1990 Pontiac Grand Prix: problems, recalls and reliability
9 recalls and 176 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is service brakes, hydraulic (47% of complaints).
Data updated weekly · latest recall May 2006
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 176 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“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”Owner report · Engine And Engine Cooling · Feb 2006
“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”Owner report · Unknown Or Other · Jun 2004
“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.”Owner report · Suspension · Feb 2004
Show 7 more owner reports
“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”Owner report · Structure · Jan 2004
“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”Owner report · Engine And Engine Cooling · Dec 2003
“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”Owner report · Structure · Aug 2003
“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”Owner report · Service Brakes, Hydraulic · Mar 2003
“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”Owner report · Engine And Engine Cooling · Dec 2002
“While driving at any speed and hitting a bump steering column will pull to right or left. Cause unknown. Dealer notified.*ak”Owner report · Suspension · May 2002
“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”Owner report · Suspension · Apr 2002
When filing, owners marked a crash in 11 of these complaints and injuries in 11 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 9 campaigns
FRONT SHOULDER SAFETY BELT WEBBING MAY SEPARATE AT FRONT BELT UPPER GUIDE LOOPS ON EITHER SIDE OF THE FRONT SEAT.
Remedy: INSTALL A CONTROLLED ROTATION BRACKET ON DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE FRONT SEAT BELT GUIDE LOOPS.
BRAKE STOPLAMPS MAY NOT ILLUMINATE OR, IN SOME CASES, STOPLAMPS WILL NOT STAY ILLUMINATED ALL THE TIME WHEN BRAKES ARE APPLIED DUE TO A FAULTY STOPLAMP SWITCH. ALSO IN VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH CRUISE CONTROL, A FAULTY STOPLAMP SWITCH CAN RESULT IN RESUMPTION OF THE CRUISE CONTROL FUNCTION UPON RELEASE OF THE BRAKE PEDAL.
Remedy: INSTALL AN IMPROVED DESIGN STOPLAMP SWITCH.
CERTAIN REPLACEMENT FUEL FILTERS, FRAM BRAND NAME P/N G3727, WITH DATE CODES X52911 THROUGH X60801 SEQUENTIALLY OR X600141 AND A MEXICO COUNTRY OR ORIGIN MARKING ON THE FUEL FILTER HOUSING MANUFACTURED FROM OCTOBER 18, 2005, THROUGH MARCH 21, 2006, SOLD FOR USE ON THE VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE AND ON CERTAIN SCHOOL BUSES. (TO SEE THE SCHOOL BUS ENGINE SIZES, CLICK ON "DOCUMENT SEARCH" AND THEN "BUS APPLICATIONS"). THE CONNECTOR ON THE FUEL FILTER WAS NOT MANUFACTURED TO HONEYWELL'S SPECIFICATION. AS A RESULT, THE O-RING MAY NOT SEAT CORRECTLY ON THE FUEL LINE.
Remedy: HONEYWELL WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE FUEL FILTERS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 18, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FRAM CUSTOMER SERVICE AT 1-800-890-2075 (OPTION 1).
CRACKS DEVELOP IN THE WHEEL MOUNTING SURFACE. IF THESE CRACKS BECOME SEVERE ENOUGH, THE WHEEL WILL COMPLETELY SEPARATE FROM THE VEHICLE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE MANUFACTURING CODES STAMPED ON EACH WHEEL OF THE VEHICLE AND IF A WHEEL FALLS WITHIN THE SPECIFIED DATE CODE RANGE, THE DEALER WILL REPLACE THAT WHEEL ASSEMBLY.
FRONT SHOULDER BELT GUIDE LOOP ATTACHMENT FASTENER MAY PULL THROUGH DOOR MOUNTED ANCHOR PLATE.
Remedy: REPLACE FRONT SHOULDER BELT GUIDE LOOP ATTACHMENT NUTS AND INSTALL NEW GUIDE COVER.
CRACKS DEVELOP IN THE WHEEL MOUNTING SURFACE. IF THESE CRACKS BECOME SEVERE ENOUGH, THE WHEEL WILL COMPLETELY SEPARATE FROM THE VEHICLE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE MANUFACTURING DATE CODES STAMPED ON EACH WHEEL OF THE VEHICLE AND IF A WHEEL FALLS WITHIN THE SPECIFIED DATE CODE RANGE, THE DEALER WILL REPLACE THAT WHEEL ASSEMBLY.
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES ORIGINALLY SOLD OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE STATES OF CONNECTICUT, DELAWARE, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, IOWA, MAINE, MARYLAND, MASSACHUSETTS, MICHIGAN, MINNESOTA, MISSOURI, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW JERSEY, NEW YORK, OHIO, PENNSYLVANIA, RHODE ISLAND, VERMONT, WEST VIRGINIA, WISCONSIN, AND THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, WHERE ROAD SALT USE IS HEAVY. A CONDITION WHERE ONE OR BOTH FRONT ENGINE CRADLE BOLTS CAN PULL THROUGH THE RETAINERS DUE TO CORROSION OF THE RETAINERS.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FRONT AND REAR FRAME/CRADLE BOLTS AND RETAINERS.
DURING A REAR END COLLISION, THE REAR EXHAUST SYSTEM HEAT SHIELD, WHICH IS WELDED TO THE TAIL PIPE ASSEMBLY, MAY PUNCTURE THE FUEL TANK.
Remedy: REMOVE REAR EXHAUST SYSTEM HEAT SHIELD FROM THE PIPE ASSEMBLY.
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES AND MINI VANS ORIGINALLY SOLD OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE FOLLOWING STATES: CONNECTICUT, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, MAINE, MASSACHUSETTS, MICHIGAN, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW JERSEY, NEW YORK, OHIO, PENNSYLVANIA, RHODE ISLAND, VERMONT AND WISCONSIN. THE REAR CRADLE BOLTS PULL THROUGH THE RETAINERS DUE TO CORROSION OF THE RETAINER. IF BOTH BOLTS PULL THROUGH, THE REAR CRADLE WOULD NOT LONGER BE SUPPORTED AT THESE MOUNTING LOCATIONS AND THE STEERING INTERMEDIATE SHAFT CAN SEPARATE FROM THE STEERING GEAR.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE REAR CRADLE BOLTS AND RETAINERS.
How other years compare
Check your exact Grand Prix by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 1990 Pontiac Grand Prix reliable?
NHTSA has 176 owner complaints and 9 recall campaigns on record for the 1990 Pontiac Grand Prix. The most complained-about area is service brakes, hydraulic (47% of complaints).
At what mileage do 1990 Pontiac Grand Prix problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 73,519 miles or less.
Does the 1990 Pontiac Grand Prix have open recalls?
9 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning seat belts. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.