Page 3 of 11 · complaints 101–150 of 538

2001 Pontiac Grand AM complaints

Owner reports filed with NHTSA about this vehicle, newest first and reproduced as filed. They are unverified accounts: one proves nothing, and a pattern across many is the thing worth reading. Back to the full 2001 record →

Equipment
Filed Feb 24, 2011112,000 milesCA

2001 PONTIAC GRAND AM GT WONT START. TURN THE KEY TO START AND NOTHING. AFTER A DAY THEN THE CAR WILL START... WHEN THE CAR START YOU CAN HEAR THE GAS PUMP TURN ON... WHEN THE PROBLEM STARTS THERE IS NOTHING. *TR

Engine and Engine Cooling › Cooling System
Filed Feb 22, 2011130,000 milesFL

COOLANT LEVEL WAS GOING DOWN ON CAR AND LIGHT WAS COMING ON, TOOK CAR FOR CHECKUP AND INTAKE GASKET CRACKED AND COOLANT MIXED WITH OIL, HAD GASKET REPAIRED , BUT WHILE DRIVING GASKET BLEW AGAIN AND POWERSTEERING FUNCTIONS OF CAR DID NOT WORK AND COOLANT LEAKED ALL OVER GROUND , HARD TO CONTROL CAR AND SINCE IN TRAFFIC ALMOST WAS IN ACCIDENT < PONTIAC KNOWS ABOUT ISSUES WITH PONTIAC GARND AM SE 2001 AND ALSO WITH SIGNAL TURN PROBLEM SINCE SIGNALS STOP WORKING,NOW CAR NEEDS NEW MOTOR SINCE GASKET REPLACED ABOUT 3 TIMES AND EACH TIME IT BLEW AFTER TAKING OUT OF REPAIR SHOP AND WHILE DRIVING.WHEN SOMEONE IS HURT IS THAT WHAT THEY ARE WAITING FOR SO THAT THES CARS WILL BE RECALLED? *TR

Electrical System
Filed Jan 11, 2011117,600 milesPA

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 PONTIAC GRAND AM. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH THE SECURITY LOCK ENGAGED AND SHUT THE ENGINE DOWN. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO AVOID ON COMING TRAFFIC AND PULL OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE CONTACT TRIED TO RESTART THE VEHICLE AND IT FAILED TO START. THE CONTACT LOOKED ONLINE TO FIND A SOLUTION TO RESTART THE VEHICLE WHICH STATED TO LEAVE THE KEY IN THE ON POSITION FOR TEN MINUTES. THE ONLINE REMEDY CAUSED THE BATTERY TO FAIL; THEREFORE, THE CONTACT NEEDED A JUMP START. THE FOLLOWING DAY THE SECURITY LOCK ENGAGED AGAIN AND SHUT THE VEHICLE DOWN. THE CONTACT CALLED THE DEALER REGARDING THE SECURITY SYSTEM AND THEY STATED THAT THE SECURITY SYSTEM NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT REMOVED THE SECURITY SYSTEM AND THAT DID NOT REMEDY THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL DUE TO THE AMOUNT OF COMPLAINTS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 117,600.

Suspension
Filed Jan 6, 2011113,520 milesOH

POWER STEERING RACK SEPARATED FROM SUB FRAME DUE TO CORROSION

Electrical System
Filed Dec 17, 2010NY

3RD TIME PONTIAC GRAND AM PASSLOCK FAILURE. HAVE HAD TO REPLACE IGNITION CYLINDER WITH NO GUARANTEE THIS WON'T CONTINUE TO HAPPEN. I HAVE RESEARCHED ONLINE WEB SITES AND THIS APPEARS TO BE A RAMPANT PROBLEM. THERE NEEDS TO BE A RECALL AND REIMBURSEMENT TO ALL OWNERS WHO HAVE THIS REPEATED PROBLEM. *TR

Tires
Filed Nov 29, 2010154,866 milesAR

WE HAD A FLAT IN OUR DRIVEWAY ON ONE OF A SET OF GOODYEAR GT HR TIRES WHICH WERE PURCHASED IN JUNE 2007. UPON CHANGING THE TIRE AND INSPECTING IT, THE TIRE HAD LARGE CRACKS ALL AROUND THE PERIMETER ON THE INTERIOR SIDE. WE CHECKED THE OTHER TIRES AND SAW SIMILAR CRACKS. WE TOOK IT TO THE GOODYEAR DEALER WHERE THEY WERE PURCHASED AND THE OWNER FOUND IT LEAKING AT ONE OF THESE CRACKS. I COMMENTED THAT I WAS DISMAYED THAT THESE TIRES DRY ROTTED AT ONLY THREE YEARS, TO WHICH HE STATED THAT, "THEY AREN'T DRY ROTTED; THESE ARE STRESS FRACTURES". I ASKED WHY THEY WOULD HAVE THESE FRACTURES AFTER ONLY THREE YEARS AND WHAT CAUSED THEM,AND HE GAVE ME NO ANSWER. THE DEALER SEEMED TO HAVE NO CONCERN THAT THESE TIRES ARE FAILING IN THIS WAY IN ONLY THREE YEARS AND ONLY WANTED ME TO PURCHASE REPLACEMENTS, OFFERING A VERY SMALL DISCOUNT, TO WHICH WE DECLINED. WE WILL BE REPLACING THESE TIRES AS SOON AS POSSIBLE, AND ARE AWARE OF THE TREAD WEAR AND MILES THEY HAVE ON THEM, BUT WE ARE CONCERNED THAT OTHERS ARE DRIVING ON TIRES THAT THEY THINK ARE FINE BECAUSE THEY AREN'T VERY OLD. THEY SHOULDN'T BE CRACKING LIKE THIS AS WE'VE HAD MANY SETS OF TIRES AND HAVE NEVER SEEN THIS BEFORE. HAD THAT TIRE GONE OUT ANY OTHER PLACE THAN IN MY DRIVE, I AM AFRAID TO THINK WHAT WOULD HAVE HAPPENED. WE STILL HAVE TO DRIVE IT TO HAVE NEW TIRES PUT ON, WHICH I GREATLY FEAR. THIS TIRE WAS DATED 0907. *TR

