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1988 Pontiac Grand AMProblems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 31 owner complaints about the 1988 Pontiac Grand AM, most often about the engine and engine cooling. It is covered by 2 safety recalls.

89
CarFlaw IndexOne of the best years88% below the Grand AM median · #19 of 20 years by complaints
Safety recalls2Free fix at dealersOwner complaints317 with a crash, fire or injuryTop problem12Engine and engine cooling

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through May 6, 2002. Updated daily.

Complaints by system

Where the 1988 Pontiac Grand AM has problems

31 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.

Box size = number of complaints naming that system. Darker = larger share. One complaint can name more than one system.
Complaints by system
SystemComplaintsCrash, fire or injury
Engine and engine cooling121
Seat belts61
Vehicle speed control31
Steering31
Electrical system20
Structure21
Fuel system, other11
Visibility10
Suspension10
2 other systems20

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.

2 recalls

1988 Pontiac Grand AM recalls and how many were fixed

Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

–no report yet

Delivery: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings

Recall 92V-150 · Oct 19, 1992 · 108,836 vehicles

Risk. FUEL LEAKING IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT COULD RESULT IN ANUNDERHOOD FIRE.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with Pontiac.

Best & worst years

1988 vs. every other Grand AM year

Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the Grand AM median. How we score

'73'75'78'83'85'86'87'88'89'90'91'92'93'94'95'96'97'98'99'00'01'02'03'04'05
  • Avoid
  • Caution
  • Solid
  • Best
  • Not rated
4 investigations

NHTSA defect investigations

Federal investigations that included the 1988 Pontiac Grand AM, and the recalls they led to.

  1. BRAKE INEFFECTIVENESSEA89010 · closed May 8, 1990
    No recall
  2. BRAKE PERFORMANCEEA90041 · closed Mar 30, 1992
    No recall
  3. REAR WHEEL BEARINGS FAILEA91005 · closed Dec 31, 1991
    No recall
  4. W-CAR HINGE PIN FAILUREEA91055 · closed Aug 17, 1992
    No recall
In owners' words

What Grand AM owners report

Recent engine and engine cooling complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.

STARTED ENGINE, CHECK GAUGE LIGHT CAME ON; CHECK GAUGES; SHOWED NO OIL PRESSURE; ENGINE COULD HAVE SEIZED UP. ALSO, IGNITION COIL COVERS GOES BAD. GIVE DETAILS.
Complaint 970953 · Aug 23, 1995
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…
Complaint 714827 · Nov 15, 1999
ENGINE HEAD BLEW OUT, CAUSING WHITE SMOKE TO BE EMMITED THROUGH EXHAUST PIPES. RECALL REPAIRS REFUSED DUE TO AGE AND MILEAGE OF VEHICLE. *AK
Complaint 486220 · May 11, 1995

Own a 1988 Grand AM?

Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.