Faults:

Needed a new alternator within a year. The motors in both windows broke needing to be replaced within a week of each other. Car came with new tires that needed to be replaced within 20,000 miles. Battery needed to be replaced.

General Comments:

In the first year of owning my grand am I became very frustrated with all the problems swearing I would never buy another grand am. Since then in the last year I have not had any problems with this car and it has been pretty reliable regaining my confidence in it. Overall the car looks great and I haven't had any huge problems with it so I'm happy with my car. The car accelerates great and runs fine.

Faults:

Fortunately we bought an extended warranty... when we drove it off the lot with 40k on it the front right brake was grinding at less than 10mph. Dealer said the bolts that hold the caliper/pads on were coming lose. they tightened them it was fine it happened again about 9k later. I tightened the bolts again it was fine. I spoke to the dealer about it and he said the next time it happens replaced the bolts maybe $20. for do it yourself'er. Brakes have been fine, maybe others dealer out there take the easy way out and start charging you for stuff, like new brakes that don't fix this noise. Lots of other problems with Head gasket blowing, power steering rack leaking an causing the car to vibrate 50+mph, water pump... Thank god we bought an extend contract from GM, for about $1000 we have received about $4000 worth of work. Some advice buy a Ford... I also have a 1997 Explorer from new 60K the only thing gone wrong was thermistat... My other Fords are very reliable also... Hope some of this helps.

Ed.

Faults:

I replaced the alternator at 35,000 miles.

I have a clanking kinda noise when I turn the wheel as the car is in motion. This started at about 32,000 miles. The dealer can't find the problem, and there is no warranty left on the car. I was told all Grand Ams make this noise when turning corners in motion.

The driver's window regulator snapped, and caused me to replace that, and the actual glass.

My power seats stopped working as of last night, and my power mirrors stopped working last week.

The original radio was terrible; I put in an aftermarket with satellite.

General Comments:

This car is overall pretty good when compared to my other cars, with the exception of the Oldsmobile Cutlass Ciera; that is one car that you can't kill.

Faults:

The car had starting problems. It would just decide on its own, not to start and then after about 15 or 20 minutes, it would start.

Now the right front strut and strut mount broke and need replacing.

The brakes make a terrible grinding noise, even after the rotors in the rear were replaced.

General Comments:

When the car is working properly, it is really a great car. It just breaks down way to often.