Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (engine, cooling system, oil leaks, timing chain, exhaust).
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).
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. …
Hi I've bought a car from car hop the first time it broke n 3 months after I bought it and car hop had it towed to one of there shops and I was told they put a new engine in it 6 months ago car broke down again they wouldn't get it fix so I stopped make n payment on car for 3 months and they call me and asked me if I'd like to start there fresh start program were I'd have a warranty n I'd just have to keep up with my payment but they will fix the car so they put n another engine 4 months after new engine car broke down again now they are telling me I have no warranty and that I will have to pay 700 dollars on top of my 340 payments to get cardiac is there anything I can do I'm a single mom of two kids and this is stressful I've give in car hop 5,000 n payments and they are not being far.
Tl* the contact owns a 1999 Pontiac Grand AM. The contact stated that the engine was dripping oil onto the exhaust manifold. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was confirmed that the engine was dripping oil onto the exhaust manifold. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The contact referenced NHTSA campaign number: 15V701000 (engine and engine cooling); however, the contact was informed that the VIN, year, and model were not included. The failure mileage was approximately 120,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 1999 Pontiac Grand AM. While driving at approximately 55 MPH, the vehicle suddenly stalled without warning. The failure recurred twice. The contact was able to restart the vehicle. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 111,000. Updated 6/30/15 updated 07/02/15
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. …
My 1999 Grand AM developed a "low coolant" problem. I had added nearly a gallon of the recommended dex-cool in a 50/50 mix with water. On my way to work one morning, the oil light came on. As I was on a highway, it took a minute to get off the road. When I did, I found that there was no measurable oil on the dip-stick. In addition, when I removed the oil cap, I found a thick milky substance on it. I called for a tow truck and the car was towed to a dealership. The engine was blown and the total repair bill came to nearly $5,000.00! I did some research and found that all of the symptoms I had with the car prior to that day were common with the GM 3.4 engine in my car and that many others have had this occur. The intake manifold gasket fails and the antifreeze goes into the engine causing failure. …
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. …
My car has been leaking antifreeze which can be smelled in the car. No one has been able to determine as of yet where it is coming from. However, shortly after it had been noticed that my car was leaking antifreeze, my alternator went out. When it was pulled out from the engine, it was assumed that it had been on fire. It is felt that the alternator looks like it had been electrocuted. All of the rubber that covers the wires had been completely burned away. Considering that I drive my infant son around in this vehicle, not to mention myself this can not possibly be safe if the vehicle is catching on fire. The car has approximately 68000 miles on it. It also has all types of problems with the locks and the ignition. This is the worst car that I have ever owned in my life, not to mention the most dangerous. …
I have a 1999 Grand AM gt that I bought a month and half ago. All of a sudden the car started to over heat and losing a lot of coolant! We replaced the theromstate, radiator cap, flushed the sytem and still was over heating!!! Now the car is broke down and needs a head gasket or even need to replace both heads!! Nothing but problems with the whole coolant system!!. I think that this is pretty bad that GM knows that these types of vechile's especially 3.4 are having these problems, but are not trying to nothing about it. When I bought my car I expected it to reliable since it was that new, the worst thing is that I paid striaght cash for it and don't even get to enjoy it!!!. I think GM knows that they messed up and that dex cool is what the whole problem is, but they don't care since there not the one who has the worry's. …
Engine complaints in other Grand AM years
Frequently asked questions
How common are engine problems on the 1999 Pontiac Grand AM?
NHTSA has 146 complaints about the engine & cooling of the 1999 Pontiac Grand AM, 17% of the model year's 849 complaints. The component named most often is engine (34 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1999 Pontiac Grand AM engine problems?
No. NHTSA lists no engine & cooling 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 engine problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 72,000 miles, and 5% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 0 crashes, 5 fires and 1 injury to engine & cooling 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.