1989 Pontiac GRAND AM problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
23 owner complaints analyzed
2 distinct recall campaigns
113,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1989 model year. Data snapshot: . 1 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine is the most frequently named component, appearing in 9 of 23 complaints (39.1%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Engine operation | 4 | 17.4% |
| Fuel system concerns | 2 | 8.7% |
| Transmission and shifting | 1 | 4.3% |
| Steering behavior | 1 | 4.3% |
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 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline | 3 |
| Electrical System:Ignition | 2 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 2 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Emission Control | 2 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery:Hoses, Lines/Piping, And Fittings | 2 |
| Electrical System:Alternator/Generator/Regulator | 1 |
| Electrical System:Wiring:Front Underhood | 1 |
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine: 9; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline: 3; Electrical System:Ignition: 2; Engine And Engine Cooling: 2; Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Emission Control: 2; Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery:Hoses, Lines/Piping, And Fittings: 2; Electrical System:Alternator/Generator/Regulator: 1; Electrical System:Wiring:Front Underhood: 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 | 1 |
| 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: 1; 150,000 and above: 0
100,000 to 149,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (1). 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 | 10 |
| 1996 | 1 |
| 2000 | 9 |
| 2001 | 1 |
| 2002 | 1 |
| 2004 | 1 |
1995: 10; 1996: 1; 2000: 9; 2001: 1; 2002: 1; 2004: 1
Pattern summary
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine leads the component reports. Engine operation appears in 4 complaint narratives. Fuel system concerns 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 10070435 · 2004-01-15 (January 15, 2004)
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 THE BEARING SPUN INTO THE OTHER HALF RESULTING IN CRANKSHAFT DAMAGE AND PISTON TIPPING. REPLACED ENGINE WITH USED WHICH I REPAIRED BEFORE REPLACING. LOOKED LIKE OIL PUMP FAILURE. WAS TOLD THE ENGINE HAD BETWEEN 145-150 COMPRESSION.
Owner-reported narrative. 113,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10070435 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 484124 · 1995-07-16 (July 16, 1995)
IGNITION COIL FAILED, RESULTING IN VEHICLE STALLING PRIOR TO SERVICE RECALL.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 484124 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 743711 · 2001-04-08 (April 8, 2001)
I KILLED IT AT A SERVICE STATION GONNA GET SOME WATER AND IT HAS NEVER STARTED SINCE THEN. THE GAS COMES OUT OF HOSE WHEN DISCONNECTED FROM INJECTOR BUT CONNECT THE LINE BACK AND THE FUEL INJECTION DOESNT GET GAS. I AM A SINGLE MOTHE WHO CAN NOT AFFORD THIS TYPE OF THING. A MAN PULLED IN SERVICE STATION AND SAID HE HAD SAME PROBLEMS WITH HIS 89 GRAND AM. I ALSO LOOKED IN MY HOMETOWN NEWSPAPER AND LOTS OF 89 GRAND AMS FOR SALE WITH NON WORKING MOTORS.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 743711 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 970458 · 1995-08-15 (August 15, 1995)
FUEL TANK FAILURE, BUILT ON FUEL LEAVING FUEL REGULATOR IS FAULTY, CAUSING THE FUEL TANK TO COLLAPSE. TT
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 970458 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 717054 · 2000-01-07 (January 7, 2000)
I HAVE BEEN COMPLAINING OF A BUMPING AND GRINDING IN THE STEERING AT SLOW SPPEDS SINCE 1992. I HAVE BEEN GIVEN THE RUN AROUND ALL THIS TIME UNTIL MAJOR FAILURE IN DEC. 1999. DEALER SAID IT WAS THE RACK AND PINION STEERING. AFTER REPLACEMENT ANOTHER PROBLEM AROSE WHICH CAUSED THE WHOLE FRONT OF THE CAR TO VIBERATE WHEN TURNING. I WAS TOLD A POWER STEERING HOSE WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED TO CORRECT THIS PROBLEM. I WAS TOLD BY THE REPAIR DEALER THAT THEY CHECKED WITH PONTIAC TECH. ASS. AND FOUND THE HOSE INSUFFICENT TO HANDLE THE HIGH PREASURE…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 717054 at NHTSA ↗