1991 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 1991 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
- Engine2326.4%
- Brakes1112.6%
- Visibility1112.6%
- Electrical89.2%
- Seat belts66.9%
- Interior & seats55.7%
- Transmission44.6%
- Body & structure33.4%
- Driver assistance33.4%
- Steering33.4%
- Suspension33.4%
- Fuel system33.4%
- Heating & air conditioning22.3%
- Tires & wheels11.1%
- Powertrain (other)11.1%
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
Engine
Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.
From owner reports, verbatim
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.
VEHICLE EXPERIENCES CONTINUED STALLING CONDITIONS, REPLACEMENT OF SEVERAL COMPONENTS (SENSORS, IGNITION CONTROL, HEAD GASKET), HOWEVER ENGINE STILL STALLS. *MJS
Brakes
Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.
From owner reports, verbatim
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
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK
Visibility
Reports naming windshields, glass, wipers, defrosters and mirrors.
From owner reports, verbatim
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
VEHICLE EXPERIENCES CONTINUED STALLING CONDITIONS, REPLACEMENT OF SEVERAL COMPONENTS (SENSORS, IGNITION CONTROL, HEAD GASKET), HOWEVER ENGINE STILL STALLS. *MJS
Electrical
Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.
From owner reports, verbatim
WHILE VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN DRIVEWAY FOR ONLY 10 MI NUTES IT WAS ON FIRE UNDER THE HOOD. FIRE DEPARTTMENT CAME TO PUT FIRE OUT. CONSUMER CONTACTED MANUFACTURER ALSO DEALER. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK
WHILE DRIVING TO THE STORE ABOUT A HALF OF MILE AWAY, HEARD A HISSING SOUND IN THE DRIVERS SIDE DOOR. CONSUMERR THEN SAW SMOKE, AND STOPPED THE VEHICLE AND GOT OUT. THEN THE ENTIRE VEHICLE WENT UP IN FLAMES. THERE WAS NO WARNING BEFORE. POLICE SAID THAT IT MAY HAVE BEEN THE ELECTRICAL PANEL INSIDE OF THE DOOR. *AK
Seat belts
Reports naming seat belts, buckles, retractors and pretensioners.
From owner reports, verbatim
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
SEAT BELT FAILED
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
WHILE SLOWING DOWN AND THEN TURNING INTO A PARKING LOT DRIVER'S SEATBACK FAILED WITH NO WARNING. PLEASE DESCRIBE DETAILS. *AK
WHILE DRIVING PASSENGER'S SEAT WILL SLIDE BACK AND FORTH WITHOUT APPLYING PRESSURE ON LATCH SYSTEM OF SEAT.*AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Transmission
Reports naming the automatic or manual transmission, including shifting behaviour, shudder, slipping and transmission control modules.
From owner reports, verbatim
TRANSMISSION DIP STICK FOR MANUAL TRANSMISSION (ISUZU) TYPE SHRINKS CAUSING FLUID LEAKAGE AND TRANSMISSION FAILURE. *NLM
KEY REMOVED FROM IGNITION SWITCH WHILE STILL IN DRIVE GEAR, ALLOWING VEHICLE TO ROLL BACK/ACCIDENT.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Body & structure
Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim.
From owner reports, verbatim
THERE IS A LEAK IN THE CAR EVERY TIME IT RAINS BOTH OF THE FRONT FLOOR BOARDS ARE FULL OF WATER MY NEIGHBOR OWNS A 91 GRAND AM ALSO AND HIS DOES THE SAME WE DO NOT KNOW WHAT THE PROBLEM IS BUT THE FLOOR BOARDS ARE RUSTING AND IT IS GOING TO COST ME TO FIX IT I KNOW THE CAR HAS NOT BEEN WRECKED AND MY NEIGHBORS CAR DOES THE SAME SO IT MUST BE A DESIGN PROBLEM I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW WHAT I HAVE TO DO TO GET THIS RESOLVED SO THERE WILL BE NO FURTHER DAMAGE TO MY CAR PLUS IT IS MOLDING MY CARPET AND SMELLS. *AK
PAINT IS PEELING.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Driver assistance
Reports naming forward-collision avoidance, lane keeping, back-over prevention, cruise control and related electronic driver-assistance systems.
From owner reports, verbatim
WHILE DRIVING, CRUISE CONTROL CAME ON AND ACCELERATED VEHICLE UP TO 90MPH. DRIVER HAD TO PUT VEHICLE INTO NEUTRAL, AND EXCESSIVELY APPLY BRAKES. WHEN STARTING VEHICLE RIGHT BACK UP, CRUISE CONTROL WOULD TAKE OVER AGAIN, UNLESS VEHICLE SAT FOR AT LEAST 20-30 MINUTES. MECHANIC DISABLED CRUISE CONTROL. *AK *SLC
THERE ARE TOO MANY INCIDENTS TO REPORT. I HAVE SPENT HUNDREDS OF DOLLARS TRYING TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM OF THE CAR SURGING. HAVE HAD SEVERAL NEAR ACCIDENTS, MOST RECENTLY ON 7/19/99. COPING WITH THE PROBLEM BY HITTING THE BRAKES, BUT RECENTLY I HAD TO PULL INTO ANOTHER LANE TO KEEP FROM HITTING ANOTHER VEHICLE FROM THE BACK. THE CAR RAN PERFECTLY SINCE 1994 UNTIL THIS PROBLEM OF THE LAST 12 MONTHS. CAR IS UNSAFE AND PERFORMS UNPREDICTABLY. PLEASE ADVISE ON WHAT TO DO.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Steering
Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage.
From owner reports, verbatim
MY BROTHER WAS KILLED THEY HAD A RECALL ON STEERING FOR THE 1991 PONTIAC GRAND AM I NEED TO FIND OUT IF THE RECALL WAS DONE ON HIS CAR PONTIAC HASNT BEEN MUCH HELP.
I NEED TO FIND OUT IF THIS CAR WAS TAKEN IN FOR THE STEERING RECALL 91V018000 CONCERNING STEERING COLUMN THEY HAD ON THIS YEAR....PLEASE LET ME NO MY BROTHER OWNED THE CAR WAS WAS KILLED 12082001. THANK YOU LAURA SMART HIS SISTER. *AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Suspension
Reports naming suspension components — springs, struts, shocks, control arms and related hardware.
From owner reports, verbatim
DURING INSPECTION DEALER INFORMED THE CONSUMER ABOUT LOOSE LOWER BALL JOINT. DEALERSHIP REPAIRED THE PROBLEM.*AK
PULLING OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY HEARD A SNAP AND THE TIRES STARTED TO RUB BECAUSE THE FRONT LOWER CONTROL ARM HAD BROKEN THE LOWER CONTROL ARM PROBLEM HAS BEEN FIXED. *AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Fuel system
Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks.
From owner reports, verbatim
THE FUEL TANK IS BREAKING APART INTERNALLY
FUEL TANK CRACKING, RESULTING IN LEAKAGE. TT
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Heating & air conditioning
Reports naming the heating, ventilation and air-conditioning system.
From owner reports, verbatim
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
DRIVING VEHICLE; AIR CONDITIONER WOULD TURN OFF DUE TO PRESSURE SENSOR; STEERING OR TURNING TO LEFT WOULD BE GREATER PRESSURE THAN RIGHT TURN. WOULD VIBRATE & GRIND WHILE TURNING; TOOK TO DEALER & TOLD MIGHT BE DESIGN. *AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Tires & wheels
Reports naming tires, wheels, hubs, or the tire-pressure monitoring system.
From owner reports, verbatim
DISCOVERED A LARGE BULGE ON SIDEWALL OF TIRE AT ONLY 2000 MILES. FIRESTONE SAID IT WAS IMPACT RELATED BUT IT SEEMS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM.*AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Powertrain (other)
Powertrain reports that are not specifically the engine or transmission — driveshafts, axles, transfer cases and differentials.
From owner reports, verbatim
CONUMER BELIEVES VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN ODOMETER TAMPERING BECAUSE WHEN SHE LOOKED AT THE VEHICLE IT HAD 76527 BUT THE NEXT DAY SHE RETURNED TO PURCHASE IT HAD 84,000 PLUS MILES ON IT. NLM
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 .