48 of the 168 complaints (29%) are about the engine.
Component
Reports
Crashes
Fires
Injuries
Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine · engine
28
0
0
0
Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip · brakes
17
3
0
1
Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine › Gasoline · engine
11
0
1
0
Electrical System › Ignition
8
0
0
0
Power Train › Automatic Transmission · transmission
7
1
0
1
Engine and Engine Cooling › Cooling System · engine
6
0
0
0
Unknown or Other
5
0
0
0
Vehicle Speed Control · throttle and acceleration
4
2
0
2
Steering › Steering Wheel/Handle Bar
4
0
0
0
Electrical System
4
0
0
0
3 safety recalls
Part 573 reports
Fuel System, Gasoline › Storage › Tank Assembly › Filler Pipe and Cap92V106000
Filed Jul 17, 199220 vehiclesGeneral Motors Corp.
Defect. THE VEHICLES WERE ASSEMBLED WITH AN INCORRECT SUSPENSION UPPER SPRING SEAT AT THE RIGHT-REAR POSITION. IF THE VEHICLE IS INVOLVED IN A REAR IMPACT ACCIDENT, THE RIGHT-HAND REAR WHEEL HOUSE FLANGE COULD SEVER THE FUEL TANK FILLER PIPE AND SPILL FUEL.
Risk. THESE VEHICLES ARE NOT IN COMPLIANCE WITH FMVSS 301,FUEL SYSTEM INTEGRITY. SPILLED FUEL IN A LOW SPEED ACCIDENT CAN RESULT IN AFIRE.
Remedy. INSPECT AND REPLACE INCORRECT UPPER SPRING SEAT WITH THE CORRECT PART.
Filed Nov 19, 1991272 vehiclesGeneral Motors Corp.
Defect. THE BOLTS AND NUTS WHICH ATTACH THE BEARING-HUB ASSEMBLY TO THE REAR AXLE FLANGE ARE NOT SUFFICIENTLY TIGHTENED ON SOME VEHICLES.
Risk. THIS WOULD ALLOW EXCESSIVE MOVEMENT OF THE BEARING-HUBASSEMBLY RELATIVE TO THE REAR AXLE FLANGE AND COULD CAUSE ELONGATION ANDEVENTUAL SEPARATION OF THE ATTACHING BOLTS FROM THE REAR AXLE FLANGE. IF THISWERE TO OCCUR WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION, THE AFFECTED TIRE AND WHEEL COULDTRACK ERRATICALLY, EVENTUALLY CAUSING FAILURE OF THE OTHER ATTACHING BOLTS. THETIRE AND WHEEL ASSEMBLY COULD SEPARATE FROM THE VEHICLE WHICH COULD RESULT IN AVEHICLE ACCIDENT.
Remedy. TIGHTEN REAR AXLE BEARING-HUB ASSEMBLY FASTENERS, AND REPLACE ALL THE FASTENERS ON A WHEEL IF TWO OR MORE BOLTS ARE FOUND TO BE LOOSE.
Filed Oct 21, 19911,851 vehiclesGeneral Motors Corp.
Defect. THE PASSENGER'S SIDE EASY-ENTRY SEAT ADJUSTER MAY FAIL FULLY LOCK INTO POSITION AFTER THE SEAT BACK HAS BEEN TILTED FORWARD AND THE SEAT SLID FORWARD, THEN RETURNED TO ITS ORIGINAL POSTITION.
Risk. IF THE SEAT ADJUSTER FAILS TO LOCK INTO POSITION, THEPASSENGER SEAT WOULD SLIDE FORWARD IN THE EVENT OF A SUDDEN STOP OR ACCIDENT.OCCUPANTS OF THE PASSENGER SEAT WOULD FACE INCREASED RISK OF SERIOUS INJURY.
Remedy. REPLACE THE ADJUSTER ASSEMBLY ON THE SEAT.
All 3 campaigns on file, newest first.
What owners reported
Newest filings
Tires
Filed Jun 23, 2010MI
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1992 PONTIAC GRAND AM. THE CONTACT OWNS CENTRON CORDOVAN TIRES, DOT NUMBER UTT2, LINE SIZE P205/55/R16. THE CONTACT STATED BOTH FRONT TIRES WERE EXHIBITING SEPARATION FROM THE SIDE WALL. THE TIRES WERE TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THEY WOULD BE REPLACED. THERE WERE NO PRIOR WARNINGS AND THE TIRES WERE NOT SERVICED OR REPLACED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 20,000.
Steering › Rack and Pinion
Filed Mar 12, 2007201,000 milesIN
THE STEERING ON MY 1994 GRAND AM IS BROKEN. THE BOLTS THAT MOUNT THE STEERING GEAR TO THE CRADLE HAVE RUSTED AND BOTH ARE SEPARTED. THERE WAS A RECALL ON MY 89 GRAND PRIX AND I HAD THE SAME PROBLEM ON MY 92 CORSICA. 8JB
Vehicle Speed Control › LinkagesCrash4 injured1 killed
Filed Nov 11, 2005GA
CAUSE OF SUDDEN ACCELERATION: I HAD A PONTIAC GRAND AM 1992 AND THE VEHICLE DID ACCELERATE BY ITSELF. THE CAUSE IS A LITTLE PIECE OF RUBBER THAT SLIDES OFF THE PRESSURE VALVE, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO MAINTAIN AN AVERAGE OF 30M/PH, REGARDLESS OF WHICH GEAR THE CAR IS IN. THE MAIN REASON THE PLASTIC SLIDES OFF IS IF THE CAR HAS BEEN FLOORED. IN OTHER WORDS, IF YOU DRIVE TOO FAST AND PRESS THE GAS TOO HARD, THEN THE RUBBER WILL SLOWLY SLIP OFF, CAUSING LOSS OF PRESSURE AND AUTOMATIC ACCELERATION. MUST GET PROBLEM FIXED OR GET RID OF CAR. I HAVE STARTED A CLASS ACTION SUIT AGAINST GM FOR SAFETY VIOLATION AND THE DENIAL OF HAVING THE VEHICLE REPAIRED AND DEATH. VEHICLE ACCELERATED CAUSING DEATH TO PEDESTRIAN. *JB
Engine and Engine Cooling
Filed Aug 31, 2004179,085 milesNC
WATER WAS COMING FROM THE ENGINE INTO THE VEHICLE. DEALER STATED THERE WOULD BE A CHARGE TO REPAIR VEHICLE. *AK
Engine and Engine Cooling › Cooling System
Filed Nov 18, 200386,000 milesIL
COOLANT LEAKED FROM UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE WHILE DRIVING ABOUT 50 MPH WHICH CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO OVERHEAT. *AK THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THEY DETERMINED THAT THE RADIATOR HOSE HAD A SPLIT IN IT. THE SAME WEEK THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED THE BRAKE LINE BROKE. ABOUT 2 MONTHS LATER THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR WHILE BRAKING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DETERMINED THAT THE INCORRECT BRAKE PARTS WERE INSTALLED AND THAT THE RADIATOR CLAMPS WERE LOOSE. THE CONSUMER REQUESTED INVOICES FROM THE DEALER BUT THEY REFUSED. *NLM
Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components › Hoses, Lines/Piping, and Fittings
Filed Nov 17, 2003IL
THE BRAKES FAILED WITHOUT WARNING WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS BEING SLOWED DOWN, RESULTING IN EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT. *NLM THIS WAS DUE TO THE BRAKE LINE REPLACEMENT IN WHICH THE WRONG PART WAS INSTALLED. *SCC *JB
Seats
Filed Jun 14, 2003PA
I HAVE A 92 PONTIAC GRAND AM AND THE PASSENGER SEAT DOES NOT LOCK INTO PLACE. WHAT WOULD HAPPEN IF I WERE TO BE IN CRASH? PONTIAC SAYS THERE WAS NO RECALL ON THIS BUT I FOUND SOMETHING ON THE WEB THAT SAYS THERE WAS. IT WAS ON THIS WEB SITE. *NLM
Vehicle Speed ControlCrash1 injured
Filed Feb 7, 200388,000 milesNY
THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED AND CRASHED INTO A POLE. * PH. THE CONSUMER WAS INJURED IN THE ACCIDENT. *JB
