1991 Pontiac Grand Prix problems & reliability
172 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 1991 Pontiac Grand Prix, alongside 1 safety recall campaign. Last verified Aug 7, 2026. Complaints are unverified reports submitted by owners to the federal Office of Defects Investigation.
Each complaint is counted once (by NHTSA case number), even when it names several vehicles.
7 complaints report injuries (10 injured).
Most reported problems
| Component | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 76 | 44% |
| Structure | 30 | 17% |
| Electrical System | 22 | 13% |
| Engine and Engine Cooling | 19 | 11% |
| Exterior Lighting | 16 | 9% |
| Steering | 13 | 8% |
| Unknown OR Other | 8 | 5% |
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 6 | 3% |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 5 | 3% |
| Suspension | 4 | 2% |
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
“Cradle bolt recall: just wondering why these recalls have been closed or possibly expired. My grand prix is still on the road and these bolts and parts have just broke. I never received any notification of any of the recalls for this car. Since these recalls have been closed or expired, I have to pay out of my pocket…”
Suspension · filed Sep 10, 2016
“Tl* the contact owns a 1977 (na) pontiac grand prix equipped with sigma regent tires, size 235/75r/15 (na). While driving approximately 75 mph, the front driver side tire experienced tread separation and caused damage to the driver side of the vehicle. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The vin and dot…”
Tires · filed Jun 15, 2015
“The rear cradle bolts pulled through the retainers. Car was at a stop at the time. Since this happened the car lost it's steering ability. Good thing I was stopped at a stop sign. Engine was still running. *tr”
Structure · filed Nov 27, 2010
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
- 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
- STEERING WHEEL SEPARATION
Preliminary Evaluation PE91072 · opened May 1, 1991 · closed Jul 8, 1991
Technical service bulletins
10 manufacturer communications (TSBs, service campaigns, warranty extensions) are on file with NHTSA for the 1991 Pontiac Grand Prix.
Expanded Availability for Remanufacture and Return (R&R) Electronic Control Modules
130089009 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Sep 1, 2013
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
Cold start rattle noise (diagnosis/service procedure). *tw
577106A · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Feb 1, 1997
Excessive oil consumption (replace pcv harness). *tw
676001 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Feb 1, 1997
Cold start rattle noise. *tw
577106A · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Dec 1, 1996
Cold start rattle noise. *tw
577106 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Feb 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 1991 Pontiac Grand Prix has 1 NHTSA recall campaign — recall repairs are free at franchised dealers regardless of the vehicle’s age.
Check whether your specific vehicle is affected
Recall campaigns often cover only certain VIN ranges. Enter your VIN on the official NHTSA site to confirm whether your vehicle is included and whether the repair is still open.
Check VIN on NHTSA →Buying a used 1991 Pontiac Grand Prix?
- · Decode the seller’s VIN with our free VIN decoder to confirm the exact year, engine and trim.
- · Check for unrepaired recalls by VIN on NHTSA’s official lookup — recall repairs are free.