RoadVitals

1987 Pontiac Grand Am

Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
28
Latest Jul 31, 2000
Safety recallsA safety recall is issued when a manufacturer or NHTSA determines that a vehicle has a safety-related defect or does not comply with a federal motor vehicle safety standard. Recall repairs are free. Whether a specific vehicle is covered depends on its VIN — a recall listed for a model year does not necessarily apply to every vehicle of that year.
3
Latest May 19, 2006
InvestigationsNHTSA opens an investigation to examine whether a safety defect may exist. An open investigation is not a determination that a defect exists, and many investigations close without a recall. Investigations can, however, lead to one.
3
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
6
4 injuries, 0 deaths reported

Overview

Our database contains 28 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1987 Pontiac Grand Am, most frequently naming the engine, seat belts and electrical categories. 3 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; 3 NHTSA investigations name it; and 1 manufacturer communication is on file.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

What owners report

Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded

  • Engine925.0%
  • Seat belts616.7%
  • Electrical513.9%
  • Steering411.1%
  • Transmission38.3%
  • Fuel system38.3%
  • Interior & seats25.6%
  • Driver assistance25.6%

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Safety recalls

3 campaigns cover this model year

Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.

Check a VIN on NHTSA.gov
06E043000

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

May 19, 2006
88,303 units potentially affected
The defect: 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.
The 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.
The remedy: HONEYWELL WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE FUEL FILTERS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 18, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FRAM CUSTOMER SERVICE AT 1-800-890-2075 (OPTION 1).
HONEYWELL INTERNATIONAL, INC.View on NHTSA.gov
88V032000

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS

Mar 15, 1988
22,300 units potentially affected
The defect: THE FUEL FEED OR FUEL RETURN HOSE AT THE ENGINE MAY RUB AGAINST A SHIFT LEVER ON THE 5 SPEED TRANSAXLE.
The risk: IN TIME A HOLE COULD BE RUBBED THROUGH THE HOSE AND FUELLEAK INTO THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THIS COULD REUSLT IN AN UNDERHOOD FIRE.
The remedy: REPLACE THE FUEL FEED AND RETURN HOSE/PIPE ASSEMBLIES.
GENERAL MOTORS CORP.View on NHTSA.gov
87V184000

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY:FILLER PIPE AND CAP

Dec 1, 1987
131,476 units potentially affected
The defect: THE FUEL FEED AND/OR RETURN HOSE/PIPE ASSEMBLIES COULD CRACK OR SEPARATE, ALLOWING FUEL TO LEAK INTO THE UNDERHOOD AREA.
The risk: THIS COULD RESULT IN AN UNDERHOOD FIRE, WITHOUT PRIORWARNING, AND CAUSE INJURY TO OCCUPANTS.
The remedy: REPLACE BOTH FUEL FEED AND RETURN HOSE/PIPE ASSEMBLIES.
GENERAL MOTORS CORP.View on NHTSA.gov

Safety investigations

NHTSA inquiries naming this vehicle. An investigation is not a finding of a defect.

EA91045ClosedEngineering Analysis

SEAT BELT SEPARATION

Opened Nov 7, 1991
Closed Oct 26, 1992

There is no summary currently available

SEAT BELTS
EA90041ClosedEngineering Analysis

BRAKE PERFORMANCE

Opened Aug 29, 1990
Closed Mar 30, 1992

===

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
EA89010ClosedEngineering Analysis

BRAKE INEFFECTIVENESS

Opened Jan 17, 1989
Closed May 8, 1990

There is no summary currently available

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

Recent owner complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words

View all 28
Engine
Filed Jul 31, 2000

NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK( DOT NUMBER: TIRE SIZE: P195/70/14 )

NHTSA ID
726265
Incident
Sep 15, 1999
Engine
Filed Jul 31, 2000

NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK( DOT NUMBER: TIRE SIZE: P195/70/14 )

