1988 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 1988 Pontiac Grand am problems
Based on complaints from owners of the Pontiac Grand Am 1988, several common problems have been reported:
- No Start Due to Failed Passlock Sensor - One of the top issues reported by owners of the Pontiac Grand Am is related to the Passlock sensor, which can lead to starting problems. This sensor is designed to prevent unauthorized starting of the vehicle but can malfunction, causing the car not to start.
- Engine Problems - Engine issues are a significant concern for Pontiac Grand Am owners. Complaints include problems such as the engine turning over but not starting, which can be a frustrating and costly issue to resolve. Owners have reported average repair costs ranging from $900 to $1,000, depending on the mileage.
- Comfort and Interior Design - Owners have expressed dissatisfaction with the comfort and interior design of the Pontiac Grand Am. The sporty-looking interior was found to be uncomfortable after extended periods of driving. The dashboard was criticized for being overstyled with multiple circular air vents, complex audio controls, and bright red illumination at night.
- Handling and Ride Quality - Another common complaint is related to the handling and ride quality of the Pontiac Grand Am. Owners have reported that the ride was unremarkable, and the handling was average at best. The car was perceived to prioritize style over driving experience, with various styling features that did not necessarily enhance the overall performance.
- Discontinuation of Iconic Models - The discontinuation of iconic Pontiac models like the Firebird and Trans Am has also been a point of contention among owners. These models were synonymous with the Pontiac brand and their removal from the lineup in 2002 left a void in the brand's identity, impacting customer loyalty and brand recognition.
These issues highlight some of the key concerns raised by owners of the Pontiac Grand Am 1988, ranging from mechanical problems to design and brand-related issues. Addressing these issues comprehensively is essential to ensure customer satisfaction and maintain the reputation of the Pontiac brand.
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.
How much horsepower does a 1988 Pontiac Grand Am have?
1988–1991: 2.3 L LD2 Quad 4 MPFI I4 engine: 160 hp (120 kW), 155 lb⋅ft (210 N⋅m) of torque.
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.
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 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?
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.
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.
1988 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
- Seat belts problems
- Steering problems
- Vehicle speed control problems
- Structure problems
The graph below shows statistics for all 1988 Pontiac Grand am vehicle components and the number of complaints received.
Latest 25 complaints 1988 Pontiac Grand am
The NHTSA has received 35 complaints about various vehicle components related to the 1988 Pontiac Grand am. Below are the 25 most recent complaints reported for 1988 Pontiac Grand am vehicles.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-11-24
- Components: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
- Summary: ENGINE HEAD GASKET BLEWOUT. *AK
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2000-06-16
- VIN: 1G2NV14DOJC
- Components: VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
- Summary: CAR STALLS WHILE GOING SLOWER CITY SPEEDS. *AK
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2000-03-29
- Components: VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
- Summary: WHILE TRAVELING ABOUT 25 MPH, IN A PARKING LOT ACCELERATOR PEDAL WENT ALL THE WAY DOWN TO THE FLOORBOARD, AND WOULD NOT RELEASE. VEHICLE ACCELERATED UP TO ABOUT 45-50 MPH. CONSUMER APPLIED THE BRAKES VERY HARD, BUT WOULD NOT STOP THE VEHICLE. VEHICLE WAS PUT INTO PARK, AND KEY WAS TAKEN OUT OF THE IGNITION BEFORE VEHICLE WOULD STOP. VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO OWNER'S HOME. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1999-04-01
- VIN: 1G2NE14D1JC
- Components: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
- Summary: AS STALLING EPISODES CONTINUED AND I COMPLETED NORMAL MAINTENANCE SERVISES, FINALLY A LOCAL PONTIAC DEALER DID COMPHREHENSIVE TESTS AND CHECKED WITHOUT CONCLUSIVE ANSWER TO PROBLEM . ON OCT.13TH.99. THE CAR BROKE DOWN , BACK FIRED, COULD NOT BE RESTARTED, WAS TOWED TO A PONTIAC DEALER WHO SAID HEAD GASKET HAD 1-1/2 INCH RUPTURE. NO REPAIR WAS DONE. CAR OPERATES AGAIN,AND CONTINUIES TO STALL. CAN IT BE ELECTRICAL CONECTION PROBLEM OR WHAT?
STEERING,STRUCTURE PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1999-09-29
- Crash: 1
- Components: STEERING,STRUCTURE
- Summary: WHILE DRIVING AT 40 MPH AND GOING AROUND A TURN WITHIN THE ROAD STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP, CAUSING LOSS OF CONTROL. VEHICLE HIT ANOTHER VEHICLE IN THE FRONT, AND DASHBOARD FELL APART. *AK
FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1999-06-08
- Number Of Injuries: 2
- Fire: 1
- VIN: 1G2NV14D7JC
- Components: FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER
- Summary: FUEL PRESSURE REGULATOR/VALVE FAILED CAUSING FIRE WHICH RESULTED IN PROPERTY DAMAGE AND INJURIES. *YC
SEAT BELTS PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1998-08-13
- VIN: 1G2NE14U5JC
- Components: SEAT BELTS
- Summary: DRIVER SIDE SEAT BELT FAILED IN A COLLISION.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1996-01-26
- VIN: 1G2NW14DOJC
- Components: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
- Summary: ENGINE HEAD GASKET FAILURE.
