RoadVitals

2006 Pontiac Grand Prix Engine Problems

Owner-reported complaints naming the engine system, filed with NHTSA

Data refreshed

Engine reportsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
38
Latest Aug 30, 2022
Share of all reportsThis category as a share of every owner report on file for this model year. One report can name more than one component, so the categories overlap.
16%
of 239 total
Crash or fire reportedReports in this category whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. The reporter's own answer on the NHTSA form, not a verified finding.
9
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
1

What this page shows

Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 2006 Pontiac Grand Prix submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 38 reports on file name it.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

Owner reports naming engine

The 25 most recent of 38, in the owner's own words

Engine
Filed Aug 30, 2022

Seems like a bad motor gasket cause it’s a constant burning oil smell with no visible leaks at all

NHTSA ID
11482117
Incident
Aug 1, 2022
ElectricalEngine
Filed Feb 20, 2022

Unknown

NHTSA ID
11453149
Incident
Nov 26, 2021
ElectricalEngineSteering
Filed Jan 25, 2021
Fire reported

MY CAR STARTED ON FIRE WHILE ON A CITY ROAD BECAUSE OF THE POWER STEERING PUMP PULLEY COMPLETELY SPRUNG OFF SERPENTINE BELT MELTED COOLANT RESERVOIR MELTED FUSE BOX BE MELTED FROM THE FIRE HOW MANY OTHER THINGS SOMETHING TO DO WITH THE POWER STEERING PUMP LEAKING FLUID AND HITTING MY EXHAUST CAUSING A FIRE IN MY CAR

NHTSA ID
11389713
Incident
Jan 12, 2021
Mileage
160,240 mi
Engine
Filed Oct 14, 2020

BAD ENGINE HAD WHILE DRIVING ALMOST CAUSED AN ACCIDENT BAD KNOCKING NOISE WITHIN THE MOTOR DO TO FAULTY PARTS MECHANIC SAYS A PART FAILED WHILE DRIVING CAR STARTS BUT HAS BAD NOISE WITHIN THE ENGINE AND NOW VEHICLE IS RENDERED USELESS.

NHTSA ID
11364309
Incident
Oct 11, 2020
Mileage
192,000 mi
EnginePowertrain (other)
Filed Jun 15, 2020

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE STALLED UPON DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL WITH THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT RESTARTED THE VEHICLE. NEITHER THE MANUFACTURER NOR THE DEALER WERE NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 95,000.

NHTSA ID
11328988
Incident
May 1, 2020
Mileage
95,000 mi
Engine
Filed Apr 10, 2020
Fire reported

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE ENGINE CAUGHT FIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED AND UNOCCUPIED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO USE A FIRE EXTINGUISHER TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FIRE DEPARTMENT OR POLICE WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TOWED. THE INSURANCE COMPANY WAS CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ID
11320765
Incident
Apr 9, 2020
Engine
Filed Nov 9, 2019

ENGINE DIES ABRUPTLY WITHOUT WARNING AT ANY SPEED LEAVING THE DRIVER WITHOUT BRAKES OR POWER STEERING; VERY DANGEROUS DOWN HILL, ON CURVES, CHANGING LANES, AT SIGNALS, AT STOPS, DURING T;URNS, ETC.

NHTSA ID
11279188
Incident
Oct 21, 2019
Mileage
135,000 mi
Driver assistanceElectricalEngine
Filed Jun 17, 2019

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX. WHILE DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS, THERE WAS A DRASTIC REDUCTION IN SPEED, THE REDUCED ENGINE POWER INDICATOR FLASHED, AND THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT EXCEED 30 MPH. THE VEHICLE WAS EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO MANEUVER WHEN THE FAILURES OCCURRED. THE DEALER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC DIAGNOSED THAT THERE WERE 14 DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODES AND STATED THAT FURTHER DIAGNOSTIC TESTING WAS REQUIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED AND HAD NOT ISSUED A RECALL CAMPAIGN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ID
11220550
Incident
Feb 1, 2010
ElectricalEnginePowertrain (other)
Filed May 13, 2019

