Since reading all the other entries I couldn't resist to tell you about my 1997 Pontiac Grand Am GT 3.1L V6. It all began when the glove box handle fell off, a foreshadowing of things to come.
Then, along with every one else, my driver's side window motor went out, along with the passenger side window motor.
My starter and alternator have been replaced three times each. My radio volume knob is almost inoperative, and the CD player always ejects the CD's once before it will play them.
My radiator, and water pump were both replaced a year ago. My air conditioning works fine at night, if its cold outside. But living in California I have to keep my windows down during the daytime, which was a problem when the window motors died and the windows were stuck up. And I used to have refrigerant added weekly because the system didn't leak, but the refrigerant magically disappeared.
My transmission was replaced not too long after the radiator. Unfortunately I didn't get to use the new transmission for more than a month before my engine made a terrible clacking sound when my number one cylinder's piston rod broke, which also broke the camshaft. After having a new engine installed, the sensors started going out. First O2 sensors, then the throttle position sensor, then EVAP system. The "Check Engine" light comes on so often I bought my own OBDII diagnostic tool to check them. At any speed over 60mph the ABS light comes on, and the ETS shuts off.
My anti-theft system is more of an anti-owner system, cause it has a mind of its own.
I noticed the other day that my exhaust system is shot, because water drips out of holes that rusted through my mufflers, yes that's plural, both mufflers.
The side moldings on the door panels are coming loose so the doors make a popping sound when they are opened and closed.
What else could there be you ask? Well, the steering column has a lot of play in it now, along with my suspension that can't stay in alignment for more that two weeks at a time.
But wait there's more! My engine surges at idle, even after new vacuum lines were installed. And to top it off, my trunk light only works sometimes, when the trunk is closed.
I try to sell it in between the work done to it, but it's in the shop so much they call it the nightmare. I don't even tell them my name when I call, I just say, "I have the black Pontiac", and they know which one it is. They probably have my number on speed-dial for their phone.
I know you're probably thinking this all can't be true, but I've got all the receipts to prove it. Oh, and there's 51000 miles on the odometer, and my seats and carpet haven't worn out, but that's probably because I can't drive it enough to wear out the seats. "Driving Excitement" for me is how excited I am when I finally arrive at a destination without having to pay a tow truck driver when I get there.
Oh, he is absolutely right. I have the SE, and everything that he has mentioned has happened to me. I as well call the repair shop and just tell them I have the Maroon Grand Am, and they know me. Absolute Nightmare! In result, I will NEVER buy a Pontiac ever again.
I dumped my 1997 SE with about 60000 miles on it. at approximately 40000 miles on it the water pump had to be replaced. The brakes wore out prematurely, and I'm not a hard brake rider. Replaced the alternator twice. and the starter. Both front windows were stuck in the up position. And the a/c blew like a heater. I'm driving my second car now, a 86 caddy. In spite of the age it is much more reliable. My condolences.
I have a 98 GT with 80000 Hard, Hard miles on it... and it runs great... I love my GA, and if you speak to most GA owners, they love them too... i have yet, knock on wood, to have anything major happen, other than regular maintenance... you obviously bought the car used... did you buy it from a reputable dealer??? Did you check the car's history out??? any idea if the car was maintained properly??? Beat on??? these are all factors that could contribute to problems... when buying a used car, you really have to do your homework... take the car for a test drive and take it to a mechanic that you trust... just a little fyi...btw, I bought my car used with 15000 miles on it...
My wallet has also felt the pain of the Grand Am maintenance log. It started off as routine things, but in the recent year or so, it has really been a headache. I thought I was the only one with the volume knob problem, but as I can see, I am not. Actually, I can make mine work correctly by putting a slight amount of pressure on the left side of the knob, if you can call that working correctly. We should just create a checklist and then when someone else comes to this site, they can just go, "Yup, got that one, got that one... radio knob...check." So along with the radio knob, I have had problems with the air conditioning not being cold. Also, I am currently in the process of replacing the driver side window motor after already replacing the passenger side window motor a year ago. I have replaced the alternator and the starter motor and I had to replace the brake pads after only 9 months of use (maybe I just brake hard?). So as if that weren't enough I just replaced the engine block which was a nightmare to end all nightmares. the car just stopped on me one day and the engine clunked to a halt. The place that I towed it to said that it was just the fuel pump, which for the genuine gm part costs about $450. I replaced that for a total of $800 and the engine still didn't run. They opened up the engine and saw that I had bent a valve and a pushrod and I would just need to replace them--a $1900 job. I had it done, and it still didn't fix the engine. $2700 and no running engine. So I had them check it out further and found that the engine block had been destroyed by the bent pushrod and valve. They replaced the whole thing bringing the total to the pocket change price of $5000. I am currently trying to fix the other problems with the car so that I can sell it to pay for the repairs to it. Yeah. I love the Grand Am.
My wife purchased her 97 Grand Am new, and has since passed 105,000 miles. I think it's due for CV joints, and it has had the alternator, and power window problems mentioned also. The brake system has some poorly engineered parts, and the suspension had to be replaced at 80K miles. However I'm impressed with the way it runs, considering it has 105,000 miles on the original spark plugs (knock on wood). I do believe the horror stories mentioned below, but those experiences can come from any car manufacturer. My own personal experience with Pontiac has been positive, through 2 Grand Prix (94,99) and this Grand Am, so I'll be a repeat buyer when the Grand Am finally passes on...
