2001 Pontiac GRAND AM: complaints, problems and recalls
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.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10003839 · 2003-01-14 (January 14, 2003)
CONSUMER STATED THE HEATER IS NOT WORKING, CONSUMER WAS INFORMED THE HEATER MOTOR WAS INOPERATIVE.*JB MODES 1 AND 2 INOPERATIVE. THERE WAS A CONTINUOUS CLICKING NOISE. DEALER NOTIFIED. *TT
Owner-reported narrative. 43,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10003839 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10004570 · 2003-02-03 (February 3, 2003)
THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT AND WAS TAKEN TO A BODY SHOP FOR REPAIR. THE INSURANCE INVESTIGATOR INDICATED TO THE CONSUMER THAT THE REPAIRS WERE POORLY DONE AND INCOMPLETE. THE CONSUMER IS UNSURE WHAT STEPS TO TAKE NEXT AND IS REQUESTING SOME ASSISTANCE. *NLM
Owner-reported narrative. 10,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10004570 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 10004957 · 2003-01-30 (January 30, 2003)
I OWN A 2001 PONTIAC GRAND AM WHEN I TRY TO START MY CAR IT WONT START ITS LIKE IT WANTS TO START BUT WONT THIS HAS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES TO ME USUALLY IT WOULD START EVENTUALLY AFTER A LONG TIME TRYING..NOW IT WONT.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10004957 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 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 10008042 · 2003-02-24 (February 24, 2003)
I HAVE 16,000 MILES ON MY 2001 GRAND AM AND HAVE HAD IT IN TWICE FOR A LEAK IN THE HEATER CORE AND TWICE FOR WATER LEAKAGE FROM RAIN. ONCE AGAIN MY CAR HAD WATER IN IT. WENT TO DEALERSHIP FRIDAY 2-21-2003 AND THEY SAID I COULDN'T GET MY CAR IN UNTIL MARCH 3 BECAUSE THEY HAD SO MANY WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. I NEED MY CAR, SO I WENT HOME AND SUCKED ALL THE WATER OUT. THAT SAME NIGHT IT RAINED AGAIN, AND SURE ENOUGH, ABOUT 1/2 OF WATER ON THE FLOOR. SO NOW I HAVE A NEW CAR THAT SMELLS LIKE MOLD.THE OTHER THING IS THEY TOLD ME AFTER MY WARRANTY…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10008042 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 ↗
Recall history
4 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
00V372000 · Power Train:Manual Transmission
Reported: 2000-11-13 (November 13, 2000)
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH MANUAL TRANSAXLES (RPO M86) FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 114, "THEFT PROTECTION." WHEN A DRIVER ATTEMPTS TO SHIFT FROM 5TH GEAR TO REVERSE, A SHIFT INHIBITOR CAUSES THE TRANSMISSION TO BE MECHANICALLY IN 4TH GEAR EVEN THOUGH THE SHIFT LEVER INDICATES REVERSE GEAR.
Consequence: IN THIS SITUATION, THE KEY CAN BE REMOVED FROM THE IGNITION WHILE THE TRANSMISSION IS IN A FORWARD GEAR, WHICH IS NOT PERMITTED BY THE STANDARD.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL DISABLE THE 5TH/REVERSE INHIBITOR BY REMOVING A RETAINING PIN AND REPLACE THE SHIFTER ASSEMBLY.
NHTSA campaign record ↗03V250000 · Equipment:Other:Owners/Service/Other Manual
Reported: 2003-07-15 (July 15, 2003)
CERTAIN MINIVANS, PASSENGER AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 225, "CHILD RESTRAINT ANCHORAGE SYSTEM." THE OWNER'S MANUAL DOES NOT EXPLAIN THE MEANING OF THE LOCATION SYMBOLS FOR THE CHILD RESTRAINT LOWER UNIVERSAL ANCHORAGE SYSTEM.
Consequence: THIS DOES NOT MEET THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE STANDARD.
Remedy: OWNERS WILL BE PROVIDED WITH A SUPPLEMENT FOR THEIR OWNER'S MANUAL. THIS SUPPLEMENT DESCRIBES AND SHOWS THE LOCATION SYMBOLS FOR THE CHILD RESTRAINT ANCHORS THAT ARE LOCATED IN THE VEHICLE AND ON THE CHILD RESTRAINT OR BOOSTER CUSHION. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN AUGUST 18, 2003. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT BUICK AT 1-866-608-8080, CADILLAC AT 1-866-982-2339, CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438, GMC AT 1-866-996-9463, PONTIAC AT 1-800-620-7668, OR OLDSMOBILE AT 1-800-630-6537.
NHTSA campaign record ↗03V327000 · Exterior Lighting:Hazard Flashing Warning Lights:Switch
Reported: 2003-08-28 (August 28, 2003)
CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES HAVE HAZARD WARNING SWITCHES THAT MAY EXPERIENCE SOLDER JOINT CRACKING CAUSED BY RAPID TEMPERATURE TRANSITIONS AND THE SOLDERING PROCESS. IF SOLDER JOINT CRACKING OCCURS AND RESULTS IN AN OPEN CIRCUIT, THE TURN SIGNALS/HAZARD LAMPS BECOME INTERMITTENT OR INOPERATIVE.
Consequence: WHEN THE TURN SIGNALS ARE INOPERATIVE, THE DRIVER CANNOT USE THEM TO SIGNAL INTENT TO TURN THAT COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE HAZARD WARNING SWITCH. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON FEBRUARY 5, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438, PONTIAC AT 1-800-620-7668, OR OLDSMOBILE AT 1-800-630-6537.
NHTSA campaign record ↗14V400000 · Electrical System:Ignition
Reported: 2014-07-03 (July 3, 2014)
This defect can affect the safe operation of the airbag system. Until this recall is performed, customers should remove all items from their key rings, leaving only the ignition key. The key fob (if applicable), should also be removed from the key ring. General Motors LLC (GM) notified the agency on July 3, 2014, that they are recalling 5,877,718 model year 2000-2005 Chevrolet Impala and Monte Carlo, 1997-2003 Chevrolet Malibu, 2004-2005 Malibu Classic, 1999-2004 Oldsmobile Alero, 1998-2002 Oldsmobile Intrigue, 1999-2005 Pontiac Grand Am and 2004-2008 Pontiac Grand Prix vehicles. In these models, the weight on the key ring and/or road conditions or some other jarring event may cause the ignition switch to move out of the run position, turning off the engine.
Consequence: If the key is not in the run position, the air bags may not deploy if the vehicle is involved in a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will install two key rings and an insert in the key slot or a cover over the key head on all ignition keys, free of charge. The recall began on September 9, 2014. GM's number for this recall is 14350.
NHTSA campaign record ↗