Faults:

Rotors blew at 77,500 miles. Calipers blew at 77,500 miles. Sensors fried at 77,500 miles. Brake pads burned up at 77,500 miles. All fixed and replaced by me. ($583.81) At 77,520 miles front brake pads replaced again. (Free) At 78,200 miles clunking noise began on the rear end resulting in both cylinders having to be replaced by me ($319.53). Replaced all lights after a short blew out my panel. Replaced by me ($25.50) Now currently at 78,300 miles clunking still resumes in rear end and rattles now as well. Any suggestions? Contact me at liljon71685@yahoo.com

General Comments:

This car is very quick for a little 4 cylinder engine. When running properly it is a very nice car. I would not suggest buying this car to anyone who can't afford maintenance.

Faults:

I have had my 1999 Grand Am GT for a little over 6 years now, but have only just hit 45,000 miles. Many things are starting to fail, although after searching the web I'm starting to feel lucky compared to some other poor souls.

I too have the foul noises coming from one of the front wheels. Likely the wheel bearings so often mentioned.

I too am experiencing a pretty major coolant leak - no doubt the lower intake manifold gasket so often cited.

Below are some failures I haven't read about elsewhere:

In addition, the leather upholstery on the tops of the door panels has lifted on three of four doors. Fixed this one myself.

The air controls no longer will redirect the air to different parts of the car, it is stuck at the head-level ducts, very annoying, but I'm living with it.

My volume knob mysteriously started working backward one day. Weird.

General Comments:

I will be taking the vehicle along with printouts of the pages of complaints from the other poor souls that owned this vehicle to my dealer. He will either fix it or lose me forever.

Faults:

2.4L twin cam (Quad 4) recall - complaint info can be found/filed at:

www.nhtsa.gov

www.autosafety.org

www.carforums.com

After replacing water pump, alternator, head gaskets, intake manifolds, crank/connecting rod bearings, and many other parts... I, along with thousands of others, are trying to force a recall/warranty extension on '98-01 2.4L like GM did with the '91-97 version.

Faults:

2.4L Twin cam is a piece of crap engine.

First, the brakes went out at 32k miles.

Then it's recalled 3 times, for a dangerous console, steering wheels that fall off, and in 2004 for faulty turn signals.

The alternator replaced at 61k miles.

The water pump goes out at 73k miles.

Now, at 94K softly driven (wife's car) miles, when serviced every 3k, the engine needs replaced...

Mechanic said not worth rebuilding, as cams are shot, tension coils are fried...

Was told by several mechanics Pontiac 2.4L from 98-01 are notorious for engine failure. Most keep rebuilds in stock there's such a demand for them.

General Comments:

2.4L twin cam ('98-01) should be recalled by Pontiac, along with the alternators.

If you have one, get rid of it now before it's too late.