RoadVitals

1991 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.
82
Latest Nov 13, 2014
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.
0
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.
14
7 injuries, 2 deaths reported

Overview

Our database contains 82 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1991 Pontiac Grand Am, most frequently naming the engine, brakes and visibility categories. 3 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; and 8 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

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
92V043000

VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS

Apr 1, 1992
37,030 units potentially affected
The defect: 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.
The risk: THE ELECTRONIC CONTROL MODULE WILL FAIL FROM OVERHEATINGAND COULD RESULT IN A FIRE HAZARD INSIDE THE DOOR PANEL.
The remedy: REPLACE THE WINDOW EXPRESS-DOWN ELECTRONIC CONTROL MODULE.
GENERAL MOTORS CORP.View on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

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

View all 82
Engine
Filed Nov 13, 2014
Crash reported2 injuries reported

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 ID
10654779
Incident
Jan 21, 2001
Filed Apr 18, 2006
1 injury reported

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 ID
10155598
Incident
Apr 18, 2006
Mileage
72,000 mi
BrakesSeat belts
Filed Mar 8, 2005
Crash reported1 injury reported

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. *TC

NHTSA ID
10111039
Incident
Jan 22, 2005
Suspension
Filed Feb 7, 2005

DURING INSPECTION DEALER INFORMED THE CONSUMER ABOUT LOOSE LOWER BALL JOINT. DEALERSHIP REPAIRED THE PROBLEM.*AK

NHTSA ID
10110972
Incident
Jan 11, 2005
Mileage
83,000 mi
Heating & air conditioning
Filed Sep 8, 2004

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. *AK

NHTSA ID
10090625
Incident
Jul 10, 2004
Visibility
Filed Jun 8, 2003
Fire reported

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. *TT

NHTSA ID
10021240
Incident
May 15, 2002
Transmission
Filed Apr 18, 2003

TRANSMISSION DIP STICK FOR MANUAL TRANSMISSION (ISUZU) TYPE SHRINKS CAUSING FLUID LEAKAGE AND TRANSMISSION FAILURE. *NLM

NHTSA ID
10016169
Incident
Mar 27, 2003
Mileage
150,000 mi
Interior & seats
Filed Jul 29, 2002

WHILE SLOWING DOWN AND THEN TURNING INTO A PARKING LOT DRIVER'S SEATBACK FAILED WITH NO WARNING. PLEASE DESCRIBE DETAILS. *AK

NHTSA ID
8014918

Manufacturer communications

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

130089009

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:ENGINE CONTROL MODULE (ECU/ECM)

Expanded Availability for Remanufacture and Return (R&R) Electronic Control Modules

04152004

SERVICE BRAKES, AIR:ANTILOCK:WHEEL SPEED SENSOR

VEHICLES MAY SET ANYONE OR A COMBINATION OF FRONT-WHEEL SPEED SENSOR ANTI-LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM CODES AS INTERMITTENT OR HARD FAILURES. GM VOICEMAIL EXPRESS. *TT

00966B

SERVICE BRAKES, AIR:ANTILOCK:WHEEL SPEED SENSOR

ABS FRONT WHEEL SPEED CODES - JUMPER HARNESS. *TT

00966

SERVICE BRAKES, AIR:ANTILOCK:WHEEL SPEED SENSOR

ANTI-LOCK BRAKING SYSTEM (ABS) FRONT WHEEL SPEED CODES - JUMPER HARNESS. *TT

000524001

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS

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

970801735026

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP

COMMENT THAT THE ABS LIGHT IS ON WITH DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODES (DTC'S) 46 AND 86 SET AS CURRENT OR HISTORY. *YC

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
1991Viewing823054.6
1990381043.2
1989443158.9
1988313463.3
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.