RoadVitals

1988 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.
31
Latest May 6, 2002
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.
4
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.
5
3 injuries, 0 deaths reported

Overview

Our database contains 31 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1988 Pontiac Grand Am, most frequently naming the engine, seat belts and driver assistance categories. 3 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; 4 NHTSA investigations name it; and 3 manufacturer communications are 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

  • Engine1236.4%
  • Seat belts618.2%
  • Driver assistance39.1%
  • Steering39.1%
  • Body & structure26.1%
  • Electrical26.1%
  • Fuel system26.1%
  • Suspension13.0%

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
92V150000

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

Oct 19, 1992
108,836 units potentially affected
The defect: FRONT FUEL FEED HOSE ASSEMBLY COULD CRACK OR SEPARATE AT THE COUPLING ON THE ENGINE END OF THE HOSE ASSEMBLY, ALLOWING FUEL TO LEAK INTO THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT.
The risk: FUEL LEAKING IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT COULD RESULT IN ANUNDERHOOD FIRE.
The remedy: REPLACE FRONT FUEL FEED HOSE ASSEMBLY.
GENERAL MOTORS CORP.View on NHTSA.gov
90V042000

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

Mar 5, 1990
61,765 units potentially affected
The defect: FRONT FUEL FEED HOSE ASSEMBLY COULD CRACK OR SEPARATE AT THE COUPLING ON THE ENGINE END OF THE HOSE ASSEMBLY, ALLOWING FUEL TO LEAK INTO THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT.
The risk: LEAKING FUEL IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.
The remedy: REPLACE FRONT FUEL FEED HOSE ASSEMBLY.
GENERAL MOTORS CORP.View on NHTSA.gov

Safety investigations

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

EA91055ClosedEngineering Analysis

W-CAR HINGE PIN FAILURE

Opened Dec 5, 1991
Closed Aug 17, 1992

There is no summary currently available

STRUCTURE
EA91005ClosedEngineering Analysis

REAR WHEEL BEARINGS FAIL

Opened Oct 31, 1990
Closed Dec 31, 1991

There is no summary currently available

SUSPENSION
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 31
Engine
Filed May 6, 2002

ENGINE HEAD GASKET BLEWOUT. *AK

NHTSA ID
8009244
Driver assistance
Filed Jun 16, 2000

CAR STALLS WHILE GOING SLOWER CITY SPEEDS. *AK

NHTSA ID
724094
Incident
Jun 16, 2000
Driver assistance
Filed Mar 30, 2000

WHILE TRAVELING ABOUT 25 MPH, IN A PARKING LOT ACCELERATOR PEDAL WENT ALL THE WAY DOWN TO THE FLOORBOARD, AND WOULD NOT RELEASE. VEHICLE ACCELERATED UP TO ABOUT 45-50 MPH. CONSUMER APPLIED THE BRAKES VERY HARD, BUT WOULD NOT STOP THE VEHICLE. VEHICLE WAS PUT INTO PARK, AND KEY WAS TAKEN OUT OF THE IGNITION BEFORE VEHICLE WOULD STOP. VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO OWNER'S HOME. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK

NHTSA ID
859434
Incident
Mar 29, 2000
Engine
Filed Nov 15, 1999

AS STALLING EPISODES CONTINUED AND I COMPLETED NORMAL MAINTENANCE SERVISES, FINALLY A LOCAL PONTIAC DEALER DID COMPHREHENSIVE TESTS AND CHECKED WITHOUT CONCLUSIVE ANSWER TO PROBLEM . ON OCT.13TH.99. THE CAR BROKE DOWN , BACK FIRED, COULD NOT BE RESTARTED, WAS TOWED TO A PONTIAC DEALER WHO SAID HEAD GASKET HAD 1-1/2 INCH RUPTURE. NO REPAIR WAS DONE. CAR OPERATES AGAIN,AND CONTINUIES TO STALL. CAN IT BE ELECTRICAL CONECTION PROBLEM OR WHAT?

NHTSA ID
714827
Incident
Apr 1, 1999
Body & structureSteering
Filed Oct 6, 1999
Crash reported

WHILE DRIVING AT 40 MPH AND GOING AROUND A TURN WITHIN THE ROAD STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP, CAUSING LOSS OF CONTROL. VEHICLE HIT ANOTHER VEHICLE IN THE FRONT, AND DASHBOARD FELL APART. *AK

NHTSA ID
850087
Incident
Sep 29, 1999
Fuel system
Filed Aug 18, 1999
Fire reported2 injuries reported

FUEL PRESSURE REGULATOR/VALVE FAILED CAUSING FIRE WHICH RESULTED IN PROPERTY DAMAGE AND INJURIES. *YC

NHTSA ID
547999
Incident
Jun 8, 1999
Seat belts
Filed Aug 16, 1998

DRIVER SIDE SEAT BELT FAILED IN A COLLISION.

NHTSA ID
539929
Incident
Aug 13, 1998
Engine
Filed Jan 16, 1998

ENGINE HEAD GASKET FAILURE.

NHTSA ID
529188
Incident
Jan 26, 1996

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

476147A

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

RATTLING NOISE/ENGINE OVERHEATING. *TW

476147

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

RATTLING NOISE/ENGINE OVERHEATING. *TW

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
1988Viewing313463.3
1987283365.5
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.