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
1431.8%
Gasoline
613.6%
Power Window Devices AND Controls
613.6%
Windshield
511.4%
Foundation Components
49.1%
Hoses, Lines/Piping, AND Fittings
36.8%
Buckle Assembly
36.8%
Automatic Transmission
36.8%
When it fails
Odometer readings owners gave when they filed. About half of all
complaints include one.
50,000 – 74,999 miles
133.3%
75,000 – 99,999 miles
133.3%
150,000+ miles
133.3%
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.
Jan 1995peak 9Nov 2014
Recalls on the 1991 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.
92V043000
VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS
MOISTURE CAN ENTER THE EXPRESS-DOWN ELECTRONIC CONTROL MODULE AND CAUSE A SHORT CIRCUIT THAT CAUSES WINDOW OPERATION WITHOUT OPERATOR CONTROL, AND LEAVES THE WINDOW IN THE DOWN POSITION.
Risk: THE ELECTRONIC CONTROL MODULE WILL FAIL FROM OVERHEATINGAND COULD RESULT IN A FIRE HAZARD INSIDE THE DOOR PANEL.
91V018000
STEERING: STEERING WHEEL/HANDLE BAR
Canada — Transport Canada
Canada runs its own recall programme, and its campaigns do not
always mirror the American ones.
Recall 19920321,225 units in Canada
Electrical
ON VEHICLES WITH POWER WINDOWS, MOISTURE MAY ENTER THE EXPRESS-DOWN ELECTRONIC CONTROL MODULE AND COULD CAUSE PHANTOM WINDOW OPERATION IN WHICH THE WINDOW MAY CYCLE WITHOUT OPERATOR INPUT AND SOMETIMES REMAIN DOWN. THE MODULE MAY EVENTUALLY FAIL BY OVERHEATING, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A FIRE IN THE DOOR PANEL. CORRECTION: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE POWER WINDOW EXPRESS-DOWN ELECTRONIC CONTROL MODULE.
Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.
Brentwood, NYCrash2 injured
ENGINE
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 1990 (NA) PONTIAC GRAND AM. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30-40 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED CHEST INJURIES THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE OTHER DRIVER SUSTAINED HEAD INJURIES THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.
NHTSA complaint #10654779 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 72,000 milesTennyson, IN1 injured
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE ELASTIC BANDS THAT HOLD THE PADDING TO THE SHELL OF THE SAFETY SEAT HAS BEEN PULLED LOOSE BY THE CHILD ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS. THE CHILD HAS CHOKED AND BEEN SMACKED BY THE BANDS. THE MANUFACTURER SENT NEW PADDING, BUT THERE WAS NO IMPROVEMENT TO THE PADDING SENT. THIS IS A COSCO 22-130-WAL MANUFACTURED FEBRUARY 17, 2005.
NHTSA complaint #10155598 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Terre Haute, INCrash1 injured
SEAT BELTS:FRONT
THE DRIVER LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE DUE TO INCLEMENT WEATHER. VEHICLE HIT THE GUARD RAIL. AND AS A RESULT, DRIVER'S FACE HIT THE WINDSHIELD BECAUSE THE SEAT BELT DID NOT OPERATE AND LOCK. DEALER WAS INFORMED BY CONSUMER.*AK THE CONSUMER STATED THAT SHE HIT THE BRAKE AND THE VEHICLE DID NOT SLOW DOWN.
NHTSA complaint #10111039 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Terre Haute, INCrash1 injured
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
THE DRIVER LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE DUE TO INCLEMENT WEATHER. VEHICLE HIT THE GUARD RAIL. AND AS A RESULT, DRIVER'S FACE HIT THE WINDSHIELD BECAUSE THE SEAT BELT DID NOT OPERATE AND LOCK. DEALER WAS INFORMED BY CONSUMER.*AK THE CONSUMER STATED THAT SHE HIT THE BRAKE AND THE VEHICLE DID NOT SLOW DOWN.
NHTSA complaint #10111039 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Grand Forks, NDFire
VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS
WHILE DRIVING, THE DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR PANEL CAUGHT ON FIRE. CONSUMER IS AWARE OF SAFETY RECALL FOR POWER WINDOW CONTROL MODULE REPLACEMENT. THE VEHICLE WAS BEING DRIVEN WITH NO INSIDE DOOR PANEL (BARE METAL EXPOSED). THE WINDOW WAS BEING HELD UP WITH PLASTIC TAPE, AND THE VEHICLE CANNOT BE LOCKED DUE TO THE FIRE DAMAGE TO THE DOOR. ALSO THE VEHICLE HAS THE STENCH OF SMOKE FROM THE FIRE IN THE DOOR. WE THINK THIS MAY HAVE BEEN CAUSED BY THE POWER WINDOW DEVICE.
NHTSA complaint #10021240 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Cameron, MOCrash1 killed
STEERING: STEERING WHEEL/HANDLE BAR
MY BROTHER WAS KILLED THEY HAD A RECALL ON STEERING FOR THE 1991 PONTIAC GRAND AM I NEED TO FIND OUT IF THE RECALL WAS DONE ON HIS CAR PONTIAC HASNT BEEN MUCH HELP.
