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

What owners actually said

239 reports

40,000 miles · Nov 28, 2009

Exterior Lighting

2006 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX LOW BEAM HEADLIGHT FAILED DURING NIGHT TIME DRIVING ,ALMOST CAUSED A CRASH. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER AND PROBLEM WAS FAILURE OF THE LOW BEAM HEADLIGHT RELAY. HAVE SEEN THIS SAME FAILURE MANY TIMES IN THE PAST ON THE SAME MAKE AND YEAR CAR. VEHICLE HAS ONLY 40,000 MILES. OLD PARTS NOT AVAILABLE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10293750

85,000 miles · Oct 29, 2009

Exterior Lighting

Read full complaint

LOW BEAMS SHUT OFF RANDOMLY WHILE DRIVING AND WON'T COME BACK ON, EVEN IF YOU TRY TO TURN THEM ON MANUALLY. THE HIGH BEAMS WILL WORK AND THE FOG LIGHTS WORK. IT SEAMS TO HAPPEN ALOT WHEN IT IS RAINING, AND WHEN IT IS WARM OUTSIDE. DOESN'T SEEM TO HAPPEN AS MUCH WHEN IT IS COLD. HAVE REPLACED THE MULTIFUNCTION SWITCH AND CHECKED THE GROUNDS ASSOCIATED WITH THE LIGHTS. HAVE ALSO CHECKED RELAYS, FUSES. AM CURRENTLY CHECKING WIRE CONNECTIONS AND TRACING DOWN WIRES FROM POWER SOURCE THRU TO ALL AREAS ASSOCIATED WITH LIGHTS. AFTER THAT, THE LAST STOP IS THE VEHICLE BODY CONTROL MODULE. IS GETTING TO BE VERY EXPENSIVE AND TIME CONSUMING. THE SAFETY HAZARD, IN MY OPINION IS HUGE DUE TO THE FACT THAT YOU CAN'T TURN ON MANUALLY WHEN THEY GO OUT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10290271

20,000 miles · Sep 15, 2009

Structure

ABOUT 6 MONTHS AFTER PURCHASING MY CAR I NOTICED MY DASH BOARD STARTING TO CREAK AND MAKE NOISES, WITHIN 2 MONTHS THE LEFT DASH BOARD SPLIT AND NOW 2 YEARS LATER SO HAS THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE DASH BOARD CRACKED. MY HUSBAND DETAILS MY CAR AND KEEPS THE DASH PROTECTED BUT TO NO AVAIL I AM DRIVING AROUND WITH A CREAKING AND CRACKED …

Read full complaint

NHTSA ODI #10284036

48,000 miles · Jul 28, 2009

Engine And Engine Cooling

I WAS ON AN INTERSTATE HEADING HOME IN THE RAIN. TRAFFIC WAS MOVING ABOUT 10 MPH. I TRIED TO ACCELERATE, BUT I DIDN'T GO ANYWHERE. MY CAR DIED AND THE ENTIRE DASHBOARD WAS BLANK-NO LIGHTS AT ALL. I WAS ABLE TO GET TO THE SHOULDER OF THE INTERSTATE. I PUT THE CAR IN PARK, SHUT IF OFF, AND IT RESTARTED WITH NO PROBLEM. HAS NOT OC…

Read full complaint

NHTSA ODI #10278595

36,000 miles · Jul 28, 2009

Electrical SystemEquipmentFireInjury

2006 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX BASE MODEL 39000 MILES HEATER MOTOR CAUGHT ON FIRE THERE ARE NO MODIFICATIONS TO VEHICLE THE SPARE JACK ALSO COLLAPSED ON ME LANDING ON MY LEG GM HAS MADE NO EFFORT TO CORRECT OR REMEDY THE SITUATION BECAUSE OF BANKRUPTCY PLEASE POINT ME IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10278502

