Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (fuel pump, injectors, fuel tank, hybrid and EV propulsion).
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.
In November 2004 my "service engine soon" light came on along with the "trac off" light. After flipping through my cars manual I decided to have it serviced with the dealer I originally bought it from. At only 60,000 miles they determined all of my fuel injectors went bad. I had to replace these and with labor charges it cost me nearly $1,000. Approximately 11 months later, the same lights started to come on again. I immediately drove the car to dealer where they proceeded to explain that my fuel injectors went bad a second time. They first replacements were under warranty, I was required to pay labor. Unfortunately this past week the lights for the fuel injectors came on again, and is currently getting diagnosed. This will be my third set of fuel injectors in 36 months. …
Starting approximately August, 2003 whenever the fuel tank reaches about 1/4 tank or less the fuel gauge will fluctuate between 0% and 100% fuel. This fluctuation is frequent and can be observed 2-5 times within 10 minutes when the fuel level is below 25%. Various fuel system cleaners/treatments have been attempted with no change. This problem has left me without gas and stranded in very cold weather. In addition this has caused the vehicle to stall unexpectedly in heavy traffic posing a hazard to myself and passengers. The hazard is most apparent when traffic is slow or stopped and the engine runs out of fuel. The driver and/or passengers have had to exit and/or push the vehicle out of the traffic flow when traffic is very congested and hazardous. …
I own a 1999 Pontiac Grand AM with 80,000 miles, that I bought new. About a month ago (jan. 2006), the gas gauge failed. The needle dropped to empty (when the car tank was full). Now I don't know how much gas is in my tank, or when it will run out leaving me stranded. I called the dealership and they said it would cost $400 to repair. I called Pontiac division about them fixing it, and they said it was not on their recall list! I said I've owned cars for over 45 years and have never had a gas gauge fail! They said I should pay to have it repaired and if they ever decide to recall it, they would give me my money back. Well, I'm a retired disabled veteran and can't afford $400 for a stupid gas gauge...so now I get it filled up every day!
Fuel gauge, at 1/4 tank level or when idling for more than 5 minutes at any level, gauge will chime, quickly point to full, then point to empty, repeat a few times, and settle between the 1/2 and 3/4 tank range. This fault has left me in a position of resetting my trip meter and filling the tank completely when fueling in order to travel no more than 300 miles per tank and risk running out of gas due to an unreliable fuel gauge. This problem began in May 2002.
I was at a stop light and I hit the gas, the car stalled right in the middle of the intersection. I got it started then it stalled the second I stepped on the gas. It started again and I pulled around the corner. Left me stranded with a huge towing bill! Very pissed off. I could have gotten killed if someone didn't pay attention and hit me while I was in the intersection! It ran great then all the sudden it was like someone sucked the life out of my car!
I have owned this car for just under 4 years and have spent the last 2.5 in and out of the service dept. With it. I've had the brake rotors replaced 3 times, every year, almost to the day. I have also just had the fuel pump replaced 2 times and discovered a leak in my intake manifold with only 41K miles on the vehicle. It has been a safety hazard at times and left me stranded once.
Replacement of the following parts on 99 Pontiac Grand AM, r&r fuel strainer & filter/fuel filter/fuel pump/fuel injection/water pump/ECM/2brake jobs/thermostat/also I AM having problems with coolant system overheating/ loss of coolant/ fog window/ smell of coolant/ loss of power/ low coolant continually I have to add coolant every week.
Consumer had problems with the fuel gauge. Fuel gauge would read a completely wrong writing when the gas tank can be either on a quarter tank or empty. Manufacturer was contacted as well as the dealer, but they had told the consumer that there was no recall, and that there was nothing they could do.
'99 gr AM: grinding noise r front-dealer: drilled out restrictor in pwr steerng hose per bulletin 990232002. Rubbing & squawk noise turning left-dealer: sway bar bushings replcd. Passenger seat stuck-dealer: replaced seat track. Center console door latch assmbly replaced per recall. Radio lcd garbled & blacking out-dealer: replcd radio assembly. Whining in pwr steering- dealer: p/s cooler line leaking, replcd & bled system. Gas gauge back & forth from full to empty-dealer: tank sending unit shorted, replcd tank module assy. Fluid/oil leak from intake gasket-dealer: replcd gaskets & replcd oil pump drive o-ring. Passenger seat squeaks-dealer: seat tracks loose in floor pan hook attchmnt openings. Crunch/squawk in front end on speed bumps-dealer: replcd r&r front struts, replcd upper mounts. Brake pulsation-dealer: front rotors warped, both rotors were machined & pads replaced. …
Fuel System complaints in other Grand AM years
Frequently asked questions
How common are fuel system problems on the 1999 Pontiac Grand AM?
NHTSA has 41 complaints about the fuel & propulsion system of the 1999 Pontiac Grand AM, 5% of the model year's 849 complaints. The component named most often is carburetor system (8 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1999 Pontiac Grand AM fuel system problems?
No. NHTSA lists no fuel & propulsion system 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 fuel system problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 70,000 miles, and 10% before 25,000 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.