FaultScore

2000 Pontiac Grand AM engine problems

125 of the 939 complaints about the 2000 Pontiac Grand AM are about the engine — 13% of everything reported for this model year. Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before 57,500 miles.

C

125

Complaints

2

Crashes

8

Fires

2

Injuries

Exactly what failed

Engine AND Engine Cooling 35 28.0%
Engine 19 15.2%
Manifold/Header/Muffler/Tail Pipe 18 14.4%
Gasoline 16 12.8%
Cooling System 15 12.0%
Engine 10 8.0%
Exhaust System 4 3.2%
FAN 4 3.2%
Radiator Assembly 1 0.8%
GAS Recirculation Valve (Egr Valve) 1 0.8%

Engine & Cooling across every Pontiac Grand AM year

1987 15 1.3%
1988 13 1.2%
1989 44 3.9%
1990 17 1.5%
1991 30 2.7%
1992 72 6.5%
1993 64 5.7%
1994 82 7.3%
1995 65 5.8%
1996 83 7.4%
1997 91 8.2%
1998 26 2.3%
1999 155 13.9%
2000 125 11.2%
2001 85 7.6%
2002 66 5.9%
2003 42 3.8%
2004 29 2.6%
2005 12 1.1%

What owners said

Filed with NHTSA, in their own words.

Lebanon, OH

ENGINE

The ignition is faulty. My ignition allows my radio to turn on randomly. I could have the car off, I'm not in it at all. If I get inside to go somewhere and the radio is already on before I put the key in. Most times it's not a big deal. The car starts and I go about my business. Recently I've been experiencing needing to get a jump because the battery gets run down over the radio being on. When I'm inside the car and it's running I'm able to pull the key completely out of the ignition and the car stays running until I put my key in and turn it to the off position. I've gotten the recall cards since I bought the car 5 years ago. On the card it lists the cause as "unintended ignition key rotation". I scheduled a appointment for this to get fixed. Low and behold they cut 2 keys for me and that's it! I can make the car available for inspection at any time requested in advance.

NHTSA complaint #11452144 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Interlachen, FL Fire 1 injured

ENGINE

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 PONTIAC GRAND AM. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TURN SIGNALS BECAME INOPERABLE. WHILE DRIVING 10 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SMOKE. THE HOOD WAS RAISED AND THE ENGINE CAUGHT FIRE. A PEDESTRIAN EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. A FIRE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED SMOKE INHALATION THAT DID NOT REQUIRE MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

NHTSA complaint #10852261 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 126,000 miles Brighton, MI Crash 1 injured

ENGINE

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 PONTIAC GRAND AM. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT, THE ENGINE STALLED AND THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE FAILURE CAUSED ANOTHER VEHICLE TO CRASH INTO THE REAR OF THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED INJURIES TO HER LEFT SHOULDER, AND WHIP LASH. THE CONTACT RECEIVED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 126,000.

NHTSA complaint #10790287 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 80,000 miles Boyertown, PA

ENGINE

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 PONTIAC GRAND AM. WHILE DRIVING AT 45 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO RESTART. THE FAILURE WAS RECURRING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT IGNITION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000.

NHTSA complaint #10749712 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 60,000 miles Hialeah, FL

ENGINE

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 PONTIAC GRAND AM. WHILE DRIVING AT 20 MPH AND MAKING A RIGHT TURN, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. IN ADDITION, THERE WAS A LOUD ABNORMAL NOISE COMING FROM THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE RECURRED FIVE TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000.

NHTSA complaint #10733260 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Mansfield, OH Fire

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

LETTER FROM SENATOR BROWN ON BEHALF OF CONSTITUENT RE VEHICLE RECALL. *SMD ON JANUARY 8, 2013, THE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THE CONSUMER RECEIVED A POST CARD IN THE MAIL, IN JUNE 2014 REGARDING A RECALL CONCERNING A POSSIBLE ENGINE FIRE. THE CONSUMER NO LONGER OWNS THE VEHICLE.