Engine and Engine CoolingFire
Filed Dec 30, 2002CA
WHILE DRIVING AT 40 MPH CONSUMER NOTICED SMOKE AND THEN SPARKS COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD. CONSUMER PULLED OVER AND POPPED THE HOOD AND FLAMES WERE COVERING THE ENGINE. CAUSE IS UNKNOWN. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION. TS
Air Bags › FrontalCrash2 injured
Filed Jul 19, 2002TX
GMC SENT THEIR INVESTIGATOR TO READ THE SENSORY DIAGNOSTIC MODULAR. HE REPORTED THAT THE AIR BAG SENSOR WERE ON ASWER THE SEATBELTS. HE ALSO REPORTED THAT THEY "ACTED APPROPRIATELY". HOWEVER EVEN THOUGH THE SEATBELTS WERE ON, THEY DID NOT RESTRAIN THE PASSENGER OR THE DRIVER. THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY AT 45 MPH. THIS IS NOT APPROPRIATE! THE PASSENGER HAD SURGERY TO REPAIRED MUSCLE IN HER SHOULDER WHERE IT WAS "TORN FROM THE BONE" AND I (THE DRIVER) HAD SURGERY ON MY SPINE TO REPAIR A TORN DISC DUE TO THE TRAUMA SUSTAINED. MY CAR WAS HIT ON THE LEFT FRONT PANAL CAUSING ME TO PIVOT HEAD ON INTO A TELEPHONE POLE. I LET A THIRD PARTY SOURCE READ THE RESULTS FROM GMAC. HE SAID THAT THEY SHOW THE FIRST IMPACT AND NOTHING MORE. THE SECOND IMPACT WITH THE TELEPHONE POLE IS MY PRIMARY CONCERN. THERE IS NO WAY FOR GMAC TO KNOW FROM THAT MODULE READING IF INDEED THE AIRBAGS AND/OR SEATBELTS "ACTED APPROPRIATELY". MY CAR WAS TOTALED!*AK
Electrical System › Ignition › Switch
Filed Apr 29, 2002AZ
WIRING HARNESS, IGNITION KEY HOUSING AND STEERING WHEEL COMPLETELY MELTED DOWN. CONSUMER BELIEVES 1992 MODELS HAD SIMILAR FAILURES AND SHOULD HAVE BEEN INCLUDED IN RECALL. *TT
Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine › Gasoline
Filed Oct 15, 2001NC
VEHICLE STALLS AT ANY SPEED/ ANY TIME AT LEAST ONCE OR TWICE A WEEK. DEALER CANNOT FIND CAUSE. *AK
Structure › Frame and Members
Filed Sep 5, 2001NH
PAINT IS LIFTING OFF IN CHUNKS IN SEVERAL AREAS ON THE HOOD, FRONT SIDE PANELS & ROOF. MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED 7/13/01 @ 87,000 MILES. I WAS TOLD THERE ARE NO RECALLS OR CAMPAIGNS ON THIS CAR FOR THIS PROBLEM. I CAN UNDERSTAND PAINT FADING AND WEARING DUE TO AGE, BUT NOT LIFTING OFF IN CHUNKS AFTER ONLY 8 YEARS. I BELIEVE THE PROBLEM INDICATES A DEFECT IN THE PAINT, PRIMER, AND/OR SURFACE METAL.*AK
Visibility › Power Window Devices and Controls
Filed Aug 21, 2001MI
CONSUMER STATES POWER WINDOWS HAVE NOT WORK PROPERLY SINCE PURCHASING VEHICLE, WINDOWS CONTINUE TO FALL OFF TRACK.*YH
Electrical System › Ignition
Filed Jul 21, 2001MS
IGNITION SYSTEM MELTED RESULTING IN TOTAL DESTRUCTION OF STARTING SYSTEM. IGNITION SYSTEM DID NOT IGNITE BUT DID CONTINUE TO EMMIT NOXIOUS FUMES AND SMOKE. RESEARCHED PROBLEM AND FOUND OUT ALL MODELS MADE THE YEAR AFTER MY CAR, WERE RECALLED FOR SAME EXACT PROBLEM. *AK
Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip
Filed Jul 10, 2001IL
WHEN DRIVING AT ANY SPEED ON WET OR DRY PAVEMENT AND WHEN ATTEMPTING TO STOP UPON DEPRESSING BRAKE PEDAL TO MAKE A GRADUAL STOP, BRAKES KICK IN AND THEN RELEASE, CAUSING EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE. CONSUMER HAS TAKEN VEHICLE TO DEALER. DEALER HAS REPLACED BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER/SHOES AND PADS/ ROTORS, AND DRUMS. BUT, PROBLEM STILL OCCURS. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS.*AK
Steering › Rack and PinionFire
Filed Jul 2, 2001OH
POWER RACK& PINION BELLOWS-FLUID LEAK ON EXHAUST MANIFOLD CAUSING FIRE.