Electrical System › Ignition › Anti-theft › Control Module
Filed Nov 20, 2010IL

SOMETIMES WHEN I START MY CAR THE SECURITY LIGHT COMES ON. THIS IS A HUGE INCONVENIENCE. AND I HAVE TO TURN THE KEY TO ON POSITION AND WAIT FOR THE LIGHT TO COME OFF. I HAVE YET TO FIND ONE MECHANIC THAT KNOWS THE SOLUTION. IT HAS OCCURRED AT THE MOST RANDOM TIMES AND SOMETIMES THE WORST. AND I DON'T KNOW WHAT TO REPLACE OR FIX. IF I KNEW I WOULD ASAP. *TR

Engine and Engine Cooling
Filed Oct 25, 201090,000 milesMN

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 PONTIAC GRAND AM. WHEN THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO START THE VEHICLE, IT WOULD NOT RESPOND. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP WHERE THE IGNITION SWITCH WAS REPLACED. THE FAILURE OCCURRED FIVE MONTHS LATER; THIS TIME, THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO BE STARTED AFTER IT WAS TOWED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO ANOTHER LOCAL REPAIR SHOP BUT THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DUPLICATED. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED AGAIN. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 90,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 175,000.

Electrical System
Filed Oct 20, 201086,881 milesVA

2001 PONTIAC GRAND AM SE. SECURITY COMPUTER CODE INSIDE VEHICLE'S COMPUTER PREVENTS VEHICLE FROM STARTING FOR TWENTY MINUTES TO OVER AN HOUR WITH ORIGINAL KEY TO VEHICLE. EVERY 2001 PONTIAC GRAND AM OWNER IN THE AREA IS HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM. NATIONAL RECALL TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM WITH THE MICROCODE AND/OR IGNITION SWITCH SHOULD BE MADE.I AM DISABLED AND THE VEHICLE LEFT ME STRANDED FOR OVER THREE HOURS TODAY UNTIL I FOUND A RIDE HOME. CARS SHOULD NOT HAVE COMPUTER MICROCODE THAT PREVENTS STARTING VEHICLE.THIS IS A DANGEROUS SAFETY ISSUE. VIN NUMBER [XXX] 2001 PONTIAC GRAND AM SE. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

Electrical System › Ignition › Anti-theft › Control Module
Filed Sep 30, 2010120,000 milesWI

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 PONTIAC GRAND AM. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO START THE IGNITION NUMEROUS TIMES AND THE ENGINE WOULD NOT START. THE CONTACT STATED THE FAILURE WAS RELATED TO THE ANTI-THEFT SECURITY SYSTEM. THE PASSLOCK SYSTEM WOULD NOT RESET. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE IGNITION CYLINDER WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS IN THE PROCESS OF BEING REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000.

Electrical System
Filed Sep 26, 201095,000 milesWA

I OWN A 2001 PONTIAC GRAND AM. IT USES THE "PASSLOCK II" FACTORY SECURITY SYSTEM. I WAS TOLD BY A FORMER GM MECHANIC THAT THE PASSLOCK II SYSTEM WILL FAIL WHEN THE CAR REACHES APPROXIMATELY 95,000 MILES ON THE ODOMETER. THE PASSLOCK II SYSTEM NOW REQUIRES DAILY RESETS, CAUSING THE CAR TO START NORMALLY ONLY UNTIL IT SITS FOR ANY LENGTH OF TIME. I HAVE TALKED WITH THE DEALERSHIPS ABOUT THIS AND THEY "AREN'T EXACTLY SURE" WHAT THE ROOT CAUSE IS. I HAVE DONE RESEARCH ACROSS THE INTERNET, AND IT SEEMS THAT HUNDREDS, IF NOT THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE ARE AFFECTED BY THIS, SPECIFICALLY THOSE WHO OWN PONTIAC GRAND AMS AND OLDSMOBILE ALEROS EMPLOYING THE PASSLOCK II ANTI-THEFT SYSTEM. THERE ARE "SHADE-TREE FIXES FOR THIS PROBLEM, BUT NOW THAT GM IS A GOVERNMENT OWNED CORPORATION, THIS PROBLEM SHOULD BE ADDRESSED AND REMEDIED IN THE FORM OF A RECALL. THE OWNER OF EACH VEHICLE SHOULD NOT BE SUBJECTED TO HUNDREDS TO THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS IN DEALERSHIP REPAIR COSTS FOR PARTS DESIGNED TO FAIL AT 100,000 MILES. GM AS A WHOLE CAN CHARGE THE SUBCONTRACTOR FOR REPLACEMENT PARTS. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME. PLEASE CONTACT ME FOR ANY OTHER INFORMATION YOU MAY NEED. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

