Known Recalls

Model year record

1988 Pontiac Grand Prix

11 recall campaigns on file for this model year. 119 owner complaints on file.

Recalls

Recall campaignNHTSA 00V189000

Structure

Component
Structure
Manufacturer
GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
Vehicles affected
713,435
Reported to NHTSA
2000-07-11
Owners notified
2000-09-28

Defect description

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES ORIGINALLY SOLD OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE STATES OF CONNECTICUT, DELAWARE, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, IOWA, MAINE, MARYLAND, MASSACHUSETTS, MICHIGAN, MINNESOTA, MISSOURI, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW JERSEY, NEW YORK, OHIO, PENNSYLVANIA, RHODE ISLAND, VERMONT, WEST VIRGINIA, WISCONSIN, AND THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, WHERE ROAD SALT USE IS HEAVY. A CONDITION WHERE ONE OR BOTH FRONT ENGINE CRADLE BOLTS CAN PULL THROUGH THE RETAINERS DUE TO CORROSION OF THE RETAINERS.

Safety risk

IF BOTH BOLTS PULL THROUGH, THE FRONT OF THE CRADLE WOULD NO LONGER BE SUPPORTED AT THE MOUNTING LOCATIONS AND THE STEERING INTERMEDIATE SHAFT COULD SEPARATE FROM THE STEERING GEAR.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FRONT AND REAR FRAME/CRADLE BOLTS AND RETAINERS.

Recall campaignNHTSA 97V058000

Structure

Component
Structure
Manufacturer
GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
Vehicles affected
676,535
Reported to NHTSA
1997-04-08
Owners notified
1997-06-11

Defect description

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES AND MINI VANS ORIGINALLY SOLD OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE FOLLOWING STATES: CONNECTICUT, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, MAINE, MASSACHUSETTS, MICHIGAN, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW JERSEY, NEW YORK, OHIO, PENNSYLVANIA, RHODE ISLAND, VERMONT AND WISCONSIN. THE REAR CRADLE BOLTS PULL THROUGH THE RETAINERS DUE TO CORROSION OF THE RETAINER. IF BOTH BOLTS PULL THROUGH, THE REAR CRADLE WOULD NOT LONGER BE SUPPORTED AT THESE MOUNTING LOCATIONS AND THE STEERING INTERMEDIATE SHAFT CAN SEPARATE FROM THE STEERING GEAR.

Safety risk

IF THIS WERE TO OCCUR WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION, A VEHICLE CRASH COULD RESULT.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE REAR CRADLE BOLTS AND RETAINERS.

Recall campaignNHTSA 95V115000

Wheels

Component
Wheels
Manufacturer
GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
Vehicles affected
22,361
Reported to NHTSA
1995-06-05
Owners notified
1995-06-14

Defect description

CRACKS DEVELOP IN THE WHEEL MOUNTING SURFACE. IF THESE CRACKS BECOME SEVERE ENOUGH, THE WHEEL WILL COMPLETELY SEPARATE FROM THE VEHICLE.

Safety risk

IF WHEEL SEPARATION OCCURS WHILE THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION, LOSS OF STEERING AND BRAKE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE OCCURS, AND A VEHICLE CRASH COULD RESULT WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE MANUFACTURING DATE CODES STAMPED ON EACH WHEEL OF THE VEHICLE AND IF A WHEEL FALLS WITHIN THE SPECIFIED DATE CODE RANGE, THE DEALER WILL REPLACE THAT WHEEL ASSEMBLY.

Recall campaignNHTSA 94V041000

Wheels

Component
Wheels
Manufacturer
GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
Vehicles affected
198,163
Reported to NHTSA
1995-03-28
Owners notified
1994-05-05

Defect description

CRACKS DEVELOP IN THE WHEEL MOUNTING SURFACE. IF THESE CRACKS BECOME SEVERE ENOUGH, THE WHEEL WILL COMPLETELY SEPARATE FROM THE VEHICLE.

Safety risk

IF WHEEL SEPARATION OCCURS WHILE THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION, LOSS OF STEERING AND BRAKE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE OCCURS, AND A VEHICLE CRASH COULD RESULT WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE MANUFACTURING CODES STAMPED ON EACH WHEEL OF THE VEHICLE AND IF A WHEEL FALLS WITHIN THE SPECIFIED DATE CODE RANGE, THE DEALER WILL REPLACE THAT WHEEL ASSEMBLY.