NHTSA complaint #10610412 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 142,000 miles Dorr, MI

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

ELECTRICAL ISSUES BIG TIME: (SO FAR, THESE ARE THE ISSUES I HAVE FOUND) BLINKERS & HAZARDS RANDOMLY WORK, SMELL BURNING WIRES, IGNITION SWITCH PROBLEMS WHEN TRYING TO GET CAR TO START, GEAR SHIFT STICKS WHEN ATTEMPTING TO TAKE IT OUT OF PARK TO REVERSE, SMELL FUEL & LOW COOLANT BUTTON COMES ON BUT CANNOT DETERMINE LEAKS. "I'M BEING TOLD BY GM'S CUSTOMER SERVICE DEPARTMENT THAT I HAVE TO GO TO A CERTIFIED GM REPAIR SHOP, PAY OUT OF POCKET FOR THE DIAGNOSE OF ISSUES WHICH ISN'T GOING TO BE CHEAP, AND THEN SUBMIT THE INFORMATION BACK TO GM WHO MAY OR MAY NOT FIX IT?!?!?! IF THEY DON'T, I'M STUCK WITH THE BILL!!! WHICH IS GOING TO COST ME THOUSANDS TO FIX, BECAUSE I CAN'T SELL IT WITH ALL THE ISSUES." "AS A SINGLE MOTHER OF TWO, I AM HIGHLY APPALLED BY THIS!! WITH ALL THESE RECALLS FROM GM, MAKES ME WONDERING WHAT ELSE WILL GO WRONG WITH THIS VEHICLE, I "PINCHED PENNIES" AND WE WENT WITHOUT NECESSARIES TO PURCHASE SAID VEHICLE FOR MY 17 YR OLD DAUGHTER. I PRAY FOR MY TWO DAUGHTER'S SAFETY AND THE PASSENGERS THAT MAY RIDE WITH HER EVERYDAY, I CAN ONLY HOPE GM WILL ADD HER "VIN" TO THE RECALL LIST AND FIX ALL PROBLEMS, SO I DON'T END UP AT ANYONE'S FUNERAL, AS A RESULT OF GM'S SEVERAL YEARS OF FAILURE TO PROVIDE CONSUMERS WITH THE BIG MISTAKES THEY MADE."

NHTSA complaint #10610418 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 10,000 miles Imperial, PA

ENGINE

I HAVE HAD THIS VEHICLE FOR 14 YEARS & HAVE MULTIPLE ISSUES WITH IT IN THAT THE IGNITION SWITCH HAS BEEN REPLACED 2 TO 3 TIMES IN THE FIRST 3 YEARS OF OWNING THE CAR AND NEVER DID WORK PROPERTY; I HAD TO HAVE THE INTAKE GASKET DONE & THE HEAD GASKET DONE; I TOO HAD AN ISSUE W/ THE ABS LIGHT BEING ON AND A WIRE OR SOMETHING WAS OFF. LUCKILY I HAVE A RELATIVE WHO IS A MECHANIC AND DID NOT HAVE TO ENDURE THE UPCHARGE OF THE DEALERSHIP HOWEVER, THESE WERE COSTLY EXPENSES NONE THE LESS. I CONTACTED GM ABOUT THE IGNITION SWITCH & WAS TOLD MY VIN WAS NOT PART OF THE RECALL. I ALSO CONTACTED MY LOCAL NEWS STATION TO TRY TO INVESTIGATE LATER MODEL IGNITION SWITCH ISSUES WITH NO RESULT. I BELIEVE THIS NEEDS FURTHER REVIEW. MY CAR CURRENTLY HAS 185K MILES ON IT BUT ONLY HAD ABOUT 150 3 YRS AGO WHEN THE INTAKE & HEAD WENT. AND AS I STATED THE IGNITION SWITCH NEVER WORKED PROPERTY (ALWAYS A CLICKING SOUND LIKE THE TURN SIGNAL WAS ON COMING FROM THE IGNITION - I WAS ALSO ABLE TO REMOVE THE KEY FROM THE IGNITION & DRIVE THE VEHICLE W/ THE IGNITION IN THE ON POSITION).

NHTSA complaint #10609888 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 95,500 miles Feasterville, PA

ENGINE

LAST MONTH MY CAR STARTED REVVING UP RANDOMLY WHILE IN PARK. ONCE I PUT THE CAR IN DRIVE IT WOULD PULL FORWARD ON IT'S OWN SPEEDING UP TO 40 MPH IN THE WORST CASE. IT RAN SO ROUGH PULLING AND STOPPING THE ONLY THING I COULD DO WAS PUT IT IN PARK UNTIL THE RPMS CAME BACK DOWN TO A NORMAL RATE. FROM THAT POINT ON, EVERY TIME I STARTED THE CAR WHEN IT WASN'T WARMED UP THIS WOULD HAPPEN. IT USED TO ONLY TAKE ABOUT A MINUTE FOR THE RPMS TO SETTLE AND THE CAR TO RUN FINE. NOW IT TAKES ABOUT 5 MINUTES OF WARMING UP, SETTLING AND THEN DRIVES VERY POORLY IN FIRST AND SECOND GEAR. ONE MONTH LATER THE CAR HESITATES WHEN GIVEN GAS, BEGINS TO "RUMBLE" SLOWING DOWN, AND FEELS LIKE IT WILL STALL OUT AS THE CARS RPMS APPROACH 0. I TOOK THE CAR TO A MECHANIC AND THEY FOUND NO PROBLEM. THEY SAID THE RPMS WERE LOWER THAN NORMAL ON IDLE. I READ ONLINE THAT THERE COULD BE A VACUUM HOSE LEAK CAUSING AIR TO BE FORCED INTO THE ENGINE CAUSING THE ISSUE BUT THAT DOESN'T MAKE SENSE. TODAY WHILE TURNING IN AN INTERSECTION MY STEERING WHEEL LOCKED, PRESSING ON THE GAS NO LONGER MOVED THE CAR BUT MY RADIO, AIR CONDITIONING AND ENGINE... WAS STILL RUNNING. LUCKILY I DIDN'T HIT ANYONE (OR WAS HIT BY ANYONE). AFTER RESTARTING THE CAR I REGAINED CONTROL OVER THE STEERING AND GAS. DRIVING HOME AFTER THAT THE CAR WOULDN'T ACCELERATE PROPERLY AND HESITATED CONSTANTLY. IT WAS AS THOUGH I WAS DRIVING A MANUAL TRANSMISSION CAR AND SHIFTING GEARS POORLY...

NHTSA complaint #10605042 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 150,000 miles Stroudsburg, PW

ENGINE

FIRST INCIDENT WAS IN 2005 - INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET LEAKING OIL, CAR OVERHEATED ON MY WAY TO WORK COULD NOT DRIVE HOME. CAR TOWED TO MECHANIC - AFTER EVALUATION IT COST ME $700.00 TO FIX. THEN IN 2007 MY ABS BRAKE SYSTEM WAS NOT WORKING PROPERLY, MECHANIC TOLD ME THAT LEFT WHEEL HUB WAS DAMAGED AND SENSOR WAS NOT WORKING, SO I HAD IT CHANGED $300.00. THEN IN 2008 I HAD THE RIGHT WHEEL HUB CHANGED DUE TO SAME PROBLEM AS LEFT SIDE $300.00 MORE. IN 2009 THE POWER STEERING BELT WAS PROBLEM LEFT ME STRANDED @WALMART IN PA, HAD CAR TOWED TO MECHANIC HE CHANGED POWER STEERING BELT PLUS OTHER TIME RUNNING BELTS AT SAME TIME. COST ME $375.00. NOW IN DEC. 2013 I HAVE A PROBLEM AGAIN WITH INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET LEAKING OIL & ANTIFREEZE MAKING CAR OVERHEAT, LEFT ME STRANDED IN ALLENTOWN, PA, HAD CAR TOWED TO MY HOUSE IN STROUDSBURG, PA COST ME $225.00. NOW I HAVE BEEN TRYING TO GET MY CAR FIXED AND HAVE BEEN TO SEVERAL MECHANICS HERE AND THEY WANT TO CHARGE ME FROM 1,200 TO 2,000 FOR THE WORK. I THINK THIS SHOULD BE A RECALL ISSUE BECAUSE THERE HAS BEEN MANY OTHER OWNERS WITH THE SAME ISSUE. I ALSO MAKE SURE THAT I SERVICE MY CAR FOR OIL CHANGES, ALL FLUIDS AND STATE INSPECTION ON TIMELY BASIS. GET NEW TIRES WHEN NEEDED I RATHER DONATE IT THEN SPEND MORE MONEY ON THE CAR. MANY MECHANICS I WENT TO SAY THAT THIS PARTICULAR MODEL HAS THESE ISSUES, THE COST OF THE PARTS IS UNDER $100 BUT THE LABOR IS THE MOST BECAUSE IT TAKES ABOUT 6 TO 7 HOURS TO DO WORK AND HALF THE ENGINE HAS TO BE REMOVED WHICH MAKES IT DIFFICULT TO DO WORK QUICKLY. WORD OF ADVICE WHEN BUYING A NEW CAR, FIND OUT ABOUT REPAIR COST FOR CAR BECAUSE ONCE YOUR WARRANTY IS OVER THE COST ARE OUTRAGEOUS. IF YOU KNOW OF A GOOD MECHANIC THAT DOESN'T CHARGE AN ARM OR A LEG PLEASE ADVISE, THANKS.

NHTSA complaint #10568611 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 84,358 miles Folcroft, PA

ENGINE

INTAKE MANIFOLD ,LOWER GASKET ROTTED AWAY, MIXING OIL AND ANTIFREEZE, LIKE A BLOWN HEAD GASKET, I HEAR THERE ARE MANY COMPLAINTS ON THE SAME ENGINE. I FEEL GM SHOULD DO SOMETHING ABOUT THIS ,LIKE A RECALL. IT MADE ME FEEL VERY DISGUSTED ,I FEEL I WILL SWITCH TO A DIFFERENT MAKE OF CAR. OR AT LEAST COMPENSATE. 900.00 LATER.

NHTSA complaint #10496783 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 101,000 miles Port ST Lucy, FL

ENGINE

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 PONTIAC GRAND AM. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 20 MPH WHEN THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT TRIED TO RESTART THE ENGINE BUT TO NO AVAIL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED AS THE FAILURE OCCURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A MECHANIC BUT WAS NEITHER DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. NEITHER THE DEALER NOR THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 101,000.

NHTSA complaint #10460007 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 111,312 miles Coffeyville, KS

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

WHEN TURNING A CORNER THE CAR WILL DIE AND LOOSE ITS POWER STEERING. IT SOMETIMES WILL HAPPEN JUST GOING DOWN THE ROAD AS WELL. AFTER PUTTING CAR IN NEUTRAL IT WILL RESTART.

NHTSA complaint #10432492 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Cape MAY Court House, NJ

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

THIS CAR HAD THIS PROBLEM WHEN I BOUGHT IT BUT I HAD NO OTHER CHOICE, I HAD TO BUY SOMETHING. BESIDES, THEY TOLD ME THAT THEY "THOUGHT" THAT THEY MAY HAVE FIXED IT....WRONG! WHEN THEY HAD THE PROBLEM WITH THE CAR, APPARENTLY EVERYTHING WAS CHECKED & REPLACED BUT WITH NO LUCK. THE 02 SENSOR WAS REPLACED A COUPLE TIMES, TUNE UPS, FUEL FILTERS, ETC....THEY EVEN HOOKED IT UP TO A DIAGNOSTIC MACHINE AND IT DIDN'T DETECT A THING. I AM NO EXPERT BUT............1ST OF ALL; THE CAR ONLY STALLS WHEN I TAKE MY FOOT OFF THE PEDAL. I COULD BE DOING 65 DOWN THE HIGHWAY, BUT AS SOON AS I TAKE MY FOOT OFF THE GAS....DEAD! THE CAR TOTALLY CUTS OFF. NO FUNNY SOUNDS, HESITATION, SMELLS, ETC. IT JUST DIES. WHEN I 1ST START THE CAR (THE INITIAL START UP), I MAKE IT ABOUT A COUPLE BLOCKS BEFORE I HAVE TO DRIVE "TWO FOOTED" SO THE CAR WONT STALL. THERE WERE A FEW MORE PROBLEMS WITH THE CAR WHEN I FIRST BOUGHT IT THAT HAVE SINCE STOPPED OR JUST GOT WORSE. ALL ELECTRICAL ISSUES. FOR EXAMPLE: THE CAR HAS DAY TIME RUNNING LIGHTS. AT TIMES I WOULD HAVE TO ACTUALLY TURN THE LIGHTS TO THE "OFF" POSITION B/C THE HIGH BEAMS WOULD START GOING NUTS AND FLASH LIKE A POLICE CAR. BUT THAT HAS STOPPED, SO IDK WTH THAT WAS. MY BLINKERS STOP WORKING WHENEVER THEY FEEL LIKE IT, AND THEN WILL WORK AGAIN JUST LIKE THAT. I HAVE A "SERVICE ENGINE SOON" LIGHT AND A "CHECK ENGINE" LIGHT; BOTH LIGHT UP ON OCCASION. SO DOES MY TRACTION CONTROL, ETC...... BUT NOTHING IS WRONG?!?!?! I BEG TO DIFFER. HOWEVER...........IF THERE IS ALREADY A REALLY SCREWED UP ELECTRICAL PROBLEM, WOULD THE DIAGNOSTIC MACHINE ACTUALLY BE ABLE TO FIND A PROBLEM?? THIS CAR IS A DEATH TRAP.

NHTSA complaint #10406194 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 120,000 miles Pinola, NC

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 PONTIAC GRAND AM. HE STATED WHILE DRIVING AT SPEEDS OF 20 MPH, THE VEHICLE OVER HEATED. THE DEALER ADVISED HE WAS UNABLE TO LOCATE THE FAILURE AND THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 120,000.

NHTSA complaint #10334583 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 117,000 miles Ballwin, MO

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

THE INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET HAS GONE BAD AND MY CAR HAS NEVER GOTTEN HOT OR OVER HEATED FOR ANYTHING LIKE THIS TO OCCUR. I BELIEVE IT IS DEFECTIVE GASKETS IN THE 2000 PONTIAC GRAND AM.

NHTSA complaint #10329806 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 75,932 miles Richmond, CA

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 PONTIAC GRAND AM. THE CONTACT STATED THE MOTOR MOUNT HAD FRACTURED AND FELL INTO THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE THE MOTOR MOUNT WAS REPLACED. IN ADDITION, THE VEHICLE ALSO HAD FAILURES WITH THE RACK AND PINION AND WHEN TAKEN TO THE DEALER, IT WAS FOUND THAT THE SCREWS WERE LOOSE AND NEEDED TO BE TIGHTENED TO CORRECT THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 75,932 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 150,000. UPDATED 11/03/10. *LJ UPDATED 11/29/10 *CN THE CONSUMER STATED THE MOTOR MOUNT FAILED WHICH LED INTAKE GASKET NEEDING TO BE REPLACED. THE WINDOWS WOULD STICK ON OCCASIONS AND A TIMES WOULD FALL DOWN INSIDE THE DOOR. THE OIL FROM THE ENGINE BECAME MIXED WITH THE ANTI-FREEZE. UPDATED 11/30/10

NHTSA complaint #10326685 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 75,932 miles Richmond, CA

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:MANIFOLD/HEADER/MUFFLER/TAIL PIPE

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 PONTIAC GRAND AM. THE CONTACT STATED THE MOTOR MOUNT HAD FRACTURED AND FELL INTO THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE THE MOTOR MOUNT WAS REPLACED. IN ADDITION, THE VEHICLE ALSO HAD FAILURES WITH THE RACK AND PINION AND WHEN TAKEN TO THE DEALER, IT WAS FOUND THAT THE SCREWS WERE LOOSE AND NEEDED TO BE TIGHTENED TO CORRECT THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 75,932 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 150,000. UPDATED 11/03/10. *LJ UPDATED 11/29/10 *CN THE CONSUMER STATED THE MOTOR MOUNT FAILED WHICH LED INTAKE GASKET NEEDING TO BE REPLACED. THE WINDOWS WOULD STICK ON OCCASIONS AND A TIMES WOULD FALL DOWN INSIDE THE DOOR. THE OIL FROM THE ENGINE BECAME MIXED WITH THE ANTI-FREEZE. UPDATED 11/30/10

NHTSA complaint #10326685 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 24,051 miles Deltona, FL

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM

MY 2000 PONTIAC GRANDAM GT WAS BOUGHT NEW AND WITH 24,000 MILES ON IT IN 2004 THE LOWER INTAKE MANIFOLD WAS LEAKING DEXCOOL. KAISER PONTIAC IN DELAND FLORIDA FIXED THE PROBLEM AND NOW IN 2009 WITH 50,000 MILES THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM IS OCCURRING. AFTER READING SEVERAL (80) COMPLAINTS ONLINE THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL ON THIS PROBLEM.

NHTSA complaint #10269874 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 77,000 miles Oskaloosa, IA

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 PONTIAC GRAND AM. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE VEHICLE SHUT OFF COMPLETELY. THE ISSUE OCCURRED OVER TEN TIMES, SOMETIMES 3-4 TIMES PER DAY AT VARIOUS SPEEDS. OTHER TIMES, THE CONTACT COULD BE DRIVING 5 MPH IN A PARKING LOT AND THE VEHICLE WOULD SHUT OFF. THERE WAS NO POWER AT ALL AND THE SERVICE ENGINE, SECURITY, AND OTHER WARNING INDICATORS WOULD ILLUMINATE PRIOR TO THE FAILURES. SHE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THREE DIFFERENT REPAIR SHOPS AND THE FIRST TWO COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE THIRD MECHANIC WAS ABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE, BUT COULD NOT PRODUCE A CODE FOR THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER HAS NOT BEEN NOTIFIED. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 80,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 77,000.

NHTSA complaint #10265528 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 70,000 miles Marysville, OH

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

MY GRAND AM IS IN THE SHOP FOR MANIFOLD GASKET REPAIRS CAUSED BY COOLANT. I HAD A SMALL LEAK LAST FALL 2008, DIDN'T KNOW THERE WAS A PROBLEM UNTIL I TOOK TO MECHANIC FOR STEERING REPAIR.

NHTSA complaint #10263219 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Harrison, GA

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

MY GRAND AM HAS 120,000 MILES ON IT NOW. I HAVE BLOWN 2 HEAD GASKETS AND HAD TO REPLACE THEM. HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE DRIVERS SIDE WINDOW, THE SECURITY SYSTEM AND IT NOT STARTING, CAN NOT KEEP BRAKES ON IT. THIS CAR HAS BEEN SERVICED EVERY 3000 MILES SINCE I PURCHASED IT NEW. THE FIRST HEAD GASKET WAS AT 40,000 MILES.

NHTSA complaint #10246516 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Mansfield, OH

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 PONTIAC GRAND AM SE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE ENGINE BEGAN TO EXCESSIVELY OVERHEAT. THE ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS RELATED TO THE HEAD GASKET, WHICH WAS REPLACED AT THE COST OF $1,000. RECENTLY, THE FAILURE RECURRED; HOWEVER, THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO HAVE THE VEHICLE REPAIRED DUE TO THE ABSORBENT COST. HE FURTHER STATED THAT THE HEAD GASKET WAS MADE OF PLASTIC, WHICH CAUSED FREQUENT FAILURES WITH THE COMPONENT. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 100,000.

NHTSA complaint #10236686 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 61,865 miles Cincinnati, OH

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

THE SECURITY LIGHT WOULD COME ON AND I WAS UNABLE TO START THE CAR. I TOOK IT TO A PONTIAC DEALERSHIP FOR REPAIR AND THEY REPLACED THE IGNITION SWITCH AND THE BODY CONTROL MODULE TWICE. THE PROBLEM IS RESOLVED NOW BUT TOOK SEVERAL SERVICES TO RECTIFY THE PROBLEM. I HAVE ALSO HAD TO REPLACE THE WATER PUMP, HEAD GASKET. THERMOSTAT AND VALVE COVER GASKET 3 TIMES. REPLACED ALL GASKETS TWICE. HEADLIGHT STAY ON AT ALL TIMES WHEN CAR IS RUNNING.

NHTSA complaint #10234748 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 135,000 miles Grandview, KY Fire

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

LOSS OF POWER, SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT AND SMELL OF SMOLDERING MATERIAL. DON'T KNOW WHAT FAILURE IS, FOUND MELTED TRUNK LINER AND PERSONAL JACKET.

NHTSA complaint #10221571 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 15,000 miles Hobart, NY

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM

I PURCHASED THIS CAR NEW (MY FIRST NEW CAR) IN AUGUST 2000. AFTER THE FIRST 15,000 MILES AND THE NEXT 15.000 MILES THE BRAKES WERE REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY. AFTER EACH ADDITIONAL 15,000 +/- MILES I PAID FOR THIS SERVICE OUT OF POCKET. IN ADDITION, I STARTED PAYING FOR WHEEL BEARINGS AND REPLACED THEM TOO MANY TIMES TO COUNT. NEXT THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM WITH THE FAN ONLY WORKING ON SPEED 1 AND 5. MANY DEALER TRIPS TO HAVE ATTEMPTS TO BE FIXED. PROBLEMS GREW TO ADD ISSUES WITH FUEL PUMP. NEW FUEL PUMP ADDED AFTER BEING STRANDED FOR A FEW HOURS ON A BUSY HIGHWAY. NEWEST PROBLEM WHICH WE BECAME AWARE OF REAL EARLY ON WAS LOW COOLANT OR A SYSTEM WHICH CAN NOT KEEP COOLANT IN THE CAR. THE PROBLEM REVISITED US ON XMAS DAY AS WE WERE TRAVELING TO RELATIVES AND WERE STRANDED IN UPSTATE NY IN TYPICAL CLIMATIC TEMPERATURES OF LESS THAN 30 DEGREES F. HAVE TAKEN THE CAR MANY TIMES TO DEALERS AND LOCAL MECHANICS. PROBLEMS ARE STILL ADDING UP. INCLUDED EXHAUST ISSUES. CARBON MONOXIDE. WHAT A DISAPPOINTMENT FOR A FIRST TIME CAR OWNER. BUT I HAVE LEARNED ONE LESSON...WILL NEVER BUY GM AGAIN. NEVER SATISFIED WITH DEALER COSTS AND FIXES. AFTER LEARNING ABOUT ALL THE OTHER PROBLEMS ON THIS SITE THAT OTHERS HAVE HAD VERY SIMILAR. I AM GLAD THAT MY NEWEST CAR A HONDA SITS NEXT TO THE GRAND AM. I SEE THAT GM IS HURTING FINANCIALLY AND I THINK THIS SPEAKS LOUDLY FOR WHAT CONSUMERS ARE FEELING. I HAVE TAKEN CARE OF MY CAR AND SELECTED GM FOR MY FIRST CAR PURCHASE, UNFORTUNATELY GM HAS NOT TAKEN CARE OF ME. I HOPE GM SEES RESPONSES LIKE THIS TO HELP THE AMERICAN CAR COMPANIES UNDERSTAND THAT AMERICANS ARE NOT GOING TO PUT UP WITH THE IDEA THAT CHEAP CARS ARE MADE AND SOLD TO AMERICANS SO THAT THE COMPANY CAN SELL CARS CHEAPLY AND THAT THE CAR'S LIFE WILL END THE DAY AFTER THE LAST CAR PAYMENT THUS LEADING THE BUYER TO A NEW LOAN FOR A NEW CAR. THIS IS A WASTE!

NHTSA complaint #10199610 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 15,000 miles Hobart, NY

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:RADIATOR ASSEMBLY

I PURCHASED THIS CAR NEW (MY FIRST NEW CAR) IN AUGUST 2000. AFTER THE FIRST 15,000 MILES AND THE NEXT 15.000 MILES THE BRAKES WERE REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY. AFTER EACH ADDITIONAL 15,000 +/- MILES I PAID FOR THIS SERVICE OUT OF POCKET. IN ADDITION, I STARTED PAYING FOR WHEEL BEARINGS AND REPLACED THEM TOO MANY TIMES TO COUNT. NEXT THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM WITH THE FAN ONLY WORKING ON SPEED 1 AND 5. MANY DEALER TRIPS TO HAVE ATTEMPTS TO BE FIXED. PROBLEMS GREW TO ADD ISSUES WITH FUEL PUMP. NEW FUEL PUMP ADDED AFTER BEING STRANDED FOR A FEW HOURS ON A BUSY HIGHWAY. NEWEST PROBLEM WHICH WE BECAME AWARE OF REAL EARLY ON WAS LOW COOLANT OR A SYSTEM WHICH CAN NOT KEEP COOLANT IN THE CAR. THE PROBLEM REVISITED US ON XMAS DAY AS WE WERE TRAVELING TO RELATIVES AND WERE STRANDED IN UPSTATE NY IN TYPICAL CLIMATIC TEMPERATURES OF LESS THAN 30 DEGREES F. HAVE TAKEN THE CAR MANY TIMES TO DEALERS AND LOCAL MECHANICS. PROBLEMS ARE STILL ADDING UP. INCLUDED EXHAUST ISSUES. CARBON MONOXIDE. WHAT A DISAPPOINTMENT FOR A FIRST TIME CAR OWNER. BUT I HAVE LEARNED ONE LESSON...WILL NEVER BUY GM AGAIN. NEVER SATISFIED WITH DEALER COSTS AND FIXES. AFTER LEARNING ABOUT ALL THE OTHER PROBLEMS ON THIS SITE THAT OTHERS HAVE HAD VERY SIMILAR. I AM GLAD THAT MY NEWEST CAR A HONDA SITS NEXT TO THE GRAND AM. I SEE THAT GM IS HURTING FINANCIALLY AND I THINK THIS SPEAKS LOUDLY FOR WHAT CONSUMERS ARE FEELING. I HAVE TAKEN CARE OF MY CAR AND SELECTED GM FOR MY FIRST CAR PURCHASE, UNFORTUNATELY GM HAS NOT TAKEN CARE OF ME. I HOPE GM SEES RESPONSES LIKE THIS TO HELP THE AMERICAN CAR COMPANIES UNDERSTAND THAT AMERICANS ARE NOT GOING TO PUT UP WITH THE IDEA THAT CHEAP CARS ARE MADE AND SOLD TO AMERICANS SO THAT THE COMPANY CAN SELL CARS CHEAPLY AND THAT THE CAR'S LIFE WILL END THE DAY AFTER THE LAST CAR PAYMENT THUS LEADING THE BUYER TO A NEW LOAN FOR A NEW CAR. THIS IS A WASTE!

NHTSA complaint #10199610 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 150,000 miles Monument, CO

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:MANIFOLD/HEADER/MUFFLER/TAIL PIPE

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 PONTIAC GRAND AM. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TURN SIGNALS WORK INTERMITTENTLY AND THE INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET FAILED IN JANUARY OF 2005. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A SMALL TOWN WITHOUT A GM DEALER AND WAS REPAIRED BY AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE MECHANIC REPLACED THE GASKET WITH AN AFTER MARKET MANIFOLD GASKET. HOWEVER, THE REPLACEMENT GASKET WAS ALSO DEFECTIVE AND CAUSED THE ENTIRE MANIFOLD TO BE REPAIRED A THIRD TIME. THE COST OF THE REPAIR WAS $829.59. THE CONTACT WANTS TO BE REIMBURSED FOR THE REPAIR SINCE THE MANIFOLD WAS DEFECTIVE. THE SPEED WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 150,000.

NHTSA complaint #10199031 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 95,000 miles Lyerly, GA

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM

VEHICLE LEAKING COOLANT.

NHTSA complaint #10195163 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 120,300 miles Winston Salem, NC

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM

I NOTICED FOR OVER A YEAR, THERE WAS COOLANT LEAKAGE. WHEN IT BECOME MORE EVIDENT, I TOOK MY CAR TO TWO DIFFERENT MECHANICS AND FOUND THAT I NEEDED TO REPLACE THE INTAKE GASKET. BOTH MECHANICS CONFIRMED THAT MY PROBLEM WAS DUE TO DEX-COOL BEING USED AND HAD TO SPEND $624.92 TO REPAIR AND REPLACE PARTS AND HAVE MY SYSTEM CHANGED OVER TO REGULAR ANTIFREEZE TO ELIMINATE THE PROBLEM FROM HAPPENING AGAIN. REPLACED PARTS: GASKET, WATER PUMP, THERMOSTAT, OIL FILTER AND OIL, ENGINE COOLANT, AND VALVE COVER GASKETS.

NHTSA complaint #10190833 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Other 2000 Pontiac Grand AM problems

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