Complaints
61
Crashes
3
Fires
4
Injuries
2
Fatalities
—
Recalls
0
Worst 1990 Pontiac Grand Am Problems
Top 3 most-reported issues with average mileage at failure.
#113 complaints
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine
Fires:1
#23 complaints
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline
#33 complaints
Automatic Transmission
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All Problems by Category
Every NHTSA complaint category for the 1990 Pontiac Grand Am.
| Component | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Avg Mileage | Volume |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 13 | — | 1 | — | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Automatic Transmission | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Body Structure | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Tank Assembly | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission:Torque Converter | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Seat Belts:Front:Anchorage | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Seats:Front Assembly:Recliner | 2 | 1 | — | — | |
| Steering: Steering Wheel/Handle Bar | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Tires:Tread/Belt | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Unintended Acceleration | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Electrical System:Alternator/Generator/Regulator | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Electrical System:Ignition | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Electrical System:Ignition:Module | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Electrical System:Starter Assembly | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Manifold/Header/Muffler/Tail Pipe | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Equipment:Appliance:Air Conditioner | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Power Train:Axle Assembly | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Power Train:Clutch Assembly | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Seat Belts:Front:Webbing | 1 | 1 | — | — | |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc | 1 | 1 | — | — | |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Power Assist | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Steering:Rack And Pinion:Rack | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Structure:Body:Bumpers | 1 | — | 1 | — | |
| Structure:Body:Door | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Structure:Body:Hood | 1 | — | 1 | — | |
| Structure:Frame And Members | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Suspension Failures | 1 | — | — | — |
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine
13
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
1
Avg Miles
—
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline
3
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Automatic Transmission
3
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Body Structure
3
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Tank Assembly
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Power Train:Automatic Transmission:Torque Converter
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Seat Belts:Front:Anchorage
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Seats:Front Assembly:Recliner
2
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Steering: Steering Wheel/Handle Bar
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Tires:Tread/Belt
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Unintended Acceleration
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Electrical System:Alternator/Generator/Regulator
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Electrical System:Ignition
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Electrical System:Ignition:Module
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Electrical System:Starter Assembly
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Manifold/Header/Muffler/Tail Pipe
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Equipment:Appliance:Air Conditioner
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Power Train:Axle Assembly
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Power Train:Clutch Assembly
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Seat Belts:Front:Webbing
1
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc
1
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Power Assist
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Steering:Rack And Pinion:Rack
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Structure:Body:Bumpers
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
1
Avg Miles
—
Structure:Body:Door
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Structure:Body:Hood
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
1
Avg Miles
—
Structure:Frame And Members
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Suspension Failures
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Search Owner Complaints
Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 1990 Pontiac Grand Am. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.
Other Pontiac Grand Am Years
1990 Pontiac Grand Am — FAQ
Answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this specific model year.
Is the 1990 Pontiac Grand Am reliable?
Verdict: Below Average Complaints. The 1990 Pontiac Grand Am has 61 NHTSA complaints, 3 crash-related, and 0 recall campaigns. The most common issue is Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine with 13 complaints. Source: NHTSA via VinItel.
What are common problems with the 1990 Pontiac Grand Am?
Top reported problems: Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine (13 complaints); Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline (3 complaints); Automatic Transmission (3 complaints). Every complaint is filed by an owner with NHTSA — this is raw reported data, not editorial opinion.
How safe is the 1990 Pontiac Grand Am?
NHTSA complaints for the 1990 Pontiac Grand Am include 3 crash-related reports, 4 fire reports, 2 injuries, and 0 fatalities. These are owner-reported incidents, not official crash-test ratings — a complaint being filed doesn't confirm a defect, but clusters around specific components are worth investigating.
Does the 1990 Pontiac Grand Am have any recalls?
No NHTSA recall campaigns have been issued for the 1990 Pontiac Grand Am as of the latest data sync. Verify by VIN for the most current status — new recalls can be issued years after a model year ships.
Should I buy a 1990 Pontiac Grand Am?
Fewer complaints than typical for this model. That's a good sign, but every individual car is different — the VIN still tells you what happened to this specific one.
Source: NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) complaint and recall databases, aggregated by VinItel.
Wider context: See the full Pontiac Grand Am reliability report with year-by-year comparison and generation analysis.
Check Your Specific 1990 Pontiac Grand Am
Real owner complaints tell you about the model. The VIN tells you about your specific car — accidents, title issues, odometer fraud.
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