1991 Pontiac GRAND AM: complaints, problems and recalls
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.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
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 10021240 · 2003-06-08 (June 8, 2003)
WHILE DRIVING, THE DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR PANEL CAUGHT ON FIRE. CONSUMER IS AWARE OF SAFETY RECALL FOR POWER WINDOW CONTROL MODULE REPLACEMENT. THE VEHICLE WAS BEING DRIVEN WITH NO INSIDE DOOR PANEL (BARE METAL EXPOSED). THE WINDOW WAS BEING HELD UP WITH PLASTIC TAPE, AND THE VEHICLE CANNOT BE LOCKED DUE TO THE FIRE DAMAGE TO THE DOOR. ALSO THE VEHICLE HAS THE STENCH OF SMOKE FROM THE FIRE IN THE DOOR. WE THINK THIS MAY HAVE BEEN CAUSED BY THE POWER WINDOW DEVICE. *TT
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10021240 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10090625 · 2004-09-08 (September 8, 2004)
MY CAR WILL CRANK UP AND DRIVE FOR HOURS BUT IF I STOP AND TURN IT OFF IT WILL NOT CRANK UP FOR 3-4 HOURS. ALSO, MY AIR CONDITIONER WAS RUNNING GREAT BUT WHEN I TURNED IT ON ONE DAY IT JUST STOPPED BLOWING COLD AND IT IS FULL OF COOLANT AND ANTIFREEZE. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10090625 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10110972 · 2005-02-07 (February 7, 2005)
DURING INSPECTION DEALER INFORMED THE CONSUMER ABOUT LOOSE LOWER BALL JOINT. DEALERSHIP REPAIRED THE PROBLEM.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. 83,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10110972 at NHTSA ↗
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 10155598 · 2006-04-18 (April 18, 2006)
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE ELASTIC BANDS THAT HOLD THE PADDING TO THE SHELL OF THE SAFETY SEAT HAS BEEN PULLED LOOSE BY THE CHILD ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS. THE CHILD HAS CHOKED AND BEEN SMACKED BY THE BANDS. THE MANUFACTURER SENT NEW PADDING, BUT THERE WAS NO IMPROVEMENT TO THE PADDING SENT. THIS IS A COSCO 22-130-WAL MANUFACTURED FEBRUARY 17, 2005.
Owner-reported narrative. 72,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10155598 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 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 ↗
Recall history
2 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
91V018000 · Steering: Steering Wheel/Handle Bar
Reported: 1991-01-04 (January 4, 1991)
Remedy: REPLACE STEERING COLUMN ASSEMBLY.
NHTSA campaign record ↗92V043000 · Visibility:Power Window Devices And Controls
Reported: 1992-04-01 (April 1, 1992)
MOISTURE CAN ENTER THE EXPRESS-DOWN ELECTRONIC CONTROL MODULE AND CAUSE A SHORT CIRCUIT THAT CAUSES WINDOW OPERATION WITHOUT OPERATOR CONTROL, AND LEAVES THE WINDOW IN THE DOWN POSITION.
Consequence: THE ELECTRONIC CONTROL MODULE WILL FAIL FROM OVERHEATINGAND COULD RESULT IN A FIRE HAZARD INSIDE THE DOOR PANEL.
Remedy: REPLACE THE WINDOW EXPRESS-DOWN ELECTRONIC CONTROL MODULE.
NHTSA campaign record ↗