1989 Pontiac GRAND PRIX problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
100 owner complaints analyzed
9 distinct recall campaigns
122,500 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1989 model year. Data snapshot: . 2 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc is the most frequently named component, appearing in 19 of 100 complaints (19.0%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 49 | 49.0% |
| Steering behavior | 10 | 10.0% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 5 | 5.0% |
| Engine operation | 3 | 3.0% |
| Transmission and shifting | 1 | 1.0% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc | 19 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Caliper | 14 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Drum | 9 |
| Structure | 9 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Rotor | 6 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip | 5 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components | 5 |
| Electrical System:Ignition:Module | 4 |
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc: 19; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Caliper: 14; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Drum: 9; Structure: 9; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Rotor: 6; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip: 5; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components: 5; Electrical System:Ignition:Module: 4
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 0 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 0 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 0 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 0 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 2 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 0; 25,000 to 49,999: 0; 50,000 to 74,999: 0; 75,000 to 99,999: 0; 100,000 to 149,999: 2; 150,000 and above: 0
100,000 to 149,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (2). 98 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 1995 | 61 |
| 1996 | 8 |
| 2000 | 17 |
| 2001 | 2 |
| 2002 | 6 |
| 2003 | 1 |
| 2005 | 2 |
| 2008 | 1 |
| 2010 | 1 |
| 2015 | 1 |
1995: 61; 1996: 8; 2000: 17; 2001: 2; 2002: 6; 2003: 1; 2005: 2; 2008: 1; 2010: 1; 2015: 1
Pattern summary
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 49 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 10 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 5 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10252825 · 2008-12-26 (December 26, 2008)
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1989 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HIS BRAKE LIGHT LAMPS WOULD REMAIN ILLUMINATED WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS NOT IN OPERATION. THIS CAUSED THE BATTERY TO FAIL. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 90V185000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS:SWITCH); THEREFORE, THEY WOULD NOT ASSUME ANY RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE REPAIRS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 110,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 200,000. UPDATED 2/5/09 *CN UPDATED 02/10/09. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. 110,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10252825 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 478439 · 1995-01-05 (January 5, 1995)
RACK & PINION STEERING FAILED WHEN DEPRESSING ACCELERATOR AND APPLYING BRAKE, REQUIRING EXCESSIVE EFFORT TO STEER VEHICLE. *SKD
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 478439 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10125348 · 2005-06-15 (June 15, 2005)
DT: ONE OF THE BOLTS BROKE TO THE BODY OF THE FRAME, AND WHEN STEERING THE VEHICLE THE TIRE WAS PIVOTED TO THE RIGHT OF THE VEHICLE BECAUSE THE CRADLE DROPPED. NO FOR WARNING, HUSBAND A MECHANIC STATED THE SAME THING WAS WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10125348 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 737517 · 2000-12-08 (December 8, 2000)
ABS SPEED SENSORS HAVE FAILED TWICE, MASTER CYLINDER HAS FAILED AND REPLACED TWICE, ENITRE BRAKE SYSTEM HAS LOCKED UP, 8 FUEL INJECTORS REPLACED DUE TO ELECTRICAL SHORTS, BRAKE POWER ASSIST NOW FAILED.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 737517 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 483793 · 1995-09-02 (September 2, 1995)
COMPUTER FAILED CAUSING VEHICLE TO STALL. *TW
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 483793 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 784607 · 2000-04-09 (April 9, 2000)
VEHICLE STALLS WHEN STOPPED AT A STOP LIGHT OR WHEN SLOWING DOWN.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 784607 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 800882 · 1996-08-14 (August 14, 1996)
WHILE USING CLUTCH TO DOWN SHIFT OR TO SHIFT INTO ANOTHER GEAR, VEHICLE WOULD STALL, WITHOUT WARNING, DURING TRAFFIC OR AT STOP SIGNS/LIGHTS, HAVE NO CONTROL OVER THE STEERING. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 800882 at NHTSA ↗