CarBrief

Owners of the 2006 Grand Prix filed 239 complaints with NHTSA[1]. The largest groups name the electrical system, power train, exterior lighting and steering[2][3][4][5]. It has one recall, for an ignition switch that can shut off the engine[6].

239owner complaints[1]
1recalls[7]
19–21MPG combined (EPA)[8]

Most reported problems

NHTSA lists 239 complaints for this model year[1]. Of those, 17 mention a crash, 21 a fire and 22 injuries, and none report a death[1]. These are unverified owner reports, and one complaint can name more than one part.

Component group Complaints Median mileage at failure
Electrical system[2] 65 121,500
Power train[3] 61 82,000
Exterior lighting[4] 48 116,000
Steering[5] 42 96,650
Engine[9] 38 126,945
Brakes[10] 21 101,520
Air bags[11] 19 90,000
Suspension[12] 10 30,000

Electrical. In a sample of complaints we read, owners describe charging system warnings, sudden loss of power, stalling, and lights or the radio dimming or resetting. Some also describe the key moving or the engine shutting off while driving[2]. This group has 14 fires[2].

Power train. Owners in our sample describe the transmission slipping, shifting hard, shuddering and sometimes failing outright[3]. The median mileage of 82,000 is the lowest among the four largest groups[3].

Exterior lighting. Owners in our sample describe headlights, especially low beams, going out while driving. Some say the lights came back on their own later[4]. This group has 7 fires[4].

Steering. Owners in our sample describe front-end noise and worn parts such as tie rod ends and ball joints, sometimes with early tire wear[5]. The group includes 7 crashes and 8 injuries[5].

Air bags have fewer complaints, 19, but 13 of them mention a crash and 15 an injury[11].

Recalls

NHTSA lists one recall for this model year[7].

Fuel economy

EPA lists four versions of the 2006 Grand Prix. All are front-wheel drive.

Engine Fuel City / highway / combined MPG EPA annual fuel cost
3.8L 6-cyl, Automatic 4-spd[13] Premium 17 / 26 / 20 $4,100
3.8L 6-cyl, Automatic 4-spd[8] Regular 18 / 28 / 21 $3,200
3.8L 6-cyl, Automatic (S4)[14] Premium 17 / 26 / 20 $4,100
5.3L 8-cyl, Automatic (S4)[15] Premium 16 / 25 / 19 $4,350

EPA's cost estimate uses today's fuel price assumptions, not prices from when the car was new.

Safety ratings

NHTSA gives no star score for this car (4 DR FWD, not rated), so there is nothing to compare[16].

Engine and size

The EPA lists a 3.8L 6-cylinder and a 5.3L 8-cylinder[13][15]. The sizes below are Canadian-market specifications and can differ slightly from US models.

Variant Length Width Height Wheelbase Curb weight
4DR Sedan FWD /GT[17] 198 in 72 in 56 in 111 in 3,477 lb
4DR Sedan FWD GXP[18] 198 in 72 in 56 in 111 in 3,638 lb

How 2006 compares with other years

1995: 169 complaints, 3 recalls19951996: 79 complaints, 1 recalls19961997: 810 complaints, 5 recalls19971998: 499 complaints, 4 recalls19981999: 412 complaints, 4 recalls19992000: 461 complaints, 5 recalls20002001: 308 complaints, 6 recalls20012002: 330 complaints, 3 recalls20022003: 106 complaints, 3 recalls20032004: 454 complaints, 7 recalls20042005: 148 complaints, 1 recalls20052006: 239 complaints, 1 recalls23920062007: 220 complaints, 3 recalls20072008: 143 complaints, 1 recalls2008
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA for each Grand Prix model year. The 2006 is highlighted[7].
Show the numbers
Model yearComplaintsRecalls
19951693
1996791
19978105
19984994
19994124
20004615
20013086
20023303
20031063
20044547
20051481
20062391
20072203
20081431

NHTSA has complaints on file for Grand Prix model years 1995 to 2008[7]. The 2006 car has 239 complaints[7]. Seven years have more: 1997 (810), 1998 (499), 2000 (461), 2004 (454), 1999 (412), 2002 (330) and 2001 (308)[7]. Six have fewer, including 2005 (148) and 2007 (220)[7].