Electrical System › Ignition
Filed Jun 20, 2001CA
WHILE DRIVING, MY RADIO, CLOCK, CRUISE CONTROL, AND WINDSHIELD WIPERS STOP WORKING. THIS WOULD USUALLY HAPPEN WHEN I WOULD USE THE TURN SIGNALS. AT FIRST I THOUGHT IT WAS A FUSE, BUT LATER REALIZED IF I JIGGLED THE KEY IN THE INGNITION, THESE THINGS WOULD START WORKING AGAIN. THE IGNITION SEEMS TO HAVE A LOT OF PLAY, AS IF IT NEEDS TO BE TIGHTENED. I CAN ALMOST TURN THE IGNITION ALL THE WAY AROUND WITHOUT TOUCHING THE KEY.
Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine
Filed May 28, 2001NJ
THE HEAD GASKET WAS REPLACED ONCE B/C OF A "SPECIAL RECALL" THAT HAD A 7 YR OR 100,000 MILE QUOTA ON IT WELL MY CAR WAS OVER THE QUOTA SO PONTIAC SAID THEY COULDNT DO A THING FOR ME, EVEN THOUGH THAT OBVIOUSLY PROVED THAT SOMETHING WAS WRONG W/ THE CAR B/C IT HAD BEEN "RECALLED" BEFORE . PONTIAC WAS SUSPOSED TO CALL ME BACK , NEVER DID I CALLED TWICE AFTER THAT STILL HAVENT RECIEVED A PHONE CALL ITS BEEN 6 MONTHS. CAR COST 1500$ TO REPLACE, AND ITS STILL GIVING ME PROBLEMS. *AK
Seats › Front Assembly › Recliner
Filed Apr 9, 2001GA
THE PAINT IS CHIPPING ON MY HOOD. IT STARTED IN 1995. I HAVE BEEN TOLD BY DEALERSHIPS THAT THEIR WAS A RECALL ON PAINT. I WAS NOT NOTIFIED BY GM, AND WHEN I LAST ATTEMPTED TO CONTACT THEM THE SRVC REP SAID THEY REMEMBERED A RECALL BUT COULDN'T FIND IT NOW. ALSO, EVERY WINTER SINCE I BOUGHT THE CAR THE HORN GOWS OFF IN THE MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT WHEN IT GETS BELOW FREEZING. MY POWER DOOR LOCKS KEEP GOING OUT. ARE THEY RELATED TO THE HORN? SINCE I PURCHASED THE CAR, THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT LOCKS IN UPRIGHT POSITION BUT DOES NOT SLIDE BACK INTO PLACE IF THE LEVER IS USDE ON THE BACK OF THE SEAT. IS THERE A TSB? I FOUND A TSB ON YOUR WEB-SITE FOR THE HORN AND POSSIBLY FOR THE DOOR LOCKS. WHAT DO I DO?*AK
Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine › Gasoline
Filed Apr 8, 2001WY
WE HAVE OIL IN THE COOLING SYSTEM AND WATER IN THE OIL NOTE: THIS WAS NOT DUE TO A CRASH AS INDICATED IN REPORT PROVIDED. *AK
Electrical System › Ignition
Filed Mar 23, 2001MI
ON MARCH OF 1999, THE FIRST PROBLEM WITH MY VEHICLE OCCURED. THE CAR WAS SITTING IN THE DRIVEWAY, NO KEY IN THE IGNITION, AND IT BEGAN TO TRY TO START BY ITSELF. I WAS SHOCKED TO SEE THIS, AND BY THE TIME IT FINISHED, MY BATTERY WAS DRAINED AND I HAD TO PURCHASE A NEW BATTERY. THE SECOND TIME I HAD AN IGNITION PROBLEM WAS IN NOVEMBER OF 2000 WHEN MY CAR WOULDN'T START UNLESS IT WAS PLACED IN NEUTRAL GEAR. I HAD THE IGNITION SWITCH REPLACED, AND SIX WEEKS LATER, THE SAME INCIDENT HAPPENED WITH TRYING TO START THE CAR. EVER SINCE I PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE, I HAVE HAD IT IN THE REPAIR SHOP NUMEROUS TIMES, AND FRANKLY I BELIEVE THE DEALERSHIP THAT SOLD ME THE VEHICLE, SOLD ME A LEMON.*AK
