1991 Pontiac Grand Prix: problems, recalls and reliability
6 recalls and 172 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is service brakes, hydraulic (40% of complaints).
Data updated weekly · latest recall Mar 2007
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 172 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“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 or I shall I just junk the car!!!!!!!!!!!!! The engine subrame is almost hanging on the ground!!!!!!! Why were these closed or expired????? Thanks in advance, mark”Owner report · Structure · Sep 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 number were unknown. The tire and vehicle failure mileage was approximately 15,000. Ma 10/2 updated 10/20/2017*cn”Owner report · Tires · Jun 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”Owner report · Structure · Nov 2010
Show 7 more owner reports
“Donut spare tire rim failed after driving through a 1/2-inch deep pot hole within 10 feet of where I had a flat with the full size tire. Rim was bent beyond repair. If I would have had the spare tire on the highway I would have damaged car. If auto makers are so concerned about safety why do they give you a tiny spare tire and tiny jack that barely holds the car up? The rim collapsed the same year I bought the new car. Seventeen years later I had the jack slide out from under my car and the car fell on my leg and I have lasting bruise marks from the injury. *tr”Owner report · Wheels · Sep 2007
“Tl*the contact owns a 1991 pontiac grand prix. During a routine maintenance check, the repair shop stated that the engine cradle brackett corroded. There is a recall for the structure (NHTSA campaign #00v189000) however; the manufacturer stated that the VIN was not included. The current and failure mileages were 168,000.”Owner report · Structure · Jul 2007
“Tl*the contact owns a 1991 pontiac grand prix ste. The contact stated that the vehicle fails to start unless the steering wheel is turned in a certain position. She also stated that the brake lights will not work unless the headlights are activated. As a result, fuses have blown and the vehicle occasionally overheats. She notified the dealer who stated that her VIN was not included in any recalls. The contact referenced recall # 92v182000 (electrical system:fuses and circuit breakers). The engine size, powertrain, and failure mileage were unknown. The current mileage is 150,647.”Owner report · Electrical System · Apr 2007
“My 1991 pontiac grand prix has exhibited the same exact issues described by NHTSA campaign 00v189000. The bolts that hold the back end of the motor cradle corroded through and the engine fell as described in the description of gm campaign 00061, including the steering shaft separating so that the car became . The VIN of my vehicle places it as about 4000 units after the end of the recall. *jb”Owner report · Structure · Nov 2006
“Dt*: the contact stated while driving 30 mph on normal road conditions the head and fog lights became darkened without any warning. There is a recall # 92v182000, which pertaining to the electrical system: fuses and circuit breakers. The VIN is not included in the recall.”Owner report · Electrical System · Jul 2006
“While the vehicle was parked, the driver noticed that the rear cradle bolts were broken. The cause has not been determined at this time. Please provide further details.”Owner report · Structure · Feb 2005
“Pontiac directed me to local dealer to complete recall work. Local dealer said there are no open recalls on my vehicle based on my VIN. That does not jive with what pontiac told me.*ak”Owner report · Steering · Feb 2005
When filing, owners marked a crash in 9 of these complaints and injuries in 9 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 6 campaigns
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).
CERTAIN DELPHI FUEL PRESSURE REGULATORS, P/NOS. FP10020-11B1, FP10026-11B1, AND FP10027-11B1, SOLD AFTER JANUARY 9, 2007, AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. THE UNIVERSAL PRESSURE REGULATORS (UPR) WERE PRODUCED WITHOUT AN O'RING AND RETAINER.
Remedy: DELPHI WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE UPR FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 23, 2007. OWNERS CAN CONTACT DELPHI AT 877-411-8770.
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.
THE FRONT DOOR SHOULDER BELT GUIDE LOOPS MAY BE CRACKED AND ARE NOT IN COMPLIANCE WITH FMVSS 208.
Remedy: INSTALL REINFORCING PLATES ON THE CRACKED SHOULDER BELT GUIDES.
THE FOG LAMPS, LOW BEAM HEADLAMPS, AND HIGH BEAM HEADLAMPS CAN BE OPERATED SIMULTANEOUSLY. THIS CAN CAUSE THE HEADLAMP CIRCUIT BREAKER TO OVERLOAD AND TRIP, RESULTING IN LOSS OF HEADLAMPS (LOW AND HIGH BEAM) AND FOG LIGHTS.
Remedy: INSTALL NEW FOG LAMP RELAYS, NEW CIRCUIT BREAKERS AND NEW CIRCUIT BREAKER TERMINALS. ALSO, MODIFY THE LIGHTING CIRCUIT TO PREVENT THE FOG LAMPS AND HIGH BEAM LAMPS FROM OPERATING SIMULTANEOUSLY.
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 1991 Pontiac Grand Prix reliable?
NHTSA has 172 owner complaints and 6 recall campaigns on record for the 1991 Pontiac Grand Prix. The most complained-about area is service brakes, hydraulic (40% of complaints).
At what mileage do 1991 Pontiac Grand Prix problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 128,000 miles or less.
Does the 1991 Pontiac Grand Prix have open recalls?
6 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning fuel system, gasoline. 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.