Electrical System › Ignition › Anti-theft › Control Module
Filed Sep 10, 2010WI

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 PONTIAC GRAND AM SE. THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE WOULD INTERMITTENTLY FAIL TO START. HE WAS ABLE TO TURN THE KEY IN THE IGNITION BUT THE ENGINE WOULD NOT ENGAGE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A LOCAL MECHANIC WHO ADVISED THAT THE PASS LOCK SECURITY SYSTEM WAS DEFECTIVE. THE MECHANIC RESET THE SECURITY SYSTEM. THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE CONTACT STATED HE WOULD HAVE TO TURN THE KEY TO THE ON POSITION FOR APPROXIMATLEY 10 MINUTES AND THEN RETURN TO THE OFF POSITION IN THREE SETS OF 12 BEFORE THE VEHICLE WOULD RESTART. THE DEALER CONFIRMED THAT THE SECURITY PASS LOCK WAS FAULTY AND REPLACED A PART RELATIVE TO THE SECURITY SYSTEM BUT TO NO AVAIL. THE FAILURE PERSISTED AND THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 132,500.

Electrical System
Filed Aug 26, 201060,000 milesTX

I HAVE OWNED MY 2001 PONTIAC GRAND AM SE FOR 2 YEARS. IT WAS GIVEN TO ME FROM MY MOTHER. BEFORE OWNING THE CAR, MY MOTHER COMPLAINED OF THE TURN SIGNAL NOISE CONSTANTLY GOING AT A SPORADIC RATE AT RANDOM TIMES. IT STILL MAKES THIS NOISE AT A CONSTANT RATE TO THIS VERY DAY. AT TIMES, I EVEN NOTICE A VERY TINY AMOUNT OF SMOKE COMING FROM THE STEERING COLUMN. I RESEARCHED THIS ONLINE AND THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM AMONG GRAND AM OWNERS. SINCE I HAVE SEEN OTHERS ARE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM, I CALLED THE DEALERSHIP TO SEE IF THERE IS A RECALL ON THE VEHICLE. I GAVE MY VIN AND I WAS TOLD THAT THERE IS NO RECALL ON THE CAR ALTHOUGH I DO SEE A RECALL ABOUT THE HAZARD LIGHT SWITCH ONLINE. I BELIEVE THIS COULD POSSIBLY CAUSE AN ELECTRICAL FIRE. IT HAS NOT HAPPENED TO ME YET, BUT IF IT DOES ANY I AM HURT AS A RESULT, THERE WILL BE A LAWSUIT. *TR

Unknown or Other
Filed Aug 5, 201078,152 milesCA

CAR WON'T START. LEAVES ME (WIDOW) STRANDED WHEREVER I AM, AWAITING TOW TRUCK. THESE ARE WHAT HAVE BEEN REPEATED CULPRITS - DEFECTIVE PASS DOOR LOCK, DEFECTIVE HAZARD SWITCH (2 REPLACEMENTS) FAULTY IGNITION SWITCH (2 REPLACEMENTS), FAULTY IGNITION PASS LOCK SENSOR... THIS CAR HAS ALOT OF FAULTY REPLACED OVER AND OVER AGAIN SINCE 2004, 2006, 2008, 2009 AND 2010... LATEST REPLACEMENT OF FAULTY PASS DOOR LOCK SENSOR IS LISTED BELOW... *TR

Electrical System
Filed Jul 26, 2010120,000 milesWI

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 PONTIAC GRAND AM. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START ON AN INTERMITTENT BASIS. THE CONTACT STATED THE FAILURE WAS CONTRIBUTED TO THE PASS LOCK MECHANISM. WHEN THE VEHICLE THOUGHT IT WAS BEING STOLEN, IT WOULD NOT ALLOW HER TO ACCELERATE. SHE WOULD MAKE SEVERAL ATTEMPTS TO TURN THE KEY IN THE IGNITION BUT TO NO AVAIL. THE MANUFACTURER WOULD NOT PROVIDE ANY ASSISTANCE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 120,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 156,000.

Electrical System
Filed Jul 9, 2010120,000 milesWI

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 PONTIAC GRAND AM. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START. AFTER REPEATED ATTEMPTS THE VEHICLE WAS UNABLE TO START. THE FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED BY A DEALER TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF FAILURE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 120,000. UPDATED 09/29/10. *LJ UPDATED 10/25/10 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED VEHICLE FINALLY STARTED AFTER LEAVING THE KEY IN THE ON POSITION FOR 10 MINUTES OR UNTIL THE SECURITY LIGHT STOPPED BLINKING. UPDATED 10/27/10

Service Brakes, Hydraulic
Filed Jul 7, 201094,000 milesPA

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 PONTIAC GRAND AM. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKES MADE A NOISE AND BEGAN TO VIBRATE WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 15 MPH. A LOCAL MECHANIC WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE SECURITY LIGHT ILLUMINATED WHENEVER SHE TRIED TO START THE VEHICLE. SHE HAD TO WAIT APPROXIMATELY 10 MINUTES, REMOVE THE KEY FROM THE IGNITION, AND THEN THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO FUNCTION NORMALLY. THE SPEEDOMETER ALSO BEGAN TO MALFUNCTION. GENERAL MOTORS WAS NOTIFIED BUT THE CONTACT HAS NOT RECEIVED A RESPONSE FROM THEM. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 84,000.

