1992 Pontiac Grand AM

Fatalities reported

Owners filed 168 complaints about this vehicle with federal regulators, most often about the engine and engine cooling › engine. It has been recalled 3 times.

What fails
ComponentReportsCrashesFiresInjuries
Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine28
000
Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip17
301
Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine › Gasoline11
010
Electrical System › Ignition8
000
Power Train › Automatic Transmission7
101
Engine and Engine Cooling › Cooling System6
000
Unknown or Other5
000
Vehicle Speed Control4
202
Steering › Steering Wheel/Handle Bar4
000
Electrical System4
000

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.

Suspension › Rear91V204000
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.

Seats › Front Assembly › Recliner91V182000
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.

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

20 of 168 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
1992 — this page168342Fatalities reported
199182352Fatalities reported
199038110Routine

Compare every Grand AM year →

Reading this record

2 deaths reported in complaints filed with NHTSA.

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.