On recalls, 2006 has 1, the same as 1996, 2005 and 2008[7]. The 2004 model year has 7[7]. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so read them as a rough guide.

Should you buy a used 2006 Grand Prix?

The record is mixed. The largest complaint groups name electrical faults, transmissions, headlights and steering, and those groups include fires and crashes[2][3][4][5]. The one recall has a free fix, so ask whether it was done[6]. Because the complaints come from a small sample we read and are not adjusted for sales, they show what owners report, not how often it happens. A pre-purchase inspection that checks the transmission, charging system, headlights and front end is a sensible step.

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2006 Pontiac Grand Prix?
The largest complaint groups are electrical system (65), power train (61), exterior lighting (48) and steering (42) out of 239 total[1][2][3][4][5].
Does the 2006 Pontiac Grand Prix have any recalls?
Yes, one: 14V400, for an ignition switch that can move out of the run position and shut off the engine. The fix is free key hardware from dealers[6].
What is the gas mileage of the 2006 Grand Prix?
EPA ratings range from 16 city / 25 highway / 19 combined for the 5.3L V8 to 18 / 28 / 21 for the 3.8L on regular fuel[15][8].
Is the 2006 Grand Prix safe?
NHTSA 5-Star ratings list it as not rated[16]. There is one ignition recall[6].

Facts and sources

  1. NHTSA has 239 owner complaints on file for the 2006 Pontiac Grand Prix (17 mention a crash, 21 a fire, 22 injuries, 0 deaths reported). NHTSA vehicle records
  2. 65 complaints name the electrical system component group (3 crashes, 14 fires, 3 injuries, median mileage at failure 121,500). NHTSA vehicle records
  3. 61 complaints name the power train component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 1 injuries, median mileage at failure 82,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  4. 48 complaints name the exterior lighting component group (0 crashes, 7 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 116,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  5. 42 complaints name the steering component group (7 crashes, 4 fires, 8 injuries, median mileage at failure 96,650). NHTSA vehicle records
  6. Recall 14V400, filed July 3, 2014: Electrical System › Ignition. NHTSA recall database
  7. Owner complaints and recalls for every Pontiac Grand Prix model year (chart above). NHTSA recall database
  8. EPA rating for Grand Prix, 3.8L 6-cyl, Automatic 4-spd, Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 18 city / 28 highway / 21 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,200. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  9. 38 complaints name the engine component group (1 crashes, 8 fires, 1 injuries, median mileage at failure 126,945). NHTSA vehicle records
  10. 21 complaints name the brakes component group (4 crashes, 0 fires, 7 injuries, median mileage at failure 101,520). NHTSA vehicle records
  11. 19 complaints name the air bags component group (13 crashes, 1 fires, 15 injuries, median mileage at failure 90,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  12. 10 complaints name the suspension component group (1 crashes, 1 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 30,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  13. EPA rating for Grand Prix, 3.8L 6-cyl, Automatic 4-spd, Premium, Front-Wheel Drive: 17 city / 26 highway / 20 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $4,100. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  14. EPA rating for Grand Prix, 3.8L 6-cyl, Automatic (S4), Premium, Front-Wheel Drive: 17 city / 26 highway / 20 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $4,100. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  15. EPA rating for Grand Prix, 5.3L 8-cyl, Automatic (S4), Premium, Front-Wheel Drive: 16 city / 25 highway / 19 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $4,350. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  16. NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, 4 DR FWD: not rated. NHTSA vehicle records
  17. Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, GRAND PRIX 4DR SEDAN FWD /GT: length 198 in, width 72 in, height 56 in, wheelbase 111 in, curb weight 3,477 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov
  18. Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, GRAND PRIX 4DR SEDAN FWD GXP: length 198 in, width 72 in, height 56 in, wheelbase 111 in, curb weight 3,638 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov

Complaints submitted to NHTSA by owners; unverified reports, one complaint can name several components. Complaint counts are not normalized by sales; compare years of the same model, not different models. EPA annual fuel cost uses EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not the price when the car was new. Horsepower is the rating listed for EPA test vehicles. Dimensions are Canadian-market specifications and can differ slightly from US models.