1999 Pontiac GRAND AM problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
777 owner complaints analyzed
3 distinct recall campaigns
70,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1999 model year. Data snapshot: . 273 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip is the most frequently named component, appearing in 65 of 777 complaints (8.4%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 210 | 27.0% |
| Steering behavior | 75 | 9.7% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 39 | 5.0% |
| Engine operation | 33 | 4.2% |
| Transmission and shifting | 18 | 2.3% |
| Fuel system concerns | 14 | 1.8% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip | 65 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Rotor | 65 |
| Electrical System | 53 |
| Visibility:Power Window Devices And Controls | 48 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc | 45 |
| Suspension:Front:Springs:Coil Springs | 43 |
| Air Bags:Frontal | 39 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 33 |
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip: 65; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Rotor: 65; Electrical System: 53; Visibility:Power Window Devices And Controls: 48; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc: 45; Suspension:Front:Springs:Coil Springs: 43; Air Bags:Frontal: 39; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine: 33
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 22 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 59 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 66 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 70 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 43 |
| 150,000 and above | 13 |
Under 25,000: 22; 25,000 to 49,999: 59; 50,000 to 74,999: 66; 75,000 to 99,999: 70; 100,000 to 149,999: 43; 150,000 and above: 13
75,000 to 99,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (70). 504 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2000 | 127 |
| 2001 | 129 |
| 2002 | 76 |
| 2003 | 105 |
| 2004 | 122 |
| 2005 | 60 |
| 2006 | 35 |
| 2007 | 23 |
| 2008 | 22 |
| 2009 | 15 |
| 2010 | 11 |
| 2011 | 7 |
| 2012 | 6 |
| 2013 | 4 |
| 2014 | 15 |
| 2015 | 8 |
| 2016 | 9 |
| 2019 | 1 |
| 2023 | 2 |
2000: 127; 2001: 129; 2002: 76; 2003: 105; 2004: 122; 2005: 60; 2006: 35; 2007: 23; 2008: 22; 2009: 15; 2010: 11; 2011: 7; 2012: 6; 2013: 4; 2014: 15; 2015: 8; 2016: 9; 2019: 1; 2023: 2
Pattern summary
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 210 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 75 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 39 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10000556 · 2003-01-06 (January 6, 2003)
I HAVE HAD TO HAVE THE FOLLOWING REPAIRED: THE FAN REPLACED 2 TIMES, THE BRAKES REPAIRED 4 TIMES, THE RADIO REPLACED ONCE, THE WATER PUMP REPLACED ONCE AND THE BATTERY REPLACED TWICE. I AM ALSO HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE TRANSMISSION IT HAS BEEN SLIPPING. THE INTAKE GASKET NEEDS TO REPLACED BECAUSE ANTIFREEZE IS LEAKING OUT AND ONE OF THE LIFTERS IS KNOCKING. MOST OF THESE PROBLEMS STARTED AT ABOUT 30,000 MILES AND GRADUALLY THERE WAS JUST ONE PROBLEM AFTER ANOTHER. I TOOK IT IN TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR THE TRANMISSION AT ABOUT 32,000 MILES AND…
Owner-reported narrative. 30,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10000556 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10003914 · 2003-01-31 (January 31, 2003)
THE CONSUMER WAS SOLD A VEHICLE WITH ONLY A THIRD OF ITS BRAKES. THE CONSUMER REQUESTS THAT THE DEALER INSPECTS AND REMEDY THE BRAKE PROBLEM FREE OF CHARGE. (AN ALT NUMBER FOR THE CONSUMER IS [phone removed]) SCC
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10003914 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10004445 · 2003-01-22 (January 22, 2003)
CONSUMER STATED WHILE PULLING OUT OF PARKING SPACE CONSUMER NOTICED VEHICLE STEERING WHEEL HAD LOCKED UP. DEALER WAS CONTACTED. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. TS
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10004445 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10006181 · 2003-02-11 (February 11, 2003)
CONSUMER LOSS CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, WHICH WAS DUE TO A DEFECT IN THE STEERING WHEEL COLUMN.*DT. ALSO THE AIRBAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10006181 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10004437 · 2003-01-22 (January 22, 2003)
VEHICLE WILL SHUT DOWN AND WILL NOT RESTART DUE TO THE POSITIVE POST INSIDE OF THE BATTERY LEAKING ACID. PLEASE FILL IN ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. DEALER IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. TS
Owner-reported narrative. 26,100 miles reported. Look up ODI 10004437 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10006876 · 2003-02-10 (February 10, 2003)
THE VEHICLE STALLED AND DEALER ORDER A NEW MOTOR.*JB
Owner-reported narrative. 44,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10006876 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10008702 · 2003-02-19 (February 19, 2003)
THE VEHICLE STALLED, WHICH CAUSED CONSUMER TO PULL OVER ABRUPTLY.*JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10008702 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10066286 · 2004-04-16 (April 16, 2004)
TRANSMISSION SHIFTS IMPROPERLY, RPMS GO UP BUT VEHICLE DOES NOT ACCELERATE LIKE IT NORMALLY SHOULD.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. 83,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10066286 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10007722 · 2003-02-18 (February 18, 2003)
I HAVE OWNED THIS CAR FOR JUST UNDER 4 YEARS AND HAVE SPENT THE LAST 2.5 IN AND OUT OF THE SERVICE DEPT. WITH IT. I'VE HAD THE BRAKE ROTORS REPLACED 3 TIMES, EVERY YEAR, ALMOST TO THE DAY. I HAVE ALSO JUST HAD THE FUEL PUMP REPLACED 2 TIMES AND DISCOVERED A LEAK IN MY INTAKE MANIFOLD WITH ONLY 41K MILES ON THE VEHICLE. IT HAS BEEN A SAFETY HAZARD AT TIMES AND LEFT ME STRANDED ONCE.
Owner-reported narrative. 41,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10007722 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10021826 · 2003-05-29 (May 29, 2003)
CONSUMER HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE FUEL GAUGE. FUEL GAUGE WOULD READ A COMPLETELY WRONG WRITING WHEN THE GAS TANK CAN BE EITHER ON A QUARTER TANK OR EMPTY. MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AS WELL AS THE DEALER, BUT THEY HAD TOLD THE CONSUMER THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL, AND THAT THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. 81,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10021826 at NHTSA ↗