Comments: 1-15, 16-21
In November of 2004, I traded my lemon in on a 2000 Pontiac Grand Am SE. The car had a little over 54 K miles on it. I had always thought the cars were stylish and I'd driven one for a couple of days in 2000. I had thought they were great cars.
A couple days after I purchased the car, the blinkers had stopped working and the power window in the drivers side front door stopped working also. I had to turn on the four way flashers to get the blinkers to work. Since I had extended warranty (which was for three years or 96,000 miles, which ever come first),I took the car back to the dealership and had a new multi-function switch put in and a new power window motor, which cost $470.00.
A couple months later, the trim on the passenger side of the front windshield had started coming loose from the windshield. I had gone ahead and taken that part of the trim off. So far, it hasn't caused any problems. Now, a rock has hit the windshield and cracked it.
Then, a headlight had blown and while replacing it, the retainer that holds the head lamp in place had broke. Those were cheap and easy to replace. They have to be bought from the dealership.
In August of 2005, I had rolled down the window in the driver's door and the window fell down behind the door panel. The power window regulator had broke. It cost around $235.00 to replace that.
Since I had bought the car, there has been a ticking noise coming from the dash board and we haven't figured out where the noise is coming from. Sometimes you can lock the doors when you exit the car and the horn will chirp and the lights will flash, but there is no key-less entry of alarm on the car.
Now both power window motors in the rear doors has stopped working, the motor in the drivers power seat has stopped working, and the car vibrates when traveling over 60 mph. The low trac light will come on every once in a while and stay on for a few minutes.
A few months ago, I was leaving for work and the car wouldn't start. The security light was flashing. Five minutes later, the car started fine and had given me mo more problems for about a month. Now there seems to be a fuel system failure. The car's engine will shut off while driving down the road. It will take anywhere from 5-30 minutes to restart the car. Then, you may travel one mile or up to 20 miles before the car will shut off again. The check engine light doesn't come on and all of the gauges read fine. I have read similar complaints on here from people having the same problems as me. Now my car has just a little over 97,000 miles on it and my extended warranty has expired. I'm still paying on the car for until November 2007. Looks like my car will sit in the yard for another year and a half.
Other than all of the problem with the car, the car drives great and handles the road perfectly. I wish I was able to get more miles out of it.
Unfortunately that seems to be the case with the 4 cylinder grand am. A few other people I know have had similar problems with their 2000 grand am cars as well. Not to the extent to what you have, but they haven't reached the mileage. I wouldn't write off the grand am entirely because I drive the V6 and have had no problems with it. I keep up on maintenance and it is relatively good on fuel (27 city 32 highway) So I agree the 4 cylinder is a waste of time and money, but the 6 is a better bet.
Well, Let me tell you, The 6 cyl is a piece of junk too, I have had A LOT of problems with it, the big thing is the intake manifold gasket blowing, which GM knows about and they refuse to recall them, (it is happening in a lot of their cars with this size engine) they had to make a new gasket out of different material and make it thicker, cost me $1500, the car quiting problem, I had to change my fuel pump and no more probs from that, even if you can hear the pump come on does not mean it is working right, they over heat and shut down, $250 bucks for that, 3 months after I bought this car it had to have new calipers, This car was brand new only 9 miles on it, the intake gasket happened 10 miles after the warranty was out, I think since GM knew about the problem they should have fixed it for free and did a recall, when I called them to state what was happening they said OH WELL there is nothing we can do, can you believe that?? I will never buy a GM again.
JJ.
Wow, reading these comments is like reading about my own car.
I too have the problem where I'll drive it around doing errands, and I get back after 10 minutes and my car won't start! The security light flashes too. Usually it will take 40 minutes to get it started. I've brought it into the dealer a couple times for this problem, and each time they've been able to start it no problem! I even leave it there for 2 weeks at a time and have them drive it everyday to try to replicate the problem, and they say it operates beautifully! But then when I get it, a couple days later it back to it's usually finicky "I'm not going to start on you" mode.
It only has 74,000 miles on it.
I've had to replace the drivers side-view mirror because it was about to fall off, and the door lock slipped out of place so I had to get that fixed too.
