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1990 Pontiac Grand Am

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Fewer warning signs than most model years

Owner complaints for the 1990 Pontiac Grand Am are lower than the model-year median of 82.

About this comparison →
38Owner complaints

Model-year median: 82

0Recall campaigns

View recall details →

0Investigations

View investigation details →

How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

Other model years Selected year
28
198731
198844
198938
199082
1991168
1992204
1993
Compare all Grand Am years →

Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.

What owners reported most

Engine And Engine Cooling
14Power Train
7Structure
5Electrical System
3Seat Belts
3
All reported categories
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
3Steering
3Tires
3Seats
2Unknown Or Other
2Vehicle Speed Control
2Wheels
2Equipment
1Fuel System, Gasoline
1Suspension
1Visibility
1

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: 0 of 38 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 14 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Power Train. Review the 7 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Structure. Review the 5 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

3 crash reports1 fire reports2 injury reports

What owners actually said

38 reports
Mileage unknown · Jun 4, 1999
EquipmentService Brakes, Hydraulic

WHEN YOU ARE TRAVELING AT LOW SPEEDS AND TRY TO STOP THERE ARE MANY TIMES WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL GOES TO THE FLOOR AND IT JUST DOESN'T SEEM AS IF THE CAR IS GOING TO STOP. IT TAKES A MUCH LONGER TIME THAN IT SHOULD. I HAVE HAD THE BRAKES REPLACED MANY TIMES, AND YET THIS KEEPS OCCURRING. THIS IS NOT HAPPENING WITH OUR OTHER CAR…

Read full complaint

WHEN YOU ARE TRAVELING AT LOW SPEEDS AND TRY TO STOP THERE ARE MANY TIMES WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL GOES TO THE FLOOR AND IT JUST DOESN'T SEEM AS IF THE CAR IS GOING TO STOP. IT TAKES A MUCH LONGER TIME THAN IT SHOULD. I HAVE HAD THE BRAKES REPLACED MANY TIMES, AND YET THIS KEEPS OCCURRING. THIS IS NOT HAPPENING WITH OUR OTHER CAR, SO IT IS NOT BAD BRAKING HABITS. I FEEL THERE IS SOMETHING WRONG WITH THE BRAKING SYSTERM AND IT IS SCARY. *AK

NHTSA ODI #707225

Mileage unknown · May 10, 1999
Steering

STEERING RACK WHICH IS ATTACHED TO THE FIREWALL HAS CORRODED, CAUSING THE BOLTS TO BECOME LOOSE AND FALL OFF WHICH COULD RESULT IN LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS. *AK

NHTSA ODI #837696

Mileage unknown · Feb 4, 1999
Unknown Or Other

I AM JUST LOOKING FOR RECALL HISTORY ON THIS VEHICLE. JUST SO WE CAN KEEP THE VEHICLE UPDATED. THANK YOU. NO DEFECTS MENTIONED. *AK

NHTSA ODI #702931

Mileage unknown · Jan 11, 1999
Steering

WHLE DRIVING AND AFTER MAKING A RIGHT TURN, THE STEERING WHEEL DID NOT PROPERLY RESPOND TO STRAIGHTEN FROM THE TURN, THERE WAS APPROX 90 DEGREES OF SLACK. TOOK VEHICLE TO MECHANIC, FOUND THAT THE RACK AND PINION STEERING BRACKET ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE HAD SEPARATED. THE FIREWALL HAD FAILED, CAUSING THE BRACKET TO PULL OUT WITH T…

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WHLE DRIVING AND AFTER MAKING A RIGHT TURN, THE STEERING WHEEL DID NOT PROPERLY RESPOND TO STRAIGHTEN FROM THE TURN, THERE WAS APPROX 90 DEGREES OF SLACK. TOOK VEHICLE TO MECHANIC, FOUND THAT THE RACK AND PINION STEERING BRACKET ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE HAD SEPARATED. THE FIREWALL HAD FAILED, CAUSING THE BRACKET TO PULL OUT WITH THE FIREWALL STILL ATTACHED. MANUFACTURER OF NO HELP. *ML

NHTSA ODI #833321

Mileage unknown · Jun 22, 1998
Structure

VEHICLE'S PAINT IS PEELING.

NHTSA ODI #537204

Mileage unknown · Apr 13, 1998
Structure

RUSTED FIREWALL IS AFFECTING RACK AND PINION STEERING MOUNTING STUDS, RACK IS FLEXING ON FIREWALL, CAUSING FRON TIRE WEAR ON THE INSIDE.

NHTSA ODI #534205

Mileage unknown · Feb 26, 1998
Engine And Engine CoolingUnknown Or Other

WHILE TRAVELING THE ENGINE CHECK LIGHT CAME ON. SHORTLY, THE ENGINE CUT OFF. *AK

NHTSA ODI #821688

Mileage unknown · Dec 10, 1997
Engine And Engine Cooling

HEAD GASKET FAILED DUE TO A DESIGN FLAW. GENERAL MOTORS ISSUED A SERVICE BULLETIN EXTENDING THE WARRANTY FROM 5 YEARS AND 50000 MILES TO SIX YEARS AND 60000 MILES. *AK

NHTSA ODI #526308

Mileage unknown · Oct 16, 1997
Service Brakes, HydraulicCrash

WHILE DRIVING 15MPH THE DEFECTIVE FRONT BRAKING SYSTEM MALFUNCTIONED, CAUSING AN ACCIDENT. DEALER REPLACED FRONT BRAKING SYSTEM PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT. *AK

NHTSA ODI #817163

Mileage unknown · Oct 14, 1997
Power Train

TRANSMISSION CONVERTER FAILED.

NHTSA ODI #605426

Official recalls

0

No recalls in this snapshot.

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

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.