FaultScore report
Owners have filed 158 complaints about the 1992 Pontiac Grand Prix with NHTSA between 1995 and 2007. The largest single group is the brakes.
158
Complaints
10
Crashes reported
7
Fires reported
4
Injuries reported
130,000 mi
Median mileage at failure
Half of reported failures happened before this
0%
Failed under 36,000 miles
Inside a typical bumper-to-bumper warranty
Click any bar to open that year's report.
Every complaint is filed against a part. Follow any row for the complaints about that part alone.
1 crashes, 0 fires
1 crashes, 0 fires · median 128,000 mi
1 crashes, 0 fires · median 126,000 mi
Median failure at 140,000 miles
2 crashes, 0 fires
1 crashes, 0 fires
NHTSA files every complaint against a named sub-assembly, not just a system. This is the difference between knowing it was "the engine" and knowing which part of it — the list to hand a mechanic.
The agency crash-tested this model year itself. These are its own photographs and star ratings.
These stars come from the pre-2011 crash test programme. NHTSA rebuilt the programme for the 2011 model year and states that ratings either side of that change are not comparable — so do not read these against a 2011-or-newer car's stars.
| Configuration | Overall | Front | Side | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1992 Pontiac Grand Prix 4-DR. | — | — | — | — |
A spike years after the car went on sale usually means a part wearing out on schedule across the whole fleet — the kind of pattern no single owner can see from inside their own car.
An investigation is the step before a recall: the agency has seen enough complaints to look into a pattern itself. An open one means it thinks something may be wrong and nothing has been fixed yet.
CORRODED REAR DISK BRAKES
A complaint is one owner's allegation. A recall is the point at which the manufacturer or a regulator agreed the defect is real and dangerous enough to fix for free — however old the car is.
FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY:PRESSURE RELIEF DEVICES
CERTAIN DELPHI FUEL PRESSURE REGULATORS, P/NOS. FP10020-11B1, FP10026-11B1, AND FP10027-11B1, SOLD AFTER JANUARY 9, 2007, AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. THE UNIVERSAL PRESSURE REGULATORS (UPR) WERE PRODUCED WITHOUT AN O'RING AND RETAINER.
Risk: FUEL MAY LEAK, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A FIRE.
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
THE REVERSE SERVO APPLY PIN MAY BIND IN THE CASE WHICH COULD CAUSE REVERSE BAND DISTRESS (LOSS OR SLIPPING OF REVERSE), REVERSE BAND DRAG IN DRIVE RANGE (POOR PERFORMANCE -- POOR POWER), OR THE TRANSMISSION TO REMAIN IN REVERSE WHILE THE SHIFT INDICATOR SHOWS NEUTRAL GEAR POSITION.
Risk: IF THE TRANSMISSION REMAINS IN REVERSE WHILE THE SHIFTINDICATOR SHOWS NEUTRAL, THE VEHICLE MAY UNEXPECTEDLY MOVE REARWARD AND RESULTIN A VEHICLE ACCIDENT.
Canada runs its own recall programme, and its campaigns do not always mirror the American ones.
Steering
On certain vehicles located in New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Newfoundland and Prince Edward Island, extreme levels of moisture and salt can result in corrosion at or near the engine cradle mounts resulting in possible failure of the mounts. If failures occur at both rear mounts or both front mounts, movement of the cradle can cause separation of the steering intermediate shaft resulting in loss of steering control. Correction: Dealers will install reinforcement plates on repairable cradles, non repairable cradles will be replaced.
Powertrain
On certain vehicles, the transmission may remain in reverse when the shift indicator shows neutral gear position. This could result in unexpected rearward movement and a crash without prior warning. Correction: Vehicles will be inspected and tested and transaxle replaced if necessary.
Recalls cover specific build ranges, so check your own vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or, in Canada, Transport Canada.
Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.
STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS
1992 GRAND PRIX - ENGINE CRADLE TO BODY BUSHINGS. I WAS DRIVE AT 60 MPH WHEN THE WASHERS FOR THE BODY BUSHINGS GAVE WAY AND CAUSED MY CAR TO LOSE STEERING. I WAS LUCKY AND DIDN'T CROSS THE CENTER LINE OR INVOLVE ANY CARS BUT DID END UP IN THE DITCH WITH DAMAGE TO MY CAR DUE TO LOSS OF STEERING SECONDARY TO ENGINE CRADLE BODY BUSHINGS GIVING AWAY. THIS EXACT PART WAS RECALLED ON SIMILAR VEHICALS UP TO 1990 MODELS. THIS IS A SERIOUS ISSUE AND NEXT TIME THE CONSUMER MAY NOT BE AS LUCKY AS MYSELF. I FEEL GM SHOULD HAVE INCREASED THE MODELS OF THEIR RECALL.
NHTSA complaint #10037501 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STEERING
1992 GRAND PRIX - ENGINE CRADLE TO BODY BUSHINGS. I WAS DRIVE AT 60 MPH WHEN THE WASHERS FOR THE BODY BUSHINGS GAVE WAY AND CAUSED MY CAR TO LOSE STEERING. I WAS LUCKY AND DIDN'T CROSS THE CENTER LINE OR INVOLVE ANY CARS BUT DID END UP IN THE DITCH WITH DAMAGE TO MY CAR DUE TO LOSS OF STEERING SECONDARY TO ENGINE CRADLE BODY BUSHINGS GIVING AWAY. THIS EXACT PART WAS RECALLED ON SIMILAR VEHICALS UP TO 1990 MODELS. THIS IS A SERIOUS ISSUE AND NEXT TIME THE CONSUMER MAY NOT BE AS LUCKY AS MYSELF. I FEEL GM SHOULD HAVE INCREASED THE MODELS OF THEIR RECALL.
NHTSA complaint #10037501 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:INTERIOR/UNDER DASH
SMOKE AND BURNING SMELL CAME FROM STEERING COLUMN. THIS WAS THE SECOND OCCURRENCE OF THIS CONDITION IN LAST THREE YEARS.
NHTSA complaint #763476 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #742837 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
THIS WAS THE SCARIEST THING I HAVE EVER EXPERIENCED AND I LATER FOUND OUT THAT THE SAME THING THAT HAPPEND WITH MY CAR ALSO HAPPEND TO SOMEONE ELSE THAT I KNOW. NO SAFETY DEFECT.
NHTSA complaint #742835 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:POWER ASSIST
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #742837 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
TL* - THE CONTACT CALLED TO REPORT RECALL 91V214000 CONCERNING POWER TRAIN: AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION ON 1992 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX. THE CONTACT CALLED A DEALER), AND WAS TOLD THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL ON THIS VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE WAS NOT THE ORIGINAL OWNER OF THE VEHICLE, BUT THAT THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN IN HIS FAMILY SINCE IT WAS PURCHASED NEW. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION FAILED ,AND THE VEHICLE WILL NOT GO IN REVERSE, THE FAILURE BEGAN IN EARLY NOVEMBER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT NEITHER WEATHER NOR SPEED WERE CONTRIBUTING FACTORS. ALSO HE STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION HAS BEEN GETTING WORSE FOR MORE THAN A YEAR, SLIPPING WHEN HE TRIES TO SWITCH THE GEARS. THE CONTACT WOULD LIKE TO HAVE HIS CAR REPAIRED AS STATED IN THE SAFETY REPAIR. THE CONTACT STATED THERE WERE NUMEROUS FAILURES WITH SWITCHING THE GEARS.
NHTSA complaint #10177594 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
THE STEERING COLUMN ON MY 92 PONTIAC HAD STARTED TO SMOKE THREE TIMES SINCE I'VE OWNED IT. THE FIRST TIME WAS IN 1994. THE SECOND WAS AROUND 1996. THE LAST TIME WAS LAST MONTH. THE LAST TIME WAS THE WORST. EACH TIME I SHUT OFF THE KEY AND IT WOULD STOP SMOKING.
