Owners have filed 199 complaints
about the 2008 Pontiac Grand Prix with NHTSA between 2008 and 2026.
The largest single group is the electrical system.
Across this model's run it ranks 16 of 16 worst.
The letter says how bad. This says what kind — whether this year drew
an unusual number of complaints, unusually dangerous
ones, or failures that arrived unusually early.
The dashed ring is 50 — the national norm. Further out is worse.
Complaint volume — 25
Against the median year of the Pontiac Grand Prix. 50 means typical for this
model; 100 means roughly double.
Severity — 83
16.1% of these complaints
involved a crash, fire, injury or death, against a national rate of
9.7%.
Early failure — 19
11% of failures with a mileage on record happened under
36,000 miles, against a national rate of
29%.
How 2008 compares with every other Pontiac Grand Prix
Odometer readings owners gave when they filed. About half of all
complaints include one.
Under 1,000 miles
21.3%
1,000 – 9,999 miles
21.3%
10,000 – 24,999 miles
106.3%
25,000 – 49,999 miles
1811.3%
50,000 – 74,999 miles
2314.5%
75,000 – 99,999 miles
4427.7%
100,000 – 149,999 miles
4427.7%
150,000+ miles
1610.1%
When owners complained
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.
Jul 2008peak 15Feb 2026
NHTSA investigations into the 2008 Pontiac Grand Prix
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.
RQ17002Opened 24 Apr 2017Closed 29 Mar 2021EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
Loss of Headlights
The subject vehicles are model year (MY) 2002-2009 Chevrolet Trailblazer, GMC Envoy, 2004-2007 Buick Rainier, 2003-2008 Isuzu Ascender, 2005-2009 Saab 9-7X, 2002-2004 Oldsmobile Bravada, 2003-2006 Chevrolet SSR, 2005-2009 Buick Lacrosse, and 2006-2008 Pontiac Grand Prix. This scope includes the Trailblazer/Envoy variants: 2002-2006 Envoy XL/Trailblazer EXT and 2004-2005 Envoy XUV. The original scope of this investigation was expanded to include all vehicles equipped with the subject Headlight Driver Module (HDM). The focus of the investigation was to determine whether actions performed by Gene...
Recalls on the 2008 Pontiac Grand Prix
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.
United States — NHTSA
14V400000
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
This defect can affect the safe operation of the airbag system. Until this recall is performed, customers should remove all items from their key rings, leaving only the ignition key. The key fob (if applicable), should also be removed from the key ring. General Motors LLC (GM) notified the agency on July 3, 2014, that they are recalling 5,877,718 model year 2000-2005 Chevrolet Impala and Monte Carlo, 1997-2003 Chevrolet Malibu, 2004-2005 Malibu Classic, 1999-2004 Oldsmobile Alero, 1998-2002 Oldsmobile Intrigue, 1999-2005 Pontiac Grand Am and 2004-2008 Pontiac Grand Prix vehicles. In these models, the weight on the key ring and/or road conditions or some other jarring event may cause the ignition switch to move out of the run position, turning off the engine.
Risk: If the key is not in the run position, the air bags may not deploy if the vehicle is involved in a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
Canada — Transport Canada
Canada runs its own recall programme, and its campaigns do not
always mirror the American ones.
Recall 2014284641,121 units in Canada
Electrical
On certain vehicles, a defect in the ignition switch could allow the switch to move out of the "run" position if the key ring is carrying added weight or the vehicle goes off-road or is subjected to some other jarring event. If this were to occur, engine power, power steering and power braking would be affected, increasing the risk of a crash causing injury and/or damage to property. The timing of the key movement out of the “run” position, relative to the activation of the sensing algorithm of the crash event, may also result in the airbags not deploying in a subsequent collision, increasing the risk of injury. Correction: For each key, dealers will install two key rings and modify the key ring opening shape. Note: Until the correction is performed, all items should be removed from the key ring.
Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.