STEERING PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-11-24
- Components: STEERING
- Summary: COLD STEERING. *AK
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-11-24
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- Summary: ALTERNATOR FAILED.
SUSPENSION PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-11-24
- Components: SUSPENSION
- Summary: STRUTS FAILED.
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-11-24
- VIN: 1G2NE14V2JC
- Components: FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
- Summary: OWNER STATES WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE STALLS, OWNER INDICATED THAT SHE HAS HAD WORK DONE ON THIS VEHICLE, INCLUDING REPLACING THE FUEL PUMP. *AK
STRUCTURE PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1995-04-01
- VIN: 1G2NE54U3JC
- Components: STRUCTURE
- Summary: PAINT IS CHIPPING OFF THE BODY OF THE VEHICLE. *AK
SEAT BELTS PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1996-09-04
- Components: SEAT BELTS
- Summary: THE DRIVER'S SIDE LAP AND SHOULDER BELT DOES NOT RETRACT OUT OF THE DOOR. *AK
SEAT BELTS PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1996-04-01
- Number Of Injuries: 1
- Crash: 1
- VIN: 1G2NE14U5JC
- Components: SEAT BELTS
- Summary: DURING IMPACT, THE DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT BELT DID NOT LOCK. PLEASE DESCRIBE. *AK
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1996-03-25
- Fire: 1
- VIN: 1G2NE54D6JC
- Components: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
- Summary: INTERMITTENT STALLING FOLLOWED BY ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE. *SD
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1996-01-31
- Crash: 1
- Components: VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
- Summary: FUEL THROTTLE STUCK IN BELOW ZERO TEMPERATURE CAUSING ACCELERATOR PEDAL TO STICK. TT
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1996-01-25
- VIN: 1G2NW14113J
- Components: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
- Summary: ENGINE HEAD FAILED 2 TIMES. *SD
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1994-01-23
- Components: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
- Summary: ENGINE HEAD GASKETS HAVE BLOWN IN THE QUAD 4 ENGINE, ALSO THERE IS FUEL LINE FAILURE. TT
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1994-11-21
- Components: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
- Summary: BLEW THE HEAD GASKETS. TT
SEAT BELTS PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-11-24
- VIN: 1G2NW14M7JC
- Components: SEAT BELTS
- Summary: SEAT BELTS DO NOT RESTRAIN WHEN BRAKES ARE APPLIED. TT
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1995-03-27
- VIN: 1G2NW14D3JC
- Components: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
- Summary: HEAD GASKET FAILED. *AK
VISIBILITY PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1995-09-01
- Components: VISIBILITY
- Summary: WINDSHIELD WIPERS FAIL TO CUT OFF. *SD
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1995-08-15
- VIN: 1G2NV14D3JC
- Components: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
- Summary: STARTED ENGINE, CHECK GAUGE LIGHT CAME ON; CHECK GAUGES; SHOWED NO OIL PRESSURE; ENGINE COULD HAVE SEIZED UP. ALSO, IGNITION COIL COVERS GOES BAD. GIVE DETAILS.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1995-08-11
- VIN: 1G2NE54U8JC
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- Summary: INTERMITTENT STALLING. *SKD
1988 Pontiac Grand am recalls
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has issued 3 recalls for different components of the 1988 Pontiac Grand am.
- Manufacturer: HONEYWELL INTERNATIONAL, INC.
- Components: FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
- Summary: 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 CERTAIN SCHOOL BUSES. (TO SEE THE SCHOOL BUS ENGINE SIZES, CLICK ON "DOCUMENT SEARCH" AND THEN "BUS APPLICATIONS"). THE CONNECTOR ON THE FUEL FILTER WAS NOT MANUFACTURED TO HONEYWELL'S SPECIFICATION. AS A RESULT, THE O-RING MAY NOT SEAT CORRECTLY ON THE FUEL LINE.
- Consequence: 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.
- Remedy: 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).
- Manufacturer: GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
- Components: FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
- Summary: FRONT FUEL FEED HOSE ASSEMBLY COULD CRACK OR SEPARATE AT THE COUPLING ON THE ENGINE END OF THE HOSE ASSEMBLY, ALLOWING FUEL TO LEAK INTO THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT.
- Consequence: FUEL LEAKING IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT COULD RESULT IN ANUNDERHOOD FIRE.
- Remedy: REPLACE FRONT FUEL FEED HOSE ASSEMBLY.
- Manufacturer: GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
- Components: FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
- Summary: FRONT FUEL FEED HOSE ASSEMBLY COULD CRACK OR SEPARATE AT THE COUPLING ON THE ENGINE END OF THE HOSE ASSEMBLY, ALLOWING FUEL TO LEAK INTO THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT.
- Consequence: LEAKING FUEL IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.
- Remedy: REPLACE FRONT FUEL FEED HOSE ASSEMBLY.
Additional sources
More sources of information about 1988 Pontiac Grand am problems:
Pontiac Grand Am Problems and Complaints - 47 Issues
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