ENGINE SHUTS OFF IN THE MIDDLE OF DRIVING AND SAYS STARTING DISABLED DUE TO ELECTRIC THROTTLE CONTROL, REDUCED ENGINE POWER, ABS TRACTION CONTROL OFF. THIS HAPPENS WHILE MOVING AT THE CORRECT SPEED ON THE HIGHWAY, STOPPED AT A STOP LIGHT IN THE CITY, AND WHILE MAKING TURNS. SOMETIMES WHEN IT HAPPENS I LOSE POWER STEERING AND HAVE ALMOST O CONTROL OF WHERE MY CAR GOES. AT FIRST THIS ONLY HAPPENED ABOUT ONCE A WEEK, BUT NOW IT CAN HAPPEN UP TO 10+ TIMES A DAY

NHTSA ID
11207276
Incident
May 13, 2019
Mileage
137,000 mi
Engine
Filed Apr 25, 2019
Fire reported

ABOUT 5 MINUTES AFTER THE CAR WAS PARKED, THE ENGINE CAUGHT ON FIRE. IT WAS A TOTAL LOSS. THERE WAS A FIRE REPORT MADE. THE CAR HAD APPROXIMATELY 180,000 MILES AND WAS WELL MAINTAINED.

NHTSA ID
11203752
Incident
Apr 18, 2019
Mileage
180,000 mi
ElectricalEngine
Filed Dec 14, 2018

I HAVE BEEN HAVING STARTUP ISSUES WITH MY CAR. WHEN TRYING TO START THE CAR, IT MAKES A CLICKING SOUND AND WILL NOT TURN ON. I HAVE TO JUMP START MY CAR WITB A HALO PORTABLE CHARGER, EVERY SINGLE TIME I WANT TO DRIVE IT. SOMETIMES MY CAR CUTS OFF AND LOSES POWER WHILE I'M DRIVING WHICH HAS ALMOST CAUSED ME AN ACCIDENT TWICE! MY CAR HAS RANDOMLY CUT OFF IN MOTION WHILE I WAS ON THE HIGHWAY, APPROACHING AN INTERSECTION, AND ON A RURAL ROAD IN ANOTHER CITY. I HAVE CALLED BEFORE AND WAS TOLD TO FILE A COMPLAINT ONLINE. THIS ISSUE STARTED HAPPENING A YEAR AGO BUT ONLY OCCASIONALLY. NOW THIS HAPPENS FREQUENTLY. I ASSUMED I HAD A BAD BATTERY OR ALTERNATOR OR STARTER, SO I REPLACED ALL THREE PARTS, INCLUDING SPARK PLUGS, WIRES AND AIR FILTERS. I'M STILL HAVING THE SAME ISSUE AND NEED THIS RESOLVED. I NEED TRANSPORTATION TO GET TO AND FROM WORK AND DO NOT DEEL SAFE DRIVING IT ESPECIALLY DURING THE WINTER MONTHS, WHEN IT RANDOMLY CUTS OFF. PLEASE HELP RESOLVE THIS ISSUE. I AM A LONG TIME PONTIAC OWNER AND DO NOT WANT TO GET RID OF A FULLY PAID FOR CAR IF THE ISSUE CAN BE RESOLVED BY YOUR COMPANY.

NHTSA ID
11161414
Incident
Mar 28, 2016
Mileage
198,000 mi
ElectricalEngine
Filed Sep 13, 2017
Fire reported

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX. AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS SHIFTED INTO THE ON POSITION, ALL THE WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. UPON INSPECTION OF THE HOOD, THE CONTACT NOTICED BLACK SMOKE COMING FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CONTACTED AND EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO BETTEN BAKER CHEVROLET, BUICK, GMC (14120 NORTH LAND DR, BIG RAPIDS, MI) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FUSE BOX AND ENGINE ASSEMBLY WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED REGARDING THE FAILURE AND OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 182,000. *LN UPDATED 7/17/18*JB *TR

NHTSA ID
11023298
Incident
Sep 4, 2017
Mileage
182,000 mi
Engine
Filed Feb 27, 2017

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX. THE CONTACT INQUIRED ABOUT A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT ON HIS VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE COULD OVERHEAT BECAUSE THE COOLANT WAS NOT WORKING PROPERLY. AS A RESULT, SLUDGE COULD BUILD UP AND THE VEHICLE COULD LOCK UP AND EXPLODE. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO THE DEALER FOR SERVICE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000.