Fairburn, GACrash1 injured
STEERING
HAVE HAD 2 MOTOR ACCIDENT AND THE AIR BIG NEVER DEPLOYMENT
NHTSA complaint #11041137 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Fairburn, GACrash1 injured
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
HAVE HAD 2 MOTOR ACCIDENT AND THE AIR BIG NEVER DEPLOYMENT
NHTSA complaint #11041137 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Fairburn, GACrash1 injured
STRUCTURE:BODY
HAVE HAD 2 MOTOR ACCIDENT AND THE AIR BIG NEVER DEPLOYMENT
NHTSA complaint #11041137 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 171,500 milesNorman, OKCrash1 injured
AIR BAGS
ON SEPTEMBER 1ST, 2014 AROUND 6:45PM I WAS IN A CAR ACCIDENT. A TRUCK CUT ME ALMOST CRASHING INTO ANOTHER CAR FROM BEHIND. I MOVED OVER I COULDN'T SEE THE CAR STOPPED IN THE OTHER LANE. FROM THE BIG TRUCK INFRONT OF ME. I HIT THE BRAKES DIDN'T WORK MADE CLICKING SOUND. I REARENDED A VEHICLE, THEY SLIGHTLY HIT A CAR INFRONT OF THEM. MY AIRBAG, SHOT MY HAND THROUGH THE WINDSHIELD. I HAD EXTREME ARM PAIN. I HAD SEEN A GRAY PIECE OF METAL IN MY ARM, I WENT TO THE ER. I STILL FEEL MOVEMENT IN IT. I'M FOLLOWING UP WITH MY DR. SINCE THE ACCIDENT. NEXT WILL BE A SURGEON OR SPECIALTY DR.
NHTSA complaint #10721450 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 87,000 milesDetroit, MICrash1 injured
AIR BAGS
ON AUGUST 7, 2010 AFTERNOON MY MOTHER LET ME BORROW HER CAR TO RUN SOME ERRANDS WHEN A YOUNG MAN RAN A RED LIGHT AND T- BONED THE CAR AND IT ALMOST FLIP THE CAR OVER I HIT MY HEAD ON THE WINDSHIELD THE AIRBAG DIDN'T DEPLOY UNTIL AFTER I HIT MY HEAD , DUE TO THE ACCIDENT I HAVE BEEN OFF WORK FOR ALMOST FIVE YEARS .DUE TO MY INJURIES I'VE HAD ONE BACK SURGERY AND WILL NEED ANOTHER ONE, I HAVE TO HAVE NECK SURGERY IN JULY. I AM IN CONSTANT PAIN ALL EVERYDAY FOR THE PAST ALMOST FIVE YEARS. I FILED A LAWSUIT AND ONLY RECEIVED FIVE HUNDRED DOLLARS. I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW WHAT CAN BE DONE ABOUT THE PAIN SUFFERING I'M GOING THROUGH, WHO DO I NEED TO TALK TO.
NHTSA complaint #10721043 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 35,000 milesLittleton, COCrash1 injured
AIR BAGS
2008 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO FRONT AND SIDE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY DURING ACCIDENT AND VEHICLE ON STAR ISSUES. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED AS SHE WAS TURNING LEFT, THE VEHICLE STOPPED AND A TRUCK HIT HER VEHICLE ON THE SIDE FRONT.
NHTSA complaint #10701574 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The most recent complaints
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
Lapeer, MI
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
Low beam lights quit randomly, running lights did once too. This has happened multiple times so I switch to hi beams before I crash. This is a documented safety issue and recall should include my car.
NHTSA complaint #11718556 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 194,000 milesKalamazoo, MI
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
The contact owns a 2008 Pontiac Grand Prix. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the ignition switch unintendedly turned off the vehicle, and the vehicle lost power. The contact was able to immediately restart the vehicle. Occasionally, the contact had to wait for several minutes before the vehicle restarted and was able to be driven. The failure had become more persistent over time and the contact became aware that the failure mostly occurred in warmer weather. The contact became aware of NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V400000 (Electrical System); however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer to be diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 194,000.
NHTSA complaint #11690909 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Chanute, KS
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Purchased the car in march and filed with local dealership to get the recall repaired for the ignition. 6 months later and the dealership says that GM hasn’t sent the part. It’s needs repaired now. I’m tired of waiting, it shouldn’t take this long to get a recall repaired.
NHTSA complaint #11622229 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Pekin, IL
POWER TRAIN
The transmission shifting cable has clips that keep it held in place for you to be able to put your car into drive or reverse and park ect. Is broke and at least once a month or more my car won't go into gear the shifter just slides smoothly but don't catch a gear. So far it hasn't happened on the road just when it's parked. But still feels like it's not in park. I worry that it won't be in park and back up or roll forward on me while I'm trying to get into or out of my car. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
NHTSA complaint #11594086 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Southfield, MI
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Car cuts off without notice while driving . Starts back up but eventually shuts off again . Also when put in reverse it shuts off
NHTSA complaint #11430014 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 150,000 milesAugusta, GA
ENGINE
I WAS RIDING ON THE HIGHWAY AND A CAR INFRONT OF ME SLAMMED ON BRAKES AVOIDING A DEER CAUSING ME TO SLAM ON BRAKES EVER SINCE I HAVE HAD A OIL LEAK RUNNING DOWN THE MANIFOLD. I NEVER WRECKED INTO THE VECHILE IN FRONT OF ME I SEEN ON DIFFRENT YEAR PONIAC WERE SIMULAR RECALLS WERE MADE.