Engine and Engine Cooling
Filed Jul 1, 2010126,000 milesTX

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 PONTIAC GRAND AM. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE TRYING TO START THE VEHICLE IN HEAVY RAINY WEATHER CONDITIONS, THE VEHICLE WOULD START AND WITHIN A FEW SECONDS, THE ENGINE WOULD STALL. THE FAILURE DOES NOT OCCUR UNLESS IT RAINS. THE DEALER ADVISED HIM TO HAVE A DIAGNOSTIC TEST PERFORMED. THE CONTACT IS CONCERNED THAT THE VEHICLE WILL STALL IF HE ATTEMPTS TO DRIVE IT TO THE DEALER. GENERAL MOTORS CONFIRMED THAT THE FAILURE NEEDED TO BE DIAGNOSED BY THE DEALER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 126,000.

Electrical System
Filed Jun 29, 2010140,000 milesWV

01 PONTIAC GRAND AM HAVING PROBLEMS STARTING. IT SEEMS THAT IT IS AN OVERALL PROBLEM WITH THESE MODELS OF GRAND AMS. I RESEARCH THE WEB AND FIND MANY UPON MANY OF OTHER PEOPLE HAVING THE SAME EXACT PROBLEMS. WHEN GOING TO START THE CAR SOMETIMES IT WILL NOT. WHEN THIS HAPPENS YOU HAVE TO RESET THE SECURITY WHICH YOU HAVE TO LEAVE THE KEY ON FOR OVER 11 MINS TO RESET IT. I HAVE HAD THIS PROBLEM WITH MY CAR FOR OVER 6 MONTHS NOW. AND TODAY IT HAS STARTED DOING IT EVERY TIME I START THE CAR. THERE SHOULD OF DEFINITELY BEEN A RECALL ON THIS. LIKE OTHER MODELS HAVE HAD. *TR

Electrical System
Filed Jun 23, 2010125,000 milesIA

I HAVE A 2001 PONTIAC GRAND AM GT V6 3400. THE PASSLOCK/SECURITY SYSTEM HAS PROVEN TO BE FAULTY ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS. IN THE RECENT PAST THE SECURITY LIGHT WOULD RANDOMLY FLASH PREVENTING ME FROM STARTING MY CAR FOR UP TO 10-15 MINUTES. IT HAS MORE RECENTLY TAKEN A TURN FOR THE WORSE. NOW MY SECURITY LIGHT IS ON SOLID. I CAN TURN MY CAR ON BUT WITHIN 1-2 SECONDS IT SHUTS OFF. I HAVE NOT HAD ANY THEFT ATTEMPTS, YET MY CAR THINKS I AM TRYING TO STEAL IT. I BELIEVE THE COMPUTER IS FAULTY AND RECOGNIZING PROBLEMS THAT DO NOT EXIST. ALONG WITH THE PROBLEM OF THE CAR NOT STARTING, THE KEYLESS ENTRY (ALSO PROVIDED BY MY GM DEALER, NOT SECOND HAND) IS USELESS. I HAVE NO CONTROL OVER MY CAR, FOR IT IS IN SHUTDOWN. IF I WERE TO REPLACE THE IGNITION CYLINDER IT WOULD COST $200 FOR THE PART AND ANOTHER $2000 TO GET THE PART REPLACED PROFESSIONALLY. I WISH GM COULD STAND BEHIND THIS FAULTY PRODUCT THAT SO MANY PEOPLE LIKE MYSELF HAVE STRUGGLED WITH. I AM A PROUD OWNER OF MY CAR AND WOULD LOVE NOTHING MORE THAN TO KEEP IT, BUT I WOULD LIKE TO BE ABLE TO DRIVE IT. PASSLOCK/SECURITY SYSTEMS IN THIS MODEL ARE FAULTY AND I'M NOT ALONE IN THIS RECOGNITION. *TR

Electrical System
Filed Jun 10, 2010NE

I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE MY PASSLOCK CHIP 3 TIMES IN MY PONTIAC GRAND AM. THIS HAS TO BE SOME SORT OF DEFECT. *TR

Electrical System › Ignition › Anti-theft › Control Module
Filed May 28, 2010109,245 milesNY

