1993 Pontiac Grand Prix Problems
Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component
Data refreshed
What this page shows
Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 1993 Pontiac Grand Prix, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Reports by component
Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category
- Brakes5737.7%
- Electrical2717.9%
- Interior & seats127.9%
- Engine106.6%
- Exterior lighting106.6%
- Steering96.0%
- Transmission74.6%
- Seat belts42.6%
- Suspension32.0%
- Body & structure32.0%
- Visibility21.3%
- Other / unspecified21.3%
- Tires & wheels21.3%
- Airbags21.3%
- Driver assistance10.7%
Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.
Each component in detail
What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words
Brakes
Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.
From owner reports, verbatim
1993 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX LOST USE OF BRAKES AND DROVE INTO PARKING LOT THEN STRUCK A POLE. *NJ (OHIO TRAFFIC CRASH REPORT # 10-0531-91)*JB LETTER UPDATED 03/17/10*BF
FOUND OUT THAT MY MAIN PROBLEM WITH MY STEERING AND SUSPENSION IS THAT THE CRADLE THAT HOLDS THE ENGINE IS CRACKED AND RUSTED OUT READY TO BREAK I REPLACED THE CRADLE IN JUNE 2003 BUT I HAD IT WELDED IN JAN OF 2002 THESE IS SAME DEFECT AS IN GM GEOGRAPHIC RECALL FOR 1991 MODEL
Electrical
Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.
From owner reports, verbatim
SEVERAL PROBLEMS AT DIFFERENT TIMES.OLT FELL OUT OF REAR OF ENGINE CRADLE CAUSING LOSS OF STEERING. WENT INTO THE DITCH AND COULD HAVE BEEN SERIOUS IF IT HAD HAPPENED AT A DIFFERENT LOCATION. SEVERE OIL LEAK IN ENGINE, ORIGIN UNKNOWN.ILTING MECHANISM IN STEERING COLUMN IS LOOSE WHICH CAUSED BRACKET TO BREAK AND ALLOWS STEERING WHEEL TO MOVE UP AND DOWN. WHILE STEERING WHEEL IS DOWN AND BEING TURNED, THE CAR DIES. SEAT TILT MECHANISM ON FRONT PASSENGER SEAT DOES NOT HOLD SEAT BACK IN UPRIGHT POSITION. WHITE SMOKE COMES OUT OF STEERING COLUMN AFTER THE CAR IS STARTED. REAR BRAKE CALIPERS RUST CAUSING BRAKES TO LOCK UP AND SCORE THE ROTOR. *AK
THE STEERING COLUMN HAD BEEN SMOKING WHEN THE TURN SIGNALS WERE USED THEN ONE EVENING THE IGNITION SWITCH CAUGHT FIRE. THE WHOLE DASH AND STEERING WHEEL COLUMN, AND INSTRUMENT CLUSTER HAD TO BE REPLACED. IF YOUR STEERING WHEEL SMOKES WHEN YOU USE YOUR SIGNALS HAVE IT CHECKED. *JB
Interior & seats
Reports naming seats, latches, locks, linkages and interior fittings.
From owner reports, verbatim
RECENTLY I BOUGHT THIS VEHICLE AND REALIZE THAT BOTH THE FRONT SEATS' BACK MECHANISMS WILL NOT LATCH. FROM NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NO.: 93V035000, I UNDERSTAND THAT THERE IS A SAFETY RECALL FOR THIS VEHICLE. I PROCEED TO A LOCAL AUTHORIZE DEALER BUT THROUGH VIN NO. INFORMATION THAT I PROVIDED, I WAS TOLD THAT THERE ISN'T ANY RECALL FOR THIS VEHICLE. PLEASE ADVISE ON THIS. *TR
SEAT BELT MOUNTED TO THE DOOR FAILED TO RESTRAIN MY SON IN THE VEHICLE WHEN HE GOT INTO AN ACCIDENT. THE DOOR OPENED CAUSED FOR HIM TO BE EJECTED AND MY SON DID NOT SURVIVE THE ACCIDENT. THE DOOR LINKAGE GOT PUSHED DOWN WHEN THE VEHICLE CAB CRUSHED DOWN KINKING THE DOOR BETWEEN THE LATCH AND OUTSIDE DOOR HANDLE. *JB
Engine
Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.
From owner reports, verbatim
SEVERAL PROBLEMS AT DIFFERENT TIMES.OLT FELL OUT OF REAR OF ENGINE CRADLE CAUSING LOSS OF STEERING. WENT INTO THE DITCH AND COULD HAVE BEEN SERIOUS IF IT HAD HAPPENED AT A DIFFERENT LOCATION. SEVERE OIL LEAK IN ENGINE, ORIGIN UNKNOWN.ILTING MECHANISM IN STEERING COLUMN IS LOOSE WHICH CAUSED BRACKET TO BREAK AND ALLOWS STEERING WHEEL TO MOVE UP AND DOWN. WHILE STEERING WHEEL IS DOWN AND BEING TURNED, THE CAR DIES. SEAT TILT MECHANISM ON FRONT PASSENGER SEAT DOES NOT HOLD SEAT BACK IN UPRIGHT POSITION. WHITE SMOKE COMES OUT OF STEERING COLUMN AFTER THE CAR IS STARTED. REAR BRAKE CALIPERS RUST CAUSING BRAKES TO LOCK UP AND SCORE THE ROTOR. *AK
THERE WERE BOLTS MISSING OR NOT PUT IN AT THE MANUFACTURER TO CAUSE THE UPPER AN LOWER GASKET TO GO BAD RIGHT WERE THE TWO BOLTS WERE MESSING . THEY SAID THAT THERE WAS SUPPOSE TO BE 14BOLTS AN I HAD 12 BOLTS THATS WHY THE UPPER AN LOWER GASKET BLEW RIGHT WARE THE TO BOLTS WERE MESSING . NOW WHEN I GOT THIS CAR IT HAD 32100 MILESON IT THE CLEAR COAT WAS COMING OFF THEN TOOK IT TO A TO BOLTS AND I HAD 12 AN WARE THE TO BOLTS WERE MESSING IS WERE THE GASKET BLEW OUT. SO I HAD TO PAY 678.63 .AND THEN THE CLEAR COAT STARTED PEELING AND CHIPPING ON THE CAR . NOW WHEN I GOT THIS CAR , IT HAD 32100 MILES ON IT
Exterior lighting
Reports naming headlights, tail lights, turn signals and other exterior lighting.
From owner reports, verbatim
I OWN A 1993 GRAND PRIX. EVER SINCE I BOUGHT IT USED IN 2001, I HAVE HAD TO PULL THE TURNING SIGNAL MECHANISM FORWARD TO MAKE THEM OPERABLE. ABOUT A MONTH AGO, MY 19-YEAR-OLD DAUGHTER WAS BORROWING THE CAR. WHEN SHE USED THE TURNING SIGNAL IT STARTED TO SMOKE. THE WHOLE STEERING COLUMN CAUGHT FIRE AND FLAMES SHOT UP THROUGH THE VENTS IN THE CAR. FORTUNATELY, SHE WAS CLOSE TO HOME SO WE COULD EXTINGUISH IT WITH A FIRE EXTINGUISHER. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CALLED TO DISCONNECT THE BATTERY. I HAVE SINCE HEARD OF VARIOUS PROBLEMS WITH THIS MODEL. I FRIEND REPORTED THAT HER 1993 GRAND PRIXS TURNING SIGNALS WERE SMOKING BEFORE SHE TRADED IT IN. I HAVE CONTACTED GMS LITIGATION DEPARTMENT. THEY ARE NOT INTERESTED IN INVESTIGATING THE PROBLEM ANY FURTHER. THEY TOLD ME BECAUSE OF THE HIGH MILES AND BECAUSE I WAS THE SECOND OWNER OF THE CAR THEY CANNOT MAKE A DETERMINATION. I HAVE ONLY LOST A CAR, WHICH IS UNFORTUNATE, IT IS MY HOPE IN CONTACTING THIS OFFICE THAT A LIFE WILL NOT BE LOST DUE TO WHAT I BELIEVE TO BE A SAFETY DEFECT IN GM S PRODUCT.
WHEN APPLYING RIGHT TURN SIGNAL IT HAS TO BE HELD UP BY HAND IN ORDER TO FUNCTION PROPERLY. DEALER SAYS TURN SIGNAL UNIT NEEDS REPLACEMENT. *AK *SLC
Steering
Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1993 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE CANNOT MAKE A LEFT TURN DUE TO RACK AND PINION FAILURE. HE STATED THAT NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID # 02V286000 (STEERING:RACK AND PINION) SHOULD INCLUDE HIS VEHICLE. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER WHO STATED THAT HIS VEHICLE IS NOT COVERED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 145,000.
FOUND OUT THAT MY MAIN PROBLEM WITH MY STEERING AND SUSPENSION IS THAT THE CRADLE THAT HOLDS THE ENGINE IS CRACKED AND RUSTED OUT READY TO BREAK I REPLACED THE CRADLE IN JUNE 2003 BUT I HAD IT WELDED IN JAN OF 2002 THESE IS SAME DEFECT AS IN GM GEOGRAPHIC RECALL FOR 1991 MODEL
Transmission
Reports naming the automatic or manual transmission, including shifting behaviour, shudder, slipping and transmission control modules.
From owner reports, verbatim
TRANS AXLE SEEMS TO SLIP (ASIF SHIFTED INTO NEUTRAL) IN SHARP CORNERS AND WHEN LEAVING STOP LIGHTS CAUSING A DANGEROUS SUDDEN JERK WHEN THE STEERING RETURNS STRAIGHT OFTEN LAUNCHING THE CAR INTO THE OTHER LANE OR ON TO THE SHOULDER OF THE ROAD. *TR
WHEN STOPPED, IN NEUTRAL OR REVERSE VEHICLE WILL MOVE FORWARD, VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN EXAMINED BY DEALER.*AK VEHICLE HAS BEEN FIXED AT OWNERS EXPENSE. *JG
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Seat belts
Reports naming seat belts, buckles, retractors and pretensioners.
From owner reports, verbatim
SEAT BELT MOUNTED TO THE DOOR FAILED TO RESTRAIN MY SON IN THE VEHICLE WHEN HE GOT INTO AN ACCIDENT. THE DOOR OPENED CAUSED FOR HIM TO BE EJECTED AND MY SON DID NOT SURVIVE THE ACCIDENT. THE DOOR LINKAGE GOT PUSHED DOWN WHEN THE VEHICLE CAB CRUSHED DOWN KINKING THE DOOR BETWEEN THE LATCH AND OUTSIDE DOOR HANDLE. *JB
WHILE DRIVING 20-30MPH VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A FRONTAL COLLISION, AND SEAT BELT DID NOT DID RETRACT, RESULTING IN MINOR INJURIES. MANUFACTURER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. *AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Suspension
Reports naming suspension components — springs, struts, shocks, control arms and related hardware.
From owner reports, verbatim
FOUND OUT THAT MY MAIN PROBLEM WITH MY STEERING AND SUSPENSION IS THAT THE CRADLE THAT HOLDS THE ENGINE IS CRACKED AND RUSTED OUT READY TO BREAK I REPLACED THE CRADLE IN JUNE 2003 BUT I HAD IT WELDED IN JAN OF 2002 THESE IS SAME DEFECT AS IN GM GEOGRAPHIC RECALL FOR 1991 MODEL
REAR BRAKE PADS, CALIPERS REPLACED AND BUSHINGS FROZEN. NLM
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Body & structure
Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim.
From owner reports, verbatim
SEVERAL PROBLEMS AT DIFFERENT TIMES.OLT FELL OUT OF REAR OF ENGINE CRADLE CAUSING LOSS OF STEERING. WENT INTO THE DITCH AND COULD HAVE BEEN SERIOUS IF IT HAD HAPPENED AT A DIFFERENT LOCATION. SEVERE OIL LEAK IN ENGINE, ORIGIN UNKNOWN.ILTING MECHANISM IN STEERING COLUMN IS LOOSE WHICH CAUSED BRACKET TO BREAK AND ALLOWS STEERING WHEEL TO MOVE UP AND DOWN. WHILE STEERING WHEEL IS DOWN AND BEING TURNED, THE CAR DIES. SEAT TILT MECHANISM ON FRONT PASSENGER SEAT DOES NOT HOLD SEAT BACK IN UPRIGHT POSITION. WHITE SMOKE COMES OUT OF STEERING COLUMN AFTER THE CAR IS STARTED. REAR BRAKE CALIPERS RUST CAUSING BRAKES TO LOCK UP AND SCORE THE ROTOR. *AK
THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED THE SAME DEFECT WITH IT'S REAR CRADLE BOLTS AS STATED IN RECALL # 97 V 058 000. THE CONSUMERS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO VIN. *NLM
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Visibility
Reports naming windshields, glass, wipers, defrosters and mirrors.
