Most common 1999 Pontiac Grand AM problems
Share of the 849 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
Pontiac Grand AM complaints by model year
Best Grand AM years: 2005, 1998, 2004. Years to avoid: 1999, 2000. Compare all years →
1999 Pontiac Grand AM recalls (3)
Electrical system › Ignition
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.
Remedy: 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.
Structure › Body
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.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the console latch mechanism.
Steering › Steering wheel/handle bar
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.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect the steering wheel retaining nut for correct tightness and tighten if necessary.
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal safety investigators have looked into 3 possible defects involving the 1999 Pontiac Grand AM:
Turn signal failures
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…
Front suspension coil spring fracture
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…
Front suspension coil spring fracture
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…
What 1999 Pontiac Grand AM owners say
Brakes all 219 →
Our braking system on this car failed us, and is probably crushed by now at no fault of my own. My safety was at-risk when the brakes lost pressure and if it wasn't for our seatbelts, I could've been thrown through the windshield. I hereby declare that [redacted] deliberately caused our accident and lied about being blinded. [redacted] lost her son-[redacted]-and was jealous of my opportunity to do what he couldn't. Her other son-[redacted]-choose not to attend college and contraband drugs among other things. [redacted] and his mother [redacted] were also jealous of me for having an opportunity that [redacted] chose not to take. They blame me for Chastity [redacted] & [redacted] turning their parental rights over to the Commonwealth of Kentucky. How their oldest daughter being raped by her paternal grandmother's husband has to do me is absurd and childish in my opinion. …
Tl-the contact owns a 1999 Pontiac Grand AM. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 15 MPH attempting to avoid a crash, the power brakes failed causing the contact to crash into a vehicle. The air bags failed to deploy. The contact was not aare of any injuries sustained or if a police report was filed. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The failure mileage was 141,000.
Engine & cooling all 146 →
Tl* the contact owned a 1999 Pontiac Grand AM. The contact stated that while stopped at a traffic light, there was smoke coming from the front of the vehicle. The contact stated that the vehicle engulfed in flames. The fire department was contacted and was able to extinguish the fire. A fire report was filed. The vehicle was included in NHTSA campaign number: 15V701000 (engine and engine cooling). The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic. The vehicle was destroyed. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 175,000.
Ignition has shut down numerous times also activating GM passlock system, vehicle has been towed numerous times, raw fuel has disintegrated muffler and catalytic converter, notified GM numerous times about this, stonewalled, given local number to call, they had no knowledge of it, car not safe to drive, parked it, incurred insurance/taxes etc to keep car in driveway, mostly inoperable now waiting on GM to address, they refuse to even acknowledge phone calls/e-mails nor will they try and reach an accord in regards to a car unsafe to drive. I AM disabled and relied on this car to go to doctor offices, being left stranded numerous times and waiting to be towed by aaa was difficult enough yet when I asked about being at least disabled, they wanted to then charge a "diagnosis" fee on top of being treated like dirt. …
Electrical system all 132 →
The gas gauge will show full then without warning quickly drop to "E" 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 I'm on the road and is a massive hazard. I'm so afraid this will cause an accident that leads to loss of life.
Tl* the contact owns a 1999 Pontiac Grand AM. The contact stated while driving at 35 MPH, the vehicle traveled over an unknown object which caused the ignition switch to change to the off setting independently. As a result, the steering and brakes malfunctioned causing the vehicle to swerve off the roadway and crash into a creek. A police report was filed. The contact sustained unknown injuries and medical attention was required. The vehicle was removed from the creek and after several attempts it was able to be restarted. The contact had also received notification of NHTSA campaign number 14V400000 (electrical system) however, the dealer refused to perform the recall remedy on the vehicle because it had previously been involved in a crash. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was unknown. …
1999 Pontiac Grand AM engines & fuel economy
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG city / hwy / combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2.4L 4-cyl | 4-speed automatic | FWD | 19 / 28 / 23 |
| 3.4L 6-cyl | 4-speed automatic | FWD | 18 / 26 / 20 |
EPA ratings. Class: Compact car.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 1999 Pontiac Grand AM a good car?
Based on 849 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 1999 Grand AM rates avoid: 2.3× as many complaints as a typical year of the Grand AM at the same age. It is one of the Grand AM years we suggest avoiding. Complaint counts don't account for sales volume or individual maintenance, so have any used car inspected before buying.
What is the most common problem with the 1999 Pontiac Grand AM?
The brakes — 219 complaints, 26% of all complaints for this model year, most often about antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip. Next are the engine & cooling (146) and electrical system (132).
How many recalls does the 1999 Pontiac Grand AM have?
There are 3 recalls for the 1999 Pontiac Grand AM, the most recent from July 3, 2014 (ignition). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer — check whether yours has been done with the VIN recall check.
What are the best and worst years of the Pontiac Grand AM?
The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2005, 1998 and 2004. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 1999 and 2000. See the full Pontiac Grand AM years comparison.
At what mileage do 1999 Pontiac Grand AM problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 70,000 miles; 30% of problems with a recorded mileage started before 50,000 miles.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.