Despite The legacy of Pontiac for producing stylish, budget-friendly automobiles. By the time the company was terminated, it was not in good condition. It had been plagued by years of insufficient investment from GM and had become but a mere echo of what it once was. Consequently, Pontiac had turned into a commercial failure. , and GM executives lacked both the means and the inclination to orchestrate a comeback.
As the final Pontiac rolled off the production line in 2010, those seeking to acquire vehicles from this iconic American marque must consider models that are now at least 15 years old. The brand boasts numerous sought-after collector’s items among its historical lineup; however, most available Pontiacs on the pre-owned car market tend to be more affordable and less popular models.
Choose wisely, and they can still provide an economical option as a second-hand vehicle; however, numerous older Pontiac models should be approached with caution. The writer has sifted through extensive databases and manufacturer records across countless articles, including various buyer’s guides, utilizing information from the NHTSA to create this compilation. Here are ten models with the most reported issues in the NHTSA's database, making them best avoided when seeking a dependable pre-owned automobile.
Read more: 5 Vehicles That GM Wrongly Phased Out
2001 Pontiac Grand Am
Over 500 grievances filed with the NHTSA concerning the 2001 Pontiac Grand Am predominantly revolve around the vehicle’s electronic components. Out of these, over 200 complaints pertain specifically to problems within its broad electrical system. Additionally, approximately 100 reports point out concerns related to the automobile’s illumination features.
A frequent grievance involves vehicles unexpectedly turning off mid-drive, many attributing this problem to issues with the ignition system. Although a recall addressing an ignition flaw was announced in 2014, numerous post-recall reports suggest that many affected automobiles remain operational without undergoing the required repair work.
A common grievance is that the vehicle’s turn signals may cease functioning momentarily without any preceding indication. Once more, a recall addressing a flaw in the turn signal mechanism was conducted back in 2003; however, this problem continues to affect numerous impacted vehicles.
1997 Pontiac Grand Prix
As one of Pontiac's most enduring model lines, the The Grand Prix lasted through seven iterations. Over that period, some model years inevitably turned out to be more problematic than others. The 1997 Grand Prix stands out as one of the most troublesome models, with more than 800 grievances recorded with the NHTSA when this was written.
Multiple concerns about the vehicle model have been brought up by its owners, with the predominant one being related to the car’s steering system. Over 200 grievances claim that the power steering tends to malfunction, which can occasionally cause unexpected turns either to the left or right during travel.
The power steering system is among the nine recalls announced for the 1997 Grand Prix; however, it appears that not every vehicle impacted by this issue has been included in the recall process. Some owners have also mentioned another unresolved recall concerning an engine oil leak which could flow onto the exhaust manifold and result in a potential fire hazard. This particular recall came out in 2015, yet certain owners stated that necessary replacement components weren’t accessible at the time they brought their vehicles in for servicing related to the recall.
This was not the initial recall concerning possible engine fires; GM had previously addressed comparable problems with two recalls in 2008 and 2009.
2009 Pontiac Vibe
The The Pontiac Vibe was phased out after 2009. When General Motors declared bankruptcy and later discontinued the Pontiac line, this move affected a vehicle that, at the time, didn’t attract many customers despite being an early accessible American crossover—a category now considered pioneering. While crossovers have surged in popularity among consumers nowadays, potential buyers looking into the final edition of Pontiac’s sole crossover should think twice. In 2009, the Vibe accumulated more than 500 grievances reported to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, primarily related to issues with its airbag system.
The Vibe was plagued by the same potentially faulty airbags found in numerous best-selling cars from that time period. This issue was connected to inadequate quality control measures implemented by the defunct component manufacturer Takata. problems regarding Takata-supplied airbags It has taken many years to pinpoint these issues, and the Vibe experienced its initial airbag-related recall in 2014, followed by additional recalls in 2017 and 2018. Nevertheless, car owners continued to report faulty airbags to the NHTSA up until 2023. Some of these owners claim they haven’t managed to get the required repair work done because GM dealers have either declined to perform the service or asserted that replacement parts are unavailable.
Alongside the primary airbag issue, a smaller number of owners reported their car losing speed while driving. A 2010 recall was issued regarding a sticking accelerator pedal, but isolated reports of the issue have continued since that date.
1996 Pontiac Grand Am
Similar to various problematic Pontiac models mentioned earlier, the 1996 Grand Am also faces numerous grievances related to its airbags. A common narrative among these complaints involves drivers who encountered unexpected explosions from their front passenger-side airbags while traveling on roads or exiting parking lots with little prior indication. Several accounts even detail instances where occupants sustained injuries due to such incidents. In response to vehicle owner submissions detailing this problem, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) launched an inquiry into overly sensitive airbag activations back in 1998; however, they eventually concluded their investigation after failing to uncover sufficient proof indicating either pervasive malfunctions or inherent defects within the system.
Six separate recalls were initiated for this vehicle, including an extensive one in 2002 addressing a problematic ignition switch. This particular recall impacted more than 1.5 million General Motors cars; however, problems persisted with the Grand Am’s ignition even long afterward. Consequently, many remaining ‘96 models likely won’t come with documentation confirming completion of these updates. Hence, those seeking a low-maintenance pre-owned car should probably avoid purchasing from this specific model year.
