1988 Pontiac Grand AM Engine cooling Problems
- Complaints
- 12about this part
- Share
- 39%of 31 total for the year
- Median mileage
- —not reported
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 12 complaints about the engine cooling of the 1988 Pontiac Grand AM, 39% of the 31 complaints for this model year. 1 a fire, according to the filers.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“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 1999-11“Started engine, check gauge light came on; check gauges; showed no oil pressure; engine could have seized up. Also, ignition coil covers goes bad. Give details.”
NHTSA complaint #970953, filed 1995-08Engine cooling: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2005 | 2 | 2% |
| 2004 | 12 | 4% |
| 2003 | 24 | 7% |
| 2002 | 54 | 14% |
| 2001 | 75 | 14% |
| 2000 | 111 | 16% |
| 1999 | 133 | 16% |
| 1998 | 23 | 13% |
| 1997 | 83 | 22% |
| 1996 | 74 | 16% |
| 1995 | 60 | 15% |
| 1994 | 73 | 19% |
| 1993 | 54 | 26% |
| 1992 | 62 | 37% |
| 1991 | 22 | 27% |
| 1990 | 14 | 37% |
| 1989 | 23 | 52% |
| 1988 | 12 | 39% |
| 1987 | 9 | 32% |
Other parts of the 1988 Pontiac Grand AM
6 complaintsSteering
3 complaintsVehicle speed control
3 complaintsElectrical system
2 complaintsFuel system
2 complaintsBody and structure
2 complaintsSuspension
1 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
1 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
1 complaints
← All problems reported for the 1988 Pontiac Grand AM
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 30, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology