Owners have filed 290 complaints
about the 1993 Pontiac Grand AM with NHTSA between 1995 and 2014.
The largest single group is the engine & cooling.
Across this model's run it ranks 13 of 13 worst.
The letter says how bad. This says what kind — whether this year drew
an unusual number of complaints, unusually dangerous
ones, or failures that arrived unusually early.
The dashed ring is 50 — the national norm. Further out is worse.
Complaint volume — 25
Against the median year of the Pontiac Grand AM. 50 means typical for this
model; 100 means roughly double.
Severity — 75
14.5% of these complaints
involved a crash, fire, injury or death, against a national rate of
9.7%.
Early failure — 0
0% of failures with a mileage on record happened under
36,000 miles, against a national rate of
29%.
How 1993 compares with every other Pontiac Grand AM
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.
Odometer readings owners gave when they filed. About half of all
complaints include one.
25,000 – 49,999 miles
16.7%
50,000 – 74,999 miles
426.7%
75,000 – 99,999 miles
213.3%
100,000 – 149,999 miles
746.7%
150,000+ miles
16.7%
NHTSA crash tests
The agency crash-tested this model year itself. These are its own
photographs and star ratings.
These stars come from the pre-2011 crash test programme. NHTSA
rebuilt the programme for the 2011 model year and states that
ratings either side of that change are not comparable — so do
not read these against a 2011-or-newer car's stars.
Configuration
Overall
Front
Side
Rollover
1993 Pontiac Grand Am 4-DR.
—
—
—
—
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 20May 2014
Recalls on the 1993 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
93V153000
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
THE NEUTRAL START SAFETY SWITCH COULD HAVE BEEN FRACTURED DURING INSTALLATION.
Risk: A FRACTURED SWITCH CAN RESULT IN A NO-START CONDITION.ALSO, A VEHICLE WITH A FRACTURED SWITCH CAN BE STARTED IN GEAR, CAUSING THEVEHICLE TO MOVE UNEXPECTEDLY, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN AN ACCIDENT.
Canada — Transport Canada
Canada runs its own recall programme, and its campaigns do not
always mirror the American ones.
Recall 1993130103 units in Canada
Electrical
THE NEUTRAL START SWITCH ON THESE VEHICLES WAS FRACTURED AT INSTALLATION. OVER TIME, THIS COULD RESULT IN A NO-START CONDITION. A VEHICLE WITH THIS CONDITION MAY ALSO BE STARTED IN GEAR WHICH COULD CAUSE A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING. CORRECTION: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE NEUTRAL START SWITCH ON ALL INVOLVED VEHICLES AND INSPECT/REPLACE THE MANUAL SHAFT ASSEMBLY.
Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.
Pittston, PACrashFire2 injured2 killed
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
1993 GRAND AM WAS INVOLVED IN ACCIDENT. THE CAR WAS HIT IN THE FRONT RIGHT PASSENGER SIDE. THEN IT CAUGHT FIRE FROM THE FRONT OF VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #10185009 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Energy, ILFire1 injured
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
VEHICLE WAS PARKED AND CONSUMER TURNED THE VEHICLE OFF. A NOISE WAS HEARD COMING FROM THE FRONT. CONSUMER LIFTED UP THE HOOD, AND VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE. CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE. THEN, DROVE IT TO DEALER FOR INSPECTION, MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE IGNITION SWITCH NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. A RECALL ISSUED DID NOT INCLUDE THIS VEHICLE DUE TO VIN.
NHTSA complaint #10091854 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Berea, OHFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE UNDER THE DASHBOARD (OHIO TRAFFIC CRASH REPORT). *PH
NHTSA complaint #10057814 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 106,600 milesYoungstown, OHFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD
WHILE DRIVING, SMOKE EMITTED FROM UNDER THE HOOD AND THEN THE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE. *TS
NHTSA complaint #10022568 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Youngstown, OHFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD
WHILE DRIVING, SMOKE AND THEN FLAMES EMITTED FROM UNDER THE HOOD.
