Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (headlights, tail lights, turn signals, interior lights).
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).
Turn signals became inoperative while turning, causing the car following to assume I was no longer turning, and accelerate....rear-ending me. This is a recurrent issue that needs resolved. Also, after the collision, the hazard lights would not work. Also, just saw the recall on the 2000-2001 Grand aims, allergy, and mailbox from GM for the exact same issue. I believe the recall should be mandated to include the 1999 model year as well.
The turn signal flasher module on my daughters 1999 Grand AM gt (54,000 miles) continues clicking after the signal has shut off. At times the unit has continued to make this noise for up to 15 minutes constantly. This is extremely distracting for a teen driver. I have located the NHTSA action # rq04005 on this issue. Pontiac had previously conducted a recall of 2000 my Grand ams for this issue. The NHTSA summary indicates Pontiac agreed to replace the turn signal hazard flasher for a period of 10 years or 150,000 miles. This vehicle was placed in service 5-12-99 (less than 9 years ago). I contacted Pontiac and was advised there was a special policy on this issue #04098 that covered the diagnosis and replacement of defective parts for veh's with in VIN# range xm893151 - xm 945549. I was advised that due to my vehicle VIN I was not covered. …
I have a 1999 Pontiac Grand AM gt. Whenever the turn signal is on it relays to the hazard switch and a clicking sound is heard to notify the driver that the signal is on. Well last year there was times when the turn signal would all of a sudden stop. I would have to mess with the hazard switch a few times and then the blinkers would work again. This was occasional for about a year then last month the clicking would sometimes not stop even when the turn signal is not on. Also it would erratically click very fast again with the turn signal not on. I checked out info on the website and apparently a lot of people are having this problem. …
There is currently a recall for 2000-2001 Pontiac Grand AM's due to a malfunction with the hazard light switch. I have been experiencing the exact same symptoms of the malfunction with my 1999 Grand AM. Based on conversations with the local Pontiac dealership, many individuals owning 1999, 2002, and 2003 Grand ams are experiencing the exact same malfunction as the hazard light switch used in all 1999-2003 Grand ams is the same. I have spoken with Pontiac customer support regarding the issue. They, Pontiac, have refused to repair the malfunction with my vehicle as they state the recall does not apply. I offered to have a Pontiac service department diagnose the problem with my vehicle out of my own pocket if Pontiac would cover the cost of repairs in the event that the problem was identical to the recall. …
The turn signals and hazard flashers work very poorly...I have had tis vehicle for a year now, and every day they stop working....I have contacted to dealer many times, but each time I AM told that the hazard switch might be bad..which is the same component that went bad in the 95-era Grand ams that made them experience the same problem, leading Pontiac to issue a recall on them....so it needs to be expanded!...they will stop working for no reason and this has almost caused a few accidents....and one time when I needed to place my hazard flashers on, they will not work....very dangerous...these are supposedto be a safety device that doesnt work..please try to recall these! Previous model years of Grand ams experienced the same problems!!! And I have talked to many other owners that have the same issues exactly....
Tl* - the contact has a 1999 Pontiac Grand AM. The contact has found that the 2000 Pontiac Grand AM has a safety recall 03V327000 for exterior lighting:hazard flashing warning lights:switch. The contact stated that her turn signal works intermittently. The contact also stated that when the turn signal was turned off it continue to click as though it is still on. The contact's mechanic replaced the hazard switch and the turn signal switch. The contact also had to have the multi-function switch replaced. The repair work performed between 03/01/06 - 03/24/2006. The contact would like to have her reimbursed repaired under the safety recall 03V327000. Updated 02/22/07.
Tl* the contact owns a 1999 Pontiac Grand AM. The contact stated that the turn signal switch failed to illuminate. The vehicle was taken to a private mechanic, who diagnosed that the hazard switch and the turn signal switch needed to be replaced. On another occasion, the contact stated that while driving approximately 60 MPH, the check engine warning light illuminated as the vehicle overheated and stalled. The vehicle was taken to a private mechanic where it was diagnosed that the intake manifold gasket needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 180,000 and the current mileage 205,000.
Tl contact owns a 1999 Pontiac Grand AM. Upon starting the vehicle she heard a clicking noise coming near the hazard light switch. The clicking noise she heard was very similar to the noise you can hear when you activate the turn signals. The failure recurred whenever the vehicle was turned on. The vehicle was not taken to be examined for the cause of failure and was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified and stated that her vehicle was not included in the recall associated with NHTSA campaign id number 03V327000, exterior lighting:hazard flashing warning lights:switch. The failure and current mileages were 114,000.
Dt*: the contact stated while driving at various speeds the engine overheated. The vehicle was taken to an independent repair shop for inspection. The mechanic determined the engine's high performance additive caused corrosion to the aluminum cylinder head. The cylinder head was replaced which corrected the problem. Updated 3/28/2006 - the water pump failed. The battery and brakes failed. The coolant light illuminated. The dealer determined that the antifreeze had congealed and needed to be flushed and replaced. The driver side headlight went out. The driver side window regulator broke.
Turn signals malfunction/inoperable. 1st replacement (defective): multi-function switch failed at 31,825 miles 2nd replacement (defective): multi-function switch failed at 79,287 miles ***please note: GM's special policy #04098 will only cover replacement of the hazard warning switch. The part that has failed multiple times is the multi-function switch (part #22676853). This appears to be a common problem with these cars and GM is not covering the replacement of the multi-function switch! The failure of the turn signals is a very dangerous situation!
NHTSA investigations
Turn signal failures
GM conducted a recall (NHTSA recall number 03V327) on model year (my) 2000-2001 alero, grand am and malibu vehicles to replace defective hazard switches that cause the turn signals and hazard lights to fail.the recall covered vehicles built from February 2000 through May 2001 (depending on model).odi opened this investigation based on 64 reports alleging turn signal failure on my 1999-2000 alero, grand am and malibu…
Headlight complaints in other Grand AM years
Frequently asked questions
How common are headlight problems on the 1999 Pontiac Grand AM?
NHTSA has 70 complaints about the lights of the 1999 Pontiac Grand AM, 8% of the model year's 849 complaints. The component named most often is hazard flashing warning lights › switch (18 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1999 Pontiac Grand AM headlight problems?
No. NHTSA lists no lights 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 headlight problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 59,000 miles, and 7% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 0 fires and 1 injury to lights 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.