10.0
really awful- Crashes / Fires:
- 1 / 0
- Injuries / Deaths:
- 3 / 0
- Average Mileage:
- 6,744 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.
Brakes make grinding noise and shake/pulsate when applied at any speed. Brake rotors were turned and pads replaced. Then a week later dealer said calipers were sticking and needed replaced. Now 2 months later it needs to go back to dealer for brakes problems.
- Conneaut Lake, PA, USA
Have had to replace brakes every 6-9 months/put 4 sets of rotors on/first pair was 2 months after car was purchased brand new.
- Auburn, IN, USA
While braking vehicle vibrated. Dealership was notified, but did not resolve the problem.
- Lanham, MD, USA
The window regulators have had to be replaced in the driver's door and both back doors. Each of the windows failed to close after they were opened. The first one to go out was the driver's window and the back two windows were working occasionally at that time. The mechanic told me that they would probably need to be replaced soon, but if they stop working, I could just knock on the outside of the door or slam the door shut and they would work for a short time again. This got me through for about another month. All broke within the past year and each one has had to be replaced. The total cost to fix all three window regulators was $1188.17. I called GM to file a complaint with them and to find out why there hasn't been a recall on the regulators, (as well as the seat belts, the side view mirrors, the brakes and to find out why I also have scratches on my windows). I told them about the mycarstats.com website and explained that all of my complaints are common. I finally received a call back about a week later and was told that I would not be reimbursed for any of my repair costs which came to $2,974.58!! this total includes: Brakes, calipers and rotors replaced twice for $834.08; side view mirror replaced after falling off while going through a carwash $167.86; seat belts replaced for driver and both back passengers because the plastic clips broke for no apparent reason $784.47 and of course the window regulators $1,188.17. Instead, GM was offering me $1,000 towards the purchase of another GM vehicle!!! I asked why I would want to purchase another vehicle that they don't stand behind!"!" I told them to keep the $1,000 and expressed that I would never buy another GM product again, since these are safety features that should have been recalled years ago!! this past week, I have also noticed that the molding around the window shield is coming loose on the passenger side, so I used silicone caulking to hold it in place.
- Cold Spring, MN, USA
While traveling about 25-30 mph front right tire spring snapped, causing consumer to pull to the right. Consumer got out of vehicle to inspect the problem, and found the tire shredded. Also, consumer complained of brake problem. Consumer had to replace brakes pads twice and rotors once.
- Inver Grove Heights, MN, USA
I have a 1999 Pontiac Grand Am. It has been in the shop at least every three months. The brakes have been replaced 3 times and the rotors twice. I take the car to an independent mechanic due to the dealer always saying nothing was wrong. The water pump went out, the manifold gasket cracked, the low track light has gone on since the day I bought it every time I turn left or right. The windows scratch and have been replaced once and scratched again about 2 months later, the dealer said it was the tinter that ruined them so I paid. I cant do that again so they remain scratched. I looked at a website mycarstats.com and there were 526 complaints and every single one had the same problems. I work with 5 other people that own Grand Am and we've all had the same trouble. Something has to be done, why do we have to be stuck with 1000S of dollars in car repairs and the manufacture not assume responsibility. I've had problems since I purchased the car brand new so there are several incident dates. Thank you.
- Santa Fe, NM, USA
I purchased the car brand new(1999 Pontiac Grand Am) the brakes have been replaced four times and the rotors once. The water pump once and the water neck once. The windows are all scratched. The dealer claims no responsibility. After reading through my car stats.com several Grand Am owners have had these same problems and Pontiac refuses to provide customer care.
- Santa Fe, NM, USA
Seems to me that I am replacing the brakes and rotors way too often. Since I have owned the vehicle (owned since September 1998), I have been replacing (or have had to had resurfaced) rotors approximately every 4-6 months and new brakes approximately every 5000 miles. This is ridiculous. My husband, on the other hand my husband has never had to have replaced the rotors on his vehicle (Nissan Sentra). Is there some kind of defect with the Pontiac Grand Am that causes the brakes and rotors to need to be replaced so often?
- Bowie, MD, USA
Rotors wear out prematurely. The last time they were changed they lasted only 500 miles and had started chattering before that. On average, we get only 4000 miles from each set of rotors. This is unacceptable. We have 98,000 miles on the car. Do the math.
- Altoona, PA, USA
While driving downhill driver noticed that vehicle would not stop. Dealer replaced rotors/calipers, and pads three times since the problem was noticed.
- New London, MO, USA
Ever since I bought the car I have had continuous problems with brakes. I"ve had the rotors and pads replaced three times. And to this day I'm still having problems. It seems they are warpped again. I've also had the rack and pinion replaced twice, due to fluid leaks from the top of it. I now have 56K on it now and there is still a clunk whenever I steer to the left or right that the dealership hasn't been able to find. Although the dealership has been good to me, I won't buy another Pontiac.
- Newport News, VA, USA
1999 Pontiac Grand Am, front brake problems, shakes violently, does not stop well. Replaced pad and resurfaced rotors, still have problems.
- Ashburn, VA, USA
The front brakes are junk and keep eating brake pads and rotors.not to mention the calipers.I have had 6 sets of brake pads put on my car and they need changed again.I have replaced the calipers, rotors and brake line hoses.I am still having problems.I have talked to auto part stores and they say that this is a common plaint they have with grandam's.I really think you guys should consider checking on this!considering the fact that there are alot of these car on the road.thank goodness I have not had a wreck due to this problem.but when you buy a new car you don't expect to have to put alot of money into it.just so you can keep on driving it.I will never buy another ponitac because of all the trouble I have had and am still having with this car.there should be no reason once so ever for brakes, rotors, brake line hoses, and calipers to have to be changed on such a new car!!unless there is a manufactor problem here!!!!!
- Linton, IN, USA
Consumer states that brake rotors are wearing, and when applying the brakes, vehicle will have heavy vibration and extended stopping distance. Dealer notified.
- Newport, NC, USA
The rotors experienced premature failure, and had to be replaced 4 times within 1 year.
- Washington, PA, USA
'99 gr am: Grinding noise R front-dealer: Drilled out restrictor in pwr steerng hose per bulletin 990232002. Rubbing & squawk noise turning left-dealer: Sway bar bushings replcd. Passenger seat stuck-dealer: Replaced seat track. Center console door latch assmbly replaced per recall. Radio lcd garbled & blacking out-dealer: Replcd radio assembly. Whining in pwr steering- dealer: P/S cooler line leaking, replcd & bled system. Gas gauge back & forth from full to empty-dealer: Tank sending unit shorted, replcd tank module assy. Fluid/oil leak from intake gasket-dealer: Replcd gaskets & replcd oil pump drive O-ring. Passenger seat squeaks-dealer: Seat tracks loose in floor pan hook attchmnt openings. Crunch/squawk in front end on speed bumps-dealer: Replcd R&R front struts, replcd upper mounts. Brake pulsation-dealer: Front rotors warped, both rotors were machined & pads replaced. Oil/fluid leak rt trans. Axle seal, steering rack center section- dealer: Replcd seal & sleeve, replcd steering rack. Shimmy & shake on hwy- dealer: Couldn't duplicate problem, no repair. Intermittently hesitates cold start & on excelleration-dealer: Couldn't duplicate problem, no repair. Driver's side window plastic regulator broke & window fell down-no longer on warrantee, consumer replcd @ approx $500 own expense. All occuring at under 40,000 miles. Am afraid to take in for next "scheduled" service for fear of what will be found.
- Blaine, MN, USA
The rotors had to be replaced every 2 months due to premature wear.
- Cromwell, CT, USA
I have owned this car for just under 4 years and have spent the last 2.5 in and out of the service dept. With it. I've had the brake rotors replaced 3 times, every year, almost to the day. I have also just had the fuel pump replaced 2 times and discovered a leak in my intake manifold with only 41K miles on the vehicle. It has been a safety hazard at times and left me stranded once.
- Kansas City, MO, USA
Brake rotors have to be replaced due to vehicle making noises when braking. Also, there is extended stopping distance. Contacted dealer, anddealer is not willing to do anything.
- Newport, VT, USA
- Pinetown , NC, USA