PONTIAC GRAND PRIX · model year

1992 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX

158 NHTSA complaints, 10 crash reports for this specific cohort.

NHTSA overall rating

Not crash-tested

New Car Assessment Program

The 1992PONTIACGRAND PRIX carries 158 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 10 crashes, 7 fires, 4 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 1992 GRAND PRIX is service brakes, hydraulic:antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip with 9 filings, followed by service brakes, hydraulic:foundation components:disc (8) and engine and engine cooling:engine (8). 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 1992 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.

158
Complaints
10
Crashes
7
Fires
4
Injuries
0
Deaths

Total Complaints

158 filings

Crashes Reported

10 reports

Source

NHTSA ODI

Federal complaints database

Complaints vs. fleet median (215)

At or below the fleet median complaint volume.

Complaints by Component

ComponentCount
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP9
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC8
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE8
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TURN SIGNAL:SWITCH6
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:CALIPER6
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS6
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:INTERIOR/UNDER DASH5
UNKNOWN OR OTHER5
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION5
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH4
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL4
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:GEAR POSITION INDICATION (PRNDL)4
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION4
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DRUM4
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:PADS3

Recent Complaints

20070102POWER 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. *AK

20060717ELECTRICAL 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. *JB

Mileage: 51,523

20060316ELECTRICAL 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. *JB

Mileage: 113,370

20050622WHEELS: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.*AK

20040422ENGINE 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.

20040422VISIBILITY: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.

20040422SUSPENSION

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.

20040422SERVICE 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.

20040422UNKNOWN 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.

20040422TIRES

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.

20040422EQUIPMENT: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.

20040422ELECTRICAL 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. *AK

20040203ENGINE 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. *AK

20030921ENGINE 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.*JB

Mileage: 138,950

20030909CrashSTRUCTURE: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. *AK

Mileage: 126,000

20030909CrashSTEERING

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. *AK

Mileage: 126,000

20030905EXTERIOR 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.*AK

Mileage: 130,000

20030905STEERING: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.*AK

Mileage: 130,000

20030905ELECTRICAL 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 .*AK

Mileage: 135,000

20030812ENGINE 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. *AK

Compare 1992PONTIACGRAND PRIX to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations

Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 1992 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX have?
The 1992 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX has 158 NHTSA complaints, 10 crashes, 7 fires, 4 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
What are the most common problems with the 1992 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX?
The most-complained component for the 1992 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX is SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP with 9 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC and ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE.
Is the 1992 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.