NHTSA complaint #10022572 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 130,000 milesPound, VAFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING
MY BROTHER'S (JOHN STURGILL) 1993 PONTIAC GRAND AM CAUGHT ON FIRE AND BURNED TO THE GROUND WITH THE IGNITION OFF. MY BROTHER HAD JUST DRIVEN THE CAR HOME FROM WORK. HE TURNED OFF THE IGNITION WENT INTO HIS HOME. JUST 10 MINTUES LATER HIS WIFE SAW SMOKE COMING BY THE WINDOW. THEY IMMEDIATELY WALKED OUTSIDE AND SAW THE CAR COMPLETELY ENGULFED IN FLAMES. THEY CALLED THE FIRE DEPARTMENT TO PUT OUT THE FIRE BUT THE CAR BURNED TO THE GROUND. THE FIRE DAMAGED THE OUTER VINYL SIDING ON 2 SIDES OF THE HOUSE, DAMAGED A BRAND NEW CARPORT, COMPLETELY BURNED A 2 YEAR OLD RIDING LAWN MOWER AND DESTROYED A STORAGE BUILDING WITH OVER $2,000 IN PERSONAL BELONGINGS. I HAVE NEVER SEEN A CAR BURN THAT QUICKLY AND WITH THAT MUCH FORCE. IT WAS THE SCARIEST DAY OF MY LIFE.IF MY BROTHER AND HIS WIFE HAD DRIVEN 10 MORE MINUTES THEY WOULDN'T BE HERE WITH ME TODAY. I SHUDDER THE THOUGHT THAT SOMEWHERE THERE ARE PEOPLE STILL DRIVING 1993 PONTIACS WITH THEIR LIVES AT RISK ALSO.
NHTSA complaint #10011020 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The most recent complaints
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
at 63,095 milesDowningtown, PA
POWER TRAIN
KEY GOES TO ACCESSORY AT ANY TIME. I JUST BOUGHT THIS CAR.CAR SHUTS OFF AT ANYTIME!
NHTSA complaint #10594180 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 63,095 milesDowningtown, PA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
KEY GOES TO ACCESSORY AT ANY TIME. I JUST BOUGHT THIS CAR.CAR SHUTS OFF AT ANYTIME!
NHTSA complaint #10594180 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 63,095 milesDowningtown, PA
ENGINE
KEY GOES TO ACCESSORY AT ANY TIME. I JUST BOUGHT THIS CAR.CAR SHUTS OFF AT ANYTIME!
NHTSA complaint #10594180 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 63,095 milesDowningtown, PA
SERVICE BRAKES
KEY GOES TO ACCESSORY AT ANY TIME. I JUST BOUGHT THIS CAR.CAR SHUTS OFF AT ANYTIME!
NHTSA complaint #10594180 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 150,000 milesAustin, TX
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1993 PONTIAC GRAND AM. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE ONLY STARTS IN NEUTRAL, NOT PARK. THE DEALER STATED THAT ALTHOUGH THE CONTACT WAS EXPERIENCING THE SAME FAILURE AS NOTED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 93V153000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH), HIS VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE CONTACT FILED A FORMAL COMPLAINT WITH THE MANUFACTURER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 215,000. UPDATED 02-25-08
NHTSA complaint #10216427 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Pittston, PACrashFire2 injured2 killed
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
1993 GRAND AM WAS INVOLVED IN ACCIDENT. THE CAR WAS HIT IN THE FRONT RIGHT PASSENGER SIDE. THEN IT CAUGHT FIRE FROM THE FRONT OF VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #10185009 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 124,000 milesJoppa, MD
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
1993 PONTIAC GRAND AM, 124,OOO MILES. THE CAR STARTS AND RUNS GOOD. WHEN I GO 10 TO 15 MILES AND IF I COME TO A STOP, THE CAR STALLS. IT STARTS WITH NO PROBLEM BUT WHEN I SHIFT A GEAR, THE CAR STALLS. IF I WAIT FOR THE CAR TO COOL OFF, THE CAR WILL MOVE WITHOUT STALLING. I BOUGHT THIS CAR FOR MY DAUGHTER SINCE SHE IS A NEW DRIVER, BUT I'M AFRAID TO LET HER TAKE IT ON HER OWN FOR FEAR THAT SHE'LL STALL AND CAUSE AN ACCIDENT.