I HAVE HAD ISSUES WITH MY CARS SECURITY LOCK NOT KNOWING AT FIRST , I THOUGHT IT WAS THE FUEL PUMP , WELL ONE DAY ON THE WAY TO WORK MY CAR JUST STOPPED RUNNING WHEN I WAS ON THE NYS THRUWAY SCARED OUT OF MY MIND THANKFULLY HAD JUST DROPPED MY DAUGHTER OFF AT DAYCARE - I COULD ACTUALLY GET MY CAR TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD ONCE IT DIED I GO TO RESTART THE CAR AND GOT A CRANK NO START THOUGHT IT WAS VERY ODD , CALLED MY BROTHER HE THOUGHT IT COULD POSSIBLY BE THE FUEL PUMP WENT TO A MECHANIC AND THEY ALSO THOUGHT THE SAME BUT NO CODES WERE COMING UP ON THE SCANNER SO GOT IT TOWED SOMEWHERE ELSE AND IT STARTED UP - IT RAN FOR A FEW MONTHS , WENT TO GO TO WORK THE NEXT MORNING AND AGAIN CRANK NO START FRUSTRATED BC I WAS AGAIN WITHOUT A VEHICLE WITH A 2 YEAR OLD CHILD TO TAKE CARE OF AND ON TOP OF THAT HAVING TO CALL INTO WORK AGAIN , WENT TO WORK COUPLE DAYS LATER AND THOUGHT I WOULD GOOGLE MY ISSUE JUST TO MAKE SURE IT WAS WHAT PEOPLE WERE SAYING - SEEN THAT THERE WAS A SECURITY ISSUE ON THE CAR THAT WON'T LET YOU START THE CALL TRIED FINDING A RECALL GOT NOTHING ..........THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS AND FEEL AS IF GM SHOULD DO THERE JOBS AND FIX THESE PROBLEMS THIS SHOULD NOT BE HAPPENING OUT OF NO WHERE , PLEASE HELP ME! *TR

Electrical System
Filed May 11, 2010122,606 milesIN

THIS COMPLAINT IS REGARDING MY 2001 PONTIAC GRAND AM. THERE WAS NOTHING GOING ON LEADING UP TO THIS PROBLEM IT JUST STARTED HAPPENING 1 DAY. IT HAS TO DO WITH THE PASSLOCK SYSTEM AND HAVING TO RESET THE SYSTEM FOR THE CAR TO BE ABLE TO START WHICH I WAS TOLD TAKES A 1/2 HOUR OF 3 TEN MINUTES TURNING KEY TO ON THEN OFF AND RIGHT BACK TO ON THEN IT RESETS AND WILL START. THIS HAD BEEN GOING ON FOR ABOUT 6 MONTHS. IT STARTED OFF ONCE A MONTH, BUT NOW IT IS MORE FREQUENT, LIKE ONCE A WEEK AT LEAST. RECENTLY IT HAPPENED TWICE IN ONE DAY. IT IS HAPPENING ONCE OR TWICE A WEEK NOW. I WAS TOLD I NEED A NEW IGNITION SWITCH AND THAT IT WOULD BE ABOUT 250.00 IF THIS IS HAPPENING TO MORE CARS THAN JUST MINE, WHICH APPEARS TO BE THE CASE, THEY REALLY OUGHT TO HAVE A RECALL ON IT. *TR

Equipment › Electrical › Anti-theft Devices
Filed May 4, 2010130,000 milesNY

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 PONTIAC GRAND AM. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START AND THE SECURITY LIGHT BEGAN FLASHING ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A REPAIR SHOP WHERE THE KEY WAS RESET WHICH ALLOWED THE VEHICLE TO START. THE FAILURE CONTINUED TO OCCUR THREE TIMES AFTER THE KEY WAS RESET. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 130,000.

Electrical System
Filed Apr 30, 201082,000 milesIA

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 PONTIAC GRAND AM. WHEN ATTEMPTING TO START THE VEHICLE, THE SYSTEM WENT INTO SAFE MODE FOR TEN MINUTES BEFORE ACTUALLY STARTING. THE PROBLEM OCCURRED INTERMITTENTLY. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALERSHIP, THE DEALER STATED THAT THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 82,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 92,000.

Electrical System › Ignition › Anti-theft › Control Module
Filed Apr 19, 201095,000 milesWA

I HAVE A 2001 PONTIAC GRAND AM, WITH 95,000 MILES, EQUIPPED WITH THE PASSLOCK ANTITHEFT SYSTEM... ITS BEGINNING TO FAIL. THE SECURITY LIGHT ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL HAS BEEN ON SOLID AND FLASHING OVER THE PAST SEVERAL WEEKS. THE CAR WILL NOT START UNTIL THE 10MIN RESET PROCEDURE HAS BEEN ACCOMPLISHED. I HAVE BEEN DOING RESEARCH ONLINE, AND IT APPEARS THAT MANY PEOPLE IN THE US AND CANADA HAVE HAD THE SAME ISSUES WITH THIS PASSLOCK SYSTEM. IT APPEARS TO AFFECT THE OLDSMOBILE ALERO MODELS AS WELL. GM HAS BEEN REPEATEDLY CHARGING PEOPLE TO FIX THIS ISSUE BY REPLACING THE SAME PARTS OVER AND OVER. THERE IS NO CLEAR CULPRIT AS TO WHICH PART OF THE PASSLOCK SYSTEM IS TO BLAME. GM NEEDS TO REMOVE THE SYSTEM AND REPLACE IT WITH A WORKING SYSTEM THAT WILL NOT FAIL OVER TIME. I EMAILED GM CUSTOMER SERVICE THIS MORNING AND THEY RECOMMENDED THAT I TAKE THE CAR IN TO HAVE IT DIAGNOSED BY THEIR MECHANICS... I BELIEVE THAT THEY WILL TRY TO REPLACE ONE PART OR ANOTHER AND CHARGE AN ARM AND A LEG FOR IT. THERE NEEDS TO BE A RECALL ON THESE CARS TO HAVE THESE COMPONENTS REPLACEDS. NOW THAT THE US GOVT IS THE MAJORITY OWNER OF GM, I WOULD IMAGINE THAT THIS COULD BE EASILY STARTED. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

Electrical System
Filed Mar 27, 2010250,000 miles00

MY SIGNAL LIGHT WONT STOP CLICKING WHICH LEADS TO THE STEERING COLUMN SMOKING.

