From the day it was bought, the fog lights would come on on their own (or if they were turned on, go off on their own). While it was still on warranty, I took it to the dealer I bought it from (three times) and by the time the warranty was up, still no fix. Pulled the fuse and now have no fog lights.
The radio volume control goes louder when turning the knob down. Every once and awhile, the radio display shows a nice array of lines and dots, but no time or radio station.
Fan blower settings 1 and 2 have not worked since 60,000 Kms (when the warranty was up).
The car honks every now and again, shortly after turning it off, as though it has a key-less entry or alarm in it. It doesn't have either of these features. I had it in while the car was still on warranty for this to no avail. The dealership couldn't find the problem, and offered no solution. It still does it at random to this day.
I replaced the front brake rotors/pads with after market items. Severe squealing occurred that led to being pulled over by the police for noise infractions. I spent about $1000.00 (Can) working with GM to get rid of this. First I was told that the problem was the after market products, so I removed them and installed GM rotors/pads, as well as had the brake cylinders honed. Two days later, my wife refused to drive the car as the squealing had returned. I spoke with GM and was informed that the brake pads that they installed were susceptible to squealing, but for a mere $150.00 more, I could buy the ones that were less susceptible to noise. (To this day I still can't figure out why I was sold brake pads that may be prone to squealing when that was the problem I brought it in for in the first place.) So I paid to have the quieter pads installed. The result: squealing brakes. To be fair, the pads/rotors have worn normally, they are just loud. I have drove this car with howling brakes now for the last several months, and am attempting another change as it is time. Keeping the fingers crossed and bought some after market pads that are designed for noise reduction.
The fan blower motor went around 75,000 Kms. Suppose that could be normal, if it weren't for all of the electrical problems.
When the car is below 3/8's of a tank gas level, the gage begins to jump between right empty to completely full. I tried adding gasoline additives (cleaner) and lost the fuel pump.
The power control for the drivers side seat has problems. One time it will move up and down completely. The next time it will only move up/down partially.
The rear window defrost has not worked well since I bought the car.
The car handles well in all weather; rain, snow, ice, dry. I am very happy with the anti-lock brakes and the control I feel when in rainy/icy conditions. I've actually never owned a vehicle that handles as well as this one in rainy/icy weather.
That said, I can't overlook all of the problems with the car. It has been one headache after the next, and as soon as I can afford to, I am replacing the car. Preferably with an import.
I will definitely research the next vehicle I buy a lot more than I did this one.
Not a lot of satisfaction for the money I paid to buy it and very little help from the dealership I bought it at.
Mine does the horn honking thing and like you only did it on occasion. I have since found out it has something to do with the electric locks. When you hit the button 2-3 times it causes it to do it when you shut the door. You might try this out on yours.
Just letting you know that you are not alone. I also have a 99 grand am SE and the brakes squeal, volume goes louder when you turn the radio down, clock shows lines and dots, fan blower setting 1 doesn't work.
Man oh man!! My Grand Am SE is a money pit!
My poor dad has to constantly replace the brakes.
The car makes loud squeaking noise when someone sits on passenger side or back seat (practically echos in neighborhoods).
Blower knob doesn't work either on 1 or 2.
It has turned off on me WHILE driving (had to glide off the road).
Have replaced the belts three times since purchase (3 years).
Have replaced battery, alternator, and starter, all in the same week.
Replaced the fuel pump ($500).
It still turns off or doesn't start at all, have tons of lights going on over my speedometer and rpms its like I have my own club in the car.
Not very good on gas.
Within a year of having the car, coolant was leaking, then later was mixing with the oil inside the motor.
Had the motor replaced with a new one, and thought that that would solve my problems, I thought for sure it would run like new and it turned out to be the complete opposite. The car doesn't run now, the ABS and brake lights are on (because of this, the cruise control doesn't work).
After the replacement of the motor, it began to tremble a lot, overheat (was the thermostat), and turn off while idling at a stop light.
Uncomfortable seats (seems that the metal holding the seat together is trying to pop out of the fabric). The seat controls lasted only 2 weeks of having the car (I hear the motor, but no movement).
The passenger side window is scratched and so is the drivers side, plus it squeaks like I'm torturing a bird.
The car sounds like an old clunker while driving.
The trunk upholstery is badly installed and is now coming up and apart.
This car has been posted in the drive way for a week. I'm now afraid to drive it because it's not dependable - it has left me stranded plenty of times, at college, while driving down the interstate, at the beach, at a stop light and many more places...
I drive my mom's old Chevy truck that has no A/C and horrible speakers to school now, because it is so much more reliable than my Grand Am.
I know now why it was so cheap, because it had everything in the world wrong with it, I have vowed to never buy a Pontiac ever!! I strongly suggest that anyone NOT buy one either, unless you want the headache of a crappy car that constantly breaks down, and have the most unthinkable things replaced on it!
Don't BUY A GRAND AM.. for all those that have one and say it's just the greatest.. give'em a year and still see if they're still singing the same song.
I've had my Grand Am for two years now and have had none of the problems that your speaking off. Perhaps it was abused and not maintained by the previous owner. My car works perfectly and all I have had to do in that time is one $250 (cdn) brake job. The '99's are known for having more problems than other years, but that's what happens when you buy a first year model from any manufacturer. Good luck, I hope things work out with you.