NHTSA complaint #761718 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The most recent complaints
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
Brentwood, NYCrash2 injured
ENGINE
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 1990 (NA) PONTIAC GRAND AM. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30-40 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED CHEST INJURIES THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE OTHER DRIVER SUSTAINED HEAD INJURIES THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.
NHTSA complaint #10654779 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 72,000 milesTennyson, IN1 injured
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE ELASTIC BANDS THAT HOLD THE PADDING TO THE SHELL OF THE SAFETY SEAT HAS BEEN PULLED LOOSE BY THE CHILD ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS. THE CHILD HAS CHOKED AND BEEN SMACKED BY THE BANDS. THE MANUFACTURER SENT NEW PADDING, BUT THERE WAS NO IMPROVEMENT TO THE PADDING SENT. THIS IS A COSCO 22-130-WAL MANUFACTURED FEBRUARY 17, 2005.
NHTSA complaint #10155598 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Terre Haute, INCrash1 injured
SEAT BELTS:FRONT
THE DRIVER LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE DUE TO INCLEMENT WEATHER. VEHICLE HIT THE GUARD RAIL. AND AS A RESULT, DRIVER'S FACE HIT THE WINDSHIELD BECAUSE THE SEAT BELT DID NOT OPERATE AND LOCK. DEALER WAS INFORMED BY CONSUMER.*AK THE CONSUMER STATED THAT SHE HIT THE BRAKE AND THE VEHICLE DID NOT SLOW DOWN.
NHTSA complaint #10111039 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Terre Haute, INCrash1 injured
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
THE DRIVER LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE DUE TO INCLEMENT WEATHER. VEHICLE HIT THE GUARD RAIL. AND AS A RESULT, DRIVER'S FACE HIT THE WINDSHIELD BECAUSE THE SEAT BELT DID NOT OPERATE AND LOCK. DEALER WAS INFORMED BY CONSUMER.*AK THE CONSUMER STATED THAT SHE HIT THE BRAKE AND THE VEHICLE DID NOT SLOW DOWN.
NHTSA complaint #10111039 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 83,000 milesAppleton, WI
SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER BALL JOINT
DURING INSPECTION DEALER INFORMED THE CONSUMER ABOUT LOOSE LOWER BALL JOINT. DEALERSHIP REPAIRED THE PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #10110972 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Dallas, TX
EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER
MY CAR WILL CRANK UP AND DRIVE FOR HOURS BUT IF I STOP AND TURN IT OFF IT WILL NOT CRANK UP FOR 3-4 HOURS. ALSO, MY AIR CONDITIONER WAS RUNNING GREAT BUT WHEN I TURNED IT ON ONE DAY IT JUST STOPPED BLOWING COLD AND IT IS FULL OF COOLANT AND ANTIFREEZE.
NHTSA complaint #10090625 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Grand Forks, NDFire
VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS
WHILE DRIVING, THE DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR PANEL CAUGHT ON FIRE. CONSUMER IS AWARE OF SAFETY RECALL FOR POWER WINDOW CONTROL MODULE REPLACEMENT. THE VEHICLE WAS BEING DRIVEN WITH NO INSIDE DOOR PANEL (BARE METAL EXPOSED). THE WINDOW WAS BEING HELD UP WITH PLASTIC TAPE, AND THE VEHICLE CANNOT BE LOCKED DUE TO THE FIRE DAMAGE TO THE DOOR. ALSO THE VEHICLE HAS THE STENCH OF SMOKE FROM THE FIRE IN THE DOOR. WE THINK THIS MAY HAVE BEEN CAUSED BY THE POWER WINDOW DEVICE.
NHTSA complaint #10021240 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 150,000 milesO'fallon, MO
POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION
TRANSMISSION DIP STICK FOR MANUAL TRANSMISSION (ISUZU) TYPE SHRINKS CAUSING FLUID LEAKAGE AND TRANSMISSION FAILURE. *NLM
NHTSA complaint #10016169 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Harper Woods, MI
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER
WHILE SLOWING DOWN AND THEN TURNING INTO A PARKING LOT DRIVER'S SEATBACK FAILED WITH NO WARNING. PLEASE DESCRIBE DETAILS.
NHTSA complaint #8014918 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Verona, PA
TIRES:SIDEWALL
DISCOVERED A LARGE BULGE ON SIDEWALL OF TIRE AT ONLY 2000 MILES. FIRESTONE SAID IT WAS IMPACT RELATED BUT IT SEEMS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #761936 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Cameron, MOCrash1 killed
STEERING: STEERING WHEEL/HANDLE BAR
MY BROTHER WAS KILLED THEY HAD A RECALL ON STEERING FOR THE 1991 PONTIAC GRAND AM I NEED TO FIND OUT IF THE RECALL WAS DONE ON HIS CAR PONTIAC HASNT BEEN MUCH HELP.
