1985 Pontiac Grand Am Problems
Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component
Data refreshed
What this page shows
Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 1985 Pontiac Grand Am, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Reports by component
Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category
- Electrical228.6%
- Engine228.6%
- Interior & seats114.3%
- Seat belts114.3%
- Visibility114.3%
Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.
Each component in detail
What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words
Electrical
Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.
From owner reports, verbatim
THE CONSUMER STATE'S WHEN DRIVING AT ANY SPEED VEHICLE STALLS AND CUTS OFF WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING. ALSO, THERE IS LOUD KNOCKING NOISE COMING FROM THE VEHICLE AND WHEN TURNING THE KEY, THE VEHICLE IS VERY HARD TO START. *AK
WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE UNDERNEATH THE HOOD. NO PRIOR WARNING. INSURANCE COMPANY SAID IT MAY BE DUE TO FAULTY WIRING. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION AND VIN#. AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Engine
Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.
From owner reports, verbatim
THE CONSUMER STATE'S WHEN DRIVING AT ANY SPEED VEHICLE STALLS AND CUTS OFF WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING. ALSO, THERE IS LOUD KNOCKING NOISE COMING FROM THE VEHICLE AND WHEN TURNING THE KEY, THE VEHICLE IS VERY HARD TO START. *AK
ENGINE STALLING SINCE NEW, CONTINUES AND IS MORE FREQUENT, SEVERAL REPAIRS HOWEVER NOT RECTIFIED. MJS
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Interior & seats
Reports naming seats, latches, locks, linkages and interior fittings.
From owner reports, verbatim
ENGINE STALLING SINCE NEW, CONTINUES AND IS MORE FREQUENT, SEVERAL REPAIRS HOWEVER NOT RECTIFIED. MJS
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Seat belts
Reports naming seat belts, buckles, retractors and pretensioners.
From owner reports, verbatim
SEAT BELT BUCKLE FAILED TO LATCH UPON IMPACT, RESULTING IN INJURIES. *AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Visibility
Reports naming windshields, glass, wipers, defrosters and mirrors.
From owner reports, verbatim
ENGINE STALLING SINCE NEW, CONTINUES AND IS MORE FREQUENT, SEVERAL REPAIRS HOWEVER NOT RECTIFIED. MJS
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.
Elsewhere on this vehicle
Data sources
- NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation — owner-reported complaints and the components recorded on them
Data on this page last refreshed .