-Radiator Leaking Fluid @130,000 KM.
-Front Right wheel speed sensor (part of ABS) @100,000KM.
-Driver power window switch became unreliable @130,000.
-Service Engine Light soon light always coming on, day one issue.
-Driver Seat "Seat Belt" detector flaky, day one issue.
-Wheels make "Grinding" sound at slow speeds, day one issue.
-Wheels could not keep air in
, day one issue.
-Back up light got water leaked into case, @ 130,000 KM.
-Transmission torque converter went @140,000 KM.
-Fuel gauge become unreliable @110,000 KM.-Dealer and GM continues to bold face lie that it isn't a common problem. Even when it has become a common news item.
The 2000 Grand AM GT was the first "big" car that I bought. I was immensely proud of it. It handled like a sports car. A lot of "get up and go". Very smooth ride. A great highway driving car. The car is nicely styled inside and out.
I drove to Florida in this car twice and enjoyed every minute of it. And with all these great memories, I was sad to see go... Go down hill that is!!!And see it go to a used car lot. But the truth is I had to let go of it.
It was costing me too much money to keep on the road. I would only recommend this car if you baby it and do not drive it much. I know people who have had no problems with it if they keep the mileage down. I didn't have that luxury. I wanted to make some nice road trips with it. But after about 100,000 KM things began to fall apart.
I have been a GM person my whole life and have been saddened by the whole experience. I hope GM can clean up their act (and/or increase their warranty!) and I may go back.. but not for awhile yet.
I forgot to mention an additional problem with the Grand Am.
The Fan Speed switch.. It is a very common problem that my Grand AM had as well. Speeds 1&2 didn't work.
You're a brave guy to get 150,000 km's out of your Grand Am. You must be gifted with patience.
You mentioned a radiator leak at 130,000km's. Did this turn out to be the intake manifold gasket like all the other 3.4's? Also, have you had any wheel bearing problems? Thanks.
I had my front right wheel bearing replaced when I had my front wheel sensor replaced. The wheel sensor need to be replaced to get my ABS working again.
As far as being brave.. just stuborn. I realized that the cars resale went in the toilet when I broke 100,000 km and so I felt I would just drive it into the ground. But when the vehicle got MORE unreliable I just gave up.
Oh and yes it was the intake gasket that went. I found out that MANY of the 3.4L V6's have a serious problem with that.
That is part of the reason I didn't buy GM this time. All of the GM vehicles I looked at had that engine (Buick Rendavous, Pontiac Montana, etc..)
My Grand Am is a 99 gt, approaching 100k miles.
Past problems: wheel bearings like mad, alternator, all fairly minor stuff.
The big one: a year ago (at 85k miles) the transmission self destructed with no warning. New transmission plus labor and core charge (core couldn't be salvaged) was quoted at 2,900 USD. Found a used transmission with 40k on it for 500, cost a little over 800 to have installed.
Today, we're replacing the throttle sensor, as well as the electronic shift sensor and oxygen sensors, placing an O2 simulator for the rear as we'll be throwing a cutoff and high flow converter on a borla exhaust. We're crossing our fingers at this point, as we noted some hesitation when she shifts. The hope is its with the O2 sensors. The fear is the torque converter which should have been replaced with the transmission.
In a few months we're installing a supercharger and nos kit on her. The only reason I mention this is that even after the sudden mysterious transmission problem, I still love this car. A lot of bang for the buck. 175hp factory, now we'll put almost 6k in performance upgrades: she'll be well over 300hp without touching the nos.
Comparing it to other late model vehicles... well they all have a lot of problems. Lord knows I've cursed that car on more than one occasion, but I hold on to her. Anyone who has driven one will tell you they're fast, and if taken care of, they handle great.
Another credit to this car: 3 months after I purchased it, I was rear ended by a Honda Accord. The Accord was totaled. My car was back on the road in 2 weeks.
I don't regret buying this car at all, in fact if I totaled it tonight, there's a good chance I'ld go right out and buy another one.
I purchased my 2000 GA. GT 7/05 w/92,000 miles. I now have 99,000 miles on it (I drive 2 miles to work, lucky me.) I like the car very much, no real troubles yet, and hopefully there will not be any. I have, however, had an issue with the security system. Once in a while, when starting the car, just as it starts to roll over (start),the security system would shut me down!Very irritating!This has happened several times in a years time.Recently, this happened again, but with a twist. This time, after waiting the required 10 minutes for the system to clear, I started the vehicle, and the security light stayed on solid (indifferent to it blinking, not letting you start the car.) It has been several months now, security light still on, but have not had any starting issues. I will probably not bother with it, unless it becomes another issue. I work in an automotive dealership, and have seen many times where electrical issues can result in very large $'s to repair, w/no guarantee the issue is resolved. Thanks for listening.
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