FaultScore report
Owners have filed 47 complaints about the 1987 Pontiac Grand AM with NHTSA between 1995 and 2000. The largest single group is the engine & cooling.
47
Complaints
7
Crashes reported
2
Fires reported
8
Injuries reported
Click any bar to open that year's report.
Every complaint is filed against a part. Follow any row for the complaints about that part alone.
2 crashes, 1 fires
1 crashes, 0 fires
1 crashes, 0 fires
1 crashes, 0 fires
2 crashes, 0 fires
NHTSA files every complaint against a named sub-assembly, not just a system. This is the difference between knowing it was "the engine" and knowing which part of it — the list to hand a mechanic.
A spike years after the car went on sale usually means a part wearing out on schedule across the whole fleet — the kind of pattern no single owner can see from inside their own car.
An investigation is the step before a recall: the agency has seen enough complaints to look into a pattern itself. An open one means it thinks something may be wrong and nothing has been fixed yet.
SEAT BELT SEPARATION
BRAKE PERFORMANCE
===
BRAKE INEFFECTIVENESS
A complaint is one owner's allegation. A recall is the point at which the manufacturer or a regulator agreed the defect is real and dangerous enough to fix for free — however old the car is.
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
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.
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
THE FUEL FEED OR FUEL RETURN HOSE AT THE ENGINE MAY RUB AGAINST A SHIFT LEVER ON THE 5 SPEED TRANSAXLE.
Risk: IN TIME A HOLE COULD BE RUBBED THROUGH THE HOSE AND FUELLEAK INTO THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THIS COULD REUSLT IN AN UNDERHOOD FIRE.
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY:FILLER PIPE AND CAP
THE FUEL FEED AND/OR RETURN HOSE/PIPE ASSEMBLIES COULD CRACK OR SEPARATE, ALLOWING FUEL TO LEAK INTO THE UNDERHOOD AREA.
Risk: THIS COULD RESULT IN AN UNDERHOOD FIRE, WITHOUT PRIORWARNING, AND CAUSE INJURY TO OCCUPANTS.
Canada runs its own recall programme, and its campaigns do not always mirror the American ones.
Fuel System
THE FUEL FEED OR FUEL RETURN HOSE AT THE ENGINE MAY RUB AGAINST A SHIFT LEVER ON THE 5-SPEED TRANSAXLE. WITH TIME, A HOLE COULD BE RUBBED THROUGH THE HOSE AND FUEL COULD LEAK INTO THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT CREATING THE POTENTIAL FOR AN UNDERHOOD FIRE. CORRECTION: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FUEL FEED AND RETURN HOSE/PIPE ASSEMBLIES.
Emissions
THESE VEHICLES DO NOT COMPLY WITH C.M.V.S.S. 1103 - EXHAUST EMISSIONS. - MASS AIRFLOW SENSOR FAILURE - NOTE : VEHICLES WITH 3.0 LITRE AND 3.8 LITRE ENGINES.
Recalls cover specific build ranges, so check your own vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or, in Canada, Transport Canada.
Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.
SEAT BELTS:FRONT
THE DESIGN OF THE LAP BELTS MOUNTED IN THE DOOR DOES NOT PROPERLY PROVIDE ENOUGH PROTECTION IN AN EVENT OF AN ACCIDENT. CONSUMER WAS DRIVING 40MPH AND WAS STRUCK ON THE DRIVER SIDE.
NHTSA complaint #846198 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
VEHICLE HAVING TROUBLE STARTING. CONSUMER CHARGED BATTERY AND WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE DUE TO POSSIBLE ELECTRICAL FAILURE RESUTING IN INJURY TO DRIVERS HANDS.
NHTSA complaint #544233 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
WHILE TRAVELING ALONG A 4-LANE STREET, THE GAS PEDAL WENT TO FULL THROTTLE, VEHICLE ACCELERATED FROM 50 MPH TO PASS A BUS. ENGINE WAS THEN TURNED OFF, CAUSING A LOSS OF POWER STEERING. UNABLE TO STEER, VEHICLE BRUSHED UP AGAINST ANOTHER VEHICLE , WENT UP ON CENTER OF MEDIAN AND STOPPED WHEN IT HIT A SIGN POST.
NHTSA complaint #523336 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
TRANSMISSION COMPLETELY FAILED AND HAD TO BE REPLACED. FUEL INJECTOR STARTS WHEN IT FEELS LIKE IT FOR THE LAST YEAR. STARTED ONE WEEK. SEAT BELT LOCKS UP ON DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDES CAUSING THE DRIVER TO GET BURNED ON THE NECK WHEN STOPPING.
NHTSA complaint #539931 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:ANCHORAGE
TRANSMISSION COMPLETELY FAILED AND HAD TO BE REPLACED. FUEL INJECTOR STARTS WHEN IT FEELS LIKE IT FOR THE LAST YEAR. STARTED ONE WEEK. SEAT BELT LOCKS UP ON DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDES CAUSING THE DRIVER TO GET BURNED ON THE NECK WHEN STOPPING.
NHTSA complaint #539931 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM:INJECTORS
TRANSMISSION COMPLETELY FAILED AND HAD TO BE REPLACED. FUEL INJECTOR STARTS WHEN IT FEELS LIKE IT FOR THE LAST YEAR. STARTED ONE WEEK. SEAT BELT LOCKS UP ON DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDES CAUSING THE DRIVER TO GET BURNED ON THE NECK WHEN STOPPING.
NHTSA complaint #539931 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK( DOT NUMBER: TIRE SIZE: P195/70/14 )
NHTSA complaint #726264 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK( DOT NUMBER: TIRE SIZE: P195/70/14 )
NHTSA complaint #726265 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:INTERIOR/UNDER DASH
MY DIGITAL ODOMETER STOPPED WORKING AT 199,999 MILES. I WAS TOLD BY PONTIAC THAT IT WAS DEFECTIVE, AND THAT NORMALLY IT WOULD CONTINUE ON TO 200,000. THE ONLY PROBLEM IS THAT THE LCD DISPLAY WILL ONLY SHOW A "1" IN THE ONE HUNDRED THOUSANDS PLACE. TECHNICAR, THE COMPANY WHO FIXES INSTRUMENT CLUSTERS, SAYS THEY ALL STOP AT THAT MILEAGE, AND THE CHIP IN THE BACK HAS TO BE REPLACED. I WENT THROUGH A LENGTHY PROCESS OF COMPLAINTS AS WELL AS WRITING A LETTER ONLY TO GET A STATEMENT SAYING MY CAR WAS OUT OF WARRANTY. I DON'T SEE HOW THEY CAN DESIGN AN ODOMETER TO FAIL, MANY PROBLEMS RESULT - MAINTENANCE, TITLE, VALUE, ETC. HAD I GOTTEN THE ANALOGUE VERSION, IT WOULD STILL BE GOING. I NEED AN EXPLANATION. THANKS.
NHTSA complaint #724806 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SEAT BELTS:FRONT
THE DESIGN OF THE LAP BELTS MOUNTED IN THE DOOR DOES NOT PROPERLY PROVIDE ENOUGH PROTECTION IN AN EVENT OF AN ACCIDENT. CONSUMER WAS DRIVING 40MPH AND WAS STRUCK ON THE DRIVER SIDE.
NHTSA complaint #846198 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
CAN'T SEEM TO EVER SAVE ANY MONEY TO BUY A NEW VAN BECAUSE CAR THIS ONE IS COSTING TOO MUCH MONEY TO KEEP ON THE ROAD. NO SAFETY DEFECT (S) LISTED IN SUMMARY.
NHTSA complaint #708034 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
VEHICLE HAVING TROUBLE STARTING. CONSUMER CHARGED BATTERY AND WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE DUE TO POSSIBLE ELECTRICAL FAILURE RESUTING IN INJURY TO DRIVERS HANDS.
NHTSA complaint #544233 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
WHILE TRAVELING ALONG A 4-LANE STREET, THE GAS PEDAL WENT TO FULL THROTTLE, VEHICLE ACCELERATED FROM 50 MPH TO PASS A BUS. ENGINE WAS THEN TURNED OFF, CAUSING A LOSS OF POWER STEERING. UNABLE TO STEER, VEHICLE BRUSHED UP AGAINST ANOTHER VEHICLE , WENT UP ON CENTER OF MEDIAN AND STOPPED WHEN IT HIT A SIGN POST.
NHTSA complaint #523336 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY
THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SEATBELT BUCKLE BROKE, CAUSING BOTH TO BE INOPERATIVE, WHICH OFFERED NO PROTECTION FOR THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. CONSUMER CLAIMS THERE IS A BULLETIN AND THERE IS NO RECALL.
NHTSA complaint #833618 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STEERING:RACK AND PINION
THE RACK AND PINION MALFUNCTION. VEHICLE IS VERY HARD TO STEER.
NHTSA complaint #529673 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
TRANSMISSION COMPLETELY FAILED AND HAD TO BE REPLACED. FUEL INJECTOR STARTS WHEN IT FEELS LIKE IT FOR THE LAST YEAR. STARTED ONE WEEK. SEAT BELT LOCKS UP ON DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDES CAUSING THE DRIVER TO GET BURNED ON THE NECK WHEN STOPPING.
NHTSA complaint #539931 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:ANCHORAGE
TRANSMISSION COMPLETELY FAILED AND HAD TO BE REPLACED. FUEL INJECTOR STARTS WHEN IT FEELS LIKE IT FOR THE LAST YEAR. STARTED ONE WEEK. SEAT BELT LOCKS UP ON DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDES CAUSING THE DRIVER TO GET BURNED ON THE NECK WHEN STOPPING.
NHTSA complaint #539931 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM:INJECTORS
TRANSMISSION COMPLETELY FAILED AND HAD TO BE REPLACED. FUEL INJECTOR STARTS WHEN IT FEELS LIKE IT FOR THE LAST YEAR. STARTED ONE WEEK. SEAT BELT LOCKS UP ON DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDES CAUSING THE DRIVER TO GET BURNED ON THE NECK WHEN STOPPING.
NHTSA complaint #539931 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL ENGAGED ,GOING OVER A SMALL HILL THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE AND WOULD NOT DISENGAGE WHEN PUSHING THE BRAKE OR STEERING COLUMN SWITCH. TURNED OFF IGNITION TO STOP VEHICLE. VEHICLE TAKEN TO DEALER WHO COULD NOT FIND THE PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #807924 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:MANIFOLD/HEADER/MUFFLER/TAIL PIPE
EXHAUST MANIFOLD FAILURE.
NHTSA complaint #531411 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
MASS AIRFLOW SENSOR FAILED. ALSO REPLACED ELECTRONIC IGNITION/WATER PUMP/ALTERNATOR/CRANKSHAFT/LOCKED TORQUE CONVERTER.
NHTSA complaint #524496 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
MASS AIRFLOW SENSOR FAILED. ALSO REPLACED ELECTRONIC IGNITION/WATER PUMP/ALTERNATOR/CRANKSHAFT/LOCKED TORQUE CONVERTER.
NHTSA complaint #524496 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:TORQUE CONVERTER
MASS AIRFLOW SENSOR FAILED. ALSO REPLACED ELECTRONIC IGNITION/WATER PUMP/ALTERNATOR/CRANKSHAFT/LOCKED TORQUE CONVERTER.
NHTSA complaint #524496 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM
MASS AIRFLOW SENSOR FAILED. ALSO REPLACED ELECTRONIC IGNITION/WATER PUMP/ALTERNATOR/CRANKSHAFT/LOCKED TORQUE CONVERTER.
NHTSA complaint #524496 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:CARBURETOR SYSTEM
MASS AIRFLOW SENSOR FAILED. ALSO REPLACED ELECTRONIC IGNITION/WATER PUMP/ALTERNATOR/CRANKSHAFT/LOCKED TORQUE CONVERTER.
NHTSA complaint #524496 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ALTERNATOR/GENERATOR/REGULATOR
MASS AIRFLOW SENSOR FAILED. ALSO REPLACED ELECTRONIC IGNITION/WATER PUMP/ALTERNATOR/CRANKSHAFT/LOCKED TORQUE CONVERTER.
NHTSA complaint #524496 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SEATS
BOTH FRONT SEATS HAVE SEPARATED FROM TRACKING, FELL ONTO REAR SEATS.
NHTSA complaint #970717 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:RADIATOR ASSEMBLY
THERMOSTAT FAILED.
NHTSA complaint #513858 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
TRANSMISSION LINE FAILED.
NHTSA complaint #513858 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
OIL PAN GASKET FAILED.
NHTSA complaint #513858 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
VALVE COVER GASKET FAILED.
NHTSA complaint #513858 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.