RoadVitals

1992 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.
168
Latest Jun 23, 2010
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 Jul 17, 1992
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.
16
12 injuries, 2 deaths reported

Overview

Our database contains 168 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1992 Pontiac Grand Am, most frequently naming the engine, brakes and electrical categories. 3 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; and 20 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
92V106000

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

Jul 17, 1992
20 units potentially affected
The defect: THE VEHICLES WERE ASSEMBLED WITH AN INCORRECT SUSPENSION UPPER SPRING SEAT AT THE RIGHT-REAR POSITION. IF THE VEHICLE IS INVOLVED IN A REAR IMPACT ACCIDENT, THE RIGHT-HAND REAR WHEEL HOUSE FLANGE COULD SEVER THE FUEL TANK FILLER PIPE AND SPILL FUEL.
The risk: THESE VEHICLES ARE NOT IN COMPLIANCE WITH FMVSS 301,FUEL SYSTEM INTEGRITY. SPILLED FUEL IN A LOW SPEED ACCIDENT CAN RESULT IN AFIRE.
The remedy: INSPECT AND REPLACE INCORRECT UPPER SPRING SEAT WITH THE CORRECT PART.
GENERAL MOTORS CORP.View on NHTSA.gov
91V204000

SUSPENSION:REAR

Nov 19, 1991
272 units potentially affected
The defect: THE BOLTS AND NUTS WHICH ATTACH THE BEARING-HUB ASSEMBLY TO THE REAR AXLE FLANGE ARE NOT SUFFICIENTLY TIGHTENED ON SOME VEHICLES.
The risk: THIS WOULD ALLOW EXCESSIVE MOVEMENT OF THE BEARING-HUBASSEMBLY RELATIVE TO THE REAR AXLE FLANGE AND COULD CAUSE ELONGATION ANDEVENTUAL SEPARATION OF THE ATTACHING BOLTS FROM THE REAR AXLE FLANGE. IF THISWERE TO OCCUR WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION, THE AFFECTED TIRE AND WHEEL COULDTRACK ERRATICALLY, EVENTUALLY CAUSING FAILURE OF THE OTHER ATTACHING BOLTS. THETIRE AND WHEEL ASSEMBLY COULD SEPARATE FROM THE VEHICLE WHICH COULD RESULT IN AVEHICLE ACCIDENT.
The remedy: TIGHTEN REAR AXLE BEARING-HUB ASSEMBLY FASTENERS, AND REPLACE ALL THE FASTENERS ON A WHEEL IF TWO OR MORE BOLTS ARE FOUND TO BE LOOSE.
GENERAL MOTORS CORP.View on NHTSA.gov
91V182000

SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER

Oct 21, 1991
1,851 units potentially affected
The defect: THE PASSENGER'S SIDE EASY-ENTRY SEAT ADJUSTER MAY FAIL FULLY LOCK INTO POSITION AFTER THE SEAT BACK HAS BEEN TILTED FORWARD AND THE SEAT SLID FORWARD, THEN RETURNED TO ITS ORIGINAL POSTITION.
The risk: IF THE SEAT ADJUSTER FAILS TO LOCK INTO POSITION, THEPASSENGER SEAT WOULD SLIDE FORWARD IN THE EVENT OF A SUDDEN STOP OR ACCIDENT.OCCUPANTS OF THE PASSENGER SEAT WOULD FACE INCREASED RISK OF SERIOUS INJURY.
The remedy: REPLACE THE ADJUSTER ASSEMBLY ON THE SEAT.
GENERAL MOTORS CORP.View on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

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

View all 168
Tires & wheels
Filed Jun 23, 2010

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1992 PONTIAC GRAND AM. THE CONTACT OWNS CENTRON CORDOVAN TIRES, DOT NUMBER UTT2, LINE SIZE P205/55/R16. THE CONTACT STATED BOTH FRONT TIRES WERE EXHIBITING SEPARATION FROM THE SIDE WALL. THE TIRES WERE TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THEY WOULD BE REPLACED. THERE WERE NO PRIOR WARNINGS AND THE TIRES WERE NOT SERVICED OR REPLACED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 20,000.