Plus my buttons on my keychain don't work anymore, but that's because I got so pissed at my car I threw my keys on the pavement.
We are the owners of a 2000 Pontiac Grand Am 4 cylinder which we purchased new in July of 2000.The car has been used mainly as a second vehicle and other than having to replaced the front brakes three times (has only 77000 km on it as of this writing) it has performed well.
Recently, various lights on the dash began to flash, the car would not start (seemed to be no connection with the starter) and there was a ticking sound behind the hazard flasher. We took the vehicle to the dealer where the service adviser informed us that the car needed a new turn signal relay (under warranty) and a new multi-function switch ($327.19 installed) which we had completed.
The vehicle performed normally for approximately 10 days when similar problems occurred other than the ticking. We were informed that the car now needed to have an ABS relay replaced (the trunk was popping open,the door locks opened and shut, the vehicle again would not start for a couple of minutes,
the dash clock time kept changing and the ABS light flashed along with several other symbols.
The dealer kept the car for a day and could not get the vehicle to show similar problems. We would not OK the ABS relay replacement. For the past 2 days the Pontiac has performed normally. Any suggestions?
Overall it's a great car for the price. I own a 2000 Grand Am SE, 2.4 liter twin cam 2-door with 102,400 miles on it. As for the ABS light coming on along with "several other lights", have the CV joints checked. When they start going bad it may cause enough vibration/slippage to set off the sensors causing the Check Vehicle Soon light, the ABS light, and the Trac Off lights to all come on at the same time. My drivers' door window has fallen down behind the door panel twice since I've owned it (bought it with less that 60K miles for $8K). There are some plastic clips holding the glass in place that tend to break on me once a year. Pull the door panel off and take the broken parts into a dealer to purchase new ones. It's always cheaper to replace them yourself without having to buy new glass too (Up to $500 plus to have fixed with new glass). The passenger side window had stopped working a while ago. I took the door panel off and the power motor out, cleaned and oiled the motor and it has worked fine since. The motor ceased up due to too much dirt and debris. I had issues with major vibration in the front end over 60mph too. I found that the 16" aluminum rims are easily bent by potholes. You can find replacement rims used for $150 or less each. It's a great A to B car that has taken care of me as well as I have taken care of it.
I bought my 2000 Grand Am SE 2 door in 2001 with 27,000 miles on it. It has been nothing, but a headache since. Things that have gone wrong:
1. Had to replace CV boots.
2. Driver's side window fell into door frame.
3. Currently can't roll down passenger side window.
4. Passenger side window leaked several times during rainstorms, flooding my back seat's floorboard and warping door.
5. Recently had to entirely replace brakes due to car shaking violently whenever I attempted to stop.
6. Turn signals failed (replaced under recall).
7. Air conditioning will only blow on high... knob will no longer turn.
8. Recently, my service vehicle soon light has been coming on just the first time I start my vehicle each morning. Subsequent starts do not show this happening. For the past few mornings, the power windows, rear window defrost, and air blowers do not work at all until my car has been driven for several miles. I have no idea what the problem could be and would appreciate any advice.
9. Passenger seat recliner button has been broken almost since I first bought the car.
I will never buy a Pontiac again and wish I could just trade this car in and be done with it.
Seems like you really do not know much about your car.
When you lock the car from the inside, it will not lock for 10 seconds. This is a nice feature if you realise you shut your keys inside the car. The horn chirp is simply telling you the car has locked itself. You can turn the chirp off as well. And- if it does not chirp that means there is a problem- such as something you did like left a door cracked, the lights on, didn't put it in park.
I have a 2000 Grand Am and the only thing I have ever had to replace is the water pump, and it only costed $60. Perhaps you just didn't take care of yours?
I bought a one owner 2000 grand am 4 door (4 cyl) in 2003. It was a wonderful car. The only bad thing that would happen is the head lights kept blowing. I would have to replace them at least 3 times a year. The thing that holds the bulb also broke off and I had to order it from the company. It is now 2007 and I have always taken care of my car. Regular oil changes, things like that. Then this... the drivers side power seat suddenly stopped working. The back drivers side window won't go down. The drivers side window will go down and then sometimes not go back up. It does eventually. I now have a coolant leak. It's not the radiator. I don't know where it's coming from. Someone said a hose? When they get a little age on them it seems they slowly fall apart, which I guess is natural... but not for a widow who can't afford to have expensive work done. I want to trade it off before anything else goes wrong with it... I know this is a Grand Am forum... but can someone suggest another good reliable car besides a Grand AM?
