1993 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 1993 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
- Engine5522.3%
- Brakes4919.8%
- Electrical4719.0%
- Interior & seats197.7%
- Transmission166.5%
- Steering145.7%
- Body & structure93.6%
- Fuel system72.8%
- Visibility62.4%
- Exterior lighting41.6%
- Driver assistance41.6%
- Suspension41.6%
- Heating & air conditioning31.2%
- Tires & wheels31.2%
- Powertrain (other)31.2%
- Seat belts20.8%
- Other / unspecified10.4%
- Airbags10.4%
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
KEY GOES TO ACCESSORY AT ANY TIME. I JUST BOUGHT THIS CAR.CAR SHUTS OFF AT ANYTIME! *TR
1993 GRAND AM WAS INVOLVED IN ACCIDENT. THE CAR WAS HIT IN THE FRONT RIGHT PASSENGER SIDE. THEN IT CAUGHT FIRE FROM THE FRONT OF VEHICLE. *JB
Brakes
Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.
From owner reports, verbatim
KEY GOES TO ACCESSORY AT ANY TIME. I JUST BOUGHT THIS CAR.CAR SHUTS OFF AT ANYTIME! *TR
WHILE DRIVING 45MPH HAD EXTENDED STOPPING. TS
Electrical
Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.
From owner reports, verbatim
KEY GOES TO ACCESSORY AT ANY TIME. I JUST BOUGHT THIS CAR.CAR SHUTS OFF AT ANYTIME! *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1993 PONTIAC GRAND AM. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE ONLY STARTS IN NEUTRAL, NOT PARK. THE DEALER STATED THAT ALTHOUGH THE CONTACT WAS EXPERIENCING THE SAME FAILURE AS NOTED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 93V153000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH), HIS VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE CONTACT FILED A FORMAL COMPLAINT WITH THE MANUFACTURER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 215,000. UPDATED 02-25-08 *BF
Interior & seats
Reports naming seats, latches, locks, linkages and interior fittings.
From owner reports, verbatim
MY CAR HAS MANY RECALLS. HOW DO I GO ABOUT GETTING THEM FIXED
PAINT IS ALSO PEELING ON DOORS AND BUMPER. NO SAFETY DEFECT. *AK
Transmission
Reports naming the automatic or manual transmission, including shifting behaviour, shudder, slipping and transmission control modules.
From owner reports, verbatim
1993 PONTIAC GRAND AM, 124,OOO MILES. THE CAR STARTS AND RUNS GOOD. WHEN I GO 10 TO 15 MILES AND IF I COME TO A STOP, THE CAR STALLS. IT STARTS WITH NO PROBLEM BUT WHEN I SHIFT A GEAR, THE CAR STALLS. IF I WAIT FOR THE CAR TO COOL OFF, THE CAR WILL MOVE WITHOUT STALLING. I BOUGHT THIS CAR FOR MY DAUGHTER SINCE SHE IS A NEW DRIVER, BUT I'M AFRAID TO LET HER TAKE IT ON HER OWN FOR FEAR THAT SHE'LL STALL AND CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. *NM
TRANSMISSION FAILED. *YH
Steering
Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage.
