1999 Pontiac Grand Am SE review from North America

36K, when I drove the car home the first day, the coolant light came on. There was no coolant in the reservoir. Dealer "fixed" it, stating that it "should not need service until 75K miles, it's a 'sealed system'."

The tires needed replaced immediately. Dealer replaced them.

Headlamps were mis-aimed and one lamp was on bright all the time. The dealer replaced the one headlamp and re-aimed both.

At 38K mileage, I was experiencing bad grinding sound from brakes. The rotors were grooved and pitted. Dealer said they could be turned, but Midas said they were below spec. Dealer replaced rotors and adjusted calipers on back.

56K, the compressor went out. This cost me $800.

The coolant system continues to leak. I have used "Stop Leak" gunk in a bottle with some success.

My airbag light is on since 83K miles. My mechanic neighbor says that means the airbag will not work in an accident. Great. Now I'm gambling my life versus another $800 (estimated) repair bill.

85K: Brakes again. Rotors were turned this time, drums resurfaced, back calipers adjusted again. Two new tires. (Two had been replaced last year due to nails in sidewall-can't blame manufacturer for that.) $391.

Now the ABS light and the ETS tracking system lights are on. The ABS and the ETS have periodically gone off-line for the last 20K miles. Midas mechanic said today that "oh that's a problem with Grand Am's"

Here's what I hear from mechanics:The brakes are a problem on Grand Am's. Now I hear ETS is problem. Why does GM make consistently bad rotors? Why do they not fix continued and recognized problems?

I was in the market for a reliable import. But when I drove it, the Grand Am wowed me. It looks awesome, drives great, holds the road well, the V6 is peppy, but it is rife with mechanical problems. The Grand Am may be "driving excitement", but it is "pocketbook disaster". Next time I buy a car, I'm using my head, and not my heart.

Thanks for breaking my budget, GM. You got me this time, but Mazda or Toyota will likely keep my business next time.

Oh, yes, I am "upside down" in the car with with three years payments to go.

This car has been a mechanical disappointment and I urge anyone considering a Grand Am to grill the dealer over brakes, ABS, ETS, coolant systems, compressors. I don't know if there have been improvements since I bought my Grand Am, but from the comments of mechanics outside the dealership (and inside too!) GM is careless and unresponsive at least about the brakes on these cars. How difficult or much more expensive can it be to make the rotors out of a better grade of metal? Or does GM just not give a hoot? How silly of them. It's made them lose one customer. I bet I'm not the only one!