2007 Pontiac G6
Several iterations of the Pontiac G6 appear on the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s list due to numerous owner grievances, particularly the 2007 model year, which stands out among other models from Pontiac with an exceptionally high number of reported problems—over 1,200 at present. Owners frequently cite the malfunctioning power-steering system as their primary concern; they mention instances where the system sporadically ceases operation only to resume shortly thereafter. In response to these concerns, a recall was initiated in 2015 addressing this problem, though it appears some vehicles involved still haven’t undergone the necessary repairs.
Additional complaints involve consistent warning indicators for features such as airbag deployment and traction control mechanisms, often alongside brief failures in these very functions. In 2014, a recall was initiated to address problems with the vehicle’s brake lamps, which would sporadically light up due to an incorrect wiring link with the body control unit; however, since then, neither additional recalls nor inquiries concerning electrical system anomalies have been publicized.
2000 Pontiac Grand Am
Similar to the 2001 models, one of the main problem areas for the 2000 Pontiac Grand Am lies in its electrical components and lighting system. Up until now, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has received more than 700 reports regarding this vehicle, many focusing on problems related to ignition issues. In 2014, the 2000 Grand Am was part of a recall intended to address these ignition flaws; however, several owners have stated that their vehicles did not undergo complete repairs when serviced by dealerships, or they remained oblivious to needing such recalls. Consequently, there remains a notable likelihood that pre-owned examples from 2000 could still be affected by these faults.
Alongside the ignition recall, the car has been subject to a further seven recalls, many of which correlate with owner complaints. Reports of faults with the hazard lights and turn signals are numerous, even though a recall in 2003 was designed to address such issues. Another area of complaint was the car's brakes, with owners reporting premature brake wear even after multiple replacements. To date, no investigation or recall regarding the problem has been instigated.
2008 Pontiac G6
As of now, owners of the 2008 Pontiac G6 have submitted over 1,000 grievances to the NHTSA, placing it among the least satisfactory Pontiac models based on customer feedback. Various problems have come up, yet the predominant concerns revolve around the vehicle’s power steering system. This particular problem also impacts other G6 models from previous years such as those produced in 2006 and 2007. Owners report instances where the power steering malfunctions either temporarily or persistently at times.
Several accounts suggest that the steering problem caused the vehicle to drift towards either side when driven. Additionally, recurrent malfunctions have been reported concerning both the airbag system and various electronic components within the car, which could entail substantial repair expenses for the owners. Considering the minimal trade-in worth of this model, addressing such problems economically becomes impractical. Many user testimonials indicate that after encountering these defects, their vehicles remained unrepaired due to the high costs involved.
1998 Pontiac Grand Prix
Power steering has been a persistent problem across various Pontiac models, with the 1998 Grand Prix frequently topping lists for frequent steering-related grievances. While fewer owners from this year’s model report problems with their power steering when compared to those from the previous year—1997—the number remains higher relative to other Pontiac vehicles. Besides these concerns over the steering system, drivers have also flagged malfunctions involving lighting equipment and electrical components. Additionally, a minor yet noteworthy group of car owners noted complications related to braking mechanisms.
Similar to numerous problematic Pontiac vehicles, the 1998 Grand Prix has faced multiple recall issues, totaling eight. The frequency of these recalls typically correlates with an increase in customer complaints; thus, cars subjected to frequent recalls have a greater likelihood of having had incomplete corrective actions due to past ownership. Various factors contribute to this issue—some accounts indicate that owners weren’t informed about the recalls, whereas others suggest that dealerships either lacked willingness or capability to perform the necessary repairs.
Since many remaining Grand Prix models will likely come without much--if any--service documentation, this makes it exceedingly challenging to confirm whether a particular vehicle has had its faulty components adequately replaced.
1999 Pontiac Grand Am
The 1999 Grand Am was the the initial production year of the fifth-generation modelo , you could find examples starting at around a few thousand dollars. Nevertheless, it may be best to steer clear of it regardless of its low cost, since it’s among the Pontiac models most often mentioned in complaints recorded by the NHTSA. In addition to the problems seen in the 2000 and 2001 model years, the 1999 Grand Am has also experienced numerous electrical troubles, particularly involving the ignition system. Although the 1999 model year came under General Motors' 2014 ignition recall, reports of similar issues persist even into later years.
Several owners have experienced problems with the engine and cooling systems, along with reports of brake failures. Similar to numerous problematic Pontiac models, some motorists have noted concerns about airbags not deploying correctly during accidents. Most of these reported issues haven’t yet triggered recall actions or official inquiries. Considering the vehicle’s age and the limited number still on the road, it seems improbable that such matters will receive attention through recalls moving forward.
2006 Pontiac G6
As of now, the most frequently criticized Pontiac model is the 2006 Pontiac G6, having more than 1,800 reported concerns documented in the NHTSA’s records. Similar to other versions of the G6 series, drivers consistently mention recurring troubles with the vehicle's power steering system; these account for over 1,200 individual grievances. Even though General Motors initiated a recall back in 2015 intending to resolve the steering issues, new entries detailing malfunctions continue to appear up until 2025.
Many owners report that the power steering intermittently stops working, but some have reported a sudden, total failure. Issues with recalled cars are also reported, with some owners claiming that the steering issue persists even after recall work was supposedly carried out. If that wasn't enough, more than 100 owners have reported problems with the car's airbags, its exterior lighting, and its brakes. That makes the G6 well worth keeping clear of, since many more reliable cars can be bought for equally low prices -- including other Pontiac models.
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