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2006 Pontiac Grand Prix problems

The most common problem on the 2006 Pontiac Grand Prix is electrical system, typically around 123,000 miles. Its complaint count is close to a typical Grand Prix model year.

Typical yearClose to a typical year
Year score
75/100
Owner complaints
239
Recalls
1
Service bulletins
703
Worst area
Electrical
Fuel economy
19-21mpg
Typical repair
$3,000

The worst 2006 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 2006 Pontiac Grand Prix

Headlights 50Slipping 22Transmission failure 21Stalling 17Fire or smoke 13Loss of power 13ABS 12No deployment 11Power steering loss 9Harsh shifting 7Overheating 7Ball joint 5Steering lock-up 5Won't start 5

Recalls 1

Electrical system: ignitionReported July 3, 2014 · 5,877,718 vehicles affected
What is wrong
This defect can affect the safe operation of the airbag system. Until this recall is performed, customers should remove all items from their key rings, leaving only the ignition key. The key fob (if applicable), should also be removed from the key ring. General Motors LLC (GM) notified the agency on July 3, 2014, that they are recalling 5,877,718 model year 2000-2005 Chevrolet Impala and Monte Carlo, 1997-2003 Chevrolet Malibu, 2004-2005 Malibu Classic, 1999-2004 Oldsmobile Alero, 1998-2002 Oldsmobile Intrigue, 1999-2005 Pontiac Grand Am and 2004-2008 Pontiac Grand Prix vehicles. In these models, the weight on the key ring and/or road conditions or some other jarring event may cause the ignition switch to move out of the run position, turning off the engine.
Risk
If the key is not in the run position, the air bags may not deploy if the vehicle is involved in a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
Remedy
GM will notify owners, and dealers will install two key rings and an insert in the key slot or a cover over the key head on all ignition keys, free of charge. The recall began on September 9, 2014. GM's number for this recall is 14350.

Recall number 14V400000 · Recall details

See all 1 recalls for the 2006 Pontiac Grand Prix

Defect investigations

Loss of HeadlightsOpened April 24, 2017, closed March 29, 2021

The subject vehicles are model year (MY) 2002-2009 Chevrolet Trailblazer, GMC Envoy, 2004-2007 Buick Rainier, 2003-2008 Isuzu Ascender, 2005-2009 Saab 9-7X, 2002-2004 Oldsmobile Bravada, 2003-2006 Chevrolet SSR, 2005-2009 Buick Lacrosse, and 2006-2008 Pontiac Grand Prix. This scope includes the Trailblazer/Envoy variants: 2002-2006 Envoy XL/Trailblazer EXT and 2004-2005 Envoy XUV. The original scope of this investigation was expanded to include all vehicles equipped with the subject Headlight Driver Module (HDM). The focus of the investigation was to determine whether actions performed by General Motors adequately addressed any unreasonable risk to motor vehicle safety in the subject vehicles concerning the headlights and the HDM that controls them.Under normal electrical load and environmental conditions, the HDM can overheat inside the Underhood Electrical Center (UEC). This can cause the module to fail and result in a simultaneous loss of both low beam headlights and both daytime running lights (DRLs), often with no warning or prior detectability to the driver. This failure can be intermittent or permanent. No other exterior lights are affected. High beams, turn signals, brake lights, and reverse lights are still operational.General Motors addressed this issue with 2 recalls (14V755 & 15V519) and a special coverage program (N172091910). In view of the recalls and special coverage program implemented by GM and the vehicle high beams continuing to operate, ODI has tentatively concluded that the actions taken by GM mitigate any unreasonable risk to safety posed by HDM failure in the subject vehicles.Accordingly, the investigation is closed. The closing of this investigation does not constitute a finding by the federal safety agency that a safety-related defect does not exist. The agency reserves the right to take additional action if warranted by new circumstances.The ODI reports cited above are available for review online at under the identification numbers in the attached document.

