Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (service brakes, ABS, rotors and pads, parking brake).
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. …
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.
I have had to have the following repaired: the fan replaced 2 times, the brakes repaired 4 times, the radio replaced once, the water pump replaced once and the battery replaced twice. I AM also having problems with the transmission it has been slipping. The intake gasket needs to replaced because antifreeze is leaking out and one of the lifters is knocking. Most of these problems started at about 30,000 miles and gradually there was just one problem after another. I took it in to the dealership for the tranmission at about 32,000 miles and since the dealership couldn't get it to slip they wouldn't do anything about it. The brakes started having problems at 40,000 miles. I called GM to complain about the car and GM told me there was nothing they could do because it was out of warranty. …
I bought my 1999 Grand AM in oct' 04. The first 2 mo. Of owning it my alternator went out. A few months later I had to replace my front brakes. Shortly after that my(2nd) alternator and A/C pump went out not to mention the battery too. Oh and not only has the service engine light been on most of the time, a second service engine light came on! I have never known a vehicle to have 2 service engine lights on at the same time!! Was this some kind of premonition!? As soon as I got the car back,I went and picked my kids up to go to the fair. We were not even 2 miles out of town yet when my engine started overheating. I had to pull over and wait for quite sometime before I could make it home safely with my children. Now my car that I've spent a lot of money on, not just purchasing the car,but also in parts is currently in the shop for either a blown head gasket or the engine block is damaged. …
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 …
11/15/1999 involved in 25 to 30 MPH frontal collision, airbags did not deploy, resulting in 2 injuries, Pontiac contacted several times and each time given different answers as to why the air bags did not deploy. First reason given was it liked a fraction of an inch to deployment, 2nd time pontia contacted they advised that it wasnt at fast enough speed for deployment, 3rd time contacted Pontiac advised that I should be glad that the airbags did not deploy ,4th time contacted Pontiac advised that car airbags do not deploy when other vehicle is pick-up size or larger the dealership and the body shop where I had vehicle repaired both advised that the air bags should has deployed on impact. Have had the brakes rotors turned once and 2 months. Now have to get new brakes on vehicle.
I AM contacting you in an effort to have a vehicle recalled or to at least spawn an investigation into the brake system on 1999 Pontiac Grand AM's. Since I bought my vehicle in August of 2001 I have had nothing but problems with the brake system. Grinding noises and severe vibration when applying the brakes. The car has been to the dealership countless times for the same problem to no avail. I have researched the internet to find that I AM not the only 1999 Pontiac Grand AM owner to be experiencing the same problems. I have a long commute to work and depend on this vehicle to get me to and from and I AM concerned about the safety of this vehicle. I would like to know if you are currently investigating this issue and if not I AM hopful that this inquiry would promt one.
I have a 99 Pontiac Grand AM gt with 72000 miles. I have had several issues with the car. First, (at approx 50K) the coolant light came on, I took it to Firestone and they had to replace the water pump and the serpentine belt. The brakes grind and I had the pads/rotors checked and they check out okay? Occasionally, the car will sputter under acceleration for no reason. The coolant light came on again at 71K and now the gasket has to be replaced at my own cost. From my research, GM and Pontiac know about the problem, but will not issue the recall. They continue to pocket the money from those that are uninformed and from those who are. If I could, I would get rid of this car and never buy a GM product again.
The ABS/no trac light came on I returned the car to the dealer for repair they stated that it was the sensor and replaced it not even two months later when the car is now out of warranty it happened again I have been trying to contact the dealer with no luck of returned phone calls. I AM now having trouble of going through snow and up hills in my area. Which lead me into a ditch with my 2 children ages 1 and 4. I have also the problem of my windows being completely scratched and I was told it was my tint I went to get new tint and it is my windows also my LED light on my radio keeps going on and off and all scrambled the dealer has done nothing in regards to this complaint.
Tl contact owns a 1999 Pontiac Grand AM. While approaching a stop at approximately 5 MPH, the brake pedal extended to the floor when depressed. The contact released the pedal and attempted to depress it again, but it went all the way to the floor once more. He was forced to apply the emergency brake in order to stop the vehicle. He looked behind the passenger side rear wheel and noticed that the brake fluid was leaking from the metal line. The vehicle was towed to the repair shop and the failure was confirmed. The mechanic stated that the metal line was completely rusted. The current and failure mileages were 20,181. Updated 01-11-08. Updated 12/12/07
Brake complaints in other Grand AM years
Frequently asked questions
How common are brake problems on the 1999 Pontiac Grand AM?
NHTSA has 219 complaints about the brakes of the 1999 Pontiac Grand AM, 26% of the model year's 849 complaints. The component named most often is antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip (72 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1999 Pontiac Grand AM brake problems?
No. NHTSA lists no brakes 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 brake problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 58,000 miles, and 24% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 10 crashes, 0 fires and 7 injuries and 12 deaths to brakes 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.