Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (power windows, windshield, wipers, mirrors, sunroof).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 1999 Pontiac Grand Prix owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
Automatic electric passenger side window and left rear window "fall" down and and will not go back up. Have to tape each window up making then inoperative..tech removed door panel on rear door and says the promlem is not the switch or motor but a broken wooden pulley(made in Mexico) that allows the cable to slip off and won't allow the motor to drive the window back up..clearly a manufacturer's defect from a cheap window operating system on an expensive car..GM engineers should be ashamed of themselves for changing to this type of cheap device from the proven sprocket and teeth drive mechanism so tried and true..another example of "cheaper is not better" philosophy..this window repair/replacement should rest on GM/Pontiac shoulders,not mine...john n hart.
Had 1999 Grand Prix for seven months already had problems with drivers window not winding down. A part of the passenger door panel started to come off. Now drivers seat belt won't latch, and is currently in the shop for broken valve spring and damage to the head gasket as a result from the broken valve spring. Car only had 1 other owner and was running perfect also had perfect service records.
Dt: the contact stated all of the power windows except the front driver's window failed to operate. The windows were not used often. The power windows were stuck in the up position and would not move. When pressing the buttons there was no noise coming from the power window motors. The independent repair shop replaced the three window motors that failed on January 6, 2006.
Dt: the contact stated the power window on the rear passenger side would not operate. This window was not used often. The window was stuck in the upward position and would not move. When pressing the button. There was no noise coming from the power window motor. The motor has not been replaced.
1999 Grand Prix purchased used in 2002. In fall 2003, one power window failed and had to be replaced. In August 2004, a second power window failed and had to be replaced. In September 2004, a third power window failed. It is stuck in the up position and has not yet been replaced.
When I first got my car in 2012, had to take it back to place, because it cut off/ stalled. Bought as is. Had warranty for 3 months. They did not honor it. It has been one problem, after another. With this car. Since the day I bought it.
My airconditioner fan switch has now gone once again and is in need of "another new one, this will be 3. The paint on my hood is starting to crack a bit and will be peeling shortly. This car was very well maintained and garaged and there was no reason for this! The power windows went about 3 diferant times on both sides of the vehicle and the switches had to be fully replaced. The radio has a short in it in the back somewhere and the display goes crazy at times. Lastly and most importantly, I have had a water leak on this car since 1999. It has been into the dealership too many times to count. They changed out the windshield at least 5 maybe more times, checked all the seals on the side mirrors and the sunroof, cleaned out the drains on the sunroof a few times and after the car was in the last time 8 months ago, they told me that it was the last time they would do anything about it. …
I have had multiple failures of the windows being stuck down(both at diff. Times) this is not an issolated incident. It is a very common problem with this car between 1997 and 1999. Although it May not seem to be directly a hazardous problem, it can be if in an accident(roll over)as an arm, or entire body May be thrown from the car if the windows were down. As small of a fraction of a possibility that that May be, it is still a possible problem that could have been avoided if the driver had the option to roll the windows up. This is a known problem by Pontiac and will not be addressed. Even the replacement motors fail, they refuse to replace mailfunctioning motors unless they fail while at the service shop.(it is an intermitent problem). Please help to get this resolved! Thank you very much.
Windshield wipers work intermittently during operation, vehicle has been into dealer shop on three occasions, and problem still reoccurring. Consumer stated during a snow storm the driver side wipers flipped 5 times then the wiper hit the other wiper bending it, consumer stated this is the third time this has happened.
Axle bearing went out, causing a real loud noise. Took to dealer and they fixed the problem. Also, alternator went out, and was also making a noise. Took to dea ler and they replaced power steering pump and altenator. Rear window switch also went bad and stopped working, took to dealer who replaced that.
Window & Wiper complaints in other Grand Prix years
Frequently asked questions
How common are window & wiper problems on the 1999 Pontiac Grand Prix?
NHTSA has 28 complaints about the windows, wipers & sunroof of the 1999 Pontiac Grand Prix, 7% of the model year's 412 complaints. The component named most often is power window devices and controls (20 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1999 Pontiac Grand Prix window & wiper problems?
No. NHTSA lists no windows, wipers & sunroof recall for the 1999 Pontiac Grand Prix, though it has 4 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 1999 Pontiac Grand Prix window & wiper problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 39,000 miles, and 38% before 25,000 miles.
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.