From owner reports, verbatim
ON AUG 25,2002 MY DAUGHTER WAS ON THE WAY TO THE STORE AND A TRUCK PULLED IN FRONT OF HER.SHE HIT THE TRUCK ON THE PASSERNER SIDE AND THE GRAND AM WAS HIT ON THE RIGHT SIDE .SHE WAS GOING ABOUT 40 MILES A HOUR AND IT TOTALED THE CAR AND DID DAMAGE TO THE FORD PICKUP.THE STEERING WHEEL WAS BEND .THE RIGHT SIDE WAS COMPLETELY DESTROYED .SHE WAS INJURED SHE HIT HER HEAD ON THE STEERING WHEEL AND IT BEND HER KNEE AND LEG AND ARMS WHERE HURT AS WAS HER CHEST .THE COMPLAINT WE HAVE IS THAT THE BACKSEAT CAME LOOSE FROM THE FRAME AND I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW IF THIS HAS HAPPEND BEFORE AS YOU READ I HAVE HAD THIS CAR FOR ALMOST 10 YEARS AND LOVED IT .BUT I WANT TO KNOW ABOUT THAT PROBLEM BECAUSE NEXT TIME SOME ONE COULD BE IN THE BACKSEAT. EVEN THE TOWTRUCK DRIVER SAID HE HAD NEVER THIS HAPPEN BEFORE. BUT ON THE GOOD SIDE THE WAY CAR LOOKED THE POLICE AND EMT COULDN'T BELEIVE SHE WALKED OUT OF IT ON HER OWN THANK GOD! PLEASE LET ME KNOW SOON AS POSSIBLE THANK YOU. *AK
TILT STEERING WHEEL PIN FELL OUT WHILE DRIVING, CAUSING POOR CONTROL OF STEERING WHEEL. *AK
Body & structure
Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim.
From owner reports, verbatim
CAR IS WHITE. PAINT IS PEELING OFF HOOD OF CAR FOR NO APPARENT REASON. STEEL IS EXPOSED AND STARTING TO RUST. THE ENTIRE CAR NEEDS REPAINTED BECAUSE THE PROBLEM IS ALSO HAPPENING ON OTHER PARTS OF THE VEHICLE. SEEMS TO BE A MANUFACTURER'S DEFECT.*AK 1993 PONTIAC GRAND AM
WHEN IT RAINED WATER LEAKED INSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. *JB
Fuel system
Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks.
From owner reports, verbatim
INTERMITTENTLY WHEN THE BRAKES ARE APPLIED AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS VEHICLE WILL SHUT DOWN DOWN AND DIE. PRIOR TO THE VEHICLE SHUTTING DOWN, THE LIGHTS ON THE DASH FLASHED ON AND OFF. DEALER HAS INSPECTED AND REPAIRED VARIOUS PARTS OF THE VEHICLE, BUT THE PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. THE MANUFACTURER WILL BE NOTIFIED. *AK
GAS TANK LEAKAGE CAUSED BY RUST.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Visibility
Reports naming windshields, glass, wipers, defrosters and mirrors.
From owner reports, verbatim
ONGOING PROBLEM WITH HEATER COIL/ENGINE GASKET REPLACEMENTS SINCE 60,000, 72,000, 77,000, 79,000, AND 112,000. ALL REPAIRS MADE AT SAME DEALER. NOW AT 127,000 MILES PROBLEM REOCCURRED. DEALER/MANUFACTURER REFUSED TO REPAIR BECAUSE VEHICLE WAS OUT OF WARRANTY. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS. *AK
COMPONENT #1 (BRAKES)-BRAKES WEAR OUT EVERY THREE MONTHS REGARDLESS OF DRIVING CONDITIONS OR DRIVING HABITS, HAVE HAD ALL COMPONENTS ASSOCIATED WITH BRAKES REPLACED AND PROBLEM STILL OCCURS; COMPONENT #2 (IGNITION) - ALMOST EVERY TIME I ACCELERATE FROM A STOP, THE ENGINE HESITATES AND SHUDDERS FOR APPROXIMATELY 3-5 SECONDS REGARDLESS OF WEATHER CONDITIONS OR TEMPERATURE OF ENGINE; COMPONENT #3 (TRANSMISSION) - ON MOST RIGHT TURNS THERE IS A CLUNK THAT EMINATES FROM THE DRIVER'S SIDE; COMPONENT #4 (WINDOW) - THE WINDOW ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE IS EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO ROLL DOWN OR UP, ESPECIALLY IN COOLER WEATHER
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Exterior lighting
Reports naming headlights, tail lights, turn signals and other exterior lighting.
