2000 Pontiac Grand Am SE 2.4 Twin Cam 4 cylinder from North America

Summary:

Unreliable and terribly built

Faults:

I bought a 2000 Pontiac Grand Am with 55,000 miles on it about a month and a half ago. The first night after I picked it up, I noticed a banging noise in the motor. I took it back once, they said it wasn't serious. It started getting louder, so I took it back again, they put a new part in it, and still, the noise remains. I took it back a third time, they still don't know. Its getting louder and louder and it seems like there's nothing I can do about it.

A week after I bought it, the driver side window wouldn't work, so I took it back to the shop and they fixed it. Soon later, the suspension started making a noise when I went over bumps, and I needed new brake pads and rotors. They were replaced under warranty, but the noise in the suspension still remains.

Shortly after, the right headlight went out when I went over a bump, and went back on when I punched it. To this day, I still have to punch the light literally every time I drive at night, about 3 or 4 times each night.

Yesterday, about a month and a half after I bought it, I started the car, put it in drive, and as soon as I let my foot off the brake, the car peeled out and jolted forward. Keep in mind, my foot WAS NOT on the gas. It just went on it's own. When I got to the end of the road, (no more than 1/8 of a mile) the Engine Light came on. Now the engine makes a humming noise, but I have not had the time to take it back to the dealer yet, but I am quite sure this time it's a serious problem. I am about to take this "car" back to the shop for the FIFTH TIME, and I've only owned it for 44 days (about a month and a half).

I had a 1988 Ford Tempo, with 44,000 miles when I bought it, and I owned it for about a year. This car had absolutely NO problems whatsoever, and I only paid $1,100 for it. It was SO much more reliable than this piece of crap Grand Am, I will NEVER buy a car from Pontiac again. This is by far the worst car I have ever owned, I strongly discourage anyone from buying one. Sure a Grand Am looks nice, and when I got it I thought it was going to be nice, but it is disgusting, honestly. This is by far the worst built car I've ever owned, and sadly, its the most expensive car I've ever owned. To sum it up, this is a VERY bad car, if you get one you WILL have problems with it.

General Comments:

Car handles well and is very quick for a 4 cylendar, but it still by far the worst car I've ever owned. I've taken it to the shop 5 TIMES and I've owned it for a month and a half. I have nothing good to say about it except it looks good.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 6th September, 2004

30th May 2007, 07:31

I agree, I have a 200 Pontiac Grand Am SE 6 cylinder, 3.4 litre. I bought not long ago, it isn't new, but, horrible car. I agree that it looks good, that's it. I am having both struts replaced today, and this morning, all of the dash lights came on, the car went dead and I coasted to the side of the road, where I had to hold down the reset button in the fuse panel for the car to start up again. I made it almost home, I hit a small bump, the car stalled again, the power steering froze, I was in the middle of an intersection... someone had to boost me to get the car going. I am going to fix, and sell and never by another Grand Am again. I had a Sunfire before this, and I loved it, never a problem... Grand Am is a piece of junk...don't waste your money!

23rd Oct 2008, 10:50

I have a 2000 Pontiac Grand AM that I purchased Brand New. 4000 miles after the warranty went out on it, we blew our first head gasket. It has 100,000 miles on it now and we have blown our second head gasket. I too have had the drivers side window problem and it cost $350.00 to fix at the dealer. I also have not been able to keep brakes on this vehicle. It's a constant battle. Also the turn signal problem (which ended up being a recall) I had the Security System problem as well. It would not start because of the security system malfunctioning. This car has been well taken care of with 3000 mile services. I have all the receipts from that. I will NEVER own another Pontiac Vehicle. WHERE ARE THE RECALLS AT. This has been a complaint with so many people.

2000 Pontiac Grand Am GT 3.4 Liter V6 from North America

Summary:

Its been a Fun car, and i've been pretty happy with it

Faults:

I have not had a lot of trouble with this car. I had a blown intake manifold just after the purchase of my car, (which I was told was a common defect in the particular model), and the dealership covered it since it was still under the 30 day warranty.

I then had the car back in for the same problem just a couple of months later. HOWEVER.. i blame the dealership for not replacing the manifold properly the first time.

Other than that, I have only had regular maintenace to deal with.

General Comments:

My car handles fine. I live in northern Michigan and believe me, we get some bad winter weather. I am normally out early enough in the morning, that the plows are still working hard to make sure the buses can make it, and I still have no problem.

Summer driving has been great. Its perfect for cruising around in.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 30th August, 2004