Electrical System › Ignition › Anti-theft › Control Module
Filed Mar 9, 2010150,000 milesIN

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 PONTIAC GRAND AM. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ANTI THEFT SYSTEM SHUT ON AND OFF ON IT'S OWN. BRAND NEW SENSORS, A FUEL PUMP, AND FILTERS WERE INSTALLED ON THE VEHICLE AND THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START. THE MECHANIC ADVISED THE CONTACT TO REPLACE THE ANTI THEFT SYSTEM IN SEPTEMBER OF 2009. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,000.

Electrical System › Ignition › Anti-theft › Control Module
Filed Mar 9, 2010130,552 milesIN

OWN A 01 PONTIAC AM GT AND IM HAVING MAJOR PROBLEMS WITH THE THEFT DETERRENT SYSTEM. IT MALFUNCTIONS STILL, EVEN AFTER HAVING IT REPLACED A YEAR AGO. PONTIAC NEEDS TO RECALL THESE CARS AND FIX THEM, THIS IS A MAJOR HEADACHE. *TR

Electrical System › Ignition › Anti-theft › Control Module
Filed Feb 25, 2010150,000 milesCA

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 PONTIAC GRAND AM. HE STATED THAT THE "PASS LOCK" SECURITY FUNCTION OF THE VEHICLE WAS DEFECTIVE. ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS, HE COULD NOT START THE ENGINE AND THE "SECURITY" WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE WARNING PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A SPECIALIST WHERE THEY STATED THAT THE ENTIRE SECURITY SYSTEM FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO HIS INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE UNKNOWN REPAIRS WERE MADE TO THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE BECAME PROGRESSIVELY WORSE AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE UNDER 150,000.

Electrical System
Filed Feb 10, 2010103,000 milesPA

I OWN A 2001 PONTIAC GRAND AM. AFTER MY SECURITY LIGHT LIT AND MY CAR WOULDN'T START, I MECHANIC FRIEND TOLD ME ABOUT THE PROBLEMS WITH THE PASSLOCK SYSTEM, MY CAR STARTED AFTER JUST LETTING MY KEY ON IN THE ACC POSITION FOR 15 MINUTES THIS PROBLEM FIRST OCCURRED IN OCTOBER OF 2008 AND BASICALLY HAS CONTINUED AT LEAST WEEKLY UP TO THE PRESENT TIME. I NEVER REPLACED ANY PARTS THANKFULLY, BUT MY CAR NOW WILL NOT RUN EVEN AFTER RESETTING THE SECURITY FEATURE. I HAVE READ MAY INCIDENTS ABOUT THIS PROBLEM ON NUMEROUS WEB SITES AS WELL AS THIS ONE. WHY WONT GM ADMIT THERE IS A PROBLEM AND ISSUE A RECALL? *TR

Electrical System › Ignition › Anti-theft › Control Module
Filed Feb 1, 2010147,000 milesGA

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 PONTIAC GRAND AM SE. THE CONTACT STARTED THE IGNITION; HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START. THERE WERE SEVERAL ATTEMPTS BEFORE THE VEHICLE STARTED WITH THE "SECURITY PATH LOCK" WARNING LIGHT INDICATOR ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE WARNING INDICATOR REMAINED ILLUMINATED UNTIL THE ENGINE WAS TURNED OFF. THE FAILURE OCCURRED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED FOR THE MALFUNCTION. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 147,000.

Electrical System › Ignition › Anti-theft › Control Module
Filed Jan 27, 2010100,000 milesMI

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 PONTIAC GRAND AM. SHE STATED THAT WHENEVER SHE ATTEMPTED TO START THE VEHICLE IT FAILED TO START; HOWEVER, AFTER TEN MINUTES SHE WAS ABLE TO START THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE HAS OCCURRED APPROXIMATELY 10 TIMES IN THE PAST 3 TO 4 MONTHS. THE DEALER STATED THAT THERE WAS A DEFECT IN THE ANTI THEFT SYSTEM AND THE OWNER IS RESPONSIBLE FOR PAYING FOR THE REPAIRS. THE CONTACT HAS BEEN STRANDED SEVERAL TIMES DUE TO THE FAILURE. THERE IS RESEARCH STATING THAT THIS IS AN ON GOING PROBLEM. NO REPAIRS HAVE BEEN MADE AT THIS TIME. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 102000.

Electrical System
Filed Jan 27, 201084,000 milesIA

HAVE A 2001 PONTIAC GRAND AM WITH 93000 MILES--IN PAST 2 YEARS, IT HAS INTERMITTENTLY NOT STARTED--HAVE REPLACED THE FUEL PUMP, BATTERY, POWER STEERING PUMP, TRANSMISSION AND WAS FINALLY TOLD IT IS THE PASSLOCK SECURITY SYSTEM MALFUNCTION. NOW IT IS NOT STARTING APPROX. ONCE A MONTH. LOCAL MECHANIC SAID IT IS SECURITY PASSLOCK AND THERE IS NO FIX BUT CALL THE DEALER. SPOKE WITH 3 DEALERS AND WAS TOLD THERE IS NO SURE FIX--ARE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM, BUT CAN NOT FIX. HAVE TO SIT AND WAIT APPROX. 10 MINUTES TO RESET SECURITY. WHERE'S THE RECALL ON THIS??????? *CN

