MYRModel Year Report

1999 Pontiac Grand Prix

■ Significantly worse — known issue year
1999 Pontiac Grand Prix
BUILT 2026-10-10

This year had more than double the complaints 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
412
Recalls
8

Campaigns on file for 1999

Investigations
6

Opened by NHTSA

Top problem
Engine and engine cooling

38% 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 1991: 173 complaints 1991 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 412 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 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 412 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 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 412 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

1999: 412 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.

Engine and engine cooling

38% · 157 reports

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

FIREINJURYDEATH
Show complaint excerpts

Tl* the contact owns 1999 Pontiac Grand Prix. While parked, the contact noticed smoke coming from underneath the hood. The contact opened the hood and noticed flames. The contact used water to extinguish the fire.

NHTSA ODI report, 2012-04-10

Engine fire, approximately 5 minutes after car was parked. Fire company called to extinguish fire.

NHTSA ODI report, 2012-04-04

Fire in engine compartment. *mr the vehicle caught fire while driving during a regular commute.

NHTSA ODI report, 2003-06-13

Steering

15% · 61 reports

Most commonly citing rack and pinion and rack.

CRASHFIREDEATH
Show complaint excerpts

For several weeks, the steering in my 99 Pontiac Grand Prix has been failling while turning left at low speeds. Suprise, suprise!!

NHTSA ODI report, 2003-07-13

Engine

12% · 50 reports
CRASHFIRE
Show complaint excerpts

Tl* the contact owned a 1999 Pontiac Grand Prix. After the vehicle was driven to an independent mechanic and parked, it caught fire. The contact noticed black smoke under the hood and an abnormal fuel odor inside the vehicle.

NHTSA ODI report, 2019-04-29

Car started on fire twice causing other damages besides recall defect. I was driving the car when these fires happened. Also I do not know if the air bags in this car are Takata or not. I don't need these air bags to cause problems.

NHTSA ODI report, 2018-07-09

Tl* the contact owned a 1999 Pontiac Grand Prix. While the vehicle was in a parking space in a lot, it erupted into flames under the hood near the engine compartment. The fire department extinguished the flames.

NHTSA ODI report, 2017-11-08

Electrical system

12% · 48 reports

Most commonly citing front underhood and starter assembly.

CRASHFIREDEATH
Show complaint excerpts

Car was driven less than 2 miles. Parked and when returned 15 minutes later troy ny fire dept had hood up and put out a small fire under engine cover. They said it appeared to be electrical in nature.

NHTSA ODI report, 2012-04-20

Drove 10 minutes to work, 10 minutes later, someone yelled "There is a car on fire!" I found out it was mine. Flames were showing under the engine compartment. The vehicle was totaled. GM blamed the fire on the dealer installed alarm system.

NHTSA ODI report, 2003-02-28

No summary listed for above vehicle.

NHTSA ODI report, 2000-04-18

Visibility

7% · 30 reports

Most commonly citing power window devices and controls and windshield wiper/washer.

Safety timeline

8 recalls · 6 investigations · oldest first

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

  1. ▮
    1999Complaint volume 412 complaints filed for this model year.
  2. I
    2001-01-10Preliminary evaluationClosed 2001-06-11 Driver air bag malfunction
  3. I
    2001-06-11Engineering analysisClosed 2002-08-26 Air bag inflator
  4. R
    2002-02-01Air bags02V027000 On certain passenger vehicles and mini vans, the driver's air bag inflator modules could produce excessive internal pressure. In the event of a crash that would trigger a driver's air bag…

    Remedy: Dealers will replace the driver air bag module. Owner notification began February 1, 2002. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive…

    Check if this car was fixed →

  5. I
    2002-06-13Preliminary evaluationClosed 2002-10-22 Engine compartment fires
  6. I
    2002-10-22Engineering analysisClosed 2004-03-09 Engine compartment fires
  7. I
    2007-01-29Preliminary evaluationClosed 2007-06-12 Engine compartment fire
  8. R
    2007-04-27Fuel system, other07E021000 Certain delphi fuel pressure regulators, p/nos. Fp10020-11B1, FP10026-11B1, and FP10027-11B1, sold after January 9, 2007, as aftermarket equipment for various passenger vehicles listed above. The…

