Window & Wiper complaints by model year
| Year | Complaints | Share of year's complaints | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 2 | 1% | 123,000 miles |
| 2007 | 5 | 2% | 70,000 miles |
| 2006 | 9 | 4% | 90,000 miles |
| 2005 | 2 | 1% | 52,000 miles |
| 2004 | 8 | 2% | 111,000 miles |
| 2003 | 3 | 3% | 40,000 miles |
| 2002 | 18 | 5% | 66,000 miles |
| 2001 | 18 | 6% | 64,000 miles |
| 2000 | 19 | 4% | 54,000 miles |
| 1999 | 28 | 7% | 39,000 miles |
| 1998 | 44 | 9% | 93,000 miles |
| 1997 | 74 | 9% | 95,000 miles |
| 1996 | 3 | 4% | — |
| 1995 | 14 | 8% | 100,000 miles |
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (power windows, windshield, wipers, mirrors, sunroof).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
Beginning approximately the end of March, while driving at night, both of my low beam headlights have gone out at the same time. They came right back on at that time so I thought I hit a switch. Sometime in May it happened again, but the lights would not go back on so I used my hi beams. The low beams worked fine in the morning. This has happened about 3 more times since then and is becoming more frequent. Last night on July 23, it happened again on a dark, curvy road and I almost ran off the road. This morning, they work fine again. I called the dealer and they said there was no recall on this. I am surprised as this is a serious safety issue. I need to get it repaired, but since it is an intermittent problem, I suspect the dealer will not be able to find the root cause or fix the problem.
A couple months ago the low beam headlamps began to randomly and intermittently stop working while the vehicle was in motion. There was no apparent correlation between how long the vehicle had been running and when the lights cut off or how long it would take for them to begin working again. Only hi beams worked consistently. As of this past week, the low beam head lamps are no longer working for any length of time. A local mechanic has been engaged to troubleshoot possible causes. After reading online complaints, he will review the fuse block, relay and connections to the computer to determine where the breakdown occurs. We are in agreement with other comments posted on this site. It is very scary the first time it happens. Fortunately, the 20-year old driver was familiar with that particular curve and had the presence of mind to hit the high beams right away. …
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 Pontiac Grand Prix. The contact stated that the head lights failed to illuminate and the wires under the hood started to emit smoke. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic. The technician diagnosed that the fuse box needed to be replaced. No repairs were made to the vehicle. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 120,000.
When using the turn signal, the vehicle's high beams May turn on without intent. This could potentially blind other drivers on the road and cause an accident. This happens when the vehicle is stationary, in motion, and turning. Cold weather amplifies the issue. The issue is demonstrated in this youtube video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=36scdplz3dk
My heat/air conditioning has gone out twice. It will only work if the fan is wide open and will not cut off once you turn the switch off, therefore draining the battery. Also, every time it rains my passenger floor boards front and back are saturated with water. This is a safety issue due to the fact I have no way to defrost my windows in the wintertime and can't see to drive. I'm sure the flooding has something to due with shorting out the blower on my air/heat.I don't think I should have to continue to pay to have this repaired. Once should be enough.
Hello I pruchased these vechicle nearly a month ago from a dealership and they only gave me a 15 day warrenty on the vechice can you please contact at [redacted] because iam haveing allot of problems with vechicle.
The windshield wipers worked intermittently. This occurred during a rain storm . The consumer took the vehicle to the dealer on 3 occasions and the problem was resolved temporarily. The wiper would not go far enough towards the a-pillar. The dealer readjusted the left wiper arm. The vehicle engine stalled. While driving 40 MPH and above the vehicle would vibrate. The technician determined that the driver's side front tire was out of balance and the passenger's side front wheel was out of round. . The cd player stopped working while it was playing. The turn signal switch broke off the steering column.
My driver window stoped working, I checked the harness and it is on tight. The car only has 40,000 miles on it. Should this be happening? Is there a recall? My warranty is past and I dont need to be spending the money to have this fixed when I just got the car 7 months ago.
Related recalls (2)
Visibility › Windshield wiper/washer › Linkages
Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. The windshield wipers May stop working due to a separation between the drive pin and crescent in the crank arm assembly.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect these vehicles for the presence of a plastic water deflector and, if necessary, replace the wiper motor crank arm and install a water deflector.
Visibility › Windshield wiper/washer › Switch/wiring
Some of these vehicles have a strained or separated washer/wiper switch power feed wire.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the old designed washer/wiper switches with a newly designed switch.
NHTSA investigations
Windshield wiper
Incidents of wiper failure (owner reports and warranty) are very high, and many of the reports indicate that the failures are still occurring in 1999.
Windshield wiper
By letter dated December 12, 1999, GM notified NHTSA of its plans to conduct a safety related defect campaign to remedy 155,149 of the subject vehicles.the vehicle population for the campaign includes the 1997 Buick regal/century and Pontiac gran prix models built during the period from the start of production through May 1, 1997.GM determined that the wipers installed prior to this date could stop working, usually…
Frequently asked questions
Which Pontiac Grand Prix years have window & wiper problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 1997 (74), 1998 (44), 1999 (28), 2000 (19) and 2001 (18) model years. Window & Wiper complaints make up 9% of all complaints for the 1997.
Is there a recall for Pontiac Grand Prix window & wiper problems?
Yes — 2 recalls, including 99V-348 (linkages, Dec 16, 1999); 97V-017 (switch/wiring, Feb 11, 1997). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers; check a specific car with the VIN recall check.
At what mileage do Pontiac Grand Prix window & wiper problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 74,000 miles; 35% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the power window devices and controls (103 mentions), followed by the windshield wiper/washer (50).
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.