NHTSA — Power Train Problems

2.4

hardly worth mentioning
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
64,556 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2008 Pontiac Grand Prix drivetrain problems

drivetrain problem

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2008 Pontiac Grand Prix Owner Comments

problem #14

Jun 112024

Grand Prix

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The transmission shifting cable has clips that keep it held in place for you to be able to put your car into drive or reverse and park ect. Is broke and at least once a month or more my car won't go into gear the shifter just slides smoothly but don't catch a gear. So far it hasn't happened on the road just when it's parked. But still feels like it's not in park. I worry that it won't be in park and back up or roll forward on me while I'm trying to get into or out of my car. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

- Pekin, IL, USA

problem #13

Sep 122018

Grand Prix

  • 102,000 miles
Transmission fluid temp is overheating

- Columbia, TN, USA

problem #12

Aug 212015

Grand Prix

  • 133,700 miles
My Grand Prix recently started to display a message stating reduced engine power. It has been happening randomly for the past week. It only happens as I am driving the car. The car slows dramatically, and does not accelerate at all. As I was driving yesterday, I was merging into traffic where the speed limit is 45 mph, I had more than enough room to merge into traffic, the reduced engine power message displayed and the car would not accelerate. The traffic quickly caught up to me and I was almost hit due to the car not accelerating. I am curious after looking into this matter and finding so many complaints about the same issue, how many complaints need to be filed, or how many deaths need to occur before something is done? I am now scared to drive my own car.

- Madison Heights, MI, USA

problem #11

Nov 142011

Grand Prix 6-cyl

  • 41,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Every time I accelerate giving my car gas it always feel like the transmission is locking up then it will jerk out of the lock and start picking up speed and I have talk to other peoples that have the same car, same year or 2007 said the same thing when you stop and accelerate it does a lock like it's chattering to take off then it just jerk then pick up speed.I took it to the dealership they said it's something in the transmission I had this issue for 4 yr's now.

- Canton, MI, USA

problem #10

Jan 062015

Grand Prix 6-cyl

  • 143,000 miles
I was pulling into the garage and I shifted into park, my car continued rolling as if I was still in drive. I attempted to switch gears and the gear shift had no traction. It was sliding back and forth B/w the gears as my car continued moving forward. I then slid it back in park and shut the engine off to prevent the car from moving. I then could not start my car because it wasn't technically in park. The car had to be towed to the dealership and the gear shift cable had worn away/broken. GM has recalled this issue in other Pontiac and other vehicles for the same model year as my vehicle. Definitely unsure why the same issue happening in the Grand Prix has yet to be addressed but this is a repair that costs over $400. The GM csr I spoke with totally ignored my concerns regarding the gear shift cable and just wanted to speak w/ me regarding the ignition switch recall.

- Memphis, TN, USA

problem #9

Aug 042014

Grand Prix

  • miles
The contact owns a 2008 Pontiac Grand Prix. While traveling approximately 45 mph, the vehicle jerked violently and decelerated. Also, upon turning the key in the ignition, the vehicle hesitated and stalled multiple times. The vehicle was included in NHTSA campaign number: 14V400000 (electrical system). The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unavailable.

- Panama City, FL, USA

problem #8

Jul 012013

Grand Prix 8-cyl

  • 75,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Loud clunk when starting off. Vehicle did not shift into gears as normal. Transmission on this vehicle has been erratic for at least a year.

- Evans, GA, USA

problem #7

Dec 212009

Grand Prix 8-cyl

  • 42,089 miles
From the moment I bought the car I have been having major problems bought certified used power train warranty also bought extended warranty thru GMC.the problem has been ongoing every time took to dealership they would find other problems but what I brought the car in for which is a 2008 Pontiac Grand Prix V8.after I come to a complete stop the car jerks when I take off the dealer ship claims they could not find a problem I have over 10 pages of records from my visit to 2 different dealerships now car is out of all warranties I still have same problem its so bad I am scared to drive the car long distant almost had a accident due to this problem the dealership refused to look at the trans at every visit saying no codes and they could not locate the problem.