NHTSA complaint #10162609 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
I HAD BOUGHT A CAR FROM A USED DEALERSHIP AND THERE IS A LOT OF THINGS WRONG WITH IT THAT I FEEL THAT IT SHOULDN'T HAVE EVEN BEEN SOLD. I FEEL THAT IT FALLS UNDER THE LEMON LAW ACT. IT HAS BEEN TO THE REPAIR SHOP LOTS OF TIMES AND THEY STILL HAVEN'T FIXED IT AND NOW THEY ARE TELLING ME THAT THEY WONT FIX IT AND ONE OF THE THINGS IS THAT THE ODOMETER DOES NOT WORK AND I TOLD THEM THAT AND THEY WON'T DO NOTHING TO FIX THE PROBLEMS WITH THE CAR. SO PLEASE GET IN TOUCH WITH ME SO I CAN FIND OUT WHAT TO DO. THE CAR IS STILL UNDER WARRANTY WITH THE DEALERSHIP. THANK YOU, JAMIE HOCHSTETLER.
NHTSA complaint #10152870 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
WHEELS:LUGS/NUTS/BOLTS/STUDS
DT: THE CONTACT OWNS A 1992 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX. WHILE DRIVING PASSENGER SIDE FRONT WHEEL CRACKED ALL THE WAY AROUND THE LUGS: NUTS CAUSING THE WHEEL TO FALL OFF. VEHICLE IS STILL IN THE REPAIR SHOP. THIS DID NOT CAUSE A CRASH, BUT HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED.
NHTSA complaint #10126247 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS
I WOULD HAVE TO RESEARCH ALL THE DATES NEEDED FOR ABOVE INFO. MY 1992 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX SE IS A HAZARD TO MY HEALTH AND EVERYONE ELSE ON THE ROAD. I HAVE SMOKE FROM STEERING WHEEL AND LOSS OF POWER AT ANY GIVEN MOMENT, AND MUCH MUCH MORE.
NHTSA complaint #10069205 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
I WOULD HAVE TO RESEARCH ALL THE DATES NEEDED FOR ABOVE INFO. MY 1992 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX SE IS A HAZARD TO MY HEALTH AND EVERYONE ELSE ON THE ROAD. I HAVE SMOKE FROM STEERING WHEEL AND LOSS OF POWER AT ANY GIVEN MOMENT, AND MUCH MUCH MORE.
NHTSA complaint #10069205 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SUSPENSION
I WOULD HAVE TO RESEARCH ALL THE DATES NEEDED FOR ABOVE INFO. MY 1992 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX SE IS A HAZARD TO MY HEALTH AND EVERYONE ELSE ON THE ROAD. I HAVE SMOKE FROM STEERING WHEEL AND LOSS OF POWER AT ANY GIVEN MOMENT, AND MUCH MUCH MORE.
NHTSA complaint #10069205 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TIRES
I WOULD HAVE TO RESEARCH ALL THE DATES NEEDED FOR ABOVE INFO. MY 1992 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX SE IS A HAZARD TO MY HEALTH AND EVERYONE ELSE ON THE ROAD. I HAVE SMOKE FROM STEERING WHEEL AND LOSS OF POWER AT ANY GIVEN MOMENT, AND MUCH MUCH MORE.
NHTSA complaint #10069205 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:MODULE
VEHICLES RUNS ROUGH AND HESITATES DUE TO AN IGNITION MODULE FAILURE. CONSUMER HAS REPLACED THE IGNITION MODULE ONCE BEFORE, AND A COUPLE OF MONTHS LATER PROBLEM RECURRED.
NHTSA complaint #10070720 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
I WOULD HAVE TO RESEARCH ALL THE DATES NEEDED FOR ABOVE INFO. MY 1992 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX SE IS A HAZARD TO MY HEALTH AND EVERYONE ELSE ON THE ROAD. I HAVE SMOKE FROM STEERING WHEEL AND LOSS OF POWER AT ANY GIVEN MOMENT, AND MUCH MUCH MORE.
