Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (battery, alternator, wiring, ignition, instrument cluster, infotainment).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2006 Pontiac Grand Prix owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 Pontiac Grand Prix. While traveling less than 15 MPH to enter a drive thru, the steering wheel locked to the right and the vehicle crashed into a wall. The contact had extreme difficulty unlocking the steering wheel and the vehicle stalled. The vehicle was unable to be driven. The contact was able to get the vehicle to restart the next day and it was driven to a repair shop. The insurance company repaired the body work. The ignition switch failure and power steering failure were not inspected or diagnosed. The vehicle was included in NHTSA campaign number: 14V400000 (electrical system), but the contact had not received the recall repair appointment. The VIN was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 09e005000 (steering). A police report was not filed and there were no injuries. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. …
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 Pontiac Grand Prix. After the vehicle was shifted into the on position, all the warning indicators illuminated. Upon inspection of the hood, the contact noticed black smoke coming from the engine compartment. The fire department was contacted and extinguished the fire. The vehicle was towed to betten baker Chevrolet, Buick, GMC (14120 north Land dr, big rapids, mi) where it was diagnosed that the fuse box and engine assembly would have to be replaced. The manufacturer was contacted regarding the failure and offered no assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 182,000. Updated 7/17/18
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 Pontiac Grand Prix. While driving 50 MPH, the vehicle stalled without warning. The contact stated that the brake pedal was depressed, but failed to engage. As a result, the contact's vehicle crashed into the rear of another vehicle, which then crashed into another vehicle. The air bags failed to deploy. The contact sustained minor injuries to the head. Medical attention was not required. A police report was filed. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic to be diagnosed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 158,000.
When I go to press on the brakes it would pull to the right ,and when I go to put on my signal light to the right my bright lights comes on and when I turn on my heater the door or something the shop told me was not opening for my heat to come out,and that's the problems I am experiencing,with the Pontiac they are excellent cars but has few issues,can you please help with fixing these problems.I've reported the problem three and a half years ago and I have not heard from anyone yet my number is [redacted]thank you for your time.
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 Pontiac Grand Prix. While driving 55 MPH, the headlights suddenly failed. The failure recurred three times. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the hdm relay overheated and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure recurred where the fuse box was burned and caused a fire. The vehicle was taken back to the independent mechanic who replaced the fuse box, the hdm relay, and battery, but the failure persisted. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 153,000. Djr
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 Pontiac Grand Prix. While in park, the contact noticed smoke emitting from the front of the vehicle. Upon further inspection, the contact noticed that the fuse box caught fire. The contact independently extinguished the fire. A police report was not filed. The vehicle was inspected by an independent mechanic, who diagnosed that the fuse block needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 88,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 Pontiac. Grand Prix. While driving at night, the low beam headlights illuminated intermittently. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the fuse block had overheated and melted and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 123,000. The VIN was unavailable.
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 Pontiac Grand Prix. While driving 20 MPH, the headlights failed. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the hdm relay overheated and melted the fuse box. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 130,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 Pontiac Grand Prix. While driving approximately 45 MPH, the battery warning indicator illuminated and white smoke appeared from the hood. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 228,000. The VIN was not provided.
My car started on fire while on a city road because of the power steering pump pulley completely sprung off serpentine belt melted coolant reservoir melted fuse box be melted from the fire how many other things something to do with the power steering pump leaking fluid and hitting my exhaust causing a fire in my car
Related recalls
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.
Electrical complaints in other Grand Prix years
Frequently asked questions
How common are electrical problems on the 2006 Pontiac Grand Prix?
NHTSA has 65 complaints about the electrical system of the 2006 Pontiac Grand Prix, 27% of the model year's 239 complaints. The component named most often is ignition › switch (3 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2006 Pontiac Grand Prix electrical problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 14V-400 (ignition, Jul 3, 2014). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2006 Pontiac Grand Prix electrical problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 123,000 miles, and 8% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 3 crashes, 14 fires and 3 injuries to electrical system problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
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.