NHTSA ID
10957225
Incident
Jun 1, 2016
Mileage
100,000 mi
Driver assistanceEngine
Filed Dec 9, 2016

WHILE DRIVING CAR SHUTS OFF "DIC" STATES " STARTING DISABLED DUE TO THROTTLE CONTROL. REDUCED ENGINE POWER". I TOOK IT TO MCCARTHY DEALERSHIP IN LEES SUMMIT MO THEY SUPPOSEDLY FIXED RECALL-KEY ONLY BUT THE RECALL#14350 STATES "DEALERS WILL INSTALL 2 KEY RINGS & AN I INSERT IN THE KEY SLOT OR A CONER OVER THE KEY HEAD ON ALL IGNITION KEYS" IT RAN OK FOR A WHILE THEN STARTED DOING IT AGAIN. TOOK IT BACK 12/8/2016 & WAS TOLD TO DO A DIAGNOSTIC CK IT WOULD COST 130. WAS TOLD THE RECALL WAS FOR THE KEYS ONLY NOT THE IGNITION. MY DAUGHTER DRIVES THIS CAR TOO IT STOP RUNNING IN THE MISTAKE OF AN INTERSECTION. PLEASE HELP *TR

NHTSA ID
10934091
Incident
Mar 15, 2014
Mileage
117,000 mi
EngineSteering
Filed Oct 21, 2016

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX. WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE POWER STEERING SUDDENLY MALFUNCTIONED AND CAUSED THE STEERING WHEEL TO BECOME EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO TURN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE RACK AND PINION WAS FAULTY AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE CONTINUED. THE VEHICLE ALSO EXPERIENCED OVERHEATING AND LOSS OF ANTI FREEZE. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000.

NHTSA ID
10917784
Incident
Nov 1, 2014
Mileage
60,000 mi
ElectricalEngine
Filed Sep 22, 2016
Fire reported

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE BATTERY WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AND WHITE SMOKE APPEARED FROM THE HOOD. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 228,000. THE VIN WAS NOT PROVIDED.

NHTSA ID
10908701
Incident
Sep 22, 2016
Mileage
228,000 mi
Engine
Filed Apr 10, 2016
Fire reported

VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY, HAD BEEN PARKED APPROXIMATELY 10 MINUTES. THE VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE AND WAS A TOTAL LOSS. THE CAUSE IS UNKNOWN, BUT WE BELIEVE IT HAS SOMETHING TO DUE WITH THE RECALL ABOUT GRAND PRIX'S CATCHING FIRE.

NHTSA ID
10854639
Incident
Aug 25, 2015
Mileage
270,000 mi
ElectricalEngine
Filed Dec 21, 2015

CAR HAS BEEN CONTINUALLY OVERHEATING, RADIATOR HAS BEEN FLUSHED AND REFILLED WITH FRESH COOLANT AND NEW THERMOSTAT WAS BLED. CAR IS FINE WHILE DRIVING OVER 50MPH BUT OVERHEATS WHEN IN TRAFFIC AT A LIGHT. DRIVER BACK WINDOW MOTOR IS OUT, THE WINDOW GOES DOWN BUT WON'T GO UP. THE CAR STOPPED ABRUPTLY WHILE DRIVING AND HAD TO PULL ON THE SIDE DON'T KNOW WHAT HAPPENED BUT IT WON'T START UP BUT THE LIGHTS COME ON INSIDE THE VEHICLE. I HAVE HAD TROUBLE SINCE PURCHASING THIS VEHICLE. GM NEEDS TO TAKE THIS VEHICLES COMPLETELY OFF THE ROAD THEY HAVE STOP MAKING THEM AND I CAN SEE WHY THEY'RE NOTHING BUT MONEY EATERS.

NHTSA ID
10811476
Incident
Dec 19, 2015
Mileage
167,000 mi
Driver assistanceEngineSteering
Filed Nov 27, 2015

I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE HIWAY WHEN EVERYTHING JUST STOPPED THE LIGHTS ,POWERING STEERING MESSAGE ON DASH SAID STARTING DISABLED DUE TO ELECTRONIC THROTTLE CONTROL TOOK TO DEALER SAID I HAD A SHORT IN MY IGINITION SO PUT IN A NEW 1 DROVE ABOUT 60 MILES DID IT AGAIN WENT BACK THEY COULDNT FIND NOTHING WRONG WITH IT LUBED THE CONTROLS & NOW IM SCARED TO DRIVE IT & CANT REALLY AFFORD A NEW CAR RIGHT NOW AS IM ON SS WHY CANT THEY FIND OUT WHATS WRONG WITH IT

NHTSA ID
10807230
Incident
Oct 30, 2015
Mileage
98,800 mi
ElectricalEngine
Filed Nov 27, 2015

