1999 Pontiac Grand Am GT from North America
Summary:
A piece of junk
Faults:
Brakes and rotors were replaced before 2 years of ownership and again another 2 years later.
The fuel regulator, fuel pump and fuel injectors were replaced because the gas smell inside the car was so bad, it could make the driver pass right out.
The struts have already been replaced because of a "malfunction".
The serpentine belt has been replaced twice already.
The wheel bearing and wiring harness have been replaced twice ON THE SAME SIDE.
The dashboard rattled and when they fixed that, the blower/fan stopped working.
There is a grinding noise when applying the brakes that nobody can figure out.
The intake valve/gauge had to be replaced because it was leaking coolant into the engine oil.
It started leaking oil at year 2 of ownership.
Fuel gauge goes from full to empty on it's own and sensors ring, and turn signal blinkers only work when they want to. (electrical problems)
The battery had to be replaced after 3 years.
The car used to accelerate very fast, but it is very sluggish and labored now.
General Comments:
I had previously owned a Grand AM, but bought it used so when I started having problems with it, I chalked it up to being a used car and bought another Grand AM brand new because I got a great deal on it. However, when problems starting happening after a year and a half and have continued, I will not make the same mistake of getting another ever again.
In reading these consumer reviews, you see the same problems happening in every car, which makes me wonder when my window and alternator will start giving me problems.
I have no issues with the car when it DOES run, but none of that makes a difference when you pay off one problem and another new one arises.
Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No
Review Date: 15th February, 2004
23rd Apr 2004, 00:48
It would be great it these problems were SCHEDULED MAINTENANCE, but I have never known ANYONE to have to fix this many things on a car before it is even paid off. The car is only 4 years old! These problems should not have even started to happen until it hit 80,000 miles. Nobody else with other types of cars has these problems, and believe me, EVERYONE knows the problems I've had. I can't get from point A to point B without something going wrong with it. I could have owned two cars by now if I had only known how much money I would put into this car. Since my last addition, the head gaskets need replacing because my coolant is still leaking, which is over $1000.00 to fix. I'm done with this car and feel terrible for whomever buys it off the lot.
8th Mar 2004, 09:05
I own a '99 Pontiac Grand Am as well. You have to understand, the oil pan is going to leak. especially if the car sits more than it runs. Pontiac never has used the beast gaskets on their cars, and it is a pain. But be thankful that it started leaking when it did, had it leaked later, it could have done more damage, considering engine wear age. The battery dying isn't the cars fault. If you may have sat in a parking lot and listened to the radio, it would all attribute to the battery dying. And beside, Pontiac doesn't put in "?Pontiac brand batteries". I believe the stock battery for most models of this year are made by AC Delco. Replacing brakes/rotors/serpentine belts and all other SCHEDULED SERVICES can't be blamed on the car. The brake being replaced is all on how much you used them. now I'm not saying use your brakes less, because that wouldn't make sense. I'm saying assuming you have an opportunity to use them earlier, would reduce the pressure you need to apply, therefore reducing the wear that the brake pad actually endures. Now I understand if stupid things wear out on cars, like power seats, volume knobs, and things like that, but things that wear out due to driver operation really can't be blamed on the car.