Steering › Steering Wheel/Handle Bar
Filed Mar 11, 2001TN
WHILE APPROACHING A INTERSECTION WHERE I INTENDED ON TURNING, HALF-WAY INTO THE TURN THE ADJUSTABLE STEERING COLUMN BECAME UNLOCKED AND WAS ABLE TO MOVE UNINTERRUPTED BOTH UP AND DOWN, WHILE THIS DID NOT STOP MY ABILITY TO TURN...ANOTHER DRIVER WHO MIGHT CONCENTRATE ON THE MOVEMENT VICE COMPLETING THE TURN WOULD MOST LIKELY HAVE HAD AN ACCIDENT. PLEASE REVIEW YOUR DATABASE FOR ANY OTHER OCCURANCES AND ANY POSSIBLE RECALLS. WHILE THIS IS A '92, IT ONLY HAS ONE SCRATCH (NON-ACCIDENT) AND TO ME...IS WORTH MUCH MORE THAN WHATEVER "BLUE BOOK" SAYS IT IS...I HAVE FOUND THREE (3) "STEERING COLUMN" PROBLEMS, WHILE NOT REPORTED FOR '92S, THEY MAY BE RELATED; 91VO18000, 96V249000, 98V320000. THANK YOU. I WILL BE FORWARDING THIS PROBLEM TO THE MANUFACTURER BUT I WOULD LIKE A REPLY AT YOUR EARLIEST CONVIENCE - IF THERE ARE ANY OTHER STEERING COLUMN PROBLEMS. APPRECIATE THE JOB YOU DO !.*AK
DEFECTIVE HEAD IS CAUSING DAMAGE TO ENGINE DUE TO POOR MANUFACTURING OF HEAD.*AK
Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine › Gasoline
Filed Jan 2, 2001MD
WATER KEEPS MIXING INTO OIL, CAUSING ENGINE TO BLOW. DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED.*AK HEAD GASKET CRACKED. THE CONSUMER FOUND FIFTEEN COMPLAINTS OVER THE SAME PROBLEM ON THE SAME MODEL VEHICLE. *YH
Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine
Filed Dec 30, 2000MD
HAD CAR LESS THAN YEAR,ENGINE REPLACED TWICE.WATER IN OIL BLOWN HEAD GASKET.PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. *AK
Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine
Filed Nov 27, 2000MO
HEAD GASKET FAILURE WITH JUST 68,300 MILES CAUSING COOLANT INTO THE ENGINE. ESTIMATE TO REPAIR IS $1700.00. I SEE FROM THE INTERNET THIS HAS BEEN A MAJOR PROBLEM WITH THIS VEHICLE. *AK
Power Train
Filed Oct 24, 2000AR
THIS SPEEDOMETER CLUSTER HAS BEEN REPLACED THE TOTAL OF FOUR (4) TIMES AND IS VERY DANGEROUS BECAUSE IT GRABS THE DRIVERS ATTENTION AND COULD RESULT IN AN ACCIDENT.*AK
Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Oct 24, 2000AR
I HAVE REBUILTED MY TRANSMISSION FOR THE SECOND (2) TIME (EACH TIME COSTING OVER $1200.00). SOMETHING MUST BE WRONG HOW THEY ENGINEERED THE TRANSMISSION. I ALWAYS CHANGE MY TRANSMISSION FLUID EVERY 20,000-30,000. I DO NOT DRAG RACE WITH MY VEHICLE OR MISTREAT MY VEHICLE. *AK
Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine
Filed Sep 21, 200079,000 milesVT
