Pontiac Grand AM Complaints

5,577 consumer complaints on file.

#10344499July 21, 2010
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM
THIS IS A SECOND VEHICLE WITH VERY LIMITED MILEAGE, WHICH IS DRIVEN BY MY WIFE. THE CAR WAS PURCHASED NEW FROM A PONTIAC DEALER SO I CAN VERIFY MILEAGE AND THAT IT WAS MAINTAINED. THE FIRST INDICATION OF A PROBLEM WAS WHILE I WAS DRIVING ON THE EXPRESSWAY THE TEMPERATURE GAUGE SHOT INTO THE RED ZONE. FORTUNATELY, I WAS NEAR AN EXIT AND ABLE TO PULL OFF THE ROAD BEFORE CAR STALLED OUT. SINCE I HAD ALREADY STARTED TO SLOW DOWN I WAS ABLE TO CONTROL CAR AND TO GET IT STOPPED SAFELY WITHOUT HAVING POWER STEERING AND POWER BRAKES. CAR WAS TOWED TO A LOCAL MECHANIC WHO PRESSURE TEST COOLING SYSTEM AND INFORMED ME OF THE PROBLEM AND TOLD ME THAT GM WAS AWARE OF PROBLEM AND THAT THEY MIGHT HELP WITH REPAIR COST. GM INSISTED THAT VEHICLE BE CHECKED BY ONE OF THEIR DEALERS BEFORE ANYTHING COULD BE DONE. THE GM DEALER DID VERIFY THE FACT THE INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET CRACKED CAUSING CAR TO OVERHEAT, AND STALL OUT. THIS PROBLEM IS A RESULT OF THE ANTI-FREEZE GM USES, DEX COOL, WHICH REACTS WITH INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET CAUSING THE GASKET TO BREAK DOWN. GM HAS ISSUED A SERVICE BULLETIN #03-06-01-010, BACK IN 2003 TO ITS DEALER, BUT DID NOT NOTIFY VEHICLE OWNERS. IT SEEMS WHEN THE MANUFACTURER INSTALLS BAD PARTS OR INCOMPATIBLE PARTS/FLUIDS LIKE THIS, THAT THEY SHOULD OFFER A SOLUTION THAT IS REASONABLE AND EXCEPT THE RESPONSIBILITY AT THE VERY LEAST. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10344542July 21, 2010
AIR BAGS
TL-THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 PONTIAC GRAND AM. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED THE CONTACT HAD JUST PUT THE KEY IN THE IGNITION WHEN THE DRIVERS AIRBAG DEPLOYED. THE CONTACT WAS THEN DRIVING AT 30MPH WHEN THE PASSENGERS AIRBAG DEPLOYED WITHOUT A CRASH. THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED AND THEY STATED THAT THEY NEEDED TO INSPECT IT. AFTER THE INSPECTION WAS DONE THEY TOLD HIM THE WIRES WERE CORRODED WHICH CAUSED THE DEPLOYMENT. THERE HAVE BEEN NO REPAIRS TO THE VEHICLE AND THEY STATED THIS ISSUE CAN'T BE REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 183000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 185000.CV
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10343128July 14, 2010
SUSPENSION:FRONT
RIGHT FRONT SPRING AND STRUT ASSEMBLY BROKE. CAR ONLY HAS 44K MILES ON IT. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10343156July 14, 2010
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
I PUT THE KEY IN THE IGNITION AND TURN IT TO THE START POSITION BUT IT WOULDN'T START. THERE IS A WORK AROUND THAT IS DETAILED IN THE 2002 PONTIAC GRAND AM OWNER'S MANUAL ON PAGE 2-18 THAT SAYS "AFTER ATTEMPTING TO START THE ENGINE, IF THE SECURITY LIGHT FLASHES OR STAYS ON, WAIT TEN MINUTES WITH THE KEY IN ON UNTIL THE LIGHT GOES OFF. THEN TURN THE IGNITION TO OFF BEFORE ATTEMPTING TO START THE ENGINE AGAIN." I DID THAT AND IT WORKED BUT IT SHOULDN'T BE NECESSARY. THE CAR SHOULD START RIGHT AWAY. THIS IS THE SECOND TIME THIS HAS HAPPENED TO ME BUT IT ISN'T AN ISOLATED INCIDENT. THERE HAVE BEEN MANY OTHER PEOPLE THAT HAVE HAD THIS PROBLEM AND THIS WEBSITE INCLUDES COMMENTS FROM OTHER PEOPLE WHO HAVE HAD THIS PROBLEM: HTTP://TOWNHALL-TALK.EDMUNDS.COM/DIRECT/VIEW/.F0F6220/0 THIS FAILURE HAS NOT BEEN CORRECTED YET. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10342586July 12, 2010
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 PONTIAC GRAND AM. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ELECTRICAL GAUGES ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL FAILED TO FUNCTION. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE AND ATTEMPTED VARIOUS REPAIRS SUCH AS REPLACING THE BATTERY, INSTRUMENT PANEL AND OTHER WIRING TO NO AVAIL. THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE MANUFACTURER ADVISED THE CONTACT TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO A DIFFERENT DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 12,644 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 45,725.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10342619July 12, 2010
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
I AM HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM AS REPORTED TO THE NHTSA DEFECT INVESTIGATION # EA02037 AND NHTSA RECALL # 03V327. IT JUST STARTED THIS YEAR AND I CALLED THE DEALER I BOUGHT THE CAR (NEW) FROM AND I WAS TOLD IT IS NOT PART OF THE RECALL BECAUSE THE VIN # IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE REPORT. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10342143July 9, 2010
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 PONTIAC GRAND AM. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START. AFTER REPEATED ATTEMPTS THE VEHICLE WAS UNABLE TO START. THE FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED BY A DEALER TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF FAILURE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 120,000. UPDATED 09/29/10. *LJ UPDATED 10/25/10 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED VEHICLE FINALLY STARTED AFTER LEAVING THE KEY IN THE ON POSITION FOR 10 MINUTES OR UNTIL THE SECURITY LIGHT STOPPED BLINKING. UPDATED 10/27/10
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10341805July 7, 2010
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:ANTI-THEFT:CONTROL MODULE
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 PONTIAC GRAND AM. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKES MADE A NOISE AND BEGAN TO VIBRATE WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 15 MPH. A LOCAL MECHANIC WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE SECURITY LIGHT ILLUMINATED WHENEVER SHE TRIED TO START THE VEHICLE. SHE HAD TO WAIT APPROXIMATELY 10 MINUTES, REMOVE THE KEY FROM THE IGNITION, AND THEN THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO FUNCTION NORMALLY. THE SPEEDOMETER ALSO BEGAN TO MALFUNCTION. GENERAL MOTORS WAS NOTIFIED BUT THE CONTACT HAS NOT RECEIVED A RESPONSE FROM THEM. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 84,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10341878July 7, 2010
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
1. NO KNOWLEDGE OF EVENTS LEADING TO FAILURE. 2. TURN SIGNALS AND HAZARD LIGHTS ARE INOPERATIVE. SIGNALS AND HAZARDS FAIL TO WORK APROX 75% OF THE TIME. WHEN THE TURN SIGNALS ARE INOPERATIVE THE DRIVER CANNOT USE THEM TO SIGNAL INTENT TO TURN RESULTING IN A CRASH. 3. NO REPLACEMENT PARTS HAVE BEEN INSTALLED. CURRENTLY AWAITING RESPONSE FROM DEALERSHIP IN REGARDS TO ISSUE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10341223July 2, 2010
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
