1989 Pontiac Grand Prix

● Typical for this model
1989 Pontiac Grand Prix
RENDERED 2026-11-01T15:07:57.792Z

This year's complaint volume is within 30% of 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
143
Recalls
10

Campaigns on file for 1989

Investigations
9

Opened by NHTSA

Top problem
Service brakes

55% of complaints

Complaints per year

1983: 2 complaints 1983 1984: 3 complaints 1985: 3 complaints 1986: 2 complaints 1987: 2 complaints 1988: 92 complaints 1989: 143 complaints 1989 143 1990: 177 complaints 1991: 173 complaints 1992: 117 complaints 1993: 132 complaints 1994: 217 complaints 1995: 169 complaints 1995 1996: 79 complaints 1997: 810 complaints 1998: 499 complaints 1999: 412 complaints 1999 2000: 461 complaints 2001: 308 complaints 2002: 330 complaints 2003: 106 complaints 2003 2004: 454 complaints 2005: 148 complaints 2006: 239 complaints 2007: 220 complaints 2007 2008: 143 complaints
1983: 2 complaints 1983 1984: 3 complaints 1985: 3 complaints 1985 1986: 2 complaints 1987: 2 complaints 1987 1988: 92 complaints 1989: 143 complaints 1989 143 1990: 177 complaints 1991: 173 complaints 1991 1992: 117 complaints 1993: 132 complaints 1993 1994: 217 complaints 1995: 169 complaints 1995 1996: 79 complaints 1997: 810 complaints 1997 1998: 499 complaints 1999: 412 complaints 1999 2000: 461 complaints 2001: 308 complaints 2001 2002: 330 complaints 2003: 106 complaints 2003 2004: 454 complaints 2005: 148 complaints 2005 2006: 239 complaints 2007: 220 complaints 2007 2008: 143 complaints
1983: 2 complaints 1983 1984: 3 complaints 1985: 3 complaints 1985 1986: 2 complaints 1987: 2 complaints 1987 1988: 92 complaints 1989: 143 complaints 1989 143 1990: 177 complaints 1991: 173 complaints 1991 1992: 117 complaints 1993: 132 complaints 1993 1994: 217 complaints 1995: 169 complaints 1995 1996: 79 complaints 1997: 810 complaints 1997 1998: 499 complaints 1999: 412 complaints 1999 2000: 461 complaints 2001: 308 complaints 2001 2002: 330 complaints 2003: 106 complaints 2003 2004: 454 complaints 2005: 148 complaints 2005 2006: 239 complaints 2007: 220 complaints 2007 2008: 143 complaints

1989: 143 complaints

View as data table
YearComplaints
19800
19810
19820
19832
19843
19853
19862
19872
198892
1989143
1990177
1991173
1992117
1993132
1994217
1995169
199679
1997810
1998499
1999412
2000461
2001308
2002330
2003106
2004454
2005148
2006239
2007220
2008143

Known problem areas

Percentages can add to more than 100% — a complaint can name more than one system.

Service brakes

55% · 78 reports

Most commonly citing hydraulic.

CRASHINJURY

Electrical system

13% · 19 reports

Most commonly citing module and ignition.

Structure

13% · 18 reports

Most commonly citing frame and members and door.

CRASH
Show complaint excerpts

Abeloff has had my vehicle since 9/10/02 due to the recall and has not yet repaired it. I am with out a vehicle. Please look in to this matter so that I may have my car back.…

NHTSA ODI report, 2002-10-15

Consumer stated that while driving the front cradle mounts broke resulting in loss of steering control. Nlm

NHTSA ODI report, 2002-09-30

Took car in for recall campaign # 00V189000 dealer refused to perform rerpair because left cradle was not strong enough for repair to be effective, dealer refused to negotiate on rerquired repair do to apparent design defect.

NHTSA ODI report, 2002-08-30

Engine and engine cooling

10% · 15 reports

Most commonly citing engine and gasoline.

CRASH

Steering

9% · 13 reports

Most commonly citing hydraulic power assist system and steering wheel/handle bar.

Safety timeline

10 recalls · 9 investigations · oldest first

To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →

  1. R
    1989-01-13Fuel system, gasoline88V188000 Fuel return lines could fracture and allow fuel to leak in the area of the fuel tank.

    Remedy: Install new fuel return pipe assembly.

  2. R
    1989-07-13Engine and engine cooling89V108000 Misrouting of turbocharger oil feed pipe could allow pipe to contact the positive battery cable connecting stud on the starter motor.

    Remedy: Reroute oil feed pipe; also install a newly designed clamp and bracket to locate pipe away from the starter.

  3. I
    1990-06-11Preliminary evaluationClosed 1990-10-31 Failure stop lamp switch
  4. R
    1990-07-23Seat belts90V054000 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.

  5. R
    1990-11-08Exterior lighting90V185000 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…

    Remedy: Install an improved design stoplamp switch.

  6. I
    1991-05-01Preliminary evaluationClosed 1991-07-08 Steering wheel separation
  7. I
    1991-10-01Preliminary evaluationClosed 1991-12-05 W-car hinge pin failure
  8. I
    1991-11-26Engineering analysisClosed 1992-06-30 Brake light switch failure
  9. I
    1992-06-26Engineering analysisClosed 1994-01-31 Sticking throttle
  10. R
    1992-09-11Exterior lighting92V086000 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…

    Remedy: Install an improved design stoplamp switch.

  11. R
    1994-05-05Wheels94V041000 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.

  12. I
    1994-08-12Preliminary evaluationClosed 1994-12-21 Corroded rear disk brakes
  13. R
    1995-06-14Wheels95V115000 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.

  14. R
    1997-06-11Structure97V058000 Vehicle description: passenger vehicles and mini vans originally sold or currently registered in the following states: Connecticut, Illinois, Indiana, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, new…

    Remedy: Dealers will replace the rear cradle bolts and retainers.

  15. I
    1997-10-02Recall queryOpen Cradle bolt failures
  16. I
    2000-04-10Engineering analysisClosed 2001-01-12 Engine cradle separation
  17. R
    2000-09-28Structure00V189000 Vehicle description: passenger vehicles originally sold or currently registered in the states of Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan…

    Remedy: Dealers will replace the front and rear frame/cradle bolts and retainers.

  18. I
    2001-11-28RPClosed 2002-06-13 Structure
  19. R
    2006-10-18Fuel system, gasoline06E043000 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…

    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).

Buy-smart checklist

1989 Pontiac Grand Prix — pre-purchase inspection

Inspect

  • Service brakes: 78 reports on file for this year.
  • Electrical system: 19 reports on file for this year.
  • Structure: 18 reports on file for this year.

Verify these recalls were completed

  • Recall 88V188000 · Fuel system, gasoline
  • Recall 89V108000 · Engine and engine cooling
  • Recall 90V054000 · Seat belts
  • Recall 90V185000 · Exterior lighting
  • Recall 92V086000 · Exterior lighting
  • Recall 94V041000 · Wheels
  • Recall 95V115000 · Wheels
  • Recall 97V058000 · Structure
  • Recall 00V189000 · Structure
  • Recall 06E043000 · Fuel system, gasoline

Other years of this model

See all years ranked →

Best years3 years

Worst years3 years

FAQ

Is the 1989 Pontiac Grand Prix reliable?
Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 1989 Pontiac Grand Prix is rated "typical".
What are the most common problems with the 1989 Pontiac Grand Prix?
The most-reported component is service brakes, accounting for 55% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 1989 Pontiac Grand Prix have?
10 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-10-31 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.