1990 Pontiac Grand Prix problems & reliability

Each complaint is counted once (by NHTSA case number), even when it names several vehicles.

Most reported problems

Component groups as classified by NHTSA. A complaint can name more than one component, so shares may sum to more than 100%.

Common symptoms owners describe

Keyword analysis of complaint narratives; one complaint can describe several symptoms.

Complaints by incident year

What owners report

• “Rear subframe retainers rusted out causing engine/transaxle to drop and steering shaft to separate causing loss of control where the vehicle ended up in the on coming lane of traffic. The retainers have been replaced at least once before. Replacement parts have the same defect as the original parts. I don't believe…”

  Structure · filed Oct 19, 2007

• “Dt*: the contact stated while driving 40mph the left rear wheel steered 45 degrees to the side and the vehicle went out of control. The vehicle collided head on with a tree. The driver was wearing a seat belt, but sustained injuries. The police took a report at the scene. The vehicle was towed to a junk yard and…”

  Suspension · filed Apr 28, 2006

• “Car would get horrid gas mileage, occasionally stall, exhaust smell under hood, black exhaust. The crossover pipe from each exhaust manifold has a common cracking on the bellows and must be replaced, they run $2500 from gm which just crack again, or $425 for jeff m one that doesn't crack. The pipe cracks cause fresh…”

  Engine and Engine Cooling · filed Mar 9, 2006

Verbatim excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA. Reports are not independently verified.

Federal defect investigations

• STRUCTURE

  Investigation RP01001 · opened Nov 28, 2001 · closed Jun 13, 2002 · led to recall 00V189000

• ENGINE CRADLE SEPARATION

  Engineering Analysis EA00011 · opened Apr 10, 2000 · closed Jan 12, 2001 · led to recall 00V189000

• CRADLE BOLT FAILURES

  Recall Query RQ97017 · opened Oct 2, 1997 · open · led to recall 97V058000

• CORRODED REAR DISK BRAKES

  Preliminary Evaluation PE94063 · opened Aug 12, 1994 · closed Dec 21, 1994

• WHEEL FAILURES

  Preliminary Evaluation PE93085 · opened Sep 29, 1993 · closed Feb 28, 1994 · led to recall 94V041001

• STICKING THROTTLE

  Engineering Analysis EA92024 · opened Jun 26, 1992 · closed Jan 31, 1994

• JACK FAILURE

  Engineering Analysis EA91049 · opened Nov 26, 1991 · closed Oct 28, 1992

• JACK FAILURE

  Preliminary Evaluation PE91107 · opened Aug 1, 1991 · closed Nov 26, 1991

Technical service bulletins

6 manufacturer communications (TSBs, service campaigns, warranty extensions) are on file with NHTSA for the 1990 Pontiac Grand Prix.

• Customers may complain of grinding / scraping / groaning noise from rear suspension. *tt

  990309004 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Oct 1, 1999

• Some v6 engines may, on a very infrequent basis, have an oil odor condition that is generally encountered after the engine's oil has been changed.typically the odor lasts approximately 1000 miles after the change of oil…

  876002A · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Jul 1, 1998

• Emission campaign 90-c-52 ignition (I.d.I.) coil housing cracked. *sd

  CAMP90C52(P) · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Jun 1, 1995

• Rear strut related thumping/squeaking noise. *tw

  133405 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Jan 1, 1995

• Abs warning light is on. *tw

  435012A · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Jan 1, 1995

• Abs wire harness for the right front wheel may rub on the brake line causing the abs warning light to come on. *tw

  435012 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Dec 1, 1994

TSBs are repair guidance manufacturers send to dealers — they are not recalls and repairs are not automatically free. Full documents are available on NHTSA’s site.

Safety recalls

The 1990 Pontiac Grand Prix has 1 NHTSA recall campaign — recall repairs are free at franchised dealers regardless of the vehicle’s age.