VehicleVerdict

1990 Pontiac Grand Prix problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

The 1990 Pontiac Grand Prix carries two red flags at once: 249 consumer complaints filed with NHTSA — 2.1× the Grand Prix norm — and an open NHTSA defect investigation (subject: CRADLE BOLT FAILURES). It is one of the Grand Prix years to avoid. Complainants reported 20 injuries in total across these filings.

The trouble concentrates in one system: brakes issues account for 49% of all reports (121 of 249), far ahead of body & structure at 28.

249

NHTSA complaints

9

Recalls

10

Investigations · 1 open

17

Crash-involved

2

Fires reported

20

Injuries

0

Deaths

NCAP overall

How does 1990 compare to other Grand Prix years?

See all Grand Prix years to avoid →

What are the most common 1990 Pontiac Grand Prix problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Brakes12149%
Body & Structure2811%
Electrical System218%
Engine208%
Suspension135%
Steering125%
Lighting114%
Other52%
Transmission52%
Seat Belts42%
Speed Control31%
Tires & Wheels21%
Seats10%
Airbags10%
Fuel System10%
Climate Control (A/C & Heat)10%

Does the 1990 Pontiac Grand Prix have recalls?

9 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

06E043000Fuel SystemMay 19, 2006 · 88,303 units

Defect

CERTAIN REPLACEMENT FUEL FILTERS, FRAM BRAND NAME P/N G3727, WITH DATE CODES X52911 THROUGH X60801 SEQUENTIALLY OR X600141 AND A MEXICO COUNTRY OR ORIGIN MARKING ON THE FUEL FILTER HOUSING MANUFACTURED FROM OCTOBER 18, 2005, THROUGH MARCH 21, 2006, SOLD FOR USE ON THE VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE AND ON CERTAIN SCHOOL BUSES. (TO SEE THE SCHOOL BUS ENGINE SIZES, CLICK ON "DOCUMENT SEARCH" AND THEN "BUS APPLICATIONS"). THE CONNECTOR ON THE FUEL FILTER WAS NOT MANUFACTURED TO HONEYWELL'S SPECIFICATION. AS A RESULT, THE O-RING MAY NOT SEAT CORRECTLY ON THE FUEL LINE.

Consequence

THIS CONDITION MAY CAUSE AN INADEQUATE SEAL AT THE CONNECTION, POTENTIALLY LEADING TO A FUEL LEAK. IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, A FIRE COULD OCCUR.

Remedy

HONEYWELL WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE FUEL FILTERS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 18, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FRAM CUSTOMER SERVICE AT 1-800-890-2075 (OPTION 1).

00V189000Body & StructureJuly 11, 2000 · 713,435 units

Defect

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES ORIGINALLY SOLD OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE STATES OF CONNECTICUT, DELAWARE, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, IOWA, MAINE, MARYLAND, MASSACHUSETTS, MICHIGAN, MINNESOTA, MISSOURI, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW JERSEY, NEW YORK, OHIO, PENNSYLVANIA, RHODE ISLAND, VERMONT, WEST VIRGINIA, WISCONSIN, AND THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, WHERE ROAD SALT USE IS HEAVY. A CONDITION WHERE ONE OR BOTH FRONT ENGINE CRADLE BOLTS CAN PULL THROUGH THE RETAINERS DUE TO CORROSION OF THE RETAINERS.

Consequence

IF BOTH BOLTS PULL THROUGH, THE FRONT OF THE CRADLE WOULD NO LONGER BE SUPPORTED AT THE MOUNTING LOCATIONS AND THE STEERING INTERMEDIATE SHAFT COULD SEPARATE FROM THE STEERING GEAR.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FRONT AND REAR FRAME/CRADLE BOLTS AND RETAINERS.

97V058000Body & StructureApril 8, 1997 · 676,535 units

Defect

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES AND MINI VANS ORIGINALLY SOLD OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE FOLLOWING STATES: CONNECTICUT, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, MAINE, MASSACHUSETTS, MICHIGAN, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW JERSEY, NEW YORK, OHIO, PENNSYLVANIA, RHODE ISLAND, VERMONT AND WISCONSIN. THE REAR CRADLE BOLTS PULL THROUGH THE RETAINERS DUE TO CORROSION OF THE RETAINER. IF BOTH BOLTS PULL THROUGH, THE REAR CRADLE WOULD NOT LONGER BE SUPPORTED AT THESE MOUNTING LOCATIONS AND THE STEERING INTERMEDIATE SHAFT CAN SEPARATE FROM THE STEERING GEAR.

Consequence

IF THIS WERE TO OCCUR WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION, A VEHICLE CRASH COULD RESULT.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE REAR CRADLE BOLTS AND RETAINERS.

95V115000Tires & WheelsJune 5, 1995 · 22,361 units

Defect

CRACKS DEVELOP IN THE WHEEL MOUNTING SURFACE. IF THESE CRACKS BECOME SEVERE ENOUGH, THE WHEEL WILL COMPLETELY SEPARATE FROM THE VEHICLE.

Consequence

IF WHEEL SEPARATION OCCURS WHILE THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION, LOSS OF STEERING AND BRAKE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE OCCURS, AND A VEHICLE CRASH COULD RESULT WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE MANUFACTURING DATE CODES STAMPED ON EACH WHEEL OF THE VEHICLE AND IF A WHEEL FALLS WITHIN THE SPECIFIED DATE CODE RANGE, THE DEALER WILL REPLACE THAT WHEEL ASSEMBLY.

94V041000Tires & WheelsMarch 28, 1995 · 198,163 units

Defect

CRACKS DEVELOP IN THE WHEEL MOUNTING SURFACE. IF THESE CRACKS BECOME SEVERE ENOUGH, THE WHEEL WILL COMPLETELY SEPARATE FROM THE VEHICLE.

Consequence

IF WHEEL SEPARATION OCCURS WHILE THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION, LOSS OF STEERING AND BRAKE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE OCCURS, AND A VEHICLE CRASH COULD RESULT WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE MANUFACTURING CODES STAMPED ON EACH WHEEL OF THE VEHICLE AND IF A WHEEL FALLS WITHIN THE SPECIFIED DATE CODE RANGE, THE DEALER WILL REPLACE THAT WHEEL ASSEMBLY.

91V005000Seat BeltsOctober 2, 1991 · 412,792 units

Defect

FRONT SHOULDER SAFETY BELT WEBBING MAY SEPARATE AT FRONT BELT UPPER GUIDE LOOPS ON EITHER SIDE OF THE FRONT SEAT.

Consequence

WEBBING SEPARATION COULD OCCUR WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING ANDINCREASE THE RISK OF INJURY TO BELTED FRONT OUTBOARD OCCUPANTS IN A HIGH ENERGYCRASH.

Remedy

INSTALL A CONTROLLED ROTATION BRACKET ON DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE FRONT SEAT BELT GUIDE LOOPS.

90V185000LightingOctober 16, 1990 · 476,422 units

Defect

BRAKE STOPLAMPS MAY NOT ILLUMINATE OR, IN SOME CASES, STOPLAMPS WILL NOT STAY ILLUMINATED ALL THE TIME WHEN BRAKES ARE APPLIED DUE TO A FAULTY STOPLAMP SWITCH. ALSO IN VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH CRUISE CONTROL, A FAULTY STOPLAMP SWITCH CAN RESULT IN RESUMPTION OF THE CRUISE CONTROL FUNCTION UPON RELEASE OF THE BRAKE PEDAL.

Consequence

A TRAILING VEHICLE MAY NOT RECOGNIZE A BRAKING ACTIONIN TIME TO RESPOND APPROPRIATELY. ALSO, CRUISE CONTROL WILL REENGAGE UPONRELEASE OF THE BRAKE PEDAL AND RESUME THE SET SPEED. IN EITHER CASE, IT COULDRESULT IN A CRASH WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING.

Remedy

INSTALL AN IMPROVED DESIGN STOPLAMP SWITCH.

