10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 1
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
589 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

The NHTSA is the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints can be spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem. See the Back button — blue bar at the very top of the page — to explore more.

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problem #19

Jul 212003

(reported on)

Grand Am

  • Automatic transmission
  • 11,200 miles
Consumer called complaining about a recall performed on ignition wiring harness. Stated that after the recall was done the battery drained into the vehicle because of recall repairs done. Dealer was contacted, and stated that the only thing that was wrong was that the battery drained, and there was nothing they could do.

- Bloomsburg, PA, USA

problem #18

Dec 062002

(reported on)

Grand Am

  • miles
No summary.

- Tomah, WI, USA

problem #17

Sep 252002

(reported on)

Grand Am

  • miles
NHTSA recall 02V070000 ignition switch; martin Cadillac company, Inc., los angeles, ca; vehicle has had recall performed twice with the problem of the ignition switch failing, reoccuring. The owner is taking the vehicle back in for a third time to get ignition switch repaired, for a third time. The dealership is reluctant of repairing recall item a third time, which is frustrating the consumer.

- Mound, MN, USA

problem #16

Mar 272002

Grand Am

  • miles
With no prior warning my '96 Pontiac Grand Am suddenly 'shivered' or 'sneezed' while driving at a steady speed of approximately 55 - 60 mph. All the dashboard lights came on and were blinking. The vehicle lost acceleration as well although I was able to continue traveling as a result of the original speed. I was unable to pull over since I was in rush hour traffic on a major us highway with no shoulder of the road. I quickly turned on my warning flashers, grabbed the steering wheel tightly with both hands and tried to alert other drivers that I was in distress. My car was towed to the closest independent shop, who, after 4 attempts at repairs, were unable to fix the problem. I eventually took the vehicle to a Pontiac dealer who replaced the 'ignition coil'. I believe this incident is a safety defect and would like to report it as such.

- Levittown, PA, USA

problem #15

Jul 012002

Grand Am

  • miles
While attempting to start vehicle noticed some smoke coming from steering column. Ignition locked up.

- Edmond, OK, USA

problem #14

May 152002

Grand Am

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Dome light intermittently flashes on or stays on for a long time. Lights cause a distraction at night with driving. Vehicle was serviced for control display recall 96-V-257-000, but problem still exists. Dealer was notified. Consumers vehicle was checked and the technician found a lot of splices in the ignition.

- Niagra Falls, NY, USA

problem #13

May 102002

Grand Am

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Interior lights come on intermittently while driving, there are recalls 88V927000 and 96V257000; but this vehicle is not affected due to VIN. The invoice states that they checked the recall/campaign-they had to install engine wiring harness, replace the ignition switch and the steering column tilt lever.

- Niagara Falls, NY, USA

problem #12

May 121997

Grand Am

  • miles
Ignition switch will lockup. Engine will shut off, then lock, so that the electrical system is still on, and you cannot pull out the key.

- Inkom, ID, USA

problem #11

Dec 312001

Grand Am

  • miles
Recall 02 V 070 000/ignition switch: Alternator/ battery and ignition coil had to be replaced., dealer notified, and informed consumer that recall was not the cause of other failures. Feel free to provide any further information.

- Orlando, FL, USA

problem #10

Apr 182001

(reported on)

Grand Am

  • miles
Anti theft system activates while vehicle is being driven. Then, vehicle completely shuts down, cause unknown. Please any further details.

- Freedom, PA, USA

problem #9

Jan 142001

Grand Am

  • miles
After driving consumer parked car, about ten minutes later, consumer started car again, consumer had to go back in house and tried to turn off and then it went off by itself.

- Monroe, NC, USA

problem #8

Feb 212001

(reported on)

Grand Am

  • miles
Vehicle kept stalling out intermittently, causing loss of power. About 15 minutes later, vehicle would restart. Eventually, vehicle stalled out for dealer, which was then hooked up to a tackometer 2 machine, and codes indicted defect was due to ignition module sensor and crankshaft sensor.

- Shirley, WY, USA

problem #7

Nov 122000

Grand Am

  • miles
Vehicle experieces stalling problem. Instrument panel lights/gauges would act erratically before vehicle stalls. Vehicle been in dealer shop on two occasions, and unable to locate cause. Please feel free to provide any further on this matter.

- Mason, MI, USA

problem #6

Jan 292001

Grand Am

  • miles
The starter bendix froze up, causing the ignition to burn up.

- Greenville, SC, USA

problem #5

Jan 232001

(reported on)

Grand Am

  • miles
While traveling at highway speed vehicle would stall without any indication, and vehicle will not restart soon after. Plesase provide further information.

- Upper Sandusky, OH, USA

problem #4

May 012000

Grand Am

  • miles
Engine will shut off without prior warning, and will not restart for several minutes. Has taken to dealer several times.

- Meadville, PA, USA

problem #3

Dec 201998

Grand Am

  • miles
Ignition coil failed causing a loss of engine power, and exhaust components to become hot enough to melt and catch surroundings on fire

- Oskaloosa, IA, USA

problem #2

Nov 211998

Grand Am

  • miles
My car has stalled four times while driving. I lose all power and the car will not restart for for at least an hour. Two times the situation was very dangerous and I was nearly in an accident. One time it stalled on a blind turn on a back road and people has to swerve to avoid me. The other time the lose of power steering make it difficult to avoid other cars as I tried to pull off to the side of the road. I've had the car for a year and I am so scared that I'm going to be in an accident. I've had the car on a flatbed four times and brought to the dealer. Each time the car starts for the dealer and they can find no problems. They say it could be to many different things and cannot figure out what the problem is. The car has also failed to start on six occasions and the dealer cannot figure out this problem either.

- Oneonta, NY, USA

problem #1

Sep 301996

Grand Am

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Ignition enabler failed.

- Ontario, CA, USA