1988 Pontiac Grand Prix
Safety record from NHTSA: recalls, owner complaints, investigations and service bulletins.
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Vehicles › Pontiac › Grand Prix › 1988
These records cover every 1988 Pontiac Grand Prix. To see whether one car still needs a recall repair, decode its VIN or check it with NHTSA.
Recalls
12 recalls name the 1988 Pontiac Grand Prix. Newest first.
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 manufactured from october 18, 2005, through march 21, 2006, sold for use on the vehicles listed above and on certain school buses. (to see the school bus engine sizes…
Risk and remedy
Risk
This condition may cause an inadequate seal at the connection, potentially leading to a fuel leak. In the presence of an ignition source, a fire could occur.
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).
Vehicle description: passenger vehicles originally sold or currently registered in the states of connecticut, delaware, illinois, indiana, iowa, maine, maryland, massachusetts, michigan, minnesota, missouri, new hampshire, new jersey, new york, ohio, pennsylvania, rhode island, vermont, west virginia, wisconsin, and the district of columbia, where road…
Risk and remedy
Risk
If both bolts pull through, the front of the cradle would no longer be supported at the mounting locations and the steering intermediate shaft could separate from the steering gear.
Remedy
Dealers will replace the front and rear frame/cradle bolts and retainers.
Vehicle description: passenger vehicles and MINI vans originally sold or currently registered in the following states: connecticut, illinois, indiana, maine, massachusetts, michigan, new hampshire, new jersey, new york, ohio, pennsylvania, rhode island, vermont and wisconsin. the rear cradle bolts pull through the retainers due to corrosion of the…
Risk and remedy
Risk
If this were to occur while the vehicle was in motion, a vehicle crash could result.
Remedy
Dealers will replace the rear cradle bolts and retainers.
Cracks develop in the wheel mounting surface. If these cracks become severe enough, the wheel will completely separate from the vehicle.
Risk and remedy
Risk
If wheel separation occurs while the vehicle IS in motion, loss of steering and brake control of the vehicle occurs, and a vehicle crash could result without prior warning.
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.
Cracks develop in the wheel mounting surface. If these cracks become severe enough, the wheel will completely separate from the vehicle.
Risk and remedy
Risk
If wheel separation occurs while the vehicle IS in motion, loss of steering and brake control of the vehicle occurs, and a vehicle crash could result without prior warning.
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.
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 faulty stoplamp switch can result in resumption of the cruise control function upon release of the brake pedal.
Risk and remedy
Risk
A trailing vehicle may not recognize a braking actionin time to respond appropriately. Also, cruise control will reengage uponrelease of the brake pedal and resume the set speed. In either case, it couldresult in a crash without prior warning.
Remedy
Install an improved design stoplamp switch.
Front shoulder belt guide loop attachment fastener may pull through door mounted anchor plate.
Risk and remedy
Risk
Seat belt may not sustain loads required by fmvss 210, and in a vehicle accident, the seat belt may not properly restrain a passenger, resulting in increased risk of greater injury to an occupant.
Remedy
Replace front shoulder belt guide loop attachment nuts and install new guide cover.
The parking brake cable may be disconnected from the left rear brake caliper.
Risk and remedy
Risk
Parking brake cannot be properly applied and vehiclewill not meet the grade holding requirements of fmvss 105.
Remedy
Install a retainer on left rear caliper if cable IS not already retained with a cotter pin and adjust parking brake system.
The secondary hood latch may not properly engage.
Risk and remedy
Risk
If primary latch disengages, hood could unexpectedlyopen. if car was in motion, hood could contact the windshield, reduce thedrivers forward vision area, and could result in an accident.
Remedy
Replace secondary latch with a new latch.
The front shoulder belt guide loop attached to the upper rear corner of the door may interfere with the garnish molding.
Risk and remedy
Risk
This interference could limit the rotation of the guideloop. if this condition exists and vehicle IS involved in a crash it could bepossible for the shoulder belt welding to be cut by the guide. loss of theshoulder belt function during a vehicle crash could increase the risk ofinjuries to occupants.
Remedy
A newly designed guide loop nut and spacer will be installed to eliminate the potential for interference conditions.
