1989 Pontiac Grand AM: common problems

Owners of the 1989 Pontiac Grand AM filed 44 complaints with NHTSA, most often about engine and cooling and electrical system. Details by component below, with sources.

Key figures

Owner complaints: 44
involving a crash: 3

What fails most often

1 Engine and cooling 52% of all complaints
2 Electrical system 23% of all complaints
3 Fuel system 11% of all complaints
4 Steering 11% of all complaints
5 Vehicle speed control 9% of all complaints
6 Service brakes 7% of all complaints
7 Structure 7% of all complaints
8 Powertrain 5% of all complaints

Circle size and colour show each component’s share of NHTSA complaints. Schematic only, not a drawing of the exact model.

Engine and cooling: 23 complaints (52% of all), 1 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
Electrical system: 10 complaints (23% of all).
Fuel system: 5 complaints (11% of all).
Steering: 5 complaints (11% of all).
Vehicle speed control: 4 complaints (9% of all), 1 of them with a crash reported by the owner.

Engines and transmissions

US-market versions per EPA. On the right: how many NHTSA complaints name this engine or transmission type.

2 L · petrol · turbo · 4 cyl
2.3 L · petrol · 4 cyl
2.5 L · petrol · 4 cyl
automatic, 3-speed
manual, 5-speed

Drive: FWD

Symptoms owners describe

How many of the 44 NHTSA complaints mention each symptom (automatic count from complaint text; one complaint can mention several).

stalls while driving5 · 11%
smoke, burning smell, fire3 · 7%
vibration3 · 7%
knocking, grinding or other noise2 · 5%
steering or power steering problems2 · 5%
jerking, harsh shifts1 · 2%
oil leak or consumption1 · 2%
overheating, coolant loss1 · 2%
rust, corrosion1 · 2%
unintended acceleration1 · 2%

Components owners complain about

Component	Owner complaints	involving a crash
Engine and cooling	23	1
Electrical system	10	0
Fuel system	5	0
Steering	5	0
Vehicle speed control	4	1
Service brakes	3	0
Structure	3	0
Powertrain	2	1
Seats	2	0
Suspension	2	0
Tires	2	1
Other	1	0

What owners report

Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.

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.
Engine and cooling · crash · 2004-04-22 · NHTSA complaint #10070435
While traveling n on I-295 between I-[address], rr tire started vibrating and bouncing. Tread then separated from the tire, throwing me into a left hand circle. I went from outside north bound lane into grassy medium, crossing three lanes and doing a complete 360 degree spin.
Tires · crash · 2000-10-18 · NHTSA complaint #733617
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.
Fuel system · 2001-04-19 · NHTSA complaint #743711
Even replacement stop switch smokes(fails). Recall repair performed , same result. Replacement switch still no good!!!!
Electrical system · 2000-12-14 · NHTSA complaint #737587
Consumer went back into house, and a few minutes later, a neighbor knocked on door notifying him that vehicle was on fire. Fire was coming from engine carpartment. Fire department was notified, and there was an investigation. No injuries to reported.
Engine and cooling · 2000-12-01 · NHTSA complaint #875878
Inner rear support that holds vehicle up rusted around the spring and strut. Vehicle had no support. Consumer has contacted the dealership.
Suspension · 2000-09-26 · NHTSA complaint #871554
Throughout this past year, the vehicle has been stalling on numerous occassions after the car has been running for a while. In addition, I spent roughly $2000 to replace the head gasket and cylinder head. Please contact me if you need more information.
Engine and cooling · 2000-06-23 · NHTSA complaint #723658
Rear suspension that holds struts is rotted. Smokes when car is driven at any speed. If used long term, the frame may crack and the tires may come completely off. Many mechanics have told me that this is a problem with these cars.
Structure · 2000-04-11 · NHTSA complaint #720804

When owners complained

NHTSA complaints by filing year. The peak shows at what age the problems show up most.

199510
19962
19978
19986
19997
20009
20011
20021
20041

Comparison

By complaint count this model year ranks 5,689 of 36,656 model years in the NHTSA data (top 16% most complained about).

On average one model year of the Grand AM has 233 complaints (24 years in the data). This year has 44, below average.

What to check before buying

Engine and cooling. Radiator and fan after a frontal hit, coolant level and condition, overheating.
Electrical system. Scan all modules, test the battery and alternator, inspect connectors near the impact zone.
Fuel system. Fuel smell, leaks, rough running, fuel-system codes.
Steering. Steering play, power assist, rack and tie rods after a wheel impact.

Questions and answers

What are the most common problems with the 1989 Pontiac Grand AM?

Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: engine and cooling, electrical system, fuel system. Total complaints: 44. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: stalls while driving (11%), smoke, burning smell, fire (7%), vibration (7%).

How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 1989 Pontiac Grand AM?

NHTSA lists 0 manufacturer service bulletins for this year. A bulletin tells dealers how to diagnose or fix a known issue; it is not a recall.

Should I buy a 1989 Pontiac Grand AM from a US auction?

Owner complaints describe defects, not crash damage. Before bidding, check the components listed above and review the lot photos: VinWind builds a report of visible and hidden damage by VIN.

Other 1989 models

Read also

Sources: public NHTSA data (USA): service bulletins and owner complaints; YouTube: links to videos credited to their authors. Complaints are owner statements not verified by NHTSA, and describe defects rather than crash damage. Data updated 2026-11-05.