1988 Pontiac Grand AM
Recalls, most-reported problems, crash-test ratings, fuel economy and what a 1988 Pontiac Grand AM is worth — from official NHTSA and EPA data. 1 on record.
1988 Pontiac Grand AM at a glance
Included: that car's specs and build sheet, model-year recall campaigns and a fair price.
1988 Pontiac Grand AM recalls 3
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 C…
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).
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.
Fix: REPLACE FRONT FUEL FEED HOSE ASSEMBLY.
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.
Fix: REPLACE FRONT FUEL FEED HOSE ASSEMBLY.
Source: U.S. NHTSA, checked 4 Nov 2026. A campaign covers the model year; to see whether a particular car still needs the repair, check its VIN on NHTSA.gov or ask a franchised dealer.
1988 Pontiac Grand AM common problems
The most-reported problem areas across all 35 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — and what to check before you buy.
1988 Pontiac Grand AM MPG & running costs
Source: U.S. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov. The EPA lists 6 versions of this model year; combined is shown as a range and the other figures are averages.
Estimated 5-year cost to own
A rough guide to what running a 1988 Pontiac Grand AM costs over five years and 75,000 miles.
How this is estimated: fuel is the U.S. EPA annual cost at 15,000 miles a year. There aren't enough comparable listings to estimate depreciation for this model, so it is left out. Not included: insurance, maintenance, repairs, taxes, registration and finance costs. Treat it as a comparison guide, not a quote.
Dimensions & weight
Manufacturer-reported figures for the 1988 Pontiac Grand AM — ranges cover the 4 body / drivetrain versions on record. Source: Transport Canada vehicle specifications via NHTSA.
Investigations & service bulletins
NHTSA defect investigations 4
W-CAR HINGE PIN FAILURE Closed
NHTSA #EA91055 · Structure · opened Dec 1991 · closed Aug 1992REAR WHEEL BEARINGS FAIL Closed
NHTSA #EA91005 · Suspension · opened Oct 1990 · closed Dec 1991BRAKE PERFORMANCE Closed
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NHTSA #EA90041 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic · opened Aug 1990 · closed Mar 1992BRAKE INEFFECTIVENESS Closed
NHTSA #EA89010 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic · opened Jan 1989 · closed May 1990An investigation means NHTSA is examining a possible defect — it is not a recall, and many close without one.
Manufacturer service bulletins 3
Technical notes the manufacturer sent to dealers about known issues and fixes. Useful to mention to a mechanic — they are not recalls and repairs may not be covered.
INFORMATION REGARDING SNOW INTRUSION INTO REAR DRUM BRAKE ASSEMBLIES. **MR
Bulletin 000524001 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic · Apr 2000RATTLING NOISE/ENGINE OVERHEATING. *TW
Bulletin 476147A · Engine And Engine Cooling · Jan 1995RATTLING NOISE/ENGINE OVERHEATING. *TW
Bulletin 476147 · Engine And Engine Cooling · Dec 1994Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation, listed for the GRAND AM. Model-year data, not specific to one car.
Canadian recalls 3
Transport Canada recall campaigns for the 1988 Pontiac Grand AM. Relevant if the car was first sold in, or imported from, Canada.
Engine
NOTE: VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 2.3 LITRE ENGINE. IN SUB ZERO TEMPERATURES, MOISTURE FROM THE CRANKCASE VENTILATION SYSTEM COULD CAUSE ICE BUILDUP BEHIND THE THROTTLE BLADE THEREBY PREVENTING THE THROTTLE FROM RETURNING TO IDLE WHEN THE ACCERATOR PEDAL IS RELEASED. THIS COULD RESULT IN LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL. CORRECTION: AN ENGINE VENTILATION KIT WILL BE INSTALLED ON AFFECTED VEH…
Transport Canada #1991174 · Dec 1991Emissions
Certain vehicles may not comply with CMVSS 1103 - Exhaust Emissions. Cracks may develop in the casing of the integrated direct ignition coil. Correction: Ignition coils will be inspected and replaced if necessary.
Transport Canada #1991037 · Mar 1991Fuel System
ON VEHICLES WITH QUAD 4 ENGINES, THE FRONT FUEL FEED ASSEMBLY COULD CRACK OR SEPARATE AT THE COUPLING ON THE ENGINE END OF THE ASSEMBLY, ALLOWING FUEL TO LEAK INTO THE UNDERHOOD AREA. THIS WOULD CREATE THE POSSIBILITY OF AN ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE. CORRECTION: FRONT FUEL FEED HOSE ASSEMBLY WILL BE REPLACED ON AFFECTED VEHICLES.
Transport Canada #1990043 · Mar 1990Source: Transport Canada Motor Vehicle Safety Recalls Database.
About the Pontiac Grand AM
The Pontiac Grand Am is a car model that the Pontiac division of General Motors produced in various years between 1973 and 2005. The first and second generations were RWD mid-size cars built on the LeMans GM A platform. The Grand Am name was reused for a FWD compact car from 1985 until the nameplate was discontinued in 2005.
From Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Describes the model line in general, not this model year specifically.