Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (front, side and curtain air bags, sensors and inflators).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2008 Pontiac Grand Prix owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
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.
On September 1st, 2014 around 6:45 pm 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.
2008 Pontiac Grand Prix. Consumer writes in regards to front and side airbags did not deploy during accident and vehicle on star issues. The consumer stated as she was turning left, the vehicle stopped and a truck hit her vehicle on the side front.
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 Pontiac Grand Prix. The contact stated that while driving approximately 50 MPH, another vehicle crashed head on into the vehicle and the driver and passenger frontal air bags failed to deploy causing the contact face to hit the steering wheel. The contact suffered injuries to the face and knee, the front passenger suffered injuries to the legs and face, and the rear passenger suffered injuries to the legs and face. The vehicle was destroyed. A police report was filed. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 120,000.
A vehicle turned in front of me causing a subsequent crash resulting in front damage to my car. Airbags did not deploy although bumper was torn off and hood bent. Additionally aside from the crash, my car has started losing power while driving. I was driving on the highway when it lost power. I was able to maneuver and get it to the side of the road. It finally restarted. It will not start sometimes. Had the engine light checked and it shows there is a sensor problem. Will not identify which pedal sensor. Frustrated and will not drive it on the highway.
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.
My father-in-law was driving my Grand Prix and my mother-in-law was in the passenger seat. My father-in-law lost consciousness at the wheel and they went left of center and ran another vehicle off the road. My mother-in-law grabbed the wheel to avoid a collision and they went off the road to the right and went airborne and crashed into a tree. My father-in-law died in the crash and my mother-in-law was life-flighted. The car had extensive damage and was totaled. The airbags never deployed.
I was in an accident going about 35 miles per hour when I hit a bronco I knocked his tires off complete total of my vehicle the hood was destroyed I have pictures of my car the air bags did not go off and I hit my head pretty hard on the steering wheel I'm glad it was just me as my kids would have been injured but my concern is with the airbags not deploying even the cop on scene said they should have deployed.
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.
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
Airbag complaints in other Grand Prix years
Frequently asked questions
How common are airbag problems on the 2008 Pontiac Grand Prix?
NHTSA has 22 complaints about the air bags of the 2008 Pontiac Grand Prix, 15% of the model year's 143 complaints. The component named most often is frontal (3 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2008 Pontiac Grand Prix airbag problems?
No. NHTSA lists no air bags recall for the 2008 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 2008 Pontiac Grand Prix airbag problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 85,000 miles, and 9% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 8 crashes, 0 fires and 10 injuries and 1 death to air bags 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.