Engine complaints by model year
| Year | Complaints | Share of year's complaints | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2005 | 12 | 12% | 98,000 miles |
| 2004 | 29 | 10% | 100,000 miles |
| 2003 | 41 | 13% | 59,000 miles |
| 2002 | 65 | 16% | 67,000 miles |
| 2001 | 84 | 16% | 69,000 miles |
| 2000 | 121 | 18% | 60,000 miles |
| 1999 | 146 | 17% | 72,000 miles |
| 1998 | 26 | 15% | 80,000 miles |
| 1997 | 83 | 22% | 92,000 miles |
| 1996 | 75 | 17% | 98,000 miles |
| 1995 | 60 | 15% | 110,000 miles |
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (engine, cooling system, oil leaks, timing chain, exhaust).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
When I took my foot off the accelerator pedal, the pedal stuck and did not return back up. Instead it stayed down as though it was still being depressed causing the engine to rev. I had to physically grab the accelerator pedal and pull it towards me to try and return it back to its normal position. This happened on several occasions and I had to have the entire accelerator assembly replaced, I called GM only to be told that the recall on this known problem was for the 03 Grand AM models, not the 05 models. I wonder how many people have to die before GM decides they are better off financially to recall the 05 models?
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 Pontiac Grand AM. The contact stated that the air bags failed to deploy after crashing into another vehicle. No injuries were reported and a police report was filed. In addition, the contact stated on another occasion while driving 40 MPH, the vehicle stalled as the service engine soon warning light illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 111,000.
Regular occurrences started at 120K miles, these are all issues which previously complaints have been filed by current 2004 Grand AM owners but have not been corrected and I have called every 6 months filing these complaints. 1) gas fumes are coming in the car when it is running or sitting still idling, 2) blinkers start blinking on their own around 80 degrees f outside temperature, mechanic said it was because grease in steering column becomes thin and shorts out other wiring causing the smoke (fire) which comes from steering column, this occurs every summer to fall when temps are 80 degrees or higher), 3) horn does not work, mechanic replaced horn mechanism but it did not fix the issue & I AM concerned the air bag system won't work either since they are inter twined in the steering column, 4) the dash is warping, cracking and breaking horribly, it causes a sticky haze (gas) on my …
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 Pontiac Grand AM. While driving 55 MPH, the vehicle began to accelerate on its own. The contact exited the interstate and attempted to brake as the transmission made an abnormally loud sound. The contact pulled into a fuel station, raised the hood, and observed smoke coming from the engine. The vehicle was unable to be driven. The contact waited a while and then drove home with the brake pedal down to the floorboard. The contact's husband was a mechanic and diagnosed the vehicle, but no failure code was found. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 120,000.
Engine has lost power from 150hp @ 3K RPM and 200ft lb @ 4K RPM. It is now 50hp @ K RPM & 75ft lb @ 2K revolutions per minute. Gear Shift Button has seperated from globe. Radio needs to be replaced or reset daily. Rear window defroster has seperated from window, and won't retain position. Tire Pressure Monitoring System hasn't worked to no avail. Turn signals are showing discrepancies when activated from switch.
My ignition cylinder switch is making my car to stall and shut off while I AM driving and I had it replace on 4/8/15 and was driving and it not fix, my car has cut off on me while driver 3 time since I got it from the dealership I AM not driving it and what the dealership to send a tow to pick the car up. I AM not safe in the car and spent $377.00 for labor and the part for it not to function correctly. I had my key replaced on a recall and when I got that service my ignition locked and the key would not turn the car on.
I was driving along I-90 east going through south dakota. The weather was bad and the road was icy and very slick. There was an 18 wheeler that rolled over on the road and I did not see it until it was too late. There were about 10 cars in back of the truck and I could not stop. I had a head on collision with the back end of a 1 ton truck. It did not do any damage to the truck but it completely totaled my car. I hit the windshield with my head , left arm and hand. I suffered serious injuries and my head hit the windshield and cracked it the size of a grapefruit before the air bags deployed. They did not deploy until after I was seriously injured which is bs. I was taken to the hospital and an xray of my head was never done. They took an xray of my arm and hand and said I had a contusion. …
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 Pontiac Grand AM. While driving at 35 MPH, the vehicle stalled and the rear wheels seized. As a result, the contact lost control of the vehicle and the rear driver side crashed into a curb, deflating the tire. The air bags failed to deploy. The ABS and the check engine warning lights illuminated. The contact did not sustain any injures that required medical attention. A police report was not filed. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The VIN was included in NHTSA campaign number: 14V400000 (electrical system). The failure mileage was 25,000.
Frequently asked questions
Which Pontiac Grand AM years have engine problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 1999 (146), 2000 (121), 2001 (84), 1997 (83) and 1996 (75) model years. Engine complaints make up 17% of all complaints for the 1999.
Is there a recall for Pontiac Grand AM engine problems?
No. NHTSA lists no engine & cooling 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 engine problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 74,000 miles; 27% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the engine (159 mentions), followed by the engine › gasoline (127).
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.