Model year record

1999 Pontiac Grand AM recalls & problems

The 1999 Pontiac Grand AM has 6 safety recalls and 849 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is service brakes, hydraulic (250 complaints).

Recalls6safety recalls

Complaints849filed by owners

Crashes · fires73 · 13reported in complaints

Injuries · deaths60 · 16reported in complaints

1999 Pontiac Grand AM in an NHTSA crash test — NHTSA crash test

Safety recalls

Electrical systemJul 3, 2014

Ignition

Recall 14V4000005,877,718 vehicles

Problem: This defect can affect the safe operation of the airbag system. Until this recall is performed, customers should remove all items from their key rings, leaving only the ignition key. The key fob (if applicable), should also be removed from the key ring. General Motors LLC (GM) notified the agency on July 3, 2014, that they are recalling 5,877,718 model year 2000-2005 Chevrolet Impala and Monte Carlo, 1997-2003 Chevrolet Malibu, 2004-2005 Malibu Classic, 1999-2004 Oldsmobile Alero, 1998-2002 Oldsmobile Intrigue, 1999-2005 Pontiac Grand Am and 2004-2008 Pontiac Grand Prix vehicles. In these models, the weight on the key ring and/or road conditions or some other jarring event may cause the ignition switch to move out of the run position, turning off the engine.
Risk: If the key is not in the run position, the air bags may not deploy if the vehicle is involved in a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
Fix: GM will notify owners, and dealers will install two key rings and an insert in the key slot or a cover over the key head on all ignition keys, free of charge. The recall began on September 9, 2014. GM's number for this recall is 14350.

Exterior lightingApr 7, 2009

Exterior lighting

Recall 09E01200016,270 vehiclesopened after NHTSA action (OVSC)

Problem: SABERSPORT IS RECALLING 16,270 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.
Risk: DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
Fix: SABERSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 11, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SABERSPORT AT 1-909-598-7589.

Fuel system, otherMar 12, 2007

Storage › Tank assembly › Pressure relief devices

Recall 07E021000742 vehicles

Problem: CERTAIN DELPHI FUEL PRESSURE REGULATORS, P/NOS. FP10020-11B1, FP10026-11B1, AND FP10027-11B1, SOLD AFTER JANUARY 9, 2007, AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. THE UNIVERSAL PRESSURE REGULATORS (UPR) WERE PRODUCED WITHOUT AN O'RING AND RETAINER.
Risk: FUEL MAY LEAK, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A FIRE.
Fix: DELPHI WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE UPR FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 23, 2007. OWNERS CAN CONTACT DELPHI AT 877-411-8770.

Exterior lightingJul 17, 2006

Exterior lighting

Recall 06E0640004,029 vehiclesopened after NHTSA action (OVSC)

Problem: CERTAIN TRADESONIC COMBINATION LAMPS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LISTED PASSENGER VEHICLES. COMBINATION LAMPS NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.
Risk: LACK OF AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS IN THE LAMPS WILL DECREASE LIGHTING VISIBILITY TO OTHER DRIVERS AND MAY POSSIBLY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
Fix: TRADESONIC WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE LAMPS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING JULY 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT TRADESONIC AT 626-934-8884.

StructureMay 18, 2000

Body

Recall 00V140000487,400 vehicles

Problem: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: THESE VEHICLES DO NOT COMPLY WITH THE OCCUPANT PROTECTION REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 201, "OCCUPANT PROTECTION IN INTERIOR IMPACT." THE CONSOLE COVER ON THESE VEHICLES DOES NOT STAY CLOSED WHEN A SPECIFIED VERTICAL LOAD IS APPLIED.
Risk: IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, THE CONSOLE COVER COULD OPEN AND THE COVER OR ITEMS STORED UNDER IT COULD INJURE AN OCCUPANT.
Fix: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE CONSOLE LATCH MECHANISM.

SteeringDec 15, 1998

Steering wheel/handle bar

Recall 98V320000217 vehicles

Problem: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE STEERING WHEEL CAN COME LOOSE FROM THE STEERING SHAFT BECAUSE THE STEERING WHEEL RETAINING NUT COULD HAVE BEEN IMPROPERLY TIGHTENED.
Risk: THIS CONDITION COULD CAUSE A LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Fix: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE STEERING WHEEL RETAINING NUT FOR CORRECT TIGHTNESS AND TIGHTEN IF NECESSARY.

Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. A recall listed here may already have been fixed on a particular car: enter its 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls.

Crash test ratings

1999 Pontiac Grand Am 4-DR.

OverallNot Rated

Frontal crash	Not Rated
Side crash	Not Rated
Rollover	Not Rated

1999 Pontiac Grand AM NHTSA side crash test — NHTSA side barrier crash test

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (New Car Assessment Program). Ratings are comparable only between vehicles of similar size and weight, and ratings from 2011 on use tougher tests than earlier years. Photos: NHTSA.

Fuel economy

Grand Am

23mpg combined

City / highway	19 / 28 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

2.4 L · 4 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $2,900/year to fuel

Grand Am

20mpg combined

City / highway	18 / 26 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

3.4 L · 6 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $3,350/year to fuel

EPA estimates from fueleconomy.gov for each engine and transmission sold. Annual cost is the EPA's estimate for 15,000 miles a year at its current fuel and electricity price assumptions. Your results will vary.

What owners report

Problem area	Complaints	Crashes	Fires	Injuries	Typical mileage*
Service brakes, hydraulicAntilock/traction control/electronic limited slip; Foundation components › Disc › Rotor	250	7	0	7	40,500 mi
Electrical systemAlternator/generator/regulator; 12v/24v/48v battery	152	2	9	3	79,000 mi
Engine and engine coolingEngine; Cooling system	142	0	4	1	65,000 mi
SuspensionFront › Springs › Coil springs; Front	113	4	0	3	72,919 mi
VisibilityPower window devices and controls; Windshield	99	0	0	0	72,535 mi
Exterior lightingHazard flashing warning lights › Switch; Turn signal	82	2	0	2	50,993 mi
Air bagsFrontal; Side/window	80	48	0	45	96,750 mi
SteeringRack and pinion; Hydraulic power assist system	75	9	0	7	72,750 mi
StructureBody › Door; Body	49	1	0	2	57,000 mi
EquipmentElectrical › Radio/tape deck/cd etc.; Appliance › Air conditioner	39	1	0	1	39,500 mi
Power trainAutomatic transmission; Automatic transmission › Control module (tcm/pcm/tecm)	34	0	1	0	60,000 mi
Fuel system, gasolineCarburetor system; Fuel injection system	34	0	0	0	60,000 mi

*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.

Recent owner complaints

Service brakesCrash2 injuries
Our braking system on this car failed us, and is probably crushed by now at no fault of my own. My safety was atârisk when the brakes lost pressure and if it wasnât for our seatbelts, I couldâve been thrown through the windshield. I hereby declare that [XXX] deliberately caused our accident and lied about being blinded. [XXX] lost her sonâ[XXX]âand was jealous of my opportunity to do what he couldnât. Her other sonâ[XXX]âchoose not to attend college and contraband drugs among other things. [XXX] and his mother [XXX] were also jealous of me for having an opportunity that [XXX] chose not to take. They blame me for Chastity [XXX] & [XXX] turning their parental rights over to…
Oct 23, 2014
Electrical system
The gas gauge will show full then without warning quickly drop to âEâ and the low fuel indicator will ding and the light will come on then just as quickly as it started it will go back to full or 2/3rds the slow creep back to the full position. (The tank was not full) While driving all the electrical components start going wild, everything goes on and off quickly. The accelerator will rev(while foot is on or off accelerator) and drop over and over (as if there were bad gas in it) then go back to normal. This happens while Iâm on the road and is a massive hazard. Iâm so afraid this will cause an accident that leads to loss of life.
Jun 1, 2023
Air bagsCrash1 injury
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 1999 PONTIAC GRAND AM. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING ABOUT 60 MPH, THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO A CONCRETE BARRIER THAT WAS PUSHED OVER TO THE CONTACT'S LANE, FOLLOWING AN ACCIDENT THAT INVOLVED TWO TRUCKS. THE PASSENGER'S AIR BAG DEPLOYED. NO OTHER AIR BAG DEPLOYED, INCLUDING THE DRIVER'S. THERE WAS NO WARNING. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED MINOR ABRASIONS ON THE UPPER LEFT SHOULDER AND A BIG BUMP ON THE BACK. THE CONTACT WOULD BE GOING TO THE DOCTORS ATA A LATER POINT IN TIME. THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALED AND WAS TOWED TO A TOW YARD. THE DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER WERE NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 268,500.
Jun 21, 2019 · 268,500 miles
Unknown or other
WINDSHIELD AND REAR WINDOW WERE BROKE AND BOTH HAVE BROKE INTO SHARDS. WINDSHIELD WAS APPROXIMENTLY 3" IN DIAMETER AND HALF INCH WIDE AND REAR WINDOW WAS APPROXIMENTLY 5" AND QUARTER IN WIDE.
May 27, 2016 · 149,300 miles
Engine
THE OIL PRESSURE SWITCH WENT OUT CAUSING ME TO LOSE A MASSIVE AMOUNT OF OIL.
Apr 22, 2016 · 120,000 miles
Exterior lighting
THE HAZARD SWITCH MAKES A NOISE LIKE THE HAZARD LIGHTS ARE FLASHING WHEN THEY AREN'T EVEN ON. TO GET MY BLINKERS TO WORK I HAVE TO PUSH THE HAZARD BUTTON ON AND OFF SEVERAL TIMES.
Jun 1, 2016 · 125,000 miles
Visibility/wiper
TO START WITH I READ THE COMPLAINTS AND WAS WONDERING HOW MANY COMPLAINTS DOES IT TAKE FOR SOMETHING TO BE RECALLED. THE DRIVER SIDE WINDOW FALLS, PASSENGER SIDE WINDOW HAS SCRATCHES ON IT FROM I AM GUESSING THE REGULATOR, THE DASH IS SEPARATED FROM THE WINDSHIELD, THE STRUTS, AND SPRINGS HAVE BEEN REPLACED, ABS LIGHT STAYS ON, THE SUSPENSION FEELS LIKE THE CAR IS FALLING APART THROUGH EVERY BUMP IN THE ROAD, THE HEADLIGHTS ARE FOGGED UP AND POINT DOWN. SIDE MIRROR HAS BEEN REPLACED AND WE VISITED SEVERAL AUTO YARDS TO TRY TO FIND A DASH AND SIDE MIRROR AND WOULDN'T YOU KNOW IT ALL THE MODELS OF THE GRAND AM WAS MISSING THE PASSENGER SIDE MIRROR WHERE IT HAD BROKE OFF AND ALL OF THEM THE…
May 21, 2016
Steering
CLOCK SPRING HAS A DISK THAT IS NOT A UNIFORM DESGINE DUE TO IT SPLITTING AND BOWING OUT. STEERING WHEEL STICKS WHEN TURNED EITHER DIRECTION AND HORN IS SET OFF AS WELL. THE AIRBAG LIGHT IS ALSO ON AND WOULD ASSUME THAT IT WOULD NOT INFLATE IN THE EVENT OF A FRONTAL COLLISION. PONTIAC FEELS THAT THE DISK THAT SHOULD BE ONE SOLID PIECE THAT I BELIEVE IS TWO PIECES, IM RESPONSIBLE FOR THEIR DEFECTIVE CRAFTSMANSHIP.
Jan 31, 2016 · 149,000 miles

Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.

NHTSA defect investigations

TURN SIGNAL FAILURESClosed
GM CONDUCTED A RECALL (NHTSA RECALL NUMBER 03V327) ON MODEL YEAR (MY) 2000-2001 ALERO, GRAND AM AND MALIBU VEHICLES TO REPLACE DEFECTIVE HAZARD SWITCHES THAT CAUSE THE TURN SIGNALS AND HAZARD LIGHTS TO FAIL.THE RECALL COVERED VEHICLES BUILT FROM FEBRUARY 2000 THROUGH MAY 2001 (DEPENDING ON MODEL).ODI OPENED THIS INVESTIGATION BASED ON 64 REPORTS ALLEGING TURN SIGNAL FAILURE ON MY 1999-2000 ALERO, GRAND AM AND MALIBU VEHICLES NOT COVERED UNDER THE RECALL AND BUILT PRIOR TO FEBRUARY 2000.IN DECEMBER 2004, GM WILL ISSUE A SPECIAL POLICY FOR MY 1999-2000 ALERO, GRAND AM AND MALIBU VEHICLES NOT COVERED UNDER RECALL 03V327.THE POLICY COVERS TURN SIGNAL/HAZARD FLASHER FAILURE FOR A PERIOD OF 10 YEARS OR 150,000 MILES (WHICHEVER OCCURS FIRST) TO PROVIDE A NO COST REPLACEMENT OF THE HAZARD SWITCH.GM WILL SEND LETTERS TO OWNERS STARTING DECEMBER 30, 2004.THE ACTIONS TAKEN BY THE MANUFACTURER IS…
RQ04005 · opened Jun 18, 2004 · closed Nov 30, 2004
FRONT SUSPENSION COIL SPRING FRACTUREClosed
THE FAILURE RATE OF THE SUBJECT VEHICLES IS LOW RELATIVE TO PAST ODI INVESTIGATIONS.THE ENGINEERING ANALYSIS IS THEREFORE CLOSED.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT NO SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT EXISTS.THE AGENCY WILL CONTINUE TO MONITOR COMPLAINTS AND OTHER INFORMATION RELATING TO THE ALLEGED DEFECT IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES AND TAKE FURTHER ACTION IN THE FUTURE IF WARRANTED.PLEASE SEE THE ATTACHED REPORT FOR ADDITIONAL DETAILS.
EA03021 · opened Nov 4, 2003 · closed Oct 19, 2004
FRONT SUSPENSION COIL SPRING FRACTUREClosed
THE SUBJECT VEHICLES ARE EQUIPPED WITH A COIL SPRING-OVER-STRUT FRONT SUSPENSION WITH THE SPRING ITSELF RESTING IN COMPRESSION BETWEEN TWO POLYMER ISOLATORS.PE03-031 WAS OPENED TO INVESTIGATE REPORTS OF FRACTURE OF THIS SPRING.THE FRACTURES OCCUR IN THE FIRST ACTIVE COIL ABOVE THE LOWER ISOLATOR AND APPARENTLY ORIGINATE IN CORROSION PITS FOUND BENEATH REGIONS OF DAMAGED EPOXY COATING.CONSUMER COMPLAINTS AND WARRANTY DATA SHOW THAT THE FAILURES OCCUR PREDOMINANTLY IN THE ?CORROSION STATES? AND TEND TO APPEAR OUTSIDE OF THE STANDARD 36,000 MILE WARRANTY TERM.THESE DATA ALSO SUGGEST THAT THESE FAILURES WILL CONTINUE TO HAPPEN.SLIGHTLY MORE THAN ONE THIRD OF THE CONSUMER COMPLAINTS HAVE INVOLVED THE BROKEN SPRING COIL CONTACTING THE ADJACENT TIRE.ODI IS UPGRADING PE03-031 TO AN ENGINEERING ANALYSIS TO GATHER FURTHER INFORMATION CONCERNING THE SCOPE AND CONSEQUENCES OF THESE FAILURES.
PE03031 · opened Jul 14, 2003 · closed Nov 4, 2003