An interference between the transmission shift cable and the bellcrank clip in the steering column can result in disengagement of the transmission cable.
Risk and remedy
Risk
This condition could allow the transmission to be in agear other than that displayed by the shift indicator. the vehicle could movein an unexpected direction and cause a vehicle crash without prior warning.
Remedy
A newly designed bellcrank clip will be installed.
Wheel lug nuts were not properly torqued to specifications.
Risk and remedy
Risk
Wheel lug nuts could loosen and/or come off the wheelstuds. this could eventually result in wheel separating from the vehicle.loss of vehicle control and a vehicle crash could occur.
Remedy
Inspection of vehicle and assure proper torque replaces any missing lug nut or loose stud.
Owner complaints
88 complaints5 involved a crash1 involved a fire2 injuries
What owners report most
Latest complaints
- Electrical system · Steering
I keep listening to the news about the gm ignition switch and cars cutting off. I lived in nj bought 1988 grand prix brand new with only 9 miles on it when I took possession. the first title off it had 24 mies on it. I took it back time after time running up a service bill which eventually…
I keep listening to the news about the gm ignition switch and cars cutting off. I lived in nj bought 1988 grand prix brand new with only 9 miles on it when I took possession. the first title off it had 24 mies on it. I took it back time after time running up a service bill which eventually contributed to my bankruptcy but nj HD no lemon law so I was stuck in it. I finally was able to get rid of it with 154000+ miles on it and it was still cutting off whenever. It was scary to drive because you never know when you took your for off the gas if the engine would shut off and the steering would freeze. I am reporting this so someone knows that the issue has been going on way longer than gm IS letting on.
- Seats › Front assembly › Power adjust
When getting into the driver's side front seat consumer noticed that the driver's side came off the assembly. consumer stated that this was the third time that seat was replaced. *Ak
- Suspension › Front › Control arm › Lower ball joint
While the vehicle was being started the left ball joint fell off and the axle broke. *nlm
- Structure
While driving cradle bolts broke, causing engine to fall, and vehicle to break down.*ak
- Seat belts
Consumer was injured when her seatbelts failed to properly restrain her while driving, however there was a recall campaign 90v054000 regarding the belts.(attorney on behalf of client)*jb
- Structure
Nhtsa recall 00 v 189 000/manufacturer's recall 00061/65 concerning cradle bolts. dealer:poniac public service garage, marquette,mi; phone# 906/226-6518 will not honor recall, and manufacturer offered $200 for cost of recall. Please provide further informtion.*ak
- Suspension
While driving at 50 mph front coil spring on the front passenger side of vehicle broke and cut up the tire, causing vehicle to lose control.*ak consumer states spring and strut support broke off causing spring to push support plate down into the path of the tire ripping the tire. *Yh
- Structure
Frame cradle bolts pulled through retainers due to corrosion of retainers, causing motor to drop out. Took to dealer to have it repaired.*ak
- Structure › Body › Door › Hinge and attachments
Consumer states while driving 55 mph and without warning the driver side door fell off track, when consumer parked vehicle the door fell off the door hinge, both hinge pins broke in half. nlm *tt
- Fuel system, gasoline › Storage › Tank assembly
Due to gas tank rusting, vehicle started leaking fuel. Had gas tank replaced by mechanic. *ak consumer stated that prior to replacing the gas tank, mechanic tried to make repairs by using jb weld, however that failed and the tank had to be replaced. *slc
- Structure › Body › Door
Door on passenger's side of vehicle fell off. Did not have any prior warning. also, a notice was received from dealership about 5 or 6 years ago stating that if this happens to vehicle they will repair it, but had contacted dealer who refuse to repair it. *ak
- Power train › Automatic transmission · Power train › Driveline › Constant velocity joint
I just got this car and I have had to get 2 transmissions and I had to get the cv shafts replaced and the balljoints replaced and now the wheel bearings are going IS there any thing I can do about this. *Ak
- Electrical system › Starter assembly · Electrical system › Wiring › Front underhood
The car had work done on the fuel tank and recalls came back and two days later a fire started under the dash immediately after being started,the starter was sticking on and that was it the car IS now totaled
- Structure
