Research · Midsize Cars

2000 Pontiac Grand PrixRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 9 safety recalls and 461 owner complaints for the 2000 Pontiac Grand Prix. Most complaints involve engine and engine cooling (150) and engine (73). The EPA rates it 19–21 mpg combined.

Combined MPG
19–21mpg
EPA · 3 versions
NHTSA overall
—
Not rated by NCAP
Safety recalls
9campaigns
Latest Oct 2015
Owner complaints
461
Top: engine and engine cooling
Fuel cost / yr
$3,050est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

9 NHTSA campaigns · applies to some vehicles, check your VIN

Engine and engine cooling: engine

Free remedy

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 1998-1999 Chevrolet Lumina and Oldsmobile Intrigue, 1997-2004 Buick Regal and Pontiac Grand Prix, 2000-2004 Chevrolet Impala, and 1998-2004 Chevrolet Monte Carlo vehicles. The affected vehicles were previously repaired under recalls 08V-118, 09V-116, and 15V-201 to address the possibility that engine oil may drip onto the hot exhaust manifold.

Engine and engine coolingReported Oct 26, 2015NHTSA 15V701000

Exterior lighting: headlights

Free remedy

DOPE, INC. IS RECALLING 42,540 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.

Exterior lightingReported May 11, 2009NHTSA 09E025000

Engine and engine cooling

Free remedy

GENERAL MOTORS IS RECALLING 1,497,516 MY 1997-2003 BUICK REGAL, MY 1998-2003 CHEVROLET LUMINA, MONTE CARLO AND IMPALA, MY 1998-1999 OLDSMOBILE INTRIGUE, MY 1997-2003 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH A 3.8L V6 NATURALLY ASPIRATED ENGINE. SOME OF THESE VEHICLES HAVE A CONDITION IN WHICH DROPS OF ENGINE OIL MAY BE DEPOSITED ON THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD THROUGH HARD BRAKING.

Engine and engine coolingReported Apr 8, 2009NHTSA 09V116000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Oct 27, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

461 complaints filed with NHTSA · Nov 1999 – Mar 2024
  1. Engine and engine cooling150
  2. Engine73
  3. Electrical system63
  4. Power train42
  5. Steering35
  6. Visibility23
  7. Exterior lighting22
  8. Fuel system, gasoline20
  9. Service brakes, hydraulic19

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

By model year

Complaints for each Grand Prix model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
199679
1997820
1998499
1999412
2000461
2001319
2002339
2003119
2004454
2005148
2006239
2007220
2008143
Crashes reported
10
Fires reported
162
Injuries reported
9
Deaths reported
0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Oct 27, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Engine and engine cooling

150 reports87 fires
“2000 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO VEHICLE FIRE/ TOTALED, TOWED TO JUNK YARD AND CONSUMER STATES STILL RECEIVES ENGINE OIL DEPOSIT ONTO MANIFOLD EXHAUST RECALL NOTICE. *SMD”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 22, 2016Engine and engine coolingFire reportedODI 10907893

Engine

73 reports45 fires
“The contact owns a 2000 Pontiac Grand Prix. The contact stated that the vehicle was towed to the dealer for service under NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V701000 (Engine and Engine Cooling) however after the service the vehicle started but did not idle due to an air intake hose not reinstalled on the vehicle. The contact stated that the air intake hose needs to be replaced however, the repairs have not been completed. The contact stated that before taking the vehicle into service the manufacturer was made aware of an issue with the dealer due to his interaction with the service manager. He was worried that the dealer was not going to service his vehicle correctly. The contact did not have a case number available as he stated that he had contacted the manufacturer several times. The contact stated that the vehicle had no issues before the recall service. The approximate failure mileage was 159,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Mar 20, 2024EngineODI 11578508

Electrical system

63 reports25 fires
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED INSPECTION. AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC DIAGNOSED THAT THERE WAS A COMMUNICATION FAILURE AND A FUSE MAY NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT WAS NOT NOTIFIED, BUT THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 00V228000 (SEAT BELTS) AND 15V701000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILED INSPECTION AND THE CONTACT WAS WAITING TO DETERMINE IF THEY WOULD PROVIDE A DEALER TO SERVICE THE TWO RECALL REPAIRS AND DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 3, 2017Electrical system, Seat belts, EngineODI 11012661
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Oct 27, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

3 versions rated by the EPA
EPA class
Midsize Cars
Engines
3.1L 6-cyl · 3.8L 6-cyl · 3.8L 6-cyl supercharged
Transmissions
Automatic 4-spd
Drive
Front-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Regular Gasoline · Premium Gasoline

Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.

Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Oct 27, 2026EPA listing
05 —Fuel economy

EPA fuel economy by version

City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
VersionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
Grand Prix
Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 3.1 L · Front-Wheel Drive
182721$3,050423
Grand Prix
Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 3.8 L · Front-Wheel Drive
172721$3,050423
Grand Prix
Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 3.8 L, Sup Charg · Front-Wheel Drive
162519$4,200468
  • Grand Prix
    Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 3.1 L
    18 city · 27 hwy · $3,050/yr
    21
    mpg comb.
  • Grand Prix
    Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 3.8 L
    17 city · 27 hwy · $3,050/yr
    21
    mpg comb.
  • Grand Prix
    Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 3.8 L, Sup Charg
    16 city · 25 hwy · $4,200/yr
    19
    mpg comb.
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Oct 27, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

New Car Assessment Program
NHTSA has not published 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2000 Pontiac Grand Prix as of Oct 27, 2026.
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Oct 27, 2026
07 —Maintenance

Maintenance basics

General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
ItemMilesTimeNote
Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi6–12 monthsFollow the oil-life monitor if fitted
Tire rotation5,000–7,500 miEvery oil changeCheck pressure monthly
Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi1–2 yearsSooner in dusty areas
Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi1–2 years
Brake fluid—2–3 yearsAbsorbs moisture over time
Coolant60,000–100,000 mi5–10 yearsLong-life coolants last longer
Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi—Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end
12V battery—3–5 yearsHeat shortens battery life
  • Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi
    6–12 months
  • Tire rotation5,000–7,500 mi
    Every oil change
  • Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Brake fluid—
    2–3 years
  • Coolant60,000–100,000 mi
    5–10 years
  • Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi
    —
  • 12V battery—
    3–5 years
Typical intervals for modern cars. Severe service (towing, short trips, extreme heat or cold) shortens them.
09 —FAQ

2000 Grand Prix questions

How many recalls does the 2000 Pontiac Grand Prix have?

9 safety recalls as of Oct 27, 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.

What are the most common 2000 Pontiac Grand Prix problems?

Owners filed 461 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are engine and engine cooling (150), engine (73), electrical system (63). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2000 Pontiac Grand Prix get?

The EPA rates the 2000 Pontiac Grand Prix at 19–21 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (3 versions rated).

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Oct 27, 2026