RQ17002

Power steering fluid leaks - firesOpened May 13, 2009, closed October 2, 2009

General motors (gm) initiated a customer satisfaction campaign in october of 2006 to address a failure of the power steering hose and/or clamps that could occur when the engine is started in vehicles primarily operated in the following states that experience extremely cold temperatures:alaska, maine, minnesota, montana, new hampshire, north dakota, south dakota, vermont, wisconsin and wyoming.at the time this preliminary evaluation (pe) was opened, only 1 of the 33 complaints received by the office of defects investigation (odi) was from a state covered by the customer satisfaction campaign.in response to an information request sent by the odi, gm provided information that included 6 alleged fires and 1 alleged minor crash potentially related to the alleged defect. One of the alleged fires is a duplicate of a report received by odi.of the fire incidents, 2 of the 6 alleged fire incidents occurred after the remedy detailed in the customer satisfaction program was performed.one of the vehicles was totaled as a result of the incident.it is undetermined whether the incidents were related to the alleged defect or were a by product of the repair.of the other four alleged fire incidents, 1 incident involved smoke only and no visible flames.based on the information provided, the remaining 3 fire incidents were localized events that primarily involved damage to the power steering components and surrounding wiring.all 3 of these vehicles were subsequently repaired.none of the alleged fire incidents occurred while the vehicle was unattended.odi is aware of 1 additional alleged fire incident that was not included in gm's information request response.based on the consumer's description of the incident, the fire was quickly extinguished by a friend and the vehicle was subsequently repaired at a dealership.in total odi is aware of 6 alleged fire incidents where the consumer alleged flames were visible.all of the alleged fire incidents occurred while the vehicle was still attended. Odi is aware 1 minor crash alleged to be related to a power steering fluid leak.the consumer alleged a minor crash occurred as the consumer was attempting to pull into a driveway and had difficulty negotiating the turn due to experiencing high power steering efforts and struck a snow bank.in a letter dated september 21, 2009, gm informed odi that a customer satisfaction program will commence in december of 2009 for the entire us. As a remedy the power steering hose assembly for vehicles with v8 engines and the power steering return hose and clamps for vehicles with v6 engines will be replaced with upgraded components.based on the low frequencies and minor severities of the alleged fire incidents and crash,no safety related defect trend has been identified in the subject vehicles.gm's expanded customer satisfaction program will provide free repairs to vehicles excluded from the original campaign.accordingly, this investigation has been closed.the closing of this investigation does not constitute a finding by the federal safety agency that a safety-related defect does not exist.the agency will continue to monitor complaints and other information relating to the alleged defect in the subject vehicles and take further action in the future if warranted.

PE09025

Technical service bulletins for the 2006 Pontiac Grand Prix 703

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

See all 703 bulletins for the 2006 Pontiac Grand Prix

2006 Pontiac Grand Prix fuel economy

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

EngineDriveCityHighwayCombined
3.8L 6‑cylFWD17-1826-2820-21
5.3L 8‑cylFWD162519

What 2006 Pontiac Grand Prix owners say

Most recent owner complaints, unedited.

Filed Aug 3, 2023 · Electrical, Lights · SC

My headlights quit working while I was driving with no warning

Filed Aug 30, 2022 · Engine · IL

Seems like a bad motor gasket cause it’s a constant burning oil smell with no visible leaks at all

Filed Feb 20, 2022 · Electrical, Engine · SD

Unknown

Filed Jul 12, 2021 · Airbags, Brakes · MI · crash · 3 injuries

got cutoff on a busy highway going 70mph and they slammed their brakes. i had 6 car lengths between us and immediately started braking but we were just skidding. I had the choice of hitting the vehicle or swerving left towards the median. I chose the latter. The steering locked up, the abs did NOT kick in and the airbags did NOT deploy. we hit a median at 70mph and no airbags?! I was point of impact. It hit the front drivers side, destroying the light and entire front. the car spun around and it hit again but this time it was the back passenger side/light. Again, NO airbags deployed. So my abs, steering, and airbags all had issues. We are so lucky no one is hurt in severeity but I am beyond fuming, scared, and confused why all of those locked up/failed to serve their purpose! Most severe injuries were me with contusions, strains, and a herniated disc in my neck (likely to cause chronic pain, per doctor.) cop already found me not at fault so no ticket/points, to give an idea. person kept driving. one person stopped and happened to be 4 cars behind us and verified what happened to us. The vehicle is totaled. We are sol on a car now as insurance said it wasn't worth having collision considering how old it was... never had an accident or ticket in 10+ years of driving. the car failed me.

