Problems · NHTSA complaints
2008 Pontiac Grand Prix problems
Owners filed 143 complaints about the 2008 Pontiac Grand Prix with NHTSA between Jul 2008 and Oct 2026. The most-cited component is electrical system (43).
Complaints
143
Filed with NHTSA
Crashes
9
Reported by owners
Fires
3
Reported by owners
Injuries
11
People reported injured
Deaths
1
Reported to NHTSA
Complaints by component
One complaint can cite several components
- Electrical system43
- Exterior lighting30
- Air bags22
- Engine19
- Power train18
- Vehicle speed control9
- Steering9
- Service brakes8
- Structure6
- Engine and engine cooling5
- Service brakes, hydraulic4
- Fuel/propulsion system3
- Tires3
- Visibility/wiper2
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 10, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
When complaints were filed
Does it get worse with age? Complaints per calendar year filed
3
3
5
10
9
6
48
27
8
9
3
3
3
1
0
0
2
1
2
View as table
| Model year | Complaints filed per calendar year |
|---|---|
| 2008 | 3 |
| 2009 | 3 |
| 2010 | 5 |
| 2011 | 10 |
| 2012 | 9 |
| 2013 | 6 |
| 2014 | 48 |
| 2015 | 27 |
| 2016 | 8 |
| 2017 | 9 |
| 2018 | 3 |
| 2019 | 3 |
| 2020 | 3 |
| 2021 | 1 |
| 2022 | 0 |
| 2023 | 0 |
| 2024 | 2 |
| 2025 | 1 |
| 2026 | 2 |
Mileage at failure isn’t a structured field in NHTSA complaint data, so we don’t chart it. Some owners mention it in their reports below.
Top problems in owners’ words
Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first
Electrical system
43 reports1 crash3 fires1 related recall
“The contact owns a 2008 Pontiac Grand Prix. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the ignition switch unintendedly turned off the vehicle, and the vehicle lost power. The contact was able to immediately restart the vehicle. Occasionally, the contact had to wait for several minutes before the vehicle restarted and was able to be driven. The failure had become more persistent over time and the contact became aware that the failure mostly occurred in warmer weather. The contact became aware of NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V400000 (Electrical System); however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer to be diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 194,000.”
Exterior lighting
30 reports
“Took it in to Valvoline for an oil change and they checked the headlights,blinkers etc.They could not get main headlights to come on so they replaced them and they still would not come on.Told me I was going to have to take it to a mechanic.High beams and fog lights work but replaced bulbs and still no low beam headlights.There should be a recall on this since so many are having an issue.”
Air bags
22 reports8 crashes
“SINCE I BOUGHT THE CAR, I NOTICED ON MOTION THE FORCE ON THE PEDAL STARTED REDUCING. WHEN IT HAPPENS I REPRESS IT AGAIN WHICH WILL BECOME STABLE AT THAT PARTICULAR TIME. WILL GOT STUCK WHILE IN MOTION( 55MPR). I TOOK TO THE DEALERSHIP THEY TOLD ME NOTHING WRONG WITH THE CAR, AND THEN I WAS UNDER WARRANTY. THIS MORNING I TOOK IT TO MECHANIC, THEY TOLD ME IT'S ELECTRICAL PROBLEM WITH THROTTLE PEDAL AND SEAT.”
Engine
19 reports1 crash1 fire
“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.”
Power train
18 reports
“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]”
Vehicle speed control
9 reports
“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”
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 10, 2026
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.