NHTSA complaint #10069205 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL
I WOULD HAVE TO RESEARCH ALL THE DATES NEEDED FOR ABOVE INFO. MY 1992 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX SE IS A HAZARD TO MY HEALTH AND EVERYONE ELSE ON THE ROAD. I HAVE SMOKE FROM STEERING WHEEL AND LOSS OF POWER AT ANY GIVEN MOMENT, AND MUCH MUCH MORE.
NHTSA complaint #10069205 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
I WOULD HAVE TO RESEARCH ALL THE DATES NEEDED FOR ABOVE INFO. MY 1992 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX SE IS A HAZARD TO MY HEALTH AND EVERYONE ELSE ON THE ROAD. I HAVE SMOKE FROM STEERING WHEEL AND LOSS OF POWER AT ANY GIVEN MOMENT, AND MUCH MUCH MORE.
NHTSA complaint #10069205 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:MANIFOLD/HEADER/MUFFLER/TAIL PIPE
CONSUMER STATED VEHICLE OVERHEATED DUE TO THE INTAKE MANIFOLD FAILURE AND COOLANT LEAKING INSIDE THE ENGINE.
NHTSA complaint #10057444 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
HEARD LARGE BANG UNDER HOOD WHILE DRIVING ON FREEWAY. TOOK CAR TO DEALER SINCE IT SOUNDED LIKE ENGINE TROUBLE. DEALER IDENTIFIED PROBLEM AS SPARK PLUG BLEW OUT OF ENGINE. PLUG AND CABLES APPEARED TO BE ORIGINAL (APPROX 150000 MILES). DEALER THOUGHT THIS MIGHT BE RELATED TO CURRENTS IN ALUMINUM ENGINE WEARING DOWN SPARK PLUG THREADS DUE TO ELECROLYSIS. HE EXPLAINED THAT ALL SPARK PLUGS ARE IN A STATE WHERE THEY COULD BLOW OUT AND SO ADVISED THAT HEAD NEEDED REPLACEMENT AT $1800. SINCE PARTS APPEARED TO BE ORIGINAL AND PROBLEM APPEARED TO BE DESIGN FLAW I CALLED PONTIAC AND ASKED THAT THEY FOOT THE BILL. PONTIAC SAID THAT I WAS SUPPOSED TO CHANGE PLUGS EVERY 30000 AND REFUSED.
NHTSA complaint #10039233 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS
1992 GRAND PRIX - ENGINE CRADLE TO BODY BUSHINGS. I WAS DRIVE AT 60 MPH WHEN THE WASHERS FOR THE BODY BUSHINGS GAVE WAY AND CAUSED MY CAR TO LOSE STEERING. I WAS LUCKY AND DIDN'T CROSS THE CENTER LINE OR INVOLVE ANY CARS BUT DID END UP IN THE DITCH WITH DAMAGE TO MY CAR DUE TO LOSS OF STEERING SECONDARY TO ENGINE CRADLE BODY BUSHINGS GIVING AWAY. THIS EXACT PART WAS RECALLED ON SIMILAR VEHICALS UP TO 1990 MODELS. THIS IS A SERIOUS ISSUE AND NEXT TIME THE CONSUMER MAY NOT BE AS LUCKY AS MYSELF. I FEEL GM SHOULD HAVE INCREASED THE MODELS OF THEIR RECALL.
NHTSA complaint #10037501 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STEERING
1992 GRAND PRIX - ENGINE CRADLE TO BODY BUSHINGS. I WAS DRIVE AT 60 MPH WHEN THE WASHERS FOR THE BODY BUSHINGS GAVE WAY AND CAUSED MY CAR TO LOSE STEERING. I WAS LUCKY AND DIDN'T CROSS THE CENTER LINE OR INVOLVE ANY CARS BUT DID END UP IN THE DITCH WITH DAMAGE TO MY CAR DUE TO LOSS OF STEERING SECONDARY TO ENGINE CRADLE BODY BUSHINGS GIVING AWAY. THIS EXACT PART WAS RECALLED ON SIMILAR VEHICALS UP TO 1990 MODELS. THIS IS A SERIOUS ISSUE AND NEXT TIME THE CONSUMER MAY NOT BE AS LUCKY AS MYSELF. I FEEL GM SHOULD HAVE INCREASED THE MODELS OF THEIR RECALL.
