FaultScore

1991 Pontiac Grand Prix brake problems

94 of the 242 complaints about the 1991 Pontiac Grand Prix are about the braking system — 39% of everything reported for this model year.

F

94

Complaints

3

Crashes

0

Fires

2

Injuries

Exactly what failed

Caliper 22 23.4%
Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip 13 13.8%
Disc 13 13.8%
Drum 13 13.8%
Foundation Components 8 8.5%
Master Cylinder 6 6.4%
Rotor 6 6.4%
Pads 6 6.4%
Service Brakes, Hydraulic 2 2.1%
ABS Warning Light 1 1.1%

Brakes across every Pontiac Grand Prix year

1988 64 7.0%
1989 85 9.2%
1990 121 13.2%
1991 94 10.2%
1992 48 5.2%
1993 73 7.9%
1994 53 5.8%
1995 51 5.5%
1996 19 2.1%
1997 61 6.6%
1998 40 4.4%
1999 19 2.1%
2000 33 3.6%
2001 13 1.4%
2002 28 3.0%
2004 55 6.0%
2005 16 1.7%
2006 24 2.6%
2007 10 1.1%
2008 12 1.3%

What owners said

Filed with NHTSA, in their own words.

Tukwila, WA

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:POWER ASSIST:HYDRAULIC

I HAVE A 1991 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX W/ A 3.4L V-6 AND I HAVE BEEN HAVING PROBLEMS W/ THE BRAKE SYSTEM SINCE 1999. I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE STREET AND THE BRAKES WOULD WORK ONE SECOND AND NOT THE NEXT ( WOULD GET REALLY STIFF AND FIRM, NO ASSIST), SO A COUPLE DAYS LATER IT JUST WENT STIFF FOR GOOD. I DECIDED TO CHECK THE CAR FOR THE BRAKE FUSES AND FOUND THE ABS PUMP FUSE HAD BURNT OUT. I REPLACED AND AS SOON AS I STEPPED ON THE BRAKE IT WENT SOFT FOR A SPLIT SECOND AND THEN STIFF AGAIN. HAD A FRIEND WATCH THE FUSE AND HE SAID AS SOON AS I STEPPED ON THE BRAKE IT BLEW THE FUSE. NO MATTER WHAT I DO I CAN NOT FIX THIS ISSUE AND THE DEALERSHIP IS TRYING TO CHARGE ME A COUPLE THOUSAND DOLLARS FOR THE BOOSTER THAT IS FAULTY. THIS IS SUCH A POPULAR ISSUE HER IN WASHINGTON THAT PEOPLE CONSTANTLY KEEP AN EYE OUT FOR THESE CARS IN THE JUNK YARD SO THEY CAN HAVE FIRST CHANCE AT PULLING THE UNITS OUT TO FIX FAULTY ONES. THERE NEEDS TO BE A RECALL ON THIS NO MATTER HOW OLD THE CAR IS! I HAVE OVER $8,000 DOLLARS UNDER THE HOOD TO KEEP IT AND STILL CANT FIX THIS ISSUE.

NHTSA complaint #10045779 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Cockeysville, MD

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

BRAKE PEDAL GOES TO THE FLOOR CAUSING VEHICLE TO HAVE EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE. DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. PH

NHTSA complaint #10005932 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Detroit, MI

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:MASTER CYLINDER

VEHICLE'S MASTER CYLINDER FAILED. MR

NHTSA complaint #767873 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Orlando, FL

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS

THE ALTERNATOR/STARTER GO OUT EVERY 6 MONTHS, THE FUEL PUMP HAS BEEN REPLACED 8 TIMES, THE LEFT TURN SIGNAL DOES NOT BLINK, THE BRAKES GO OUT EVERY 6 MONTHS, I THINK THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE BRAKE SYSTEM. THE POWER STEERING HAS TO BE REFILLED EVERY 100 MILES. THE DRIVERS SIDE POWER WINDOW DOES NOT WORK. THE WINDOW IS DOWN ABOUT AN INCH AND WILL NOT GO UP OR DOWN.

NHTSA complaint #753865 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Greentown, PA 1 injured

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS

THE CALIPERS AND BRAKE SHOES FAILED CAUSING CONSUMER TO HIT THE VEHICLE IN FRONT, THE CONSUMER SUSTAINED INJURIES. *SLC

NHTSA complaint #557739 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Pittsburgh, PA

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP

WHILE DRIVING DURING DAY TIME VEHICLE WAS FINE. BUT, AT NIGHT NOTICED VEHICLE WOULD IDLE HIGH & START TO OVERHEAT. VEHICLE WOULD STUTTER LIKE IT WAS STALLING. APPLIED BRAKES & VEHICLE FAILED TO STOP. ALSO, SMOKE WOULD BE COMING INSIDE OF VEHICLE FROM UNDER HOOD. PROBLEMS WERE INTERMITTENT.