- Oakpark, IL, USA

problem #6

Dec 212013

Grand Prix

  • 95,000 miles
When driving the 2008 Grand Prix gxp (5.3 with a 4sp automatic overdrive) at low speed the car started shuttering and slipping in gear. Made it home slowly and pulled over and checked to ensure transmission fluid full. Call dealer to file warranty claim and tried to drive to dealer and car went 1/4 mile at 10-15 mph and car transmission went completely out. No gears in reverse, drive or manual mode. Car had to be towed to dealer. This is a daily commuter car to work and home and I am working this week and has left me stranded during the holidays. No rentals available due to holidays. Complete transmission failure from a 2008 model with less than 100,000 and I put 12,000 on it since April when I bought it with 82, xxx.

- Creve Coeur, IL, USA

problem #5

Jan 212013

Grand Prix

  • 113,000 miles
Back in December 2012 my car have not been driving correctly. I took it to the behlmann GMC dealership and they stated everything was fine. In Jan I took my car in for an oil change and informed them that my car had still not been driving correctly on that same visit I had them do a diagnostic and behlmann stated that the machine didn't say anything transmission wise that was wrong. Now that it is April my car is feeling like its getting worsier and worsier and I took it to autozone and also another car shop and had them put the car on the machine. Both places are saying the error is saying my transmission is slipping and my transmission fluid is burning. I am very disappointed because while my car was under warranty which expired not to long ago I was getting the run around saying that the transmission was fine when all along it was indeed damaging.

- Florissant, MO, USA

problem #4

Apr 012010

Grand Prix

  • 65,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

I drive a 2008 Pontiac Grand Prix gxp and have had nothing but issues with the transmission.when coming to a complete stop and then trying to accelerate the car will struggle trying to go.then we will get a big jolt as the car slips into gear.we have almost got in an accident from this as we were turning into a store and all of a sudden the car will not go.as on coming traffic is coming we pursue to try to push a little harder on the gas pedal before finally getting a big jolt and the car gets into gear. We have took the car over 9 to 10 times to dealership and filed a complaint with GM.the dealership claims that they are having issues duplicating the issue.I don't know how when it happens more than often. Its getting pretty bad and soon I have a feeling it is going to go out. We were able to get are warranty on the car extended since we have been taking it to the dealership for this issue since around 60 K miles. We are going back this week to drop it off again.feels like a torque converter and they will not check any of the transmission parts. We have even requested to pay out of pocket to take a look at the transmission and take it apart to see if they can find issues.they have declined it as if they don't want anything to do with it.I did some research and this is what they claim the issue is "converter relief valve is the main culprit in the 4T65-hd (as used in the LS4 application) tcc failures.this valve bleeds off at too high a pressure, which damages the tcc over time" upon the dealerships request we have had are transmission flushed, fuel injectors clean and on the 8th time taking it there have found that two motor mounts were broken and they claim that this is what the issue was. $1,500 dollars later after the repair we are still having nothing but issues with the transmission.GM needs to do something to get this fixed before someone gets hurt or even killed.

- Spotsylvania, VA, USA

problem #3

Mar 092012

Grand Prix 6-cyl

  • miles
Transmission failed without notice. Does not move when in drive, 1st, 2nd, or 3rd. However reverse works fine.

- Laplace, LA, USA

problem #2

Jan 272012

Grand Prix 8-cyl

  • 55,000 miles
Delayed engagement from a dead stop, engine revved, car didn't move and then slammed into first gear. Since original date, it does it sporadically as well as slips in other gears. Preparing to take to dealer but from reading online, it's obvious there is a known defect in these transmissions.

- Thomasboro, IL, USA

problem #1

Sep 202011

Grand Prix

  • 39,000 miles
I have two issues with my transmission. My vehicle only has 39,000 miles. Rev-and-clunk starts and not starting off from a stop. This is happening more frequently as the miles rack up. I have a 2008 Pontiac Grand Prix gxp.

- Elburn, IL, USA

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