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1989 Pontiac Grand AMProblems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 44 owner complaints about the 1989 Pontiac Grand AM, most often about the engine and engine cooling. It is covered by 2 safety recalls.

87
CarFlaw IndexOne of the best years85% below the Grand AM median · #16 of 20 years by complaints
Safety recalls2Free fix at dealersOwner complaints447 with a crash, fire or injuryTypical failure mileage113kEngine and engine cooling, median miles

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through January 15, 2004. Updated daily.

Complaints by system

Where the 1989 Pontiac Grand AM has problems

44 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 cooling233
Electrical system101
Steering50
Fuel system, gasoline50
Vehicle speed control41
Service brakes, hydraulic30
Structure30
Tires21
Suspension20
2 other systems41

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

2 recalls

1989 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

1989 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
1 investigation

NHTSA defect investigations

Federal investigations that included the 1989 Pontiac Grand AM, and the recalls they led to.

  1. 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.

TRANSMISSION LOCKING TORQUE CONVERTER SOLENOID DOES NOT ALLOW TORQUE CONVERTER TO UNLOCK RESULTING IN ENGINE STALL WHEN STOPPING. REPLACED SOLENOID. REPLACED SLAPPING TIMING CHAIN AND TIMING CHAIN GUIDES. CHANGED OIL AFTER REPAIR. DROVE THE CAR ABOUT 100 MILES WHEN 3 ROD BEARINGS SPUN. ONE HALF OF…
Complaint 10070435 · Jan 15, 2004 · 113,000 miles
VEHICLE WAS PARKED AT SIDE OF HOUSE. CONSUMER WENT BACK INTO HOUSE, AND A FEW MINUTES LATER, A NEIGHBOR KNOCKED ON DOOR NOTIFYING HIM THAT VEHICLE WAS ON FIRE. FIRE WAS COMING FROM ENGINE CARPARTMENT. FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS NOTIFIED, AND THERE WAS AN INVESTIGATION. NO INJURIES TO REPORTED. *AK
Complaint 875878 · Dec 1, 2000
THE VEHICLE IS EQUIPPED WITH A QUAD 4 ENGINE. THROUGHOUT THIS PAST YEAR, THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN STALLING ON NUMEROUS OCCASSIONS AFTER THE CAR HAS BEEN RUNNING FOR A WHILE. IN ADDITION, I SPENT ROUGHLY $2000 TO REPLACE THE HEAD GASKET AND CYLINDER HEAD. PLEASE CONTACT ME IF YOU NEED MORE INFORMATION.…
Complaint 723658 · Jun 6, 2000

Own a 1989 Grand AM?

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