Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (struts, shocks, control arms, ball joints, springs).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2000 Pontiac Grand AM owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
I purchased my 2000 Pontiac Grand AM used with 27000 miles on July of 2001. In October of 2001 I had my first brake job, February 2002, July 2002, March 2003 brakes checked on 2 other occasions for noise. Car was serviced in March 2003 for brakes and alignment - 5 weeks later car caught fire driving in traffic. The smoke was coming from under the hood, the fire dept. And police were on the scene in less than 10 minutes - the car was totaled. Cause is under investigation.
While driving at 65 MPH driver lost control of the vehicle, causing it to roll over. Consumer had the vehicle towed to the dealership; mechanic determined that a bolt from the rear sway bar was missing.
On 5/15/08 @ 4:30 p.m., our daughter was driving our 2000 Pontiac Grand AM, on I-40 west in durham cty, nc. Traveling approx. 70 miles per hr, she remembers only a sudden pull to the left on the steering wheel. Losing control, she swerved 150 ft. Before crashing into the concrete wall barrier. Continuing another 50 ft. The car flipped upside down on the left shoulder. No other vehicles were involved. A witness traveling behind our car reported that the car just started to "fishtail". The tires were inspected by the officer at the crash, and later by my husband and the insurance examiner, and were found to be intact, fully inflated and without excessive wear. A search on the national highway traffic safety administration website brought to our attention a recall in certain models of the 2000 Grand AM involving the rear suspension trail arm to the left rear knuckle bolt. …
I have 2 complaints. At around 48,000 miles I heard a grinding noise coming from the front end. Had to brakes replaced and still grinds. It has been about 10,000 miles now and still grinds. Brought back in to shop, they have no clue as to what is going on. Also, front end started pulsating 8,000 miles ago. Read some comments on the internet about this and seems there might be a problem with the braking system. Brought car in and cannot figure out what is causing it.2nd complaint. About 6,000 miles ago car would start in the morning and thoughout the day would not start on the first crank. Had to crank and give gas to get it started. Cannot figure out what is wrong. Had a diagnostic test done, no answers. Car has only 58,000 mile son it right now.
Was pulling out of garage and heard a grinding noise coming from front end. I stopped and got out to inspect the car. I could not see anything wrong so I continued backing up. The noise did not stop. I pulled forward to go back into the garage and the left front tire popped. I got out to see if I could identify the problem. There were shredds of my tire in the driveway. I called the wrecker. We took off the flat tire to see that the left front coil spring had broken and cut my tire all the way around. We brought the car to smith auto sales in lebanon,nh to be fixed. Both front springs were replaced and front end aligned. I AM concerned if this spring had broken while on the interstate what May have happened.
Pontiac Grand AM 2000, loss of control and rollover. The consumer stated while driving, suddenly the rear of the vehicle felt loose and the vehicle swerved which caused him to lose control. Upon inspection of the vehicle, it was found that the left rear trailing arms were not attached to the left rear knuckle. Inspection of the bolts that attached the trailing arms to the knuckle showed that the end of the bolt was broken.
Similar to: NHTSA action number : pe03031 my 2000 Pontiac Grand AM suspension front:springs coil springs need to be replaced as they are broken. Causes issues when turning and driving. I noticed this issue has been reported by others and wondering if there is any retaliation so that the manufacturer needs to fix? I plan to have them fixed immediately due to unknown consequences.
I was starting to leave for work and the front coil spring on the passenger side of my 2000 Pontiac Grand AM gt had snapped and flung itself into the tire. Which could have resulted into a severe crash and could have killed some one. Now I must replace the strut tower and the coil spring.
Car pulled out of garage and road around block. Extreme grinding noise. Smoke from front passenger tire. Pulled car back into garage to investigate. Passenger front coil spring cracked and rubbing against tire causing tire damage.
Left coil spring broke resulting in the front of the car dropping to the ground. The consumer son lost control of the vehicle when the coil spring failed . The front tire also blew out due to the coil spring failure.
Related recalls
Suspension › Rear
Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. The bolt that attaches the rear suspension trailing arm to the left rear knuckle May not have been tightened to specifications during assembly.
Remedy: Dealers will tighten this bolt.
Suspension complaints in other Grand AM years
Frequently asked questions
How common are suspension problems on the 2000 Pontiac Grand AM?
NHTSA has 34 complaints about the suspension of the 2000 Pontiac Grand AM, 5% of the model year's 675 complaints. The component named most often is front (14 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2000 Pontiac Grand AM suspension problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 00V-116 (rear, Apr 18, 2000). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2000 Pontiac Grand AM suspension problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 67,000 miles, and 14% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 5 crashes, 1 fire and 4 injuries to suspension 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.