1983 Pontiac Grand am problems

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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.

1983 Pontiac Grand am

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Common 1983 Pontiac Grand am problems

The Pontiac Grand Am, produced between 1973 and 2005, has had several common problems reported by owners over the years. This article will focus on the 1983 Pontiac Grand Am, which was part of the first generation of the model.

  • Suspension and Steering Problems: The 1983 Grand Am's suspension and steering systems were known to have issues, particularly with the front-wheel drive system. Some owners reported problems with the power steering system, including leaks and a lack of power assist. The suspension system, including the struts and bushings, could also wear out prematurely, leading to a rough ride and poor handling.
  • Electrical Problems: The 1983 Grand Am's electrical system was also prone to issues, including problems with the alternator, battery, and wiring. Some owners reported that the alternator would fail prematurely, leading to a dead battery and the need for replacement. The wiring, particularly in the engine compartment, could also become corroded or damaged, leading to intermittent electrical issues.
  • Interior and Exterior Issues: The 1983 Grand Am's interior and exterior were also known to have issues. Some owners reported problems with the upholstery, including tears and wear. The exterior paint could also fade or peel, particularly on older models. Additionally, some owners reported issues with the window regulators and door locks, which could fail prematurely.
  • Transmission Problems: The 1983 Grand Am's transmission was also known to have issues, particularly with the automatic transmission. Some owners reported problems with the transmission shifting roughly or slipping. The transmission fluid could also leak, leading to a loss of transmission fluid and potential transmission failure.

In summary, the 1983 Pontiac Grand Am had several common problems reported by owners, including engine issues, suspension and steering problems, electrical problems, interior and exterior issues, and transmission problems. While these issues could be frustrating for owners, many of them could be addressed with regular maintenance and repairs.

1983 Pontiac Grand am engine

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 miles will a 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.

Why are Pontiac's so cheap?

Pontiac no longer exists as a brand. When a brand leaves the market the used cars it leaves on the road tend to depreciate pretty quickly. Pontiacs were also never known for reliability. While you can pick one up pretty cheap I would suggest looking at an existing brand.

Why did they stop making Pontiac Grand Am?

Another factor leading to the Grand Am's cancellation were plans for all 1976 Pontiac A-body cars receiving the newly approved rectangular headlights, which would necessitate a complete redesign of the Grand Am's Endura nose and Pontiac officials decided that the expense of such a redesign could not be justified based ...

Are Pontiac Grand Am reliable?

Our reliability rank is based on our PainRank™ system. A higher number means you can expect more significant problems. The average Pontiac score is 11.72 while the Grand Am comes in at 21.89.

Why did they stop making Pontiac Grand Am?

Since Grand Am was an "in-between", its sales declined and the model was discontinued in 1975.

How long do Pontiac Grand Ams last?

Most cars in this price range will have 150,000 to 160,000 miles on the odometer. With a Grand Am typically reaching 200,000 before it's time for the scrapyard, you'll be lucky to get 50,000 miles out of the car.

What kind of engine does a Pontiac Grand Am have?

Pontiac's base Ecotec 2.2-liter four-cylinder engine is rated at 140 horsepower and mates with either a four-speed-automatic or five-speed-manual transmission. A 170-hp, 3.4-liter V-6 engine is standard in the SE2 and optional in the SE1.

1983 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:

  • Tires problems

The graph below shows statistics for all 1983 Pontiac Grand am vehicle components and the number of complaints received.

1983 Pontiac Grand am complaints

The NHTSA has received 1 complaints about various vehicle components related to the 1983 Pontiac Grand am.

1999-10-11

TIRES PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 1999-09-15
  • VIN: 1G2AW87SXDL
  • Components: TIRES
  • Summary: SIDE WALL BLEWOUT, THERE WERE 8/32'S OF TREAD LEFT. *AK( DOT NUMBER: VDVFJBA056 TIRE SIZE: 215/65/R15 )
Leave your review of 1983 Pontiac Grand am

Additional sources

More sources of information about 1983 Pontiac Grand am problems:

Pontiac Grand Am Starting/Stalling Problems - Page 7 — Car ...
Pontiac Grand Am Starting/Stalling Problems - Page 7 — Car ...
https://forums.edmunds.com/discussion/6776/pontiac/grand-am/pontiac-grand-am-starting-stalling-problems/p7

Jan 7, 2007 ... ramareno1983 Member Posts: 2. September 2012. You need too check the key switch and theses cars are known for problems with ...

What's a better car, Cavalier or Grand Am? - Chevy Message Forum ...
What's a better car, Cavalier or Grand Am? - Chevy Message Forum ...
https://www.chevytalk.org/fusionbb/showtopic.php?tid/124142/

From what I've read at carsurvey.org the Grand Am seems to have a lot of little problems and the head gasket blowing is common but the Z24 has ...

Reliability of Pontiac Grand Am's? | Bob Is The Oil Guy
Reliability of Pontiac Grand Am's? | Bob Is The Oil Guy
https://bobistheoilguy.com/forums/threads/reliability-of-pontiac-grand-ams.159327/

Aug 10, 2011 ... Look underneath for rusty rocker panels. I believe all of the GMs V6s have the intake problem. A friend has a 2000 Grand Am and his had to be ...

2.4 quad four lost oil pressure after oil change. Is the problem the oil ...
2.4 quad four lost oil pressure after oil change. Is the problem the oil ...
https://www.justanswer.com/pontiac/1yqp0-2-4-quad-four-lost-oil-pressure-oil-change-oil-pump.html

Apr 3, 2009 ... The odometer reads 115000 miles. It is a 1999 Pontiac grand am 2.4 litre quad four.

79 Corvette Door Lock Mechanism Very Stiff - CorvetteForum ...
79 Corvette Door Lock Mechanism Very Stiff - CorvetteForum ...
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums/c3-tech-performance/2269254-79-corvette-door-lock-mechanism-very-stiff.html

Mar 7, 2009 ... Is this a common problem? Thanks ... 1985 to 1991 Pontiac Grand AM ( All Four Doors ) ... 1983 to 1986 Pontaic Parisienne ( All Four Doors, Tailgate ...

Other years of Pontiac Grand am

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Grand am 1985
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Grand am 1987
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Grand am 1988
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Grand am 1989
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Grand am 1990
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1983 Pontiac Grand am photo