1988 Pontiac Grand Prix
This year had at least 30% fewer complaints than this model's typical year.
This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.
COMPLAINTS PER YEAR
View as data table
| Year | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 1980 | 0 |
| 1981 | 0 |
| 1982 | 0 |
| 1983 | 2 |
| 1984 | 3 |
| 1985 | 3 |
| 1986 | 2 |
| 1987 | 2 |
| 1988 | 88 |
| 1989 | 139 |
| 1990 | 176 |
| 1991 | 172 |
| 1992 | 114 |
| 1993 | 131 |
| 1994 | 213 |
| 1995 | 169 |
| 1996 | 79 |
| 1997 | 810 |
| 1998 | 499 |
| 1999 | 412 |
| 2000 | 461 |
| 2001 | 308 |
| 2002 | 330 |
| 2003 | 106 |
| 2004 | 454 |
| 2005 | 148 |
| 2006 | 239 |
| 2007 | 220 |
| 2008 | 142 |
KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS
24% of complaints: service brakes, hydraulic — 21 distinct reports on file.
CRASHShow complaint excerpts
CALIPERS ARE SEIZING. TT
NHTSA ODI report, 19951204
17% of complaints: service brakes, hydraulic — 15 distinct reports on file.
CRASHShow complaint excerpts
CORRODED REAR DISC CALIPER PINS PREVENTED THE CALIPERS FROM RELEASING, CAUSING BRAKE PADS TO OVERHEAT, ONCE RESULTING IN AN ACCIDENT. *AK
NHTSA ODI report, 19950307
9% of complaints: service brakes, hydraulic — 8 distinct reports on file.
8% of complaints: service brakes, hydraulic — 7 distinct reports on file.
6% of complaints: structure — 5 distinct reports on file.
Show complaint excerpts
WHILE DRIVING CRADLE BOLTS BROKE, CAUSING ENGINE TO FALL, AND VEHICLE TO BREAK DOWN.*AK
NHTSA ODI report, 20020904
SAFETY TIMELINE
WHEEL LUG NUTS WERE NOT PROPERLY TORQUED TO SPECIFICATIONS.
Remedy: INSPECTION OF VEHICLE AND ASSURE PROPER TORQUE REPLACES ANY MISSING LUG NUT OR LOOSE STUD.
Campaign 88V035000 — check if this car was fixed
AN INTERFERENCE BETWEEN THE TRANSMISSION SHIFT CABLE AND THE BELLCRANK CLIP IN THE STEERING COLUMN CAN RESULT IN DISENGAGEMENT OF THE TRANSMISSION CABLE.
Remedy: A NEWLY DESIGNED BELLCRANK CLIP WILL BE INSTALLED.
Campaign 88V045000 — check if this car was fixed
THE FRONT SHOULDER BELT GUIDE LOOP ATTACHED TO THE UPPER REAR CORNER OF THE DOOR MAY INTERFERE WITH THE GARNISH MOLDING.
Remedy: A NEWLY DESIGNED GUIDE LOOP NUT AND SPACER WILL BE INSTALLED TO ELIMINATE THE POTENTIAL FOR INTERFERENCE CONDITIONS.
Campaign 88V049000 — check if this car was fixed
THE SECONDARY HOOD LATCH MAY NOT PROPERLY ENGAGE.
Remedy: REPLACE SECONDARY LATCH WITH A NEW LATCH.
Campaign 88V065000 — check if this car was fixed
THE PARKING BRAKE CABLE MAY BE DISCONNECTED FROM THE LEFT REAR BRAKE CALIPER.
Remedy: INSTALL A RETAINER ON LEFT REAR CALIPER IF CABLE IS NOT ALREADY RETAINED WITH A COTTER PIN AND ADJUST PARKING BRAKE SYSTEM.
Campaign 88V175000 — check if this car was fixed
THROTTLE NON-RETURN
PARKING BRAKE CABLE
FAILURE STOP LAMP SWITCH
FRONT SHOULDER BELT GUIDE LOOP ATTACHMENT FASTENER MAY PULL THROUGH DOOR MOUNTED ANCHOR PLATE.
