Meltdown is a storyline mission in Grand Theft Auto V, picked up in Ponsonbys, Portola Drive (Start), Oriental Theater, Vinewood Boulevard and De Santa Residence, Rockford Hills (End) for Michael De Santa. The objective: save Michael’s family and Eliminate Merryweather agents. This GTA 5 Meltdown walkthrough covers every step, the reward, and what makes the job fail.
Key facts
- Location: Ponsonbys, Portola Drive (Start), Oriental Theater, Vinewood Boulevard and De Santa Residence, Rockford Hills (End).
- Given by: Michael De Santa.
- Objective: Save Michael’s family and Eliminate Merryweather agents.
- Reward: Tuxedo and Meltdown can be watched.
- Unlocks: Planning the Big Score and Parenting 101.
- Unlocked by: Legal Trouble and Lamar Down.
GTA 5 Meltdown walkthrough
- Buy a tuxedo in Ponsonbys to attend the Meltdown premiere.
- Change into your tuxedo in Ponsonbys to attend the Meltdown premiere. (If the tuxedo was bought before the mission).
- Meet Jimmy.
- Get in the limousine.
- Go to the red carpet.
- Save your family.
- Take out the hostage taker.
- Clear the house of Merryweather.
- Go to your family.
How GTA 5 Meltdown fails
The mission fails if you get Wasted or Busted, or if any of the following happens:
- Go into Ponsonbys with a weapon drawn or a wanted level and spook the clerk.
- The limo was destroyed.
- The limo driver dies.
- Missing the Meltdown premiere.
- The premiere was ruined.
- The cops were led to Michael’s home.
- Amanda dies.
- Tracey dies.
- Jimmy dies.
- Michael did not save his family on time.
- Michael abandoned his family.
Tips
- Save before you start. GTA 5 missions lock you in until you pass or fail, so a fresh save makes retrying painless.
- Protect the vehicle or crew member the mission depends on — losing it fails the job even if you are still alive.
- Want every mission in Los Santos? See all GTA 5 missions.
- Looking for shortcuts instead? See our GTA 5 cheat codes.
Video walkthrough
Prefer to watch? This video shows it in action.
FAQ
How do you start GTA 5 Meltdown?
Pick it up in Ponsonbys, Portola Drive (Start), Oriental Theater, Vinewood Boulevard and De Santa Residence, Rockford Hills (End) for Michael De Santa.
What do you get for completing GTA 5 Meltdown?
Tuxedo and Meltdown can be watched.
What fails GTA 5 Meltdown?
Getting Wasted or Busted. It also fails if: Go into Ponsonbys with a weapon drawn or a wanted level and spook the clerk; the limo was destroyed; the limo driver dies; Missing the Meltdown premiere; the premiere was ruined; the cops were led to Michael’s home; Amanda dies; Tracey dies; Jimmy dies; Michael did not save his family on time; Michael abandoned his family.
What does GTA 5 Meltdown unlock?
Planning the Big Score and Parenting 101.
Which version of GTA 5 is this walkthrough for?
The objectives, location and reward are the same across the PS5, PS4, Xbox Series, Xbox One and PC releases of GTA V, aside from minor control differences.
