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.
Engine
1343.3%
Body
310.0%
Gasoline
310.0%
Automatic Transmission
310.0%
Tread/Belt
26.7%
Torque Converter
26.7%
Recliner
26.7%
Steering Wheel/Handle BAR
26.7%
When owners complained
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.
Jun 1995peak 6Aug 2004
Recalls on the 1990 Pontiac Grand AM
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.
United States — NHTSA
06E043000
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.
Canada — Transport Canada
Canada runs its own recall programme, and its campaigns do not
always mirror the American ones.
Recall 199103723,611 units in Canada
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.
Recall 19901269,446 units in Canada
Lights And Instruments
THE DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHT (DRL) MODULE, WHICH IS LOCATED NEAR THE BATTERY, COULD OVERHEAT AND POSSIBLY RESULT IN AN UNDERHOOD FIRE. CORRECTION: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE DRL MODULE, INSTALL A WIRING HARNESS WITH FUSES AND INSTALL A MODULE COVER.
Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.
Richfield, OHFire
WHEELS
VEHICLE FIRE. NAR 06/18/2003. *MR DAMAGES TO THE HOOD, ENGINE, BUMPER, AND WHEELS.
NHTSA complaint #10024666 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Richfield, OHFire
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
VEHICLE FIRE. NAR 06/18/2003. *MR DAMAGES TO THE HOOD, ENGINE, BUMPER, AND WHEELS.
NHTSA complaint #10024666 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Richfield, OHFire
STRUCTURE:BODY:HOOD
VEHICLE FIRE. NAR 06/18/2003. *MR DAMAGES TO THE HOOD, ENGINE, BUMPER, AND WHEELS.
NHTSA complaint #10024666 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Richfield, OHFire
STRUCTURE:BODY:BUMPERS
VEHICLE FIRE. NAR 06/18/2003. *MR DAMAGES TO THE HOOD, ENGINE, BUMPER, AND WHEELS.
NHTSA complaint #10024666 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Dixon, ILCrash
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC
WHILE DRIVING 15MPH THE DEFECTIVE FRONT BRAKING SYSTEM MALFUNCTIONED, CAUSING AN ACCIDENT. DEALER REPLACED FRONT BRAKING SYSTEM PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT.
NHTSA complaint #817163 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Plymouth, MICrash1 injured
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER
IN ACCIDENT WHEN REAR ENDED DRIVERS SIDE SEAT LATCH FAILED THRUSTING DRIVER FORWARD AND SEAT LAY FLAT NOW.THE SEAT BACK IS COMPLETELY INOPERATIVE. TT
NHTSA complaint #976644 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The most recent complaints
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
Richfield, OHFire
WHEELS
VEHICLE FIRE. NAR 06/18/2003. *MR DAMAGES TO THE HOOD, ENGINE, BUMPER, AND WHEELS.
NHTSA complaint #10024666 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Richfield, OHFire
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
VEHICLE FIRE. NAR 06/18/2003. *MR DAMAGES TO THE HOOD, ENGINE, BUMPER, AND WHEELS.
NHTSA complaint #10024666 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Richfield, OHFire
STRUCTURE:BODY:HOOD
VEHICLE FIRE. NAR 06/18/2003. *MR DAMAGES TO THE HOOD, ENGINE, BUMPER, AND WHEELS.
NHTSA complaint #10024666 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Richfield, OHFire
STRUCTURE:BODY:BUMPERS
VEHICLE FIRE. NAR 06/18/2003. *MR DAMAGES TO THE HOOD, ENGINE, BUMPER, AND WHEELS.
NHTSA complaint #10024666 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
London, KY
WHEELS:MULTI PIECE
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
NHTSA complaint #8022619 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Julian, PA
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
VEHICLE STARTED LEAKING ANTIFREEZE WHILE LEAVING DEALERSHIP, AND BEGAN SMOKING.
NHTSA complaint #8016784 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Deforest, WI
STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR
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
NHTSA complaint #562547 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Deforest, WI
STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS
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
NHTSA complaint #562547 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Deforest, WI
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS
THERE IS A NOISE COMING FROM THE STEERING WHEEL AREA, WHEN BACKING UP OR MAKING TURNS, CONSUMER WAS INFORMED THAT THE NOISE IS FROM THE POWER STEERING CUT OUT SWITCH FOR A/C ONLY WHEN A/C IS ON AND CORNERING FULL LEFT OR RIGHT.*JB WHEN BRAKING OR TURNING RIGHT, THERE IS A NOISE IN THE STEERING WHEEL AREA. *SLC
NHTSA complaint #562547 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Deforest, WI
TIRES
CONSUMER STATES HE HAS HAD TO PURCHASE NEW TIRES WITH ONLY 22,500 MILES ON VEHICLE. NO TIRE INFO GIVEN.
NHTSA complaint #562547 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Deforest, WI
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
VEHICLE STALLED WHILE STOPPED AT INTERSECTION.*SLC
NHTSA complaint #562547 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Florence, KY
TIRES:SIDEWALL
4 TIRES PURCHASED AT SAM'S WHOLESALE CLUB ALL DEVELOPED SIDEWALL BUBBLES. *AK (DOT NUMBER: BHKATT 114 TIRESIZE: P195/75R14)
NHTSA complaint #747353 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Brooklyn, NY
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
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 APPRECIATED.
NHTSA complaint #740366 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Hutchinson, MN
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
THE TIMING COVER GASKET WAS REPLACED AND THE FRONT CRANKSHAFT HAD TO BE SEALED. *SLC
NHTSA complaint #558317 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Hutchinson, MN
SUSPENSION
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
NHTSA complaint #558317 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Hutchinson, MN
POWER TRAIN:AXLE ASSEMBLY
FRONT OUTER AXLE BOOTS NEEDED REPLACED. *SLC
NHTSA complaint #558317 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Enterprise, AL
TIRES:TREAD/BELT
TREAD SEPARATION - BULGING ON TIRE. 3 FAILURES ON SAME CAR, SAME TIME( DOT NUMBER: HYRWR5B447 TIRE SIZE: P195/70R14 )
NHTSA complaint #733639 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Enterprise, AL
TIRES:TREAD/BELT
TREAD SEPARATION - BULGING ON TIRE. 3 FAILURES ON SAME CAR, SAME TIME (DOT NUMBER: HYRWR5B447 TIRESIZE: P195/70R14)
NHTSA complaint #733639 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Kansas City, MO
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:TORQUE CONVERTER
TORQUE CONVERTER SOLENOID CAUSES STALLING. CAN STALL IN INTERSECTION CAUSING ACCIDENT AND FATALITIES POOR GM DESIGN, THEY SHOULD PAY FOR THE JUNK THEY BUILD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
NHTSA complaint #731249 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Lakewood, CO
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
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
NHTSA complaint #862997 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Toms River, NJ
STRUCTURE:BODY
PAINT PEELING ON ROOF AND HOOD.
NHTSA complaint #509139 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Heathrow, FL
EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER
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.
NHTSA complaint #707225 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Heathrow, FL
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:POWER ASSIST
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.
NHTSA complaint #707225 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Pittsburg, PA
STEERING:RACK AND PINION:RACK
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.
NHTSA complaint #837696 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Green BAY, WI
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
I AM JUST LOOKING FOR RECALL HISTORY ON THIS VEHICLE. JUST SO WE CAN KEEP THE VEHICLE UPDATED. THANK YOU. NO DEFECTS MENTIONED.
NHTSA complaint #702931 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.