Recall campaignNHTSA 92V086000

Exterior lighting: brake lights: switch

Component
Exterior lighting: brake lights: switch
Manufacturer
GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
Vehicles affected
112,765
Reported to NHTSA
1992-06-19
Owners notified
1992-09-11

Defect description

BRAKE STOPLAMPS MAY NOT ILLUMINATE OR, IN SOME CASES, STOPLAMPS MAY NOT STAY ILLUMINATED ALL THE TIME WHEN BRAKES ARE APPLIED DUE TO A FAULTY STOPLAMP SWITCH. ALSO, IN VEHICLES WITH CRUISE CONTROL, A FAULTY STOPLAMP SWITCH CAN RESULT IN RESUMPTION OF THE CRUISE CONTROL FUNCTION UPON RELEASE OF THE BRAKE PEDAL.

Safety risk

A TRAILING VEHICLE MAY NOT RECOGNIZE A BRAKING ACTIONIN TIME TO RESPOND APPROPRIATELY. ALSO, CRUISE CONTROL WILL REENGAGE UPONRELEASE OF THE BRAKE PEDAL AND RESUME THE SET SPEED. IN EITHER CASE, IT COULDRESULT IN A CRASH WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING.

Manufacturer remedy

INSTALL AN IMPROVED DESIGN STOPLAMP SWITCH.

Recall campaignNHTSA 90V054000

Seat belts

Component
Seat belts
Manufacturer
GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
Vehicles affected
673,000
Reported to NHTSA
1990-03-14
Owners notified
1990-07-23

Defect description

FRONT SHOULDER BELT GUIDE LOOP ATTACHMENT FASTENER MAY PULL THROUGH DOOR MOUNTED ANCHOR PLATE.

Safety risk

SEAT BELT MAY NOT SUSTAIN LOADS REQUIRED BY FMVSS 210, AND IN A VEHICLE ACCIDENT, THE SEAT BELT MAY NOT PROPERLY RESTRAIN A PASSENGER, RESULTING IN INCREASED RISK OF GREATER INJURY TO AN OCCUPANT.

Manufacturer remedy

REPLACE FRONT SHOULDER BELT GUIDE LOOP ATTACHMENT NUTS AND INSTALL NEW GUIDE COVER.

Recall campaignNHTSA 88V175000

Parking brake: conventional: mechanical: linkage and cable

Component
Parking brake: conventional: mechanical: linkage and cable
Manufacturer
GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
Vehicles affected
3,857
Reported to NHTSA
1988-11-04
Owners notified
1988-11-22

Defect description

THE PARKING BRAKE CABLE MAY BE DISCONNECTED FROM THE LEFT REAR BRAKE CALIPER.

Safety risk

PARKING BRAKE CANNOT BE PROPERLY APPLIED AND VEHICLEWILL NOT MEET THE GRADE HOLDING REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS 105.

Manufacturer remedy

INSTALL A RETAINER ON LEFT REAR CALIPER IF CABLE IS NOT ALREADY RETAINED WITH A COTTER PIN AND ADJUST PARKING BRAKE SYSTEM.

Recall campaignNHTSA 88V065000

Latches/locks/linkages: hood: latch

Component
Latches/locks/linkages: hood: latch
Manufacturer
GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
Vehicles affected
12,457
Reported to NHTSA
1988-04-18
Owners notified
1988-04-22

Defect description

THE SECONDARY HOOD LATCH MAY NOT PROPERLY ENGAGE.

Safety risk

IF PRIMARY LATCH DISENGAGES, HOOD COULD UNEXPECTEDLYOPEN. IF CAR WAS IN MOTION, HOOD COULD CONTACT THE WINDSHIELD, REDUCE THEDRIVERS FORWARD VISION AREA, AND COULD RESULT IN AN ACCIDENT.

Manufacturer remedy

REPLACE SECONDARY LATCH WITH A NEW LATCH.

Recall campaignNHTSA 88V049000

Seat belts: front: webbing

Component
Seat belts: front: webbing
Manufacturer
GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
Vehicles affected
1,559
Reported to NHTSA
1988-04-01
Owners notified
1988-04-22

Defect description

THE FRONT SHOULDER BELT GUIDE LOOP ATTACHED TO THE UPPER REAR CORNER OF THE DOOR MAY INTERFERE WITH THE GARNISH MOLDING.

Safety risk

THIS INTERFERENCE COULD LIMIT THE ROTATION OF THE GUIDELOOP. IF THIS CONDITION EXISTS AND VEHICLE IS INVOLVED IN A CRASH IT COULD BEPOSSIBLE FOR THE SHOULDER BELT WELDING TO BE CUT BY THE GUIDE. LOSS OF THESHOULDER BELT FUNCTION DURING A VEHICLE CRASH COULD INCREASE THE RISK OFINJURIES TO OCCUPANTS.