From owner reports, verbatim
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK
TURN SIGNAL UNIT DOES NOT WORK.*AK
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
SUDDEN SPEED WHILE DRIVING OVER 60 MPH. *NLM
WHILE DRIVING THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL TRAVELS TO THE FLOOR, CAUSING LOSS OF CONTROL, CAUSE UNKNOWN. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS. *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
EMERGENCY BRAKE SLIPPED, CAUSING ACCIDENT.
NOISE COMING FROM SWAY BAR. *SD
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
A/C USED R-12 SYSTEM HAD FAILED TWICE DUE TO LEAK EVAPORATOR. THE ORIGINAL EVAPORATOR LEAKED AND WAS REPLACED BY UNDER FACTORY APPROVED WARRANTY WHEN MY CAR WAS THREE YEARS OLD. THEN FAILED AGAIN THREE YEARS LATER WITH SAME PARTS. LOSS R-12 TWICE INCIDENTS DUE TO POOR DESIGNED PARTS ON PURPOSED TO MAKE A WINDFALL PROFITED BY FACTORY. THE CAR WAS TOTALED LOSS ON NOVEMBER 11, 1999 DUE TO ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE.
EMERGENCY BRAKE SLIPPED, CAUSING ACCIDENT.
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
NOT ORIGINAL TIRES ON A GRAND AM, 1993, FR410,FIRESTONE, TUWSPSI8575R14. WHILE DRIVING AT 35 MPH, THE RIGHT FRONT SIDE OF VEHICLE WENT DOWN TOWARDS THE GROUND, DRIVER LOST CONTROL OF VEHICLE, AND VEHICLE FLIPPED OVER, POLICE REPORTED THAT FROM INPRINTS IN THE GRASS RIGHT PASSENGER TIRE WAS FLAT AT THE TIME OF INCIDENT. *AK. DOT #2RTUGJE509. *YH
PE00 020 ; CONSUMER WAS TRAVELING ABOUT 70MPH ON HIGHWAY AND HEARD A NOISE. VEHICLE WAS VIBRATING. HE WAS ABLE TO PULL VEHICLE OVER TO SAFETY. RIGHT REAR PASSENGER TIRE TREAD HAD SEPARATED FROM VEHICLE. GOODYEAR, P205/65R16. *AK THREE TIRES FAILED. TWO OF THESE TIRES WERE GOODYEAR GA. *YH
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
KEY GOES TO ACCESSORY AT ANY TIME. I JUST BOUGHT THIS CAR.CAR SHUTS OFF AT ANYTIME! *TR
MY CAR STARTS AND RUNS GOOD. WHEN I GO 10 TO 15 MILES AND IF I COME TO A STOP, THE CAR STALLS. IT STARTS WITH NO PROBLEM BUT WHEN I SHIFT A GEAR, THE CAR STALLS. IF I WAITE FOR THE CAR TO COOL OFF, THE CAR WILL MOVE WITHOUT STALLING.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Seat belts
Reports naming seat belts, buckles, retractors and pretensioners.
From owner reports, verbatim
PASSENGER'S RESTRAINT BELT BROKE. THE DEALER WILL NOT REPLACE OR REPAIR BECAUSE THE CAR IS NO LONGER UNDER WARANTY. *AK
DRIVER/REAR SEATBELTS FASTNERS FAILS TO STAY LATCHED. PLEASE DESCRIBE DETAILS. TT
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Other / unspecified
Reports whose component NHTSA recorded as unknown, or that do not map to one of the categories above.
From owner reports, verbatim
SPARE TIRE COMPARTMENT IS FILLED WITH WATER.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Airbags
Reports naming the air-bag system — deployment behaviour, inflators, sensors and warning lights.
From owner reports, verbatim
VEHICLE WAS TOTALLED WHEN INVOLVED IN A CRASH, AND THERE WAS NO DEPLOYMENT OF THE DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG. VEHICLE WAS HIT ON THE PASSENGER'S SIDE, FORCING THE VEHICLE INTO A RETAINING WALL, AND HITTING A LIGHT POLE. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK
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 .