NHTSA ID
726264
Incident
Sep 15, 1999
Interior & seats
Filed Jun 30, 2000

MY DIGITAL ODOMETER STOPPED WORKING AT 199,999 MILES. I WAS TOLD BY PONTIAC THAT IT WAS DEFECTIVE, AND THAT NORMALLY IT WOULD CONTINUE ON TO 200,000. THE ONLY PROBLEM IS THAT THE LCD DISPLAY WILL ONLY SHOW A "1" IN THE ONE HUNDRED THOUSANDS PLACE. TECHNICAR, THE COMPANY WHO FIXES INSTRUMENT CLUSTERS, SAYS THEY ALL STOP AT THAT MILEAGE, AND THE CHIP IN THE BACK HAS TO BE REPLACED. I WENT THROUGH A LENGTHY PROCESS OF COMPLAINTS AS WELL AS WRITING A LETTER ONLY TO GET A STATEMENT SAYING MY CAR WAS OUT OF WARRANTY. I DON'T SEE HOW THEY CAN DESIGN AN ODOMETER TO FAIL, MANY PROBLEMS RESULT - MAINTENANCE, TITLE, VALUE, ETC. HAD I GOTTEN THE ANALOGUE VERSION, IT WOULD STILL BE GOING. I NEED AN EXPLANATION. THANKS.

NHTSA ID
724806
Incident
Jul 21, 1999
Seat belts
Filed Sep 28, 1999
Crash reported1 injury reported

THE DESIGN OF THE LAP BELTS MOUNTED IN THE DOOR DOES NOT PROPERLY PROVIDE ENOUGH PROTECTION IN AN EVENT OF AN ACCIDENT. CONSUMER WAS DRIVING 40MPH AND WAS STRUCK ON THE DRIVER SIDE. *AK

NHTSA ID
846198
Incident
May 15, 1998
Filed Jun 30, 1999

CAN'T SEEM TO EVER SAVE ANY MONEY TO BUY A NEW VAN BECAUSE CAR THIS ONE IS COSTING TOO MUCH MONEY TO KEEP ON THE ROAD. NO SAFETY DEFECT (S) LISTED IN SUMMARY. *AK

NHTSA ID
708034
Electrical
Filed Mar 3, 1999
Fire reported1 injury reported

VEHICLE HAVING TROUBLE STARTING. CONSUMER CHARGED BATTERY AND WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE DUE TO POSSIBLE ELECTRICAL FAILURE RESUTING IN INJURY TO DRIVERS HANDS.

NHTSA ID
544233
Incident
Feb 17, 1999
Seat belts
Filed Jan 15, 1999

THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SEATBELT BUCKLE BROKE, CAUSING BOTH TO BE INOPERATIVE, WHICH OFFERED NO PROTECTION FOR THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. CONSUMER CLAIMS THERE IS A BULLETIN AND THERE IS NO RECALL.*AK

NHTSA ID
833618
Incident
Dec 1, 1998
Fuel systemSeat beltsTransmission
Filed Aug 16, 1998
1 injury reported

TRANSMISSION COMPLETELY FAILED AND HAD TO BE REPLACED. FUEL INJECTOR STARTS WHEN IT FEELS LIKE IT FOR THE LAST YEAR. STARTED ONE WEEK. SEAT BELT LOCKS UP ON DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDES CAUSING THE DRIVER TO GET BURNED ON THE NECK WHEN STOPPING.

NHTSA ID
539931
Incident
Jan 25, 1998

Manufacturer communications

A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.

000524001

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS

INFORMATION REGARDING SNOW INTRUSION INTO REAR DRUM BRAKE ASSEMBLIES. **MR

Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

Pontiac Grand Am by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
20051024053.5
20042934052.9
20033255053.9
20023954154.2
20015387357.5
20006758562.3
19998496362.0
19981723157.1
19973834261.5
19964506263.7
19954091257.4
19943772262.4
19932041046.8
19921683051.9
1991823054.6
1990381043.2
1989443158.9
1988313463.3
1987Viewing283365.5
1986112258.9
1985453—
1984001—
1983100—
1981001—
1980011—
1979011—
1978051—
1975010—
1973130—

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. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.