Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (doors, hood, frame, rust, paint and trim).
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).
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. …
I was backing up slowly out of a parking spot. As I turned me wheel to the right, I heard a very loud noise. It sounded like a pop or a crack. It was midnight so I couldn't see anything wrong when I inspected my vehicle. As I was driving home I heard a loud scraping sound. As I would break it got louder and louder. It was scraping and tearing. I got home and still couldn't see anything. I checked the next day and I noticed that the front drivers side coil was completely cracked. Because of this cracked coil, the protruding piece of metal from the coil was jammed and resting on the tire wall. Because of having to drive the vehicle home, the coil has torn and ripped up my tire wall and I AM afraid to drive it. This has happened to me before with a cracked coil on the opposite side of my vehicle on the passenger side. This is craziness and completely unsafe! …
Had an issue under original manufacturer's warranty of windows being scratched by defect in the door. They accepted responsibility for the defect and replaced glass at no charge. They said that the problem that caused the scratches was resolved. On 8-23-02 the issue reoccured and was to be fixed. The dealership at that time did not have the necessary parts to fix the problem. On 12-4-02 there was an appointment made to fix the problem and replace the windows, but the "ice storm of the century" hit north carolina. Since then I have not had the oppertunity to leave my car in the shop for an extended period of time due to my employment. Now Pontiac says that they will make me pay out of pocket to fix the issues with the door that were suppose to be handled under the original manufacturer's warranty.
My wife purchased a 1999 Pontiac Grand AM in 1999. For the last two years, we have been experiencing problems like the steering wheel making sounds when we turn the wheel, brake lights burn out frequently, fuses on back lights are shorted out with signs of melted metal, water gets into the trunk and collects. We have spoke to the dealer as well as several mechanics about these problems and we are told these are common problems with this type of car. I found out that by going in on any search engine and typing in "1999 Pontiac Grand AM problems", there are thousands of complaints with the same problems. The manufacturer denies any problems.
Without warning or physical impact/impairment right front coil spring fractured with a loud bang, and the jagged end pierced my tire sidewall, destroying tire. This occurred at approx 25 MPH, I was able to pull over without incident, had to be towed, new coil installed, new tire purchased, labor day plans ruined. Several months later, car was parked for 12 hrs in 70 degree weather, another huge bang, drivers side front coil fractured, c-shaped piece under the vehicle, again, the vehicle was towed, coil replaced, missed a day of work as this happened in connecticut, and I work in massachusetts.
The front fender is cracking terribly. There was one small crack when purchased in November. However now it's cracking all the way across. I have spoke with other Grand AM owners with the same problem. If this would fall off while driving, it could cause a serious accident.
Problems with vehicle's water pump and belt tensioner. There was a gap in the body at the passenger front floor board, there was a short in the volume of the radio, bad display, bad motor carriage, and the hood did not hold with the prop stick.
1999 Pontiac Grand AM 2.4 l auto severe brake failure---replacement of pads 8 times, rotors 3 times and calipers 2 times in 80,000 miles. Brakes occasionally lock up and make loud grinding and squealing noises steering shudders and vehicle pulls to left.. Participating Pontiac dealer failed to fix this problem since purchase at 11,000 miles. Under warranty replacement it has had 6 door panels due to peeling leather on top of panel, 5 gear shifters due to dealers improper installation, 2 factory cd/radio failures, 1 rack and pinion unit, 2 front strut assemblies due to knocking noise from front of car (went bad after 10,000 miles use), problem with hesitation at idle-cold start(unsuccessfully diagnosed by dealer) carpet loose in trunk around latch assembly(too short for trunk and was hot glued to back wall of car by dealer instead of replacement). …
Had all window mechanisms replaced after enduring a wonderful garbage bag cover treatment for window beauty enhancement last winter 2007-08. Found my ignition refuses to start w/ 1 key. I started noticing the smell of antifreeze. Took to my mechanic of 22 years. Thought it was a crack in the actual container which houses antifreeze. This was replaced. Nope. Still leaking. Car never indicated on panel that it was above temp & overheated, stayed within the normal range. The car never once overheated. Mechanic couldn't find the problem. Said it was a faulty computer... Indicates, tires need checking, flashing lights, ABS off/on...which by the way was causing me to not have my car pass inspection to add insult to injury!! Found I was all of a sudden replacing antifreeze by the gallons. Was still paying off mechanic from previous issues. …
Passenger seat slides after clicks in place, both driver and passenger side window regulators failed and left scratches on glass, radio lcd goes "wacko" car recently would not start (still at dealership), recall on console, both passenger side floor and cd (if in cd player) get wet with use of air conditioner, seat latches on backs of both seats are extremely difficult to lift, clip for moon roof switch broken, gas gauge sometimes moves up or down slightly in short period of time, front clip of car shattered in cold weather after going through unplowed street at 20 MPH, rear reverse light broken after ice clung to cable (which is not properly tied back), excessive wind noise on highway, steering wheel shakes when on highway (55-65 MPH), lots of problems with this car. (tiresize: p255/50r16)( dot number: tire size: p255/50r16 )
Related recalls
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.
Body complaints in other Grand AM years
Frequently asked questions
How common are body problems on the 1999 Pontiac Grand AM?
NHTSA has 45 complaints about the body & structure of the 1999 Pontiac Grand AM, 5% of the model year's 849 complaints. The component named most often is body › door (20 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1999 Pontiac Grand AM body problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 00V-140 (body, May 18, 2000). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 1999 Pontiac Grand AM body problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 65,000 miles, and 10% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 0 fires and 2 injuries to body & structure 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.