Check a VIN

1991 Pontiac Grand Prix problems

The most common problem on the 1991 Pontiac Grand Prix is brakes. It has fewer complaints than a typical Grand Prix model year.

Typical yearClose to a typical year
Owner complaints
172
Recalls
4
Service bulletins
10
Worst area
Brakes
Fuel economy
18-21mpg

The worst 1991 Pontiac Grand Prix problems

Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.

Problems by type

Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.

Specific symptoms reported on the 1991 Pontiac Grand Prix

Brake failure 14ABS 10Headlights 7Overheating 7Power steering loss 6

Recalls 4

StructureReported July 11, 2000 · 713,435 vehicles affected
What is wrong
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 salt use is heavy. A condition where one or both front engine cradle bolts can pull through the retainers due to corrosion of the retainers.
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.

Recall number 00V189000 · Recall details

StructureReported April 8, 1997 · 676,535 vehicles affected
What is wrong
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 retainer. If both bolts pull through, the rear cradle would not longer be supported at these mounting locations and the steering intermediate shaft can separate from the steering gear.
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.

Recall number 97V058000 · Recall details

Electrical system: wiring: fuses and circuit breakersReported December 15, 1992 · 6,013 vehicles affected
What is wrong
The fog lamps, low beam headlamps, and high beam headlamps can be operated simultaneously. This can cause the headlamp circuit breaker to overload and trip, resulting in loss of headlamps (low and high beam) and fog lights.
Risk
Loss of headlamps without prior warning reduces drivervisibility in inclement weather conditions or at night, and could result in avehicle accident. In addition, the use of more than four (4) white lights on avehicle at the same time violates the law in some states.
Remedy
Install new fog lamp relays, new circuit breakers and new circuit breaker terminals. Also, modify the lighting circuit to prevent the fog lamps and high beam lamps from operating simultaneously.

Recall number 92V182000 · Recall details

Seat beltsReported January 10, 1992 · 347,866 vehicles affected
What is wrong
The front door shoulder belt guide loops may be cracked and are not in compliance with fmvss 208.
Risk
The seat occupant faces increased risk of injury in theevent of a sudden stop or accident.
Remedy
Install reinforcing plates on the cracked shoulder belt guides.

Recall number 92V003000 · Recall details

See all 4 recalls for the 1991 Pontiac Grand Prix

Defect investigations

StructureOpened November 28, 2001, closed June 13, 2002

There is no summary currently available

RP01001

Engine cradle separationOpened April 10, 2000, closed January 12, 2001

The engine cradle front bolts and/or retainers may fail, allowing the front of the engine cradle to fall, possibly separating the steering intermediate shaft from the steering gear, with complete loss of steering control

EA00011

Cradle bolt failuresOpened October 2, 1997, still open

There is no summary currently available

RQ97017

Corroded rear disk brakesOpened August 12, 1994, closed December 21, 1994

There is no summary currently available

PE94063

Sticking throttleOpened June 26, 1992, closed January 31, 1994

There is no summary currently available

EA92024

Jack failureOpened November 26, 1991, closed October 28, 1992

===

EA91049

Steering wheel separationOpened May 1, 1991, closed July 8, 1991

There is no summary currently available

PE91072

Technical service bulletins for the 1991 Pontiac Grand Prix 10

Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.

See all 10 bulletins for the 1991 Pontiac Grand Prix

1991 Pontiac Grand Prix fuel economy

Official EPA estimates in miles per gallon (MPGe for electric). Ranges cover trims that share the same engine.

EngineDriveCityHighwayCombined
2.3L 4‑cylFWD192621
3.1L 6‑cylFWD172820
3.4L 6‑cylFWD152418

What 1991 Pontiac Grand Prix owners say

Most recent owner complaints, unedited.

Filed Sep 10, 2016 · Body, Suspension · 149,380 miles · IN

Cradle bolt recall: just wondering why these recalls have been closed or possibly expired. My grand prix is still on the road and these bolts and parts have just broke. I never received any notification of any of the recalls for this car. Since these recalls have been closed or expired, I have to pay out of my pocket or I shall I just junk the car!!!!!!!!!!!!! The engine subrame is almost hanging on the ground!!!!!!! Why were these closed or expired????? Thanks in advance, mark

Filed Jun 15, 2015 · Tires · 15,000 miles · NC

Tl* the contact owns a 1977 (na) pontiac grand prix equipped with sigma regent tires, size 235/75r/15 (na). While driving approximately 75 MPH, the front driver side tire experienced tread separation and caused damage to the driver side of the vehicle. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The VIN and dot number were unknown. The tire and vehicle failure mileage was approximately 15,000. Ma 10/2 updated 10/20/2017

Filed Nov 27, 2010 · Body · MA

The rear cradle bolts pulled through the retainers. Car was at a stop at the time. Since this happened the car lost it's steering ability. Good thing I was stopped at a stop sign. Engine was still running.

