Pontiac Grand Prix Reliability
7,299 NHTSA complaints (1983–2008). Complaint rate: 6665.8 per 1,000 vehicles.
Which Years to Buy & Avoid
Years auto-clustered by complaint volume relative to this model's median.
Bottom line: Avoid the 1997–2002 Pontiac Grand Prix (160 crash-related complaints). The 2003 models had significantly fewer reported issues. Most common issue across all years: ENGINE.
Avoid These Years
Average
Better Years
A model's reputation is just the start.
Even within the “good” years, individual cars can have hidden accidents, title issues, or odometer rollbacks. Check the actual VIN before you buy — full history report for $4.99 (vs. Carfax $44.99).
Complaints by Model Year
NHTSA complaint count per model year
Common Pontiac Grand Prix Problems
Most reported component complaints to NHTSA
| Component | Complaints | Crash % |
|---|---|---|
| ENGINE | 574 | 1.7% |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 510 | 4.7% |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING | 381 | 0.8% |
| EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS | 286 | 0.7% |
| STEERING | 240 | 10.4% |
| STEERING:RACK AND PINION | 231 | 4.3% |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE | 219 | 2.7% |
| EXTERIOR LIGHTING | 217 | 2.3% |
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP | 205 | 10.7% |
| POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION | 201 | 1.5% |
Year-by-Year Breakdown
NHTSA complaint count per model year — click any year for full problems & recalls breakdown.
| Year | Generation | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1983GOOD | — | 2 | 1 | — | View 1983View→ |
| 1984GOOD | — | 3 | 0 | 1 | View 1984View→ |
| 1985GOOD | — | 4 | 2 | 1 | View 1985View→ |
| 1986GOOD | — | 3 | 0 | 3 | View 1986View→ |
| 1987GOOD | — | 2 | 0 | — | View 1987View→ |
| 1988GOOD | — | 119 | 6 | 2 | View 1988View→ |
| 1989 | — | 202 | 7 | — | View 1989View→ |
| 1990 | — | 249 | 17 | 2 | View 1990View→ |
| 1991 | — | 242 | 13 | 5 | View 1991View→ |
| 1992 | — | 158 | 10 | 7 | View 1992View→ |
| 1993 | — | 185 | 19 | 8 | View 1993View→ |
| 1994 | — | 306 | 33 | 4 | View 1994View→ |
| 1995 | — | 245 | 26 | 4 | View 1995View→ |
| 1996GOOD | — | 116 | 10 | 4 | View 1996View→ |
| 1997AVOID | — | 1,064 | 52 | 123 | View 1997View→ |
| 1998AVOID | — | 618 | 25 | 76 | View 1998View→ |
| 1999AVOID | — | 500 | 18 | 150 | View 1999View→ |
| 2000AVOID | — | 588 | 13 | 182 | View 2000View→ |
| 2001AVOID | — | 427 | 24 | 128 | View 2001View→ |
| 2002AVOID | — | 410 | 28 | 109 | View 2002View→ |
| 2003GOOD | — | 136 | 9 | 43 | View 2003View→ |
| 2004AVOID | — | 624 | 78 | 78 | View 2004View→ |
| 2005 | — | 209 | 17 | 6 | View 2005View→ |
| 2006AVOID | — | 365 | 33 | 36 | View 2006View→ |
| 2007 | — | 323 | 23 | 34 | View 2007View→ |
| 2008 | — | 199 | 14 | 5 | View 2008View→ |
See also: Pontiac Grand Prixaccident & safety statistics from our vehicle history database.
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