From owner reports, verbatim
STARTER FAILED.
STARTER MOTOR REPLACED.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Other / unspecified
Reports whose component NHTSA recorded as unknown, or that do not map to one of the categories above.
From owner reports, verbatim
FOUND OUT THAT MY MAIN PROBLEM WITH MY STEERING AND SUSPENSION IS THAT THE CRADLE THAT HOLDS THE ENGINE IS CRACKED AND RUSTED OUT READY TO BREAK I REPLACED THE CRADLE IN JUNE 2003 BUT I HAD IT WELDED IN JAN OF 2002 THESE IS SAME DEFECT AS IN GM GEOGRAPHIC RECALL FOR 1991 MODEL
BRAKES WERE REPLACED FOUR TIMES BY THE PONTIAC DEALERSHIP MECHANIC. WHEN CONSUMER APPLIED BRAKE PEDAL, STEERING WHEEL WILL VIBRATE AND BRAKES MAKE A GRINDING NOISE. *AK FRONT REAR BRAKE PADS, ROTORS, CALIPER, SHOES AND DRUM REPLACED. RIGHT REAR LUG NUT AND STUD REPLACED TOO. *YH
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Tires & wheels
Reports naming tires, wheels, hubs, or the tire-pressure monitoring system.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1993 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PIRELLI P6 ALL WEATHER TIRES (225 60/R16) ON HIS VEHICLE WERE CHECKED MANY TIMES PRIOR TO THEM FAILING. HE STATED THAT THE TIRES HAD TWO FAILED BELTS. THE BRAKES ON THE FRONT END WERE SHAKING AND UNEVENLY WORN AT 34,000 MILES, EVEN THOUGH THE WARRANTY WAS FOR 80,000 MILES. THE PURCHASE DATE, VIN, DOT NUMBER, AND INCIDENT DATE WERE UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 191,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 81,000.
B.F.GOODRICH TIRE BLEW OUT. *SD
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Airbags
Reports naming the air-bag system — deployment behaviour, inflators, sensors and warning lights.
From owner reports, verbatim
WHILE SERVICE TECHNICIAN WAS PULLING OUT FLOOR MATS AIR BAG DEPLOYED WITHOUT INDICATION. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK
SIDE AIR BAG.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Driver assistance
Reports naming forward-collision avoidance, lane keeping, back-over prevention, cruise control and related electronic driver-assistance systems.
From owner reports, verbatim
SEVERAL PROBLEMS AT DIFFERENT TIMES.OLT FELL OUT OF REAR OF ENGINE CRADLE CAUSING LOSS OF STEERING. WENT INTO THE DITCH AND COULD HAVE BEEN SERIOUS IF IT HAD HAPPENED AT A DIFFERENT LOCATION. SEVERE OIL LEAK IN ENGINE, ORIGIN UNKNOWN.ILTING MECHANISM IN STEERING COLUMN IS LOOSE WHICH CAUSED BRACKET TO BREAK AND ALLOWS STEERING WHEEL TO MOVE UP AND DOWN. WHILE STEERING WHEEL IS DOWN AND BEING TURNED, THE CAR DIES. SEAT TILT MECHANISM ON FRONT PASSENGER SEAT DOES NOT HOLD SEAT BACK IN UPRIGHT POSITION. WHITE SMOKE COMES OUT OF STEERING COLUMN AFTER THE CAR IS STARTED. REAR BRAKE CALIPERS RUST CAUSING BRAKES TO LOCK UP AND SCORE THE ROTOR. *AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.
Elsewhere on this vehicle
Data sources
- NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation — owner-reported complaints and the components recorded on them
Data on this page last refreshed .