Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (automatic and manual transmissions, CVT, axles, driveshaft, 4WD/AWD).
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).
This is an issue it felt like someone hit us from behind and yet no one was there. Started driving and the next thing we know the car speedometer just slows down to 30 MPH. Luckily was able to get out of high speed lane before an 18 wheeler smashing into the rearend and would have killed my two kids!! This is bull crap Pontiac GM will not do anything about it!! This happened with a GM envoy that I purchased. I should have known better to purchase another GM product. There are way too many complaints regarding the transmission and steering for GM not to do anything about this this issue, the worst is they know about and will not do anything about it. Some people do not have that kind of money to just crap out and continue to crap out for a known issue!
I brought this car January 12th 2015 the next week I had to take it to the shop to get work done to the engine I got it back it ran good for like an month and I had to take to a different shop and they told me I need a new engine and my warranty company didn't want to cover it so I had to pay to get my after the warranty company said they would pay to get it fix that was almost 1500 for nothing I had to pay another 700 for engine and on July 27th 2015 the transmission stop going into drive and the lowest price I have for that is 2500 this alot of money to be making payments on and online all I am seeing is bad reviews of this car I need to know is there anything that can be done about this because this is ridiculous.
Engine shuts off in the middle of driving and says starting disabled due to electric throttle control, reduced engine power, ABS traction control off. This happens while moving at the correct speed on the highway, stopped at a stop light in the city, and while making turns. Sometimes when it happens I lose power steering and have almost o control of where my car goes. At first this only happened about once a week, but now it can happen up to 10+ times a day
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 Pontiac Grand Prix. While driving approximately 70 MPH, the transmission began to slip gears and violently jerked. The failure recurred numerous times. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who stated that the torque converter needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 170,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 Pontiac Grand Prix. The contact stated that while driving various speeds, the vehicle stalled upon depressing the brake pedal with the check engine warning light illuminated. The contact restarted the vehicle. Neither the manufacturer nor the dealer were notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 95,000.
I've had to replace the transmission at 67K miles, and it went out on me again at 110K miles. I replaced the transmission at not only a GM certified dealership, but a pontaic dealership (john hine pontaic) in san diego. The transmission was a GM certified refurbish from Canada. No recalls from GM, and no reimbursement policy. This is an issue.
While driving my car on street I was struck on the passenger side in a intersection when a Chevy maxi van struct me when running a red light. My airbag did not deploy and my vehicle was totalled. I sustained body injuries such as back and neck and financial hardship. I have never recovered from these injuries.
I bought this automobile brand new ($32,000) from haley Pontiac in June of 2006. While driving with my grandchildren in the car the transmission failed completely in traffic. The car only has 86,859 mile on it. I contacted both GM and GMC and they deny any wrong doing or even partial reimbursement. After doing research on the internet I have found over 2000 people who had the same issue. GMC knew when they made this vehicle that the transmission was not compatible with the cars v8 5.3 litre engine but sold it anyway. Also since they knew the issues that would arise this make and model came without the 100K powertrain warranty (which they had before and resumed in 2007). I'm really curious with all the complaints why hasn't this car been recalled and repaired prior to consumers having to pay over $3000 for new transmissions (to GMC service departments). …
The initial issue that I noticed was when I was driving at 70mph at about 2000 rpms the rpms would jump up about 300 rpms when I would drive at a steady speed, just flat ground. It got worse and more frequent as a month went on, so I then brought to a GM dealership and they decided to do a transmission service (fluid and filter) and inspect what they could, everything "looked good". Now since then this issue has been resolved but the transmission slips and slams into gear, when I am in stop and go traffic or hitting a lot of stop lights, engine temp. Does seem to get a little high, even my mechanic thought so. When it slips it feels as if I hit a giant pothole and the engine/transmission is going to fall out. But this problem is so intermittent no one can pin point the problem, I have had three different mechanics look at this issue and one transmission shop. …
I have a 2006 Pontiac Grand Prix gxp with the 5.3l v8 engine. The car has less than 104,000 miles on it and the transmission does not always engage first gear when attempting to accelerate from a stop. When first gear finally engages it does so with a very physical banging feeling. Also, the transmission shifts extremely slowing from 2nd to 3rd gear at times. This is a major safety hazard when attempting to pull out in traffic, if you are giving yourself enough time to make a turn, and the transmission will not engage, and then forcefully does so, it could cause an accident that results in injury or even death. I know that my car is only one of very many w-body v8's that have/are experiencing transmission problems. We are forced to spend our money and hurt our credit to fix a transmission that should never have been put in the car to begin with. …
Transmission complaints in other Grand Prix years
Frequently asked questions
How common are transmission problems on the 2006 Pontiac Grand Prix?
NHTSA has 61 complaints about the transmission & drivetrain of the 2006 Pontiac Grand Prix, 26% of the model year's 239 complaints. The component named most often is automatic transmission (13 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2006 Pontiac Grand Prix transmission problems?
No. NHTSA lists no transmission & drivetrain recall for the 2006 Pontiac Grand Prix, though it has 1 recall 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 2006 Pontiac Grand Prix transmission problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 83,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 0 fires and 1 injury to transmission & drivetrain 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.