1990 Pontiac Grand AM

Routine

Owners filed 38 complaints about this vehicle with federal regulators, most often about the engine and engine cooling › engine. It has been recalled 1 time.

What fails
ComponentReportsCrashesFiresInjuries
Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine9
010
Structure › Body3
000
Vehicle Speed Control2
000
Steering › Steering Wheel/Handle Bar2
000
Power Train › Automatic Transmission › Torque Converter2
000
Power Train › Automatic Transmission2
000
Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine › Gasoline2
000
Wheels › Multi Piece1
000
Visibility › Glass, Side/Rear1
000
Unknown or Other1
000

1 safety recall

Part 573 reports
Fuel System, Gasoline06E043000
Filed May 19, 200688,303 vehiclesHoneywell International, Inc.

Defect. CERTAIN REPLACEMENT FUEL FILTERS, FRAM BRAND NAME P/N G3727, WITH DATE CODES X52911 THROUGH X60801 SEQUENTIALLY OR X600141 AND A MEXICO COUNTRY OR ORIGIN MARKING ON THE FUEL FILTER HOUSING MANUFACTURED FROM OCTOBER 18, 2005, THROUGH MARCH 21, 2006, SOLD FOR USE ON THE VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE AND ON CERTAIN SCHOOL BUSES. (TO SEE THE SCHOOL BUS ENGINE SIZES, CLICK ON "DOCUMENT SEARCH" AND THEN "BUS APPLICATIONS"). THE CONNECTOR ON THE FUEL FILTER WAS NOT MANUFACTURED TO HONEYWELL'S SPECIFICATION. AS A RESULT, THE O-RING MAY NOT SEAT CORRECTLY ON THE FUEL LINE.

Risk. THIS CONDITION MAY CAUSE AN INADEQUATE SEAL AT THE CONNECTION, POTENTIALLY LEADING TO A FUEL LEAK. IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, A FIRE COULD OCCUR.

Remedy. HONEYWELL WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE FUEL FILTERS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 18, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FRAM CUSTOMER SERVICE AT 1-800-890-2075 (OPTION 1).

What owners reported

Newest filings
Engine and Engine Cooling › EngineFire
Filed Jun 18, 2003OH

VEHICLE FIRE. NAR 06/18/2003. *MR DAMAGES TO THE HOOD, ENGINE, BUMPER, AND WHEELS. *CB

Wheels › Multi Piece
Filed Nov 13, 2002KY

CONSUMER CALLED COMPLAINING ABOUT HAVING PROBLEM WITH THE RIMS ON THE VEHICLE ABOUT FIVE MONTHS AGO THE FIRS ONE BROKE WICH WAS THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE AND NOW THERE IS A SECOND ONE WAS THE BACK DRIVERS SIDE. MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED ON A RECALL BACK ON 1995 BUT HERS WERE NOT INCLUDED ON THE RECALL. MR

Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine
Filed Aug 20, 2002PA

VEHICLE STARTED LEAKING ANTIFREEZE WHILE LEAVING DEALERSHIP, AND BEGAN SMOKING.*AK

Structure › Body › Door
Filed Aug 16, 2001WI

THERE IS A NOISE IN LEFT FRONT DOOR, MECHANIC STATED WINDOW RUN CHANNEL WAS LOOSE, GLUED DRIVERS DOOR RUN CHANNEL AT TOP RIGHT.*JB CONSUMER STATES AFTER 4000 MILES THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO RUST, CONSUMER STATES IT IS GETTING WORSE, A REPAIR SHOP INFORMED CONSUMER OF A WHITE FOAM MATERIAL BETWEEN THE METAL AND THE FRAME WHICH ABSORBED THE WATER. *SLC

Tires › Sidewall
Filed Jun 25, 2001KY

4 TIRES PURCHASED AT SAM'S WHOLESALE CLUB ALL DEVELOPED SIDEWALL BUBBLES. *AK (DOT NUMBER: BHKATT 114 TIRESIZE: P195/75R14)

Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine
Filed Feb 3, 2001NY

ON HE MORNING OF JAN 17, 2001 I STARTED THE CAR AND HEARD A LOUD POP IN ENGINE. THE CARD WOULD NOT START. TOWED CAR TO HAVE A MECHANIC CHECK IT OUT AND WAS ADVISED THAT THE ENGINE HAS A BLOWN HEAD GASKET. TWO OTHER MECHANICS CHECKED THE CAR OUT AND BASICALLY SAID THE SAME THING. THEY ALL AGREED THAT THIS ENGINE HAS A HISTORY OF PROBLEMS AND THAT THEY HAVE EITHER RECEIVED INFORMATION OR HAVE HEARD IT AT SEMINARS. I CONTACT MY DEALER AND THEY ADVISED THEY HAVE NOT HAD ANY COMPLIANTS ABOUT THAT ENGINE OR YEAR CAR. I ALSO CONTACT GM AND BASICALLY GO THE SAME ANSWER. MY PROBLEM IS I HAVE MAINTAINED THIS CAR SINCE ITS PURCHASED AND HAVING ONLY 47K MILES I DO NOT BELIEVE I SHOULD BE FACED WITH THIS PROBLEM. I WAS TOLD IT WILL TAKE A FEW THOUSAND DOLLARS TO FIX. EVERYONE HAS TOLD ME TO CONTACT THIS ORGANIZATION TO SEE WHAT THEY FIND. IF THE CAR WAS ABUSED AND HAD OVER 100K MILES THEN I WOULD SAY OK BUT IT HAS NOT BEEN ABUSED AND WITH ONLY 47K MILES IT SHOULD NOT HAVE THIS TYPE OF PROBLEM. I GUESS I AM LOOKING TO FIND IF ANY RECALLS OR NOTICES PERTAINING TO POSSIBLE PROBLEMS LIKE THIS WERE EVER ISSUED AND IF SO WHY I NEVER RECEIVED THE NOTICES AND WHAT RECOURSE TO I HAVE. ALL I THESE MECHANICS FEEL THAT THIS COULD HAVE BEEN AVOIDED IF GM WOULD HAVE SENT A NOTICE ADVISING OF POTENTIAL PROBLEMS THAT LEAD TO THIS , I WOULD HAVE HAD THIS CAR CHECKED OUT. UP IN TILL JAN 17, 2001 I WAS NOT EXPERIENCING ANY PROBLEMS THAT WERE NOT TAKEN CARE OF. ANY HELP OR ADVICE YOU CAN GIVE WOULD BE APPREC

Suspension
Filed Dec 6, 2000MN

THE STRUT TOWER ON THE PASSENGER WHEEL WALL HAD RUSTED OUT CAUSING NOISE, THE VEHICLE CAN NOT BE DRIVEN BECAUSE OF THE SEVERITY OF THE RUSTING, SEVERAL MECHANICS HAVE LOOKED AT THIS PROBLEM AND STATED THAT IT'S NOT NORMAL . *SLC

Tires › Tread/Belt
Filed Oct 7, 2000AL

TREAD SEPARATION - BULGING ON TIRE. 3 FAILURES ON SAME CAR, SAME TIME (DOT NUMBER: HYRWR5B447 TIRESIZE: P195/70R14)

Power Train › Automatic Transmission › Torque Converter
Filed Sep 13, 2000MO

TORQUE CONVERTER SOLENOID CAUSES STALLING. CAN STALL IN INTERSECTION CAUSING ACCIDENT AND FATALITIES POOR GM DESIGN, THEY SHOULD PAY FOR THE JUNK THEY BUILD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Vehicle Speed Control
Filed Jun 5, 2000CO

WHILE DRIVING AT ABOUT 10 TO 20 MPH WAS TRYING TO SLOWDOWN, BUT VEHICLE TOOK OFF. CONSUMER HAD TO SHIFT CAR INTO PARK IN ORDER FOR IT TO STOP. CONSUMER NEVER KNOWS WHEN CAR MAY HIT SOMETHING OR SOMEONE. PONTIAC CANNOT HELP UNTIL THEY CAN DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. *AK *ML

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Power Assist
Filed Jun 4, 1999FL

