1991 Pontiac GRAND AM problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
45 owner complaints analyzed
2 distinct recall campaigns
83,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1991 model year. Data snapshot: . 3 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine is the most frequently named component, appearing in 8 of 45 complaints (17.8%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 9 | 20.0% |
| Steering behavior | 5 | 11.1% |
| Transmission and shifting | 3 | 6.7% |
| Engine operation | 2 | 4.4% |
| Fuel system concerns | 1 | 2.2% |
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 | 8 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components | 3 |
| Visibility:Power Window Devices And Controls | 3 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline | 2 |
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission | 2 |
| Seats:Front Assembly:Recliner | 2 |
| Steering: Steering Wheel/Handle Bar | 2 |
| Unknown Or Other | 2 |
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine: 8; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components: 3; Visibility:Power Window Devices And Controls: 3; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline: 2; Power Train:Automatic Transmission: 2; Seats:Front Assembly:Recliner: 2; Steering: Steering Wheel/Handle Bar: 2; Unknown Or Other: 2
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 | 1 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 1 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 0 |
| 150,000 and above | 1 |
Under 25,000: 0; 25,000 to 49,999: 0; 50,000 to 74,999: 1; 75,000 to 99,999: 1; 100,000 to 149,999: 0; 150,000 and above: 1
50,000 to 74,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (1). 42 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 | 17 |
| 1996 | 9 |
| 2000 | 6 |
| 2002 | 6 |
| 2003 | 2 |
| 2004 | 1 |
| 2005 | 2 |
| 2006 | 1 |
| 2014 | 1 |
1995: 17; 1996: 9; 2000: 6; 2002: 6; 2003: 2; 2004: 1; 2005: 2; 2006: 1; 2014: 1
Pattern summary
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 9 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 5 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 3 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 10111039 · 2005-03-08 (March 8, 2005)
THE DRIVER LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE DUE TO INCLEMENT WEATHER. VEHICLE HIT THE GUARD RAIL. AND AS A RESULT, DRIVER'S FACE HIT THE WINDSHIELD BECAUSE THE SEAT BELT DID NOT OPERATE AND LOCK. DEALER WAS INFORMED BY CONSUMER.*AK THE CONSUMER STATED THAT SHE HIT THE BRAKE AND THE VEHICLE DID NOT SLOW DOWN. *TC
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10111039 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 503022 · 1996-03-31 (March 31, 1996)
BRAKE LINE LOCATION CAUSES EXCESSIVE WEAR ON ROUGH ROADS. *DSH
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 503022 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 720488 · 2000-03-22 (March 22, 2000)
CALL TO PONTIAC RESULTED IN THEY CLAIMING THERE WAS NO PREVIOUS REPORTED PROBLEMS, I FOUND A RECALL NOTICE PERTAINING TO STEERING FOR WHEN THIS CAR WAS MANUFACTURED AND LOTS OF SERVICE BULLETINS EACH WHICH DESCRIBED THE VERY SAME NOISE WE HEARD AT THE TIME OF THE BREAKDOWN. THIS WAS A POTENTIAL SAFETY RISK IF THE CAR HAD BEEN DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEED. TOW SERVICE INDICATED THAT WE WERE LUCKY THAT NO ONE WAS HURT.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 720488 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 758979 · 2002-03-06 (March 6, 2002)
I NEED TO FIND OUT IF THIS CAR WAS TAKEN IN FOR THE STEERING RECALL 91V018000 CONCERNING STEERING COLUMN THEY HAD ON THIS YEAR....PLEASE LET ME NO MY BROTHER OWNED THE CAR WAS WAS KILLED 12082001. THANK YOU LAURA SMART HIS SISTER. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 758979 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10016169 · 2003-04-18 (April 18, 2003)
TRANSMISSION DIP STICK FOR MANUAL TRANSMISSION (ISUZU) TYPE SHRINKS CAUSING FLUID LEAKAGE AND TRANSMISSION FAILURE. *NLM
Owner-reported narrative. 150,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10016169 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 480544 · 1995-01-15 (January 15, 1995)
TRANSMISSION DRUM WELD BROKE, CAUSING TRANSMISSION TO FAIL. *SKD
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 480544 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10654779 · 2014-11-13 (November 13, 2014)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 1990 (NA) PONTIAC GRAND AM. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30-40 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED CHEST INJURIES THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE OTHER DRIVER SUSTAINED HEAD INJURIES THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10654779 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 961920 · 1995-03-14 (March 14, 1995)
VEHICLE STALLED IN TRAFFIC WITH OUT ANY PRIOR WARNING DUE TO DEFECTIVE ALTERNATOR. TT
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 961920 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 970498 · 1995-08-15 (August 15, 1995)
FUEL TANK CRACKING, RESULTING IN LEAKAGE. TT
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 970498 at NHTSA ↗