1988 Pontiac Grand AM Problems
- Complaints
- 31filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- —no mileage reported
- Recalls
- 2campaigns on record
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
- NHTSA crash rating
- —overall rating starts with 2011 models
- EPA fuel economy
- 24 mpgcombined, 2.5L 4-cyl FWD · 21 city / 29 hwy
Sources: NHTSA records for the 1988 Pontiac Grand AM (complaints, recalls, investigations), EPA fuel economy. Report an error
NHTSA recorded 31 consumer complaints for the 1988 Pontiac Grand AM. The part named most often is engine cooling, with 12 complaints (39% of the total), followed by seat belts (6) and steering (3). Of all complaints, 3 involved a crash, 2 a fire, 3 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns and 0 technical service bulletins for this model year.
Not compared (before 2008). Model years 2008–2023 of the same vehicle that have at least 25 complaints are compared, and a model needs at least 3 of them.
Which parts are reported most
Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.
- Engine cooling12 39%
- Seat belts6 19%
- Steering3 9.7%
- Vehicle speed control3 9.7%
- Electrical system2 6.5%
- Fuel system2 6.5%
- Body and structure2 6.5%
- Suspension1 3.2%
Example complaints
Engine cooling: “As stalling episodes continued and I completed normal maintenance servises, finally a local Pontiac dealer did comphrehensive tests and checked without conclusive answer to problem . On oct.13th.99. The car broke down , back fired, could not be restarted, was towed to a Pontiac dealer who said head gasket had 1-1/2 inch rupture. No repair was done. Car operates again,and continuies to stall. Can it be electrical conection problem or what?”
NHTSA complaint #714827, filed 1999-11Steering: “While driving at 40 MPH and going around a turn within the road steering wheel locked up, causing loss of control. Vehicle hit another vehicle in the front, and dashboard fell apart.”
NHTSA complaint #850087, filed 1999-10Vehicle speed control: “While traveling about 25 MPH, in a parking lot accelerator pedal went all the way down to the floorboard, and would not release. Vehicle accelerated up to about 45-50 MPH. Consumer applied the brakes very hard, but would not stop the vehicle. Vehicle was put into park, and key was taken out of the ignition before vehicle would stop. Vehicle was towed to owner's home. Please provide any further information.”
NHTSA complaint #859434, filed 2000-03Complaints by year filed
Trend: stable. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
Fuel economy and running cost
EPA ratings for each 1988 Pontiac Grand AM version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving).
| Version | Engine | Transmission | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Grand Am FWD | 2.0L 4-cyl | 5-speed manual | 18 | 27 | 21 | $3,900 |
| Grand Am FWD | 2.0L 4-cyl | 3-speed automatic | 18 | 25 | 20 | $4,100 |
| Grand Am FWD | 2.3L 4-cyl | 5-speed manual | 22 | 33 | 26 | $2,600 |
| Grand Am FWD | 2.3L 4-cyl | 3-speed automatic | 21 | 31 | 25 | $2,700 |
| Grand Am FWD | 2.5L 4-cyl | 3-speed automatic | 21 | 29 | 24 | $2,800 |
| Grand Am FWD | 2.5L 4-cyl | 5-speed manual | 21 | 30 | 24 | $2,800 |
Source: U.S. EPA and Department of Energy, fueleconomy.gov. Ratings are for comparing vehicles; real-world mileage varies with driving and conditions.
Recalls and investigations
- 92V150000Oct 19, 1992Fuel system, gasoline › Delivery › Hoses, lines/piping, and fittingsCovers: Pontiac Grand AM 1988–1989, Buick Skylark 1988–1989, Oldsmobile Calais 1988–1989
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.
- 90V042000Mar 5, 1990Fuel system, gasoline › Delivery › Hoses, lines/piping, and fittingsCovers: Pontiac Grand AM 1988–1989, Buick Skylark 1988–1989, Oldsmobile Calais 1988–1989
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.
Recall details for the 1988 Pontiac Grand AM → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls
Technical service bulletins
No technical service bulletins are on record for the 1988 Pontiac Grand AM.
Other model years of the Pontiac Grand AM
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | Crash ★ | MPG | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2005 | 102 | 83,000 | 2 | — | 25 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2004 | 293 | 74,633 | 2 | — | 25 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2003 | 325 | 63,500 | 2 | — | 25 | Not compared (before 2008) | Rising |
| 2002 | 395 | 73,000 | 1 | — | 24 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2001 | 538 | 71,000 | 4 | — | 22 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2000 | 675 | 66,771 | 5 | — | 23 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 1999 | 849 | 70,000 | 3 | — | 23 | Not compared (before 2008) | Rising |
| 1998 | 172 | 80,000 | 1 | — | 23 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1997 | 383 | 95,550 | 2 | — | 23 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 1996 | 450 | 114,526 | 4 | — | 23 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1995 | 409 | 110,000 | 1 | — | 22 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1994 | 377 | 123,000 | 2 | — | 22 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1993 | 204 | 106,600 | 1 | — | 22 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1992 | 168 | 88,000 | 3 | — | 22 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1991 | 82 | 83,000 | 2 | — | 24 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1990 | 38 | — | 0 | — | 23 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1989 | 44 | 113,000 | 2 | — | 24 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1988 | 31 | — | 2 | — | 24 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1987 | 28 | — | 2 | — | 22 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1986 | 11 | — | 1 | — | 23 | — | Not enough data |
All Pontiac Grand AM model years · Best and worst years by complaints
Frequently asked questions
How many NHTSA complaints does the 1988 Pontiac Grand AM have?
NHTSA recorded 31 consumer complaints for the 1988 Pontiac Grand AM as of Nov 1, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 1988 Pontiac Grand AM is reported most often?
Engine cooling is named most often, in 12 complaints (39% of the total), followed by seat belts with 6.
Has the 1988 Pontiac Grand AM been recalled?
NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 1988 Pontiac Grand AM get?
The EPA rates the 1988 Pontiac Grand AM (Grand Am, 2.5L 4-cyl) at 24 mpg combined, 21 city and 29 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $2,800 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Nov 1, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. Fuel economy is from the EPA and DOE (fueleconomy.gov).
Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.