1985 Pontiac Grand AM Recalls, Complaints & Specs
4 safety recalls list the 1985 Pontiac Grand AM, and owners have filed 4 complaints with NHTSA. Check your own VIN below.
- 1973
- 1975
- 1978
- 1983
- 1985
- 1986
- 1987
- 1988
- 1989
- 1990
- 1991
- 1992
- 1993
- 1994
- 1995
- 1996
- 1997
- 1998
- 1999
- 2000
- 2001
- 2002
- 2003
- 2004
- 2005
4 safety recalls for the 1985 Pontiac Grand AM
Most recent first. Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. Click a recall for the full defect, consequence and remedy text.
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Structure
Small cracks may develop in the body pillar around the door striker bolt hole.
Remedy: Install inner and outer reinforcement plate on both left and right body pillars.
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Springs (vehicle speed control)
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.
Remedy: Replace throttle return spring.
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Switch/wiring (visibility)
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…
Remedy: Wiper switches will be replaced if necessary, without charge.
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Tie rod assembly (steering)
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.
Remedy: The tie rod end bolts will be tightened without cost to the owner.
4 owner complaints filed with NHTSA
Owners of the 1985 Pontiac Grand AM have filed 4 complaints with NHTSA; 1 describe a crash and 1 describe a fire. Reports cite 1 injury and 0 deaths. Complaints peaked in 1999 with 3 filed that year.
Most-reported components
What owners are reporting
“The consumer state's when driving at any speed vehicle stalls and cuts off without prior warning. Also, there is loud knocking noise coming from the vehicle and when turning the key, the vehicle is ve”
Owner complaint to NHTSA, September 15, 1999 · Engine and engine cooling
“Engine stalling since new, continues and is more frequent, several repairs however not rectified. Mjs”
Owner complaint to NHTSA, August 31, 1999 · Engine and engine cooling
Fuel economy and specs
EPA ratings for the 1985 Pontiac Grand Am. Ranges cover every tested configuration.
| Combined | 19–25 mpg |
|---|---|
| City / Highway | 17–21 / 24–31 |
| Fuel | Regular |
| EPA class | Compact Cars |
| Engine | 4/6 cyl, 2.5/3 L |
| Transmission | Automatic 3-spd; Manual 5-spd |
Compare Pontiac Grand AM model years
Recall and complaint counts for every Pontiac Grand AM model year in NHTSA's database.
| Model year | Recalls | Complaints |
|---|---|---|
| 1973 Pontiac Grand AM | 3 | 1 |
| 1975 Pontiac Grand AM | 1 | 0 |
| 1978 Pontiac Grand AM | 4 | 0 |
| 1983 Pontiac Grand AM | 0 | 1 |
| 1985 Pontiac Grand AM | 4 | 4 |
| 1986 Pontiac Grand AM | 1 | 11 |
| 1987 Pontiac Grand AM | 2 | 28 |
| 1988 Pontiac Grand AM | 2 | 31 |
| 1989 Pontiac Grand AM | 2 | 44 |
| 1990 Pontiac Grand AM | 0 | 38 |
| 1991 Pontiac Grand AM | 2 | 82 |
| 1992 Pontiac Grand AM | 3 | 168 |
| 1993 Pontiac Grand AM | 1 | 204 |
| 1994 Pontiac Grand AM | 2 | 377 |
| 1995 Pontiac Grand AM | 1 | 409 |
| 1996 Pontiac Grand AM | 4 | 450 |
| 1997 Pontiac Grand AM | 2 | 383 |
| 1998 Pontiac Grand AM | 1 | 172 |
| 1999 Pontiac Grand AM | 3 | 849 |
| 2000 Pontiac Grand AM | 5 | 675 |
| 2001 Pontiac Grand AM | 4 | 538 |
| 2002 Pontiac Grand AM | 1 | 395 |
| 2003 Pontiac Grand AM | 2 | 325 |
| 2004 Pontiac Grand AM | 2 | 293 |
| 2005 Pontiac Grand AM | 2 | 102 |
Checking a specific 1985 Pontiac Grand AM
How do I know if my 1985 Pontiac Grand AM has an open recall?
Enter your 17-character VIN above. The VIN is on the driver's side dashboard (visible through the windshield), the driver's door jamb sticker, and your registration or insurance card. The check runs against NHTSA's live database and tells you which campaigns list your vehicle. 4 campaigns currently list the 1985 Pontiac Grand AM; your car may already have been repaired under some of them.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Under federal law, manufacturers must fix safety recalls at no charge for vehicles up to 15 years old from the date of sale to the first owner. Contact any authorised Pontiac dealer with your VIN and the NHTSA campaign number (for example 84V124000).
What is the difference between a recall and a complaint?
A recall is a safety campaign filed by the manufacturer or ordered by NHTSA, with a defined defect and remedy. A complaint is a report an owner sent to NHTSA; it is not verified, but patterns of complaints are what trigger NHTSA investigations and, eventually, recalls.
Other Pontiac models
- G65,889 complaints
- Grand Prix5,426 complaints
- Bonneville1,979 complaints
- Vibe1,865 complaints
- Sunfire1,144 complaints
- Montana1,054 complaints
- Trans Sport973 complaints
- Solstice728 complaints
Source: NHTSA recall and complaint databases and EPA fuel economy data, October 2026. Complaint counts are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. Recall counts are safety campaigns that list this model year; whether a particular car was already repaired depends on its VIN. How this data is compiled.