MotorDeets

Pontiac Grand Am problems, recalls & best years

The deets on every Grand Am from 1990 to 2005: 5,460 owner complaints and 35 recalls across 16 model years.

The model years with the most owner complaints are 1999 (849), 2000 (675), 2001 (538). Best fuel economy: 27 mpg combined (2004).

Pontiac Grand Am
Photo: MercurySable99 · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons. Representative photo of this generation; trim may differ.

Problem areas across all years

Electrical1497
Engine & cooling876
Brakes (hydraulic)822
Exterior lights646
Airbags435
Visibility (wipers, glass)380
Steering344
Suspension299

Year by year

YearRecallsComplaintsBest mpg
199003823
199128224
1992316826
1993120424
1994237724
1995140923
1996445023
1997238323
1998117224
1999384923
2000567523
2001453823
2002139525
2003232525
2004229327
2005210225

Want the full repair deets? Get the factory manual.

Recall and complaint data tells you what goes wrong. A service manual tells you how to fix it: torque specs, wiring diagrams, fluid capacities and step-by-step procedures for the Pontiac Grand Am.

eManualOnline Download (PDF), keep forever

Closest thing to the factory manual for most years. Pay once, keep it.

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Mitchell 1 DIY Online access, factory-level data

Pro-shop repair procedures, wiring diagrams and TSBs for your exact car.

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ALLDATAdiy Online access, factory OEM info

OEM procedures, specs and recall/TSB info, the same source many shops use.

From $19.99/mo · $59.99/yr
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Haynes Print book or AllAccess online

Step-by-step photos written from a real teardown. Great for first-timers.

Books ~$30–$40 · AllAccess $34.99/mo
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FAQ

What is the worst year for the Pontiac Grand Am?

The model years with the most owner complaints are 1999 (849), 2000 (675), 2001 (538).

How many recalls has the Pontiac Grand Am had?

Across 1990–2005, NHTSA lists 35 vehicle recall campaigns by model year (a campaign that covers several years counts once per year).