The front frame to body bolts rotted out causing the frame to fall to the ground while driving resulting in loss of conrol and steering column separation, dealer was notified. nlm
- Service brakes, hydraulic › Foundation components › Disc › Caliper
Caliper not engaging with rotors on one side. dealer notified, and made repairs at consumer's cost. please feel free to provide any further details on this matter. *ak
- Structure
Cradle bolts failed prior to recall notice 00v-189, consumer request reimbursement. nlm
- Structure › Frame and members
While driving the vehicle, driver lost control of steering and crash into the side of the bridge's cable. When the vehicle was towed, the rear of the motor was found on the ground. owner called the dealership and was told that there was a recall on motor mounts bolts, but not in the state of minnesota. However, owner did received recall letter in october, 2000. (Letter written by father) *cj
- Parking brake › Conventional › Mechanical
Emergency parking brake lever IS stuck and will not release, cause unknown. please give any further details.*ak
- Parking brake · Seat belts › Rear/other
Emergency brakes do not work they were never connected. The back left seat belt never worked. I've had the back lights replaced several times and they still do not work. I just had to have a tire replace and the bolts hammered off, because they would not come off. I had to have one motor mount replaced.
- Service brakes, hydraulic › Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip
Brakes failed on a private road, had to be towed & have a brake job. At the time of ownership, my address was p.o.box 1234 camden, maine 04843. I have recently seen that others had the same problem and would like to be included in the settlement. *Ak
- Engine and engine cooling › Engine › Gasoline › Belts and associated pulleys
While driving the serpentine belt was shredding and making thumping noises under hood. I stopped car & opened hood and found that half of the belt was left. I drove for another mile to find a phone to call aaa. when I looked under the hood the belt was nearly all gone. car was bucking also and then stalled. *ak
- Service brakes, hydraulic › Foundation components › Disc
No summary listed for abov evehicle. *ak
- Electrical system › Wiring › Rear compartment/trunk
Can you provide me with trouble shooting codes and a color coded wiring diagram.., I can not find them anywhere. I have been pulled over but the police excused me since I just bought the car used and I am trying to fix it. thankyou
- Service brakes, hydraulic › Foundation components › Drum · Unknown or other
No summary.
- Unknown or other
No summary
Defect investigations
NHTSA’s Office of Defects Investigation opened these reviews into vehicles including this one.
- Structure
There is no summary currently available
- Engine cradle separation
On april 1, 1997, general motors corporation filed a defect information report to recall the subject vehicles, registered in 14 high corrosion states, to replace the rear engine cradle bolts and retainers.the rear engine cradle bolts would either fracturer or pull through the retianers due to corrosion.as of september…
On april 1, 1997, general motors corporation filed a defect information report to recall the subject vehicles, registered in 14 high corrosion states, to replace the rear engine cradle bolts and retainers.the rear engine cradle bolts would either fracturer or pull through the retianers due to corrosion.as of september 1998, the sixth quarter, 59.3% of the subject vehicles had been repaired.in addition to the complaints of front engine cradle bolt failures in the above failure report summary, odi has received six reports of possible front engine cradle bolt failures, including two crashes.an rq IS warranted to determine the extent of failures of the front engine cradle bolts and retainers on the subject vehicles.
- Cradle bolt failures
There is no summary currently available
- Corroded rear disk brakes
There is no summary currently available
- Sticking throttle
There is no summary currently available
- Brake light switch failure
There is no summary currently available
- W-car hinge pin failure
There is no summary currently available
- Steering wheel separation
There is no summary currently available
- Failure stop lamp switch
There is no summary currently available
- Parking brake cable
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- Throttle non-return
There is no summary currently available
Service bulletins
Technical service bulletins and other communications the manufacturer sent dealers about this vehicle. Ask a dealer for the full document by its number.
- 6088680Customers may complain of grinding / scraping / groaning noise from rear suspension.
- 37954Rattling noise/engine overheating.
Every Pontiac Grand Prix model year
Bars are owner complaints, dots mark years with recalls. Select a year to open its report.