CarBrief

NHTSA has 220 owner complaints on file for the 2007 Grand Prix, and headlights and the electrical system lead the list[1][2][3]. Three recalls apply, covering the headlamp module, the ignition switch and some fuel tanks[4][5][6].

220owner complaints[1]
3recalls[7]
19–21MPG combined (EPA)[8]

Most reported problems

Of the 220 complaints, 15 mention a crash, 18 a fire and 15 injuries, and 2 deaths are reported[1]. These are unverified owner reports, and one complaint can name more than one component.

The largest groups are:

In the sample of lighting complaints we read, In the sample of lighting complaints we read, owners describe headlights cutting out or not coming on, often the low beams at night.. Owners also describe dealers or shops that could not find the cause[2]. In a sample of electrical complaints, nearly all the texts also describe headlights going out. Two describe a fuse or fuse box overheating or catching fire[3]. Some of these texts look like repeats of the lighting ones.

In a sample of engine complaints, owners describe the engine stalling or shutting off while driving, sometimes without warning. A few say steering or braking felt harder when it happened, and repairs did not always stop it[9]. In a sample of power train complaints, owners describe an automatic transmission that slips or shifts hard. Several say a repair or replacement did not fix it[10].

Air bag complaints are fewer at 16, but they include 6 crashes, 8 injuries and 2 deaths[12]. Brakes have 10 complaints and tires have 8[13][14].

Recalls

NHTSA lists three recalls for this model year, newest first.

Ask a dealer to check your VIN, since some recalls cover only certain vehicles[6].

Fuel economy

EPA lists four ratings for this model year.

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

All four are front-wheel drive. EPA's cost figures use its current fuel price assumptions, not prices from when the car was new.

Safety ratings

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 4 door front-wheel-drive Grand Prix show it as not rated[18].

Engine and size

Dimensions below are Canadian-market specifications and can differ slightly from US models.

Version Length Width Height Wheelbase Curb weight
4DR Sedan FWD /GT[19] 198 in 72 in 56 in 111 in 3,477 lb
4DR Sedan FWD GXP[20] 198 in 72 in 56 in 111 in 3,638 lb

How 2007 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 recalls20062007: 220 complaints, 3 recalls22020072008: 143 complaints, 1 recalls2008
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA for each Grand Prix model year. The 2007 is highlighted[7].
Show the numbers
Model yearComplaintsRecalls
19951693
1996791
19978105
19984994
19994124
20004615
20013086
20023303
20031063
20044547
20051481
20062391
20072203
20081431

NHTSA lists 220 complaints and 3 recalls for 2007[7]. Five model years have fewer complaints: 1995, 1996, 2003, 2005 and 2008. Eight have more, including 2006 with 239 and 2004 with 454[7]. Six years list more recalls than 2007: 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001 and 2004. Years 1995, 2002 and 2003 also have 3[7]. Complaint counts are not adjusted for sales, so read them as a rough guide.

Should you buy a used 2007 Grand Prix?

The record shows a car with the largest complaint groups are exterior lighting and the electrical system, plus engine stalling and transmission reports in the samples we read[2][3][9][10]. Check the headlights, test drive for stalling and rough shifts, and ask for proof the recalls were done[4][5][6]. Complaints are unverified and not adjusted for sales, so they are a guide and not a failure rate[1]. The EPA ratings put the 3.8L at 20 or 21 combined MPG, and regular fuel costs less per year than premium on the same engine[15][8].

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2007 Pontiac Grand Prix?
Exterior lighting has the most NHTSA complaints at 92, then electrical system at 68[2][3]. In samples we read, owners describe headlights cutting out[2].
Does the 2007 Pontiac Grand Prix have recalls?
Yes, three: headlamp module 15V519, ignition switch 14V400 and fuel tank 06V419[4][5][6].
What MPG does the 2007 Pontiac Grand Prix get?
The 3.8L is rated 17 city, 26 highway and 20 combined on premium[15], and 18, 28 and 21 on regular[8]. The 5.3L 8-cyl is rated 16, 25 and 19[17].
Is the 2007 Grand Prix a bad year compared with others?
Eight other model years have more complaints than 2007 and five have fewer[7]. See the year comparison above for recall counts.

Facts and sources

  1. NHTSA has 220 owner complaints on file for the 2007 Pontiac Grand Prix (15 mention a crash, 18 a fire, 15 injuries, 2 deaths reported). NHTSA vehicle records
  2. 92 complaints name the exterior lighting component group (3 crashes, 8 fires, 1 injuries, median mileage at failure 100,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  3. 68 complaints name the electrical system component group (1 crashes, 16 fires, 1 injuries, median mileage at failure 102,250). NHTSA vehicle records
  4. Recall 15V519, filed August 14, 2015: Exterior Lighting › Headlights. NHTSA recall database
  5. Recall 14V400, filed July 3, 2014: Electrical System › Ignition. NHTSA recall database
  6. Recall 06V419, filed October 31, 2006: Fuel System, Gasoline › Storage. 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. 32 complaints name the engine component group (2 crashes, 6 fires, 1 injuries, median mileage at failure 94,295). NHTSA vehicle records
  10. 29 complaints name the power train component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 72,200). NHTSA vehicle records
  11. 22 complaints name the steering component group (3 crashes, 0 fires, 4 injuries, median mileage at failure 60,200). NHTSA vehicle records
  12. 16 complaints name the air bags component group (6 crashes, 0 fires, 8 injuries, median mileage at failure 74,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  13. 10 complaints name the brakes component group (2 crashes, 0 fires, 2 injuries, median mileage at failure 64,397). NHTSA vehicle records
  14. 8 complaints name the tires component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 1 injuries, median mileage at failure 20,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  15. 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
  16. 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
  17. 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
  18. NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, 4 DR FWD: not rated. NHTSA vehicle records
  19. 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
  20. 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.