Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (accelerator pedal, throttle, sudden acceleration, cruise control).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 1999 Pontiac Grand AM owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
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.
While attempting to stop vehicle continued at a high speed. As a result, vehicle crashed into a telephone pole and rolled over. Driver was ejected from the vehicle and was pronounced dead. Also, seat belt did not restrain the passenger, and she sustained major bruises on the upper thighs.
My car is a 1999 Pontiac Grand AM gt. I have 55,600 miles on the vehicle and have had nothing but problems with the vehicle. Before the car even had 30.000 miles on it, the alternator went bad (I was initially told it was a bad battery, so in addition I purchased a new battery), the steering wheel was replaced, and the dome lights were replaced. Between 30,000 and 50,000 miles, the electronic throttle regulator went bad, the engine coolant system cap leaked and damaged my belts, and the intake gasket is leaking. With a new car, this is an unreasonable amount of defects and I needed to know how to report this car as a serious hazard or as a serious lemon.
Well I own a 1999 Pontiac Grand AM se coupe, and I noticed about two months ago at 50-60 MPH (or 2000 rpms), the cars speed and rpms would decrease about 2 MPH and the rpms would decrease about 500 rpms, then it would return and it would do this every time I was at that speed, also now when I accelerate to 60 and if I let the car decrease speed the temp gauge would skyrocket and after about 1/8 a mile it wouldn't let me increase speed along with that my electric fans in the car have never engaged, I love this car and I don't want to get rid of it. Also I had the transmission checked and its not that.
Several times in the past engine rpms stay at the speed you are going until you shut engine off and restart. Braking is not very effective at that point. No accidents yet / been close ,need to put in neutral or shut key off to stop. This problem started first time at about 75,000 miles it can happen at any time or speed ,I would say it has happened about 10 times over time.the car has 200,000 miles vehicle is in perfect shape except for the one problem.
While driving about 60 MPH, accelerated to pass another vehicle, the vehicle continued to accelerate at higher speeds even though driver's foot did not touch accelerator pedal. Vehicle continued to accelerate even though driver applied the brakes. Driver lost control and crashed into a sign pole. The problem has been reported to the manufacturer. The vehicle has not been repaired.
Vehicle was at a complete stop, engine still running, ready to put car into park. Engine suddenely revved up at an extremely high speed. Car suddenely shot up over a curb, railroad landscaping beams, and through a window and brick building. After car went through my apartment building the engine was still running at a high speed. This all happened in a matter of seconds.
Vehicle would suddenly accelerate to approximately 50 MPH or more without the foot on the accelerator pedal. Vehicle I was slowed down when the brakes were applied. Have taken vehicle to dealer, and mechanic was unable to determine the cause of the sudden acceleration.
Biggest problem - car is brand new, 2-1/2 weeks old and since about 100 miles, has been jerking off and while driving seeming as though fuel is being shut off and on while driving. Took car to dealer to fix. Told cannot fix and GM does not know what is wrong or how to fix. I was told car drivable and "safe." that depends upon definition of safe. Car is so bad it shuts off the cruse control after only being on 5 seconds. Do not know if this car will stall while driving and could potentially become a safety problem. No one at dealership or GM seems to care about this problem. This is a new car! I really would like your help to make GM accountable for this problem in their new cars! Steering - entire sterring column and wheel shakes when speeds of 60+ are reached. …
Dt: contact owns 1999, Pontiac, Grand AM. The contact stated while going around a curb she lost control of steering. The ABS light and the air bag light came on. While pushing the brakes it was like the vehicle was not even starting because brakes would not stop the vehicle. When the contact finally got off the road she pulled on the emergency brake to stop the vehicle. She turned the vehicle off, and when she went to restart the vehicle wheel loosened . She put vehicle in drive, pushed on the accelerator, and then pushed on the brakes and everything was fine. Also, contact stated that while starting the vehicle the rpms and speed odometer revved up to 120 MPH and back to 5 MPH before she even moved the vehicle or pressed on the accelerator. This almost caused her to hit another vehicle.
Acceleration complaints in other Grand AM years
Frequently asked questions
How common are acceleration problems on the 1999 Pontiac Grand AM?
NHTSA has 23 complaints about the speed control & acceleration of the 1999 Pontiac Grand AM, 3% of the model year's 849 complaints. The component named most often is accelerator pedal (4 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1999 Pontiac Grand AM acceleration problems?
No. NHTSA lists no speed control & acceleration recall for the 1999 Pontiac Grand AM, though it has 3 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 1999 Pontiac Grand AM acceleration problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 63,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 3 crashes, 0 fires and 1 injury and 1 death to speed control & acceleration problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
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.