IllustrationTHIS SPEEDOMETER CLUSTER HAS BEEN REPLACED THE TOTAL OF FOUR (4) TIMES AND IS VERY DANGEROUS BECAUSE IT GRABS THE DRIVERS ATTENTION AND COULD RESULT IN AN ACCIDENT.*AK
1992 Pontiac Grand Am
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
More warning signs than most Grand Am years
Owner complaints for the 1992 Pontiac Grand Am are substantially higher than the model-year median of 82.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Grand Am years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
Limited mileage data: 5 of 168 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
- Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 62 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Service Brakes, Hydraulic. Review the 33 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Electrical System. Review the 28 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
12 crash reports4 fire reports8 injury reports
What owners actually said
168 reportsI HAVE A LETTER FROM PONTIAC DATE NOV, 1995. WHICH STATES THAT 2.3L QUAD OHC ENGINE HAVE A DEFECT OF CRACKING CYLINDER THAT ALLOWS COOLANT TO LEAK FROM THE CYLINDER HEADS. THE LETTER ALSO STATES.. DO NOT BRING YOUR VEHICLE TO THE DEALER UNLESS THIS OCCURS. THE STATED IF THIS CONDITION OCCURS WITHIN SEVEN YEARS OR 100,000 MILES…
Read full complaint
I HAVE A LETTER FROM PONTIAC DATE NOV, 1995. WHICH STATES THAT 2.3L QUAD OHC ENGINE HAVE A DEFECT OF CRACKING CYLINDER THAT ALLOWS COOLANT TO LEAK FROM THE CYLINDER HEADS. THE LETTER ALSO STATES.. DO NOT BRING YOUR VEHICLE TO THE DEALER UNLESS THIS OCCURS. THE STATED IF THIS CONDITION OCCURS WITHIN SEVEN YEARS OR 100,000 MILES THEY WILL REPLACE THE CYLINDER HEAD FREE OF CHARGE.. MY CAR IS 8 YEARS OLD NOW AND HAS ONLY 79000 MILES ON IT. NEITHER THE DEALER OR PONTIAC CORP. WILL REPAIR THIS FOR ME WITHOUT PAYING FOR ALL CHARGES WHICH ARE APPROX. $1200.00.. PONTIAC ADMITS THAT THIS ENGINE HAS A DEFECT.. BUT REFUSES TO HONOR THE 100,000 MILE LIMIT BECAUSE THE VEHICLE IS 8 YEARS OLD. IT IS MY OPINION THAT PONTIAC IS RESPONSIBLE TO FIX THIS VEHICLE AS IT IS A SAFETY HAZARD.. MY VEHICLE HAS THE KNOWN DEFECT.. THE ODOR FROM THE COOLANT IS EXTREMELY STRING AND IS A SAFETY CONCERN FOR ME AND MY FAMILY. YOU CAN SEE WHERE IT LEAKS FROM THE HEAD AS THERE IS CORROSION AND THE ANTI-FREEZE PUDDLES UP ON TOP OF THE HEAD. *JB ***DIMSII IVOQ ENTRY POSTED AFTER 12/12/02 CUT-OVER TO ARTEMIS*****732124*****
STEERING WHEEL TILT DISENGAGED WHILE DRIVING CAUSE TO GO UP & DOWN FREELY, CAUSING A LOSS OF CONTROL CONDITON.FOUND LOCKING PIN IN TILT ASSEMBLY CAME OUT WHICH WAS NOT STAKED PROPERLY, REINSTALLED AND STAKED IN PROPERLY. CONSUMER CALLED PONTIAC SAFTEY NUMBER, DEALER IS NOT WILLING TO INSPECT IT. *ET
WATER WAS TRAPPED BETWEEN TWO OF METAL THAT FORMS THE FIREWALLS. THIS CAUSE A RUST THOUGH AREA AND WATER IS SEEPING THROUGH THE PASSENGER SIDE. THIS CAUSE THE MILDEW SMELL.*AK
ABS BRAKES WILL NOT ENGAGE. CONSUMER HAS TO STEP HARDER ON THE BRAKE PEDAL TO MAKE THEM WORK.*AK
WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE WILL INTERMITTENTLY STALL WITHOUT WARNING. VEHICLE HESITATES WHILE DRIVING, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO JERK FORWARD. VEHICLE HAS BEEN TO DEALER MANY TIMES, BUT THEY ARE UNABLE TO FIND THE SOURCE OF THE PROBLEM. VEHICLE IS NOW OUT OF WARRANTY AND PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. *AK *ML
WHILE DRIVING AND APPLYING BRAKES, VEHICLE EXPERIENCED EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE. WHEN TAKING VEHICLE FOR CHECK UP, TECHNICIAN PONTED OUT THAT BRAKE SYSTEM WAS CONTAMINATED. *AK
A LITTLE OVER 3 MONTHS AFTER I PURCHASED THIS CAR FROM GARY MATTHEWS, THE BRAKE SYSTEM FAILED IN TRAFFIC ON ME. I HAD VERY LITTLE BRAKES AND BARELY MADE IT TO MY HOME WITHOUT AN ACCIDENT. THE CAR WAS INSPECTED AND THE RESULTS ARE THAT THE BREAK SYSTEM WAS CONTAMINATED. THE TOTAL COST TO REPAIR IS $2,400.00. WHEN I CONTACTED …