26,000 miles · Jun 22, 2009

Air BagsCrashInjury

Read full complaint

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX. WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, AN ONCOMING VEHICLE TURNED IN FRONT OF THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE AND A CRASH OCCURRED. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE CONTACT BLACKED OUT AND WAS TRANSPORTED TO THE HOSPITAL. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED INJURIES TO HIS KNEE, HIP, BACK, NECK, AND SHOULDER BLADES. HE ALSO SUFFERED PINCHED NERVES AND OTHER MAJOR INJURIES. THE MANUFACTURER HAS NOT BEEN NOTIFIED. THE OTHER DRIVER WAS ALSO TRANSPORTED TO THE HOSPITAL. THE CONTACT DID NOT KNOW WHERE THE VEHICLE WAS OR ITS CONDITION. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE LESS THAN 26,000.

NHTSA ODI #10274641

94,500 miles · May 19, 2009

SteeringCrashInjury

Read full complaint

MY POWER STEERING WENT ON MY 2006 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX THAT I PURCHASED FROM A DEALERSHIP ON 09/22/07. WHEN I FIRST GOT THE CAR THE STEERING COLUMN WAS MAKING NOISES. DEALER REPAIRED AND ALL OF A SUDDEN IN APRIL MY WHEEL GOT TIGHT AND I CONTACTED THE DEALER AND THEY SAID THERE WASN'T NOTHING MUCH THEY CAN DO AND FOR ME TO BRING THE CAR IN FOR INSPECTION. I WAS UNABLE TO BRING IT IN DUE TO WORK SCHEDULE CONFLICTS. MY HUSBAND WAS DRIVING AND THE WHEEL LOCKED UP AND RESULTED IN MY CAR FLIPPING OVER AND A LOSS OF TOTAL DAMAGE TO THE CAR. THERE WERE 4 PASSENGERS AND WE ALL CLIMBED OUT OF THE BACK WINDOW WHILE THE CAR WAS FLIPPED UPSIDE DOWN. ME AND THE OTHER 2 PASSENGERS WERE TRANSPORTED TO THE ER VIA AMBULANCE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10269392

82,000 miles · May 18, 2009

Seat Belts

Read full complaint

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT BOTH THE DRIVER'S AND PASSENGER SIDE SEAT BELTS WOULD NOT ENGAGE AND PROPERLY SECURE THE OCCUPANTS. THE FAILURE WAS NOTICED APPROXIMATELY A WEEK AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED IN MARCH OF 2009. THE FAILURE OCCURRED EVERY TIME SHE WAS IN THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER QUOTED HER AN INSPECTION PRICE, BUT DID NOT OFFER ANY OTHER ASSISTANCE. THE MANUFACTURER HAS NOT BEEN NOTIFIED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 86,336 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 82,000.

NHTSA ODI #10269135

25,000 miles · May 10, 2009

Service Brakes, HydraulicSteeringStructure

Read full complaint

I AM WRITING A COMPLAINT REGARDING MY CAR. I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE IN 2006. I HAD TO REPLACE THE STABILIZER PIN, WHEEL BEARINGS, FRONT BRAKES AND IT SEEMS LIKE SOMETHING IS WRONG IN THE STEERING WHEEL. PARTS INSIDE OF THE CAR ARE FALLING OFF. I'VE HAD TO BUY NEW TIRES DUE TO ALL THESE FRONT END PROBLEMS WITH THE CAR AND NOT KNOWING UNTIL IT HAS CAUSED A PROBLEM SOMEWHERE ELSE. NOW THE TIRES THAT I PURCHASED ABOUT A 1 1/2 YEAR AGO IS NOW VERY WORN FROM THESE FRONT END PROBLEMS WITH THE CAR. I AM VERY UPSET BECAUSE I FEEL LIKE, I HAVE BEEN ROBBED. I AM A SINGLE PARENT WORKING 2 FULL-TIME JOBS JUST TO PAY FOR A CAR THAT SEEMS TO BE BREAKING DOWN ON ME NO MATTER HOW MUCH I TRY TO TAKE TOTAL CARE OF IT. PAYING A VERY COSTLY CAR NOTE, INSURANCE, AND WARRANTY. I TELL MYSELF IS THIS WHAT I AM WORKING SO HARD TO PAY FOR. THIS CAR OUT WEIGHS WHAT I PAY FOR RENT EACH MONTH. I REMEMBER A TIME THAT PONTIAC MADE GOOD CARS THAT WAS BUILT TO LAST AS LONG AS YOU TAKE CARE OF IT. NOW IT SEEMS THAT IT IS BUILT TO BREAK DOWN BEFORE YOU COULD PAY THERE VEHICLES OFF. I AM REALLY FURIOUS AND OUTRAGED WITH THIS CAR THAT I CAN'T REALLY RELY ON. *TR UPDATED 06/02/09.*JB