Manufacturer remedy

A NEWLY DESIGNED GUIDE LOOP NUT AND SPACER WILL BE INSTALLED TO ELIMINATE THE POTENTIAL FOR INTERFERENCE CONDITIONS.

Recall campaignNHTSA 88V045000

Power train: manual transmission: column shift assembly

Component
Power train: manual transmission: column shift assembly
Manufacturer
GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
Vehicles affected
17,745
Reported to NHTSA
1988-03-28
Owners notified
1988-04-15

Defect description

AN INTERFERENCE BETWEEN THE TRANSMISSION SHIFT CABLE AND THE BELLCRANK CLIP IN THE STEERING COLUMN CAN RESULT IN DISENGAGEMENT OF THE TRANSMISSION CABLE.

Safety risk

THIS CONDITION COULD ALLOW THE TRANSMISSION TO BE IN AGEAR OTHER THAN THAT DISPLAYED BY THE SHIFT INDICATOR. THE VEHICLE COULD MOVEIN AN UNEXPECTED DIRECTION AND CAUSE A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING.

Manufacturer remedy

A NEWLY DESIGNED BELLCRANK CLIP WILL BE INSTALLED.

Recall campaignNHTSA 88V035000

Wheels: lugs/nuts/bolts/studs

Component
Wheels: lugs/nuts/bolts/studs
Manufacturer
GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
Vehicles affected
7,775
Reported to NHTSA
1988-03-23
Owners notified
1988-03-31

Defect description

WHEEL LUG NUTS WERE NOT PROPERLY TORQUED TO SPECIFICATIONS.

Safety risk

WHEEL LUG NUTS COULD LOOSEN AND/OR COME OFF THE WHEELSTUDS. THIS COULD EVENTUALLY RESULT IN WHEEL SEPARATING FROM THE VEHICLE.LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL AND A VEHICLE CRASH COULD OCCUR.

Manufacturer remedy

INSPECTION OF VEHICLE AND ASSURE PROPER TORQUE REPLACES ANY MISSING LUG NUT OR LOOSE STUD.

Owner complaints

A complaint is one person's report to a federal agency. It is not a finding.

ComponentComplaintsMedian mileage
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: caliper22—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc15—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: drum8—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: rotor7—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: pads5—
Structure5—
Power train: automatic transmission3—
Electrical system2154,000 mi
Electrical system: alternator/generator/regulator2—
Electrical system: wiring: interior/under dash2—
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline: belts and associated pulleys2—
Parking brake: conventional2—
Seats2—
Seats: front assembly: power adjust2—
Steering2154,000 mi
Structure: body: door: hinge and attachments2—
Structure: frame and members2—
Suspension: rear2—
Unknown or other2—
Electrical system: 12V/24V/48V battery1—
Electrical system: ignition1—
Electrical system: starter assembly1—
Electrical system: wiring: rear compartment/trunk1—
Electrical system: wiring: front underhood1—
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system1—
Engine and engine cooling: engine1—
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline1—
Exterior lighting: brake lights: switch1—
Fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly1—
Parking brake1—
Parking brake: conventional: mechanical1—
Parking brake: conventional: mechanical: linkage and cable1—
Power train: axle assembly: axle shaft: seal1—
Power train: driveline: constant velocity joint1—
Seat belts1—
Seat belts: front: retractor1—
Seat belts: rear/other1—
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip1—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components1—
Steering: hydraulic power assist system1—
Steering: linkages: tie rod assembly1—
Structure: body: door1—
Suspension1—
Suspension: front1—
Suspension: front: control arm: lower ball joint1—
Suspension: multiple axle1—
Tires1—
Visibility: windshield wiper/washer1—
Wheels1—

The 1987 model has 60 times as many complaints as this one. The 1989 model has about half as many complaints as this one. These figures reflect raw complaint counts, not failure rates. Higher-selling model years naturally receive more complaints.

Open investigations

An investigation is not a recall. It indicates that NHTSA is currently evaluating an alleged defect but has not reached a final determination.

RQ99002ENGINE CRADLE SEPARATION

Engine and engine cooling: engine

RQ97017CRADLE BOLT FAILURES

Structure

Safety recall repairs are provided free of charge by franchised dealers, regardless of vehicle age or mileage. This page displays aggregated data for the model year. To check recall status for a specific vehicle, search its VIN at nhtsa.gov.