PONTIAC GRAND PRIX · model year

1990 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX

249 NHTSA complaints, 17 crash reports for this specific cohort.

NHTSA overall rating

Not crash-tested

New Car Assessment Program

The 1990PONTIACGRAND PRIX carries 249 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 17 crashes, 2 fires, 20 injuries, and 0 fatalities. No NCAP 5-star crash-test rating is available for this model year in the federal database.

Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 1990 GRAND PRIX is service brakes, hydraulic:foundation components:disc:caliper with 24 filings, followed by service brakes, hydraulic:foundation components:disc (23) and service brakes, hydraulic:antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip (18). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability.

NHTSA currently has 5 investigation files overlapping the 1990 GRAND PRIX. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page — a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.

249
Complaints
17
Crashes
2
Fires
20
Injuries
0
Deaths

Total Complaints

249 filings

Crashes Reported

17 reports

Source

NHTSA ODI

Federal complaints database

Complaints vs. fleet median (215)

Above median complaint volume — review patterns below.

Complaints by Component

ComponentCount
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:CALIPER24
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC23
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP18
STRUCTURE14
STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS11
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS10
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE10
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR9
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DRUM9
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:PADS7
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:INTERIOR/UNDER DASH5
PARKING BRAKE:CONVENTIONAL4
SUSPENSION4
STEERING4
UNKNOWN OR OTHER3

Recent Complaints

20071019STRUCTURE

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 THAT IS A SOLUTION. ONE GM DEALER (DON MILLER IN MADISON) DENIED ANY KNOWLEDGE OF A RECALL. ANOTHER GM DEALER SAID GM WILL OFFER A COUPLE HUNDRED DOLLARS AND TAKE THE CAR, BUT THERE IS NO REPAIR OPTION. YOUR PERSON I SPOKE WITH AT THE (888) PHONE NUMBER DIRECTED BE TO A GM (800) NUMBER WHO COULD NOT FIND ANY INFORMATION EVEN THOUGH I GAVE THEM THE RECALL NUMBER. IN ADDITION TO THE BOLTS AND RETAINERS THAT ARE "COVERED", THE RUBBER CUSHIONS AND TOP RETAINERS WERE UNABLE TO BE FOUND AND WILL REQUIRE REPLACEMENT. I HAVE ORDERED THE PARTS AT A COST OF ABOUT $110 AND A $60 TOW BILL PLUS ANY LABOR CHARGE I INCUR. LOOKING OVER THE NUMBER OF THESE FAILURES ON YOUR SITE, IT IS

Mileage: 260,000

20071019STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS:UNDERBODY SHIELDS

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 THAT IS A SOLUTION. ONE GM DEALER (DON MILLER IN MADISON) DENIED ANY KNOWLEDGE OF A RECALL. ANOTHER GM DEALER SAID GM WILL OFFER A COUPLE HUNDRED DOLLARS AND TAKE THE CAR, BUT THERE IS NO REPAIR OPTION. YOUR PERSON I SPOKE WITH AT THE (888) PHONE NUMBER DIRECTED BE TO A GM (800) NUMBER WHO COULD NOT FIND ANY INFORMATION EVEN THOUGH I GAVE THEM THE RECALL NUMBER. IN ADDITION TO THE BOLTS AND RETAINERS THAT ARE "COVERED", THE RUBBER CUSHIONS AND TOP RETAINERS WERE UNABLE TO BE FOUND AND WILL REQUIRE REPLACEMENT. I HAVE ORDERED THE PARTS AT A COST OF ABOUT $110 AND A $60 TOW BILL PLUS ANY LABOR CHARGE I INCUR. LOOKING OVER THE NUMBER OF THESE FAILURES ON YOUR SITE, IT IS

