Model year record

1990 Pontiac Grand Prix

8 recall campaigns on file for this model year. 249 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 91V005000

Seat belts

Component
Seat belts
Manufacturer
GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
Vehicles affected
412,792
Reported to NHTSA
1991-10-02
Owners notified
1991-02-22

Defect description

FRONT SHOULDER SAFETY BELT WEBBING MAY SEPARATE AT FRONT BELT UPPER GUIDE LOOPS ON EITHER SIDE OF THE FRONT SEAT.

Safety risk

WEBBING SEPARATION COULD OCCUR WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING ANDINCREASE THE RISK OF INJURY TO BELTED FRONT OUTBOARD OCCUPANTS IN A HIGH ENERGYCRASH.

Manufacturer remedy

INSTALL A CONTROLLED ROTATION BRACKET ON DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE FRONT SEAT BELT GUIDE LOOPS.

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 90V036000

Fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly

Component
Fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly
Manufacturer
GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
Vehicles affected
1,121
Reported to NHTSA
1990-02-20
Owners notified
1990-02-15

Defect description

DURING A REAR END COLLISION, THE REAR EXHAUST SYSTEM HEAT SHIELD, WHICH IS WELDED TO THE TAIL PIPE ASSEMBLY, MAY PUNCTURE THE FUEL TANK.

Safety risk

IN THE PRESENCE OF AN EXTERNAL SOURCE OF IGNITION, THIS COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.

Manufacturer remedy

REMOVE REAR EXHAUST SYSTEM HEAT SHIELD FROM THE 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: disc: caliper24
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc23
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip18
Structure14260,000 mi
Structure: frame and members1174,987 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine10
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components10
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: rotor9
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: drum9
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: pads7
Electrical system: wiring: interior/under dash5
Parking brake: conventional4
Steering4260,000 mi
Suspension4
Electrical system: alternator/generator/regulator3
Electrical system: ignition3
Electrical system: ignition: module3
Exterior lighting: brake lights3
Exterior lighting: headlights3
Power train: automatic transmission3
Service brakes, air: antilock3
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: master cylinder3
Steering: hydraulic power assist system3
Suspension: front: control arm3
Suspension: rear3105,000 mi
Unknown or other3
Electrical system: wiring250,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline2
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe272,050 mi
Equipment: mechanical: accessory scissor/screw/bottle jack/lift2
Exterior lighting: brake lights: switch2
Parking brake: conventional: mechanical: linkage and cable2
Seat belts: front: anchorage2
Service brakes, hydraulic2900,000 mi
Steering: steering wheel/handle bar2
Steering: gear box (other than rack and pinion)2
Structure: frame and members: underbody shields2260,000 mi
Vehicle speed control2
Wheels2
Air bags: frontal1
Electrical system1
Electrical system: 12V/24V/48V battery1
Electrical system: ignition: switch1
Electrical system: wiring: front underhood1
Electrical system: wiring: fuses and circuit breakers1
Engine and engine cooling165,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system1
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline: belts and associated pulleys1
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline: turbo/supercharger1
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system1
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: emission control: catalytic convertor1
Equipment: appliance: air conditioner1
Exterior lighting1
Exterior lighting: headlights: switch1
Fuel system, gasoline: fuel injection system1
Interior lighting1
Parking brake: conventional: mechanical1
Power train: axle assembly: axle shaft: seal1
Power train: manual transmission1
Seat belts: front: buckle assembly1
Seat belts: front: retractor1
Seats1
Service brakes, air: disc: rotor1
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip: ABS warning light1
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: drum: drum1
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: drum: wheel cylinders1
Service brakes, hydraulic: power assist: hydraulic1
Service brakes, hydraulic: power assist: vacuum1
Steering: rack and pinion: pinion shaft1
Structure: body: bumpers1
Suspension: front1
Suspension: front: macpherson strut1
Suspension: rear: axle: non-powered axle assembly1
Vehicle speed control: accelerator pedal1

The 1989 model has roughly the same number of complaints as this one. The 1991 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

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.