1973 Pontiac Grand am problems
The Pontiac Grand Am is a car model that was produced by Pontiac in various years between 1973 and 2005. Produced as a RWD mid-size car on the LeMans GM A platform in its first two generations, the Grand Am name was reused for a FWD compact car for its last three generations.
The platform actually began development intended to be the next generation GTO, but the muscle car era was drawing to a close. So, Pontiac decided to make this model America's answer to European luxury|sports sedans. The Grand Am (GA) name was derived from two other Pontiacs; "Grand" signifying Grand Prix luxury, and "Am" for Trans Am performance.
These first generation GAs had some innovative features, including a deformable urethane nose (an evolution of the Endura bumper pioneered on the 1968 GTO), and was one of only three GM cars (Olds Cutlass Salon, Chevy Monte Carlo S) to debut radial-ply tires (RTS - Radial Tuned Suspension) as standard equipment. The intermediate sized Grand Am was canceled in 1980 when it was replaced by the Pontiac 6000.
A compact-sized Grand Am, based on the GM N-platform, was released in 1985, replacing the Pontiac Phoenix. It became Pontiac's best selling car and was later replaced by the Pontiac G6, so named as it was intended to be the 6th generation of the Grand Am.
All 1973–1975 Grand Ams were built in Pontiac, Michigan at Pontiac's main assembly plant. The 1978-1980 Grand Ams were built in Pontiac, Michigan at Pontiac's main assembly plant and in Atlanta, Georgia at GMAD Lakewood. All Grand Ams between 1985 and 2005 were built in Lansing, Michigan at the Lansing Car Assembly.
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Common 1973 Pontiac Grand am problems
The 1973 Pontiac Grand Am, while praised for its styling and handling, faced several common problems based on complaints from owners.
1. Rust and Sharp Edges: The 1973 Grand Am is known for its jagged, rusty metal around the rear wheel wells, which can lead to sharp edges and potential safety hazards.
2. Brake System Issues: Brake job time for the 1973 Grand Am often includes replacing old, rusty hard lines and updating pads/shoes. The old lines were found to be weeping brake fluid when bled, indicating potential leaks and decreased braking performance.
3. Interior Deterioration: The interior of the 1973 Grand Am, particularly in ten-year-old beaters, can deteriorate significantly over time. Issues include sagging doors, cracked plastic noses, and an interior that literally falls apart.
4. Engine Maladies: The 1973 Grand Am suffered from lean surge at suburban speeds, poor cold starting, and occasional forward surges due to tighter emission controls.
5. Suspension Limitations: The Grand Am's suspension, while improved compared to earlier domestic attempts at "road cars", still had limitations due to lack of sophistication. The ride and handling were good on good roads but deteriorated as road conditions worsened. The front end floats when coming out of undulations at speed, and there was too little suspension travel, separating it from European counterparts with better damping and longer travel.
6. Power Steering Limitations: The power steering system on the 1973 Grand Am was criticized for being "power steering for parking, not for driving". This made the car less responsive and more challenging to handle, especially on rough roads or during high-speed maneuvers.
7. Braking Performance: Braking on the 1973 Grand Am was described as "satisfactory", but it was not on par with European sedans, which had better braking performance due to superior damping and longer suspension travel.
8. Visibility and Size: The 1973 Grand Am's size and width, along with its semi-fastback roof and bulging body, limited city-driving maneuverability due to visibility issues.
9. Fuel Economy: The 1973 Grand Am averaged 11 mpg, which was poor compared to European counterparts and contributed to its lack of popularity during the oil crisis.
These common problems, combined with the impact of OPEC and the oil crisis, led to declining sales and the eventual discontinuation of the 1973 Grand Am.
How reliable is a Pontiac Grand Am?
It's reliable, but not as reliable as a Camry. In blending a Grand Prix and a Trans Am, Pontiac have developed a car that's good at everything, and great at nothing. Fun to drive and priced to move, the Grand Am delivers a sporty feel and a comfortable ride.
How many 1973 Pontiac Grand Am were made?
34,445
Production
| Coupe | Sedan | |
|---|---|---|
| 1973 | 34,445 | 8,691 |
| 1974 | 13,961 | 3,122 |
| 1975 | 8,786 | 1,893 |
| Total | 57,192 | 13,706 |
How long do Pontiac Grand Ams last?
How Long Will the 2004 Pontiac Grand Am Last? Drivers generally report a minimum mileage of 200,000 before the expensive repairs start to pile up, while some have passed 300,000. Expect to hit anywhere from 225,000 to 250,000 on the original engine and powertrain before your Grand Am is ready for retirement.
How much was a Pontiac Grand Am 1973?
Drivers go for as little as $6,000, sweethearts for closer to $25,000, and $11,000 will get you a memorable time capsule of a bygone age. For more information about the Grand Am, contact the Pontiac Oakland Club International,www.poci.org, 877-368-3454.
How reliable is a Pontiac Grand Am?
It's reliable, but not as reliable as a Camry. In blending a Grand Prix and a Trans Am, Pontiac have developed a car that's good at everything, and great at nothing. Fun to drive and priced to move, the Grand Am delivers a sporty feel and a comfortable ride.
Why is my Pontiac Grand Am overheating?
The most common reasons a Pontiac Grand Am is overheating are a coolant leak (water pump, radiator, hose etc.), the radiator fan, or a failed thermostat. Coolant leak (water pump, radiator, hose etc.)
How many 1973 Pontiac Grand Am were made?
34,445
Production
| Coupe | Sedan | |
|---|---|---|
| 1973 | 34,445 | 8,691 |
| 1974 | 13,961 | 3,122 |
| 1975 | 8,786 | 1,893 |
| Total | 57,192 | 13,706 |
How long do Pontiac Grand Ams last?
How Long Will the 2004 Pontiac Grand Am Last? Drivers generally report a minimum mileage of 200,000 before the expensive repairs start to pile up, while some have passed 300,000. Expect to hit anywhere from 225,000 to 250,000 on the original engine and powertrain before your Grand Am is ready for retirement.
1973 Pontiac Grand am car problems categorized by type of issue
After analyzing all complaints sent to the NHTSA and researching popular Pontiac Grand am problems, we found that the most common problems with these 2023 model year vehicles are:
- Engine and engine cooling problems
The graph below shows statistics for all 1973 Pontiac Grand am vehicle components and the number of complaints received.
1973 Pontiac Grand am complaints
The NHTSA has received 1 complaints about various vehicle components related to the 1973 Pontiac Grand am.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-11-24
- VIN: 2P47Y3C1019
- Components: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
- Summary: THE 1973PONTIAC GAND VILLE UPDATE ON EMISSION-CONTROL SYSTEMS IN CALIFORNIA STATE. *AK
1973 Pontiac Grand am recalls
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has issued 3 recalls for different components of the 1973 Pontiac Grand am.
- Manufacturer: GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING
- Manufacturer: GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
- Components: FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE
- Manufacturer: GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
- Components: STEERING:LINKAGES
Additional sources
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