NHTSA complaint #10146234 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 78,000 milesWhite Plains, KY
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
1993 GRAND AM ENGINE HEAD CRACK..ACCORDING TO MY MECHANIC HE'S SEEN MULTIPLE HEAD CRACKS ON QUAD 4 ENGINES. CAUSED ANTI-FREEZE FUMES IN THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT AND PUDDLE OF ANTI-FREEZE UNDER CAR.
NHTSA complaint #10143692 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Energy, ILFire1 injured
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
VEHICLE WAS PARKED AND CONSUMER TURNED THE VEHICLE OFF. A NOISE WAS HEARD COMING FROM THE FRONT. CONSUMER LIFTED UP THE HOOD, AND VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE. CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE. THEN, DROVE IT TO DEALER FOR INSPECTION, MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE IGNITION SWITCH NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. A RECALL ISSUED DID NOT INCLUDE THIS VEHICLE DUE TO VIN.
NHTSA complaint #10091854 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 130,000 milesAlbuquerque, NM
POWER TRAIN
MY CAR STARTS AND RUNS GOOD. WHEN I GO 10 TO 15 MILES AND IF I COME TO A STOP, THE CAR STALLS. IT STARTS WITH NO PROBLEM BUT WHEN I SHIFT A GEAR, THE CAR STALLS. IF I WAITE FOR THE CAR TO COOL OFF, THE CAR WILL MOVE WITHOUT STALLING.
NHTSA complaint #10068845 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 130,000 milesAlbuquerque, NM
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM
MY CAR STARTS AND RUNS GOOD. WHEN I GO 10 TO 15 MILES AND IF I COME TO A STOP, THE CAR STALLS. IT STARTS WITH NO PROBLEM BUT WHEN I SHIFT A GEAR, THE CAR STALLS. IF I WAITE FOR THE CAR TO COOL OFF, THE CAR WILL MOVE WITHOUT STALLING.
NHTSA complaint #10068845 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Berea, OHFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE UNDER THE DASHBOARD (OHIO TRAFFIC CRASH REPORT). *PH
NHTSA complaint #10057814 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Ambridge, PA
STRUCTURE:BODY:HOOD
CAR IS WHITE. PAINT IS PEELING OFF HOOD OF CAR FOR NO APPARENT REASON. STEEL IS EXPOSED AND STARTING TO RUST. THE ENTIRE CAR NEEDS REPAINTED BECAUSE THE PROBLEM IS ALSO HAPPENING ON OTHER PARTS OF THE VEHICLE. SEEMS TO BE A MANUFACTURER'S DEFECT.*AK 1993 PONTIAC GRAND AM
NHTSA complaint #10037408 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 108,119 milesTonawanda, NY
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
VEHICLE WAS PARKED AND BEGAN SMOKING UNDER THE HOOD. AN INDEPENDENT SHOP STATED THAT SWITCH LAMP BURNED OUT CAUSING SMOKE IN THE STEERING WHEEL COLUMN. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED. *AK THE VEHICLE DIDN'T START. THE VEHICLE RECEIVED A JUMP, THEN THE VEHICLE STARTED. THE HEADLIGHTS WERE ON EVEN THOUGH THE SWITCH WAS OFF. THE SWITCH WAS UNABLE TO BE MOVED. THE BATTERY HAD TO BE DISCONNECTED BECAUSE THE HEADLIGHTS WOULD NOT GO OFF. ON THE SECOND OCCASION, THE LIGHTS WERE STILL ON WITH THE SWITCH AND THE IGNITION OFF. *SCC
NHTSA complaint #10038098 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 99,052 milesFort Sumner, NM
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
THE VEHICLE HAD A CRACKED ENGINE HEAD GASKET. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED. *AK THE CYLINDER HEAD, WATER PUMP, SPARK PLUGS, THERMOSTAT, SERPENTINE BELT(S) WERE ALL REPLACED AND ONE GALLON OF ANTI FREEZE WAS ADDED. *SCC
NHTSA complaint #10029498 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 106,600 milesYoungstown, OHFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD
WHILE DRIVING, SMOKE EMITTED FROM UNDER THE HOOD AND THEN THE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE. *TS
NHTSA complaint #10022568 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Youngstown, OHFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD
WHILE DRIVING, SMOKE AND THEN FLAMES EMITTED FROM UNDER THE HOOD.
