Complaints by model year
| Year | Complaints | vs. typical* | Recalls | Top problem | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 143 | −32% | 1 | Electrical | Average |
| 2007 | 220 | typical | 3 | Headlight | Average |
| 2006 | 239 | typical | 1 | Electrical | Average |
| 2005 | 148 | −52% | 1 | Electrical | Good |
| 2004 | 454 | 1.5× | 7 | Engine | Caution |
| 2003 | 106 | −70% | 3 | Engine | Good |
| 2002 | 330 | typical | 3 | Engine | Average |
| 2001 | 308 | typical | 6 | Engine | Average |
| 2000 | 461 | 1.7× | 5 | Engine | Caution |
| 1999 | 412 | 1.6× | 4 | Engine | Caution |
| 1998 | 499 | 2.2× | 4 | Engine | Avoid |
| 1997 | 810 | 3.6× | 5 | Steering | Avoid |
| 1996 | 79 | −58% | 1 | Brake | Good |
| 1995 | 169 | −14% | 3 | Brake | Average |
* Complaints compared with the median Grand Prix year at the same age, so new and old years are judged fairly. How this works.
Most common Pontiac Grand Prix problems
Latest Pontiac Grand Prix recalls
Engine and engine cooling › Exhaust system › Manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 1998-1999 Chevrolet Lumina and Oldsmobile Intrigue, 1997-2004 Buick Regal and Pontiac Grand Prix, 2000-2004 Chevrolet Impala, and 1998-2004 Chevrolet Monte Carlo vehicles.
Remedy: The remedy applied under recalls 08V-118, 09V-116, and 15V-201 did not adequately remove the safety risk. Under the improved remedy, dealers will replace the engine's front valve cover and gasket.
Exterior lighting › Headlights
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2007 Pontiac Grand Prix, 2006-2009 Buick LaCrosse, 2006-2007 Buick Rainier, Chevrolet Trailblazer, GMC Envoy, 2006 Chevrolet Trailblazer EXT, GMC Envoy XL, 2006-2008 Isuzu Ascender, and Saab 9-7x vehicles.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the HDM, free of charge. The recall began on May 17, 2016. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300 or Pontiac customer service at 1-800-762-2737.
Engine and engine cooling › Engine
General Motors LLC (GM) notified the agency on April 2, 2015, that they are is recalling certain model year 2004 Buick Regal vehicles manufactured April 9, 2003, to June 1, 2003, 2004 Chevrolet Impala vehicles manufactured April 8, 2003, to June 23, 2003, and 2004 Chevrolet Monte Carlo vehicles manufactured April 7, 2003, to…
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will remove the plastic cover and plastic oil fill tube extension and replace the front valve cover and gasket. These repairs will be done free of charge.
Electrical system › Ignition
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.
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.
Engine and engine cooling
General motors is recalling 1,497,516 my 1997-2003 Buick regal, my 1998-2003 Chevrolet lumina, monte carlo and impala, my 1998-1999 Oldsmobile intrigue, my 1997-2003 Pontiac grand prix vehicles equipped with a 3.8l v6 naturally aspirated engine.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the engine's front valve cover and front-valve-cover gasket with new parts of an improved design and remove the engine's plastic cover and plastic oil-fill-tube extension, free of charge.
Frequently asked questions
What years of the Pontiac Grand Prix should you avoid?
1997, 1998, 2000, 1999 and 2004 — these years have the most complaints relative to other Grand Prix years at the same age, led by steering problems in the 1997.
What is the best year for the Pontiac Grand Prix?
2003 has the fewest complaints compared with other Grand Prix years at the same age, followed by 1996 and 2005. Newer years can look better simply because fewer complaints have come in yet, so we compare like with like.
What are the most common Pontiac Grand Prix problems?
Across all years, owners report the most problems with the engine & cooling (1,360), electrical system (737) and steering (607). Engine complaints peak in the 2000 model year.
How many recalls has the Pontiac Grand Prix had?
22 recalls across 1995–2008. The model year with the most is 2004. See all Pontiac Grand Prix recalls by year.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.