Faults:

I understand my car is older, but the repairs have been ridiculous from day one. I had to replace my brakes and wheel bearings within the first six months of ownership.

My TRAC light comes on every time I drive.

One year later, the wheel bearings again. Now my driver's side window only rolls down when it feels like it, and never works after it has rained.

I have a gas leak and an exhaust leak, which yes you can expect with a nine year old car, but it just adds to the frustration, since I once again have to replace my wheel bearings.

My mother owns a 2002 Pontiac Grand Am, and has replaced her bearings twice already.

Come on, shouldn't the cars be recalled?

Faults:

Oh where to begin!

Alternator has burnt out three times now.

I am on my 4th battery.

Brakes have had to be replaced 4 times.

Drivers side power locks no longer respond.

1 and 2 on the A/C dial stopped working after 6 months, and now it only has two settings. Off and super blow.

Interior lights flicker and fade randomly.

TRAC OFF light comes on at random intervals, as well as engine service light.

Radio resets to 1 o'clock randomly, and the volume knob turned down makes the sound grow louder before getting quieter.

Had to replace my coil housing at 100,000 miles, as it had somehow developed a hole causing cylinder 4 to misfire constantly.

Transmission shifts hard from 1-2, no matter how hard you press the pedal.

General Comments:

My few years with this car have been an absolute nightmare, and I cannot wait for my Smart Fortwo to be ready for purchase. I would never even think about owning another Pontiac again after this.

I have spent well over $5000 in repairs, and still it breaks down, even with care and proper maintenance.

Faults:

Car will not pull up hill, and eats the gas going up.

The radio clock goes crazy, and sound does too.

The security light will come on and lock down the car for hours to days. The car will lock up itself, and will lock you in.

Fuel pumps go out, brakes, defroster in rear window burnt into and will shock you.

Too many problems to list.

General Comments:

If the security light comes on, get it off the road and call a tow truck.

Faults:

Clicking noise in blinker/hazards module on dash.

Ignition tumbler whole ignition set.

I replaced ignition with $6 lawnmower key. Could also use a button like the Toyota button if you wanted.

The factory ignition contains a sensor that senses the key and is part of the security system. This can be left intact (leave the old key in the lock and tuck it under the dash) or defeated. It's the two small yellow wires on the lock.

Faults:

The lower intake manifold has cracked, and the head gasket along with the intake gasket went.

Brakes 3 times in 70,000 miles.

I've worked on this car for a year straight non-stop... I also wanted to point out that the humming people are hearing (from my experience with it) is the bolts that mount the body to the cradle.

General Comments:

I've raced a 2002 Grand Am GT, and it actually ran great, beat a lot of people... with that year I never had a problem with it, it's just the 99 I had problems with.

But all in all, aluminum engines are kinda junk unless you're racing... for everyday cars it should be just cast iron.

Faults:

The brakes needed replacing front and back the day I bought it. Told the dealer I would do it myself and he took off $500.00. Have since replaced 4 tires with Goodyear 50,000 mile warranty and I'm glad I did.

One year after the new brakes, the front caliper's are shot and the tires are wearing way too fast.

Driver's side power window will not retract back up, but the motor still works.

General Comments:

This car brand new was probably a good investment because it was under warranty to fix all the problems.

It has very good power and handles the snow/rain awesome.