Read full complaint
A LITTLE OVER 3 MONTHS AFTER I PURCHASED THIS CAR FROM GARY MATTHEWS, THE BRAKE SYSTEM FAILED IN TRAFFIC ON ME. I HAD VERY LITTLE BRAKES AND BARELY MADE IT TO MY HOME WITHOUT AN ACCIDENT. THE CAR WAS INSPECTED AND THE RESULTS ARE THAT THE BREAK SYSTEM WAS CONTAMINATED. THE TOTAL COST TO REPAIR IS $2,400.00. WHEN I CONTACTED THE DEALERSHIP, THEY WERE VERY RUDE AND TOLD ME THAT THEY WOULD DO NOTHING ABOUT THE PROBLEM. WHEN I TALKED TO THE DEALER'S REPAIR SHOP, THEY TOLD ME THAT THEY HAD NO RECORD OF THE CAR EVER EVEN BEING INSPECTED BEFORE I DROVE IT OFF THE LOT. YOU'RE HELP WOULD BE GREATLY APPRECIATED. *AK
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK
I HAVE SPENT ALOT OF MONEY TRYING TO GET THIS CAR IN SAFE RUNNING CONDITION, AND AS OF RIGHT NOW MY PONTIAC SITS IN MY GARAGE NOT DRIVEABLE BECAUSE I CANT AFFORD TO SPEND ANY MORE MONEY ON THESE BRAKES , I HAVE ALREADY SPENT MORE THAN I SHOULD HAVE AND IT STILL DOES NOT WORK. IF YOU PEOPLE AT PONTIAC PRIDE YOURSELF IN EXCELLENC…
Read full complaint
I HAVE SPENT ALOT OF MONEY TRYING TO GET THIS CAR IN SAFE RUNNING CONDITION, AND AS OF RIGHT NOW MY PONTIAC SITS IN MY GARAGE NOT DRIVEABLE BECAUSE I CANT AFFORD TO SPEND ANY MORE MONEY ON THESE BRAKES , I HAVE ALREADY SPENT MORE THAN I SHOULD HAVE AND IT STILL DOES NOT WORK. IF YOU PEOPLE AT PONTIAC PRIDE YOURSELF IN EXCELLENCE THAN I THINK YOU SHOULD TAKE ANOTHER LOOK .IF YOU REALLY PRIDE YOURSELF IN EXCELLENCE, I THINK YOU SHOULD REPAIR THE WHOLE BRAKE SYSTEM IN MY CAR. OTHER WISE I WILL BE FORCED TO CONTACT THE ATTORNEY GENERAL THANKYOU. *AK
Official recalls
392V106000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:storage:tank Assembly:filler Pipe And Cap
Jul 17, 1992
THE VEHICLES WERE ASSEMBLED WITH AN INCORRECT SUSPENSION UPPER SPRING SEAT AT THE RIGHT-REAR POSITION. IF THE VEHICLE IS INVOLVED IN A REAR IMPACT ACCIDENT, THE RIGHT-HAND REAR WHEEL HOUSE FLANGE COULD SEVER THE FUEL TANK FILLER PIPE AND SPILL FUEL.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THESE VEHICLES ARE NOT IN COMPLIANCE WITH FMVSS 301,FUEL SYSTEM INTEGRITY. SPILLED FUEL IN A LOW SPEED ACCIDENT CAN RESULT IN AFIRE.
Remedy: INSPECT AND REPLACE INCORRECT UPPER SPRING SEAT WITH THE CORRECT PART.
91V204000 · Suspension:rear
Nov 19, 1991
THE BOLTS AND NUTS WHICH ATTACH THE BEARING-HUB ASSEMBLY TO THE REAR AXLE FLANGE ARE NOT SUFFICIENTLY TIGHTENED ON SOME VEHICLES.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THIS WOULD ALLOW EXCESSIVE MOVEMENT OF THE BEARING-HUBASSEMBLY RELATIVE TO THE REAR AXLE FLANGE AND COULD CAUSE ELONGATION ANDEVENTUAL SEPARATION OF THE ATTACHING BOLTS FROM THE REAR AXLE FLANGE. IF THISWERE TO OCCUR WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION, THE AFFECTED TIRE AND WHEEL COULDTRACK ERRATICALLY, EVENTUALLY CAUSING FAILURE OF THE OTHER ATTACHING BOLTS. THETIRE AND WHEEL ASSEMBLY COULD SEPARATE FROM THE VEHICLE WHICH COULD RESULT IN AVEHICLE ACCIDENT.
Remedy: TIGHTEN REAR AXLE BEARING-HUB ASSEMBLY FASTENERS, AND REPLACE ALL THE FASTENERS ON A WHEEL IF TWO OR MORE BOLTS ARE FOUND TO BE LOOSE.
91V182000 · Seats:front Assembly:recliner
Oct 21, 1991
THE PASSENGER'S SIDE EASY-ENTRY SEAT ADJUSTER MAY FAIL FULLY LOCK INTO POSITION AFTER THE SEAT BACK HAS BEEN TILTED FORWARD AND THE SEAT SLID FORWARD, THEN RETURNED TO ITS ORIGINAL POSTITION.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IF THE SEAT ADJUSTER FAILS TO LOCK INTO POSITION, THEPASSENGER SEAT WOULD SLIDE FORWARD IN THE EVENT OF A SUDDEN STOP OR ACCIDENT.OCCUPANTS OF THE PASSENGER SEAT WOULD FACE INCREASED RISK OF SERIOUS INJURY.
Remedy: REPLACE THE ADJUSTER ASSEMBLY ON THE SEAT.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
0No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.