2000 Pontiac Grand Am GT 3.4L V.6 from North America

Summary:

Back to the drawing board Pontiac

Faults:

The driver side window lets down really slowly. Right at 35,957 miles the motor for the driver side window had to be replaced. Lucky for me the dealer replaced it. Thank god! I bought a 80,000 mile extended warranty.

There is a constant grinding sound coming from the front driver side wheel every time I hit the brakes. It gets even louder after heavy raining. The mechanic claimed he could not hear the grinding noise, but I don't know how he missed it. I went to car X they said I needed new pads and it would help to grind the rotors as well now the noise is even louder. I took the car back to the dealer they said the reason for the sound is because Car X used after market pads.

General Comments:

This is the last American car I plan to purchase unless it's being used for a second car to run errands. I notice from researching many of the foreign models that they have fewer customer complaints about the overall quality of their vehicles. Also, in many of the foreign cars reported problems were usually corrected/modified in their newer models. Next time I'm buying a Honda.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 23rd June, 2003

2000 Pontiac Grand Am from North America

Summary:

Worst car I ever bought

Faults:

This car has been nothing but a headache. The brakes do not work! My husband had a rear-end accident in 2001. He said he had no idea what happened. The brakes just wouldn't stop the car. Took it in for a break check after the damage was repaired. Needed new rotors and new front pads. That was 25,000 miles. I am now at 38,000 miles and I just had a rear end accident with the car. Neither one of us has ever had an accident before. I again took the car in to have the brakes checked after the body work was completed. They said my front brakes were not working at all because the rotors had so much rust on them, the pads couldn't even grip. I need another set of rotors and pads. I have called Pontiac and am waiting for them to respond. I requested repayment of the new rotors and breaks. We'll see.

General Comments:

Don't buy the car if you don't have a warranty. Water pump, head gaskets, battery, driver side window controller, driver side seat controls, trunk release - all have broke.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 19th June, 2003

9th Feb 2004, 18:31

Although the 2000 Grand Am might act up, I personally own a 1999 Grand Am, and am quite pleased with it. In the few months I've had it, I've driven to Virginia and Long Island (both considerable distances from my residence in Western New York State) with absolutely no problem mechanically. The only part which has broken is the automatic door lock. Take care of your vehicles!

18th Mar 2004, 00:22

I also have a 2000 SE. Bought at 20000 km, front brakes had to be done for the safety. One brake light out, as you see on many Grand Ams, circuit board defective. Front brakes needed replacement at 28000 km. Dealership finally paid for this. Click in the steering when turned hard left, steering box was shot. Clunk when going over dips in the road, replaced a strut, still happened, replaced a motor mount. Front brakes shot at 38000 km. I went after market, and got 30000 km before replacing front pads. All this time the back brakes have never been touched, but the dealer says they are working properly. Also had the mysterious blinker click noise, replaced blinker assembly under warranty, just got a recall notice for the hazard switch for the same symptom today. Passenger side headlight cover had fatigue cracking, replaced under warranty. Knock wood, has been OK for the last 10000 km, but it seems to be a car you want to dump before the warranty runs out.