Page 7 of 7 · complaints 301–325 of 325

2003 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 2003 record →

Vehicle Speed Control
Filed May 17, 2004OH

WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE HESITATED WHEN ACCELERATING. THEN, CONSUMER APPLIED THE BRAKES AND VEHICLE ACCELERATED. CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER, WHO WAS NOT ABLE TO RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. *AK

Suspension › Rear › Shock AbsorberCrash
Filed Apr 21, 200412,500 milesWV

WHILE VEHICLE WAS IN REVERSE IT CRASHED INTO A CEMENT WALL. THIS CAUSED THE BUMPER TO BEND. *AK IT WAS LATER DETERMINED THAT THE KNUCKLE THE BOLTS ONTO THE SHOCK ABSORDER FAILED. *NM

Visibility › Windshield Wiper/Washer
Filed Mar 25, 200413,400 milesNY

WHILE DRIVING DURING WINTER WEATHER, THE DRIVER SIDE WINDSHIELD WIPER FAILED INTERMITTENTLY. PLEASE PROVIDE MORE INFORMATION. *JB

Steering › ColumnCrash1 injured
Filed Mar 17, 20049,400 milesCT

WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH AND MAKING A RIGHT TURN, THE STEERING WHEEL FROZE. THE CONSUMER WAS UNABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, AND HIT A UTILITY POLE HEAD ON. UPON IMPACT, THE BOTH FRONTAL AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. DRIVER SUSTAINED INJURIES WHICH DID NOT REQUIRE MEDICAL ASSISTANCE. *AK *SC

Suspension
Filed Nov 17, 20031,000 milesIL

MY SUSPENSION POPS AND CRACKS LIKE ITS GOING TO BREAK IN HALF EVERY TIME I TURN THE WHEEL OR HIT A BUMP OR INCLINE ETC... IT SOUNDS LIKE MY NEW CAR IS 20 YEARS OLD, I HAVE COMPLAINED SEVERAL TIMES AND THEY ACT LIKE I'M CRAZY THEY HAVE BROUGHT IT IN 4 TIMES AND NOTHING HAS CHANGED THE STEERING WILL FREEZE AND JERK OUT OF MY HANDS. ALSO THERE HAS BEEN SEVERAL TIMES IT WILL NOT EVEN START, THE DEALERSHIP TELLS ME ITS A DIFFERENT PROBLEM EVERY TIME, BUT YET IT HAS NEVER GOTTEN BETTER JUST WORSE, IT IS THE WORSE CAR I HAVE EVER DROVE AND IT ONLY HAS 5,000 MILES ON IT. I HAVE COMPLAINED SINCE THE WEEK AFTER I BOUGHT IT. *LA

Visibility › Windshield
Filed Oct 24, 20033,900 milesMD

WHILE DRIVING CONSUMER FEELS DISTRACTED BY THE REFLECTION OF THE DASHBOARD ON THE WINDSHIELD. DEALER FEELS THAT THE CONTOUR OF THE WINDSHIELD IS THE CAUSE, BUT WILL NOT FIX THE PROBLEM.*AK *TS *JB

Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine
Filed Oct 21, 20033,200 milesNJ

CAR DIED WHILE DRIVING. ENGINE SHUT OFF, LIGHTS SHUT OFF. *LA

Suspension › Front
Filed Oct 20, 200353,000 milesIL

WHILE DRIVING DRIVER CAN HEAR LOUD POPPING NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT OF VEHICLE. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALERSHIP, WHERE MECHANIC INFORMED THE DRIVER THAT THE PROBLEM WAS THE SWAY BAR. THE PROBLEM HAD NOT BEEN RESOLVED.*AK

Electrical System › Wiring › Fuses and Circuit Breakers
Filed Sep 14, 2003CT

I PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE IN JUNE 2003 WITH 1695 MILES ON IT. ONE MONTH LATER IT'S IN THE SHOP BECAUSE THERE WAS WATER LEAKING IN THROUGH THE MOONROOF'S OPEN/CLOSE BUTTON AND THE TRUNK FAILED TO OPEN USING THE REMOTE OR THE BUTTON ON THE DRIVER'S DOOR. THE DEALER HAD THE WINDSHIELD RESEALED AND FIXED THE CONNECTION PROBLEM FOR THE TRUNK. NOW THE VEHICLE'S FOG LAMPS GO ON AND STAY ON FOR NO REASON, EVEN WHEN THE VEHICLE IS TURNED OFF. I HAD TO TAKE THE FUSE OUT FOR THE WEEKEND UNTIL I CAN TAKE IT INTO THE DEALERSHIP. THIS IS THE SECOND ELECTRICAL PROBLEM I'VE HAD AND THE CAR ONLY HAS 4200 MILES ON IT. *PH

