Known Recalls

Model year record

1989 Pontiac Grand Prix

9 recall campaigns on file for this model year. 202 owner complaints on file.

Pontiac Grand Prix, 1988–1996 generation
Pictured: the 1988–1996 generation. Cutlass, CC0 · Wikimedia Commons

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 90V185000

Exterior lighting: brake lights: switch

Component
Exterior lighting: brake lights: switch
Manufacturer
GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
Vehicles affected
476,422
Reported to NHTSA
1990-10-16
Owners notified
1990-11-08

Defect description

BRAKE STOPLAMPS MAY NOT ILLUMINATE OR, IN SOME CASES, STOPLAMPS WILL NOT STAY ILLUMINATED ALL THE TIME WHEN BRAKES ARE APPLIED DUE TO A FAULTY STOPLAMP SWITCH. ALSO IN VEHICLES EQUIPPED 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 89V108000

Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline: turbo/supercharger

Component
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline: turbo/supercharger
Manufacturer
GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
Vehicles affected
247
Reported to NHTSA
1989-07-06
Owners notified
1989-07-13

Defect description

MISROUTING OF TURBOCHARGER OIL FEED PIPE COULD ALLOW PIPE TO CONTACT THE POSITIVE BATTERY CABLE CONNECTING STUD ON THE STARTER MOTOR.

Safety risk

THIS COULD CAUSE AN ELECTRICAL GROUND THAT COULD RESULTIN AN ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE.

Manufacturer remedy

REROUTE OIL FEED PIPE; ALSO INSTALL A NEWLY DESIGNED CLAMP AND BRACKET TO LOCATE PIPE AWAY FROM THE STARTER.

Recall campaignNHTSA 88V188000

Fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly: filler pipe and cap

Component
Fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly: filler pipe and cap
Manufacturer
GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
Vehicles affected
3,784
Reported to NHTSA
1988-12-06
Owners notified
1989-01-13

Defect description

FUEL RETURN LINES COULD FRACTURE AND ALLOW FUEL TO LEAK IN THE AREA OF THE FUEL TANK.

Safety risk

IN PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, THIS CONDITION COULDRESULT IN A FIRE.

Manufacturer remedy

INSTALL NEW FUEL RETURN PIPE ASSEMBLY.

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: disc20—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: caliper18—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components10—
Structure10—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: drum9—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: rotor8—
Engine and engine cooling: engine6—
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip6—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: pads6—
Electrical system: ignition: module5—
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline5—
Structure: frame and members5—
Seat belts: front: buckle assembly4—
Steering4—
Electrical system3135,000 mi
Electrical system: ignition3—
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system3—
Exterior lighting: brake lights: switch3110,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: master cylinder3—
Steering: steering wheel/handle bar3—
Steering: hydraulic power assist system3—
Structure: body: door3—
Unknown or other3—
Electrical system: alternator/generator/regulator2—
Electrical system: ignition: switch2—
Electrical system: wiring: interior/under dash2—
Fuel system, gasoline: fuel injection system: injectors2—
Seat belts2—
Seat belts: front: anchorage2—
Seats2—
Suspension2—
Suspension: front2—
Suspension: rear2—
Vehicle speed control2—
Wheels: lugs/nuts/bolts/studs2—
Electrical system: 12V/24V/48V battery1—
Electrical system: wiring: front underhood1—
Electrical system: wiring: fuses and circuit breakers1—
Engine1—
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system: radiator assembly1—
Exterior lighting: headlights: switch1—
Exterior lighting: turn signal1—
Exterior lighting: turn signal: flasher unit1—
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery1—
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: fuel pump1—
Fuel system, gasoline: fuel injection system1—
Fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly1—
Fuel system, other1—
Latches/locks/linkages: doors: latch1—
Parking brake1—
Parking brake: conventional1—
Power train: automatic transmission1—
Power train: automatic transmission: cooling unit and lines1—
Power train: axle assembly1—
Power train: clutch assembly1—
Power train: manual transmission1—
Seat belts: rear/other1—
Seats: front assembly: power adjust1—
Seats: front assembly: recliner1—
Service brakes, hydraulic1—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings1—
Service brakes, hydraulic: power assist1—
Steering: hydraulic power assist: pump1—
Steering: rack and pinion1—
Steering: rack and pinion: rack1—
Structure: body1—
Suspension: front: control arm: lower arm1—
Visibility: sun/moon roof assembly1—
Visibility: windshield wiper/washer1—
Wheels1—

The 1988 model has about 1.5 times as many complaints as this one. The 1990 model has roughly the same number of 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.

RQ97017CRADLE BOLT FAILURES

Structure

Other Pontiac Grand Prix model years

200820072006200520042003200220012000199919981997199619951994199319921991199019891988198719861985198419831982198119801979197819771976197419731972197019661965

All Pontiac Grand Prix recalls by year

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.