That chirp and flash of the lights is the cars alarm system. It will activate when the key is out of the ignition and the driver door is open and the door lock button is pushed once you will hear a Ding Ding Ding that means its activated and when you get out it will chirp and lock.
I bought this pontiac, grand am gt for my wife it was our fist new car.i wanted 10 other cars. but every time the grand am commercial came on my wife did the pee pee dance ooh there it is I love that car. so like any good husband I bought that car the gt fully loaded every upgrade I mean every upgrade it cost me 26,000 dollars to buy it and in the last 7 years it cost me another 6000.00 in repairs driver window stopped working head gaskets blew twice overheated all the time blinker box keeps clicking even after they fixed it with recall it still clicks and the security light forget it can't start until it sits for 10 or 20 min if your lucky and now its starting to shut down while were driving I would part my hair with a hammer before I ever buy another pontiac...BEWARE OF THE PONTIAC... THANK YOU Robert from..N.J.
I've had some very similar problems with my 2000 4cyl SE. Paid $7K with 26000 miles in 2001. Fan speeds 1 and 2 stopped working almost immediately after purchase. The brakes started causing the car to shimmy soon after that. I had the blinkers fixed under recall. I've experienced problems with the driver's side power window operating intermittently. Experienced terrible gas mileage. The latest issue is a loud squealing noise coming from the serpentine belt. I think it's the tensioner.
Luckily I haven't paid much for repairs, I tend to just learn to live with the problems or figure out some kind of inexpensive DIY fix. I'm gonna drive this car until it blows up.
I've been having trouble with the blower on my Grand Am. It worked on 3, 4, & 5 so I had it replaced. It worked great for a few months and now it's anyone's guess if it'll work or not. The passenger door lock didn't work so I had to have that replaced. Had the gas tank pulled when I first bought the car because the gas gauge was going haywire. The coolant light comes on periodically even though no coolant is needed and the car's not overheating. Brakes are always needing repairs. Clock/radio display are out. I only have 75,000 miles. Always taken care of it--sure wish it had would do the same. Service Engine light goes off and on.
Purchased 2000 model in 2002. Had 22,000 miles on it ($12,000.) First thing I replaced in 2005 was a fuel pump and filter and was advised to change the fuel filter every 2,000 miles because gas these days have alot of trash in it. I have oil and all the normal maintenance done regularly. Just turned 100,000 miles and the transmission went out after coming to a stop once making a 100 mile trip to San Antonio for a visit. Tow truck $180.00 to a shop here, (rip off) since he only hauled it 15 miles! Transmission, electronic modular spark plug wires and spark plugs, so far. Have been promised it would be ready for a week now, still no car. Kind of taking advantage of a woman from out of town I`d say. Really not the subject but all and all I still love my Grand Am and hope I get a couple more years out of it.
I have a 2000 Grand Am SE 2.4L 4cyl. It is doing the same problem you mention. While driving it will stall out, and like you said, takes 5 to 30 minutes to start, then will last a few miles, then do it again. It is driving me crazy; nobody can figure it out. If you have gotten yours fixed or know what the problem is, please E-mail me at racer11j@yahoo.com
I really need help with this, and if somebody could help me, I would very much appreciate it.
Thanks Jay D.
I have the same problem... My mechanic changed the crankshaft sensor... no help...now talking about the fuel pump...yet..
Anyone that can help as it is obvious this is a common pontiac problem..help! my email is jillaurie11@yahoo.com.
18th Feb 2008, 17:23.
I have a 2000 Grand Am SE 2.4L 4cyl. It is doing the same problem you mention. While driving it will stall out, and like you said, takes 5 to 30 minutes to start, then will last a few miles, then do it again. It is driving me crazy; nobody can figure it out. If you have gotten yours fixed or know what the problem is, please E-mail me at racer11j@yahoo.com.
I really need help with this, and if somebody could help me, I would very much appreciate it.
Thanks Jay D.