2001 Pontiac Grand AM engine problems

ENGINE

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 PONTIAC GRAND AM. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STEERING FELT ABNORMAL WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS BEING OPERATED AT 50 MPH. THE FAILURE OCCURRED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE ENGINE CRADLE WAS BEING HELD ON BY A SINGLE BOLT AND WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 130,000. ..UPDATED 06/21/17 *BF

NHTSA complaint #10966315 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 PONTIAC GRAND AM. WHILE DRIVING 5 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR REPAIR, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 145,000.

NHTSA complaint #10773975 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

WE HAVE RECEIVED THE RECALL LETTER DATED OCTOBER 2014. WE HAD COMPLAINED ABOUT THE SAFETY OF THE VEHICLE AS IT SHUT OFF AS WE WERE GOING DOWN THE INTERSTATE ACROSS A BRIDGE WHICH HAS A BUMP ON IT WE LOST ALL POWER AND WAS LIKE OLD FASHION STEERING. WE COASTED TO THE END OF THE EXIT RAMP AND HAD TO PLAY WITH THE KEY AND AFTER AWHILE IT STARTED AND THIS CONTINUED OFF AND ON AND THEY TOLD US HAD TO TURN KEY FOR 10 MIN ON AUX TILL LIGHT BLINKED AND RESET ITSELF THEY TOLD US WOULD RESET SECURITY SYSTEM AND START. WHICH IT DID MOST OF THE TIME WAS A PAIN AN INCONVENIENT. WE GOT RID OF IT IN 06 OR 07. IT WAS INTERESTING AND GM SAID IT WAS OUR PROBLEM. HAVEN'T PURCHASED ANOTHER GM VEHICLE. HAD A LOT OF CLOSE CALLS WITH THIS VEHICLE....BUT WAS OUR ISSUE THEY TOLD US....

NHTSA complaint #10660350 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE

2001 PONTIAC GRAND AM. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO HEAD GASKET AND IGNITION SWITCH REPLACEMENT AND IS REQUESTING REIMBURSEMENT FOR REPAIRS.* LD THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE WAS LEAKING COOLANT AND THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START.

NHTSA complaint #10651222 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE

WHILE DRIVING THE CAR IT WOULD SHUT DOWN, THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD LOCK, AND ALL THAT COULD BE DONE IS BRAKE TO A STOP.

NHTSA complaint #10652005 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE

WHEN I BOUGHT THE CAR IT WAS USED WITH JUST A LITTLE OVER 100000 MILES ON IT. I NOTICED ANTI-FREEZE LEAKING OUT OF THE INTAKE GASKET ONTO THE ENGINE. IT GOT WORSE SO I HAD MY MECHANIC REPLACE IT WITH A OEM PART. HE WARNED ME AGAINST IT SAYING THAT ALL THE 6"S HAD THIS PROBLEM BECAUSE THE ORIG. GASKET THAT GM USED WAS FAULTY AND THAT HE SUGGESTED A REPLACEMENT GASKET THAT WAS BETTER BUT AT OVER $100. COMPARED TO THE $35. OEM I WENT WITH THE OEM AND TWO YEARS LATER I HA TO HAVE IT DONE AGAIN. THIS TIME I HAD THE $100. GASKET USED AND NO MORE PROBLEMS. SEEMS THAT ALL THE PONTIAC 6 CYL. BETWEEN SOMEWHERE AROUND 1998/1999 THROUGH 2002/-- HAVE THIS PROBLEM. MY SON HAS A CHEVY CORSICA WITH THE SAME ENGINE AND HIS BLEW AT 124000. ANYWAY I SPENT OVER $2300 FIXING A GASKET THAT SHOULD HAVE NEVER LEAKED. I BELIEVE THAT IS WAS BAD WHEN I BOUGHT IT BECAUSE IT HAD STOP LEAK IN THE COOLING SYSTEM THE I THOUGHT WAS A LITTLE STRANGE.

NHTSA complaint #10614716 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 PONTIAC GRAND AM. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS. THE CONTACT HAD TO MAKE NUMEROUS ATTEMPTS TO TURN THE IGNITION AND RESET THE SECURITY SYSTEM IN ORDER TO START THE VEHICLE. THE SERVICE ENGINE SOON, SECURITY SENSOR, AND TRACTION CONTROL SENSOR INDICATORS ILLUMINATED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A MECHANIC SEVERAL TIMES, BUT THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DUPLICATED. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE STALLED, THE RADIO VOLUME COULD NOT BE ADJUSTED, AND THE TURN SIGNALS FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 140,000.

NHTSA complaint #10605389 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 PONTIAC GRAND AM. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE KEY WOULD MOVE IN THE IGNITION AND THE VEHICLE WOULD SHUT OFF. THE CONTACT ALSO MENTIONED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD STALL INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE THE FAILURE WAS UNABLE TO BE REPLICATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 165,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA complaint #10604315 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE STREET AND THE CAR JUST SHUTS OFF WHILE DRIVING OR SLOWING DOWN. THEY ARE SAYING THE FUEL INJECTOR IS BAD.

NHTSA complaint #10576744 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE DETAILS: @ TIMES YOU CAN SMELL GAS ON THE INSIDE OF THE RECENTLY PUT $690 INTO CHANGING THE ENTIRE FUEL SYSTEM BEFORE THAT IT COST ME $1100 FOR THE ENTIRE COOLANT SYSTEM $250 FOR COIL PACK AND COVER FREQUENTLY SPARKPLUGS CHANGED OUT THE AC BUTTONS WONT ALLOW THE AC TO TURN ON I LIVE IN THE SOUTH WE BURN UP DOWN HERE WITH NO AC IN A CAR AND AGAIN ON THIS PAST SUNDAY I JUST PUT ANOTHER 4170 INTO SPARKPLUGS AND COIL PACKS ONLY TO FIND OUT THAT ALL MY PROBLEMS ARE CAUSED FROM THE CARS SECURITY ANTI - THEFT DEVICE THAT IS DEFECTIVE I LOSE POWER NO RPM'S CAR WILL DIE IN THE MIDDLE OF THE INTERSTATE THAT I HAVE TO DRIVE IN DOWNTOWN GREEVILLE SC AND TOWNS LIKE ATLANTA AND CHATTANOOGA TN THE SMALL THINGS ARE THE RADIO THE LIGHTS THE HEADLAMPS DON'T SHINE NO BRIGHTER THAN A CANDLE ON A BIRTHDAY CAKE NOT TO MENTION THAT I GO THRU BREAKS AND TIRES LIKE THEY ARE CANDY IT SEEMS TO WEAR A GROOVE ON THE INSIDE BACK PASSENGER TIRE AND THE FRONT DRIVERS SIDE MAKES THIS LOUD GRINDING NOISE THAT I THINK COULD BE THE BRAKE BOOSTER BALL NOT SURE ON THAT BUT I HAVE SPENT ENOUGH MONEY ON THIS CAR TO KEEP IT GOING I COULD HAVE BOUGHT 2 NEW VEHICLES CAN SOMEONE PLEASE HAVE PONTIAC LOOK INTO RECALLS.

NHTSA complaint #10473970 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 PONTIAC GRAND AM. THE CONTACT STATED THE SECURITY SYSTEM WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AND THE ENGINE FAILED TO START. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS. THE TECHNICIAN INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE MALFUNCTION WAS CONTRIBUTED TO A DEFECT WITHIN THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE RECURRED SIX MONTHS LATER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 65,000. UPDATED 6/4/12 *CN THE CONSUMER STATED THAT SECURITY LOCKS IGNITION FOR 10 MINUTES. THESE OCCURRENCES HAPPEN EVERDAY. UPDATED 06/07/12

NHTSA complaint #10456553 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 PONTIAC GRAND AM. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, HE NOTICED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS RUNNING LOW ON COOLANT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE HEAD GASKET WAS LEAKING. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE TURN SIGNALS ONLY ILLUMINATED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO HAVE THE FAILURE DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000.

NHTSA complaint #10454487 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 PONTIAC GRAND AM. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITH THE ILLUMINATION OF THE CHECK ENGINE AND SECURITY WARNING LAMPS. THE CONTACT ALSO MENTIONED THAT THERE WERE TIMES THAT THE VEHICLE COULD NOT BE STARTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE SECURITY PASS LOCK SYSTEM WAS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN NUMBER WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 130,000.

NHTSA complaint #10448369 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

WHEN I TRY TO USE MY SIGNALS IT WONT WORK, THEY WONT COME ON, IT ALSO LILE TO HAVE CAUSED AN ACCIDENT, WHEN I CRANK THE CAR UP OT MAKES A LOUD NOISE FOR ABOUT FIVE MINUTES, OR SOMETIMES IT WONT START, I HAVE TO WAIT THIRTY MINUTES, BEFORE IT COULD CRANK ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS, IT HAS DONE THAT, I ALSO HAVE TO KEEP REPLACING BRAKES FOR THIS CAR, MY COOLANT JUG I HAVE REPLACED THAT MANY OF TIMES AND ITS STILL HAS A LEAK IN IT I HAVE TO PUT COOLANT IN THERE FOUR TIMES A WEEK, AND ALSO IF IM MAKING A LEFT MY STEERING WHEEL IT GETS STUCK SOMETIMES.

NHTSA complaint #10433017 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 PONTIAC GRAND AM. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE ENGINE STALLED WITH THE ILLUMINATION OF THE ABS WARNING INDICATOR. THE VEHICLE RESTARTED AFTER THE CONSUMER WAITED FOR A PERIOD OF FIVE HOURS. ALSO, THERE WAS A SMALL AMOUNT OF COOLANT AND WATER LEAKAGE ON THE GROUND AS THE ENGINE WOULD OVERHEAT SPORADICALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS DIAGNOSED BY TWO DIFFERENT INDEPENDENT MECHANICS WHO INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE HEAD GASKET, INTAKE GASKET AND THERMOSTAT WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE FAILURES CONTINUED TO OCCUR. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000. UPDATED 08/01/11*LJ UPDATED 08/11/11

NHTSA complaint #10407736 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM

COOLANT LEVEL WAS GOING DOWN ON CAR AND LIGHT WAS COMING ON, TOOK CAR FOR CHECKUP AND INTAKE GASKET CRACKED AND COOLANT MIXED WITH OIL, HAD GASKET REPAIRED , BUT WHILE DRIVING GASKET BLEW AGAIN AND POWERSTEERING FUNCTIONS OF CAR DID NOT WORK AND COOLANT LEAKED ALL OVER GROUND , HARD TO CONTROL CAR AND SINCE IN TRAFFIC ALMOST WAS IN ACCIDENT < PONTIAC KNOWS ABOUT ISSUES WITH PONTIAC GARND AM SE 2001 AND ALSO WITH SIGNAL TURN PROBLEM SINCE SIGNALS STOP WORKING,NOW CAR NEEDS NEW MOTOR SINCE GASKET REPLACED ABOUT 3 TIMES AND EACH TIME IT BLEW AFTER TAKING OUT OF REPAIR SHOP AND WHILE DRIVING.WHEN SOMEONE IS HURT IS THAT WHAT THEY ARE WAITING FOR SO THAT THES CARS WILL BE RECALLED?

NHTSA complaint #10383918 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 PONTIAC GRAND AM. WHEN THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO START THE VEHICLE, IT WOULD NOT RESPOND. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP WHERE THE IGNITION SWITCH WAS REPLACED. THE FAILURE OCCURRED FIVE MONTHS LATER; THIS TIME, THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO BE STARTED AFTER IT WAS TOWED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO ANOTHER LOCAL REPAIR SHOP BUT THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DUPLICATED. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED AGAIN. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 90,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 175,000.

NHTSA complaint #10362327 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 PONTIAC GRAND AM. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE TRYING TO START THE VEHICLE IN HEAVY RAINY WEATHER CONDITIONS, THE VEHICLE WOULD START AND WITHIN A FEW SECONDS, THE ENGINE WOULD STALL. THE FAILURE DOES NOT OCCUR UNLESS IT RAINS. THE DEALER ADVISED HIM TO HAVE A DIAGNOSTIC TEST PERFORMED. THE CONTACT IS CONCERNED THAT THE VEHICLE WILL STALL IF HE ATTEMPTS TO DRIVE IT TO THE DEALER. GENERAL MOTORS CONFIRMED THAT THE FAILURE NEEDED TO BE DIAGNOSED BY THE DEALER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 126,000.

NHTSA complaint #10340996 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 PONTIAC GRAND AM. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE ENGINE WAS ABLE TO BE RESTARTED. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE FAILURE OCCURRED ON FOUR MORE OCCASIONS. RECENTLY, THE ENGINE FAILED TO RESTART. THE VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY INOPERABLE AND HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. IN ADDITION, THE PASS LOCK SYSTEM WAS PREVIOUSLY REPLACED. THE CONTACT IS IN THE PROCESS OF TAKING THE VEHICLE TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 123,000.

NHTSA complaint #10274774 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM

RECALL NUMBER: 03V327000 DATES MANUFACTURED: MAR 2000 TO MAY 2001 NUMBER OF VEHICLES AFFECTED: 670740 DATE OWNERS NOTIFIED ON: FEB 2004 CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES HAVE HAZARD WARNING SWITCHES THAT MAY EXPERIENCE SOLDER JOINT CRACKING CAUSED BY RAPID TEMPERATURE TRANSITIONS AND THE SOLDERING PROCESS. IF SOLDER JOINT CRACKING OCCURS AND RESULTS IN AN OPEN CIRCUIT, THE TURN SIGNALS/HAZARD LAMPS BECOME INTERMITTENT OR INOPERATIVE. I TRIED CALLING PONTIAC TODAY AND THEY REFUSED TO INSPECT MY CAR FREE OF CHARGE. THE ALSO TELL ME THAT THIS IS NOT A VALID RECALL NUMBER. I HAVE SEVAL ISSUES WITH MY CAR. I HAVE PAID SEVERAL THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS ON THIS CAR.

NHTSA complaint #10265880 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 PONTIAC GRAND AM. DURING ROUTINE MAINTENANCE A TECHNICIAN STATED THAT UNDER PRESSURE OF THE INTAKE MANIFOLD WAS INOPERABLE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT WAS RESPONSIBLE FOR THE REPAIR COST WHICH EXCEEDED $700.00. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 80,300. UPDATED 03/18/09. *LJ THE INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET WAS LEAKING AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. UPDATED 03/20/09.

NHTSA complaint #10253074 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

3 WINDOW REGULATOR ARE BROKEN ON DRIVER SIDE, AND PASSENGER. THE REAR WINDOW DEFROSTER ONLY DEFROST HALF THE WINDOW, INTERIOR LIGHTS DO NOT GO OFF WHEN THE SWITCH IS ON AUTO, ENGINE OVERHEATS, TURN SIGNALS DO NOT WORK, THE ENGINE IS HARD TO START . I HAVE NOT FIXED THE WINDOWS BUT I BEEN TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR THE OVERHEATING AND I WAS TOLD THERE WAS NO PROBLEMS. I HAD TO REPLACE THE FUEL PUMP BECAUSE THE CAR WOULD NOT START. THESE ISSUES BEGAN OVER A YEAR AGO.

NHTSA complaint #10250229 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM

PROBLEM: INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET FAILURE AND PASSLOCK SYSTEM MALFUNCTION DESCR: PURCHASED CAR IN 1/01, DOCUMENTED LEAK OF COOLANT IN NOV. '01. NOTHING COULD BE FOUND. IN 2003, AFTER I TOLD THEM WHERE THE LEAK WAS COMING FROM, THEY FOUND THE PROBLEM AND REPLACED THE GASKET. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE FOR ME BECAUSE I WAS A DIVORCED MOTHER WITH A SMALL CHILD WHO DRIVES ALMOST 300 MILES EACH WEEK TO WORK AND BACK. AFTER SOME ARGUING THE DEALER COVERED THE COST, EXCEPT FOR A 200 DEDUCTIBLE. IN JANUARY 2007, THE SAME THING HAPPENED AGAIN - THIS TIME COSTING ME $900.00. THE NEXT SAFETY ISSUE IS THE PASSLOCK SYSTEM ON THE CAR. THE LATEST STRANDING OCCURRED ON WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 27, 2008. I HAVE BEEN "STRANDED" THREE OR FOUR TIMES BECAUSE THE CAR WOULD CRANK BUT WOULD NOT TURN OVER. TWO OR THREE TIMES, THE CAR HAS HAD TO BE TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP. I BOUGHT THIS CAR, MY FIRST NEW CAR, BECAUSE I NEEDED SOMETHING RELIABLE. EVERYTIME THE CAR HAS BROKEN DOWN, I HAVE MISSED TIME FROM WORK, HAVE HAD TO PAY SEVERAL TIMES TO HAVE THE CAR TOWED (THANKFULLY INSURANCE HAS COVERED SOME OF THAT) AND HAD TO PAY FOR REPAIRS.

NHTSA complaint #10240192 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

WHILE DRIVING CAR, THE ENGINE JUST STOPS/STALLS. IT HAS ONLY HAPPENED SO FAR WHEN SLOWING TO STOP. I AM ABLE TO IMMEDIATELY RESTART IT AFTER SHIFTING TO PARK OR NEUTRAL.

NHTSA complaint #10238973 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

CHANGE OIL LIGHT WILL COME ON EARLY, ABOUT AFTER 1,000 MILES - BEFORE THE TYPICAL 3,000 MILES OIL SHOULD BE CHANGED (I CHANGE MY OIL EVERY 3,000 MILES).

