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2008 Pontiac Grand Prix

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 2008 Pontiac Grand Prix do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 88.

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When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

112 reports with mileage · 30 unknown

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.

  • Electrical System. Review the 43 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Exterior Lighting. Review the 29 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Air Bags. Review the 22 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

9 crash reports3 fire reports8 injury reports

Air Bags complaints

22 reports
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88,000 miles · May 10, 2018
Air Bags

DEALER STATES AIRBAG HAS BAD INFLATER, NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY

NHTSA ODI #11093225

80,000 miles · Nov 24, 2015
Air BagsElectrical SystemElectronic Stability Control (esc)

SINCE I BOUGHT THE CAR, I NOTICED ON MOTION THE FORCE ON THE PEDAL STARTED REDUCING. WHEN IT HAPPENS I REPRESS IT AGAIN WHICH WILL BECOME STABLE AT THAT PARTICULAR TIME. WILL GOT STUCK WHILE IN MOTION( 55MPR). I TOOK TO THE DEALERSHIP THEY TOLD ME NOTHING WRONG WITH THE CAR, AND THEN I WAS UNDER WARRANTY. THIS MORNING I TOOK IT …

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SINCE I BOUGHT THE CAR, I NOTICED ON MOTION THE FORCE ON THE PEDAL STARTED REDUCING. WHEN IT HAPPENS I REPRESS IT AGAIN WHICH WILL BECOME STABLE AT THAT PARTICULAR TIME. WILL GOT STUCK WHILE IN MOTION( 55MPR). I TOOK TO THE DEALERSHIP THEY TOLD ME NOTHING WRONG WITH THE CAR, AND THEN I WAS UNDER WARRANTY. THIS MORNING I TOOK IT TO MECHANIC, THEY TOLD ME IT'S ELECTRICAL PROBLEM WITH THROTTLE PEDAL AND SEAT.

NHTSA ODI #10806510

63,500 miles · Sep 30, 2015
Air BagsElectrical System

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED, WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE …

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED, WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 63,500. UPDATED 01/12/16*LJ *TR

NHTSA ODI #10778706

171,500 miles · May 26, 2015
Air BagsCrashInjury

ON SEPTEMBER 1ST, 2014 AROUND 6:45PM I WAS IN A CAR ACCIDENT. A TRUCK CUT ME ALMOST CRASHING INTO ANOTHER CAR FROM BEHIND. I MOVED OVER I COULDN'T SEE THE CAR STOPPED IN THE OTHER LANE. FROM THE BIG TRUCK INFRONT OF ME. I HIT THE BRAKES DIDN'T WORK MADE CLICKING SOUND. I REARENDED A VEHICLE, THEY SLIGHTLY HIT A CAR INFRONT OF T…

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ON SEPTEMBER 1ST, 2014 AROUND 6:45PM I WAS IN A CAR ACCIDENT. A TRUCK CUT ME ALMOST CRASHING INTO ANOTHER CAR FROM BEHIND. I MOVED OVER I COULDN'T SEE THE CAR STOPPED IN THE OTHER LANE. FROM THE BIG TRUCK INFRONT OF ME. I HIT THE BRAKES DIDN'T WORK MADE CLICKING SOUND. I REARENDED A VEHICLE, THEY SLIGHTLY HIT A CAR INFRONT OF THEM. MY AIRBAG, SHOT MY HAND THROUGH THE WINDSHIELD. I HAD EXTREME ARM PAIN. I HAD SEEN A GRAY PIECE OF METAL IN MY ARM, I WENT TO THE ER. I STILL FEEL MOVEMENT IN IT. I'M FOLLOWING UP WITH MY DR. SINCE THE ACCIDENT. NEXT WILL BE A SURGEON OR SPECIALTY DR. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10721450

87,000 miles · May 22, 2015
Air BagsCrashInjury

ON AUGUST 7, 2010 AFTERNOON MY MOTHER LET ME BORROW HER CAR TO RUN SOME ERRANDS WHEN A YOUNG MAN RAN A RED LIGHT AND T- BONED THE CAR AND IT ALMOST FLIP THE CAR OVER I HIT MY HEAD ON THE WINDSHIELD THE AIRBAG DIDN'T DEPLOY UNTIL AFTER I HIT MY HEAD , DUE TO THE ACCIDENT I HAVE BEEN OFF WORK FOR ALMOST FIVE YEARS .DUE TO MY INJUR…