I purchased a 97 Grand Am GT about two years ago and I have had the exact same problems. It is so exactly the same...it's scary! Two weeks after purchase I had to replace the alternator (now three times) and the water pump along with the radiator. About 6 months ago my paint started peeling away from my side mirrors- that the power does not work in. I have replaced everything under the hood including the engine. Now I am dealing with the AC not working, power windows are shot and the CD player has decided to die on me too. All I can say is this car is going bye-bye! Now I know I will never buy another Pontiac! They may look nice, but are truly junk!
How hard do you guys beat on your vehicles? I mean I've got the problem with the radio knob, but that's about it not anything real major and it has 100000 miles on it and runs great.
I have a black Beautiful 1997 Grand Am GT. You all are completely wrong, and it is plain to see that you have not taken care of your GT's. My Pontiac has 128,000 miles on it, and has had only few problems because I keep it maintained regularly. I have only had to replace the timing chain, the water pump, and my rotors and breaks. You know why? That is because I maintain my car very well. If you treat your car well, it will treat you well. I even rag the heck out of it, and it still runs great.
Sure, my volume knob has to be worked at a little, but I've figured out HOW to work it and it just becomes a way of life. My check engine light comes on for no reason, it's called suck it up and reset it yourself. It's not that hard. And I'm only a 20 year old female, and I'm not a butch. LOL. Just a daddy's girl. :-D My window motors are starting to go, but that is the same in all cars... and the more you use them, the worse it gets.
All this crap talk about the brakes...okay, that makes me mad. Number one, it's not the brakes on the car, it's how you are breaking. The harder you break, the faster the material will wear down, it's called FRICTION people. Get some breaks that are high quality (*hint* ceramic) and you won't have all the nasty black dust, it'll be less dust and more of a clearish brown color.
Also, keep your GT looking nice!! Nothing worse than a faded out GT. If you are in northern va, email me at lilitalianone7@hotmail.com and I'll detail your GT in full for $100. (i do it one the side for some cash and SUN!!) :-)
I've also noticed that GT's have this thing with their fuel injectors clogged.. Sometimes if I floor the gas, the gas will keep going even after I've stopped pushing... might be a fuel filter problem as well... but people, anyways, just take care of your cars... a GT can last you over 200,000 miles if you take care of it. Sure, it has expensive parts, but if they are maintained, they shouldn't have to be replaced as much as I'm seeing on here. Guaranteed, you people that have to replace things all the time, aren't checking you fluid levels regularly. Checking your fluids regularly is not getting your oil changed every 3,000 miles. Sometimes, ur car burns up more oil than usual, therefore, that's why god invented the user friendly dip stick... check it EVERY time you get gas. Oil is the blood of your car, ESPECIALLY in a GT, they are VERY tempremental about their oil. Need any more advice or help... email me at lilitalianone7@hotmail.com.
The problem is with the brakes… but not the pads themselves, it your ABS system which is failing. There is a relay that over heats and shut down turning the ABS light on and “enabling the ETS” which keeps your car on the road.
I have a White 97 Pontiac Grand Am GT, and the instrument panel quit working has anyone else had this problem and what can I do to fix it? Also the theft system light stays on all the time, can someone tell me why?
My instrument panel has also stopped working in my 97 Pontiac Grand Am. It's not any fuses. Any help out there? As far as the auto theft light being on, I had to take mine to a dealer and have them turn it off.
I bought a 97 gt Sedan in 2002 and have put over 1500.00 worth of work into after in the last 1 and 1/2 years. It has needed a new fuel pump, the fuel filter replaced a couple of times, new brakes which are already going out I am told after about 5,000 miles and I am not a hard breaker. The power windows were shot and I replaced only the drivers side because it would have cost a fortune to do them all. Now I am told the transmission fluid had "metal" in the pan during a transmission cleaning and to be prepared for that to go out in the near future. I would not recommend this car to anyone.
I've a 95 Grand Am... 135,000 miles. Bought new and so far the total is: 2 transmissions, 2 alternators, all wheel bearings (6 mo), 1 heating core, all power window motors, mirrors and door locks quit long ago, front brake pads every 10,000 miles. However my radio and air conditioner work fine! Will I buy another one... not a chance!!
Thank you. I was just about to buy a '97 Grand Am, but thanks to all the comments I have read, I will now look for something reliable. I live in Saskatchewan, Canada and it gets very cold here in the winter. I am a single mom and I have two children so I will not be able to afford fixing a car every two weeks or so. Thanks to all of you for the comments.
The Grand Am, like most cars either is wonderful or rubbish. It is more a testament to the poor and variable manufacturing techniques in place than anything else. I have known some people who have never had a problem and others who have nothing good to say.
The brakes are weighted far too heavily on the front. This is not a driver issue as littleitalianone thinks, but a design issue. You will easily go through 2-3 front brakes before you replace (if ever) a back set.
The bearings are these horrible, expensive multi-unit things that need to be replaced in entirety. What ever happened to a bearing being just a bearing?
Window switches are lousy and wear out far too quickly. There is no need for that to happen, just penny saving bad design. All the small motors in the car are crap, windows, seats etc etc. Probably one bad shop, manufacturing them all as the lowest bidder.
The AC works brilliantly right up until it stops working, then everything gets hot. The engine seems to run hotter and you could cook an egg in the vent grills.
Overall the vehicle has been good and I have enjoyed it. That said I would still be very hesitant to buy a GM product again.