1991 Pontiac Grand AM: problems, recalls and reliability
3 recalls and 82 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is engine and engine cooling (23% of complaints); the 1990 model year looks more trouble-free.
Data updated weekly · latest recall May 2006
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 82 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“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 report · Unknown Or Other · Apr 2006
“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 report · Service Brakes, Hydraulic · Jan 2005
“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 report · Equipment · Jul 2004
Show 7 more owner reports
“Transmission dip stick for manual transmission (isuzu) type shrinks causing fluid leakage and transmission failure. *nlm”Owner report · Power Train · Mar 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 report · Visibility · May 2002
“Discovered a large bulge on sidewall of tire at only 2000 miles. Firestone said it was impact related but it seems to be a common problem.*ak”Owner report · Tires · Apr 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 report · Steering · Dec 2001
“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 report · Engine · Jan 2001
“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 report · Steering · Mar 2000
“While vehicle was parked in driveway for only 10 mi nutes it was on fire under the hood. Fire departtment came to put fire out. Consumer contacted manufacturer also dealer. Please provide further information. *ak”Owner report · Electrical System · Nov 1999
When filing, owners marked a crash in 9 of these complaints and injuries in 7 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 3 campaigns
CERTAIN REPLACEMENT FUEL FILTERS, FRAM BRAND NAME P/N G3727, WITH DATE CODES X52911 THROUGH X60801 SEQUENTIALLY OR X600141 AND A MEXICO COUNTRY OR ORIGIN MARKING ON THE FUEL FILTER HOUSING MANUFACTURED FROM OCTOBER 18, 2005, THROUGH MARCH 21, 2006, SOLD FOR USE ON THE VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE AND ON CERTAIN SCHOOL BUSES. (TO SEE THE SCHOOL BUS ENGINE SIZES, CLICK ON "DOCUMENT SEARCH" AND THEN "BUS APPLICATIONS"). THE CONNECTOR ON THE FUEL FILTER WAS NOT MANUFACTURED TO HONEYWELL'S SPECIFICATION. AS A RESULT, THE O-RING MAY NOT SEAT CORRECTLY ON THE FUEL LINE.
Remedy: HONEYWELL WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE FUEL FILTERS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 18, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FRAM CUSTOMER SERVICE AT 1-800-890-2075 (OPTION 1).
Remedy: REPLACE STEERING COLUMN ASSEMBLY.
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.
Remedy: REPLACE THE WINDOW EXPRESS-DOWN ELECTRONIC CONTROL MODULE.
How other years compare
Check your exact Grand AM by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 1991 Pontiac Grand AM reliable?
NHTSA has 82 owner complaints and 3 recall campaigns on record for the 1991 Pontiac Grand AM. The most complained-about area is engine and engine cooling (23% of complaints).
At what mileage do 1991 Pontiac Grand AM problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 83,000 miles or less.
Does the 1991 Pontiac Grand AM have open recalls?
3 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning fuel system, gasoline. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.