MYRModel Year Report

1990 Pontiac Grand Prix

● Typical for this model
1990 Pontiac Grand Prix
RENDERED 2026-11-01T15:05:05.684Z

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.

How is this computed?

Complaints
177
Recalls
9

Campaigns on file for 1990

Investigations
10

Opened by NHTSA

Top problem
Service brakes

64% of complaints

Complaints per year

1983: 2 complaints 1983 1984: 3 complaints 1985: 3 complaints 1986: 2 complaints 1987: 2 complaints 1987 1988: 92 complaints 1989: 143 complaints 1990: 177 complaints 1990 177 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 1990: 177 complaints 1990 177 1991: 173 complaints 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 1990: 177 complaints 1990 177 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

1990: 177 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

64% · 113 reports

Most commonly citing hydraulic and air.

CRASHINJURY

Structure

15% · 26 reports

Most commonly citing frame and members and underbody shields.

CRASHINJURY

Electrical system

11% · 19 reports

Most commonly citing interior/under dash and alternator/generator/regulator.

FIRE
Show complaint excerpts

Wiring harness shorted out, causing fire.

NHTSA ODI report, 1995-07-21

Also filed under Wheels

Engine and engine cooling

10% · 18 reports

Most commonly citing engine and manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe.

Show complaint excerpts

Consumer called complaining about having problem with the engine mounts. Which he replaced at 115 thousands miles and has to replaced again. Dealer has not been notified. Please provide fiurther information.…

NHTSA ODI report, 2002-12-03

Suspension

7% · 13 reports

Most commonly citing rear and control arm.

CRASHINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

Dt*: the contact stated while driving 40MPH the left rear wheel steered 45 degrees to the side and the vehicle went out of control. The vehicle collided head on with a tree. The driver was wearing a seat belt, but sustained injuries.

NHTSA ODI report, 2006-04-28

Safety timeline

9 recalls · 10 investigations · oldest first

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

  1. R
    1990-02-15Fuel system, gasoline90V036000 During a rear end collision, the rear exhaust system heat shield, which is welded to the tail pipe assembly, may puncture the fuel tank.

    Remedy: Remove rear exhaust system heat shield from the pipe assembly.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  2. I
    1990-06-11Preliminary evaluationClosed 1990-10-31 Failure stop lamp switch
  3. 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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  4. 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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  5. R
    1991-02-22Seat belts91V005000 Front shoulder safety belt webbing may separate at front belt upper guide loops on either side of the front seat.

    Remedy: Install a controlled rotation bracket on driver and passenger side front seat belt guide loops.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  6. I
    1991-05-01Preliminary evaluationClosed 1991-07-08 Steering wheel separation
  7. I
    1991-08-01Preliminary evaluationClosed 1991-11-26 Jack failure
  8. I
    1991-11-26Engineering analysisClosed 1992-10-28 Jack failure
  9. I
    1992-06-26Engineering analysisClosed 1994-01-31 Sticking throttle
  10. I
    1993-09-29Preliminary evaluationClosed 1994-02-28 Wheel failures
  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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  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).

    Check if this car was fixed →

Buy-smart checklist

1990 Pontiac Grand Prix — pre-purchase inspection

Inspect

  • Service brakes: 113 reports on file for this year.
  • Structure: 26 reports on file for this year.
  • Electrical system: 19 reports on file for this year.

Verify these recalls were completed

  • Recall 90V036000 · Fuel system, gasoline
  • Recall 90V054000 · Seat belts
  • Recall 90V185000 · Exterior lighting
  • Recall 91V005000 · Seat belts
  • Recall 94V041000 · Wheels
  • Recall 95V115000 · Wheels
  • Recall 97V058000 · Structure
  • Recall 00V189000 · Structure
  • Recall 06E043000 · Fuel system, gasoline
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

Other years of this model

See all years ranked →

Best years3 years

Worst years3 years

FAQ

Is the 1990 Pontiac Grand Prix reliable?
Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 1990 Pontiac Grand Prix is rated "typical".
What are the most common problems with the 1990 Pontiac Grand Prix?
The most-reported component is service brakes, accounting for 64% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 1990 Pontiac Grand Prix have?
9 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.