NHTSA complaint #875432 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Pequot Lakes, MN Crash 1 injured

SERVICE BRAKES, AIR:ANTILOCK

I ENTERED MY AUTO ON THE EVENING OF 10/4/00 AT 8:10PM AND TURNED KEY TO START. I DID NOT AT ANY TIME DEPRESS GAS PEDAL. AFTER ENGINE STARTED, I ALLOWED RPM'S TO SETTTLE DOWN AND PUT MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE. PUT TRANSMISSION IN "REVERSE" AND LET UP ON THE BRAKE. THE IMMEDIATELY STARTED MOVING IN REVERSE IN AN UNCONTROLLED ACCELERATION (S?). I SET MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE AND THERE WAS NO RESPONSE. THE BRAKE PEDAL DID NOT MOVE. THE CAR KEPT SPEEDING UP UNTIL IT HIT A TREE, BROADSIDE. THE TOTAL DISTANCE WAS ABOUT 20-25 FEET, BUT THE CAR WAS "TOTALLED." THIS IS THE 2ND TIME THIS HAS HAPPENED, EXCEPT ON THE PREVIOUS OCCASION, THE AUTO STOPPED IN ABOUT 3 FEET. TWO TIMES SINCE THE PURCHASE OF THE AUTO, I HAVE HAD TO STOP SUDDENLY AND, IT SEEMED TO ME, THAT THE BRAKES WORKED THE WAY ABS BRAKES ARE SUPPOSE TO, BUT I'M NOT SURE. A WITNESS WHO SAW THE ACCIDENT ESTIMATED THAT THE AUTOMOBILE WAS RACING IN REVERSE ABOUT 20-30 MPH,BEFORE IT STRUCK THE TREE, BUT ONLY A GUESS. (DOT NUMBER: N/A TIRESIZE: N/A)

NHTSA complaint #733740 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Hawthorn Woods, IL

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS

THIS PROBLEM HAS BEEN LISTED AS A COMMON PROBLEM ON CARPOINT.COM. HERE IS THE URL FOR THAT PROBLEM HTTP://CARPOINT.MSN.COM/VIP/USEDSINGLEYEAR/PONTIAC/GRAND%20PRIX/1991.ASP#ENGINE THE OTHER PROBLEMS LISTED HAVE ALSO OCCURRED WITH THE CAR. IT FIRST APPEARED ON JUNE 24 1997 AND THE FAILURE OCCURRED AT 20 MPH. THERE IS A COMPLETE LOSS OF BRAKING DUE TO THIS. IT HAPPENS WITH LITTLE OR NO WARNING AT ALL. THE BRAKES ON THE CAR HAVE LESS THAN 20,000 MILES ON THEM. I WILL BE SENDING A LETTER TO PONTIAC AND GM WITHING 1 DAY.

NHTSA complaint #731854 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Tamarac, FL

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:MASTER CYLINDER

REAR BRAKE LIGHTS STAY ON AFTER RELEASING BRAKE PEDAL. CAR WAS DROPPED OFF AT PALM PONTIAC SERVICE DEPARTMENT A TOTAL OF 9 TIMES FROM 11/4/99 TO 7/24/00. THE REPAIRS PERFORMED ON THSES 9 VISITS INCLUDED REPLACING ABS BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER, REPLACING BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH, ADJUSTING BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH AND ADJUSTING BRAKE PEDAL. PROBLEM STILL PERSISTS AS OF 9/5/00 WHEN I CONTACTED WAYNE TURNER, SERVICE DIRECTOR AT PALM PONTIAC AND HE ADVICED ME TO CONTACT PONTIAC CUSTOMER SERVICE. I CALLED PONTIAC CUSTOMER ASSISTANCE CENTER AT !-800-762--2737 AND SPOKE TO PATRICK CLEMMINS. HE GAVE ME A REQUEST # C01463354 AND SEND HE WOULD CHECK WITH HIS SUPERIOR AND CALL ME BACK.

NHTSA complaint #730511 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Tamarac, FL

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:MASTER CYLINDER

REAR BRAKE LIGHTS STAY ON AFTER RELEASING BRAKE PEDAL. CAR WAS DROPPED OFF AT PALM PONTIAC SERVICE DEPARTMENT A TOTAL OF 9 TIMES FROM 11/4/99 TO 7/24/00. THE REPAIRS PERFORMED ON THSES 9 VISITS INCLUDED REPLACING ABS BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER, REPLACING BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH, ADJUSTING BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH AND ADJUSTING BRAKE PEDAL. PROBLEM STILL PERSISTS AS OF 9/5/00 WHEN I CONTACTED WAYNE TURNER, SERVICE DIRECTOR AT PALM PONTIAC AND HE ADVICED ME TO CONTACT PONTIAC CUSTOMER SERVICE. I CALLED PONTIAC CUSTOMER ASSISTANCE CENTER AT !-800-762--2737 AND SPOKE TO PATRICK CLEMMINS. HE GAVE ME A REQUEST # C01463354 AND SEND HE WOULD CHECK WITH HIS SUPERIOR AND CALL ME BACK.

NHTSA complaint #730511 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Teledo, OH

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP

WHILE TRAVELING AND WHEN DEPRESSING BRAKE PEDAL VEHICLE WOULD CONTINUE TO TRAVEL, RESULTING IN EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION.

