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Research · Midsize Cars

2006 Pontiac Grand PrixRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 2 safety recalls and 239 owner complaints for the 2006 Pontiac Grand Prix. Most complaints involve electrical system (65) and power train (61). The EPA rates it 19–21 mpg combined.

Check a VINAdd to my garage
Combined MPG
19–21mpg
EPA · 4 versions
NHTSA overall
—
Not rated by NCAP
Safety recalls
2campaigns
Latest Jul 2014
Owner complaints
239
Top: electrical system
Fuel cost / yr
$2,950est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

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

Electrical system: ignition

Free remedy

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.

Electrical systemReported Jul 3, 2014NHTSA 14V400000

Steering

Free remedy

DORMAN IS RECALLING 979 STEERING KNUCKLES, DORMAN P/NOS. 697-902 AND 697-903, SOLD UNDER DORMAN'S "OE SOLUTIONS<SUP>TM</SUP>" BRAND NAME, AND NAPA P/NOS. 7-8502 AND 7-8503 WHICH WERE SOLD FOR REPLACEMENT USE ON THE VARIOUS VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. A POTENTIAL MATERIAL OR DESIGN DEFECT COULD RESULT IN THE STEERING KNUCKLE BREAKING IN THE HUB AREA.

SteeringReported Feb 17, 2009NHTSA 09E005000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 10, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

239 complaints filed with NHTSA · Dec 2005 – Aug 2023
  1. Electrical system65
  2. Power train61
  3. Exterior lighting48
  4. Steering42
  5. Engine32
  6. Air bags19
  7. Service brakes, hydraulic11
  8. Service brakes10
  9. Suspension10

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
2002340
2003119
2004454
2005148
2006239
2007220
2008143
Crashes reported
17
Fires reported
21
Injuries reported
22
Deaths reported
0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 10, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Electrical system

65 reports3 crashes14 fires
“MY CAR STARTED ON FIRE WHILE ON A CITY ROAD BECAUSE OF THE POWER STEERING PUMP PULLEY COMPLETELY SPRUNG OFF SERPENTINE BELT MELTED COOLANT RESERVOIR MELTED FUSE BOX BE MELTED FROM THE FIRE HOW MANY OTHER THINGS SOMETHING TO DO WITH THE POWER STEERING PUMP LEAKING FLUID AND HITTING MY EXHAUST CAUSING A FIRE IN MY CAR”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jan 25, 2021Steering, Electrical system, EngineFire reportedODI 11389713

Power train

61 reports1 crash
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE STALLED UPON DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL WITH THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT RESTARTED THE VEHICLE. NEITHER THE MANUFACTURER NOR THE DEALER WERE NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 95,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jun 15, 2020Power train, EngineODI 11328988

Exterior lighting

48 reports7 fires
“MY POWER STEERING WENT OUT AND WHEN YOU TRY TO GO OVER 40 THE CAR LUNGES FORWARD AND HAS A HARD TIME SHIFTING AND WILL CONTINUE WHILE IN CRUISE CONTROL. I ALREADY HAD WORK DONE ON THE FUEL LINE CAUSE THE LINE WAS CLOGGED AND THE VEHICLE WOULD LUNGE FORWARD CAUSE THE FUEL WASN'T GETTING PUSHED THROUGH. MY POWER STEERING WENT OUT AFTER MY BOYFRIEND PARKED IT. HE ONLY NOTICED IT WHEN HE TRIED DRIVING AWAY AND HE COULDN'T TURN THE WHEEL LIKE USUAL. THE CRUISE CONTROL DOES ITS THING WHILE IN MOTION. ALSO THE HEADLAMPS! THE BRIGHTS STAY ON, YOU HAVE TO HOLD THE DIMMER SWITCH BACK TO GET THE BRIGHTS TO TURN OFF BUT IF YOU LET GO OF THE SWITCH THEY TURN ON AND FLASH PEOPLE. IT ONLY TURNS OFF WHEN TURNING LEFT. THE AC COMPRESSOR BLEW TOO. I HAD BOUGHT THE VEHICLE 3 YEARS AGO DURING THE WINTER SO IT WAS BLOWING COLD AIR, BUT WHEN SUMMER HIT IS WHEN I NOTICED IT WAS ONLY BLOWING AIR FROM OUTSIDE INTO THE CAB. THE HEATER WORKS, BUT THE AC DOESN'T. MY BOYFRIEND WAS DRIVING HOME RECENTLY AND COULDN'T MOVE THE STEERING WHEEL AND ALMOST HAD A HEAD ON COLLISION BECAUSE OF THE POWER STEERING. THE POWER STEERING HAPPENED IN TOWN AT HIS PLACE OF WORK AND HAD TO DRIVE ON THE…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Mar 1, 2021Steering, Exterior lighting, Vehicle speed controlODI 11398596
All 2006 Grand Prix problemsSend a problem to a mechanic on findmechanic.ai
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 10, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

4 versions rated by the EPA
EPA class
Midsize Cars
Engines
3.8L 6-cyl · 3.8L 6-cyl supercharged · 5.3L 8-cyl
Transmissions
Automatic 4-spd · Automatic (S4)
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 Nov 10, 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, 3.8 L · Front-Wheel Drive
182821$2,950423
Grand Prix
Auto (S4), 6 cyl, 3.8 L, Sup Charg · Front-Wheel Drive
172620$3,850444
Grand Prix
Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 3.8 L, Sup Charg · Front-Wheel Drive
172620$3,850444
Grand Prix
Auto (S4), 8 cyl, 5.3 L · Front-Wheel Drive
162519$4,050468
  • Grand Prix
    Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 3.8 L
    18 city · 28 hwy · $2,950/yr
    21
    mpg comb.
  • Grand Prix
    Auto (S4), 6 cyl, 3.8 L, Sup Charg
    17 city · 26 hwy · $3,850/yr
    20
    mpg comb.
  • Grand Prix
    Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 3.8 L, Sup Charg
    17 city · 26 hwy · $3,850/yr
    20
    mpg comb.
  • Grand Prix
    Auto (S4), 8 cyl, 5.3 L
    16 city · 25 hwy · $4,050/yr
    19
    mpg comb.
Estimate your fuel costCost of ownership
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 10, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

1 tested variant
NHTSA has not published 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2006 Pontiac Grand Prix as of Nov 10, 2026.
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Nov 10, 2026Vehicle 1814
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

2006 Grand Prix questions

How many recalls does the 2006 Pontiac Grand Prix have?

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.

What are the most common 2006 Pontiac Grand Prix problems?

Owners filed 239 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are electrical system (65), power train (61), exterior lighting (48). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2006 Pontiac Grand Prix get?

The EPA rates the 2006 Pontiac Grand Prix at 19–21 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (4 versions rated).

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 10, 2026