NHTSA lists 2 safety recalls and 79 owner complaints for the 1996 Pontiac Grand Prix. Most complaints involve service brakes, hydraulic (15) and engine and engine cooling (12). The EPA rates it 18–21 mpg combined.
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.
CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES HAVE LOWER PINION BEARINGS IN THE POWER RACK AND PINION ASSEMBLY IN WHICH THE RETAINER TABS WERE NOT CRIMPED PROPERLY. THESE RETAINERS COULD FAIL AND PERMIT THE BALL BEARINGS TO ESCAPE.
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.
Complaints for each Grand Prix model year we’ve synced.
| Model year | NHTSA complaints |
|---|---|
| 1996 | 79 |
| 1997 | 820 |
| 1998 | 499 |
| 1999 | 412 |
| 2000 | 461 |
| 2001 | 319 |
| 2002 | 340 |
| 2003 | 119 |
| 2004 | 454 |
| 2005 | 148 |
| 2006 | 239 |
| 2007 | 220 |
| 2008 | 143 |
“FRONT BRAKE ROTORS ARE PREMATURELY WEARING. WHEN APPLYING BRAKES AT HIGH SPEED VEHICLE VIBRATES, AND PEDAL NEARLY GOES TO THE FLOOR, CAUSING EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE. *AK CONSUMER STATES VEHICLE IS VERY HARD TO STOP AT SPEEDS OVER 35 MPH ROTORS HAVE BEEN REPLACED 3 TIMES SINCE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED, AND NEED REPLACEMENT AGAIN AT THE PRESENT TIME. *JB”
“TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX. THE VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE TWICE WHERE DROPS OF ENGINE OIL FELL ON THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD. THE FIRES OCCURRED THREE DAYS AFTER PURCHASING THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT WAS RESPONSIBLE FOR THE REPAIR COST OF $2000. THE CONTACT WAS NOT AWARE OF RECALL# 09V116000, COMPONENT: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING WHEN THE FAILURE OCCURRED. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THEY WOULD RESEARCH THE FAILURE AND CALL HIM; HOWEVER, HE HAS NOT RECEIVED A CALL. WHEN THE THIRD FIRE OCCURRED THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE; ALTHOUGH, HE COULD HAVE BEEN INJURED. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE WAS RENDERED INOPERABLE AND TO TOW IT TO A DEALER. THE CONTACT REQUESTED THAT THE DEALER ASSUME THE TOWING COST; HOWEVER, THEY DENIED TO DO SO. THERE WAS NO REPORT FILED WITH THE FIRE DEPARTMENT. HE HAS MADE SEVERAL ATTEMPTS TO SPEAK WITH THE MANUFACTURER AND HAS BEEN UNSUCCESSFUL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.”
“VEHICLE ON 4TH ALTERNATOR AT 63,000 MILES. ALTERNATOR FAILURE IN THIS VEHICLE CAN OCCUR SUDDENLY, WITH LITTLE OR NO WARNING, AT ANY SPEED, LEAVING DRIVER WITH LIMITED ABILITY TO CONTROL VEHICLE. VOLUNTARY MANUFACTURER RECALL 8/99, SPARK PLUG WIRES REPLACED TO BETTER HANDLE ELECTRICAL LOADS. PROBLEM IMPROVED BUT NOT RESOLVED. OTHER VEHICLE OWNERS HAVE SAME EXPERIENCE AND COMPLAINTS INCLUDING AT NHTSA WEBSITE. VEHICLE MODEL & YEAR WITH 3.4 LITRE ENGINE UNABLE TO SUSTAIN NORMAL ELECTRICAL LOADS. ALTERNATOR FAILURE OCCURS EVERY 1-2 YEARS, ALWAYS WHEN AIR CONDITIONER OPERATING. MANUFACTURER REFUSED TO COVER MOST RECENT REPLACEMENT UNDER "SECRET WARRANTY". REPAIRS WITH REBUILT ALTERNATOR COST NEARLY $800 EXCLUDING TOW, CAR RENTAL & CELL PHONE CHARGES. VEHICLE BLOCKING LANE OF TRAFFIC ON MAJOR ARTERIAL DURING RUSH HOUR. FREQUENCY OF ALTERNATOR FAILURE IS CLEARLY NOT NORMAL WEAR OR USE. RECEIVED NO WRITTEN RESPONSE FROM PRIOR WRITTEN COMPLAINTS TO PONTIAC. TS”
Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.
| Version | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Grand Prix Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 3.1 L · Front-Wheel Drive | 18 | 26 | 21 | $2,950 | 423 |
| Grand Prix Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 3.4 L · Front-Wheel Drive | 15 | 24 | 18 | $3,450 | 494 |
| Item | Miles | Time | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine oil & filter | 5,000–10,000 mi | 6–12 months | Follow the oil-life monitor if fitted |
| Tire rotation | 5,000–7,500 mi | Every oil change | Check pressure monthly |
| Engine air filter | 15,000–30,000 mi | 1–2 years | Sooner in dusty areas |
| Cabin air filter | 15,000–25,000 mi | 1–2 years | |
| Brake fluid | — | 2–3 years | Absorbs moisture over time |
| Coolant | 60,000–100,000 mi | 5–10 years | Long-life coolants last longer |
| Spark plugs | 60,000–100,000 mi | — | Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end |
| 12V battery | — | 3–5 years | Heat shortens battery life |
2 safety recalls as of Nov 10, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.
Owners filed 79 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are service brakes, hydraulic (15), engine and engine cooling (12), electrical system (9). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.
The EPA rates the 1996 Pontiac Grand Prix at 18–21 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (2 versions rated).