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 2001 Pontiac Grand AM owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
When I was gassing up my car, a fuel leak occurred in the gas tank and my car caught on fire. The gas station attendant used a fire extinguisher to put the fire out. I had 113,262 miles on my car. As you can see, the leak in the plastic gas tank caused the gas tank fuel pump to burn up and burn up its wiring harness. I don't want any money but I just thought the NHTSA should know. I do not need money because my insurance company will be reimbursing me for my total loss of the car.
'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. …
Fuel system, gasoline details: @ times you can smell gas on the inside of the recently put $690 into changing the entire fuel system before that it cost me $1100 for the entire coolant system $250 for coil pack and cover frequently sparkplugs changed out the ac buttons wont allow the ac to turn on I live in the south we burn up down here with no ac in a car and again on this past Sunday I just put another 4170 into sparkplugs and coil packs only to find out that all my problems are caused from the cars security anti - theft device that is defective I lose power no RPM's car will die in the middle of the interstate that I have to drive in downtown greeville sc and towns like atlanta and chattanooga tn the small things are the radio the lights the headlamps don't shine no brighter than a candle on a birthday cake not to mention that I go thru breaks and tires like they are candy it seems …
On my way to work (2nd shift) in rush hour traffic as I was preparing to merge onto the highway the car simply shut-off blocking traffic. (I was eventually - 20 minutes - able to get help to push the car off the road.) everything shut off and car would not restart....everything including the power-steering. This has happened one other time and the vehicle is now nothing more then a two-ton paperweight in my garage - and about as useful. On a second occasion it cut-off as I pulled into traffic and almost caused a collision...fortunately I was able to coast far enough to get into the turn lane and then when traffic cleared to push it back off the road. An online search told me this is a well-known problem with the security system of the vehicle but there seems no agreement on a solution/fix. …
Tl*contact owns a 2001 Pontiac Grand AM. She noticed that there was a leak under her vehicle for a few years. On several occasions the dealer was unable to find the cause of the leak. The dealer later stated that the leak was coming from the gas tank line and it was a fuel leak. They also told her that there was a related recall; however, her VIN was not related. The contact is aware of the safety risk involved and request that her VIN is a part of the existing NHTSA campaign id number 07e021000. The dealer information is not available. The failure mileage was 70,000 and the current mileage was 98,000. The consumer stated the vehicle is still located at the repair shop awaiting word from the corp office. The dealer stated replaced hazard lights switch, speaker radio rear door, molding windshield side pillar, exterior bulbs, and wiper blade. Updated 10/31/07
2001 Pontiac Grand AM has 52,000 miles and has recently been difficult to start. I May have to try 5-6 times before engine will turn over. Yesterday the car died while going on an exit ramp off of the interstate. All lights were still functioning, but the car was dead and did not restart. I added 1 gal of gas to make sure it has enough although guage did not indicate low gas. I had the car towed to the dealership where it finally started. The dealer did a thorough check diagnostically and driving and could not find any problem. First time car has died while driving but has had several (10) instances of not starting in the past 2 months. This is a very big concern since my 20 year old daughter depends on this car for long drives frequently while in college. This could be a very big safety concern if car continues to die while driving!
Where to start...I have a 2001 Pontiac Grand AM. Within 2 months of buying it, my fuel pump & computer went out at the same time. Next was my water pump & timing chain. Then was the security system, then the turn signals, then the windows wouldn't roll down. And now my brakes are having to be replaced on a consistent basis. The only thing covered by GM was the turn signal switch. All other replacements were at my expense. After researching on this site, I see numerous complaints of the same kind. I notified GM and they refused to help at all. I explained that since there are multiple complaints for the same things, it has to be a manufacturing defect. They shrugged that off. They finally sent me a letter stating that they would no longer "entertain" any of my comments or complaints. Do not buy a Pontiac!!! Junk city!!!
Security light comes on while driving. At least once a day the car will not turn over and I must reset by turning to the on position for 10 minutes. This has left me stranded in unfamiliar situations waiting for this to reset. Upon the first two times of this happening (before I had a repairman tell me of the resetting) I had the car towed to a shop and over 400 dollars spent on a fuel pump. The second time they replaced the fuel pump and the third time after being towed it started at the shop. The fourth time it happened and towed to a different repair shop and they were the ones to tell me of the reset procedures. Now it happens about every day.
I purchased my 2001 Grand AM in aug of 2005 and have so far had the passlock go out on me twice and had to replace the fuel pump system as well. The first time I replaced the passlock was only two months ago and yesterday I got in my car to go to the grocery store and it wouldn't start. I have done research on this problem and it seems to be a common and extensive problem in this particular year. I AM a single mother and can't afford to have my car taken to the mechanic every time this goes wrong - there needs to be a recall on the passlock!!! Or Pontiac should have some kind of reimbursement for this problem.
I have had problems with my Pontiac Grand AM for about 3 months now. I have had the fuel filter replaces, the coils, cover and plugs. 350.00 later, it is found to supposedly be the injectors. My mechanic stated he found out that a bulletin was issued for the injectors that they were having intermittent problems with them. Why was there not a recall? Now it is going to cost me another 650.00 for parts and labor. If there is a chronic problem, why is there not a recall or why is Pontiac not replacing the parts at their expense?
NHTSA investigations
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…
Fuel System complaints in other Grand AM years
Frequently asked questions
How common are fuel system problems on the 2001 Pontiac Grand AM?
NHTSA has 39 complaints about the fuel & propulsion system of the 2001 Pontiac Grand AM, 7% of the model year's 538 complaints. The component named most often is delivery › fuel pump (14 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2001 Pontiac Grand AM fuel system problems?
No. NHTSA lists no fuel & propulsion system recall for the 2001 Pontiac Grand AM, though it has 4 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 2001 Pontiac Grand AM fuel system problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 86,000 miles, and 11% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 0 crashes, 1 fire and 0 injuries to fuel & propulsion system 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.