1988 Pontiac Grand Prix Recalls, Complaints & Specs
11 safety recalls list the 1988 Pontiac Grand Prix, and owners have filed 88 complaints with NHTSA. Check your own VIN below.
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11 safety recalls for the 1988 Pontiac Grand Prix
Most recent first. Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. Click a recall for the full defect, consequence and remedy text.
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Structure
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…
Remedy: Dealers will replace the front and rear frame/cradle bolts and retainers.
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Structure
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…
Remedy: Dealers will replace the rear cradle bolts and retainers.
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Wheels
Cracks develop in the wheel mounting surface. If these cracks become severe enough, the wheel will completely separate from the vehicle.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect the manufacturing date codes stamped on each wheel of the vehicle and if a wheel falls within the specified date code range, the dealer will replace that wheel assembly.
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Wheels
Cracks develop in the wheel mounting surface. If these cracks become severe enough, the wheel will completely separate from the vehicle.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect the manufacturing codes stamped on each wheel of the vehicle and if a wheel falls within the specified date code range, the dealer will replace that wheel assembly.
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Switch (exterior lighting)
Brake stoplamps may not illuminate or, in some cases, stoplamps may not stay illuminated all the time when brakes are applied due to a faulty stoplamp switch. Also, in vehicles with cruise control, a faulty stoplamp switch can result in resumption of the cruise control function upon release of the brake pedal.
Remedy: Install an improved design stoplamp switch.
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Seat belts
Front shoulder belt guide loop attachment fastener may pull through door mounted anchor plate.
Remedy: Replace front shoulder belt guide loop attachment nuts and install new guide cover.
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Linkage and cable (parking brake)
The parking brake cable may be disconnected from the left rear brake caliper.
Remedy: Install a retainer on left rear caliper if cable is not already retained with a cotter pin and adjust parking brake system.
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Latch (latches/locks/linkages)
The secondary hood latch may not properly engage.
Remedy: Replace secondary latch with a new latch.
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Webbing (seat belts)
The front shoulder belt guide loop attached to the upper rear corner of the door may interfere with the garnish molding.
Remedy: A newly designed guide loop nut and spacer will be installed to eliminate the potential for interference conditions.
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Column shift assembly (power train)
An interference between the transmission shift cable and the bellcrank clip in the steering column can result in disengagement of the transmission cable.
Remedy: A newly designed bellcrank clip will be installed.
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Lugs/nuts/bolts/studs (wheels)
Wheel lug nuts were not properly torqued to specifications.
Remedy: Inspection of vehicle and assure proper torque replaces any missing lug nut or loose stud.
88 owner complaints filed with NHTSA
Owners of the 1988 Pontiac Grand Prix have filed 88 complaints with NHTSA; 5 describe a crash and 1 describe a fire. Reports cite 2 injuries and 0 deaths. The average mileage at failure in those reports is 154,000 miles. Complaints peaked in 1995 with 41 filed that year.
Most-reported components
What owners are reporting
“I keep listening to the news about the GM ignition switch and cars cutting off. I lived in nj bought 1988 grand prix brand new with only 9 miles on it when i took possession. The first title off it ha”
Owner complaint to NHTSA, January 17, 2016 · Electrical system
“When getting into the driver's side front seat consumer noticed that the driver's side came off the assembly. Consumer stated that this was the third time that seat was replaced. *ak”
Owner complaint to NHTSA, July 19, 2004 · Seats
Fuel economy and specs
EPA ratings for the 1988 Pontiac Grand Prix. Ranges cover every tested configuration.
| Combined | 20–21 mpg |
|---|---|
| City / Highway | 17–18 / 26 |
| Fuel | Regular |
| EPA class | Midsize Cars |
| Engine | 6 cyl, 2.8 L |
| Transmission | Automatic 4-spd; Manual 5-spd |
Compare Pontiac Grand Prix model years
Recall and complaint counts for every Pontiac Grand Prix model year in NHTSA's database.
Checking a specific 1988 Pontiac Grand Prix
How do I know if my 1988 Pontiac Grand Prix has an open recall?
Enter your 17-character VIN above. The VIN is on the driver's side dashboard (visible through the windshield), the driver's door jamb sticker, and your registration or insurance card. The check runs against NHTSA's live database and tells you which campaigns list your vehicle. 11 campaigns currently list the 1988 Pontiac Grand Prix; your car may already have been repaired under some of them.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Under federal law, manufacturers must fix safety recalls at no charge for vehicles up to 15 years old from the date of sale to the first owner. Contact any authorised Pontiac dealer with your VIN and the NHTSA campaign number (for example 00V189000).
What is the difference between a recall and a complaint?
A recall is a safety campaign filed by the manufacturer or ordered by NHTSA, with a defined defect and remedy. A complaint is a report an owner sent to NHTSA; it is not verified, but patterns of complaints are what trigger NHTSA investigations and, eventually, recalls.
Other Pontiac models
- G65,889 complaints
- Grand AM5,580 complaints
- Bonneville1,979 complaints
- Vibe1,865 complaints
- Sunfire1,144 complaints
- Montana1,054 complaints
- Trans Sport973 complaints
- Solstice728 complaints
Source: NHTSA recall and complaint databases and EPA fuel economy data, October 2026. Complaint counts are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. Recall counts are safety campaigns that list this model year; whether a particular car was already repaired depends on its VIN. How this data is compiled.