Filed Aug 25, 2008 · Wheels · 11,000 miles · NM · 1 injury

Donut spare tire rim failed after driving through a 1/2-inch deep pot hole within 10 feet of where I had a flat with the full size tire. Rim was bent beyond repair. If I would have had the spare tire on the highway I would have damaged car. If auto makers are so concerned about safety why do they give you a tiny spare tire and tiny jack that barely holds the car up? The rim collapsed the same year I bought the new car. Seventeen years later I had the jack slide out from under my car and the car fell on my leg and I have lasting bruise marks from the injury.

Filed Nov 26, 2007 · Body · 150 miles · MI

I was driving down a main road (speed limit 55 MPH) when my steering went completely out, the steering wheel spun in either direction without stopping w/no action at tires. Luckily I was able to brake and maneuver the vehicle to the shoulder. Upon further investigation I realized the only reason I was able to maneuver the vehicle to the shoulder by pressing the brakes is because the drivers side rear cradle bolt on the drivers side was missing which caused the engine and entire front end to drop and twist to the right when the brake was applied. There are many vehicle traffic deaths on this road every year and luckily I wasn't another statistic. My reason behind this complaint is I have noticed that the federal safety agency has issued a recall on this problem (campaign #00v189000). Upon learning this I took the vehicle up to the dealer to remedy the problem and was informed that the vehicle did not fall under the recall because the VIN # is one number off (I.e. Pontiac issued the recall for vins up to mf23 and my VIN is mf24). This information is located on gm's document, id# 792186. My complaint is this: the problem has occurred to my car, I live in michigan, it's a 1991, I could have lost my life and I feel it's all attributed to poor engineering on gm's behalf, they have recognized that, but for the sake of saving money, my vehicle (one number off on the VIN), was not included on the recall, yet the problem still exists. The service department was very combative when addressing my problem and not very concerned, even though it could of been one of their wives or daughters I crashed head on into because of poor engineering and an obvious problem that was not completely addressed in all grand prixs that were manufactured in 1991 and registered in the state of michigan.

Filed Aug 7, 2007 · Body · 168,000 miles · WI

Tl*the contact owns a 1991 pontiac grand prix. During a routine maintenance check, the repair shop stated that the engine cradle brackett corroded. There is a recall for the structure (the federal safety agency campaign #00v189000) however; the manufacturer stated that the VIN was not included. The current and failure mileages were 168,000.

Filed Jun 6, 2007 · Electrical, Engine · NC

Tl*the contact owns a 1991 pontiac grand prix ste. The contact stated that the vehicle fails to start unless the steering wheel is turned in a certain position. She also stated that the brake lights will not work unless the headlights are activated. As a result, fuses have blown and the vehicle occasionally overheats. She notified the dealer who stated that her VIN was not included in any recalls. The contact referenced recall # 92v182000 (electrical system:fuses and circuit breakers). The engine size, powertrain, and failure mileage were unknown. The current mileage is 150,647.

Filed Nov 13, 2006 · Body · 130,000 miles · MI

My 1991 pontiac grand prix has exhibited the same exact issues described by the federal safety agency campaign 00v189000. The bolts that hold the back end of the motor cradle corroded through and the engine fell as described in the description of gm campaign 00061, including the steering shaft separating so that the car became . The VIN of my vehicle places it as about 4000 units after the end of the recall.

Filed Jul 27, 2006 · Electrical · 96,000 miles · KS

Dt*: the contact stated while driving 30 MPH on normal road conditions the head and fog lights became darkened without any warning. There is a recall # 92v182000, which pertaining to the electrical system: fuses and circuit breakers. The VIN is not included in the recall.

Filed Feb 11, 2005 · Body · WI

While the vehicle was parked, the driver noticed that the rear cradle bolts were broken. The cause has not been determined at this time. Please provide further details.

Used buying checklistWhat to check on a 1991 Pontiac Grand Prix before you buy

Compare the 1991 Pontiac Grand Prix

Other model years

1990199119921993199419951996199719981999200020012002200320042005200620072008

Questions about the 1991 Pontiac Grand Prix

Is the 1991 Pontiac Grand Prix reliable?

Owners have filed 172 complaints about the 1991 Pontiac Grand Prix, fewer than a typical Grand Prix model year.

What is the most common problem with the 1991 Pontiac Grand Prix?

Brakes, with 77 complaints. Next is body (30).

How many recalls does the 1991 Pontiac Grand Prix have?

4 recalls, covering structure, electrical system and seat belts.

What year does the Pontiac Grand Prix have bad brakes?

The Pontiac Grand Prix model years with the most brakes complaints are 1990 (95 complaints), 1991 (77 complaints) and 1993 (57 complaints).

What gas mileage does the 1991 Pontiac Grand Prix get?

Official estimates for the 1991 Pontiac Grand Prix range from 18 to 21 mpg combined. The most efficient version (2.3L 4-cyl, FWD) gets 19 city and 26 highway.

Share your experience with the 1991 Pontiac Grand Prix

Tell other buyers what went wrong and what it cost. We review every report before it appears, and we never publish names, emails or VINs.

No names, contact details or links. Reports about a dealer or a person are not published.

VIN decoder

See the problems and recalls for an exact car

Buying a used 1991 Pontiac Grand Prix?

Check the exact car before you pay: accidents, salvage or flood titles, odometer readings and previous owners.

Check its history
Is this car on a recall?Check VIN