Acceleration, handling and overall performance is excellent.
Repairs usually start at $500.
Coolant problems. First water pump, then contamination in the alternator from the coolant resulted in the battery being fried and a replacement to the alternator. Now the intake manifold leaks coolant to the outside and is suspected to leak into the engine. Cost of this one starts at $1500.00.
Seriously thinking of a trade in before I go broke.
I know exactly what you're saying!! I also own a 1999 Pontiac Grand AM SE, and my brakes squeal, my fan speeds 1 and 2 don't work, the radio turns up when I turn it down, and when I press the lock button once, then shut the door, in a couple of seconds the horn does chirp.
To the Commenter above:
- your squeeling brakes means that it is time to change the pads
- The fan speed not working on settings 1 and 2 is the resistor in the fan speed control. It is a simple fix.
- the radio has a speed control volume feature in it so that while your driving it increases the volume of the radio to accomodate the increase in road/wind noise. You can turn it off. Try reading your owners manual
- You can change the settings on your door locks to not chirp at all. Try reading your owners manual.
I love my grand am SE, the only problem I've had with it was that it needed a new air conditioner compressor which you come to expect from a car with 77000 miles on it, besides that, I have the same problem with the volume, but that's something, if was a really big problem, id spend the 50 bucks to buy a new deck, as for everything else, I've had no problems. could also be because I take impeccable care of it.
I have a 99 Pontiac Grand Am SE, I absolutley LOVE my car, it has been very reliable with minor issues that can be fixed by almost any mechanic. I have been driving this car since early 2002 with 152,000. I take pretty good care of the car.
One issue I had with the brakes is the hub and sensor going out on the passenger side then the driver side, which ran about $350.00 each, this may be the cause of the squeling of the brakes mine made a loud roaring sound.
I am also noticing my gas gauge go up and down when I normally get to a 1/4 tank and have a hard start at times so I am sure I will need a fuel pump soon, but its worth it, the car has done me good for 6 years.
I have had my '99 grand am for almost 4 years now. My parents bought it for me when I was 16. I know why the car honks when you push the lock button. It does it so the person knows the car is locked. If you push the lock button a second time, when the car dings, it will lock the doors right away and not wait 10 seconds to do so.
My fuel gauge starts to "float" when my tank has less than 1/4 of a tank. I was told it's because of the fuel sensor in the tank (it's like a floater in the toilet) and it gets stuck as it goes down.
My radio used to go up when I tried turning it down. My factory CD player only worked the summer I had it and completely quit working after that. I have since replaced it with a new CD player/radio from Circuit City and it works perfectly.
I have about 82,000 miles on it and my speed sensor in my tires have gone out again. For the most part, my car has been wonderful. I have never had any major problems with it.
1998 Grand Am. I purchased this Grand Am when it was 4 years old. From the start the factory radio increased in volume when you turned 'down' the volume knob. The dealer didn't know why. The radio station display/clock display randomly disappears or shows random numbers or number segments. The radio function is not impaired. I had to replace the 'pass lock' switch, but under extended warranty and then the ignition switch out of warranty. Then the factory did a recall/replacement on the ignition switch. I have had no more problems in the last 3 years. But I would have to carry a camera with me in order to document the random radio display problem. Joeinorange2 in Orange Virginia.
The information I have been reading has been very valuable to be in my search for a vehicle. I know, like everything with moving parts, cars are sometimes cranky and can "act up" on their owners.
I do understand that all cars have their lemons and that some people might love "X" car while others hate the same model and trim from the same year.
One question I do have for all of the 1999 Grand am car owners is: All of these problems that seem to be consistent in this discussion seemed to have been based around the SE model. Do any of these problems exist in the GT model as well?
I am looking to purchase a 1999 Grand Am GT for a very reasonable price and it is in impecable condition inside and out, should I be worried about these problems or will they be aparent when I take it for a test drive?
How do I change the starter on 1999 grand am ill never buy another one.
My car has been pretty good to me, but it does have its negatives. For one, it left me stranded dead center of the street when the alternator died. My gas gauge does not work so I have to track my miles. Sometimes it has electrical problems when the speedometer will not work for a minute or 2, and last, but NOT least, the transmission is going out on it.
I bought my 99 Grand Am near the end of last year, and I was recently wondering if my car was supposed to be equipped with all of the features, such as key-less entry, alarm system, etc. After reading all of these comments, I realize that the problems with the other Grand Ams are very similar to the problems of mine. The driver's and passenger's side widows are both scratched, both make horrible noises when going up or down, and the driver's side switch only sometimes works. My radio knob also is weird, as the volume goes up when I turn it down; I've learned that it actually works correctly if you pull the knob toward you while you turn it, though. I understand that it may be for noise control, but it does it when the car is in park also. Plus, it does the honking thing when I push the lock button twice, but I thought maybe it was just equipped to be able to install the key-less entry and alarm system..? The LED lights in the radio randomly work. There is a tiny bulb and the word "THEFTLOCK" below the tuning knob. My car does seem to run fine, even though the mileage is around 117,500. I like it, despite these weird simple problems.