Remedy: REPLACE FRONT SHOULDER BELT GUIDE LOOP ATTACHMENT NUTS AND INSTALL NEW GUIDE COVER.
Campaign 90V054000 — check if this car was fixed
STEERING WHEEL SEPARATION
W-CAR HINGE PIN FAILURE
BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH FAILURE
STICKING THROTTLE
BRAKE STOPLAMPS MAY NOT ILLUMINATE OR, IN SOME CASES, STOPLAMPS MAY NOT STAY ILLUMINATED ALL THE TIME WHEN BRAKES ARE APPLIED DUE TO A FAULTY STOPLAMP SWITCH. ALSO, IN VEHICLES WITH CRUISE CONTROL, A
Remedy: INSTALL AN IMPROVED DESIGN STOPLAMP SWITCH.
Campaign 92V086000 — check if this car was fixed
CRACKS DEVELOP IN THE WHEEL MOUNTING SURFACE. IF THESE CRACKS BECOME SEVERE ENOUGH, THE WHEEL WILL COMPLETELY SEPARATE FROM THE VEHICLE.
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.
Campaign 94V041000 — check if this car was fixed
CORRODED REAR DISK BRAKES
CRACKS DEVELOP IN THE WHEEL MOUNTING SURFACE. IF THESE CRACKS BECOME SEVERE ENOUGH, THE WHEEL WILL COMPLETELY SEPARATE FROM THE VEHICLE.
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.
Campaign 95V115000 — check if this car was fixed
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES AND MINI VANS ORIGINALLY SOLD OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE FOLLOWING STATES: CONNECTICUT, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, MAINE, MASSACHUSETTS, MICHIGAN, NEW HAMPSHIRE,
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE REAR CRADLE BOLTS AND RETAINERS.
Campaign 97V058000 — check if this car was fixed
CRADLE BOLT FAILURES
ENGINE CRADLE SEPARATION
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES ORIGINALLY SOLD OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE STATES OF CONNECTICUT, DELAWARE, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, IOWA, MAINE, MARYLAND, MASSACHUSETTS, MICHIGAN, MINNESOTA,
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FRONT AND REAR FRAME/CRADLE BOLTS AND RETAINERS.
Campaign 00V189000 — check if this car was fixed
STRUCTURE
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 MANUFACTURE
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).
Campaign 06E043000 — check if this car was fixed
BUY-SMART CHECKLIST
1988 Pontiac Grand Prix — pre-purchase inspection
- Test/inspect for service brakes, hydraulic issues (21 reports on file for this year).
- Test/inspect for service brakes, hydraulic issues (15 reports on file for this year).
- Test/inspect for service brakes, hydraulic issues (8 reports on file for this year).
- Verify recall 88V035000 (wheels) has been completed.
- Verify recall 88V045000 (power train) has been completed.
- Verify recall 88V049000 (seat belts) has been completed.
- Verify recall 88V065000 (latches/locks/linkages) has been completed.
- Verify recall 88V175000 (parking brake) has been completed.
- Verify recall 90V054000 (seat belts) has been completed.
- Verify recall 92V086000 (exterior lighting) has been completed.
- Verify recall 94V041000 (wheels) has been completed.
- Verify recall 95V115000 (wheels) has been completed.
- Verify recall 97V058000 (structure) has been completed.
- Verify recall 00V189000 (structure) has been completed.
- Verify recall 06E043000 (fuel system, gasoline) has been completed.
OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL
BEST YEARS
WORST YEARS
FAQ
Is the 1988 Pontiac Grand Prix reliable?
Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 1988 Pontiac Grand Prix is rated "better than typical".
What are the most common problems with the 1988 Pontiac Grand Prix?
The most-reported component is service brakes, hydraulic:foundation components:disc:caliper, accounting for 24% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 1988 Pontiac Grand Prix have?
12 recalls on file for this model year.
Data updated 2026-07-11 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.