NHTSA complaint #10227862 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

A FEW YEARS BACK, I HAD A PROBLEM IN WHICH MY RPMS WOULD RISE INSANELY WHEN I WAS STOPPED AT A LIGHT, AND EVEN WHEN I PUT MY CAR IN PARK. IT WAS AS IF I WAS "FLOORING IT". I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER. THEY SAID IT WAS A HEAD GASKET PROBLEM. LUCKILY, IT WAS STILL UNDER WARRANTY, AS I ONLY HAD ABOUT 45,000 MILES ON IT. I TOOK IT HOME AFTER IT WAS "FIXED", AND IT CONTINUED TO DO THE SAME THING. I TOOK IT BACK TO THE DEALER, AND THEY SAID THAT THEY FIXED THE PROBLEM AND THAT IT WILL BE OK. I TOOK IT BACK HOME AND IT HAS PRETTY MUCH NEVER STOPPED. IT TENDS TO DO IT MORE IN THE SUMMER AS OPPOSED TO THE WINTER. RECENTLY, THE CAR WAS LEAKING COOLANT. I TOOK IT BACK TO THE DEALER. I WAS ONCE AGAIN TOLD THAT IT WAS THE HEAD GASKET. MY CAR IS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY, SO I HAD TO PAY $1600 TO GET IT FIXED. 2 HEAD GASKET PROBLEMS WITHIN A MATTER OF 2 YEARS? THAT SEEMS LIKE SOMETHING THAT SHOULD NEVER HAPPEN. AFTER GETTING THAT FIXED, I TAKE IT HOME. IT RUNS FINE FOR ABOUT 2 DAYS, AND THEN STARTS PULLING SOME CRAZY STUFF. THE SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT CAME ON, ALTHOUGH THERE WEREN'T ANY NOTICEABLE ISSUES. THE LIGHT WENT OFF 2 DAYS LATER. AFTER THAT, I STARTED EXPERIENCING OTHER PROBLEMS. MY CAR HAS A SERIOUS LACK OF POWER WHEN GOING UP A HILL. IF I STEP ON THE GAS A LITTLE MORE, THE SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT WILL FLASH. IT DOESN'T STAY ON, IT JUST FLASHES FOR ABOUT A MINUTE. WHENEVER I COME TO A STOP, MY CAR TENDS TO VIOLENTLY SHAKE. I'M AFRAID TO TAKE IT BACK TO THE DEALER TO SEE WHAT'S WRONG, BECAUSE I'M AFRAID I'LL HAVE TO PAY EVEN MORE MONEY FOR SOMETHING THAT WASN'T WRONG PRIOR TO TAKING IT THE 1ST TIME.

NHTSA complaint #10218950 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:FAN

I PURCHASED MY 2001 GRAND AM GT IN 2002. SO FAR SINCE I'VE OWNED THE CAR, I SEEM TO REPLACE THE BREAKS EVERY 10,000 MILES OR EVERY YEAR, I HAVE HAD THE ROTORS REPLACED TWICE WITHIN THE LAST 5 YEARS, REPLACED THE ALTERNATOR AND FUEL PUMP. NOW, MY ABS LIGHTS CONTINUE TO GO ON AND MOST RECENTLY, MY CAR WILL NOT START IT SEEM EVERY TWO WEEKS (I HOPE I AM NOT AWAY FROM HOME WHEN THIS HAPPENS) - THE SECURITY LIGHT HAS BEEN COMING ON AND HAVE TO KEEP THE KEY IN THE "ON" POSITION FOR 10 MINUTES AND THEN TRY TO START THE CAR - MY GARAGE TOLD ME IT WAS A SECURITY CODE PROBLEM THAT ONLY THE DEALER CAN FIX. I HAVE ONLY 90,000 MILES ON THE CAR AND NOW, I NEED A RACK AND PINION WHICH WILL COST ME ANOTHER $900.00 (I SPENT APPROX $500 DOLLARS ON THE CAR IN THE LAST 6 MONTHS). MY BREAK PAD WEAR OUT AT LEAST YEARLY (I AM RETIRED AND DON'T EVEN DRIVE THE CAR LONG DISTANCE). NOW MY ABS LIGHTS ARE CONSTANTLY COMING ON, EVEN THOUGH THE GARAGE SAID HE FOUND NOTHING WRONG AND I NEED TO TAKE IT TO THE DEALER. THE CAR IS PRETTY - BUT WILL NEVER BUY ANOTHER PONTIAC AGAIN - I CAN'T AFFORD TO KEEP IT IN THE GARAGE EVERY THREE MONTHS (SO IT SEEMS) AND NEED A RELIABLE CAR - NOT ONE THAT DOESN'T START ONCE EVERY TWO WEEKS BECAUSE NOW MY SECURITY SYSTEMS IS MESSED UP. ALSO, HAVE HAD PROBLEMS WITH 1 AND 2 ON THE AC SETTINGS (WOULDN'T WORK AT ALL) - AND OF COURSE, PAID TO HAVE THAT FIXED. PLEASE HELP ME.

NHTSA complaint #10201192 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.