NHTSA ODI #10268324

30,000 miles · Dec 20, 2008

Service Brakes, HydraulicSuspension

Read full complaint

TWICE, MY 2006 GRAND PRIX GXP HAS WORN OUT BOTH FRONT BRAKE PADS AND ROTORS. THE FIRST INCIDENT SOCKED ME TO THE TUNE OF ALMOST $700! THE FIRST OCCURRENCE WAS WITH FEWER THAN 13KMILES ON THE CAR. THIS TIME, I AM AT JUST OVER 30KMILES AND HAVE NOT YET APPROACHED MY DEALERSHIP ABOUT THE PROBLEM! NEITHER TIME WAS THERE EVER A BRAKE-WEAR SENSOR INDICATOR NOISE; BY THE TIME ANY NOISE WAS HEARD, THE ROTORS WERE DESTROYED! I HAVE READ OTHER GRAND PRIX GXP OWNERS SAYING THE EXACT, SAME THING ON MANY AUTOMOTIVE-RELATED WEBSITES/BLOGS. PONTIAC DIVISION OF GENERAL MOTORS HAS BEEN ABSOLUTELY NO HELP WITH THIS UNACCEPTABLY POOR PERFORMANCE!!! I FEEL THAT THIS IS LESS OF A BRAKE SYSTEM PROBLEM AND MORE OF A FRONT SUSPENSION DEFECT; TAKING PARTICULAR NOTE THIS TIME, THE ONLY NOISE IS MADE WHEN I TURN THE STEERING WHEEL EVEN SLIGHTLY AND I GET THAT AWFUL, SICKENING METAL-TO-METAL GRINDING NOISE!!!!!!! *TR UPDATED 2-3-09: WEB USER COMMENTS: PLEASE NOTE THAT SINCE I FILED MY COMPLAINT WITH YOU ON THE ROTORS AND PADS ON MY GRAND PRIX GXP, I HAVE TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO THE PONTIAC DEALERSHIP WHERE I LEASED THE CAR. THIS TIME, THERE WAS BARELY ENOUGH THICKNESS LEFT ON THE ROTORS FOR THEM TO BE TURNED, BUT I HAD TO HAVE THE ROTORS AT ALL 4 CORNERS DONE AND HAD TO REPLACE THE ASSOCIATED BRAKE PADS! FURTHERMORE, THE REPAIR TECH NOTED ON THE RO THAT MY GXP WAS MISSING 3 HUB BOLTS ON THE FRONT SUSPENSION! THIS IS NOT GOOD! I COMPLAINED, ONCE AGAIN, TO THE SERVICE WRITER AND, THIS TIME, TO THE SERVICE MANAGER. THE SERVICE MANAGER SAID HE'D CONTACT PONTIAC MOTOR DIVISION TO SEE IF THEY WOULD COVER THE COST OF THIS DANGEROUS, REPEATING PROBLEM. ALAS, PONTIAC REFUSED! I PLAN TO CONTACT PMD MYSELF, AS I DID IN OCTOBER 2007, AND OPEN UP ANOTHER FILE ON MY CAR. IF I DON'T GET ANY HELP THIS TIME, I'LL HAVE MY ATTORNEY DRAFT A LETTER AND GO FROM THERE.

NHTSA ODI #10252354

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