1990 Pontiac Grand AM Problems
- Complaints
- 38filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- —no mileage reported
- Recalls
- 0campaigns 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
- 23 mpgcombined, 2.3L 4-cyl FWD · 20 city / 28 hwy
Sources: NHTSA records for the 1990 Pontiac Grand AM (complaints, recalls, investigations), EPA fuel economy. Report an error
NHTSA recorded 38 consumer complaints for the 1990 Pontiac Grand AM. The part named most often is engine cooling, with 14 complaints (37% of the total), followed by transmission and drivetrain (7) and body and structure (5). Of all complaints, 3 involved a crash, 1 a fire, 2 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 0 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 cooling14 37%
- Body and structure5 13%
- Brakes3 7.9%
- Electrical system3 7.9%
- Seat belts3 7.9%
- Steering3 7.9%
- Tires3 7.9%
- Other or unknown2 5.3%
- Seats2 5.3%
Also reported: Vehicle speed control (2), Wheels (2), Equipment (1), Fuel system (1), Suspension (1), Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors) (1).
Example complaints
Engine cooling: “On he morning of jan 17, 2001 I started the car and heard a loud pop in engine. The card would not start. Towed car to have a mechanic check it out and was advised that the engine has a blown head gasket. Two other mechanics checked the car out and basically said the same thing. They all agreed that this engine has a history of problems and that they have either received information or have heard it at seminars. I contact my dealer and they advised they have not had any compliants about that engine or year car. I also contact GM and basically go the same answer. …”
NHTSA complaint #740366, filed 2001-02Transmission and drivetrain: “The strut tower on the passenger wheel wall had rusted out causing noise, the vehicle can not be driven because of the severity of the rusting, several mechanics have looked at this problem and stated that it's not normal .”
NHTSA complaint #558317, filed 2000-12Body and structure: “There is a noise in left front door, mechanic stated window run channel was loose, glued drivers door run channel at top right. Consumer states after 4000 miles the vehicle began to rust, consumer states it is getting worse, a repair shop informed consumer of a white foam material between the metal and the frame which absorbed the water.”
NHTSA complaint #562547, filed 2001-08Brakes: “When you are traveling at low speeds and try to stop there are many times when the brake pedal goes to the floor and it just doesn't seem as if the car is going to stop. It takes a much longer time than it should. I have had the brakes replaced many times, and yet this keeps occurring. This is not happening with our other car, so it is not bad braking habits. I feel there is something wrong with the braking systerm and it is scary.”
NHTSA complaint #707225, filed 1999-06Complaints 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 1990 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 | 2.3L 4-cyl | 3-speed automatic | 20 | 28 | 23 | $2,900 |
| Grand Am FWD | 2.3L 4-cyl | 5-speed manual | 19 | 29 | 23 | $2,900 |
| Grand Am FWD | 2.5L 4-cyl | 3-speed automatic | 20 | 29 | 23 | $2,900 |
| Grand Am FWD | 2.5L 4-cyl | 5-speed manual | 19 | 30 | 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
NHTSA lists no recall campaigns for the 1990 Pontiac Grand AM in the data used here. A recall can apply to some vehicles of a model year and not others, so check a specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Technical service bulletins
No technical service bulletins are on record for the 1990 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 1990 Pontiac Grand AM have?
NHTSA recorded 38 consumer complaints for the 1990 Pontiac Grand AM as of Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 1990 Pontiac Grand AM is reported most often?
Engine cooling is named most often, in 14 complaints (37% of the total), followed by transmission and drivetrain with 7.
Has the 1990 Pontiac Grand AM been recalled?
NHTSA lists no recall campaigns for this model year in the data used here. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 1990 Pontiac Grand AM get?
The EPA rates the 1990 Pontiac Grand AM (Grand Am, 2.3L 4-cyl) at 23 mpg combined, 20 city and 28 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $2,900 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 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.