FaultScore report
Owners have filed 34 complaints about the 1988 Pontiac Grand AM with NHTSA between 1995 and 2002. The largest single group is the engine & cooling.
34
Complaints
4
Crashes reported
2
Fires reported
2
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.
1 crashes, 0 fires
1 crashes, 0 fires
1 crashes, 0 fires
0 crashes, 1 fires
1 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.
W-CAR HINGE PIN FAILURE
REAR WHEEL BEARINGS FAIL
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
FRONT FUEL FEED HOSE ASSEMBLY COULD CRACK OR SEPARATE AT THE COUPLING ON THE ENGINE END OF THE HOSE ASSEMBLY, ALLOWING FUEL TO LEAK INTO THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT.
Risk: FUEL LEAKING IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT COULD RESULT IN ANUNDERHOOD FIRE.
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
FRONT FUEL FEED HOSE ASSEMBLY COULD CRACK OR SEPARATE AT THE COUPLING ON THE ENGINE END OF THE HOSE ASSEMBLY, ALLOWING FUEL TO LEAK INTO THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT.
Risk: LEAKING FUEL IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.
Canada runs its own recall programme, and its campaigns do not always mirror the American ones.
Engine
NOTE: VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 2.3 LITRE ENGINE. IN SUB ZERO TEMPERATURES, MOISTURE FROM THE CRANKCASE VENTILATION SYSTEM COULD CAUSE ICE BUILDUP BEHIND THE THROTTLE BLADE THEREBY PREVENTING THE THROTTLE FROM RETURNING TO IDLE WHEN THE ACCERATOR PEDAL IS RELEASED. THIS COULD RESULT IN LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL. CORRECTION: AN ENGINE VENTILATION KIT WILL BE INSTALLED ON AFFECTED VEHICLES TO PREVENT MOISTURE ACCUMULATION IN THE CRANKCASE.
Emissions
Certain vehicles may not comply with CMVSS 1103 - Exhaust Emissions. Cracks may develop in the casing of the integrated direct ignition coil. Correction: Ignition coils will be inspected and replaced if necessary.
Fuel System
ON VEHICLES WITH QUAD 4 ENGINES, THE FRONT FUEL FEED ASSEMBLY COULD CRACK OR SEPARATE AT THE COUPLING ON THE ENGINE END OF THE ASSEMBLY, ALLOWING FUEL TO LEAK INTO THE UNDERHOOD AREA. THIS WOULD CREATE THE POSSIBILITY OF AN ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE. CORRECTION: FRONT FUEL FEED HOSE ASSEMBLY WILL BE REPLACED ON AFFECTED VEHICLES.
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.
FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY:FILLING/CHARGING
FUEL PRESSURE REGULATOR/VALVE FAILED CAUSING FIRE WHICH RESULTED IN PROPERTY DAMAGE AND INJURIES.
NHTSA complaint #547999 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STEERING
WHILE DRIVING AT 40 MPH AND GOING AROUND A TURN WITHIN THE ROAD STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP, CAUSING LOSS OF CONTROL. VEHICLE HIT ANOTHER VEHICLE IN THE FRONT, AND DASHBOARD FELL APART.
NHTSA complaint #850087 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STRUCTURE:BODY
WHILE DRIVING AT 40 MPH AND GOING AROUND A TURN WITHIN THE ROAD STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP, CAUSING LOSS OF CONTROL. VEHICLE HIT ANOTHER VEHICLE IN THE FRONT, AND DASHBOARD FELL APART.
NHTSA complaint #850087 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
INTERMITTENT STALLING FOLLOWED BY ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE.
NHTSA complaint #503121 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY
DURING IMPACT, THE DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT BELT DID NOT LOCK. PLEASE DESCRIBE.
NHTSA complaint #982267 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
FUEL THROTTLE STUCK IN BELOW ZERO TEMPERATURE CAUSING ACCELERATOR PEDAL TO STICK. TT
NHTSA complaint #979151 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
ENGINE HEAD GASKET BLEWOUT.
NHTSA complaint #8009244 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
CAR STALLS WHILE GOING SLOWER CITY SPEEDS.
NHTSA complaint #724094 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:ACCELERATOR PEDAL
WHILE TRAVELING ABOUT 25 MPH, IN A PARKING LOT ACCELERATOR PEDAL WENT ALL THE WAY DOWN TO THE FLOORBOARD, AND WOULD NOT RELEASE. VEHICLE ACCELERATED UP TO ABOUT 45-50 MPH. CONSUMER APPLIED THE BRAKES VERY HARD, BUT WOULD NOT STOP THE VEHICLE. VEHICLE WAS PUT INTO PARK, AND KEY WAS TAKEN OUT OF THE IGNITION BEFORE VEHICLE WOULD STOP. VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO OWNER'S HOME. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.
NHTSA complaint #859434 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY:FILLING/CHARGING
FUEL PRESSURE REGULATOR/VALVE FAILED CAUSING FIRE WHICH RESULTED IN PROPERTY DAMAGE AND INJURIES.
NHTSA complaint #547999 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
AS STALLING EPISODES CONTINUED AND I COMPLETED NORMAL MAINTENANCE SERVISES, FINALLY A LOCAL PONTIAC DEALER DID COMPHREHENSIVE TESTS AND CHECKED WITHOUT CONCLUSIVE ANSWER TO PROBLEM . ON OCT.13TH.99. THE CAR BROKE DOWN , BACK FIRED, COULD NOT BE RESTARTED, WAS TOWED TO A PONTIAC DEALER WHO SAID HEAD GASKET HAD 1-1/2 INCH RUPTURE. NO REPAIR WAS DONE. CAR OPERATES AGAIN,AND CONTINUIES TO STALL. CAN IT BE ELECTRICAL CONECTION PROBLEM OR WHAT?
NHTSA complaint #714827 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STEERING
WHILE DRIVING AT 40 MPH AND GOING AROUND A TURN WITHIN THE ROAD STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP, CAUSING LOSS OF CONTROL. VEHICLE HIT ANOTHER VEHICLE IN THE FRONT, AND DASHBOARD FELL APART.
NHTSA complaint #850087 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STRUCTURE:BODY
WHILE DRIVING AT 40 MPH AND GOING AROUND A TURN WITHIN THE ROAD STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP, CAUSING LOSS OF CONTROL. VEHICLE HIT ANOTHER VEHICLE IN THE FRONT, AND DASHBOARD FELL APART.
NHTSA complaint #850087 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SEAT BELTS:FRONT
DRIVER SIDE SEAT BELT FAILED IN A COLLISION.
NHTSA complaint #539929 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
ENGINE HEAD GASKET FAILURE.
NHTSA complaint #529188 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SUSPENSION:FRONT:MACPHERSON STRUT
STRUTS FAILED.
NHTSA complaint #524935 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ALTERNATOR/GENERATOR/REGULATOR
ALTERNATOR FAILED.
NHTSA complaint #524935 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STEERING:RACK AND PINION
COLD STEERING.
NHTSA complaint #523958 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP
OWNER STATES WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE STALLS, OWNER INDICATED THAT SHE HAS HAD WORK DONE ON THIS VEHICLE, INCLUDING REPLACING THE FUEL PUMP.
NHTSA complaint #808678 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS
PAINT IS CHIPPING OFF THE BODY OF THE VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #512140 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:RETRACTOR
THE DRIVER'S SIDE LAP AND SHOULDER BELT DOES NOT RETRACT OUT OF THE DOOR.
NHTSA complaint #801973 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER
WINDSHIELD WIPERS FAIL TO CUT OFF.
NHTSA complaint #483703 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STEERING:RACK AND PINION
'COLD POWER STEERING'.
NHTSA complaint #481097 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
INTERMITTENT STALLING FOLLOWED BY ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE.
NHTSA complaint #503121 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY
DURING IMPACT, THE DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT BELT DID NOT LOCK. PLEASE DESCRIBE.
NHTSA complaint #982267 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
ENGINE HEAD FAILED 2 TIMES.
NHTSA complaint #501070 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
FUEL THROTTLE STUCK IN BELOW ZERO TEMPERATURE CAUSING ACCELERATOR PEDAL TO STICK. TT
NHTSA complaint #979151 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
ENGINE HEAD GASKETS HAVE BLOWN IN THE QUAD 4 ENGINE, ALSO THERE IS FUEL LINE FAILURE. TT
NHTSA complaint #978077 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
BLEW THE HEAD GASKETS. TT
NHTSA complaint #975438 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
INTERMITTENT STALLING. *SKD
NHTSA complaint #484890 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
HEAD GASKET FAILED.
NHTSA complaint #483573 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.