1988 Pontiac GRAND AM problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
22 owner complaints analyzed
2 distinct recall campaigns
Not available median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1988 model year. Data snapshot: . 0 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine is the most frequently named component, appearing in 9 of 22 complaints (40.9%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Engine operation | 4 | 18.2% |
| Braking behavior | 2 | 9.1% |
| Transmission and shifting | 1 | 4.5% |
| Steering behavior | 1 | 4.5% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 9 |
| Seat Belts:Front:Buckle Assembly | 2 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 2 |
| Electrical System:Ignition | 1 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System | 1 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline | 1 |
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission | 1 |
| Seat Belts | 1 |
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine: 9; Seat Belts:Front:Buckle Assembly: 2; Vehicle Speed Control: 2; Electrical System:Ignition: 1; Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System: 1; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline: 1; Power Train:Automatic Transmission: 1; Seat Belts: 1
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 0 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 0 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 0 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 0 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 0 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 0; 25,000 to 49,999: 0; 50,000 to 74,999: 0; 75,000 to 99,999: 0; 100,000 to 149,999: 0; 150,000 and above: 0
No usable failure mileage is recorded. 22 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 1995 | 13 |
| 1996 | 6 |
| 2000 | 2 |
| 2002 | 1 |
1995: 13; 1996: 6; 2000: 2; 2002: 1
Pattern summary
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine leads the component reports. Engine operation appears in 4 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 2 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 1 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 484890 · 1995-08-11 (August 11, 1995)
INTERMITTENT STALLING. *SKD
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 484890 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 489260 · 1995-04-05 (April 5, 1995)
TRANSMISSION SWITCH FAILED CAUSING ENGINE TO SMOKE/INTERMITTENT STALLING. *AW
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 489260 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 859434 · 2000-03-30 (March 30, 2000)
WHILE TRAVELING ABOUT 25 MPH, IN A PARKING LOT ACCELERATOR PEDAL WENT ALL THE WAY DOWN TO THE FLOORBOARD, AND WOULD NOT RELEASE. VEHICLE ACCELERATED UP TO ABOUT 45-50 MPH. CONSUMER APPLIED THE BRAKES VERY HARD, BUT WOULD NOT STOP THE VEHICLE. VEHICLE WAS PUT INTO PARK, AND KEY WAS TAKEN OUT OF THE IGNITION BEFORE VEHICLE WOULD STOP. VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO OWNER'S HOME. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 859434 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 972011 · 1995-09-13 (September 13, 1995)
SEAT BELTS DO NOT RESTRAIN WHEN BRAKES ARE APPLIED. TT
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 972011 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 481097 · 1995-01-07 (January 7, 1995)
'COLD POWER STEERING'. *SD
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 481097 at NHTSA ↗