2001 Pontiac GRAND AM problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
538 owner complaints analyzed
4 distinct recall campaigns
71,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2001 model year. Data snapshot: . 343 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Electrical System is the most frequently named component, appearing in 120 of 538 complaints (22.3%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 85 | 15.8% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 52 | 9.7% |
| Steering behavior | 52 | 9.7% |
| Fuel system concerns | 43 | 8.0% |
| Engine operation | 26 | 4.8% |
| Transmission and shifting | 7 | 1.3% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Electrical System | 120 |
| Electrical System:Ignition:Anti-Theft:Control Module | 53 |
| Exterior Lighting:Hazard Flashing Warning Lights:Switch | 33 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 32 |
| Electrical System:Ignition:Switch | 25 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Rotor | 25 |
| Exterior Lighting | 20 |
| Exterior Lighting:Turn Signal | 20 |
Electrical System: 120; Electrical System:Ignition:Anti-Theft:Control Module: 53; Exterior Lighting:Hazard Flashing Warning Lights:Switch: 33; Engine And Engine Cooling: 32; Electrical System:Ignition:Switch: 25; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Rotor: 25; Exterior Lighting: 20; Exterior Lighting:Turn Signal: 20
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 32 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 65 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 77 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 63 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 75 |
| 150,000 and above | 31 |
Under 25,000: 32; 25,000 to 49,999: 65; 50,000 to 74,999: 77; 75,000 to 99,999: 63; 100,000 to 149,999: 75; 150,000 and above: 31
50,000 to 74,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (77). 195 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 |
|---|---|
| 2001 | 9 |
| 2002 | 32 |
| 2003 | 77 |
| 2004 | 86 |
| 2005 | 50 |
| 2006 | 52 |
| 2007 | 44 |
| 2008 | 39 |
| 2009 | 13 |
| 2010 | 32 |
| 2011 | 12 |
| 2012 | 19 |
| 2013 | 6 |
| 2014 | 33 |
| 2015 | 13 |
| 2016 | 7 |
| 2017 | 7 |
| 2018 | 2 |
| 2019 | 1 |
| 2020 | 1 |
| 2021 | 1 |
| 2022 | 1 |
| 2023 | 1 |
2001: 9; 2002: 32; 2003: 77; 2004: 86; 2005: 50; 2006: 52; 2007: 44; 2008: 39; 2009: 13; 2010: 32; 2011: 12; 2012: 19; 2013: 6; 2014: 33; 2015: 13; 2016: 7; 2017: 7; 2018: 2; 2019: 1; 2020: 1; 2021: 1; 2022: 1; 2023: 1
Pattern summary
Electrical System leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 85 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 52 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 52 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 10007731 · 2003-02-18 (February 18, 2003)
I HAVE OWNED MY 2001 GRAND AM SINCE THE LATER PART OF 2000 AND FOR THE PAST TWO AND HALF YEARS I HAVE HAD NOTHING BUT PROBLEMS WITH THE BARKES. I HAVE WENT THRU THREE SETS OF PADS AND IT HAS MADE A GRRINDING NOISE AFTER ABOUT TWO MONTHS OF OWNERSHIP. THE ABS LIGHT IS KNOW STARTING TO COME ON AND THIS CAR IS THE ONE MY WIFE USES ON A DAILY BASIS AND I AM WORRIED THAT DUE TO THE FREQUENCY OF BARKE PROBLEMS IT IS NOT SAFE FOR HER TO DRIVE. THE CAR ONLY HAS 41,000 MILES AND PARTLY DUE TO WE DO NOT TRUST THE VEHICLE AND DUE TO THE LOW BOOK VALUE OF…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10007731 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10009287 · 2003-02-25 (February 25, 2003)
THE BRAKE LINE SEPARATED FROM THE CALIPER.*JB
Owner-reported narrative. 24,107 miles reported. Look up ODI 10009287 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10009212 · 2003-02-24 (February 24, 2003)
THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM FAILED, WHICH CAUSED THE LIGHTS AND HORN NOT TO WORK.*JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10009212 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10021329 · 2003-06-10 (June 10, 2003)