I HAVE A LETTER FROM PONTIAC DATE NOV, 1995. WHICH STATES THAT 2.3L QUAD OHC ENGINE HAVE A DEFECT OF CRACKING CYLINDER THAT ALLOWS COOLANT TO LEAK FROM THE CYLINDER HEADS. THE LETTER ALSO STATES.. DO NOT BRING YOUR VEHICLE TO THE DEALER UNLESS THIS OCCURS. THE STATED IF THIS CONDITION OCCURS WITHIN SEVEN YEARS OR 100,000 MILES THEY WILL REPLACE THE CYLINDER HEAD FREE OF CHARGE.. MY CAR IS 8 YEARS OLD NOW AND HAS ONLY 79000 MILES ON IT. NEITHER THE DEALER OR PONTIAC CORP. WILL REPAIR THIS FOR ME WITHOUT PAYING FOR ALL CHARGES WHICH ARE APPROX. $1200.00.. PONTIAC ADMITS THAT THIS ENGINE HAS A DEFECT.. BUT REFUSES TO HONOR THE 100,000 MILE LIMIT BECAUSE THE VEHICLE IS 8 YEARS OLD. IT IS MY OPINION THAT PONTIAC IS RESPONSIBLE TO FIX THIS VEHICLE AS IT IS A SAFETY HAZARD.. MY VEHICLE HAS THE KNOWN DEFECT.. THE ODOR FROM THE COOLANT IS EXTREMELY STRING AND IS A SAFETY CONCERN FOR ME AND MY FAMILY. YOU CAN SEE WHERE IT LEAKS FROM THE HEAD AS THERE IS CORROSION AND THE ANTI-FREEZE PUDDLES UP ON TOP OF THE HEAD. *JB ***DIMSII IVOQ ENTRY POSTED AFTER 12/12/02 CUT-OVER TO ARTEMIS*****732124*****
Steering › Column
Filed Jul 10, 2000WA
STEERING WHEEL TILT DISENGAGED WHILE DRIVING CAUSE TO GO UP & DOWN FREELY, CAUSING A LOSS OF CONTROL CONDITON.FOUND LOCKING PIN IN TILT ASSEMBLY CAME OUT WHICH WAS NOT STAKED PROPERLY, REINSTALLED AND STAKED IN PROPERLY. CONSUMER CALLED PONTIAC SAFTEY NUMBER, DEALER IS NOT WILLING TO INSPECT IT. *ET
Structure › Body
Filed Jul 6, 2000OH
WATER WAS TRAPPED BETWEEN TWO OF METAL THAT FORMS THE FIREWALLS. THIS CAUSE A RUST THOUGH AREA AND WATER IS SEEPING THROUGH THE PASSENGER SIDE. THIS CAUSE THE MILDEW SMELL.*AK
Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine › Gasoline
Filed Jun 28, 2000MI
WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE WILL INTERMITTENTLY STALL WITHOUT WARNING. VEHICLE HESITATES WHILE DRIVING, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO JERK FORWARD. VEHICLE HAS BEEN TO DEALER MANY TIMES, BUT THEY ARE UNABLE TO FIND THE SOURCE OF THE PROBLEM. VEHICLE IS NOW OUT OF WARRANTY AND PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. *AK *ML
Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip
Filed Jun 28, 2000WI
ABS BRAKES WILL NOT ENGAGE. CONSUMER HAS TO STEP HARDER ON THE BRAKE PEDAL TO MAKE THEM WORK.*AK
Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip
Filed May 24, 2000TN
WHILE DRIVING AND APPLYING BRAKES, VEHICLE EXPERIENCED EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE. WHEN TAKING VEHICLE FOR CHECK UP, TECHNICIAN PONTED OUT THAT BRAKE SYSTEM WAS CONTAMINATED. *AK
Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip
Filed May 24, 2000TN
