ECM Prom Error at 106,000 miles.
Electrical problems off an on from 106,000 miles to present.
Shocks/Struts at 110,000 miles.
Transmission slippage around 111,000 miles.
Water pump at 125,000.
Now at 127,000 miles the car is literally drinking anti-freeze with no leaks in the coolant system.
I purchased my Grand Am in May 2004. Immediately after I drove it off the lot I began to have problems. When I was driving down the highway I noticed the 'Service Engine Soon' idiot light came on. I immediately brought it to my mechanic. We hooked it up-to the diagnostic computer. At the top of a very long list of problems was an ECM Prom Error. After that I had the car inspected and tested. As expected, the car failed. I returned to the dealer. They said they would fix any problem that 'their mechanic finds'. That meant just a valve. Now it seems that when I fix one thing, another part needs to be fixed or replaced. I have started to look for a new vehicle.
On the upside however, the car handles rather well. There is plenty of power in the engine. Too much power in slick conditions.
Once more, we have a person buying a 10 year old American car with over 100,000 miles on it, and then they complain about the reliability! This is so absurd, but unfortunately common on this website.
Perhaps another site could be added for such reviews. There could be Car reviews, Motorcycle reviews, and Reviews written by those out of touch with reality.
I had an 18 year old car before this one and had absolutely no problems with it.
Seven years ago, I bought a 1994 Grand Am, 2 door, manual 5 speed transmission. I have been satisfied with the performance of this car until last year, when I was told that the head gasket needed to be replaced. That was a $1500 charge I wasn't prepared to put into the car. For the seven years I drove the car, I never had to replace the timing belt, the clutch or any of the other major things. I did have to do some repair work, but nothing really major, water pump, gas pump, things that normally go wrong on a car. the windows, however, on this car are off track, and although I paid twice to have the one on the driver's side fixed, when it gets really cold outside, it breaks again if you try to roll it down against its very strong will.
All in all, if I found another grand am manual transmission that was affordable, I'd buy it.
Note: A Comments RSS Feed is available. New comments appear in the Members Area before the main site