Mileage: 260,000

20071019STEERING

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 THAT IS A SOLUTION. ONE GM DEALER (DON MILLER IN MADISON) DENIED ANY KNOWLEDGE OF A RECALL. ANOTHER GM DEALER SAID GM WILL OFFER A COUPLE HUNDRED DOLLARS AND TAKE THE CAR, BUT THERE IS NO REPAIR OPTION. YOUR PERSON I SPOKE WITH AT THE (888) PHONE NUMBER DIRECTED BE TO A GM (800) NUMBER WHO COULD NOT FIND ANY INFORMATION EVEN THOUGH I GAVE THEM THE RECALL NUMBER. IN ADDITION TO THE BOLTS AND RETAINERS THAT ARE "COVERED", THE RUBBER CUSHIONS AND TOP RETAINERS WERE UNABLE TO BE FOUND AND WILL REQUIRE REPLACEMENT. I HAVE ORDERED THE PARTS AT A COST OF ABOUT $110 AND A $60 TOW BILL PLUS ANY LABOR CHARGE I INCUR. LOOKING OVER THE NUMBER OF THESE FAILURES ON YOUR SITE, IT IS

Mileage: 260,000

20060428CrashSUSPENSION:REAR

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 INSPECTED BY THE MANUFACTURER, WHO PROVIDED NO CLEAR DETERMINATION AS TO WHAT CAUSED THE ACCIDENT. AN ENGINEER INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND DETERMINED THE TRAILING ARM FAILED AND CAUSED THE ACCIDENT.

Mileage: 105,000

20060309ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:MANIFOLD/HEADER/MUFFLER/TAIL PIPE

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 AIR TO ENTER THE EXHAUST AND THE OXYGEN SENSOR THINKS THE CARS RUNNING RICH, CAUSING HORRIBLE GAS MILEAGE, OIL CONTAMINATION, AND STALLING. THE EXTRA HEAT FROM THE CAR RUNNING RICH CRACKS THE TURBO HOUSING. *NM

Mileage: 72,050

20051128ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING

IF YOU USE THE TURN SIGNAL, THE STEERING WHEEL WILL START SMOKING. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER AND DEALER DIDN'T WANT TO FIX IT. TURN SIGNALS STILL WORKED WHEN APPLIED. *NM

Mileage: 50,000

20050222STRUCTURE

RECALL CAMPAIGN, HAVING SOME PROBLEMS WITH RECALLS NEVER RECEIVED. *BF THE REAR CRADLE BOLTS PULLED THROUGH THE RETAINERS DUE TO CORROSION. RECALL# 00V189000. *SC *JB

20040708UNKNOWN OR OTHER

CONSUMER INQUIRING ABOUT RECALLS FOR 1990 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX. *MR RECALL #'S 90V185000 EXTERIOR LIGHTING BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH, 90V036000 FUEL SYSTEM TANK ASSEMBLY, 90V054000 SEAT BELTS, 00V189000 STRUCTURE, AND 94V041000 WHEELS. *SC *JB

20040102STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS

CONSUMER STATED THAT WHILE WAITING AT AN ATM ENGINE FELL OUT OF VEHICLE. CONSUMER HAD VEHICLE TOWED TO THE MECHANIC, WHO SAID THAT THE CRADLE BOLTS RUSTED. CONSUMER INDICATED HE NEVER RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE. BUT WHEN HE CALLED GMC HE WAS TOLD THAT THIS VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. *AK

Mileage: 74,987

20031230ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

WHILE DRIVING THE ENGINE FELL. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE RETAINER CRADLE BROKE. CONSUMER NEVER RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE. *NM *MR

Mileage: 65,000

20030514SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

WHEN THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED, THE PEDAL TRAVELED TO THE FLOOR. *JB

20030324SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

VEHICLE'S REAR BRAKES WERE INOPERATIVE. RUST ACCUMULATED ON THE SURFACE OF THE BRAKES. AS A RESULT THE ROTORS AND PADS DID NOT COME IN CONTACT. *NLM

