repaired · 2016 Q2
Electrical system: ignition
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.
2008 Pontiac Grand PrixProblems, recalls & complaints
NHTSA has logged 143 owner complaints about the 2008 Pontiac Grand Prix, most often about the electrical system. It is covered by 1 safety recall, and for recall 14V-400 the manufacturer reports only 22% of affected cars repaired.
Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through October 2, 2026. Updated daily. Photo: Elise240SX, CC BY-SA 4.0.
Complaints by system
Where the 2008 Pontiac Grand Prix has problems
143 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.
43Electrical system4 crash/fire/injury
30Exterior lighting
22Air bags8 crash/fire/injury
19Engine2 crash/fire/injury
18Power train
9Steering
9Vehicle speed control
8Service brakes
6Structure
2913 other systems
| System | Complaints | Crash, fire or injury |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical system | 43 | 4 |
| Exterior lighting | 30 | 0 |
| Air bags | 22 | 8 |
| Engine | 19 | 2 |
| Power train | 18 | 0 |
| Steering | 9 | 1 |
| Vehicle speed control | 9 | 0 |
| Service brakes | 8 | 0 |
| Structure | 6 | 2 |
| 13 other systems | 29 | 0 |
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.
1 recall
2008 Pontiac Grand Prix recalls and how many were fixed
Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with Pontiac.
Mileage at failure
When do electrical system problems start?
91kmiles, median
Based on the odometer reading in 31 electrical system complaints. 58% were reported before 100,000 miles.
1under 30k miles18under 100k miles13100k miles or more
Best & worst years
2008 vs. every other Grand Prix year
Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the Grand Prix median. How we score
'65'66'70'72'73'74'76'77'78'79'80'81'82'83'84'85'86'87'88'89'90'91'92'93'94'95'96'97'98'99'00'01'02'03'04'05'06'07'08
- Avoid
- Caution
- Solid
- Best
- Not rated
NHTSA crash tests
2008 Pontiac Grand Prix safety ratings
2008 Pontiac Grand Prix 4-DR. in NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program. Photos are from NHTSA's crash tests.
Frontal crashNot rated
Side barrierNot rated
- Stability control: Optional
- Forward collision warning: No
- Lane departure warning: No
1 investigation
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal investigations that included the 2008 Pontiac Grand Prix, and the recalls they led to.
- Loss of HeadlightsNo recall
In owners' words
What Grand Prix owners report
Recent electrical system complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.
The contact owns a 2008 Pontiac Grand Prix. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the ignition switch unintendedly turned off the vehicle, and the vehicle lost power. The contact was able to immediately restart the vehicle. Occasionally, the contact had to wait for several…
Purchased the car in march and filed with local dealership to get the recall repaired for the ignition. 6 months later and the dealership says that GM hasn’t sent the part. It’s needs repaired now. I’m tired of waiting, it shouldn’t take this long to get a recall repaired.
I FILED A COMPLAINT IN AUG OF 2017. NEVER HEARD ANYTHING. MY CAR IS WORSE. IN THE SHOP AGAIN. THE CAR WILL DIE OUT IN PARK OR WHILE DRIVING IT. DIES OUT WAITING AT A RED LIGHT OR AT A STOP SIGN. IT ALSO STARTS WHEN IT WANTS TO START. THE ENGINE CRANKS OVER NORMALLY WHEN YOU ATTEMPT TO START THE…
Own a 2008 Grand Prix?
Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.