I WAS DRIVING AND MY CAR JUST STOPPED THIS MESSAGE APPEARED STARTING DISABLED DUE TO ELECTRONIC THROTTLE CONTROL TOOK TO DEALER THEY PUT IN NEW IGNITION SWITCH DROVE IT ABOUT 60 MILES DID IT AGAIN TOOK IT BACK THEY COULDN'T FIND ANY THING WRONG WITH IT LUBED THE CONTROLS NOW IM AFRAID TO DRIVE IT CAUSE IT HAPPENED IN THE DARK WE COULD HAVE BEEN KILLED CAUSE U HAVE NO LIGHTS NOTHING LEAVE IT SET FOR SOME TIME THEN IT WILL START BUT I DON'T TRUST IT WE WERE ON THE HIGHWAY WHEN THIS HAPPENED THE LAST TIME

NHTSA ID
10807228
Incident
Nov 11, 2015
Mileage
98,805 mi
AirbagsElectricalEngine
Filed Nov 5, 2015
Crash reported1 injury reported

PONTIAC GRAND PRIX THAT I OWNED WAS FLIPPED TWO TIMES AND STILL RUNS BUT THE CARS AIR BAGS NEVER WENT OFF. PLUS HAD A VARITY OR ELECTR PROBLEMS. AND SPEED RPMS NEVER SEEMEDTO WORK PROPERLY. BUT DONT GET ME WRONG I LOVE THE CAR TO DEASTH BUT ITS SAFTEY HAS BECOME AN ISSUE.

NHTSA ID
10788726
Incident
Oct 1, 2015
Mileage
200,000 mi
Engine
Filed Oct 27, 2015

VEHICLE USES EXCESSIVE OIL, "OIL LEVEL LOW" LIGHT WILL COME ON 1,500-2000 MILES AFTER OIL CHANGES. OIL DIPSTICK WILL SHOW NO OIL WHEN IT REACHES THIS POINT. HAS OCCURED REGULARLY WITH THIS VEHICLE.

NHTSA ID
10786337
Incident
Oct 13, 2015
ElectricalEngineExterior lighting
Filed Sep 24, 2015

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX. WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND THE ELECTRONIC THROTTLE AND REDUCED ENGINE POWER WARNING MESSAGES ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE VEHICLE STARTED EXPERIENCING THE FAILURE AFTER BEING REPAIRED ACCORDING TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V400000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE FAILURE RECURRED MULTIPLE TIMES. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE HEADLIGHTS FAILED TO ILLUMINATE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 115,000.

NHTSA ID
10776394
Incident
Mar 11, 2015
Mileage
115,000 mi
BrakesEnginePowertrain (other)
Filed Jul 29, 2015

I BROUGHT THIS CAR JANUARY 12TH 2015 THE NEXT WEEK I HAD TO TAKE IT TO THE SHOP TO GET WORK DONE TO THE ENGINE I GOT IT BACK IT RAN GOOD FOR LIKE AN MONTH AND I HAD TO TAKE TO A DIFFERENT SHOP AND THEY TOLD ME I NEED A NEW ENGINE AND MY WARRANTY COMPANY DIDN'T WANT TO COVER IT SO I HAD TO PAY TO GET MY AFTER THE WARRANTY COMPANY SAID THEY WOULD PAY TO GET IT FIX THAT WAS ALMOST 1500 FOR NOTHING I HAD TO PAY ANOTHER 700 FOR ENGINE AND ON JULY 27TH 2015 THE TRANSMISSION STOP GOING INTO DRIVE AND THE LOWEST PRICE I HAVE FOR THAT IS 2500 THIS ALOT OF MONEY TO BE MAKING PAYMENTS ON AND ONLINE ALL I AM SEEING IS BAD REVIEWS OF THIS CAR I NEED TO KNOW IS THERE ANYTHING THAT CAN BE DONE ABOUT THIS BECAUSE THIS IS RIDICULOUS.

NHTSA ID
10744757
Incident
Jan 21, 2015
Mileage
126,945 mi
Engine
Filed Jun 29, 2015
Fire reported

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, IT CAUGHT FIRE. THE FIRE WAS EXTINGUISHED BY THE FIRE DEPARTMENT, BUT THEY WERE UNABLE TO DETERMINE WHAT CAUSED THE FIRE. THERE WERE NO INJURIES AND A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURE WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,000.

NHTSA ID
10730964
Incident
Jun 27, 2015
Mileage
150,000 mi

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.

Other components reported on this vehicle

Categories with enough reports to have a page of their own

Elsewhere on this vehicle

Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .