AC & Heater complaints by model year
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (air conditioning, heater, defroster, HVAC controls).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
We began having problems starting our car, the security light was on and stayed on. Some days it would start and others it wouldn't and then it eventually would not start at all. After being in the shop for a week and stumping the mechanics, we still have not solved the issue. Everything has been checked from the fuel pump to the sensors and they all tested good. Our ignition went bad and since we had it replaced it has been bad. This car has left us stranded places with three small kids. We have to leave the key in the on position for about ten minutes then turn to off then start and sometimes it takes three or four times before it works.
I rented a 2003 Pontiac Grand AM on feb. 04, 2003. It was very cold, at night, and snowing heavily. I turned on the rear defogger. It failed to clear the rear window, and I turned it on again after noticing that it had turned off. About 30 seconds later the rear window exploded; there was no projectile found. My wife, who was with me when it happened, and I believe it has to be a factory defect, and we should not be held responsible, yet we are being charged by budget, who was charged by the dealer, for the repair.
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?
The heater/defroster fan motor no longer works on the first two fan speeds. In order to get the defroster or heater to function, you must use the third speed. The noise from the air flow at this speed is both annoying and distracting.
Dt: the contact's vehicle suddenly accelerated. The vehicle has been taken to the dealership several times for diagnostic testing, no codes have been detected. The dealer was unable to duplicate the problem. The ABS light had illuminated, the dealer found lack of volts for ebcm, the problem was traced to a faulty relay. The lower intake gasket had ruptured. The horn had stopped working due to a blown fuse. The left power window was slow to roll up. The rear defogger grid shorted out. Updated 01/11/06.
Consumer' s vehicle had the same problem as mentioned in NHTSA recall 03v32700. The hazard warning switches 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. Dealership indicated to the consumer this vehicle was not included in the recall due to VIN. The HVAC blower was inoperative.
I bought my 1999 Grand AM in oct' 04. The first 2 mo. Of owning it my alternator went out. A few months later I had to replace my front brakes. Shortly after that my(2nd) alternator and A/C pump went out not to mention the battery too. Oh and not only has the service engine light been on most of the time, a second service engine light came on! I have never known a vehicle to have 2 service engine lights on at the same time!! Was this some kind of premonition!? As soon as I got the car back,I went and picked my kids up to go to the fair. We were not even 2 miles out of town yet when my engine started overheating. I had to pull over and wait for quite sometime before I could make it home safely with my children. Now my car that I've spent a lot of money on, not just purchasing the car,but also in parts is currently in the shop for either a blown head gasket or the engine block is damaged. …
The fan (air) in my car stopped operating on lower settings and only works on the highest setting. A while ago it started making some noise, just like when there's a piece of plastic stock in the fan. I tried turning the fan off and back on, but every time, the fan was operating slower and slower until it stopped. The only way it would work was on the 2 high settings. A while ago setting #4 did the same thing and now setting #5 is the only one that still works. It must be pretty comon because my 2 sisters from michigan have the same problem with their cars (Oldsmobile alero, and Chevy malibu) and my husband's car (Pontiac Grand AM) only operates on the highest settings. If the fan stops working all together we wold be in trouble when the windshield (windows) needs to be defrosted.
Frequently asked questions
Which Pontiac Grand AM years have ac & heater problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 1995 (14), 1996 (14), 1999 (14), 1997 (10) and 2001 (10) model years. AC & Heater complaints make up 3% of all complaints for the 1995.
Is there a recall for Pontiac Grand AM ac & heater problems?
No. NHTSA lists no a/c & heater recall for any Pontiac Grand AM model year. A widespread problem may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin, so ask a dealer.
At what mileage do Pontiac Grand AM ac & heater problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 78,000 miles; 38% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the appliance › air conditioner (46 mentions), followed by the defroster/defogger/hvac system (17).
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.