1989 Pontiac Grand Am
Safety record from NHTSA: recalls, owner complaints, investigations and service bulletins.
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Vehicles › Pontiac › Grand Am › 1989
These records cover every 1989 Pontiac Grand Am. To see whether one car still needs a recall repair, decode its VIN or check it with NHTSA.
Recalls
3 recalls name the 1989 Pontiac Grand Am. Newest first.
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…
Risk and remedy
Risk
This condition may cause an inadequate seal at the connection, potentially leading to a fuel leak. In the presence of an ignition source, a fire could occur.
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).
Front fuel feed hose assembly could crack or separate at the coupling on the engine end of the hose assembly, allowing fuel to leak into the engine compartment.
Risk and remedy
Risk
Fuel leaking in the engine compartment could result in anunderhood fire.
Remedy
Replace front fuel feed hose assembly.
Front fuel feed hose assembly could crack or separate at the coupling on the engine end of the hose assembly, allowing fuel to leak into the engine compartment.
Risk and remedy
Risk
Leaking fuel in the engine compartment could result in a fire.
Remedy
Replace front fuel feed hose assembly.
Owner complaints
44 complaints3 involved a crash3 involved a fire1 injuries1 deaths
What owners report most
Latest complaints
- Engine and engine cooling · Power train
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. One half of…
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. One half of the bearing spun into the other half resulting in crankshaft damage and piston tipping. Replaced engine with used which I repaired before replacing. Looked like oil pump failure. Was told the engine had between 145-150 compression.
- Engine and engine cooling › Engine › Gasoline
After the engine overheated, the vehicle caught on fire. (Ohio traffic crash report #10-90-577) *yh
- Fuel system, gasoline › Fuel injection system
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. A man pulled in service…
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. A man pulled in service station and said he had same problems with his 89 grand am. I also looked in my hometown newspaper and lots of 89 grand ams for sale with non working motors.*ak
- Electrical system › Wiring › Fuses and circuit breakers
Even replacement stop switch smokes(fails). Recall repair performed , same result. Replacement switch still no good!!!!*ak
- Engine and engine cooling › Engine
Vehicle was parked at side of house. 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. *Ak
- Engine and engine cooling › Cooling system › Radiator assembly · Engine and engine cooling › Engine › Gasoline
The engine, radiator and overflow bucket were replaced.*et
- Tires › Tread/belt
While traveling n on I-295 between I-10 and commonwealth ave, 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. I was…
While traveling n on I-295 between I-10 and commonwealth ave, 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. I was able to stop the car just short of entering the oncomming traffic of the south bound lanes. The tread peeled completely away, very similar to the firestone tires. I kept the tire and have it in my garage. If you want it, it IS yours.*ak (dot number: unknown tiresize: p195/70r14)
- Suspension › Rear › Springs › Leaf spring assembly
Inner rear support that holds vehicle up rusted around the spring and strut. vehicle had no support. consumer has contacted the dealership.*ak
- Engine and engine cooling › Engine · Engine and engine cooling › Engine › Gasoline
The vehicle IS equipped with a quad 4 engine. 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. *Ak
- Electrical system › Alternator/generator/regulator · Engine and engine cooling › Engine · Engine and engine cooling › Exhaust system › Emission control
Oxygen sensor failure caused vehicle to stall. Yh
- Structure › Frame and members · Suspension › Rear › Shock absorber · Tires
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.
- Steering › Hydraulic power assist › Hose, piping, and connections · Steering › Rack and pinion
I have been complaining of a bumping and grinding in the steering at slow sppeds since 1992. I have been given the run around all this time until major failure in dec. 1999. dealer said it was the rack and pinion steering. after replacement another problem arose which caused the whole front of…
I have been complaining of a bumping and grinding in the steering at slow sppeds since 1992. I have been given the run around all this time until major failure in dec. 1999. dealer said it was the rack and pinion steering. after replacement another problem arose which caused the whole front of the car to viberate when turning. I was told a power steering hose would have to be replaced to correct this problem. I was told by the repair dealer that they checked with pontiac tech. Ass. And found the hose insufficent to handle the high preasure return to the power steering unit. would this condition cause the rack and pinion to fail in the firat place or did I get another run around. *ak
- Electrical system › Ignition · Electrical system › Ignition › Module · Engine and engine cooling › Cooling system · Engine and engine cooling › Engine · Engine and engine cooling › Exhaust system › Emission control · Service brakes, hydraulic › Foundation components › Disc › Pads · Structure › Body
Timing system failed.
- Unknown or other
No summary
- Vehicle speed control
No summary
- Steering › Gear box › Shaft pitman · Structure › Frame and members
While driving at 30 mph, rear cradle bolts broke, causing the rear of the engine to fall out. also, consumer lost control of steering due to steering shaft breaking. Dealer IS aware of the problem. *Ak
- Electrical system › Ignition
The sensor which IS located at the distrutor and which IS used for better gas mileage malfunctioned,causing the vehicle to stall while driving or coming to a stop, which may cause an accident. mechanic disconnected the sensor. problem never reoccurred. also same problems on the grand prix's. *ak
- Engine and engine cooling › Engine
Motor mounts broke, causing vehicle to vibrate. *yc
- Engine and engine cooling › Engine
The head gasket had to be replaced and after numerous repairs still didn't function properly. runs rough, doesn't idle properly, fuel injection doesn't function properly, oil turns foamy.
- Engine and engine cooling › Engine
Engine head gasket blew out.
- Steering › Gear box (other than rack and pinion) · Steering › Rack and pinion
Steering gear malfunctioned. Also, there IS an extreme jerking when turning the steering wheel and vehicle IS sitting still. Consumer believes that jerking IS due to rack and pinion steering failure.
- Service brakes, hydraulic › Foundation components
Brakes do not stop vehicle appropriately, extended stopping distance.
- Fuel system, gasoline › Delivery › Hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
Recall 92v150000. Pontiac won't do recall because they say it had a time and mileage limit. *ak
- Electrical system › Ignition
Ignition system, module/coil, design IS defective because the position (near the bottom rear of engine) allows for water to make contact and fail.
- Engine and engine cooling › Engine
Cracked engine gasket.
Defect investigations
NHTSA’s Office of Defects Investigation opened these reviews into vehicles including this one.
- W-car hinge pin failure
There is no summary currently available
Service bulletins
Technical service bulletins and other communications the manufacturer sent dealers about this vehicle. Ask a dealer for the full document by its number.
- 613590Information regarding snow intrusion into rear drum brake assemblies. **Mr
Every Pontiac Grand Am model year
Bars are owner complaints, dots mark years with recalls. Select a year to open its report.