A LITTLE OVER 3 MONTHS AFTER I PURCHASED THIS CAR FROM GARY MATTHEWS, THE BRAKE SYSTEM FAILED IN TRAFFIC ON ME. I HAD VERY LITTLE BRAKES AND BARELY MADE IT TO MY HOME WITHOUT AN ACCIDENT. THE CAR WAS INSPECTED AND THE RESULTS ARE THAT THE BREAK SYSTEM WAS CONTAMINATED. THE TOTAL COST TO REPAIR IS $2,400.00. WHEN I CONTACTED THE DEALERSHIP, THEY WERE VERY RUDE AND TOLD ME THAT THEY WOULD DO NOTHING ABOUT THE PROBLEM. WHEN I TALKED TO THE DEALER'S REPAIR SHOP, THEY TOLD ME THAT THEY HAD NO RECORD OF THE CAR EVER EVEN BEING INSPECTED BEFORE I DROVE IT OFF THE LOT. YOU'RE HELP WOULD BE GREATLY APPRECIATED. *AK
Structure › Frame and Members
Filed Apr 12, 2000MO
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK
Steering › Column Locking › Anti-theft Device
Filed Apr 11, 2000TX
STEERING COLUMN WILL NOT LOCK. *AK
Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip
Filed Apr 11, 2000PA
I HAVE SPENT ALOT OF MONEY TRYING TO GET THIS CAR IN SAFE RUNNING CONDITION, AND AS OF RIGHT NOW MY PONTIAC SITS IN MY GARAGE NOT DRIVEABLE BECAUSE I CANT AFFORD TO SPEND ANY MORE MONEY ON THESE BRAKES , I HAVE ALREADY SPENT MORE THAN I SHOULD HAVE AND IT STILL DOES NOT WORK. IF YOU PEOPLE AT PONTIAC PRIDE YOURSELF IN EXCELLENCE THAN I THINK YOU SHOULD TAKE ANOTHER LOOK .IF YOU REALLY PRIDE YOURSELF IN EXCELLENCE, I THINK YOU SHOULD REPAIR THE WHOLE BRAKE SYSTEM IN MY CAR. OTHER WISE I WILL BE FORCED TO CONTACT THE ATTORNEY GENERAL THANKYOU. *AK
Visibility › Power Window Devices and Controls
Filed Apr 5, 2000NC
BOTH DRIVER'S SIDE AND PASSENGER SIDE WINDOW MOTORS CONTINUE TO FAIL AT INCREASING RATE. I HAVE REPLACED THEM BOTH 4 TIMES. I WAS TOLD THAT IT COULD BE DUE TO FAILURE OF THE REGULATORS, CAUSING THE MOTOR TO BURN UP. WHEN THIS HAPPENS, WINDOWS ARE COMPLETELY INOPERABLE. PROBLEM IS EXPENSIVE TO REPAIR, AND CONTINUALLY PULLING INTERIOR DOOR PANEL OFF IS CAUSING EXCESSIVE WEAR ON THE FASTENERS. DURING THE FIRST FAILURE, IT WAS UNDER WARRANTY. SECOND FAILURE, I PAID HALF. THIRD AND FOURTH I PAID FULL COST. THERE MUST BE MORE PEOPLE OUT THERE EXPERIENCING THIS PROBLEM. I BOUGHT THE CAR IN TAMPA, FLORIDA, BUT ALL SERVICE IS DONE AT MOORE BUICK. THEY MAY HAVE MY LAST NAME AS DEBERRY-MY MAIDEN NAME. THANK YOU SERGEANT ALICIA R. BOSSHART USMC. *AK
Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine
Filed Mar 19, 2000KS
I RECEIVED NOTICE OF A RECALL ON THIS VECHICLE SEVERAL YEARS AGO INVOLVING CRACKED ENGINE HEADS AT THE TIME OF NOTICE I THOUGHT THAT THE CAR WAS RUNNING HOTTER THAN IT SHOULD. I TOOK IT INTO A DEALER AND THEY SAID THAT IT WAS RUNNING NORMALLY. I HAVEN'T HAD ANY PROBLEMS WITH IT SINCE THAT INCIDENT. I RECENTLY SMELLED ANTIFREEZE IN THE CABIN AND NOTICED STEAM COMING OUT OF ENGINE COMPARTMENT. I PULLED THE SPARK PLUG COVER OFF AND THIS IS WHEN I NOTICED CRACK. I WAS WONDERING IF THIS WOULD BE COVERED UNDER ORIGINAL RECALL? *AK
Wheels › Lugs/Nuts/Bolts/Studs
Filed Feb 17, 2000IL
LUGS:NUTS FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE TIRES BROKE, CAUSING TIRES TO DISLODGE FROM VEHICLE WHILE DRIVING. DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED. *AK