I HAVE HAD MANY PROBLEMS WITH MY 2001 GRAND AM. LIKE OTHERS MANY TURN SIGNALS FAILED, I HAVE HAD WATER LEAKS, THE DOME LIGHT FELL OUT OF ITS CASING AND WAS DANGLING BY ITS WIRES. IN MAY OF 2003 THE COMPUTER AND ITS WIRING WERE REPLACED (AT ONLY 31000) AFTER AN INCIDENT OF VERY RUFF SHIFTING. A SEPARATE CONSISTANT PROBLEM THAT REMAINS UNSOLVED IS THE CAR'S OCCASIONAL EPISODES OF NOT WANTING TO START. DURING THESE EPISODES IT SOUNDS AS IF THE STARTER WILL CRACK, BUT IT JUST WILL NOT START. THE ONLY WAY TO GET IT STARTED AT THESE TIMES IS TO…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10021329 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10007153 · 2002-07-18 (July 18, 2002)
THE CAR WAS PURCHASED NEW (10 MILES ON IT) IN SEPT. OF 2001. WE HAVE HAD REPEATED PROBLEMS WITH THE CAR PULLING TO THE RIGHT (USUALLY EVERY 30-45 DAYS. THE CAR WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP SEVERAL TIMES, SAID NO PROBLEM WAS FOUND. WE REALIZED SOMETHING WAS WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE, TOOK THE CAR TO OTHER PROFESSIONALS, AND NOTIFIED THE MANUFACTURER. MANUFACTURER REQUESTED INSPECTION BY THE ORIGINAL DEALERSHIP (?0 NOTHING FOUND WRONG. WE REQUESTED ANOTHER INSPECTION WHICH WAS DONE BY ANOTHER DEALERSHIP. FOUND THE SUB-FRAME WAS DEFECTIVE FROM THE FA…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10007153 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10014019 · 2003-04-06 (April 6, 2003)
I OWN A 2001 PONTIAC GRAND AM,4-CYL. 5-SPEED MANUAL TRANSMISSION, WHICH I PURCHASED IN MAY OF 2001. SINCE THEN I HAVE BEEN HAVING PROBLEMS WITH ENGAGING 2ND GEAR, THE TRANSMISSION SLIPS AND MAKES A RATTLING NOISE, ALSO WHEN I AM DRIVING, THE TIRES GET CAUGHT IN A GROOVE ON THE FREEWAY, THE FRONT WHEELS WILL FOLLOW THE GROOVE WHILE I AM HOLDING THE STEERING WHEEL STRAIGHT. IT SEEMS AS THOUGH SOMETHING IS WRONG WITH THE RACK AND PINION, OR A DEFECT IN THE STEERING ASSEMBLY/LINKAGE. I HAVE BROUGHT THE CAR IN TO 3 LOCAL DEALERSHIPS HERE IN LAS VEGA…
Owner-reported narrative. 12,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10014019 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10004684 · 2003-01-27 (January 27, 2003)
COMPUTER AND FUEL PUMP HAD TO BE REPLACED DUE TO MALFUNCTION IN COMPUTER CAUSE FUEL PUMP TO FAIL. CONSUMER TRIED SEVERAL TIMES TO START VEHICLE BEFORE REPLACING FUEL PUMP AND COMPUTER. *AK *TS
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10004684 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10024605 · 2003-09-02 (September 2, 2003)
FUEL PUMP DOES NOT WORK. DEALER NOTIFIED. *AK THE FUEL GAUGE , FUEL INJECTORS, FAN, LIGHTS, DOOR LOCKS, COMPUTER CHIP, OIL LEAK, BRAKES, BLINKERS HAD TO BE REPLACED. GMAC HAD BEEN NOTIFIED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS AND HAD REFUSED TO COOPERATIVE IN FIXING THE DEFECTS. THESE WERE KNOWN DEFECTS. GMAC REFUSED TO FIX UNDER WARRANTY AND REFUSED UNDER THE LEMON LAW. *SCC *JB
Owner-reported narrative. 6,668 miles reported. Look up ODI 10024605 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10014277 · 2003-04-11 (April 11, 2003)
2001 PONTIAC GRAND AM HAS PROBLEMS CRANKING. IGNITION TURNS OVER BUT ENGINE WILL NOT CRANK UNTIL 3-4 TRIES. DOES NOT DO IT ON A CONSISTENT BASIS AND DEALERSHIP HAS NOT BEEN ABLE TO DUPLICATE PROBLEM. IT HAS BEEN IN 4 TIMES FOR THIS PROBLEM AND 4 TIMES BECAUSE THE BACK DOORS WILL NOT OPEN SOME TIMES WITHOUT BUMPING THE DOORS WITH YOUR HIP. DEALERSHIP WAS NOT ABLE TO DUPLICATE PROBLEM. ALSO, REARVIEW MIRROR FELL OFF, SIDE MIRRORS HAD TO BE REPLACED BECAUSE CLEAR COAT WAS LEFT OFF, DOOR REFLECTOR FELL OFF, WEATHER STRIP ON WINDOW FELL OFF, BLI…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10014277 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10088487 · 2004-08-24 (August 24, 2004)
FRIDAY MORNING I WAS ON EMPTY, SO I WENT TO THE GAS STATION. TURNED OFF CAR & FILLED UP, STARTED IT NO PROBLEM. THEN WENT TO GET BREAKFAST, TURNED OFF CAR. THE CAME BACK AFTER NO MORE THEN 5 MINUTES THE CAR WOULD NOT START. NO SPUTTERING, NO FAILURE TO FIRE, NO STALLING BEFORE THIS OCCASION. NOTHING. I HAVE HAD THE CAR FOR ABOUT 1.5 YEARS. I HAVE HAD NO PROBLEM WITH IT STARTING. I TOOK IT TO AUTO REPAIR SHOP & THEY SAID IT WAS COMMON PROBLEM. THAT THEY HAVE HAD A LOT OF 2001 GRAND AM WITH THIS EXACT PROBLEM. IT WAS FIXED. I WAS TOLD TO WATCH TH…
Owner-reported narrative. 65,855 miles reported. Look up ODI 10088487 at NHTSA ↗