3.0
definitely annoying- Crashes / Fires:
- 0 / 0
- Injuries / Deaths:
- 0 / 0
- Average Mileage:
- 45,713 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.
Security light flushed 2 days ago, and when I turned the car engine off the car would not crank or start. Took the battery to be charged, and it still would not crank or start. I spent all night on the internet to find that the Pontiac Grand Am's from 1999 - 2005 can have security passlock issues that cause the car not to crank or start. With the key turned on the lights will come on and the windows will go up and down, but you can't crank the car. I found a procedure that will temporarily bypass the security passlock, which involve following the sequence of turning the key to on position wait 10 - 12 min. Turn car to off (hopefully the security light in display will go off completely) then turn the key to start. That work for me, but the security light display in the dash panel did not go off. I have to hope that I will later be able to crank the car up again. I think this is ridiculous, and dangerous. You could be somewhere far away from others and stranded. Thus you could be in potential dangerous from the elements or environment or could become a victim of violence if the right person(s) approach you when you are stranded.
- Augusta, GA, USA
Keep having to change ignition switch and transmission went out.
- Orange Cove, CA, USA
I witnessed a truck driver recording videos while operating a tractor trailor, swerving lanes and seemed to be driving faster than an average tractor trailor. Posted videos on social media. Same person also operates there personal vehicle the same way and participates in local street races. This person was released from a different trucking company due to the same actions and still continues to drive unsafely. According to the Maryland commercial driving rules, speeding excessively, involving any speed of 15 mph or more above the posted speed limit, driving recklessly, as defined by Maryland law, including but, not limited to, offenses of driving a motor vehicle in willful or wanton disregard for the safety of persons or property, making improper or erratic traffic lane changes are all disqualification for serious traffic violations. Although this person was never reported to proper authorities they have also operated vehicles while under the influence of a controlled substance and had an alcohol concentration of 0.04 or greater while operating a cmv. This concerns me because I am a driver and 1 out of every 4 car accidents in the United States is caused by texting and driving. If texting while driving is 6X more likely to cause an accident than driving drunk and answering a text takes away your attention for about five seconds, traveling at 55 mph, that's enough time to travel the length of a football field. So I can only imagine the outcome of a distracted truck driver who is also a regular irresponsible driver.
- Towson, MD, USA
For over a year, my starter does not turn the car on when my factory key is inserted. It takes multiple tries for the car to start. When it finally does starts, there is a clicking sound that lasts from 5 mins. To 5 hours. Is this a hazard?
- Mead, WA, USA
There was no crash, I am just concerned I have a 2004 Pontiac Grand Am GT, the dash is defective and made of inferior materials. It is so warped and curled not to mention broke and lose, that in the event of a collision the dash will become a missile and in its current state it blocks a portion of the passenger airbag. This is a common problem with these vehicles and GM will do nothing about it. The dash is unsafe and was not built to last.
- Saint Cloud, FL, USA
Passlock system 2004 Grand Am Pontiac, the security light is blinking and read the manual follow the steps but my car wont crank
- Houston , TX, USA
I own a 2004 Pontiac grand-am, which I purchased in October 2003. Between the time of purchase and now, my ignition switch has gotten stuck in the "off" position at least four times. Each time it appeared that it was an electrical problem with the manufacturer installed theftlock system. The theftlock light would still be on after the car was unlocked using the remote and the key inserted in the ignition. Until a couple of days ago, I just waited it out for 10 to 30 minutes and would be able to turn the ignition switch. However, the last time it happened, waiting did not work. I had to have the car towed to a nearby dealership for service. The ignition and lock cylinder have to be replaced. The cylinder has to be altered so my key fits. After researching I now know that this is a common problem with Pontiac.
- Lexington, KY, USA
The contact owns a 2004 Pontiac Grand Am. The contact was unable to start the vehicle due to the security locking up. The owner's manual provided instructions on how to start the vehicle, however, once the vehicle started, the security warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and the ignition switch and lock cylinder were replaced. The vehicle key also had to be reprogrammed. The current and failure mileages were 44,000.
- Akron, OH, USA
- Hobbs, NM, USA