Faults:

Rotors needed to be replaced around 30000 miles.

All 4 windows were replaced due to scratches - something about tabs in the doors being the cause.

Water got into tail lamps and rusted bulb connection so reverse light is currently out. It costs $40 to replace the circuitry which the bulbs plug into.

Trunk carpet is peeling away.

Battery replaced around 36000 miles.

Intake gasket is leaking.

Electrical problems: Power windows failing, traction control slipping occasionally, dash controls resetting while driving, etc.

Replaced power steering pump around 45,000 miles.

Starter occasionally does not work the first time.

There may be others I'm forgetting.

General Comments:

The car looks nice and has decent power, but you can tell that it's cheaply built.

Faults:

Replaced radio @ 14500 miles--LED readout wouldn't display correctly (was under warranty). Unfortunately, the replacement radio worked fine until just after the warranty expired.

Replaced power steering hose @ 16,700 miles (was under warranty)

Replaced battery @ 28,133 due to defective cell. The car just wouldn't start one day, and had to be towed to the dealer.

Replaced defective front brake calipers at 34,600, along with front brake pads (about $300).

Replaced intake manifold @ 40,400 ($600).

Replaced water pump @ 40,500 (just 10 days after replacing manifold!!) ($200).

Replaced front brake calipers, rotors and pads @ 40,900 ($400).

General Comments:

I was initially very happy with my Grand Am. I really like the power of the V-6, and the aesthetics are very pleasing. Overall, up until the point that everything started to go wrong with it (the past two months), I would have highly recommended the car.

However, having replaced the brakes twice, plus replacing the water pump and manifold intake during the past year have soured my opinion of this car. Replacing parts like these shouldn't be happening on a car with barely 40,000 miles. Moreover, it's too new a car to be worrying what will go wrong next. No piece of mind with this car.

The dealership and Pontiac both have been little help. The dealership insists that, although this isn't normal for a "quality' car such as the Grand Am, it's not uncommon either (how's that for double-speak). The nature of the work that I have had done recently (brakes 2x and manifold/water pump) lead me to conclude that Pontiac makes a poor quality vehicle. Even worse, they don't seem to care one way or another that they have a very unhappy customer.

This was my first, and definitely my last Pontiac.

Faults:

I have only had the car one week. The only thing that is wrong at this time is when it goes over 120km it makes a humming in the dash.

The plastic is also coming off where you close the door.

There was also a small spot on the back door passenger side that has a bit of paint peeled off.

General Comments:

I love this car, it handles the road amazingly well. I hardly feel bumps and it corners very well. It has great pick up, very perky.

The looks of the car are also nice, very aggressive front styling with a seemingly higher rear end, makes me think of a jungle cat about to pounce.