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ON AUGUST 7, 2010 AFTERNOON MY MOTHER LET ME BORROW HER CAR TO RUN SOME ERRANDS WHEN A YOUNG MAN RAN A RED LIGHT AND T- BONED THE CAR AND IT ALMOST FLIP THE CAR OVER I HIT MY HEAD ON THE WINDSHIELD THE AIRBAG DIDN'T DEPLOY UNTIL AFTER I HIT MY HEAD , DUE TO THE ACCIDENT I HAVE BEEN OFF WORK FOR ALMOST FIVE YEARS .DUE TO MY INJURIES I'VE HAD ONE BACK SURGERY AND WILL NEED ANOTHER ONE, I HAVE TO HAVE NECK SURGERY IN JULY. I AM IN CONSTANT PAIN ALL EVERYDAY FOR THE PAST ALMOST FIVE YEARS. I FILED A LAWSUIT AND ONLY RECEIVED FIVE HUNDRED DOLLARS. I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW WHAT CAN BE DONE ABOUT THE PAIN SUFFERING I'M GOING THROUGH, WHO DO I NEED TO TALK TO.

NHTSA ODI #10721043

35,000 miles · May 4, 2015
Air BagsElectrical SystemCrashInjury

2008 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO FRONT AND SIDE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY DURING ACCIDENT AND VEHICLE ON STAR ISSUES. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED AS SHE WAS TURNING LEFT, THE VEHICLE STOPPED AND A TRUCK HIT HER VEHICLE ON THE SIDE FRONT. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10701574

78,000 miles · Mar 25, 2015
Air Bags

DRIVER AIR BAG WARNING SYMBOL LIGHT COMES ON AND OFF ON DASHBOARD. HAPPENS ALL THE TIME. PASSENGER AIR BAG "OFF" LIGHT COMES ON AND OFF AT THE SAME TIME AS DRIVER AIR BAG WARNING. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10701555

80,000 miles · Oct 1, 2014
Air BagsElectrical SystemExterior Lighting

WITHIN A MONTH OF PURCHASING A PRE-OWNED 2008 PONTIAC, GRAND PRIX FROM MIKE SMITH BUICK GMC, LOCATED IN LOCKPORT, NY, I REALIZED THE SENSOR FOR THE PASSENGER AIRBAG WOULD TURN OFF AND ON WHILE I HAVE A PASSENGER WEIGHING OVER 200LBS IN THE PASSENGER SEAT. I NOTIFIED DEALERSHIP AND MADE AN APPT. ON SEPT 22, 2014. MY CAR WENT IN F…

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WITHIN A MONTH OF PURCHASING A PRE-OWNED 2008 PONTIAC, GRAND PRIX FROM MIKE SMITH BUICK GMC, LOCATED IN LOCKPORT, NY, I REALIZED THE SENSOR FOR THE PASSENGER AIRBAG WOULD TURN OFF AND ON WHILE I HAVE A PASSENGER WEIGHING OVER 200LBS IN THE PASSENGER SEAT. I NOTIFIED DEALERSHIP AND MADE AN APPT. ON SEPT 22, 2014. MY CAR WENT IN FOR SERVICE ON SEPTEMBER 29, 2014. THE TECHNICIAN INFORMED ME HE RESET THE MODULE BUT NO CODES WERE COMING UP FOR THE ELECTRONIC CONTROL UNIT AND THIS WAS TOO EXPENSIVE AND TIME CONSUMING TO FIX AND WOULD NOT BE COVERED UNDER THE NEW YORK STATE LEMON LAW WARRANTY. THIS CONCERNS ME AS A SAFETY DEFECT AND I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW IF THIS IS COVERED UNDER GENERAL MOTORS CORPORATION. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10640645

