NHTSA — Equipment: Electrical: Radio/Tape Deck/Cd Etc. Problems

CarComplaints.com Seal Of Avoid Like The Plague

9.6

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
786 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

1999 Pontiac Grand Am accessories - interior problems

accessories - interior problem

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1999 Pontiac Grand Am Owner Comments

problem #14

Nov 012004

Grand Am 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

I own a 1999 Grand Am SE. Ever since I bought the car in Oct '04 I have been having nothing but problems with it. This past June I had to replace the engine. Leading up to that the car would die at least once a week. I would bring it to the dealer (more like tow it) and I would always be told nothing is wrong. Then yet again it would die. After that the stalling began. I would be driving and the car would shut off. It would usually take up to 10 minutes to turn back on. Once the dealer went "well maybe its your lights, you leave them on." My response was how do I leave on automatic lights? I have had to replace my alternator 3 times and have had to replace my battery twice. It got to the point that once I shut off my car the only way to start it was by taking out the mail relay chip for 2 minutes than replacing it. Than the car would start up. Finally I was on the high way and out of no where you head a loud pop. There went the header, pistons, oil gasket. The engine blew. However it was never a effect of the oil. I was always checking it and getting it changed once ever other month (I commuted a lot). So I got a rebuilt engine put in and the problems went away... or so I thought. Last night I was driving and all of a sudden my car started shaking. It went from a little to a great amount. The muffler is making an odd puff puff noise and the exhaust smells like windshield washer fluid (only was to describe it). I pulled it into my driveway and on went the trac off light and the service engine soon lights. Thank you. Also prior to the new engine my cds would no longer play. I would get the E20 error and the cds would spit out. Another problem is my rear passenger windows have scratches up the middle of them. I can not figure out where the marks are coming from.

- Wappingers Falls, NY, USA

problem #13

Jun 242003

Grand Am 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 11,000 miles
1999 Pontiac Grand Am 2.4 L auto severe brake failure---replacement of pads 8 times, rotors 3 times and calipers 2 times in 80,000 miles. Brakes occasionally lock up and make loud grinding and squealing noises steering shudders and vehicle pulls to left.. participating Pontiac dealer failed to fix this problem since purchase at 11,000 miles. Under warranty replacement it has had 6 door panels due to peeling leather on top of panel, 5 gear shifters due to dealers improper installation, 2 factory cd/radio failures, 1 rack and pinion unit, 2 front strut assemblies due to knocking noise from front of car (went bad after 10,000 miles use), problem with hesitation at idle-cold start(unsuccessfully diagnosed by dealer) carpet loose in trunk around latch assembly(too short for trunk and was hot glued to back wall of car by dealer instead of replacement). Turn signals still occasionally fail to work(dealer said they worked just fine) battery connection in factory battery broke loose spilling corrosive battery acid all over around battery tray area. All four wheel covers have been replaced because of "pie pan" noise when you hit a bump (new ones did not fix problem). After warranty was up Pontiac' care hotline or the dealer could "care " less that after dozens of trips for repairs the dealer still didn't fix the car while it was still under warranty. Since then, besides the unrepaired items on my car, the alternator went bad at 60,000 miles ($120), glass in interior rear view mirror broke while adjusting, both outside rear view mirrors have broke off in two different automatic car washes (held into door by a stud mounted into 1/4 inch of plastic in the mirror). And the ignition switch failed at 75,000 miles($300). Fog lights and backup lights have water condensation in them shorting out bulbs. Surprisingly, this car is "babied",but by in my description you sure couldn't tell it.

- Foster, KY, USA

problem #12

Sep 161999

Grand Am

  • miles
Consumer has experienced problems with radio severl times.td

- Wheaton, IL, USA

problem #11

Apr 042002

Grand Am 4WD

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

I have had issues with the roters raido replaced 2 times, the doors bubble, many issues to write. The car is no longer under warrenty, how ever it was my under standing thet the coolent system was covered for 150,00, the intake gasket needs replaceing the car has been at the dealership for almost 2 weeks, couldnt find the part. This issue is out of pocket $800. Very dissatified with GM, no efforts to give a car to use, dealer will charge $20 a day, who can afford that when $800 has to be paid to get the car running again. Because the car is no longer under warrenty, the customer is out of luck for any king of help. I will suggest when asked not to buy a Pontiac, or GM very disapointed.

- Hillsboro, OR, USA

problem #10

Sep 161999

Grand Am

  • miles
Consumer has experienced problems with radio severl times.td

- Wheaton, IL, USA

problem #9

Feb 062001

Grand Am

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Steering wheel made noise and driver's side airbag dropped out and fell in laps. Vehicle pulled to light, and dashlight flashed on and off. Also horn was inoperable. Consumer states there is a noise in brake pedal, also ABS light illuminated. Air conditioner and heater inoperable. Due to squeaky steering, dealer replaced steering rack which was loose and set toe. Radio inoperable.

- Lotawana, MI, USA

problem #8

Feb 262001

Grand Am

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Horn was stuck, dealer replaced horn ring and multifunction switch. Dealer replaced air bag, it was loose. Steering rack squeaked, dealer replaced steering rack and set toe, consumer states steering rack has been replaced twice however noise is still there and there is a smell. ABS light illuminated at all times. Radio failed. Vehicle pulls to the right.

- Lake Lotawana, MO, USA

problem #7

Feb 262001

Grand Am

  • Manual transmission
  • miles
Horn was activated and did not go off. Was taken to dealer for check up on electrical system, and it was repaired. The dealer was unable to find where the horen was shorting. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer due to radio malfunctioning, dome light and ABS light comes on and das light blinks on and off. Steering squeaks due to loose steering rack. Cigarate lighter inoperative and replaced. Air bag was loose and replaced.

- Lake Lotawana, MO, USA

problem #6

Dec 152000

Grand Am

  • miles
The radio volume knob is loose, consumer can't control the volume without numerous turns, the right front speaker makes a popping sound.

- Dodgeville, WI, USA

problem #5

Jun 222000

Grand Am

  • miles
I have had this car for a year now and it has been in the shop 10 -12 times for various things 3paint jobs 2 trunk leaks radio power window door molding and 3 brake jobs air cond. And my brakes still make a noise but the dealership says it is normal for these type of brakes to do this can you help me the dealership want work on my car no more but I am taking it to another dealer Monday

- Morganton, NC, USA

problem #4

Feb 012000

Grand Am

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

1) rotors very badly warped. Heavy vibration through steering column and brake pedal under normal braking conditions. Difficulty steering vehicle during hard braking. 2) lcd display on cd player functions only intermittently. Normal operation gives garbled characters.

- Winston-Salem, NC, USA

problem #3

Jul 102000

(reported on)

Grand Am

  • miles
Rotors cut at approx.3000, replaced w/ pads at approx. 5000, failing again. Left front speaker is blown out. In discussion w/ a friend who owns same car she has same problems.

- Mckeesport, PA, USA

problem #2

Oct 011999

Grand Am

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Consumer has had the steering pump replaced 4 times. Rack was leaking, and another leak was found. Dealer said nothing was wrong with vehicle. Vehicle was being repaired under warranty. Also, transmission was slipping, and there was a transmission leak about 4 months ago. Dealer was suppose to have repaired the problems, but the problems keep reoccurring. The horn malfunctions after being repaired twice. The fog lights are holding moisture. Speaker on passenger side failed. Radio sisplay is scrambled due to internal short. Right rear power window was inoperative due to switch failure. Trunk release inoperative due to chaffed wire. Transmission oil was leaking due to axle seal failure.

- Garfield Heights, OH, USA

problem #1

Sep 301999

Grand Am

  • miles
Internal radio failure causing radio clock display and light not to work intermittently. Nlm

- Georgetown, CA, USA

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