WHEN YOU ARE TRAVELING AT LOW SPEEDS AND TRY TO STOP THERE ARE MANY TIMES WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL GOES TO THE FLOOR AND IT JUST DOESN'T SEEM AS IF THE CAR IS GOING TO STOP. IT TAKES A MUCH LONGER TIME THAN IT SHOULD. I HAVE HAD THE BRAKES REPLACED MANY TIMES, AND YET THIS KEEPS OCCURRING. THIS IS NOT HAPPENING WITH OUR OTHER CAR, SO IT IS NOT BAD BRAKING HABITS. I FEEL THERE IS SOMETHING WRONG WITH THE BRAKING SYSTERM AND IT IS SCARY. *AK

Steering › Rack and Pinion › Rack
Filed May 10, 1999PA

STEERING RACK WHICH IS ATTACHED TO THE FIREWALL HAS CORRODED, CAUSING THE BOLTS TO BECOME LOOSE AND FALL OFF WHICH COULD RESULT IN LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS. *AK

Unknown or Other
Filed Feb 4, 1999WI

I AM JUST LOOKING FOR RECALL HISTORY ON THIS VEHICLE. JUST SO WE CAN KEEP THE VEHICLE UPDATED. THANK YOU. NO DEFECTS MENTIONED. *AK

Steering › Steering Wheel/Handle Bar
Filed Jan 11, 1999AZ

WHLE DRIVING AND AFTER MAKING A RIGHT TURN, THE STEERING WHEEL DID NOT PROPERLY RESPOND TO STRAIGHTEN FROM THE TURN, THERE WAS APPROX 90 DEGREES OF SLACK. TOOK VEHICLE TO MECHANIC, FOUND THAT THE RACK AND PINION STEERING BRACKET ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE HAD SEPARATED. THE FIREWALL HAD FAILED, CAUSING THE BRACKET TO PULL OUT WITH THE FIREWALL STILL ATTACHED. MANUFACTURER OF NO HELP. *ML

Structure › Body
Filed Jun 22, 1998PA

VEHICLE'S PAINT IS PEELING.

Structure › Body
Filed Apr 13, 1998HI

RUSTED FIREWALL IS AFFECTING RACK AND PINION STEERING MOUNTING STUDS, RACK IS FLEXING ON FIREWALL, CAUSING FRON TIRE WEAR ON THE INSIDE.

Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine › Gasoline
Filed Feb 26, 1998NJ

WHILE TRAVELING THE ENGINE CHECK LIGHT CAME ON. SHORTLY, THE ENGINE CUT OFF. *AK

Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine
Filed Dec 10, 1997MA

HEAD GASKET FAILED DUE TO A DESIGN FLAW. GENERAL MOTORS ISSUED A SERVICE BULLETIN EXTENDING THE WARRANTY FROM 5 YEARS AND 50000 MILES TO SIX YEARS AND 60000 MILES. *AK

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components › DiscCrash
Filed Oct 16, 1997IL

WHILE DRIVING 15MPH THE DEFECTIVE FRONT BRAKING SYSTEM MALFUNCTIONED, CAUSING AN ACCIDENT. DEALER REPLACED FRONT BRAKING SYSTEM PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT. *AK

Power Train › Automatic Transmission › Torque Converter
Filed Oct 14, 1997NY

TRANSMISSION CONVERTER FAILED.

20 of 38 complaints, reproduced as filed.

Across model years

Worst on record: 1999
YearComplaintsRecallsFiresDeathsAssessment
2005102411Fatalities reported
2004293471Fatalities reported
2003325558Fatalities reported
2002395430Above average
2001538740Above average
20006758144Fatalities reported
19998496134Fatalities reported
1998172352Fatalities reported
19973834123Fatalities reported
19964506140Above average
19954091420High concern
19943772295Fatalities reported
19932041202Fatalities reported
1992168342Fatalities reported
199182352Fatalities reported
1990 — this page38110Routine

Compare every Grand AM year →

Reading this record

No unusual pattern of severe incidents in the complaint record.

Complaint counts track how many cars were sold and how long they have been on the road as much as they track quality. A common model from 2013 has had a decade to accumulate reports; a rare one from last year has not. The signal worth weighing is in the severity columns, in whether the same component keeps appearing, and in whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.

Recall repairs are free for as long as the recall stands. Check whether a specific car still has open work at NHTSA's VIN lookup.

Most recent recall on file: May 19, 2006. Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.