTS.BASED ON THE LOW FREQUENCIES AND MINOR SEVERITIES OF THE ALLEGED FIRE INCIDENTS AND CRASH,NO SAFETY RELATED DEFECT TREND HAS BEEN IDENTIFIED IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES.GM'S EXPANDED CUSTOMER SATISFACTION PROGRAM WILL PROVIDE FREE REPAIRS TO VEHICLES EXCLUDED FROM THE ORIGINAL CAMPAIGN.ACCORDINGLY, THIS INVESTIGATION HAS BEEN CLOSED.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT DOES NOT EXIST.THE AGENCY WILL CONTINUE TO MONITOR COMPLAINTS AND OTHER INFORMATION RELATING TO THE ALLEGED DEFECT IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES AND TAKE FURTHER ACTION IN THE FUTURE IF WARRANTED.

Additional source detail variants (3)

Steering:hydraulic Power Assist:hose, Piping, And Connections

Steering:hydraulic Power Assist:power Steering Fluid

Steering:hydraulic Power Assist System