AI Damage2001 Pontiac Trans AM: common problems
Owners of the 2001 Pontiac Trans AM filed 10 complaints with NHTSA, most often about engine and cooling and service brakes. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 10
- involving a crash
- 1
What fails most often
- 1 Engine and cooling 20% of all complaints
- 2 Service brakes 20% of all complaints
- 3 Structure 20% of all complaints
- 4 Electrical system 10% of all complaints
- 5 Latches, locks, linkages 10% of all complaints
- 6 Powertrain 10% of all complaints
- 7 Visibility 10% of all complaints
- Engine and cooling: 2 complaints (20% of all).
- Service brakes: 2 complaints (20% of all), 1 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
- Structure: 2 complaints (20% of all).
- Electrical system: 1 complaints (10% of all).
- Latches, locks, linkages: 1 complaints (10% of all).
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 10 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) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine and cooling | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Service brakes | 2 | 1 | 0 |
| Structure | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical system | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Latches, locks, linkages | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Powertrain | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Visibility | 1 | 0 | 0 |
What owners report
Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.
While braking, the pedal went to the floor and warning lights were noticed. This failure led to a 2 vehicle accident where 1 person was possibly injured. The emergency brake was needed to slow the car, though the spin out as a result of the accident ultimately stopped the vehicle.
The window has had numerous problems. The gm body shop said they just had this same problem last week with another firebird. Gm has offered to pay 15% of the $982.00. I have found out that the doors are glued on all firebirds. I feel this is a major defect from the manufacturer. The problem has not been fixed.
Pontiac, montana 2001, it seems like the sliding door behind the driver's door, is not well sealed when it closes, you can feel air oming thru the hole, I've never been in a accident plus I am ver careful when it comes to dealing with that door, there has never been a time when someone opened the door abruptly
Rivets tearing through door panel that holds the window regulator.
My car is using approximately 1 to 1.25 quarts of oil every 3000 miles with only 30,000 miles on the car. The dealer claims this is within "acceptable" tolerances. I disagree.
Consumer states during the month of august was raining a lot in tx. Trunk got water inside like a swimming pool. Causing damage to back seat and floor. Dealer and manufacturer didn't help. Please provide further information. Ts
While the vehicle was parked in the garage it caught on fire, the fire department stated the fire originated in the engine compartment on the driver's side near the breaker boxes and fuel injectors, the vehicle was deystroyed.
Warranty denied by dealership/mfg based on speculation that I "raced" vehicle and that bolt on alterations caused more horsepower than engine can handle.
When owners complained
NHTSA complaints by filing year. The peak shows at what age the problems show up most.
Comparison
By complaint count this model year ranks 10,921 of 36,656 model years in the NHTSA data (top 30% most complained about).
On average one model year of the Trans AM has 6 complaints (22 years in the data). This year has 10, above average.
What to check before buying
- 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.
- Structure. Rails, pillars, panel gaps, signs of pulling or welding.
- Electrical system. Scan all modules, test the battery and alternator, inspect connectors near the impact zone.
Other years of this model
Questions and answers
What are the most common problems with the 2001 Pontiac Trans AM?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: engine and cooling, service brakes, structure. Total complaints: 10. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: windows, sunroof (20%), brake failure (10%), smoke, burning smell, fire (10%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 2001 Pontiac Trans AM?
NHTSA lists 0 manufacturer service bulletins for this year. A bulletin tells dealers how to diagnose or fix a known issue; it is not a recall.
Should I buy a 2001 Pontiac Trans AM from a US auction?
Owner complaints describe defects, not crash damage. Before bidding, check the components listed above and review the lot photos: VinWind builds a report of visible and hidden damage by VIN.
Other 2001 models
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.