31st Jan 2008, 15:46

Instead of sending your money overseas and helping the downfall of america by buying an import, why not insist that GM use better designs and better materials? Start a petition, bug the company, anything. Just don't supposrt companies who take our jobs away from us. BTW, I have a 99 GMGT with the same problem. I agree, bad design. But I will never buy a foreign car.

4th Feb 2008, 23:43

The fix for the broken window clips is SOOOO simple. It is virtually ALWAYS the result of violently slamming the doors. Just tell your spouse and kids "DON'T SLAM THE DOORS!" I did, and in 7 years I've never had a problem with these "defective" window clips.

People who abuse their cars deserve what they get, and I can assure you that no import can take as much abuse as any domestic. I've had imports. They were all pampered and STILL fell apart.

11th Feb 2008, 15:34

We have a 99 Grand Am SE with 2 broken windows. Can any of you that have fixed the problem with the brackets yourself tell us how to get the "2 secret screws" off?

22nd Feb 2008, 20:17

To get the "2 secret screws" out, simply use a philips screw driver and it that simple!!! One is under the reflector at the bottom of your door and the other is below the lock panel cover after you pop that out.

28th Feb 2008, 19:35

All four of the windows on my 2000 Grand Am GT have failed within a 6 week period. Since this vehicle holds its value worse than almost anything out there, this essentially totaled the vehicle with repair costs at $500 per window. Since no one will ever buy it, I'm just going to use some epoxy and close them permanently.

This was a hot car when I bought it, but Pontiacs just aren't a good long term investment. The interior trim is falling apart as well. I have two Hondas with twice as many miles and all the whistles and bells are still tight.

Maybe Pontiacs have gotten better since 2000, but I don't think I will ever give them another chance. Why risk it when I know my Hondas are rock solid?

29th Feb 2008, 20:06

Our Honda Civic was falling apart at 40,000 miles and using a quart of oil every 500 miles. Our 2001 Grand Am is going strong and has never had one single repair.

I also highly doubt that replacing little window clips (which cost about $10 each) could cost $500 per window. Hopefully a mechanically inclined friend can help you out and save you the extra $1960.

1st Mar 2008, 14:53

I agree. There are people out there who just don't know how to take care of things. I hate to have anybody else in my car, because you get these people that slam the door so hard that you'd think the whole car would flip over. And I always think "Well, it's no wonder their car is always trashed."

2nd Mar 2008, 22:11

My 2001 Grand Am could pass for brand new... LITERALLY. The main reason is that I take care of ALL my cars, whether they cost $2000 or $50,000. We grew up very poor and the biggest gift my father gave me was a healthy respect for ALL your possessions. I've never seen ANY car that couldn't be kept running and looking like new for a very long time if the owner took proper care of it. It also brings a LOT more money when you sell it or trade it.

26th Mar 2008, 11:29

I have a 2000 Grand Am SE 4 door, and have come across the same problem with the window clips and regulator.

As for the folks that say don't slam the door, I don't even open up my rear doors for anything, and they still have broken, so that isn't the only cause.

As for the regulator, if you are even slightly mechanically inclined, it is an easy fix, and if you check around on eBay or other on-line sites, you can usually get the regulator for 65 to 85 dollars, and with about 30 minutes of work, you will have it replaced.

I have had a few minor problems with the car, this being one of the more annoying, but the car has run well for me and just hit 100000 miles, so if I have to put a few dollars into repairs every 100000 miles, then so be it.

Use this link http://www.a1electric.com/grandam.htm to help find the secret screws and to replace the regulator.

28th Mar 2008, 16:19

Thanks for encouraging people to perform some of these relative minor repairs themselves. It saves a HUGE amount of money of you will just learn a few simple mechanical lessons. I've seen comments on here about people paying $2000 to have those little window clips replaced!!

30th Mar 2008, 22:39

I became so disgusted with one major automotive magazine for putting down the Grand Am that I canceled my subscription to it.

My family and I have owned everything from a 5-series BMW to a Dodge Viper. The Grand Am I currently drive as a third car is one of the best values in a car I've ever owned. ZERO problems in 8 years, great ride, handling that isn't commonly found in inexpensive compacts, and much more power than you'd expect from its 150hp rating. It will cruise all day at 100+ mph (if you don't get caught) and it still looks and drives like it did the day it rolled off the assembly line. It was the first GM car we had owned in almost 30 years, and it convinced me to give them another try. We currently have 2 GM's and both are flawless.

6th Apr 2008, 12:25

As you all know this happens a lot... my wife's 02' Grand Am SE has had the driver side changed once, and several months ago the passenger side fell inside the door.

Now I have had to "rig" things up with other piles of junk I've had, and so for the past several months two suction cups have been holding up the window.

I am going to try and sell the car, so I am going to have to fix the problem. I called the dealer and they didn't even have to think of how much it would be. As soon as I asked how much, they replied $350! So I looked at the auto parts stores and all of them wanted about $150. So I checked on-line and found one for $70.

I am not going to give another dime to Pontiac. I will take it all apart and fix it myself. We have since decided to give Ford a try. Pontiac you will never see me in your doors again!