Pontiac Grand Prix Electrical Problems

Owners have filed 737 complaints about electrical system problems with the Pontiac Grand Prix — 17% of all Grand Prix complaints. The worst model years are 2004 (107), 1997 (88) and 2007 (68). Problems typically start around 101,000 miles. One related recall has been issued.

737complaints
2004worst year
101ktypical miles
1related recalls
27crashes
184fires

Electrical complaints by model year

199519961997199819992000200120022003200420052006200720081598851476360562010745656843
Electrical complaints per model year, Pontiac Grand Prix.
YearComplaintsShare of year's complaintsTypical mileage
20084330%92,000 miles
20076831%109,000 miles
20066527%123,000 miles
20054530%90,000 miles
200410724%90,000 miles
20032019%117,000 miles
20025617%85,000 miles
20016019%100,000 miles
20006314%115,000 miles
19994711%104,000 miles
19985110%94,000 miles
19978811%104,000 miles
1996911%—
1995159%—

Which parts fail

  • Ignition
    52
  • Wiring › Front underhood
    35
  • 12V/24V/48V battery
    31
  • Alternator/generator/regulator
    25
  • Wiring › Interior/under dash
    23
  • Ignition › Switch
    20
  • Horn
    16
  • Wiring
    15

Components named in complaints (battery, alternator, wiring, ignition, instrument cluster, infotainment).

Mileage when the problem started

  • Under 25k
    4610%
  • 25k–50k
    449%
  • 50k–75k
    6314%
  • 75k–100k
    7717%
  • 100k–150k
    13730%
  • 150k+
    9721%

What owners report

The contact owns a 2008 Pontiac Grand Prix. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the ignition switch unintendedly turned off the vehicle, and the vehicle lost power. The contact was able to immediately restart the vehicle. Occasionally, the contact had to wait for several minutes before the vehicle restarted and was able to be driven. The failure had become more persistent over time and the contact became aware that the failure mostly occurred in warmer weather. The contact became aware of NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V400000 (Electrical System); however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer to be diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 194,000.

2008 Grand Prix · 194,000 miles · Sep 2025

Purchased the car in march and filed with local dealership to get the recall repaired for the ignition. 6 months later and the dealership says that GM hasn't sent the part. It's needs repaired now. I'm tired of waiting, it shouldn't take this long to get a recall repaired.

2008 Grand Prix · Oct 2024

The contact owns a 2007 Pontiac Grand Prix. The contact stated while driving approximately 35 MPH, there was a sudden loss of power steering functionality. The contact coasted to a stop and restarted the vehicle with the ignition key. The contact stated that after restarting the vehicle, the vehicle regained power steering functionality. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact stated that the failure occurred at various speeds. The contact referenced NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V400000 (Electrical System); however, the VIN was not included. The vehicle was taken to a certified mechanic to be diagnosed. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 42,000.

2007 Grand Prix · 42,000 miles · Oct 2015

On March 27th, 2023, the car was parked and off for only approximately 5 minutes when the engine caught fire. The engine and vehicle is a complete loss. A claim has been filed with Farm Bureau insurance. There were no engine warning lights, smells, or smoke during or after driving, until the 5 minutes passed when the car was turned off. I did not locate any engine recalls due to fire for a 2007 Grand Prix. I noticed earlier models recalled due to potential fire.

2007 Grand Prix · Mar 2023 · fire

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. …

2006 Grand Prix · 130,000 miles · May 2015 · crash

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

2006 Grand Prix · Wiring › Fuses and circuit breakers · 182,000 miles · Sep 2017 · fire

The contact owns a 2005 Pontiac Grand Prix. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V400000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). The contact stated that while attempting to start the vehicle, the vehicle failed to start. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact asked his daughter to remove the keychains and lanyards from the key. The vehicle was started after removing the lanyards and keychains. The contact stated that the failure persisted. The local dealer was contacted; however, the vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline to report the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 130,000.

2005 Grand Prix · 130,000 miles · Aug 2019

The contact owned a 2005 Pontiac Grand Prix. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V400000 (Electrical System) and would like to be removed from the recall distribution list as she does no longer own the vehicle. There was no further information provided.

2005 Grand Prix · May 2022

Related recalls (1)

Electrical system › Ignition

NHTSA recall 14V-400 · Jul 3, 2014 · 5,877,718 vehicles

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.

NHTSA investigations

Loss of brake lamp illumination

NHTSA investigation PE07001 · opened Jan 17, 2007 · closed Apr 30, 2007

The agency's analysis of GM's complaint and warranty data for the subject vehicles, including a comparison with other agency and manufacturer data pertaining to other vehicle brake lamp investigations, indicated a low failure history for the subject vehicles.this investigation included a review and analysis of data for relevant brake lamp malfunctions that require replacement of the multifunction switch (mfs)…

Frequently asked questions

Which Pontiac Grand Prix years have electrical problems?

By NHTSA complaints, the 2004 (107), 1997 (88), 2007 (68), 2006 (65) and 2000 (63) model years. Electrical complaints make up 24% of all complaints for the 2004.

Is there a recall for Pontiac Grand Prix electrical problems?

Yes — 1 recall, including 14V-400 (ignition, Jul 3, 2014). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers; check a specific car with the VIN recall check.

At what mileage do Pontiac Grand Prix electrical problems start?

Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 101,000 miles; 19% happened before 50,000 miles.

What part fails most often?

Owners most often name the ignition (52 mentions), followed by the wiring › front underhood (35).

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.