NHTSA complaint #10022572 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 100,000 milesGreat Bend, KS
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
MECHANICS KNOW THIS GOES BAD IN GRAND AM'S, HAS HAD MANY COMPLAINTS. -------- DIMS 11 IVOQ ENTRY POSTED AFTER 12/12/02 CUT-OVER TO ARTEMIS--------769744.
NHTSA complaint #10008557 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 37,000 milesHopkins, MN
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
THE CONSUMER HAD A MECHANIC CHECK THE OIL, AND THE MECHANIC STATED THE OIL WAS VERY MILKY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED WATER HAD GOT INTO THE OIL. AS A RESULT THE HEAD GASKET NEEDED TO BE REPLACED.
NHTSA complaint #10017676 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Seymour, MO
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
A COMPONENT IN THE STEERING WHEEL MALFUNCTIONED WHICH CAUSED TURN SIGNALS TO GO OUT. THE MECHANIC CHANGED A BULB AND WITHIN AN HOUR THE BULB WAS OUT AGAIN. *NLM
NHTSA complaint #10017281 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Elyria, OH
STRUCTURE
WHEN IT RAINED WATER LEAKED INSIDE OF THE VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #10015674 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 130,000 milesPound, VAFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING
MY BROTHER'S (JOHN STURGILL) 1993 PONTIAC GRAND AM CAUGHT ON FIRE AND BURNED TO THE GROUND WITH THE IGNITION OFF. MY BROTHER HAD JUST DRIVEN THE CAR HOME FROM WORK. HE TURNED OFF THE IGNITION WENT INTO HIS HOME. JUST 10 MINTUES LATER HIS WIFE SAW SMOKE COMING BY THE WINDOW. THEY IMMEDIATELY WALKED OUTSIDE AND SAW THE CAR COMPLETELY ENGULFED IN FLAMES. THEY CALLED THE FIRE DEPARTMENT TO PUT OUT THE FIRE BUT THE CAR BURNED TO THE GROUND. THE FIRE DAMAGED THE OUTER VINYL SIDING ON 2 SIDES OF THE HOUSE, DAMAGED A BRAND NEW CARPORT, COMPLETELY BURNED A 2 YEAR OLD RIDING LAWN MOWER AND DESTROYED A STORAGE BUILDING WITH OVER $2,000 IN PERSONAL BELONGINGS. I HAVE NEVER SEEN A CAR BURN THAT QUICKLY AND WITH THAT MUCH FORCE. IT WAS THE SCARIEST DAY OF MY LIFE.IF MY BROTHER AND HIS WIFE HAD DRIVEN 10 MORE MINUTES THEY WOULDN'T BE HERE WITH ME TODAY. I SHUDDER THE THOUGHT THAT SOMEWHERE THERE ARE PEOPLE STILL DRIVING 1993 PONTIACS WITH THEIR LIVES AT RISK ALSO.
NHTSA complaint #10011020 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Philadelphia, PA
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:ACCELERATOR PEDAL
SUDDEN SPEED WHILE DRIVING OVER 60 MPH. *NLM
NHTSA complaint #10010728 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Rathdrum, ID
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
WHILE DRIVING 45MPH HAD EXTENDED STOPPING. TS
NHTSA complaint #8023080 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Hays, KS
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
CONSUMER STATES THAT WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES THE BRAKES WILL SKID WHEN WET CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO HAVE EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE. DEALER NOTIFIED. MR
NHTSA complaint #8020600 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.