I WOULD LIKE TO REPORT YET ANOTHER CUSTOMER THAT HAS A PONTIAC GRAND AM WITH THE PASS KEY SECURITY SYSTEM DEFECT. IT OCCURS AT RANDOM INTERVALS. THERE IS NO RHYME OR REASON FOR IT. I AM ON A SEARCH AND RESCUE TEAM. MY ABILITY TO HAVE A RELIABLE VEHICLE IS ESSENTIAL TO ME PERFORMING MY DUTIES SAFELY AND RELIABLY. THIS IS UNACCEPTABLE TO HAVE THOUSANDS OF COMPLAINTS FOR THE SAME REASON AND YET THE MANUFACTURERS DO NOTHING TO RESOLVE IT. I CANNOT AFFORD TO REPLACE MY VEHICLE YET, BUT REST ASSURED, MY NEXT VEHICLE WILL NOT SUPPORT A COMPANY THAT PERMITS THIS TO CONTINUE. I AM ALSO BEING VERY VOCAL ABOUT THIS ISSUE AND NOTIFYING EVERYONE I KNOW VIA WORD OF MOUTH AND SOCIAL NETWORKING. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10340996July 1, 2010
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.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10340648June 29, 2010
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
01 PONTIAC GRAND AM HAVING PROBLEMS STARTING. IT SEEMS THAT IT IS AN OVERALL PROBLEM WITH THESE MODELS OF GRAND AMS. I RESEARCH THE WEB AND FIND MANY UPON MANY OF OTHER PEOPLE HAVING THE SAME EXACT PROBLEMS. WHEN GOING TO START THE CAR SOMETIMES IT WILL NOT. WHEN THIS HAPPENS YOU HAVE TO RESET THE SECURITY WHICH YOU HAVE TO LEAVE THE KEY ON FOR OVER 11 MINS TO RESET IT. I HAVE HAD THIS PROBLEM WITH MY CAR FOR OVER 6 MONTHS NOW. AND TODAY IT HAS STARTED DOING IT EVERY TIME I START THE CAR. THERE SHOULD OF DEFINITELY BEEN A RECALL ON THIS. LIKE OTHER MODELS HAVE HAD. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10340696June 29, 2010
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
MY WIFE'S CAR IS A 2002 PONTIAC GRANDAM 2.2L ECOTEC ENGINE. AT 95000+ MILES, THE CAR JUST LOST ALL POWER AND MY WIFE WAS ABLE TO GET TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND THE CAR DIED. CAR WAS TAKEN TO 2 GARAGES AND FOUND TO HAVE A BROKEN TIMING CHAIN (NOT BELT). GALLAGHER BUICK IN NEW BRITAIN CT FOUND THAT THE ENGINE IS NOW DESTROYED AND NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. IT IS AN INTERFERENCE ENGINE. SHE HAS KEPT UP WITH REQUIRED MAINTENANCE.I HAVE LOOKED ONLINE FOR MORE INSTANCES OF THIS HAPPENING AND SEEMS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS ENGINE. ONE INDIVIDUAL HAD HIS TIMING CHAIN BREAK AT 57000 MILES. GM IS NOT ACCEPTING RESPONSIBILITY FOR THIS PROBLEM. THEY ARE TELLING US TO DEAL WITH THE REPAIR DEALERSHIP ABOUT THIS. PLEASE INVESTIGATE SINCE YOU CAN READ MANY HORROR STORIES ONLINE ABOUT THIS ENGINE AND THE DEFECTIVE TIMING CHAIN BREAKING PREMATURE (AS MY MECHANIC HAS SAID ) AND ENGINES BEING RUINED. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10340695June 29, 2010
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
I WAS TRAVELING ALONG THE HIGHWAY GOING EXACTLY 60 MPH WHEN SOMETHING POPPED CAUSING ME TO LOSE CONTROL OF MY VEHICLE ( ALL PASSENGERS WERE IN SEAT BELTS) WE SLID DOWN A DITCH HITTING A LIGHT POLE CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO COME TO A STOP NEITHER THE DRIVER OR THE PASSENGER BAG DEPLOYED. WE WERE TRAVELING AT A HIGH RATE OF SPEED AND THE AIR BAGS MALFUNCTIONED CAUSING MY FIANCE TO HIT HER HEAD ON THE DASH. *TR
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
3
Deaths:
0
#10340349June 28, 2010
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 PONTIAC GRAND AM. THE CONTACT STATED WHEN STARTING THE VEHICLE, THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL INCREASE IN ENGINE RPMS UP TO 2,000. THE DEALER REPLACED THE IDLE AIR CONTROL VALVE AND ANOTHER UNKNOWN VALVE. THE FAILURE RECURRED WITHIN SIX WEEKS. THE DEALER THEN REPLACED THE PCM REM AND THE COMPUTER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND INFORMED HER TO CONTINUES WORKING WITH HER DEALER TO REPAIR THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 127,918.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10340135June 25, 2010
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 PONTIAC GRAND AM. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START. IN ORDER TO GET THE VEHICLE TO START, HE WOULD TURN THE IGNITION TO THE START POSITION AND WAIT FOR 10 MINUTES BEFORE TURNING IT BACK OFF AND THEN ON AGAIN. THE FAILURE RECURS INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO BE EXAMINED FOR THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 54,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 66,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10339740June 23, 2010
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
I HAVE A 2001 PONTIAC GRAND AM GT V6 3400. THE PASSLOCK/SECURITY SYSTEM HAS PROVEN TO BE FAULTY ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS. IN THE RECENT PAST THE SECURITY LIGHT WOULD RANDOMLY FLASH PREVENTING ME FROM STARTING MY CAR FOR UP TO 10-15 MINUTES. IT HAS MORE RECENTLY TAKEN A TURN FOR THE WORSE. NOW MY SECURITY LIGHT IS ON SOLID. I CAN TURN MY CAR ON BUT WITHIN 1-2 SECONDS IT SHUTS OFF. I HAVE NOT HAD ANY THEFT ATTEMPTS, YET MY CAR THINKS I AM TRYING TO STEAL IT. I BELIEVE THE COMPUTER IS FAULTY AND RECOGNIZING PROBLEMS THAT DO NOT EXIST. ALONG WITH THE PROBLEM OF THE CAR NOT STARTING, THE KEYLESS ENTRY (ALSO PROVIDED BY MY GM DEALER, NOT SECOND HAND) IS USELESS. I HAVE NO CONTROL OVER MY CAR, FOR IT IS IN SHUTDOWN. IF I WERE TO REPLACE THE IGNITION CYLINDER IT WOULD COST $200 FOR THE PART AND ANOTHER $2000 TO GET THE PART REPLACED PROFESSIONALLY. I WISH GM COULD STAND BEHIND THIS FAULTY PRODUCT THAT SO MANY PEOPLE LIKE MYSELF HAVE STRUGGLED WITH. I AM A PROUD OWNER OF MY CAR AND WOULD LOVE NOTHING MORE THAN TO KEEP IT, BUT I WOULD LIKE TO BE ABLE TO DRIVE IT. PASSLOCK/SECURITY SYSTEMS IN THIS MODEL ARE FAULTY AND I'M NOT ALONE IN THIS RECOGNITION. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10339764June 23, 2010
TIRES, TIRES:SIDEWALL
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1992 PONTIAC GRAND AM. THE CONTACT OWNS CENTRON CORDOVAN TIRES, DOT NUMBER UTT2, LINE SIZE P205/55/R16. THE CONTACT STATED BOTH FRONT TIRES WERE EXHIBITING SEPARATION FROM THE SIDE WALL. THE TIRES WERE TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THEY WOULD BE REPLACED. THERE WERE NO PRIOR WARNINGS AND THE TIRES WERE NOT SERVICED OR REPLACED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 20,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10339787June 23, 2010
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
TURN SIGNAL CLICKING WHEN NOT ENGAGED, SOMETIMES A PUFF OF SMOKE IS VISIBLE AFRAID THIS IS A FIRE HAZARD. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10339543June 22, 2010
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HAZARD FLASHING WARNING LIGHTS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 PONTIAC GRAND AM SE. SHE STATED THAT THE HAZARD LIGHTS WOULD INTERMITTENTLY AND RAPIDLY TURN ON AND OFF. THE CONTACT STATED THERE WAS A BURNING WIRE SMELL WHEN THE FAILURE OCCURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR REPAIRS OR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. NEITHER THE DEALER NOR THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 97,366.
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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