1989 Pontiac Grand AM Problems
- Complaints
- 44filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- 113,000miles, 1 complaints with mileage
- 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, 2.3L 4-cyl FWD · 21 city / 29 hwy
Sources: NHTSA records for the 1989 Pontiac Grand AM (complaints, recalls, investigations), EPA fuel economy. Report an error
NHTSA recorded 44 consumer complaints for the 1989 Pontiac Grand AM. The part named most often is engine cooling, with 23 complaints (52% of the total), followed by electrical system (10) and fuel system (5). 1 of the complaints include a mileage, and 0% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 113,000 miles. Of all complaints, 3 involved a crash, 3 a fire, 1 an injury, 1 a death, 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 cooling23 52%
- Electrical system10 23%
- Fuel system5 11%
- Steering5 11%
- Vehicle speed control4 9.1%
- Brakes3 6.8%
- Body and structure3 6.8%
- Seats2 4.5%
- Suspension2 4.5%
- Tires2 4.5%
Also reported: Transmission and drivetrain (2), Other or unknown (1).
Example complaints
Engine cooling: “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.”
NHTSA complaint #10070435, filed 2004-01, 113,000 milesElectrical system: “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.”
NHTSA complaint #835526, filed 1999-04Fuel 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 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.”
NHTSA complaint #743711, filed 2001-04Steering: “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. …”
NHTSA complaint #717054, filed 2000-01Mileage when problems were reported
0% of the 1 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 113,000 and 113,000 miles.
Complaints 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 1989 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 | 28 | 22 | $3,750 |
| Grand Am FWD | 2.0L 4-cyl | 3-speed automatic | 18 | 26 | 21 | $3,900 |
| Grand Am FWD | 2.3L 4-cyl | 5-speed manual | 21 | 32 | 25 | $2,700 |
| Grand Am FWD | 2.3L 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 |
| Grand Am FWD | 2.5L 4-cyl | 3-speed automatic | 21 | 28 | 23 | $2,900 |
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 1989 Pontiac Grand AM → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls
Technical service bulletins
No technical service bulletins are on record for the 1989 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 1989 Pontiac Grand AM have?
NHTSA recorded 44 consumer complaints for the 1989 Pontiac Grand AM as of Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 1989 Pontiac Grand AM is reported most often?
Engine cooling is named most often, in 23 complaints (52% of the total), followed by electrical system with 10.
Has the 1989 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 1989 Pontiac Grand AM get?
The EPA rates the 1989 Pontiac Grand AM (Grand Am, 2.3L 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.
At what mileage are problems with the 1989 Pontiac Grand AM reported?
Among the 1 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 113,000 miles and the middle half falls between 113,000 and 113,000 miles; 0% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 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.