1999 Pontiac Grand Am GT review from North America

Power windows don't work

Windshield trim has come loose

Interior trim doesn't fit right- warped

volume control on radio is psychotic

brakes need replaced every year (pads and rotors)

alternator and battery

water pump

power steering pump

ac compressor

wheel bearings- both front

water pump.

My wife and I bought this car because we liked the looks and the performance seemed good. It has good acceleration, and is generally a very fun car to drive. If you haven't driven a REALLY fast car before, it seems like a fast car. The handling is very good, but the engineering is not up to reliably handling what the car is capable of doing.

First off, the suspension and steering systems Cannot take the weight and power level of the car. This is a 3800 lb. car! The wheel bearings are not up to the task, and any kind of spirited driving (which the car seems quite capable of when you're behind the wheel) quickly leads to failures. I have replaced both front wheel bearings. They are sealed bearings, and not greaseable. When they fail, you bolt new ones in, at $80+ each. And, by the way, if your ABS sensor for that wheel fails, you will have to replace the complete bearing assembly, as it is built in and not separately available. These sensors commonly fail. One interesting thing to note is that when the wheel sensor fails, the bearing is usually fast to follow. It's somewhat self-diagnosing.

Many other people have had issues with the steering and suspension systems. It is common to have to replace the rack and pinion system. When the struts go (commonly at 60,000 miles) they start to make clunking noises. Many others have experienced noise in the front end of these cars that the dealer and other mechanics haven't been able to alleviate. I am now experiencing this, along with a vibration. The car is scary to drive over 65mph, and is currently a driveway ornament because of this.

Everything on the serpentine drive system failed on my car within a years time. I replace each component, one by one, and now the motor sounds good. It does have an erratic idle at times, and I'm not sure what is causing this. I am scared to research and find out, because this usually means at least $100 spent repairing the problem.

The brakes on these cars wear out every year. I drive 32 miles one way to work, most of which is non-stop highway mileage, and I still have to replace the brakes every year without exception.

Tires for the GT are expensive, because of the low profile and 16" size. You can't find a cheap tire, and most of the sport tires wear out in 20,000 miles.

I have never owned another car that was so demanding, as far as repairs are concerned. Forget being nickeled and dimed to death... this car will get you for $100 at every turn. It's a repair nightmare. This will be the last GM product I ever purchase.