NHTSA complaint #11364028 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 143,360 milesBOX Elder, MT
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
WHEN I TURN OFF MY CAR MY DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHT WILL NOT STAY OFF AND IT KILLS MY BATTERY. I LOOKED ONLINE FOR HELP WITH THIS AND IT SEEMS MY CAR IS NOT THE ONLY PONTIAC GRAND PRIX WITH THIS PROBLEM YET I SEE NO RECALLS FOR THIS. CAN YOU PLEASE HELP ME?
NHTSA complaint #11363299 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 208,000 milesCorunna, MI
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
ENGINE POWER REDUCED WARNING LIGHT CAME ON AND CAR HAS MINIMAL ACCELERATION NOT ALLOWING TO GO OVER 40 MPH. ANTILOCK BREAK AND TRACTION CONTROL LIGHTS BOTH ON. BREAKING ISSUE WHEN THIS HAPPENS CAUSING BREAKS TO HESITATE. ALL ISSUES LISTED HAPPEN WHILE IN MOTION ON CITY STREET & HIGHWAY, WHILE GOING STRAIGHT & TURNING AND WHEN BREAKING.
NHTSA complaint #11326033 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 208,000 milesCorunna, MI
SERVICE BRAKES
ENGINE POWER REDUCED WARNING LIGHT CAME ON AND CAR HAS MINIMAL ACCELERATION NOT ALLOWING TO GO OVER 40 MPH. ANTILOCK BREAK AND TRACTION CONTROL LIGHTS BOTH ON. BREAKING ISSUE WHEN THIS HAPPENS CAUSING BREAKS TO HESITATE. ALL ISSUES LISTED HAPPEN WHILE IN MOTION ON CITY STREET & HIGHWAY, WHILE GOING STRAIGHT & TURNING AND WHEN BREAKING.
NHTSA complaint #11326033 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
DES Moines, IA
SEATS
FRONT PASSENGER SEAT PRESURE SENSOR IS GOING BAD. THE WARNING LIGHT WILL PERIODICALLY COME ON AND THEN GO OUT AFTER A FEW MINUTES. THIS WOULD OCCUR WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS; STATIONARY, MOVING AND OR TURNING.
NHTSA complaint #11244211 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 102,000 milesColumbia, TN
POWER TRAIN
TRANSMISSION FLUID TEMP IS OVERHEATING
NHTSA complaint #11221115 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 130,837 milesSouthport, NC
ENGINE
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT PULLED THE VEHICLE OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, WAITED A FEW SECONDS, AND THE VEHICLE STARTED NORMALLY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE OCCURRED SPORADICALLY FOR TWO YEARS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO BOB KING BUICK GMC (5115 NEW CENTRE DR, WILMINGTON, NC 28403) AND KEPT FOR TWO WEEKS FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING, BUT THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DUPLICATED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND PROVIDED CASE NUMBER: 9-5020128648. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 130,837.
NHTSA complaint #11176152 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 88,000 milesST. Louis, MO
AIR BAGS
DEALER STATES AIRBAG HAS BAD INFLATER, NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY
NHTSA complaint #11093225 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 65,000 milesLorain, OH
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
I FILED A COMPLAINT IN AUG OF 2017. NEVER HEARD ANYTHING. MY CAR IS WORSE. IN THE SHOP AGAIN. THE CAR WILL DIE OUT IN PARK OR WHILE DRIVING IT. DIES OUT WAITING AT A RED LIGHT OR AT A STOP SIGN. IT ALSO STARTS WHEN IT WANTS TO START. THE ENGINE CRANKS OVER NORMALLY WHEN YOU ATTEMPT TO START THE CAR, BUT THE ENGINE DOES NOT START AT FIRST ATTEMPT. CAN TAKE UP TO 4 ATTEMPTS AND 15 MINUTES (GIVE OR TAKE MINUTES) BETWEEN EACH ATTEMPT TO FINALLY START. 3 AUTO PLACES AND NO ONE CAN FIND OUT WHAT IT WRONG. THIS CAR CAN CAUSE AN ACCIDENT WHEN IT DIES OUT WHILE DRIVING.
