Reliability, what owners report, and what it costs to keep.
AVOIR's read: the numbers are mixed and the complaint record is worth reading before you commit.
Owners have filed 239 complaints with NHTSA about the 2006 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Power train | 44 | 18% |
| Exterior lighting | 27 | 11% |
| Electrical system | 21 | 9% |
| Electrical system | 13 | 5% |
| Engine | 11 | 5% |
| Steering | 11 | 5% |
| Air bags | 10 | 4% |
| Power train | 6 | 3% |
| Service brakes | 5 | 2% |
| Engine and engine cooling | 5 | 2% |
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.
My headlights quit working while I was driving with no warning
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
Seems like a bad motor gasket cause it’s a constant burning oil smell with no visible leaks at all
NHTSA complaint: Engine
got cutoff on a busy highway going 70mph and they slammed their brakes. i had 6 car lengths between us and immediately started braking but we were just skidding. I had the choice of hitting the vehicle or swerving left t
NHTSA complaint: Steering
MY VIHICLE TURNS OFF THE LOW BEAMS WHEN I AM DRIVING AND I CAN HAVE AN ACCIDENT
NHTSA complaint: Exterior lighting
MY POWER STEERING WENT OUT AND WHEN YOU TRY TO GO OVER 40 THE CAR LUNGES FORWARD AND HAS A HARD TIME SHIFTING AND WILL CONTINUE WHILE IN CRUISE CONTROL. I ALREADY HAD WORK DONE ON THE FUEL LINE CAUSE THE LINE WAS CLOGGED
NHTSA complaint: Steering
MY CAR STARTED ON FIRE WHILE ON A CITY ROAD BECAUSE OF THE POWER STEERING PUMP PULLEY COMPLETELY SPRUNG OFF SERPENTINE BELT MELTED COOLANT RESERVOIR MELTED FUSE BOX BE MELTED FROM THE FIRE HOW MANY OTHER THINGS SOMETHING
NHTSA complaint: Steering
WHEN I GO TO PRESS ON THE BRAKES IT WOULD PULL TO THE RIGHT ,AND WHEN I GO TO PUT ON MY SIGNAL LIGHT TO THE RIGHT MY BRIGHT LIGHTS COMES ON AND WHEN I TURN ON MY HEATER THE DOOR OR SOMETHING THE SHOP TOLD ME WAS NOT OPE
NHTSA complaint: Steering
BAD ENGINE HAD WHILE DRIVING ALMOST CAUSED AN ACCIDENT BAD KNOCKING NOISE WITHIN THE MOTOR DO TO FAULTY PARTS MECHANIC SAYS A PART FAILED WHILE DRIVING CAR STARTS BUT HAS BAD NOISE WITHIN THE ENGINE AND NOW VEHICLE IS RE
NHTSA complaint: Engine
NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns for the 2006 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.
This defect can affect the safe operation of the airbag system. Until this recall is performed, customers should remove all items from their key rings, leaving only the ignition key. The key fob (if applicable), should also be removed from the key ring. General Motors LLC (GM) notified the agen
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.
Fix: GM will notify owners, and dealers will install two key rings and an insert in the key slot or a cover over the key head on all ignition keys, free of charge. The recall began on September 9, 2014.
DORMAN IS RECALLING 979 STEERING KNUCKLES, DORMAN P/NOS. 697-902 AND 697-903, SOLD UNDER DORMAN'S "OE SOLUTIONS<SUP>TM</SUP>" BRAND NAME, AND NAPA P/NOS. 7-8502 AND 7-8503 WHICH WERE SOLD FOR REPLACEMENT USE ON THE VARIOUS VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. A POTENTIAL MATERIAL OR DESIGN DEFECT COULD RESULT IN
Risk: A BROKEN STEERING KNUCKLE COULD RESULT IN LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL AND A POSSIBLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.
Fix: DORMAN WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE DEFECTIVE STEERING KNUCKLES FREE OF CHARGE AND REIMBURSE THE REPAIR FACILITY OR OWNER FOR LABOR. THE RECALL BEGAN ON FEBRUARY 23, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT D
| Reliability raw | 75 | good |
|---|---|---|
| Longevity est. | 75 | good |
| Maintenance | 75 | good |
| Depreciation | 60 | average |
| Performance | 59 | 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 239 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and power train is the most reported area with 44 of them (18%). There are 2 recalls on record. Check any specific car against its VIN before buying.
AVOIR scores its reliability 75/100 (good) 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 75/100, but that figure is an estimate built from the powertrain and the brand's record, not a measurement. A 2006 car has no 200,000-mile population to observe yet, so treat it as a prior rather than evidence.
AVOIR's read: be careful, because the numbers are mixed and the complaint record is worth reading before you commit. Its overall ownership score is 68/100. 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.