92,000 miles · Sep 29, 2014
Air BagsVehicle Speed Control

I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AND EXITING ON A RAMP. THE RAMP WAS ON AN INCLINE. MY DRIVING SPEED AROUND 45 MPH. THEN, UNEXPECTEDLY, THE SPEED DECREASED TO 30 MPH AND IMMEDIATELY THE "REDUCE ENGINE SPEED" LIGHT CAME ON. SHORTLY AFTER, MY "CHECK ENGINE" LIGHT CAME ON. I CONTINUED ON MY EXIT, PULLED OVER AND PARKED. AFTER CAR B…

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I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AND EXITING ON A RAMP. THE RAMP WAS ON AN INCLINE. MY DRIVING SPEED AROUND 45 MPH. THEN, UNEXPECTEDLY, THE SPEED DECREASED TO 30 MPH AND IMMEDIATELY THE "REDUCE ENGINE SPEED" LIGHT CAME ON. SHORTLY AFTER, MY "CHECK ENGINE" LIGHT CAME ON. I CONTINUED ON MY EXIT, PULLED OVER AND PARKED. AFTER CAR BEING OFF FOR 30 MINUTES, THE CAR STARTED RIGHT BACK UP. THE "REDUCE ENGINE SPEED" LIGHT WENT OFF BUT THE "CHECK ENGINE" LIGHT REMAINED. I PURCHASED MY CAR IN FEB 2014 AND THIS WAS THE VERY 1ST INCIDENT. IN THE BEGINNING, THIS WASN'T FREQUENT BUT AS I NOTICED IT HAPPENING MORE OFTEN, I BEGAN TO RECORD EACH TIME THIS HAPPENED. THE DATES I HAVE TRACKED THUS FAR ARE 7/7/14, 7/10/14, 7/13/14, 7/27/14, 8/2/14, 8/11/14, 8/12/14, 8/20/14, 8/21/14, 8/22/14, 8/28/14 (HAPPENED 3 TIMES THROUGHOUT THE NOON AT 2:15P, 3:00P & 5:20P), 8/29/14, 9/9/14, 9/10/14 (4 TIMES THROUGHOUT THIS DAY), 9/15/14, 9/16/14, 9/17/14, 9/18/14, 9/19/14, 9/20/14, 9/23/14, 9/24/14, 9/27/14. I HAVE ALREADY HAD $550 REPAIRS DONE, AT LEAST THAT'S WHAT I THOUGHT, TO TAKE CARE OF THE "REDUCE ENGINE SPEED" LIGHT BUT IT CONTINUES TO COME ON. I TOOK IT BACK THE SAME MECHANIC/BODY SHOP AND THE DIAGNOSTIC MACHINE SHOWED MORE/DIFFERENT CODES. NEW REPAIRS WOULD COST ANOTHER $550-$600. ALSO, WHEN EITHER OF MY SONS SIT IN THE FRONT SEAT, THE PASSENGER AIRBAG LIGHT GOES ON AND OFF. THEY ARE BOTH BETWEEN 90-95 LBS. THIS ARE MAJOR CONCERNS BECAUSE I NEED TO KNOW THAT WE ARE SAFE WHENEVER WE ARE INSIDE THE VEHICLE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10639839

105,000 miles · Sep 25, 2014
Air BagsEngineCrashInjury

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH ATTEMPTING TO AVOID CRASHING INTO A DEER, THE CONTACT TRIED TO REGAINED CONTROL BUT THE VEHICLE STALLED CAUSING THE POWER STEERING AND BRAKES TO MALFUNCTION. AS A RESULT, THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO A DITCH AND THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE CONT…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH ATTEMPTING TO AVOID CRASHING INTO A DEER, THE CONTACT TRIED TO REGAINED CONTROL BUT THE VEHICLE STALLED CAUSING THE POWER STEERING AND BRAKES TO MALFUNCTION. AS A RESULT, THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO A DITCH AND THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE CONTACT SUFFERED NECK AND BACK INJURIES DURING THE INCIDENT AND THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE INCIDENT. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 105,000.

NHTSA ODI #10639042

Official recalls

1

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

1

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.