2008 Pontiac Grand Prix: problems, recalls and reliability
1 recall and 142 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is electrical system (21% of complaints).
Data updated weekly · latest recall Jul 2014
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 142 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“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.”Owner report · Exterior Lighting · Feb 2026
“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.”Owner report · Electrical System · Oct 2024
“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)”Owner report · Power Train · Jun 2024
Show 7 more owner reports
“Car cuts off without notice while driving . Starts back up but eventually shuts off again . Also when put in reverse it shuts off”Owner report · Unknown Or Other · Aug 2021
“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?”Owner report · Exterior Lighting · Oct 2020
“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.”Owner report · Engine · Oct 2020
“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”Owner report · Vehicle Speed Control · May 2020
“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.”Owner report · Seats · Aug 2019
“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.”Owner report · Engine · Jan 2019
“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.”Owner report · Electrical System · May 2018
When filing, owners marked a crash in 9 of these complaints and injuries in 11 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 1 campaign
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 agency on July 3, 2014, that they are recalling 5,877,718 model year 2000-2005 Chevrolet Impala and Monte Carlo, 1997-2003 Chevrolet Malibu, 2004-2005 Malibu Classic, 1999-2004 Oldsmobile Alero, 1998-2002 Oldsmobile Intrigue, 1999-2005 Pontiac Grand Am and 2004-2008 Pontiac Grand Prix vehicles. In these models, the weight on the key ring and/or road conditions or some other jarring event may cause the ignition switch to move out of the run position, turning off the engine.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will install two key rings and an insert in the key slot or a cover over the key head on all ignition keys, free of charge. The recall began on September 9, 2014. GM's number for this recall is 14350.
Trouble codes owners mention
OBD-II codes that appear in NHTSA complaints about this car.
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 2008 Pontiac Grand Prix reliable?
NHTSA has 142 owner complaints and 1 recall campaign on record for the 2008 Pontiac Grand Prix. The most complained-about area is electrical system (21% of complaints).
At what mileage do 2008 Pontiac Grand Prix problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 81,000 miles or less.
Does the 2008 Pontiac Grand Prix have open recalls?
1 recall campaign has been issued, the latest concerning electrical system:ignition. 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.