Vehicle Speed Control
Filed Sep 6, 20031,566 milesTN

2003 GRAND AM GT PURCHASED IN MAY 2003. CAR WILL ACCELERATE FROM IDLE SPEED OF 4-6MPH TO 15 MPH WITHOUT DEPRESSING THE ACCELERATOR CAUSING THE CAR TO JUMP FORWARD WITHOUT WARNING. STARTED TO OCCUR AT 1500 MILES, NOW 3600 MILES ON THE CAR, HAS BEEN AT THE DEALERSHIP 3 TIMES WITH NO RESOLUTION. ALSO WILL NOT ACCELERATE WHEN ATTEMPTING TO PASS AT SPEEDS FROM 50MPH, ACCELERATOR DEPRESSED TO THE FLOOR WITHOUT RESULTING CHANGE EVIDENCED BY INCREASE IN RPM OR SPEED OF THE VEHICLE. ALSO DANGEROUS. AS OF TODAY, THE CAR IS AT THE DEALERSHIP, THEY HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM AND ARE SEEKING ADVICE FROM PONTIAC. *AK

Air BagsCrash1 injured
Filed Sep 2, 200329,450 milesTX

WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH FRONT PASSENGER SIDE TIRE CAME OFF THE RIM. AS A RESULT THE DRIVER LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND HIT A BRIDGE, SPUN AROUND AND HIT A GUARD RAIL. NONE OF THE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. *AK *NLM

Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine
Filed Aug 30, 20032,624 milesFL

PURCHASED 2003 PONTIAC GRAND AM SE1 WITH 3.4 LITER 3400 SFI V-6 ENGINE ON 7/30/03.N 8/27/03, 2624 MILES ON VEHICLE. EXPERIENCED MAJOR PROBLEM OF CAR DIED OUT AND STALLED WHILE DRIVING WAS ABLE TO RESTART AUTO WHICH WOULD DIED OUT AND STALLED 6 SEPARATE TIMES THIS OCCURRED WHILE DRIVING AND RANGED FROM 15 SECONDS TO 2 MINS OF DRIVING TIME AND AT SPEEDS OF 5 TO 35 MPH. ( THE VEHICLE JUST QUIT RUNNING WITH NO WARNING!) HAD VEHICLE TOWED TO DEALERSHIP. DEALER SERVICE ADVISOR (JOE) ADVISE ME THAT AT THE REPAIR BAYS THEY EXPERIENCED/DUPLICATED THE PROBLEM 9 TIMES, BUT HAD NO IDEA WHAT WAS CAUSING THE PROBLEM. STATED THEY HAD CALLS INTO GENERAL MOTORS TECHNICAL SUPPORT AND WERE WAITING FOR SOME POSSILE ANSWERS/SOLUTIONS. I AM REPORTING THIS OF TWO REASONS 1. THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY PROBLEM. THE VEHICLE DIES/STALLS OUT AT THE WRONG TIME AND PLACE AN ACCIDENT WILL HAPPEN. 2. I AM WITH OUT A VEHICLE WHICH I PURCHASED IN GOOD FAITH. (STILL SETTING IN THE SHOP). *AK

Electrical System › Wiring
Filed Aug 20, 20032,000 milesWI

I HAVE A 2003 PONTIAC GRAND AM GT COUPE THAT I BOUGHT NEW. IT HAS BEEN IN THE SHOP TWICE SINCE MAY WHEN I BOUGHT IT. THE PROBLEM WAS THAT PONTIAC'S LANCING PLANT DID NOT FINISH THE CAR BEFOR THEY PUT IT OUT FOR SALE. THERE WERE GROUND WIRES MISSING AND SOME THAT WERE NOT CONNECTED OR HOOKED UP BACKWARDS. THIS CAUSED SEVERAL DIFFERENT PROBLEMS INCLUDING HAVING THE ALTERNATOR AND BATTERY RUINED. I CALLED PONTIAC TO GET THE ADDRESS OF THE PLANT THAT MADE THE CAR SO I COULD REPORT THE PROBLEM TO THEM AND WAS TREATED LIKE I WAS STUPID BUY EAN DUNKIN THE PERSON ON THE PHONE. THEY OFFERED A SMART CARE PACKAGE PLAN FOR UP TO 12000 MILES AS COMPINSATION FOR THE INCONVENIENCE. I BECAME UPSET BY THE WAY THE MAN WAS TALKING TO ME AND ASKED FOR A $1000 REBATE AND THE SERVICE PACKAGE. HE TOLD ME HE WOULD HAVE TO CALL BACK. WHEN HE DID HE SAID NO AND WITHDREW THE OFFER FOR THE SERVICE PACKAGE. I ASKED TO SPEAK TO A SUPERVISOR AND WITH IN AN HOUR I HAD A CONTACT PHONE NUMBER AND ACCEPTED THE SERVICE PACKAGE. I JUST GOT THE LETTER AND IT SAYS THAT IT WILL TAKE 8 WEEKS TO PROCESS. BY THEN I WILL HAVE HAD TWO OIL CHANGES AS IT IS DUE FOR ANOTHER AND THE 12000 MILE LIMIT THEY PUT ON WILL BE ALMOST OVER. *AK

