Equal-exposure complaint evidence and changes in the reported problem mix

1988 vs 1989 PONTIAC GRAND AM

NHTSA Consumer Complaints complaints · snapshot 2026-08-21

Share shifts show how a vehicle's problem mix changed. They do not measure reliability, and complaint counts are not normalized for sales volume.

First 455 months on market for each model year

Exposure window calculated through Aug 22, 2026

Age-matched reports

▲ 38.7% more reports in the equal exposure window

NHTSA Consumer Complaints complaints · snapshot 2026-08-21

Component share shift

Bars start at the neutral midpoint. Left means a smaller share; right means a larger share.

View component share data as a table
Component 1988 share 1989 share Share change
SEAT BELTS 19.4% not reported ▼ 19.4 pts smaller share
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 3.2% 16.3% ▲ 13.1 pts larger share
STRUCTURE 6.5% not reported ▼ 6.5 pts smaller share
VISIBILITY 3.2% not reported ▼ 3.2 pts smaller share
ENGINE 38.7% 41.9% ▲ 3.2 pts larger share
FUEL SYSTEM 6.5% 9.3% ▲ 2.9 pts larger share
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL 9.7% 7.0% ▼ 2.7 pts smaller share
SERVICE BRAKES not reported 2.3% ▲ 2.3 pts larger share
TIRES not reported 2.3% ▲ 2.3 pts larger share
POWER TRAIN 3.2% 4.7% ▲ 1.4 pts larger share
SUSPENSION 3.2% 2.3% ▼ 0.9 pts smaller share
STEERING 6.5% 7.0% ▲ 0.5 pts larger share
UNKNOWN OR OTHER 51.6% 55.8% ▲ 4.2 pts larger share

NHTSA Safety Recalls recalls · snapshot 2026-08-22

Recall campaigns

1988 3

Campaign components: FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

1989 3

Campaign components: FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

NHTSA Consumer Complaints complaints · snapshot 2026-08-21

Safety signals

◆ Fires
2 → 3
◆ Injuries
3 → 1