1989 Pontiac Grand AM Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 2about this part
- Share
- 5%of 44 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 113,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 2 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 1989 Pontiac Grand AM, 5% of the 44 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 113,000 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved, 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.
“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 miles“When driving vehicle, the torque converter will lock up, will not disengage when coming to a stop. Hard to start after stopping. When solenoid cools, converter will release and vehicle is drivable.”
NHTSA complaint #808113, filed 1997-01Transmission and drivetrain: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2005 | 2 | 2% |
| 2004 | 11 | 4% |
| 2003 | 6 | 2% |
| 2002 | 13 | 3% |
| 2001 | 12 | 2% |
| 2000 | 17 | 3% |
| 1999 | 32 | 4% |
| 1998 | 13 | 8% |
| 1997 | 22 | 6% |
| 1996 | 33 | 7% |
| 1995 | 33 | 8% |
| 1994 | 22 | 6% |
| 1993 | 19 | 9% |
| 1992 | 16 | 10% |
| 1991 | 5 | 6% |
| 1990 | 7 | 18% |
| 1989 | 2 | 5% |
| 1988 | 1 | 3% |
| 1987 | 3 | 11% |
| 1986 | 1 | 9% |
Other parts of the 1989 Pontiac Grand AM
23 complaintsElectrical system
10 complaintsFuel system
5 complaintsSteering
5 complaintsVehicle speed control
4 complaintsBrakes
3 complaintsBody and structure
3 complaintsSeats
2 complaintsSuspension
2 complaintsTires
2 complaintsOther or unknown
1 complaints
← All problems reported for the 1989 Pontiac Grand AM
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.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology