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2008 Pontiac Grand Prix Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 143 complaints with NHTSA about the 2008 Pontiac Grand Prix, most often about the electrical (30% of complaints, typically around 92,000 miles). It is 8th of 9 Grand Prix model years by number of complaints and has 1 recall.
Most common 2008 Pontiac Grand Prix problems
Electrical
43 complaints · 30%Half of these problems showed up before 92,000 miles. Parts named most often: wiring, instrument cluster/panel.
We got this 2008 Pontiac Grand Prix from a second hand dealer that sold 2008 or newer, we were on a lease with this auto we also had a warranty as well. We took a short trip to ohio and we checked into the hotel , went out got into the car was heading to their casino for the night was driving on interstate 75 doing…
The contact owns a 2008 Pontiac Grand Prix. The contact stated that while driving at 25 MPH, the engine quit. The vehicle failed to restart. The vehicle was towed to the dealer\ who diagnosed that the ignition module needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the problem.…
Lights
30 complaints · 21%Half of these problems showed up before 110,000 miles. Parts named most often: headlights, turn signal.
The contact owns a 2008 Pontiac Grand Prix. The contact stated that while driving at 45 MPH, the headlights failed to remain illuminated. The contact stated that the failure recurred several times. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure…
Upon starting of the car under normal conditions, noticed a slight burnt electrical smell, after inspection of the engine compartment, I did not notice any smoke or obvious signs, and the smell went away, this happened twice while out shopping at various places. On the final leg of the trip on the way home, I noticed…
Engine
24 complaints · 17%Half of these problems showed up before 81,000 miles. Parts named most often: exhaust system.
The contact owns a 2008 Pontiac Grand Prix. While driving approximately 50 MPH, the vehicle stalled and failed to restart after repeated attempts. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and the engine was replaced. The manufacturer was notified. The approximate failure mileage was 81,000. Updated 10/7/14
The contact owns a 2008 Pontiac Grand Prix. The contact stated while driving approximately 60 MPH, the vehicle stalled as the engine low power warning light illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 81,000.
Air bags
22 complaints · 15%Half of these problems showed up before 82,500 miles. Parts named most often: frontal.
I have had my car 2yrs now and my passenger airbag light still doesn't come on all time when my fiancee sits on my front passenger side of my car. My fiancee is little and only weigh about 125lbs but I am getting frustrated with constantly turning the car on and off and making her get in and out off the car until the…
Within a month of purchasing a pre-owned 2008 Pontiac, Grand Prix from mike smith buick gmc, located in lockport, ny, I realized the sensor for the passenger airbag would turn off and on while I have a passenger weighing over 200lbs in the passenger seat. I notified dealership and made an appt. On sept 22, 2014. My…
Transmission
18 complaints · 13%Half of these problems showed up before 63,500 miles. Parts named most often: automatic transmission.
2008 Pontiac Grand Prix gxp v8 transmission failure. Car shudders, transmission slips, car shakes at all speeds. Dealer blamed it on tires, tires been replaced and balanced. Have balancing paper work to prove it.
2008 Pontiac Grand Prix gxp. Slipping transmission, still under warranty, dealer says cannot replicate issue. Car vibrates horribly, slips into every gear. Dealer will not fix until transmission stops working all together. Car has been turned in for this issue 6 times. Gm needs to fix it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Brakes
12 complaints · 8%Half of these problems showed up before 46,000 miles.
The contact owns a 2008 Pontiac Grand Prix. The contact stated that the brakes failed to respond on multiple occasions. The contact mentioned that the brake pedal had to be pumped in order to stop the vehicle. The contact also stated that the seatbelt sensor illuminated after the seatbelt was latched and that the air…
The contact owns a 2008 Pontiac Grand Prix. The contact stated that the brake lights illuminated randomly without depressing the brakes. The vehicle was taken to a mechanic, who recommended that the contact spray wd40 on the brakes and then referred the contact to an authorized dealer. The vehicle was not repaired.…
Steering
9 complaints · 6%Half of these problems showed up before 93,000 miles.
We got this 2008 Pontiac Grand Prix from a second hand dealer that sold 2008 or newer, we were on a lease with this auto we also had a warranty as well. We took a short trip to ohio and we checked into the hotel , went out got into the car was heading to their casino for the night was driving on interstate 75 doing…
Had the power steering replaced 3 times in the last 3 years. Talked to others that have the same car they also have the same problem with the power steering unit leaking. My company had several Grand Prix's as a company car for years they also expressed this was a problem. I've had the lines burst on this unit as…
Speed control
9 complaints · 6%Half of these problems showed up before 105,000 miles.
Driving on the highway or anywhere, it happens every other day. The information message center chimes then the check engine light comes on the car slows down to 25mph. When I am on the highway this is very dangerous. I have taken it to 3 different service stations, the last 2 dealerships. All the codes are throttle…
The contact owns a 2008 Pontiac Grand Prix. The contact stated that while driving 60 MPH, the vehicle stalled. The contact mentioned that the reduced engine, stability and traction control warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that water penetrated inside the instrument…
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2008 Pontiac Grand Prix recalls
Electrical: ignition
Risk: If the key is not in the run position, the air bags may not deploy if the vehicle is involved in a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
Fix: Gm will notify owners, and dealers will install two key rings and an insert in the key slot or a cover over the key head on all ignition keys, free of charge. The recall began on september 9, 2014. Gm's number for this recall is 14350.
Full defect summary
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.
Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which recalls are still open on your car.
NHTSA defect investigations
Loss of headlights
Summary
The subject vehicles are model year (my) 2002-2009 chevrolet trailblazer, gmc envoy, 2004-2007 buick rainier, 2003-2008 isuzu ascender, 2005-2009 saab 9-7x, 2002-2004 oldsmobile bravada, 2003-2006 chevrolet ssr, 2005-2009 buick lacrosse, and 2006-2008 pontiac grand prix. This scope includes the trailblazer/envoy variants: 2002-2006 envoy xl/trailblazer ext and 2004-2005 envoy xuv. The original scope of this investigation was expanded to include all vehicles equipped with the subject headlight driver module (hdm). The focus of the investigation was to determine whether actions performed by general motors adequately addressed any unreasonable risk to motor vehicle safety in the subject vehicle
Questions about the 2008 Pontiac Grand Prix
- What are the most common problems with the 2008 Pontiac Grand Prix?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: electrical (43 complaints, typically around 92,000 miles); lights (30 complaints, typically around 110,000 miles); engine (24 complaints, typically around 81,000 miles).
- How many recalls does the 2008 Pontiac Grand Prix have?
- 1 recall listed by NHTSA, the latest from July 3, 2014 (electrical). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which ones are still open on your car.
- Is the 2008 a bad year for the Pontiac Grand Prix?
- It is 8th of 9 Grand Prix model years by number of complaints, with 143 complaints. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so popular years collect more of them, and the newest years have had less time to.