Electrical System › Ignition › Anti-theft › Control Module
Filed Jan 15, 2010117,667 milesFL

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 PONTIAC GRAND AM. HE STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START INTERMITTENTLY. UPON FAILURE, THE SECURITY FEATURE WARNING LIGHT WOULD ILLUMINATE ON THE WARNING PANEL. THE FUEL PUMP WAS REPLACED WITH THE EXPECTATION OF FIXING THE STARTING ISSUE; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE DEALER ADVISED RESETTING THE SYSTEM BY ALLOWING THE KEY TO SIT IN THE ACC POSITION IN THE IGNITION AND GETTING OUT OF THE VEHICLE FOR 10 TO 15 MINUTES. THEY STATED THAT THE SECURITY SYSTEM WOULD NOT ALLOW THE VEHICLE TO MOVE WITH AN OCCUPANT IN IT DUE TO THE WEIGHT SENSOR FOR THE SECURITY SYSTEM. THE CONTACT HAD TO PERFORM THIS ROUTINE EACH TIME HE ATTEMPTED TO START THE VEHICLE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE UNDER 117,667.

Engine and Engine CoolingCrash
Filed Jan 2, 2010UT

I HAVE REPLACED THE RADIATOR TWICE, THE WATER PUMP TWICE (GOING ON NUMBER 3 TOMORROW) AND ALSO GET TO DO AN INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET. I OWN A 2001 PONTIAC GRAND AM. THE CAUSE HAS SINCE BEEN DISCOVERED AS THE DEX-COOL COOLANT THAT GM MANUFACTURES WHICH EATS ANYTHING IT COMES IN CONTACT WITH. RECALL NEEDS ISSUED, AND REPAIR WORK PAID FOR. *TR

Electrical System › Ignition › Anti-theft › Control Module
Filed Oct 6, 2009135,000 milesKY

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 PONTIAC GRAND AM. WHEN ATTEMPTING TO START THE VEHICLE SHE NOTICED THE SECURITY WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL, AND THEN THE VEHICLE EXHIBITED A NO-START CONDITION. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A LOCAL REPAIR FACILITY, AND A MECHANIC CONCLUDED THAT THE PASS LOCK SYSTEM FAILED. NO REPAIRS WERE MADE. THE VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 135,000.

Electrical System
Filed Sep 26, 200966,000 milesPA

2001 GRAND AM GT WITH 67,000 MILES. HAZARD LIGHTS AND TURN SIGNALS WORKED ONLY SOMETIMES. HAD RECALLED SWITCH REPLACED, NOW I HAVE NOTHING AT ALL. GARAGES CAN'T SEEM TO FIGURE OUT WHAT'S WRONG AND I HATE DRIVING WITHOUT TURN SIGNALS. GETTING A TICKET FOR NOT HAVING THEM IS THE LEAST OF WORRIES. *TR

Electrical System
Filed Sep 7, 2009WY

2001 PONTIAC GRAND AM. EVERY ONCE IN A WHILE (SOMETIMES FOR A WHOLE MONTH) MY CAR DOESN'T START, AND THE "SECURITY" LIGHT FLASHES. IN THIS CASE, I HAVE TO TURN THE KEY TO THE "START" POSITION, AND LET THE CAR SIT FOR 10 MINUTES BEFORE I CAN START IT. I HAVE READ MANY OTHER COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS PROBLEM AND FEEL THAT SOME RECALL SHOULD BE ACTIVATED. THIS IS NOT SOMETHING THAT WE, AS OWNERS, SHOULD HAVE TO REPLACE. *TR

Electrical System
Filed Aug 20, 200980,000 milesMO

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 PONTIAC GRAND AM. ON TWO OCCASIONS, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START. THE SECURITY LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED AND A MECHANIC STATED THAT THE COMPUTER INDICATED THAT THERE WAS A SECURITY FAILURE; HOWEVER, WHEN THE FAILURE RECURRED THE DEALER STATED THAT THE FUEL PUMP AND IGNITION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. AFTER REPLACING THE FUEL PUMP AND IGNITION THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MECHANIC ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT AFTER PLACING THE KEY INTO THE IGNITION SLIGHTLY TURN IT ON FOR ABOUT 15 MINUTES UNTIL THE LIGHT IT NO LONGER ILLUMINATED. THE DEALER STATED THAT THERE WERE NO EXISTING RECALLS. THE FAILURE CONTINUED TO OCCUR. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 102000.