Mileage: 900,000

20021203ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

CONSUMER CALLED COMPLAINING ABOUT HAVING PROBLEM WITH THE ENGINE MOUNTS. WHICH HE REPLACED AT 115 THOUSANDS MILES AND HAS TO REPLACED AGAIN. DEALER HAS NOT BEEN NOTIFIED. PLEASE PROVIDE FIURTHER INFORMATION. TS

20020701STRUCTURE

REAR LEFT AND RIGHT CARRIAGE BOLTS PULLED THROUGH RETAINERS, CAUSING THE STEERING SHAFT TO SPLIT AND THE ENGINE CRADLE TO DROP TO THE GROUND. PONTIAC ADMITS RESPONSIBILITY AND ALSO AGREED TO PROVIDE WORK ACCORDING TO "WARRANTY" I.E. PONTIAC WILL ABSORB THE COST OF REPAIR. WORK DONE BY RUSS AT WOBURN, MASS. PONTIAC. THE GM REP SPOKE WITH MY HUSBAND SEVERAL TIMES, INDICATING PONTIAC'S RESPONSIBILITY AND THAT THE WORK WAS BEING DONE AS A RECALL. HOWEVER, WHEN THE WORK WAS COMPLETED AND THE CAR WAS READY TO BE PICKED UP, GM'S FINAL WORD WAS HANDED DOWN AND THEY REFUSE TO ABSORB THE COST (800-762-2737 FILE #S19313957). THE COST OF THE REPAIR IS $620.00 (WHICH INCLUDES AN INFLATED TOW CHARGE OF $115.00 -- THE ACTUAL COST OF THE TOW ACCORDING TO THE DRIVER IS $65.00). MY NORMAL DRIVING HABITS TAKE ME 15 MILES TO AND FROM WORK ON THE HIGHWAY, IF THIS HAD HAPPED ON A WEEKDAY AND I WAS TRAVELLING AT MY USUAL AVERAGE RATE OF SPEED OF 70 MPH I WOULD BE HAVE BEEN SERIOUSLY INJURED OR DEAD.

20020605SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:CALIPER

WHILE DRIVING BRAKES MAKE A LOUD NOISE. CONTACTED DEALER. CALIPERS HAD FROZEN UP.*AK *YH

20020604SUSPENSION

WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED AND HITTING A BUMP STEERING COLUMN WILL PULL TO RIGHT OR LEFT. CAUSE UNKNOWN. DEALER NOTIFIED.*AK

20020501SUSPENSION

CONSUMER STATES VEHICLE IS SHAKING IN THE FRONT AND NOT SHIFTING PROPERLY. *JB CONSUMER STATED THAT THE DRIVE TRAIN WAS SLIPPING. ALSO THE FRONT CONTROL ARM FAILED. *YH

20020501POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION

CONSUMER STATES VEHICLE IS SHAKING IN THE FRONT AND NOT SHIFTING PROPERLY. *JB CONSUMER STATED THAT THE DRIVE TRAIN WAS SLIPPING. ALSO THE FRONT CONTROL ARM FAILED. *YH

20020410STRUCTURE

ENGINE CRADLE HAD ROTTED OUT UNDERNEATH FRAME. THERE IS RECALL 10946 00 V 189 000. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK

20010424SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP

NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK

Compare 1990PONTIACGRAND PRIX to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations

Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 1990 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX have?
The 1990 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX has 249 NHTSA complaints, 17 crashes, 2 fires, 20 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
What are the most common problems with the 1990 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX?
The most-complained component for the 1990 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX is SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:CALIPER with 24 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC and SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP.
Is the 1990 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX safe to buy?
Review the complaint history, crash and fire reports, safety ratings, and recall status on this page to make an informed decision. No NHTSA crash test rating is available for this model year. Compare with other model years using the links above.
Where does this data come from?
All complaint, recall, and safety rating data is sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaints are filed by vehicle owners through NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation.

Vehicle Safety Guides

Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.