The most-reported Grand Prix run is 1G2WP52K9VF (1997 builds) with 22 complaints, 5× the typical run. Engine and engine cooling problems make up 19% of reports; 2004 is the worst model year at 5.8 complaints per run; NHTSA lists 26 recall campaigns for Grand Prix model years 1995–2008.
Which build runs owners report most
A production run is the first 11 characters of the VIN: plant, model year, body and engine. The Pontiac Grand Prix has 803 of them on record. The five runs at the top of this table hold 3% of every Grand Prix complaint on file.
| Production run (VIN 1–11) | Year | Complaints | Involved a crash | Fire |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1G2WP52K9VF•••••• | 1997 | 3 | 7 | |
| 1G2WP52K3XF•••••• | 1999 | 1 | 10 | |
| 1G2WP52K8YF•••••• | 2000 | 1 | 4 | |
| 1G2WJ52K9VF•••••• | 1997 | — | 3 | |
| 1G2WP52K6YF•••••• | 2000 | — | 3 | |
| 1G2WP52KX1F•••••• | 2001 | 1 | 4 | |
| 2G2WP522641•••••• | 2004 | 4 | 1 | |
| 1G2WJ52K4VF•••••• | 1997 | 1 | 2 | |
| 1G2WP52K6VF•••••• | 1997 | 1 | 2 | |
| 1G2WP52K3YF•••••• | 2000 | 1 | 8 | |
| 1G2WP52K1XF•••••• | 1999 | — | 9 | |
| 1G2WR5216XF•••••• | 1999 | 1 | 3 |
Each of the other 791 Grand Prix runs has 16 complaints or fewer. ForCar has checked 23 Grand Prix VINs so far, most often 2006, 2005, 2008 builds.
Which model years to check twice
Complaints per production run, so a year that simply sold more does not top the list. On the Pontiac Grand Prix the gap between build years is 3.4×: a 2004 car draws 5.8 complaints per run, a 1996 one 1.7.
| Year | Per run | Complaints | Runs | Crashes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 116 | 29 | 6 | |
| 2007 | 182 | 43 | 12 | |
| 2006 | 190 | 52 | 14 | |
| 2005 | 122 | 52 | 8 | |
| 2004 | 359 | 62 | 37 | |
| 2003 | 94 | 33 | 3 | |
| 2002 | 264 | 57 | 15 | |
| 2001 | 261 | 60 | 12 | |
| 2000 | 380 | 83 | 8 | |
| 1999 | 335 | 72 | 13 | |
| 1998 | 404 | 85 | 12 | |
| 1997 | 642 | 114 | 28 | |
| 1996 | 63 | 37 | 6 | |
| 1995 | 140 | 62 | 18 |
Heaviest year here is 2004 at 5.8 complaints per run; lightest is 1996 at 1.7.
What to inspect on this car
One system accounts for 19% of everything Pontiac Grand Prix owners report: Engine And Engine Cooling, 664 of 3,552 complaints. Start the pre-purchase inspection there.
| System | Complaints | Involved a crash | Fire |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 5 | 302 | |
| Electrical System | 25 | 154 | |
| Engine | 6 | 264 | |
| Steering | 35 | 13 | |
| Exterior Lighting | 6 | 17 | |
| Power Train | 12 | 9 | |
| Service Brakes | 33 | 4 | |
| Visibility | 1 | 1 |
Recalls to check against your VIN
NHTSA has 26 recall campaigns on the Pontiac Grand Prix; the 6 below cover build years 1995 to 2007. These are for the model and year; whether one is still open on a given car, only that VIN can tell.
| Campaign | Component | Model years |
|---|---|---|
| 09E005000 | Steering | 1997–2007 |
| 07E021000 | Fuel System, Other:storage:tank Assembly:pressure Relief Devices | 1995–2003 |
| 15V701000 | Engine And Engine Cooling:engine | 1997–2004 |
| 09E025000 | Exterior Lighting:headlights | 1997–2004 |
| 09E012000 | Exterior Lighting | 1997–2003 |
| 08V118000 | Engine And Engine Cooling | 1997–2003 |
The Grand Prix against its rivals
The Grand Prix draws 4.4 complaints per production run; the Chevrolet Monte Carlo 3.7 and the Jaguar S-Type 2.4. That is the highest rate of the 3.
| Model | Complaints | Runs | Per run | Involved a crash |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pontiac Grand Prix | 3,552 | 803 | 5.4% | |
| Chevrolet Monte Carlo | 1,689 | 454 | 6.5% | |
| Jaguar S-Type | 389 | 164 | 10.8% |
How serious were they
Of the 3,552 reports on the Pontiac Grand Prix, 5.4% involved a crash against 5.8% across all vehicles, below the norm.
| Outcome | Pontiac Grand Prix | All vehicles |
|---|---|---|
| Complaints filed | 3,552 | 1,115,966 |
| Involved a crash | 192 (5.4%) | 64,194 (5.8%) |
| Involved a fire | 703 (19.8%) | 26,974 (2.4%) |
| Injuries reported | 181 | 58,013 |
| Deaths reported | 15 | 2,728 |
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How this check works
The file behind this page holds 1,115,966 complaints filed with NHTSA between 1981 and 2026, across 298,921 production runs. The Pontiac Grand Prix share of that is 3,552 complaints over 803 runs, 0.32% of everything on record.
Frequently asked questions
How do I check a Pontiac Grand Prix VIN for free?
Enter the 17 characters above. ForCar matches the first eleven, the production run, against 3,552 NHTSA complaints from 803 Grand Prix runs and 26 recall campaigns. No account, no card.
Which Grand Prix production run has the most complaints?
1G2WP52K9VF, a 1997 build, with 22 complaints, 3 of them after a crash. The typical Grand Prix run has 4.4.
Which Grand Prix years have the most complaints?
Per production run, 2004 is heaviest at 5.8 complaints per run and 1996 lightest at 1.7.
Does the Grand Prix get more complaints than the Chevrolet Monte Carlo?
Yes: 4.4 complaints per production run for the Grand Prix against 3.7 for the Chevrolet Monte Carlo.
How many Grand Prix complaints involve a crash?
5.4% of 3,552 reports, against 5.8% across all vehicles; 703 involved a fire.
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