Unknown or Other
Filed Jul 29, 200950,000 milesME

CAR WAS PARKED CAME OUT TO LEAVE CAR WOULD NOT START HAD CAR TOWED TO DEALERSHIP WHERE CAR WAS BOUGHT NEW-2ND TIME THIS HAS HAPPENED FOUND IGNITION SWITCH AND PASSLOCK SENOR CYLINDER FAULTY DEALERSHIP STATES A DEFECT IN THIS YEAR OF GRAND AM BILL RUNS AROUND 700.00 EACH TIME-WAS TOLD IT WOULD HAPPEN AGAIN IN FUTURE. *TR

Electrical System
Filed Jul 29, 200962,123 milesCA

THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THE 2001 GRAND AM PASSLOCK SYSTEM THAT THE MANUFACTURER WAS AWARE OF WHEN THEY SOLD THESE CARS.THEY NEED A RECALL ON THEM AS THEY ARE VERY EXPENSIVE AND THE PROBLEM SEEMS TO NOT BE FIXED EVEN WHEN REPLACING THEM THEY JUST ARE DELAYING THE PROBLEM FOR ANOTHER YEAR. THEN YOU HAVE TO REPLACE IT AGAIN AT $500.00 OR MORE EACH TIME. *TR

Engine and Engine Cooling
Filed Jun 23, 2009123,000 milesMN

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 PONTIAC GRAND AM. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE ENGINE WAS ABLE TO BE RESTARTED. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE FAILURE OCCURRED ON FOUR MORE OCCASIONS. RECENTLY, THE ENGINE FAILED TO RESTART. THE VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY INOPERABLE AND HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. IN ADDITION, THE PASS LOCK SYSTEM WAS PREVIOUSLY REPLACED. THE CONTACT IS IN THE PROCESS OF TAKING THE VEHICLE TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 123,000.

Fuel System, Other
Filed Jun 17, 200998,000 milesAZ

I HAVE A 2001 PONTIAC GRAND AM SE AND HAVE REPLACED NUMEROUS PARTS AND MOST RECENTLY DROPPED $300.00 TO PUT A NEW FUEL PUMP IN IT. THE CAR WILL STILL NOT START. IT TURNS OVER AND EVERYTHING BUT WILL NOT START. I HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO START IT FOR OVER A WEEK NOW AND HAVE BEEN TOLD THAT IT IS A PROBLEM WITH THE SECURITY PASSLOCK SYSTEM. I FEEL THAT THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL ON THIS ISSUE BY GM SEEING THAT IT IS A WELL KNOWN ISSUE WITH THEIR VEHICLES. *TR

Exterior Lighting › Hazard Flashing Warning Lights › Switch
Filed Apr 17, 2009150,000 milesCA

RECALL NUMBER: 03V327000 DATES MANUFACTURED: MAR 2000 TO MAY 2001 NUMBER OF VEHICLES AFFECTED: 670740 DATE OWNERS NOTIFIED ON: FEB 2004 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. I TRIED CALLING PONTIAC TODAY AND THEY REFUSED TO INSPECT MY CAR FREE OF CHARGE. THE ALSO TELL ME THAT THIS IS NOT A VALID RECALL NUMBER. I HAVE SEVAL ISSUES WITH MY CAR. I HAVE PAID SEVERAL THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS ON THIS CAR. *TR

Electrical System › Ignition › Anti-theft › Control ModuleCrash1 injured
Filed Mar 19, 200945,000 milesWI

WHEN TRYING TO START THE CAR THE SECURITY LIGHT IS ON AND THE CAR WILL NOT START. IT HAPPENS EVERYTIME I GO TO START MY CAR, SO IT HAPPENS 6 TIMES A DAY, 365 DAYS A YEAR. I HAVE TO TURN THE KEY TO ON AND LET IT SIT FOR 10 MINUTES WHILE IT RESETS. WHILE DRIVING SOMETIMES MY SECURITY LIGHT GOES ON AND MY CAR WILL JUST STOP RUNNING, WHICH IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS TO HAVE YOUR CAR JUST TURN OFF ESPECIALLY ON A FREEWAY. *TR

Exterior Lighting
Filed Mar 4, 200997,795 milesOH

TURN SIGNAL WORK ON AND OFF INTERMITTENT FAILURE TO WORK. *TR

Electrical System
Filed Feb 17, 2009113,000 milesVA

I HAVE A 2001 GRAND AM AND I KEEP HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM WITH THE SECURITY PASS LOCK SYSTEM. I FIRST HAD THIS PROBLEM IN 2004 AND PAID 400.00 TO FIX IT. WELL IT STARTED AGAIN JUNE 07. I DON'T HAVE THE FUNDS TO FIX IT AGAIN SO I KEEP RESETTING IT.I ALSO NEVER RECEIVED THE INFO ON THE TURN SIGNALS AND HAZARD LIGHTS AND NOW MINE IS MESSING UP. THEY NEED TO RECALL THIS SYSTEM. *TR

Electrical System › Ignition › Anti-theft › Control Module
Filed Feb 12, 2009OH

2001 PONTIAC GRAND AM NO START SECURITY SYSTEM FAILURE BIG PROBLEM HAS DID IT 20 TIME IN A MONTH. *TR

Engine and Engine Cooling
Filed Dec 29, 200880,300 milesNY

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 PONTIAC GRAND AM. DURING ROUTINE MAINTENANCE A TECHNICIAN STATED THAT UNDER PRESSURE OF THE INTAKE MANIFOLD WAS INOPERABLE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT WAS RESPONSIBLE FOR THE REPAIR COST WHICH EXCEEDED $700.00. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 80,300. UPDATED 03/18/09. *LJ THE INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET WAS LEAKING AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. UPDATED 03/20/09. *JB

Reading these

NHTSA publishes every complaint as the owner wrote it and investigates only a fraction. Spelling, capitalisation and judgement are the filer’s own. What carries weight is repetition: the same component failing the same way across many filings, and whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.

Full record for the 2001 Pontiac Grand AM → · Every Grand AM year → · How the figures are calculated →