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#BS-1985-PONGRA-66151985 Pontiac Grand Am
Based on reports from 8 owners and 5 recalls for this exact model.
Preliminary Verdict
Proceed with Caution
Based on 8 complaints, 1 crashes, 1 fires, and 5 recalls.
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Mechanic Inspection Checklist
2 owners reported engine and engine cooling:engine:gasoline issues.
30,000-Mile Cost Projection
Best Case
Most Likely
Worst Case
Top cost driver: Engine And Engine Cooling:engine:gasoline (2 reports).
Also in your report
Owner Intelligence
AI-synthesized themes from real complaints
Buyer Lot Checklist
Questions, test drive checks, walk-away triggers
Negotiation Talking Points
Data-backed dollar deductions
Buy / Skip Verdict
Final recommendation with conditions
Where the complaints fall
1985 Pontiac Grand Am: Known Issues & Problem Areas
Engine And Engine Cooling:engine:gasoline Issues
Engine And Engine Cooling:engine:gasoline complaints account for 25% of all reports filed for the 1985 Pontiac Grand Am, with 2 owners filing complaints with NHTSA.
Seat Belts:front:buckle Assembly Issues
Seat Belts:front:buckle Assembly complaints account for 13% of all reports filed for the 1985 Pontiac Grand Am, with 1 owners filing complaints with NHTSA. Owners should pay attention to seat belts:front:buckle assembly-related symptoms during test drives and pre-purchase inspections.
Electrical System:ignition:switch Issues
Electrical System:ignition:switch complaints account for 13% of all reports filed for the 1985 Pontiac Grand Am, with 1 owners filing complaints with NHTSA. Owners should pay attention to electrical system:ignition:switch-related symptoms during test drives and pre-purchase inspections.
Electrical System:wiring:front Underhood Issues
Electrical System:wiring:front Underhood complaints account for 13% of all reports filed for the 1985 Pontiac Grand Am, with 1 owners filing complaints with NHTSA. Owners should pay attention to electrical system:wiring:front underhood-related symptoms during test drives and pre-purchase inspections.
Data sourced from NHTSA owner complaints and community reports. The full report analyzes severity, repair costs, and failure patterns for each category.
Don't negotiate blind — know what this car costs to own
Repair costs • Negotiation scripts • Mechanic checklist • Buy/skip verdict
Recall History (5 recalls)
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
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.
STEERING:LINKAGES:TIE ROD ASSEMBLY
THE TIE RODS ARE PART OF THE STEERING LINKAGE AND TRANSMIT TURNING MOVEMENTS TO THE WHEELS. THE BOLTS THAT FASTEN THE TIE RODS TO THEIR ADJUSTERS MAY NOT BE TIGHT ENOUGH. THIS COULD ALLOW THE TIE ROD TO LOOSEN AND DETACH ITSELF FROM THE ADJUSTER.
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:SWITCH/WIRING
THE SWITCH USED MAY NOT BE COMPATIBLE WITH THE WIPER MOTOR. THIS SYSTEM, ALTHOUGH FUNCTIONAL, IS NOT IN COMPLIANCE WITH FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 104, "WINDSHIELD WIPING AND WASHING SYSTEM". THE WINDSHIELD WIPER SPEED MAY REMAIN NEARLY CONSTANT WHETHER IN HIGH OR LOW SPEED MODE. THE STANDARD REQUIRES THAT THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN HIGH AND LOW SPEED MUST BE AT LEAST 15 CYCLES PER MINUTE TO ACCOMODATE A VARIETY OF RAIN, SNOW, OR WHEEL SPRAY CONDITIONS.
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:SPRINGS
THE THROTTLE RETURN SPRING ASSEMBLY MAY FAIL PREVENTING THE THROTTLE FROM RETURNING TO THE CLOSED (IDLE) POSITION WHEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL IS RELEASED. CONSEQUENCE OF DEFECT: ENGINE SPEED MAY NOT DECREASE AND LOSS OF ACCELERATOR CONTROL COULD RESULT IN AN ACCIDENT WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING.
STRUCTURE
SMALL CRACKS MAY DEVELOP IN THE BODY PILLAR AROUND THE DOOR STRIKER BOLT HOLE.
Recall severity analysis & seller scripts
The full report rates each recall's severity and gives you scripts for asking the seller about recall completion.
The worst model year for the Pontiac Grand Am is the 2003 — worth knowing if you're cross-shopping years. The biggest problem area is engine.
1985 Pontiac Grand Am vs. Class Average (Compact Cars)
This vehicle
8
Class avg
11
Complaint volume is roughly in line with other compact cars vehicles from 1985.
Complaint counts correlate with sales volume — popular vehicles naturally generate more reports. The full report normalizes for this.
About this data
NHTSA Complaints
Federal database of owner-filed safety complaints. 8 records for this vehicle.
NHTSA Recalls
Manufacturer-issued safety recalls. 5 recalls found for this vehicle.
Repair Cost Data
Real-world repair costs from owner reports and independent databases.
Other Pontiac Grand Am Model Years
1985 Pontiac Grand Am: Frequently Asked Questions
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Get the Full 1985 Pontiac Grand Am Report
10 sections of AI analysis based on 8 owner reports. Know before you buy.