Reliability, what owners report, and what it costs to keep.
AVOIR's read: a solid ownership case with specific caveats below.
Owners have filed 159 complaints with NHTSA about the 1993 Pontiac Grand Prix, and it carries 2 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 | 58 | 36% |
| Electrical system | 35 | 22% |
| Engine and engine cooling | 13 | 8% |
| Exterior lighting | 10 | 6% |
| Steering | 8 | 5% |
| Power train | 7 | 4% |
| Seats | 4 | 3% |
| Structure | 3 | 2% |
| Seat belts | 3 | 2% |
| Tires | 2 | 1% |
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.
RECENTLY I BOUGHT THIS VEHICLE AND REALIZE THAT BOTH THE FRONT SEATS' BACK MECHANISMS WILL NOT LATCH. FROM NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NO.: 93V035000, I UNDERSTAND THAT THERE IS A SAFETY RECALL FOR THIS VEHICLE. I PROCEED TO A LOC
NHTSA complaint: Seats
1993 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX LOST USE OF BRAKES AND DROVE INTO PARKING LOT THEN STRUCK A POLE. *NJ (OHIO TRAFFIC CRASH REPORT # 10-0531-91)*JB LETTER UPDATED 03/17/10*BF
NHTSA complaint: Service brakes
TRANS AXLE SEEMS TO SLIP (ASIF SHIFTED INTO NEUTRAL) IN SHARP CORNERS AND WHEN LEAVING STOP LIGHTS CAUSING A DANGEROUS SUDDEN JERK WHEN THE STEERING RETURNS STRAIGHT OFTEN LAUNCHING THE CAR INTO THE OTHER LANE OR ON TO T
NHTSA complaint: Power train
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1993 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE CANNOT MAKE A LEFT TURN DUE TO RACK AND PINION FAILURE. HE STATED THAT NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID # 02V286000 (STEERING:RACK AND PINION) SHOULD INCLUDE H
NHTSA complaint: Steering
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1993 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PIRELLI P6 ALL WEATHER TIRES (225 60/R16) ON HIS VEHICLE WERE CHECKED MANY TIMES PRIOR TO THEM FAILING. HE STATED THAT THE TIRES HAD TWO FAILED
NHTSA complaint: Tires
SEAT BELT MOUNTED TO THE DOOR FAILED TO RESTRAIN MY SON IN THE VEHICLE WHEN HE GOT INTO AN ACCIDENT. THE DOOR OPENED CAUSED FOR HIM TO BE EJECTED AND MY SON DID NOT SURVIVE THE ACCIDENT. THE DOOR LINKAGE GOT PUSHED DOWN
NHTSA complaint: Seat belts
WHILE DRIVING,WITHOUT WARNING THE FRONT SEAT WOULD UNEXPECTEDLY MOVE FROM SIDE TO SIDE. THE DRIVER WAS ABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE DROVE TO THE DEALER. THE DRIVER NOTICED THAT THE RIGHT SIDE SEAT WOULD REPE
NHTSA complaint: Seats
DRIVER SIDE DOOR HANDLE BROKE OFF WITHOUT ANY FORCE BEING USED. CONSUMER THEN TRIED TO OPEN THE DOOR USING THE HANDLE ON THE INSIDE WHICH ALSO BROKE OFF. THE PASSENGER SIDE DOOR HANDLE ROD BROKE, AND THE DOOR COULD NO
NHTSA complaint: Latches/locks/linkages
NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns for the 1993 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 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.
THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER FRONT SEAT MANUAL RECLINING MECHANISMS DO NOT COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS 207, "SEATING SYSTEMS." THE SEAT BACK MECHANISMS WILL NOT LATCH UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS.
Risk: THE SEATS MAY RECLINE WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING, RESULTINGIN A HAZARD TO SEAT OCCUPANTS AND POSSIBLE LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL.
Fix: REPLACE THE MANUAL SEAT RECLINER MECHANISM WITH A MECHANISM THAT COMPLIES WITH FMVSS 207.
| Reliability raw | 82 | excellent |
|---|---|---|
| Longevity est. | 79 | good |
| Maintenance | 78 | good |
| Depreciation | 60 | average |
| Performance | 54 | average |
| Efficiency | 38 | below average |
Percentile ranks against other midsize & large cars in the catalog.
What stands behind each score for this car:
Owners have filed 159 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and service brakes is the most reported area with 58 of them (36%). There are 2 recalls on record. Check any specific car against its VIN before buying.
AVOIR scores its reliability 82/100 (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 79/100, but that figure is an estimate built from the powertrain and the brand's record, not a measurement. A 1993 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 70/100. 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.