PONTIAC GRAND PRIX · model year

2008 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX

199 NHTSA complaints, 14 crash reports, and 1 active recall for this specific cohort.

NHTSA overall rating

Not crash-tested

New Car Assessment Program

The 2008PONTIACGRAND PRIX carries 199 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 14 crashes, 5 fires, 15 injuries, and 1 fatality. 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 2008 GRAND PRIX is electrical system with 40 filings, followed by exterior lighting (27) and air bags (20). 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. This model year has 1 active recall campaign, which means the manufacturer is obligated to remedy the covered defect at no charge for the life of the vehicle — the full NHTSA campaign numbers are listed below.

NHTSA currently has 5 investigation files overlapping the 2008 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.

199
Complaints
14
Crashes
5
Fires
15
Injuries
1
Deaths

Total Complaints

199 filings

Crashes Reported

14 reports

Source

NHTSA ODI

Federal complaints database

Complaints vs. fleet median (215)

At or below the fleet median complaint volume.

Complaints by Component

ComponentCount
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM40
EXTERIOR LIGHTING27
AIR BAGS20
ENGINE19
POWER TRAIN14
STEERING9
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL9
SERVICE BRAKES8
UNKNOWN OR OTHER4
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC4
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING4
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION4
STRUCTURE:BODY4
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL3
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM3

Recalls (1)

14V40000003/07/2014

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 agen

Recent Complaints

20260217EXTERIOR 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.

20251002ELECTRICAL 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.

Mileage: 194,000

20241028ELECTRICAL 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.

20240613POWER 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)

20210821UNKNOWN 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

20201012ENGINE

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.

Mileage: 150,000

20201007EXTERIOR 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?

Mileage: 143,360

20200526SERVICE 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. *TR

Mileage: 208,000

20200526VEHICLE 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. *TR

Mileage: 208,000

20190815SEATS

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.

20190619POWER TRAIN

TRANSMISSION FLUID TEMP IS OVERHEATING

Mileage: 102,000

20190211ENGINE

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.

Mileage: 130,837

20180510AIR BAGS

DEALER STATES AIRBAG HAS BAD INFLATER, NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY

Mileage: 88,000

20180508ELECTRICAL 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.

Mileage: 65,000

20180405EXTERIOR 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.*JS

20171108ELECTRICAL 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.

Mileage: 122,000

20171108VISIBILITY/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.

Mileage: 122,000

20171108EXTERIOR 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.

Mileage: 122,000

20171030CrashSTRUCTURE:BODY

HAVE HAD 2 MOTOR ACCIDENT AND THE AIR BIG NEVER DEPLOYMENT

20171030CrashSTEERING

HAVE HAD 2 MOTOR ACCIDENT AND THE AIR BIG NEVER DEPLOYMENT

Compare 2008PONTIACGRAND PRIX to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations

Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 2008 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX have?
The 2008 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX has 199 NHTSA complaints, 14 crashes, 5 fires, 15 injuries, and 1 deaths reported.
Are there any recalls for the 2008 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX?
Yes, the 2008 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX has 1 recall(s). The most common affected component is ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION. Recalls are issued by NHTSA and manufacturers must provide a free remedy.
What are the most common problems with the 2008 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX?
The most-complained component for the 2008 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX is ELECTRICAL SYSTEM with 40 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include EXTERIOR LIGHTING and AIR BAGS.
Is the 2008 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.