When I first got this car in July of 2004, I was told that it had new brakes, which it appeared to. Exactly one week later, I was driving down a gravel road, when my master cyclinder just "exploded" causing me to run into several fence posts the size of telephone poles and end up in the middle of a corn field.
The ABS brake system has not been working properly for about the last month. To expensive to fix.
Had to replace front windshield after the accident.
Had to replace the entire exhaust system, do to the fact that it just fell apart one day. I'm not talking rusted apart either. $400.
3 out of the 4 factory speakers blew out on the factory stereo without modifications.
The A/C doesn't work.
Had to replace the A/C clutch bearing even though I wasnt going to fix the A/C just to keep the car running.
Had to replace the vibration dampener.
Climate Control unit doesn't operate properly. It will not allow for air to blow out of the front defroster nor out of the vents on the floor. If you want the heat on, you have to be blasted in the face by it.
The check engine light as well as the check gauges light like to act as strobe lights blinking on and off continuesly and not showing any problems when the computer is hooked up to scan for engine trouble.
The tilt wheel just gave it up one day. Now it wouldn't even lock into place. Its like driving with a steering wheel that has hydrolics. Really safe!?
All exterior lights have a mind of their own, sometimes they work, sometimes they don't.
The power locks only have a oneway working system. They lock when you start going down the road, but you have to manually unlock them. The power switch doesn't work.
The horn has never worked, even after being replace with a new horn and fuse.
The automatic overdrive in the trans likes to get stuck in OD sometimes, therefore leading to a dead engine at the stop lights that will not allow you to move until you get out of the car and unplug the overdrive module from the trans.
The mysterious disappearing transmission fluid act. No leaks, but it is always in need of being refilled from bone dry.
Ever time that it rains, you have to empty about 2 or 3 gallons of water out of the truck, even after replacing the rubber seal.
The power windows roll up very slowly now. Especially the drivers side. Really convient.
With that a low number of miles on this car (84,600 miles) and a lot of time, money and work put into it, you would think it would be a decent reliable car. Think again!!!! Beware of the Pontiac Grand AM.
The appearance of this car is awesome if you are looking for something that's really sporty.
The performance of this car was decent on day one, but very soon after, that began to go down hill with the rest of the car. I've got some much money in this car right now, I can't afford to sell it. Probably would'nt be able to with all of the problems that I am having with it right now.
I know that you are probably really fed up with dealing with this car, but I have an 86 Pontiac Trans AM and it seems to me that I have a lot of similar problems. Rumor has it that there are a lot of electrical problems with older Pontiacs. Don't be too discouraged, though, I would try finding the base electrical ports to where the wires come out and go to all the places that you are having a problem with. For instance, the base to the defroster, wipers, and whatever else you had a problem with and simply change these bases and possibly wires also. this should be a fairly inexpensive and could be the root of your problem. Just a suggestion, I myself do not know a ton about cars, but I do know some and that has worked with other vehicles before. as for the back window I have no clue mine also leaks, but I have not changed the rubber yet, try a simple cheap fix. My door leaks, but I just took a drill and drilled a couple of small unnoticeable holes in the bottom and it would not retain water any more. Despite this not fixing the problem, it does help with the smell, gas mileage, etc. hope I was a little help, let me know!!!
You obviously got a lemon. why would anyone keep a car with that many problems. it is unfair to label all grand ams because of your problems with this specific car.
Honestly I don't know what your deal is, because you obviously got a lemon. I bought one with 179,000 kms on it and I drive it as hard as I possibly can and not once has it skipped a beat. when I bought it I changed the plugs, and all filters and it hasn't missed a beat. the fact that you would keep the vehicle after having so many problems shows how mentally capable you are in the first place. stick with your mini van.
The "newer" Pontiac Grand Am is an absolute LEMON. Maybe in the 70's these cars were awesome, but the 90's versions are horrible. I've had one for a couple of years. The engine runs GREAT. However, the bodies on these cars plain SUCK. The entire underneath of my car rotted out, under 100,000 km. including the gas filler pipe, which I've never heard of on any vehicle, all around the wheel wells, and the rocker panels are like non existent due to rust now.
The wiring was screwed up on the coils, and GM couldn't even explain to me why. It took me 4 months to find an ignition module with the proper firing order. I finally had to try one out of an Old's, which worked.
Crankshaft sensor went, the complete exhaust rotted out.
Gas tank rotted, brakes went, emergency melted against the exhaust.
Door locks lock while you're driving, but have to be manually unlocked.
Fuel door broke.
Rack n pinion steering went, heater, air, and radio all quit due to some unknown problem with the wiring.
This car has become a complete joke with all these problems occurring under 100,000 km.
Oh, and the hood release broke, electric fan quit and I had to hook up the fan direct to the battery so the car wouldn't overheat...
The tranny works now, but the original owner had to have it replaced within the first two months of buying it brand new off the lot.
Might I also mention that the car fills up with water because the body rusts out so bad in places that you can't even see!
My drivers seat broke and couldn't be moved back; the drivers window regulator busted; shock/struts & wheel bearings also broke down.
Trunk leaks water & the aluminum rims turned a god awful color with the finish wearing off.
The cars plastic pinstriping began falling off as well, so I had to pull it off and store it in the trunk.
Needless to say, I've finally retired this unsurmountable problem of a car and bought a ford. Never again will I EVER drive a Grand Am. Despite that, the engine on these cars are great and drive awesome; that's if the floor doesn't rot out first from under your feet!
"Needless to say, I've finally retired this unsurmountable problem of a car and bought a ford. Never again will I EVER drive a Grand Am. Despite that, the engine on these cars are great and drive awesome; that's if the floor doesn't rot out first from under your feet!"
I'm VERY glad you bought a domestic instead of joining the "THE CIGARETTE LIGHTER IN MY (choose your domestic brand) WENT OUT AT 600,000 MILES SO I'm BUYING a TOYOTA" crowd. We currently own 2 Fords and 2 GM's, one of which is a totally flawless 2001 Grand AM SE-1 Quad 4. The GA has never had a single problem except one headlight bulb. We live in the Sunbelt and none of our cars has ever had a hint of rust (or even faded paint). I'm wondering where you lived, as states that use salt on roads in winter generally have VERY rusted-out cars. I suspect you may have gotten a car that had spent time in a northern climate where lots of road salt was used, and the owner never washed the underside of the car after driving in the salt. Many people blame their cars for what was clearly a previous owner's neglect or stupidity. The Grand Am obviously does have some issues, as there are many comments attesting to that. I can only say that mine has been meticulously maintained and is now, and always has been, flawless, just as my GMC, Fusion and Mustang are as well. Caring for cars makes all the difference.
Note: A Comments RSS Feed is available. New comments appear in the Members Area before the main site