Suspension
Filed Aug 10, 20031,500 milesCA

I HAVE HAD A PERSISTENT POPPING/CREAKING NOISE COMING FROM THE SUSPENSION WHEN ENCOUNTERING ANY SORT OF INCLINE OR DECLINE (I.E., DRIVEWAYS, CURBS, ETC.) OR INTERMITTENTLY WHEN CORNERING. THERE IS A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN #02-03-03-008 THAT ADDRESSES THIS ISSUE. THE PONTIAC DEALERSHIP IN COLMA, CA HAS TRIED THREE TIMES TO REPLACE THE SWAY ARM BUSHING/BRACKETS YET THE PROBLEM PERSISTS. I'M DRIVING A CAR WITH 2,000 MILES ON IT YET IT SOUNDS LIKE THE SUSPENSION IS 15 YEARS OLD. AT FIRST, THE DEALERSHIP ACTED LIKE THEY HAD NO IDEA WHAT I WAS TALKING ABOUT. I FOUND THE TSB (ISSUED IN NOVEMBER 2002) ON THE INTERNET IN ABOUT 1 MINUTE. FURTHERMORE, THE DEALERSHIP SERVICE DEPARTMENT KEEPS CALLING GM TECHNICAL SUPPORT FOR HELP. THIS GIVES ME NO CONFIDENCE IN THE ABILITIES OF THE SERVICE TECHNICIANS. I'M CONTEMPLATING ASKING GM TO BUY THIS CAR BACK. *NLM

Fuel System, Other › Delivery › Fuel Pump
Filed Jul 30, 2003131 milesIN

PURCHASED BRAND NEW 2003 PONTIAC GRAND AM ON JULY 14, 2003. FUEL PUMP FAILED TWO WEEKS LATER, LEAVING OWNERS STRANDED AND IN NEED OF A TOW. FUEL PUMP WAS REPLACED, BUT THERE WAS 0 PRESSURE TO THE FUEL. AFTER DIAGNOSTICS, FOUND LOOSE WIRE AT IGNITION MODULE. TIGHTENED. CAR RUNS NOW.

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Jul 11, 20037,043 milesDC

RETURNING HOME FROM GREENSBORO NC TO WASHINGTON DC VEHICLE HAD 7004 MILES ON A 2003 PONTIAC GRAND AM. THE VEHICLE HAD A STRANGE SOUND SO I PULLED INTO A REST STOP IN PETERSBURG VA. THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT MOVE, IT SEEMED TO ME THAT THE TRANSMISSION WAS GONE. I COULD NOT UNDERSTAND A NEW VEHICLE HAVING THIS PROBLEM. I CONTACTED PONTIAC ROAD SIDE SERVICE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE NEAREST DEALERSHIP WHICH IS ROUNDTREE PONTIAC IN PETERSBURG VA. I WAS CONTACTED BY THE SERVICE MANAGER MR. CLYDE BELL HE EXPLAINED TO ME THAT FLYWHELL DETECTED TWO TRANSMISSION CONVERTER BOLTS MISSING AND ONE FLOATING INSICE TRANSMISSION CASING. THIS ONE BOLT JAMMED FLYWHEEL AND FLEX PLATE, CAUSING ENGINE TO SEIZE . THEY REMOVED TRANSMISSION REPLACED DAMAGED FLEX PLATE AND TRANSMISSION CONVERTER MOUNT BOLTS. PONTIAC HAD NO CONCERN ABOUT HOW I WOULD GET BACK TO WASHINGTON DC. AT MIDNIGHT WHEN THIS HAPPENED THEY LEFT ME STRANDED. I CONTACTED PONTIAC CUSTOMER SERVICES, REQUESTING THEY GET MY VEHICLE BACK TO WASHINGTON DC. SINCE THE CAR WAS FAIRLY NEW. I WAS TOLD THE WARRANTY DID NOT COVER MY REQUEST. I HAD TO TAKE A BUS TO PETERSBURG VA TO GET THE CAR. I LOST A DAYS PAY AND I FELL I WAS COMPLETELY INCONVIENCED. I AM REQUESTING YOU ALL CHECK INTO THIS FOR ME. I AM NOW TRYING TO GET RID OF THE VEHICLE. *AK