Electrical System › Ignition
Filed Jan 24, 2000NY
VEHICLE WAS PARKED. WENT TO PUT KEY IN IGNITION IT ACTED VERY ROUGH. WENT TO TURN KEY, IT WAS VERY HARD TO TURN, WAS NOT ABLE. WHEEL LOCKED IN LEFT POSITION. HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO DEALER AND THEY REPLACED THE IGNITION CYLINDER. *AK
Engine and Engine Cooling › Cooling System
Filed Jan 18, 2000ID
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK
Electrical System › Ignition › Module
Filed Jan 15, 2000WI
NOTICED SEIZED SPARK PLUG AT 90,000, ENGINE CHECK LIGHT, POOR IDLE, COOLANT CONSUMPTION, TWO ADDITIONAL SEIZED PLUGS APPEARED LATER. *AK
Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine
Filed Jan 3, 2000IL
*-#WE HAD TO HAVE THE CAR TOWED TO WHERE WE HAD THE CAR REPAIRED. IT WAS A BLOWN HEAD GASKET, AND WE ARE DEFINITELY NOT PLEASED WITH THIS CAR ,AND THE FACT THAT IT SHOULDN'T HAVE BLOWN A HEAD GASKET WITH THIS FEW OF MILES ON THE ENGINE. WE ARE ALSO GOING TO LET OUR FRIENDS KNOW THAT THEY SHOULD NOT BY ANY MEANS BUY A GRAND AM BECAUSE THIS IS A KNOWN FACTOR THAT ALL GRAND AM HAVE AND THERE HASN'T BEEN A RECALL ON THIS PARTICULAR PART AND THE PONTIAC COMPANY KNOWS OF THIS PROBLEM AND FAILED TO RECALL THESE CARS FOR THIS REASON. ALSO, THAT THE PUBLIC SHOULD NOT HAVE TO PAY THIS KIND OF MONEY JUST BECAUSE PONTIAC FAILED TO RECALL THIS CAR FOR THIS REASON, AND THEY KNEW OF THE PROBLEM. WE FEEL THAT YOU SHOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR THIS REPAIR, AND ALSO KNOW THAT YOU HAVE A SPECIAL POLICY #5. UNDER THIS POLICY, YOU SHOULD BE LIABLE TO PAY FOR THIS COST THAT HAS BEEN PLACED UPON THE CUSTOMER. WE ARE VERY DISPLEASED WITH YOUR COMPANY, AND WITH THIS GRAND AM THAT WAS BOUGHT FOR MY DAUGHTER FOR HER GRADUATION FROM HIGH SCHOOL CONSIDERING SHE HAS ONLY HAD IT FOR FOUR MONTHS, AND HAS ALREADY HAD TO SPEND 1200 DOLLARS ON THE PIECE OF '!@#$% JUST SO SHE COULD HAVE TRANSPORTATION TO COLLEGE AND WORK. A VERY DISPLEASED CUSTOMER. KENNETH I HARRISON. *AK
Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine › Gasoline
Filed Dec 8, 1999CO
CAR NEEDS NEW ENGINE, WATER IN OIL. *AK
Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine › Gasoline
Filed Dec 1, 1999NM
CYLINDER HEAD CRACKED AT REAR OF PART. COOLANT LEAKED ON TO HOT BLOCK AND CRUSTED OVER, WHICH MADE ME AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. I HAD IT REPARED AT MY OWN EXPENSE IN EARLY 1999 AND WOULD LIKE TO BE REIMBURSED AS I AM SUBSEQUENTLY AWARE OF A WIDESPREAD PROBLEM WITH THIS.
Complaints 1-50 of 168, newest first, reproduced as filed.
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: Jul 17, 1992. Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.