Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (power steering, steering column, rack and pinion).
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).
I purchased my 2001 Grand AM gt in 2002. So far since I've owned the car, I seem to replace the breaks every 10,000 miles or every year, I have had the rotors replaced twice within the last 5 years, replaced the alternator and fuel pump. Now, my ABS lights continue to go on and most recently, my car will not start it seem every two weeks (I hope I AM not away from home when this happens) - the security light has been coming on and have to keep the key in the "on" position for 10 minutes and then try to start the car - my garage told me it was a security code problem that only the dealer can fix. I have only 90,000 miles on the car and now, I need a rack and pinion which will cost me another $900.00 (I spent approx $500 dollars on the car in the last 6 months). My break pad wear out at least yearly (I AM retired and don't even drive the car long distance). …
I was involved in a car accident as a passenger on 10/25/2001 in which the steering column locked up on our 2001 Grand AM as we were driving causing us to lose control of the car and flip down hill. My father and my brother were front passengers and I was the rear seat passenger of the car and was ejected out of the back window. The airbags never deployed. After being ejected from the rear window of the car I suffered a broken pelvic bone, a bleeding brain with permanent brain damage, internal bruises on my lungs, my liver, and my kidneys, and the top 3 discs and bottom 3 discs in my back popped out of place. I had to be air lifted to shands hospital in gainesville florida where I remained until 11/20/2001. During the the time between 10/25/2001 and 11/20/2001 I was in a coma, had to be fed intraveinously, and was placed on life support. …
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. …
I own a 2001 Pontiac Grand AM,4-cyl. 5-speed manual transmission, which I purchased in May of 2001. Since then I have been having problems with engaging 2nd gear, the transmission slips and makes a rattling noise, also when I AM driving, the tires get caught in a groove on the freeway, the front wheels will follow the groove while I AM holding the steering wheel straight. It seems as though something is wrong with the rack and pinion, or a defect in the steering assembly/linkage. I have brought the car in to 3 local dealerships here in las vegas and all of them claim that there is nothing wrong with the car, after looking at it, I noticed on your website -that there have been many problems with the transmissions/suspensions of these specific cars. Please note that the car is still under the manufacturer's warranty. Is there something you could do to help us get this problem corrected?
The A/C- heater speed control selection 1 and 2 stopped working in 2002 shortly after I purchased my vehicle. On April 10,2006, the selections 3 and 4 are also not working. This is now the 9th probolem I've had with my vehicle. To include both power window brackets breaking, my hazard flasher, transmission, steering, and A/C. I've unknowingly had jackson auto group of hawaii do repairs without so much as a word about the recalls. What proactive steps have been taken to notify the dealers about the recalls and defects?
Tl* the contact owns a 2001 Pontiac Grand AM. While driving approximately 5 MPH, the brake pedal was depressed but there was an increase in braking distance. The emergency brake was engaged in order for the vehicle to come to a complete stop. In addition, the contact heard a grinding noise emitting from the front of the vehicle as well as a vibration on the pedals and the steering wheel. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 70,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2001 Pontiac Grand AM. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle stalled. The contact also stated that the key was replaced due to the ignition failing to start the vehicle. In addition, the contact stated that when the steering wheel was turned there was an abnormal noise. The vehicle was taken to a dealer and the diagnosis was that the rack and pinion needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 120,000.
The steering wheel was hard to turn. It felt like it did not have any power steering fluid. The dealership was unable to locate the cause of the problem because the power steering fluid was full and there was no cuts or breaks in the fluid line. Also at 82,000 miles the vehicle failed to start. The vehicle was towed to the dealership. The dealership indicated this occurred because of a malfunction in the fuel pump system. Please provide additional information.
My steering column makes a vibrating noise... This happened after the red security light came on the left part of the dash.... Also since I purchased it in July there has been an issue with the key not starting it right away usually have to wait ten seconds or even up to 30 seconds before you can start my vehicle. I'm looking to prevent any accident before it occurs. I do not want my car locking up on me. I prefer safety over speed.
When driving the car the brakes will lock up making a grinding noise like something is about to brake somewhere in between the brake pedal and wheels it makes this loud grinding like metal on metal not sure because I have to replace brakes about every 2 - 3 months and rotors and calipers.
Steering complaints in other Grand AM years
Frequently asked questions
How common are steering problems on the 2001 Pontiac Grand AM?
NHTSA has 24 complaints about the steering of the 2001 Pontiac Grand AM, 4% of the model year's 538 complaints. The component named most often is rack and pinion (5 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2001 Pontiac Grand AM steering problems?
No. NHTSA lists no steering 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 steering problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 108,000 miles, and 17% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 0 fires and 3 injuries to steering 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.