Structure › Body › Door1 injured
Filed Jul 9, 2003200 milesNJ

THE INSIDE DOOR EDGE OF MY 2003 PONTIAC GRAND AM IS RAZOR SHARP METAL. MY WIFE CUT HER FINGER DEEPLY ON DOOR EDGE WHILE HOLDING DOOR.*AK

Air Bags › FrontalCrash
Filed Jul 1, 2003MO

CONSUMER STATES THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 45MPH VEHICLE WAS IN A HEAND ON COLLISION. CONSUMER STATES THAT BOTH FRONT AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY.*AK

Electrical System
Filed Jun 4, 2003NV

THERE WERE PROBLEMS WITH THE BATTERY, IGNITION SWITCH, WIRING. *MR THE COMPUTER WAS REPLACED, A BATTERY WAS INSTALLED, WIRING WAS TIGHTENED, A KEY IGNITION WAS ADDED, AND THE SWITCH LIGHTS/DASH COMPONENT(PROBLEM NOT SPECIFIED). WHEN THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED AT A SPEED OF 40 MPH, THE LIGHTS WOULD ACT ERRATIC ALONG WITH THE RPM GOING DOWN. THE RPM AND LIGHT PROBLEM WOULD OCCUR ALMOST EVERYDAY AND SOMETIME THE VEHICLE WOULD SHUT DOWN. THE CONSUMER NO LONGER OPERATES THE VEHICLE AND REQUESTED EITHER A NEW VEHICLE OR A REFUND. (MODEL GT) SCC

Latches/Locks/Linkages › Doors › Latch
Filed Jun 3, 2003PA

ON TWO SEPARATE OCCASIONS 2/14/2002 AND 5/22/2003, MY GRAND AM LOCKED ITS DOORS. THE FIRST OCCASION, THE CAR WAS TURNED OFF, KEYS LEFT IN THE CAR. WHEN THE DRIVER'S DOOR CLOSED, THE DOORS LOCKED. HAD TO HAVE AAA OPEN THE DOOR. SECOND OCCASION, MY 4 1/2 MONTH OLD BABY WAS ASLEEP IN THE BACK SEAT, THE CAR WAS RUNNING, I PUT THE CAR IN PARK, UNLOCKED THE DOORS AND GOT OUT FOR A MINUTE, WHEN THE DOOR CLOSED, IT AND THE PASSENGER FRONT DOOR AND DRIVER'S REAR DOORS LOCKED. THE ONLY ONE THAT REMAINED UNLOCKED WAS THE PASSENGER REAR DOOR. LUCKILY, ONE STAYED OPEN AND MY BABY WAS ASLEEP AND DIDN'T KNOW WHAT WAS GOING ON. VERY UPSET WITH GM AT THIS POINT. *NLM

Air BagsCrash
Filed May 29, 20036,000 milesKY

WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE WAS INVOVLED IN A HEAD ON COLLISION AND AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. PLEASE PROVIDE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION.*AK

Unknown or Other1 injured
Filed May 28, 2003MI

CUT HAND/FINGER ON DOOR SHEET METAL. THE METAL FROM THE OUTSIDE OF THE DOOR WRAPS AROUND THE BACK EDGE OF THE DOOR AND HAS A VERY SHARP EDGE. WHEN CLOSING OR OPENING THE DOOR AND GRABBING IN THIS REGION OF THE DOOR, IT IS VERY EASY TO GET CUT BY THE SHEET METAL. ONE INCIDENT OF CUTTING FINGER.

Seats
Filed May 28, 20036,462 milesPA

THE SEAT MOVED FORWARD 1/4 OF AN INCH WHEN BRAKES WERE DEPRESSED. TRACKS WERE REPLACED PROBLEM STILL EXIST. *TT

Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine
Filed May 4, 20033,060 milesNV

MY CAR DIES OUT WHILE DRIVING. *JB

Visibility › Defroster/Defogger/Hvac System › Rear Window
Filed Feb 25, 20032,700 milesMI

I RENTED A 2003 PONTIAC GRAND AM ON FEB. 04, 2003. IT WAS VERY COLD, AT NIGHT, AND SNOWING HEAVILY. I TURNED ON THE REAR DEFOGGER. IT FAILED TO CLEAR THE REAR WINDOW, AND I TURNED IT ON AGAIN AFTER NOTICING THAT IT HAD TURNED OFF. ABOUT 30 SECONDS LATER THE REAR WINDOW EXPLODED; THERE WAS NO PROJECTILE FOUND. MY WIFE, WHO WAS WITH ME WHEN IT HAPPENED, AND I BELIEVE IT HAS TO BE A FACTORY DEFECT, AND WE SHOULD NOT BE HELD RESPONSIBLE, YET WE ARE BEING CHARGED BY BUDGET, WHO WAS CHARGED BY THE DEALER, FOR THE REPAIR.*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.

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