NHTSA ID
10339764
Incident
Jun 23, 2010
Steering
Filed Mar 12, 2007

THE STEERING ON MY 1994 GRAND AM IS BROKEN. THE BOLTS THAT MOUNT THE STEERING GEAR TO THE CRADLE HAVE RUSTED AND BOTH ARE SEPARTED. THERE WAS A RECALL ON MY 89 GRAND PRIX AND I HAD THE SAME PROBLEM ON MY 92 CORSICA. 8JB

NHTSA ID
10184914
Incident
Oct 21, 2006
Mileage
201,000 mi
Driver assistance
Filed Nov 11, 2005
Crash reported4 injuries reported1 death reported

CAUSE OF SUDDEN ACCELERATION: I HAD A PONTIAC GRAND AM 1992 AND THE VEHICLE DID ACCELERATE BY ITSELF. THE CAUSE IS A LITTLE PIECE OF RUBBER THAT SLIDES OFF THE PRESSURE VALVE, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO MAINTAIN AN AVERAGE OF 30M/PH, REGARDLESS OF WHICH GEAR THE CAR IS IN. THE MAIN REASON THE PLASTIC SLIDES OFF IS IF THE CAR HAS BEEN FLOORED. IN OTHER WORDS, IF YOU DRIVE TOO FAST AND PRESS THE GAS TOO HARD, THEN THE RUBBER WILL SLOWLY SLIP OFF, CAUSING LOSS OF PRESSURE AND AUTOMATIC ACCELERATION. MUST GET PROBLEM FIXED OR GET RID OF CAR. I HAVE STARTED A CLASS ACTION SUIT AGAINST GM FOR SAFETY VIOLATION AND THE DENIAL OF HAVING THE VEHICLE REPAIRED AND DEATH. VEHICLE ACCELERATED CAUSING DEATH TO PEDESTRIAN. *JB

NHTSA ID
10142456
Incident
May 3, 2004
Engine
Filed Aug 31, 2004

WATER WAS COMING FROM THE ENGINE INTO THE VEHICLE. DEALER STATED THERE WOULD BE A CHARGE TO REPAIR VEHICLE. *AK

NHTSA ID
10090083
Incident
Aug 31, 2004
Mileage
179,085 mi
BrakesEngine
Filed Nov 18, 2003

COOLANT LEAKED FROM UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE WHILE DRIVING ABOUT 50 MPH WHICH CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO OVERHEAT. *AK THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THEY DETERMINED THAT THE RADIATOR HOSE HAD A SPLIT IN IT. THE SAME WEEK THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED THE BRAKE LINE BROKE. ABOUT 2 MONTHS LATER THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR WHILE BRAKING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DETERMINED THAT THE INCORRECT BRAKE PARTS WERE INSTALLED AND THAT THE RADIATOR CLAMPS WERE LOOSE. THE CONSUMER REQUESTED INVOICES FROM THE DEALER BUT THEY REFUSED. *NLM

NHTSA ID
10039987
Incident
Sep 15, 2003
Mileage
86,000 mi
Brakes
Filed Nov 17, 2003

THE BRAKES FAILED WITHOUT WARNING WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS BEING SLOWED DOWN, RESULTING IN EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT. *NLM THIS WAS DUE TO THE BRAKE LINE REPLACEMENT IN WHICH THE WRONG PART WAS INSTALLED. *SCC *JB

NHTSA ID
10040622
Incident
Sep 15, 2003
Interior & seats
Filed Jun 14, 2003

I HAVE A 92 PONTIAC GRAND AM AND THE PASSENGER SEAT DOES NOT LOCK INTO PLACE. WHAT WOULD HAPPEN IF I WERE TO BE IN CRASH? PONTIAC SAYS THERE WAS NO RECALL ON THIS BUT I FOUND SOMETHING ON THE WEB THAT SAYS THERE WAS. IT WAS ON THIS WEB SITE. *NLM

NHTSA ID
10023065
Incident
Jan 1, 2000
Driver assistance
Filed Feb 7, 2003
Crash reported1 injury reported

THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED AND CRASHED INTO A POLE. * PH. THE CONSUMER WAS INJURED IN THE ACCIDENT. *JB

NHTSA ID
10006743
Incident
Jan 21, 2003
Mileage
88,000 mi

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

00966

SERVICE BRAKES, AIR:ANTILOCK:WHEEL SPEED SENSOR

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

00966B

SERVICE BRAKES, AIR:ANTILOCK:WHEEL SPEED SENSOR

ABS FRONT WHEEL SPEED CODES - JUMPER HARNESS. *TT

990730030A

POWER TRAIN:AXLE ASSEMBLY

OWNERS OF SOME VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH HYDRA-MATIC 3T40, 4T60, 4T60-E OR 4T65-E TRANSAXLES MAY COMMENT ON A GRINDING AND / OR GROWLING NOISE THAT IS NOTICEABLE WHEN STANDING IN PARK ON A HILL OR SLOPE WITH THE ENGINE RUNNING AND THE PARKING BRAKE NOT APPLIED. *TT

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
1992Viewing1683051.9
1991823054.6
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.