AI Damage1991 Pontiac Grand AM: common problems
Owners of the 1991 Pontiac Grand AM filed 82 complaints with NHTSA, most often about engine and cooling and service brakes. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 82
- involving a crash
- 9
What fails most often
- 1 Engine and cooling 27% of all complaints
- 2 Service brakes 13% of all complaints
- 3 Visibility 13% of all complaints
- 4 Electrical system 11% of all complaints
- 5 Seat belts 7% of all complaints
- 6 Powertrain 6% of all complaints
- 7 Seats 5% of all complaints
- 8 Fuel system 4% of all complaints
- Engine and cooling: 22 complaints (27% of all), 1 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
- Service brakes: 11 complaints (13% of all), 2 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
- Visibility: 11 complaints (13% of all).
- Electrical system: 9 complaints (11% of all).
- Seat belts: 6 complaints (7% of all), 3 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.
- 2.3 L · petrol · 4 cyl
- 2.5 L · petrol · 4 cyl
- automatic, 3-speed
- manual, 5-speednamed in 1 complaints
Drive: FWD
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 82 NHTSA complaints mention each symptom (automatic count from complaint text; one complaint can mention several).
Components owners complain about
| Component | Owner complaints | involving a crash | Technical service bulletins (TSB) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine and cooling | 22 | 1 | 0 |
| Service brakes | 11 | 2 | 0 |
| Visibility | 11 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical system | 9 | 0 | 0 |
| Seat belts | 6 | 3 | 0 |
| Powertrain | 5 | 0 | 0 |
| Seats | 4 | 1 | 0 |
| Fuel system | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| Steering | 3 | 2 | 0 |
| Structure | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| Suspension | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| Vehicle speed control | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| Equipment | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Engine | 1 | 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.
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.
And as a result, driver's face hit the windshield because the seat belt did not operate and lock. Dealer was informed by consumer. The consumer stated that she hit the brake and the vehicle did not slow down.
My brother was killed they had a recall on steering for the 1991 pontiac grand am I need to find out if the recall was done on his car pontiac hasnt been much help.
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.
The brakes failed on the car which led the car to go into the woods and catch on fire. Engine is believed to have already been on fire.please describe.
During inspection dealer informed the consumer about loose lower ball joint. Dealership repaired the problem.
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.
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).
When owners complained
NHTSA complaints by filing year. The peak shows at what age the problems show up most.
Comparison
By complaint count this model year ranks 4,021 of 36,656 model years in the NHTSA data (top 11% most complained about).
On average one model year of the Grand AM has 233 complaints (24 years in the data). This year has 82, below average.
What to check before buying
- Engine and cooling. Radiator and fan after a frontal hit, coolant level and condition, overheating.
- Service brakes. Pedal feel, ABS operation, leaks, discs and hoses.
- Visibility. Wipers, mirrors, defrosters, cracked glass.
- Electrical system. Scan all modules, test the battery and alternator, inspect connectors near the impact zone.
Other years of this model
- Grand AM 19854 sources
- Grand AM 198611 sources
- Grand AM 198728 sources
- Grand AM 198831 sources
- Grand AM 198944 sources
- Grand AM 199038 sources
- Grand AM 1992168 sources
- Grand AM 1993204 sources
- Grand AM 1994377 sources
- Grand AM 1995409 sources
- Grand AM 1996450 sources
- Grand AM 1997383 sources
- Grand AM 1998172 sources
- Grand AM 1999849 sources
- Grand AM 2000675 sources
- Grand AM 2001538 sources
- Grand AM 2002395 sources
- Grand AM 2003325 sources
- Grand AM 2004293 sources
- Grand AM 2005102 sources
- Grand AM 99999 sources
Questions and answers
What are the most common problems with the 1991 Pontiac Grand AM?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: engine and cooling, service brakes, visibility. Total complaints: 82. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: windows, sunroof (10%), smoke, burning smell, fire (9%), seat belts (6%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 1991 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 1991 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 1991 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.