90V054000Seat BeltsMarch 14, 1990 · 673,000 units

Defect

FRONT SHOULDER BELT GUIDE LOOP ATTACHMENT FASTENER MAY PULL THROUGH DOOR MOUNTED ANCHOR PLATE.

Consequence

SEAT BELT MAY NOT SUSTAIN LOADS REQUIRED BY FMVSS 210, AND IN A VEHICLE ACCIDENT, THE SEAT BELT MAY NOT PROPERLY RESTRAIN A PASSENGER, RESULTING IN INCREASED RISK OF GREATER INJURY TO AN OCCUPANT.

Remedy

REPLACE FRONT SHOULDER BELT GUIDE LOOP ATTACHMENT NUTS AND INSTALL NEW GUIDE COVER.

90V036000Fuel SystemFebruary 20, 1990 · 1,121 units

Defect

DURING A REAR END COLLISION, THE REAR EXHAUST SYSTEM HEAT SHIELD, WHICH IS WELDED TO THE TAIL PIPE ASSEMBLY, MAY PUNCTURE THE FUEL TANK.

Consequence

IN THE PRESENCE OF AN EXTERNAL SOURCE OF IGNITION, THIS COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.

Remedy

REMOVE REAR EXHAUST SYSTEM HEAT SHIELD FROM THE PIPE ASSEMBLY.

Open NHTSA investigations

RQ97017

CRADLE BOLT FAILURES

There is no summary currently available

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

WHEN THE BRAKES ARE APPLIED THE ABS SHORTS OUT , THE VEHICLE SLOWS DOWN BUT WILL NOT COME TO A COMPLETE STOP, CAUSING THE DRIVER TO COLLIDE . THE DEALER HAS REPLACED AND REPAIRED THE ABS SYSTEM PRIOR TO THE INCIDENT. *AK

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · March 5, 1997 · crash

WHILE DRIVING 30MPH HIT A TREE AND FRONT WAS IN A V SHAPE AFTER ACCIDENT. AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. RADIATOR AND HOOD WERE NO GOOD. *AK THE BUMPER WAS SPLIT IN HALF AND THE HOOD BUCKLED IN A 45 DEGREE ANGLE. *YH

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Body & Structure · November 8, 2000 · crash

WHILE DRIVING AND TURNING, STEERING WHEEL SMOKE COMES FROM AREA OF IGNITION SWITCH, CAN SMELL BURNING ODOR, COLUMN AREA GETS REAL HOT; CAUSE UNKNOWN. *AK

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · May 22, 1996 · fire

WHILE DRIVING ABOUT 40 MPH THE ENGINE ALMOST FELL OUT DUE TO RUSTING OF THE ENGINE CRADLE. DRIVER WAS ABLE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE SAFELY TO A MECHANIC. ENGINE CRADLE AND ENGINE MOUNTS WAS REPLACED AT A REPAIR SHOP. PLACE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · July 28, 1999

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 40MPH THE LEFT REAR WHEEL STEERED 45 DEGREES TO THE SIDE AND THE VEHICLE WENT OUT OF CONTROL. THE VEHICLE COLLIDED HEAD ON WITH A TREE. THE DRIVER WAS WEARING A SEAT BELT, BUT SUSTAINED INJURIES. THE POLICE TOOK A REPORT AT THE SCENE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Suspension · February 1, 2004 · crash

1990 Pontiac Grand Prix — common questions

Is the 1990 Pontiac Grand Prix reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 249 complaints put the 1990 model at #11 of 39 Grand Prix years, and a defect investigation remains open. It is one of the Grand Prix years to avoid.

What are the most common 1990 Grand Prix problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are brakes (121 complaints), body & structure (28 complaints), electrical system (21 complaints).

Does the 1990 Pontiac Grand Prix have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 9 recall campaigns affecting the 1990 Pontiac Grand Prix. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 1990 Pontiac Grand Prix under NHTSA investigation?

Yes — an investigation remains open (CRADLE BOLT FAILURES). An open ODI action means NHTSA is actively assessing a possible defect.

Which Pontiac Grand Prix years should you avoid?

Based on 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 record among Grand Prix years belongs to 1982.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.