NHTSA complaint #761718 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Cameron, MOCrash1 killed
STEERING: STEERING WHEEL/HANDLE BAR
I NEED TO FIND OUT IF THIS CAR WAS TAKEN IN FOR THE STEERING RECALL 91V018000 CONCERNING STEERING COLUMN THEY HAD ON THIS YEAR....PLEASE LET ME NO MY BROTHER OWNED THE CAR WAS WAS KILLED 12082001. THANK YOU LAURA SMART HIS SISTER.
NHTSA complaint #758979 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SUE City, IA
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER
WHILE DRIVING PASSENGER'S SEAT WILL SLIDE BACK AND FORTH WITHOUT APPLYING PRESSURE ON LATCH SYSTEM OF SEAT.
NHTSA complaint #8004466 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Stafford, VACrash
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #757243 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Shoshone, ID
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
WHILE DRIVING, CRUISE CONTROL CAME ON AND ACCELERATED VEHICLE UP TO 90MPH. DRIVER HAD TO PUT VEHICLE INTO NEUTRAL, AND EXCESSIVELY APPLY BRAKES. WHEN STARTING VEHICLE RIGHT BACK UP, CRUISE CONTROL WOULD TAKE OVER AGAIN, UNLESS VEHICLE SAT FOR AT LEAST 20-30 MINUTES. MECHANIC DISABLED CRUISE CONTROL. *AK *SLC
NHTSA complaint #876563 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Pittsburgh, PA
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
I REPORTED THIS LONG BEFORE MY WARRANTY EXPIRED BUT NOTHING WAS DONE ABOUT IT AND AFTER THE WARRANTY EXPIRED I FOUND OUT THAT THE PRIMER USED ON THE CAR WAS DEFECTIVE AND WAS TOLD THERE WAS NOTHING TO BE DONE ABOUT IT SINCE THE WARRANTY HAD EXPIRED. NO SAFETY DEFECT DISCUSSED IN THE SUMMARY.
NHTSA complaint #725191 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Tempe, AZCrash1 injured
SEAT BELTS
SEAT BELT FAILED
NHTSA complaint #9000755 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Channelview, TX
STRUCTURE:BODY
THERE IS A LEAK IN THE CAR EVERY TIME IT RAINS BOTH OF THE FRONT FLOOR BOARDS ARE FULL OF WATER MY NEIGHBOR OWNS A 91 GRAND AM ALSO AND HIS DOES THE SAME WE DO NOT KNOW WHAT THE PROBLEM IS BUT THE FLOOR BOARDS ARE RUSTING AND IT IS GOING TO COST ME TO FIX IT I KNOW THE CAR HAS NOT BEEN WRECKED AND MY NEIGHBORS CAR DOES THE SAME SO IT MUST BE A DESIGN PROBLEM I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW WHAT I HAVE TO DO TO GET THIS RESOLVED SO THERE WILL BE NO FURTHER DAMAGE TO MY CAR PLUS IT IS MOLDING MY CARPET AND SMELLS.
NHTSA complaint #721488 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Wayzata, MN
STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST:POWER STEERING FLUID
CALL TO PONTIAC RESULTED IN THEY CLAIMING THERE WAS NO PREVIOUS REPORTED PROBLEMS, I FOUND A RECALL NOTICE PERTAINING TO STEERING FOR WHEN THIS CAR WAS MANUFACTURED AND LOTS OF SERVICE BULLETINS EACH WHICH DESCRIBED THE VERY SAME NOISE WE HEARD AT THE TIME OF THE BREAKDOWN. THIS WAS A POTENTIAL SAFETY RISK IF THE CAR HAD BEEN DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEED. TOW SERVICE INDICATED THAT WE WERE LUCKY THAT NO ONE WAS HURT.
NHTSA complaint #720488 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Roseburg, OR
VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS
POWER WINDOW REGULATOR FAILED. *MJS
NHTSA complaint #550764 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Roseburg, OR
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
VEHICLE EXPERIENCES CONTINUED STALLING CONDITIONS, REPLACEMENT OF SEVERAL COMPONENTS (SENSORS, IGNITION CONTROL, HEAD GASKET), HOWEVER ENGINE STILL STALLS. *MJS
NHTSA complaint #550764 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Roseburg, OR
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:PADS
BRAKE PADS REPLACED. *MJS
NHTSA complaint #550764 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Highland Park, IL
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #714731 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Port Tabacco, MDFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD
WHILE VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN DRIVEWAY FOR ONLY 10 MI NUTES IT WAS ON FIRE UNDER THE HOOD. FIRE DEPARTTMENT CAME TO PUT FIRE OUT. CONSUMER CONTACTED MANUFACTURER ALSO DEALER. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION.
NHTSA complaint #852808 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Bayville, NJFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING
WHILE DRIVING TO THE STORE ABOUT A HALF OF MILE AWAY, HEARD A HISSING SOUND IN THE DRIVERS SIDE DOOR. CONSUMERR THEN SAW SMOKE, AND STOPPED THE VEHICLE AND GOT OUT. THEN THE ENTIRE VEHICLE WENT UP IN FLAMES. THERE WAS NO WARNING BEFORE. POLICE SAID THAT IT MAY HAVE BEEN THE ELECTRICAL PANEL INSIDE OF THE DOOR.
NHTSA complaint #852732 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.