    Remedy: Delphi will notify owners and replace the upr free of charge. The recall began on April 23, 2007. Owners can contact delphi at 877-411-8770.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  9. I
    2007-06-12Engineering analysisClosed 2008-05-01 Engine compartment fire
  10. R
    2008-04-28Engine and engine cooling08V118000 GM is recalling 207,542 my 1997-2003 Buick regal and Pontiac Grand Prix vehicles equipped with a 3.8L supercharged v-6 engine. These vehicles have higher front rocker cover gasket temperatures…

    Remedy: Dealers will replace the engineâ’s front valve cover and front-valve-cover gasket with new parts of an improved design and remove the engineâ’s plastic cover and plastic oil-fill-tube extension…

    Check if this car was fixed →

  11. R
    2009-02-23Steering09E005000 Dorman is recalling 979 steering knuckles, dorman p/nos. 697-902 and 697-903, sold under dorman's "Oe solutions<sup>tm</sup>" Brand name, and napa p/nos. 7-8502 and 7-8503 which were sold for…

    Remedy: Dorman will notify owners and replace the defective steering knuckles free of charge and reimburse the repair facility or owner for labor. The recall began on February 23, 2009. Owners may contact…

    Check if this car was fixed →

  12. R
    2009-04-09Engine and engine cooling09V116000 General Motors is recalling 1,497,516 my 1997-2003 Buick regal, my 1998-2003 Chevrolet lumina, monte carlo and impala, my 1998-1999 oldsmobile intrigue, my 1997-2003 Pontiac Grand Prix vehicles…

    Remedy: Dealers will replace the engineâ’s front valve cover and front-valve-cover gasket with new parts of an improved design and remove the engineâ’s plastic cover and plastic oil-fill-tube extension…

    Check if this car was fixed →

  13. R
    2009-05-11Exterior lighting09E012000 Sabersport is recalling 16,270 combination corner and bumper lamp assemblies of various part numbers sold for use as aftermarket equipment for various passenger vehicles. These headlamps fail to…

    Remedy: Sabersport will notify owners and offer a full refund for the noncompliant combination lamps. The safety recall began on May 11, 2009. Owners may contact sabersport at 1-909-598-7589.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  14. R
    2009-07-28Exterior lighting09E025000 Dope, inc. Is recalling 42,540 combination corner and bumper lamp assemblies of various part numbers sold for use as aftermarket equipment for various passenger vehicles. These headlamps fail to…

    Remedy: Dope, inc. Will notify owners and offer a full refund for the noncompliant combination lamps. The safety recall began on July 28, 2009. Owners may contact dope, inc. At 1-626-272-1798.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  15. R
    2016-02-19Engine and engine cooling15V701000 General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 1998-1999 Chevrolet Lumina and Oldsmobile Intrigue, 1997-2004 Buick Regal and Pontiac Grand Prix, 2000-2004 Chevrolet Impala, and 1998-2004 Chevrolet Monte Carlo vehicles.

    Remedy: The remedy applied under recalls 08V-118, 09V-116, and 15V-201 did not adequately remove the safety risk. Under the improved remedy, dealers will replace the engine’s front valve cover and gasket.

    Check if this car was fixed →

Buy-smart checklist

1999 Pontiac Grand Prix — pre-purchase inspection

Inspect

  • Engine and engine cooling: 157 reports on file for this year.
  • Steering: 61 reports on file for this year.
  • Engine: 50 reports on file for this year.

Verify these recalls were completed

  • Recall 02V027000 · Air bags
  • Recall 07E021000 · Fuel system, other
  • Recall 08V118000 · Engine and engine cooling
  • Recall 09E005000 · Steering
  • Recall 09V116000 · Engine and engine cooling
  • Recall 09E012000 · Exterior lighting
  • Recall 09E025000 · Exterior lighting
  • Recall 15V701000 · Engine and engine cooling
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

Other years of this model

See all years ranked →

Best years3 years

Worst years3 years

FAQ

Is the 1999 Pontiac Grand Prix reliable?
Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 1999 Pontiac Grand Prix is rated "significantly worse".
What are the most common problems with the 1999 Pontiac Grand Prix?
The most-reported component is engine and engine cooling, accounting for 38% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 1999 Pontiac Grand Prix have?
8 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-10-09 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.