NHTSA complaint #869733 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Elmore, OH

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DRUM

CONSUMER FOUND OUT FROM REPAIR SHOP THAT REAR BRAKES HAD NO POWER. ONE OF THE BRAKES WAS COMPLETELY DISCONNECTED. ALSO, THEY WERE BOTH RUSTED. CONSUMER WILL CONTACT MANUFACTURER. *AK

NHTSA complaint #863564 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Bailleyton, AL

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP

WHILE APPROACHING A STOP SIGN, BRAKES WERE APPLIED AND THE PEDAL WAS VERY HARD AS IF THERE WAS A LOCK ON IT. THERE WAS LITTLE REACTION THE VEHICLE VAGUELY SLOWED DOWN. CONSUMER HAD TO DROP THE VEHICLE INTO A LOWER GEAR ALONG WITH STILL APPLYING THE BRAKES TO STOP. DEALER HAS BEEN COTACTED.

NHTSA complaint #851879 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Waukesha, WI

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP

WENT TO APPLY BRAKES THE BRAKES DIDN'T LOCK UP. THE PEDAL WENT STRAIGHT TO THE FLOOR.CONSUMER CONTACTED THE DEALER.

NHTSA complaint #844203 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Austin, TX

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS

NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE.

NHTSA complaint #708803 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Vermilion, OH

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DRUM

REAR BRAKES NEEDED REPLACEMENT DUE TO CORROSION.

NHTSA complaint #533866 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Teaneck, NJ

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC

FROZEN PISTONS, REAR BRAKES NOT WORKING

NHTSA complaint #704045 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Brooklyn, NY

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:CALIPER

REAR BRAKE CALIPER FAILED DUE TO CORROSION.

NHTSA complaint #537672 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Neenah, WI

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:CALIPER

BRAKE CALIPERS LOCK UP CAUSING EXCESSIVE WEAR TO COMPONENTS.

NHTSA complaint #538831 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ST. Louis, MO

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP

WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES HEARD A LOUD SQUEAKING NOISE. DEALER SAYS THE CALIPERS LOCK UP. HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED.

NHTSA complaint #823223 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ST. Louis, MO

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:CALIPER

WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES HEARD A LOUD SQUEAKING NOISE. DEALER SAYS THE CALIPERS LOCK UP. HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED.

NHTSA complaint #823223 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Rochester, WI

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS

BRAKES COMPONENTS CONTINUE TO FAIL DUE TO FAULTY SYSTEM.

NHTSA complaint #531680 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

LE ROY, IL

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:CALIPER

RIGHT REAR BRAKE CALIPERS, ROTORS, PADS AND BUSHINGS/SLIDERS HAVE FAILED TO FUNCTION PROPERLY.

NHTSA complaint #532844 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SAN Bernar, CA

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

BRAKES WEAR EXCESSIVELY AND FAIL TO STOP VEHICLE AT TIMES. PASSENGER SIDE SEAT BELT WILL NOT OPEN. WHEN TURNING VEHICLE INTO LEFT CURVES THERE IS A LOSS OF CONTROL.

NHTSA complaint #527808 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Nazareth, PA

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:BRAKE FLUID LOW WARNING: LAMP

ABS INOPERABLE DUE TO MISSING ABS WARNING BULB.

NHTSA complaint #527754 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Twinsburg, OH

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC

CONSUMER NOTICED REAR DISC BRAKES WERE NOT WORKING PROPERLY DUE TO REAR BRAKE CALIPER/ROTOR BEING CORRODED AND RUSTED. HAD TO REPLACE THEM TWICE.

NHTSA complaint #818614 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Nazareth, PA

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP

WHILE BACKING UP, ABS BRAKES FAILED TO WORK. BRAKE PEDAL WA SHARD, DEALER CHECKED VEHICLE, BUT COULD NOT EXPLAIN THE MALFUNCTION.

NHTSA complaint #526486 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Cherry Hill, NJ

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP

OWNER HAS ABS BRAKES. BRAKE LIGHT COMES ON WHILE DRIVNG. PROBLEM SEEMS TO BE FREQUENT. DEALER STATED MASTER CYLINDER WAS FAULTY AND THAT IT DOES NOT RETAIN PRESSURE.

NHTSA complaint #818538 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Cherry Hill, NJ

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:MASTER CYLINDER

OWNER HAS ABS BRAKES. BRAKE LIGHT COMES ON WHILE DRIVNG. PROBLEM SEEMS TO BE FREQUENT. DEALER STATED MASTER CYLINDER WAS FAULTY AND THAT IT DOES NOT RETAIN PRESSURE.

NHTSA complaint #818538 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

East Pointe, MI

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:CALIPER

CALIPER'S RUST IN THE REAR, CAUSING AN OVERLOAD/EXCESSIVE WEAR TO FRONT BRAKES.

NHTSA complaint #516212 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Other 1991 Pontiac Grand Prix problems

← Full 1991 Pontiac Grand Prix report