Filed May 7, 2021 · Lights · IL

My vihicle turns off the low beams when I am driving and I can have an accident

Filed Mar 1, 2021 · Acceleration, Lights · 218,000 miles · KS

My power steering went out and when you try to go over 40 the car lunges forward and has a hard time shifting and will continue while in cruise control. I already had work done on the fuel line cause the line was clogged and the vehicle would lunge forward cause the fuel wasn't getting pushed through. My power steering went out after my boyfriend parked it. He only noticed it when he tried driving away and he couldn't turn the wheel like usual. The cruise control does its thing while in motion. Also the headlamps! The brights stay on, you have to hold the dimmer switch back to get the brights to turn off but if you let go of the switch they turn on and flash people. It only turns off when turning left. The AC compressor blew too. I had bought the vehicle 3 years ago during the winter so it was blowing cold air, but when summer hit is when I noticed it was only blowing air from outside into the cab. The heater works, but the AC doesn't. My boyfriend was driving home recently and couldn't move the steering wheel and almost had a head on collision because of the power steering. The power steering happened in town at his place of work and had to drive on the highway to come home. The cruise happens on the highway. The headlamps is a constant thing, we pulled the fuse that controls the brights and the dims worked just fine, but it's hard to drive at night without brights.

Filed Jan 25, 2021 · Electrical, Steering · 100,000 miles · OH · fire

When I go to press on the brakes it would pull to the right ,and when I go to put on my signal light to the right my bright lights comes on and when I turn on my heater the door or something the shop told me was not opening for my heat to come out,and that's the problems I am experiencing,with the pontiac they are excellent cars but has few issues,can you please help with fixing these problems.I've reported the problem three and a half years ago and I have not heard from anyone yet my number is [xxx]thank you for your time. Information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6).

Filed Jan 25, 2021 · Electrical, Engine · 160,240 miles · MT · fire

My car started on fire while on a city road because of the power steering pump pulley completely sprung off serpentine belt melted coolant reservoir melted fuse box be melted from the fire how many other things something to do with the power steering pump leaking fluid and hitting my exhaust causing a fire in my car

Filed Oct 14, 2020 · Engine · 192,000 miles · AR

Bad engine had while driving almost caused an accident bad knocking noise within the motor do to faulty parts mechanic says a part failed while driving car starts but has bad noise within the engine and now vehicle is rendered useless.

Filed Sep 6, 2020 · Lights · TN

Bought the car in january the low beam will not work have replaced bulbs and multi function switch

Used buying checklistWhat to check on a 2006 Pontiac Grand Prix before you buy

Compare the 2006 Pontiac Grand Prix

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Questions about the 2006 Pontiac Grand Prix

Is the 2006 Pontiac Grand Prix reliable?

Owners have filed 239 complaints about the 2006 Pontiac Grand Prix, close to a typical Grand Prix model year.

What is the 2006 Pontiac Grand Prix year score?

The 2006 Pontiac Grand Prix scores 75 out of 100 (average). The score compares it with the other model years of the Pontiac Grand Prix: 75 is a typical year, 50 means twice the usual complaints, and serious complaints and recalls lower it.

What is the most common problem with the 2006 Pontiac Grand Prix?

Electrical system, with 65 complaints, typically around 123,000 miles. Next is transmission (61).

How many recalls does the 2006 Pontiac Grand Prix have?

1 recall, covering electrical system.

Was there a recall on the 2006 Pontiac Grand Prix electrical?

Yes, 1 recall: 14V400000. Check your VIN to see if your car still needs the free repair.

What year does the Pontiac Grand Prix have the most electrical problems?

The Pontiac Grand Prix model years with the most electrical complaints are 2004 (107 complaints), 1997 (88 complaints) and 2007 (68 complaints).

What gas mileage does the 2006 Pontiac Grand Prix get?

Official estimates for the 2006 Pontiac Grand Prix range from 19 to 21 mpg combined. The most efficient version (3.8L 6-cyl, FWD) gets 17-18 city and 26-28 highway.

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