NHTSA complaint #10037501 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STEERING:COLUMN
1992 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX HAS HAD TURN SIGNAL ISSUES FOR WELL OVER A YEAR NOW. THEY WOULD NOT WORK VERY WELL MOST OF THE TIME. I SAW SMOKE COMING OUT OF THE COLUMN A COUPLE OF TIMES RECENTLY. THEY RECENTLY STOPPED WORKING ALTOGETHER. DEALER SAID THEY HAD HEARD OF IT OFTEN AND A REPLACEMENT PART COSTS IN EXCESS OF $150.00 NOT INCLUDING LABOR. THIS IS DEFINITELY A SAFETY ISSUE.
NHTSA complaint #10037308 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:INTERIOR/UNDER DASH
INDICATOR LIGHTS ON INSTRUMENT PANEL LIGHT UP ERRATICALLY. READ THAT THIS WAS SOMEWHAT COMMON IN THIS MODEL. STARTED WITH "CHECK GAUGES" LIGHT, THEN THE "LOW GAS" INDICATOR LIGHT AND NOW THE "SERVICE ENGINE SOON" LIGHT. CAR WAS TESTED AND NO MECHANICAL ISSUES FOUND - ISSUE IS ELECTRICAL OR OTHER - NOT FIXED DUE TO COST .
NHTSA complaint #10037309 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TURN SIGNAL
1992 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX HAS HAD TURN SIGNAL ISSUES FOR WELL OVER A YEAR NOW. THEY WOULD NOT WORK VERY WELL MOST OF THE TIME. I SAW SMOKE COMING OUT OF THE COLUMN A COUPLE OF TIMES RECENTLY. THEY RECENTLY STOPPED WORKING ALTOGETHER. DEALER SAID THEY HAD HEARD OF IT OFTEN AND A REPLACEMENT PART COSTS IN EXCESS OF $150.00 NOT INCLUDING LABOR. THIS IS DEFINITELY A SAFETY ISSUE.
NHTSA complaint #10037308 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
HEAD GASKET FAILED - WAS ADVISED NOT TO ATTEMPT REPAIR (ESTIMATES STARTED AT $1000 ASSUMING NO ADDITIONAL DAMAGE WAS FOUND AFTER THE JOB WAS STARTED) IF NHTSA WANTS THE CORPSE FOR AN AUTOPSY, WILL BE HAPPY TO DONATE.
NHTSA complaint #10032645 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM
HEAD GASKET FAILED - WAS ADVISED NOT TO ATTEMPT REPAIR (ESTIMATES STARTED AT $1000 ASSUMING NO ADDITIONAL DAMAGE WAS FOUND AFTER THE JOB WAS STARTED) IF NHTSA WANTS THE CORPSE FOR AN AUTOPSY, WILL BE HAPPY TO DONATE.
NHTSA complaint #10032645 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
THE PAINT ON MY HOOD, DOORS, AND BETWEEN MY REAR SIDE WINDOWS AND REAR WINDOW IS PEELING OFF.
NHTSA complaint #10007728 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER
CONSUMER STATES THE WINDSHIELD WIPER ARMS DO NOT "PARK" AT CORRECT LOCATION. WHEN DISENGAGED, ARMS STOP DIRECTLY VERTICAL ON WINDSHIELD OBSTRUCTING CONSUMER'S VIEW WHILE DRIVING. RELATED RECALL 99V348000 V.I.N. NOT INCLUDED.
NHTSA complaint #8023366 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
WHEELS:RIM
WHILE DRIVING 20-25 MPH RIGHT FRONT STEEL RIM SEPARATED WITHIN MIDDLE OF RIM. DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER HAVE NOT BEEN NOTIFIED AT THIS TIME. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.
NHTSA complaint #8017560 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:INTERIOR/UNDER DASH
SMOKE AND BURNING SMELL CAME FROM STEERING COLUMN. THIS WAS THE SECOND OCCURRENCE OF THIS CONDITION IN LAST THREE YEARS.
NHTSA complaint #763476 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.