NHTSA complaint #11092569 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Yakima, WA
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TURN SIGNAL:SWITCH
2008 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX. CONSUMER WRITES IN REQUESTING REIMBURSEMENT FOR TURN SIGNAL SWITCH REPAIRS. *LD THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE SHUT OF WHILE DRIVING. THE CONSUMER MANAGED TO PULL OVER WITH NO POWER STEERING, BRAKES, OR GAS. THE VEHICLE RESTARTED 5 MINUTES LATER.
NHTSA complaint #11030969 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 122,000 milesCentralia, MO
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
I WAS DRIVING AT DARK HOURS WITH HEADLIGHTS ON AND LIGHTS JUST WENT OUT. TURNED ON BRIGHT LIGHTS AND THE LIGHTS WORKED. TURNED BACK TO DIM AND LIGHTS WORKED FOR ABOUT HALF A MILE.LIGHTS WENT OUT AGAIN TURNED ON BRIGHTS AND SAME THING AS BEFORE THE LIGHTS WORKED. I THOUGHT I SEEN SOMEWHERE A RECALL WAS ISSUED FOR THIS PROBLEM. I GUESS I DIDNT.
NHTSA complaint #11044743 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 122,000 milesCentralia, MO
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
I WAS DRIVING AT DARK HOURS WITH HEADLIGHTS ON AND LIGHTS JUST WENT OUT. TURNED ON BRIGHT LIGHTS AND THE LIGHTS WORKED. TURNED BACK TO DIM AND LIGHTS WORKED FOR ABOUT HALF A MILE.LIGHTS WENT OUT AGAIN TURNED ON BRIGHTS AND SAME THING AS BEFORE THE LIGHTS WORKED. I THOUGHT I SEEN SOMEWHERE A RECALL WAS ISSUED FOR THIS PROBLEM. I GUESS I DIDNT.
NHTSA complaint #11044743 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 122,000 milesCentralia, MO
VISIBILITY/WIPER
I WAS DRIVING AT DARK HOURS WITH HEADLIGHTS ON AND LIGHTS JUST WENT OUT. TURNED ON BRIGHT LIGHTS AND THE LIGHTS WORKED. TURNED BACK TO DIM AND LIGHTS WORKED FOR ABOUT HALF A MILE.LIGHTS WENT OUT AGAIN TURNED ON BRIGHTS AND SAME THING AS BEFORE THE LIGHTS WORKED. I THOUGHT I SEEN SOMEWHERE A RECALL WAS ISSUED FOR THIS PROBLEM. I GUESS I DIDNT.
NHTSA complaint #11044743 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Fairburn, GACrash1 injured
STEERING
HAVE HAD 2 MOTOR ACCIDENT AND THE AIR BIG NEVER DEPLOYMENT
NHTSA complaint #11041137 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Fairburn, GACrash1 injured
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
HAVE HAD 2 MOTOR ACCIDENT AND THE AIR BIG NEVER DEPLOYMENT
NHTSA complaint #11041137 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Fairburn, GACrash1 injured
STRUCTURE:BODY
HAVE HAD 2 MOTOR ACCIDENT AND THE AIR BIG NEVER DEPLOYMENT
NHTSA complaint #11041137 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Sterling, OK
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
TAKATA RECALL. AFTER DRIVING MY VEHICLE AT NIGHT ON THE HIGHWAY I NOTICED MY LOW BEAM LIGHTS WOULD NOT COME ON ALSO NO DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHTS. I PULLED OVER SHUT CAR OFF CHECKED CONNECTIONS AND FUSES TURNED CAT BACK ON STILL NO LOW BEAMS. HIGH BEAMS AND FOG LIGHTS WORK JUST NO LOW BEAMS
NHTSA complaint #11033500 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Bristol, RI
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
CAR IS TURNED OFF BUT HEADLIGHTS JUST RANDOMLY COME ON AND A LOUD FAN BLOWING TYPE NOISE UNDER THE HOOD.
NHTSA complaint #11033218 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Bristol, RI
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
CAR IS TURNED OFF BUT HEADLIGHTS JUST RANDOMLY COME ON AND A LOUD FAN BLOWING TYPE NOISE UNDER THE HOOD.
NHTSA complaint #11033218 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Bristol, RI
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
CAR IS TURNED OFF BUT HEADLIGHTS JUST RANDOMLY COME ON AND A LOUD FAN BLOWING TYPE NOISE UNDER THE HOOD.
NHTSA complaint #11033218 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.