Pontiac Grand Prix years to avoid
The Pontiac Grand Prix years to avoid are 1997, 2004, 1998, 2000, 1999, 2001, 2002, 2006, 2007, 1994, 1990, 1995, 1991, 2005, 1989, 2008, 1993, 1988 — each drew complaint volumes well above the model's norm or has an open safety investigation. The 1982 is the cleanest year on record.
7,303
Total complaints
74
Recall campaigns
1965–2008
Years covered
18
Years to avoid
Complaints by model year
Grand Prix years to avoid
| Year | Why | Complaints | vs avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1997 | High complaints + open investigation | 1,064 | |
| 2004 | High complaint rate | 624 | |
| 1998 | High complaint rate | 618 | |
| 2000 | High complaint rate | 588 | |
| 1999 | High complaint rate | 500 | |
| 2001 | High complaint rate | 427 | |
| 2002 | High complaint rate | 410 | |
| 2006 | High complaint rate | 365 | |
| 2007 | High complaint rate | 323 | |
| 1994 | High complaint rate | 306 | |
| 1990 | High complaints + open investigation | 249 | |
| 1995 | High complaint rate | 245 | |
| 1991 | High complaints + open investigation | 242 | |
| 2005 | High complaint rate | 209 | |
| 1989 | High complaints + open investigation | 202 | |
| 2008 | High complaint rate | 199 | |
| 1993 | High complaint rate | 185 | |
| 1988 | Open safety investigation | 119 |
Every Grand Prix year
| Year | Complaints | Recalls | Investigations |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2008avoid | 199 | 1 | |
| 2007avoid | 323 | 4 | |
| 2006avoid | 365 | 2 | |
| 2005avoid | 209 | 2 | |
| 2004avoid | 624 | 9 | |
| 2003 | 137 | 7 | |
| 2002avoid | 410 | 7 | |
| 2001avoid | 427 | 10 | |
| 2000avoid | 588 | 9 | |
| 1999avoid | 500 | 8 | |
| 1998avoid | 618 | 8 | |
| 1997avoid | 1,064 | 9 | |
| 1996 | 116 | 2 | |
| 1995avoid | 245 | 4 | |
| 1994avoid | 306 | 2 | |
| 1993avoid | 185 | 2 | |
| 1992 | 158 | 2 | |
| 1991avoid | 242 | 6 | |
| 1990avoid | 249 | 9 | |
| 1989avoid | 202 | 10 | |
| 1988avoid | 119 | 12 | |
| 1987 | 2 | 2 | |
| 1986 | 3 | 6 | |
| 1985 | 4 | 2 | |
| 1984 | 3 | 3 | |
| 1983 | 2 | 2 | |
| 1982 | 0 | 1 | |
| 1981 | 0 | 1 | |
| 1980 | 0 | 4 | |
| 1979 | 0 | 5 | |
| 1978 | 0 | 6 | |
| 1977 | 2 | 3 | |
| 1976 | 0 | 1 | |
| 1974 | 1 | 1 | |
| 1973 | 0 | 3 | |
| 1972 | 0 | 1 | |
| 1970 | 0 | 1 | |
| 1966 | 0 | 2 | |
| 1965 | 0 | 1 |
Common questions
What are the worst Pontiac Grand Prix years?
Based on NHTSA complaint rates and open investigations, the Grand Prix years to avoid are 1997, 2004, 1998, 2000, 1999, 2001, 2002, 2006, 2007, 1994, 1990, 1995, 1991, 2005, 1989, 2008, 1993, 1988. The cleanest year on record is 1982.
What is the best year for the Pontiac Grand Prix?
By complaint volume, 1982 has the cleanest NHTSA record among Grand Prix years with enough data to compare.
How many recalls does the Pontiac Grand Prix have?
Across all model years, the Grand Prix has 74 distinct NHTSA recall campaigns and 7,303 consumer complaints on file.
Based on NHTSA ODI data through August 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated August 28, 2026.
Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.