Reliability, what owners report, and what it costs to keep.
AVOIR's read: a solid ownership case with specific caveats below.
Owners have filed 100 complaints with NHTSA about the 1991 Pontiac Grand Am, and it carries 3 recalls. These are owner allegations rather than confirmed defects, but the pattern of what people complain about is the most useful signal a used buyer has.
| Area | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Engine and engine cooling | 28 | 28% |
| Visibility | 12 | 12% |
| Service brakes | 10 | 10% |
| Electrical system | 9 | 9% |
| Power train | 6 | 6% |
| Seat belts | 6 | 6% |
| Seats | 4 | 4% |
| Suspension | 3 | 3% |
| Steering | 3 | 3% |
| Vehicle speed control | 3 | 3% |
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 1990 (NA) PONTIAC GRAND AM. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30-40 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED CHEST INJURIES
NHTSA complaint: Engine
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE ELASTIC BANDS THAT HOLD THE PADDING TO THE SHELL OF THE SAFETY SEAT HAS BEEN PULLED LOOSE BY THE CHILD ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS. THE CHILD HAS CHOKED AND BEEN SMACKED BY THE BANDS. THE MANUFAC
NHTSA complaint: Child seat
THE DRIVER LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE DUE TO INCLEMENT WEATHER. VEHICLE HIT THE GUARD RAIL. AND AS A RESULT, DRIVER'S FACE HIT THE WINDSHIELD BECAUSE THE SEAT BELT DID NOT OPERATE AND LOCK. DEALER WAS INFORMED BY CONSU
NHTSA complaint: Service brakes
DURING INSPECTION DEALER INFORMED THE CONSUMER ABOUT LOOSE LOWER BALL JOINT. DEALERSHIP REPAIRED THE PROBLEM.*AK
NHTSA complaint: Suspension
MY CAR WILL CRANK UP AND DRIVE FOR HOURS BUT IF I STOP AND TURN IT OFF IT WILL NOT CRANK UP FOR 3-4 HOURS. ALSO, MY AIR CONDITIONER WAS RUNNING GREAT BUT WHEN I TURNED IT ON ONE DAY IT JUST STOPPED BLOWING COLD AND IT I
NHTSA complaint: Equipment
WHILE DRIVING, THE DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR PANEL CAUGHT ON FIRE. CONSUMER IS AWARE OF SAFETY RECALL FOR POWER WINDOW CONTROL MODULE REPLACEMENT. THE VEHICLE WAS BEING DRIVEN WITH NO INSIDE DOOR PANEL (BARE METAL EXPOSED
NHTSA complaint: Visibility
TRANSMISSION DIP STICK FOR MANUAL TRANSMISSION (ISUZU) TYPE SHRINKS CAUSING FLUID LEAKAGE AND TRANSMISSION FAILURE. *NLM
NHTSA complaint: Power train
WHILE SLOWING DOWN AND THEN TURNING INTO A PARKING LOT DRIVER'S SEATBACK FAILED WITH NO WARNING. PLEASE DESCRIBE DETAILS. *AK
NHTSA complaint: Seats
NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns for the 1991 Pontiac Grand Am. Recalls are free to have fixed at a franchised dealer regardless of who owns the car now, but only if they were never done, so check the VIN of the specific car rather than trusting the model.
CERTAIN REPLACEMENT FUEL FILTERS, FRAM BRAND NAME P/N G3727, WITH DATE CODES X52911 THROUGH X60801 SEQUENTIALLY OR X600141 AND A MEXICO COUNTRY OR ORIGIN MARKING ON THE FUEL FILTER HOUSING MANUFACTURED FROM OCTOBER 18, 2005, THROUGH MARCH 21, 2006, SOLD FOR USE ON THE VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE AND ON CE
Risk: THIS CONDITION MAY CAUSE AN INADEQUATE SEAL AT THE CONNECTION, POTENTIALLY LEADING TO A FUEL LEAK. IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, A FIRE COULD OCCUR.
Fix: HONEYWELL WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE FUEL FILTERS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 18, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FRAM CUSTOMER SERVICE AT 1-800-890-2075 (OPTION 1).
MOISTURE CAN ENTER THE EXPRESS-DOWN ELECTRONIC CONTROL MODULE AND CAUSE A SHORT CIRCUIT THAT CAUSES WINDOW OPERATION WITHOUT OPERATOR CONTROL, AND LEAVES THE WINDOW IN THE DOWN POSITION.
Risk: THE ELECTRONIC CONTROL MODULE WILL FAIL FROM OVERHEATINGAND COULD RESULT IN A FIRE HAZARD INSIDE THE DOOR PANEL.
Fix: REPLACE THE WINDOW EXPRESS-DOWN ELECTRONIC CONTROL MODULE.
| Reliability raw | 83 | excellent |
|---|---|---|
| Longevity est. | 79 | good |
| Maintenance | 89 | excellent |
| Depreciation | 60 | average |
| Performance | 48 | below average |
| Efficiency | 45 | below average |
Percentile ranks against other compact cars in the catalog.
What stands behind each score for this car:
Owners have filed 100 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and engine and engine cooling is the most reported area with 28 of them (28%). There are 3 recalls on record. Check any specific car against its VIN before buying.
AVOIR scores its reliability 83/100 (excellent) from NHTSA recall campaigns and complaint density. That figure is a raw complaint count, not yet adjusted for sales volume, so a high-volume model scores worse than it deserves.
AVOIR scores its longevity 79/100, but that figure is an estimate built from the powertrain and the brand's record, not a measurement. A 1991 car has no 200,000-mile population to observe yet, so treat it as a prior rather than evidence.
AVOIR's read: worth a look, because a solid ownership case with specific caveats below. Its overall ownership score is 73/100. Condition, mileage and service history still matter more than any score, so get a pre-purchase inspection on the specific car.
Sources: NHTSA recalls and complaints, EPA fuel economy, IIHS awards, and live market listings. A score describes a model-year, not the individual car in front of you. Get a pre-purchase inspection.