Most common 2001 Pontiac Grand AM problems
Share of the 538 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
Pontiac Grand AM complaints by model year
Best Grand AM years: 2005, 1998, 2004. Years to avoid: 1999, 2000. Compare all years →
2001 Pontiac Grand AM recalls (4)
Electrical system › Ignition
This defect can affect the safe operation of the airbag system. Until this recall is performed, customers should remove all items from their key rings, leaving only the ignition key. The key fob (if applicable), should also be removed from the key ring.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will install two key rings and an insert in the key slot or a cover over the key head on all ignition keys, free of charge. The recall began on September 9, 2014.
Exterior lighting › Hazard flashing warning lights › Switch
Certain passenger vehicles have hazard warning switches that May experience solder joint cracking caused by rapid temperature transitions and the soldering process. If solder joint cracking occurs and results in an open circuit, the turn signals/hazard lamps become intermittent or inoperative.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the hazard warning switch. Owner notification began on February 5, 2004. Owners should contact Chevrolet at 1-800-630-2438, Pontiac at 1-800-620-7668, or Oldsmobile at 1-800-630-6537.
Equipment › Other › Owners/service/other manual
Certain minivans, passenger and sport utility vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 225, "child restraint anchorage system." the owner's manual does not explain the meaning of the location symbols for the child restraint lower universal anchorage system.
Remedy: Owners will be provided with a supplement for their owner's manual. This supplement describes and shows the location symbols for the child restraint anchors that are located in the vehicle and on the child restraint or…
Power train › Manual transmission
Vehicle description: certain passenger vehicles equipped with manual transaxles (rpo m86) fail to comply with the requirements of FMVSS no. 114, "theft protection." when a driver attempts to shift from 5th gear to reverse, a shift inhibitor causes the transmission to be mechanically in 4th gear even though the shift lever…
Remedy: Dealers will disable the 5th/reverse inhibitor by removing a retaining pin and replace the shifter assembly.
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal safety investigators have looked into 3 possible defects involving the 2001 Pontiac Grand AM:
Erratic fuel gauge
There is no summary currently available
Turn signal failures
By letter dated August 27, 2003, GM notified the agency that it is conducting a voluntary safety recall (NHTSA recall no. 03V327) involving certain model year (my) 2000-2001 Chevrolet malibu, Oldsmobile alero, and Pontiac grand am.GM's recall covers 670,740 vehicles manufactured beginning February 1, 2000 through May 1, 2001 (alero and grand am) and February 1, 2000 through May 31, 2001 (malibu).GM reports that turn…
Erratic fuel gauge
Odi opened ea 02-028 to review complaints of consumers reporting that their fuel gauge was incorrectly displaying the amount of fuel in the gas tank.the fuel gauge receives an electrical signal from a fuel tank sending sensor circuit card.a float arm in the tank moves electrical contacts that rub against the card as the level of fuel rises and falls.disruption of the electrical signal (such as caused by corrosion of…
What 2001 Pontiac Grand AM owners say
Electrical system all 232 →
'm writing to notify GM about a dangerous issue with my 2001 Pontiac Grand AM. The security system activates preventing the car to stop for 10 minutes until it resets, causing many work related issues. This security issue prevents the fuel pump from activating, allowing the car to start. The problem has gotten so severe, the car now shuts down mid drive while on the interstate. Living in louisville, tn away 10 hours from home, I have no other choice but to keep using this vehicle to get back and forth from work. Now I'm forced to remain in the outside lane to quickly get over onto the shoulder when the car shuts off. This has happened no less than 15 times a week, almost causing an almost fatal accident. I've been to a trusted mechanic where we replaced the ECM two separate times, but the issue still persists. …
Water leaked into floorboard from air-conditioner. Grinding noise coming from the front and back wheels. Trim came loose from back bumper. Rearview mirror fell off. Had numerous times where the car would crank but not start (dealership could not duplicate problem) front driver window would not come down on occasion. Car caught fire under the dashboard while parked in our garage. The fire did extensive damage to the interior of the car. The inspector sent out to look at the car (by GM) said the fire was electrical and not caused by anything we did to the car. The car was repurchased by GM on January 7, 2004 after basically calling them on a daily basis to get something done about it.
Lights all 99 →
Tl* the contact owns a 2001 Pontiac Grand AM. While the vehicle was in the left turning lane, the contact noticed that the turn signals did not work. The turn signals seemed to operate after the turn signal switch was maneuvered several times. The contact received a recall notification for NHTSA campaign number: 14V400000 (electrical system). The contact called ettleson Buick GMC at [phone] (located at 6201 s la grange road, hodgkins, il 60525), but the parts were not available for the repair. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was informed of the failure and provided no assistance. The failure mileage was 123,000. Parts distribution disconnect.
Tl* the contact owns a 2001 Pontiac Grand AM. While the vehicle was stationary and while driving various speeds, the turn signals failed to operate. The contact stated that the failure occurred intermittently over the course of three months. On several occasions, the contact engaged the hazard lights to temporarily correct the failure. A dealer was not made aware of the failure. The manufacturer was notified and referred the contact to NHTSA. In addition, the contact was provided with service request number: 8-[phone]. The failure mileage was approximately 220,000.
Engine & cooling all 84 →
Water leaked into floorboard from air-conditioner. Grinding noise coming from the front and back wheels. Trim came loose from back bumper. Rearview mirror fell off. Had numerous times where the car would crank but not start (dealership could not duplicate problem) front driver window would not come down on occasion. Car caught fire under the dashboard while parked in our garage. The fire did extensive damage to the interior of the car. The inspector sent out to look at the car (by GM) said the fire was electrical and not caused by anything we did to the car. The car was repurchased by GM on January 7, 2004 after basically calling them on a daily basis to get something done about it.
Car started shutting off while being driven on numerous occasions. Car was evaluated by GM dealer and another independent auto repair shop, neither could determine why car was shutting off, GM dealer technician stated possible ignition switch problem on 11/22/2010. On 12/24/2011, the Pontiac Grand AM 2001, was being driven and ignition shut off causing the car to hit an unoccupied parked truck. Car lost power steering and could not avoid the accident. Car flipped on its top, injuring the driver of the car. Airbags did not deploy. Car was total loss. Have all documentation to confirm claim.
2001 Pontiac Grand AM engines & fuel economy
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG city / hwy / combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2.4L 4-cyl | 5-speed manual | FWD | 19 / 29 / 23 |
| 2.4L 4-cyl | 4-speed automatic | FWD | 19 / 27 / 22 |
| 3.4L 6-cyl | 4-speed automatic | FWD | 19 / 29 / 22 |
EPA ratings. Class: Compact car.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 2001 Pontiac Grand AM a good car?
Based on 538 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2001 Grand AM rates average: 1.3× as many complaints as a typical year of the Grand AM at the same age. Complaint counts don't account for sales volume or individual maintenance, so have any used car inspected before buying.
What is the most common problem with the 2001 Pontiac Grand AM?
The electrical system — 232 complaints, 43% of all complaints for this model year, most often about ignition › anti-theft › control module. Next are the lights (99) and engine & cooling (84).
How many recalls does the 2001 Pontiac Grand AM have?
There are 4 recalls for the 2001 Pontiac Grand AM, the most recent from July 3, 2014 (ignition). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer — check whether yours has been done with the VIN recall check.
What are the best and worst years of the Pontiac Grand AM?
The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2005, 1998 and 2004. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 1999 and 2000. See the full Pontiac Grand AM years comparison.
At what mileage do 2001 Pontiac Grand AM problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 71,000 miles; 28% of problems with a recorded mileage started before 50,000 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.