Reliability, what owners report, and what it costs to keep.
AVOIR's read: a solid ownership case with specific caveats below.
Owners have filed 221 complaints with NHTSA about the 1991 Pontiac Grand Prix, and it carries 6 recalls. These are owner allegations rather than confirmed defects, but the pattern of what people complain about is the most useful signal a used buyer has.
| Area | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Service brakes | 84 | 38% |
| Structure | 28 | 13% |
| Electrical system | 17 | 8% |
| Exterior lighting | 15 | 7% |
| Engine and engine cooling | 14 | 6% |
| Steering | 11 | 5% |
| Unknown or other | 7 | 3% |
| Fuel system | 6 | 3% |
| Wheels | 3 | 1% |
| Engine and engine cooling | 3 | 1% |
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.
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 RE
NHTSA complaint: Suspension
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
NHTSA complaint: Tires
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. *TR
NHTSA complaint: Structure
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 W
NHTSA complaint: Wheels
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 V
NHTSA complaint: Structure
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 (NHTSA CAMPAIGN #00V189000) HOWEVE
NHTSA complaint: Structure
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 UNLES
NHTSA complaint: Engine and engine cooling
MY 1991 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX HAS EXHIBITED THE SAME EXACT ISSUES DESCRIBED BY NHTSA CAMPAIGN 00V189000. THE BOLTS THAT HOLD THE BACK END OF THE MOTOR CRADLE CORRODED THROUGH AND THE ENGINE FELL AS DESCRIBED IN THE DESCRI
NHTSA complaint: Structure
NHTSA lists 6 recall campaigns for the 1991 Pontiac Grand Prix. Recalls are free to have fixed at a franchised dealer regardless of who owns the car now, but only if they were never done, so check the VIN of the specific car rather than trusting the model.
CERTAIN REPLACEMENT FUEL FILTERS, FRAM BRAND NAME P/N G3727, WITH DATE CODES X52911 THROUGH X60801 SEQUENTIALLY OR X600141 AND A MEXICO COUNTRY OR ORIGIN MARKING ON THE FUEL FILTER HOUSING MANUFACTURED FROM OCTOBER 18, 2005, THROUGH MARCH 21, 2006, SOLD FOR USE ON THE VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE AND ON CE
Risk: THIS CONDITION MAY CAUSE AN INADEQUATE SEAL AT THE CONNECTION, POTENTIALLY LEADING TO A FUEL LEAK. IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, A FIRE COULD OCCUR.
Fix: HONEYWELL WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE FUEL FILTERS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 18, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FRAM CUSTOMER SERVICE AT 1-800-890-2075 (OPTION 1).
CERTAIN DELPHI FUEL PRESSURE REGULATORS, P/NOS. FP10020-11B1, FP10026-11B1, AND FP10027-11B1, SOLD AFTER JANUARY 9, 2007, AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. THE UNIVERSAL PRESSURE REGULATORS (UPR) WERE PRODUCED WITHOUT AN O'RING AND RETAINER.
Risk: FUEL MAY LEAK, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A FIRE.
Fix: DELPHI WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE UPR FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 23, 2007. OWNERS CAN CONTACT DELPHI AT 877-411-8770.
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 VIRGI
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.
Fix: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FRONT AND REAR FRAME/CRADLE BOLTS AND RETAINERS.
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.
Fix: INSTALL REINFORCING PLATES ON THE CRACKED SHOULDER BELT GUIDES.
| Reliability raw | 80 | excellent |
|---|---|---|
| Longevity est. | 78 | good |
| Maintenance | 89 | excellent |
| Depreciation | 60 | average |
| Performance | 48 | below average |
| Efficiency | 40 | below average |
Percentile ranks against other midsize & large cars in the catalog.
What stands behind each score for this car:
Owners have filed 221 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and service brakes is the most reported area with 84 of them (38%). There are 6 recalls on record. Check any specific car against its VIN before buying.
AVOIR scores its reliability 80/100 (excellent) from NHTSA recall campaigns and complaint density. That figure is a raw complaint count, not yet adjusted for sales volume, so a high-volume model scores worse than it deserves.
AVOIR scores its longevity 78/100, but that figure is an estimate built from the powertrain and the brand's record, not a measurement. A 1991 car has no 200,000-mile population to observe yet, so treat it as a prior rather than evidence.
AVOIR's read: worth a look, because a solid ownership case with specific caveats below. Its overall ownership score is 71/100. Condition, mileage and service history still matter more than any score, so get a pre-purchase inspection on the specific car.
Sources: NHTSA recalls and complaints, EPA fuel economy, IIHS awards, and live market listings. A score describes a model-year, not the individual car in front of you. Get a pre-purchase inspection.