AI DamagePontiac Grand AM: problems, complaints, bulletins
Summary for the Pontiac Grand AM across 24 model years: 5,589 owner complaints and 0 NHTSA service bulletins, plus repair videos. Pick a year for details.
Model years
| Year | Owner complaints | involving a crash | Technical service bulletins (TSB) | YouTube repair videos |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 9999 | 9 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2005 | 102 | 15 | 0 | 0 |
| 2004 | 293 | 24 | 0 | 0 |
| 2003 | 325 | 27 | 0 | 0 |
| 2002 | 395 | 22 | 0 | 0 |
| 2001 | 538 | 21 | 0 | 0 |
| 2000 | 675 | 43 | 0 | 0 |
| 1999 | 849 | 73 | 0 | 0 |
| 1998 | 172 | 12 | 0 | 0 |
| 1997 | 383 | 32 | 0 | 0 |
| 1996 | 450 | 33 | 0 | 0 |
| 1995 | 409 | 59 | 0 | 0 |
| 1994 | 377 | 59 | 0 | 0 |
| 1993 | 204 | 10 | 0 | 0 |
| 1992 | 168 | 12 | 0 | 0 |
| 1991 | 82 | 9 | 0 | 0 |
| 1990 | 38 | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| 1989 | 44 | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| 1988 | 31 | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| 1987 | 28 | 4 | 0 | 0 |
| 1986 | 11 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| 1985 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| 1983 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 1973 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
What fails most often
- 1 Electrical system 27% of all complaints
- 2 Engine and cooling 17% of all complaints
- 3 Service brakes 16% of all complaints
- 4 Exterior lighting 12% of all complaints
- 5 Air bags 8% of all complaints
- 6 Visibility 7% of all complaints
- 7 Steering 6% of all complaints
- 8 Suspension 5% of all complaints
- Electrical system: 1,520 complaints (27% of all), 38 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
- Engine and cooling: 925 complaints (17% of all), 10 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
- Service brakes: 910 complaints (16% of all), 75 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
- Exterior lighting: 646 complaints (12% of all), 6 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
- Air bags: 436 complaints (8% of all), 248 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
Engines and transmissions
US-market versions per EPA. On the right: how many NHTSA complaints name this engine or transmission type.
- 2 L · petrol · turbo · 4 cyl 1987–1989
- 2.2 L · petrol · 4 cyl 2002–2005named in 6 complaints
- 2.3 L · petrol · 4 cyl 1988–1995named in 3 complaints
- 2.4 L · petrol · 4 cyl 1996–2001named in 5 complaints
- 2.5 L · petrol · 4 cyl 1985–1991
- 3 L · petrol · 6 cyl 1985–1987
- 3.1 L · petrol · 6 cyl 1994–1998named in 5 complaints
- 3.3 L · petrol · 6 cyl 1992–1993
- 3.4 L · petrol · 6 cyl 1999–2005named in 20 complaints
- automatic, 3-speed 1985–1995
- automatic, 4-speed 1994–2005
- manual, 5-speed 1985–2004named in 15 complaints
Drive: FWD
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 5,589 NHTSA complaints mention each symptom (automatic count from complaint text; one complaint can mention several).
Components owners complain about
| Component | Owner complaints | involving a crash | Technical service bulletins (TSB) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical system | 1,520 | 38 | 0 |
| Engine and cooling | 925 | 10 | 0 |
| Service brakes | 910 | 75 | 0 |
| Exterior lighting | 646 | 6 | 0 |
| Air bags | 436 | 248 | 0 |
| Visibility | 388 | 4 | 0 |
| Steering | 360 | 46 | 0 |
| Suspension | 303 | 20 | 0 |
| Powertrain | 270 | 17 | 0 |
| Fuel system | 267 | 4 | 0 |
| Structure | 237 | 13 | 0 |
| Vehicle speed control | 211 | 27 | 0 |
| Equipment | 161 | 3 | 0 |
| Seat belts | 115 | 35 | 0 |
What owners report
Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.
My family owned a 1999 same model vehicle, and the brakes failed us in an accident from itsâ left driver seal being punctured. Here is whatâs going on with the 2003 aside from the latter mentioned. Exhaust from manifold to catalytic converter followed by muffler rusted out by 175,ÃÃÃ miles and now broke apart.
4 years after I bought my grand am 2000 I was in an accident and my air bags did not deploy I didnt know there was a recall for that, any way recently I had to replace the switch ignition because the key got stuck and couldnt get oit out.
While driving approximately 55 mph, the vehicle lost power. The driver lost control of the vehicle and crashed into a ditch. There were no warning indicators illuminated. None of the air bags deployed. A police report was filed. The driver sustained some aches and pains that did not require medical attention.
While the contact's daughter was driving and attempting to turn, the power steering failed without warning. The vehicle became difficult to steer and caused the driver to crash into a snowplow. The vehicle was destroyed and towed. A police report was filed.
The air bags did not deploy. A police report was filed. The contact sustained whiplash that did not require medical attention. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 188,000. The vehicle was destroyed.
The contact rear ended another vehicle and the air bags did not deploy. The contact sustained chest and left knee injuries that required medical attention. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to an independent lot. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure.
When owners complained
NHTSA complaints by filing year. The peak shows at what age the problems show up most.
What to check before buying
- Electrical system. Scan all modules, test the battery and alternator, inspect connectors near the impact zone.
- Engine and cooling. Radiator and fan after a frontal hit, coolant level and condition, overheating.
- Service brakes. Pedal feel, ABS operation, leaks, discs and hoses.
- Exterior lighting. Headlamps, leveling, sensors and mounts after a frontal hit.
Other models of this make
Read also
Sources: public NHTSA data (USA): service bulletins and owner complaints; YouTube: links to videos credited to their authors. Complaints are owner statements not verified by NHTSA, and describe defects rather than crash damage. Data updated 2026-11-05.