1999 Pontiac Grand AM: problems, recalls and reliability
6 recalls and 849 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is service brakes, hydraulic (20% of complaints); the 1997 and 1998 model years look more trouble-free.
Data updated weekly · latest recall Jul 2014
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 849 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“The gas gauge will show full then without warning quickly drop to "E" and the low fuel indicator will ding and the light will come on then just as quickly as it started it will go back to full or 2/3rds the slow creep back to the full position. (The tank was not full) While driving all the electrical components start going wild, everything goes on and off quickly. The accelerator will rev(while foot is on or off accelerator) and drop over and over (as if there were bad gas in it) then go back to normal. This happens while I'm on the road and is a massive hazard. I'm so afraid this will cause an accident that leads to loss of life.”Owner report · Fuel/Propulsion System · Jun 2023
“The hazard switch makes a noise like the hazard lights are flashing when they aren't even on. To get my blinkers to work I have to push the hazard button on and off several times.”Owner report · Exterior Lighting · Jun 2016
“Windshield and rear window were broke and both have broke into shards. Windshield was approximently 3" in diameter and half inch wide and rear window was approximently 5" and quarter in wide.”Owner report · Unknown Or Other · May 2016
Show 7 more owner reports
“Ignition frozen, unable to move vehicle without tow. No shift realease, and unsafe in the event of engine stall on open roadways. Vehicle is dead once you shift into park to restart.”Owner report · Unknown Or Other · Mar 2016
“I bought this car from a friend about 2weeks ago and he told me that there was a recall on the ignition but he took it up there. But he just done this about a week before I bought the car , so now the key won't even turn the ignition to start. What can you do for me?the car was in my driveway when I went out to leave and notice that I could not.”Owner report · Electrical System · Mar 2016
“Clock spring has a disk that is not a uniform desgine due to it splitting and bowing out. Steering wheel sticks when turned either direction and horn is set off as well. The airbag light is also on and would assume that it would not inflate in the event of a frontal collision. Pontiac feels that the disk that should be one solid piece that I believe is two pieces, im responsible for their defective craftsmanship.”Owner report · Steering · Jan 2016
“Tl* the contact owns a 1999 pontiac grand am. The contact stated that the engine was dripping oil onto the exhaust manifold. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was confirmed that the engine was dripping oil onto the exhaust manifold. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The contact referenced NHTSA campaign number: 15v701000 (engine and engine cooling); however, the contact was informed that the VIN, year, and model were not included. The failure mileage was approximately 120,000.”Owner report · Engine · Sep 2015
“Tl* the contact owned a 1999 pontiac grand am. The contact stated that while stopped at a traffic light, there was smoke coming from the front of the vehicle. The contact stated that the vehicle engulfed in flames. The fire department was contacted and was able to extinguish the fire. A fire report was filed. The vehicle was included in NHTSA campaign number: 15v701000 (engine and engine cooling). The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic. The vehicle was destroyed. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 175,000.”Owner report · Engine · Jun 2015
“Tl* the contact owns a 1999 pontiac grand am. While driving at approximately 55 mph, the vehicle suddenly stalled without warning. The failure recurred twice. The contact was able to restart the vehicle. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 111,000. Updated 6/30/15*cn updated 07/02/15*jb”Owner report · Electrical System · Apr 2015
“Tl* the contact owns a 1999 pontiac grand am. While driving approximately 65 mph, the key released from the ignition and all the lights on the instrument panel turned off. The failure recurred several times. The dealer diagnosed that the key needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The contact received a notification for NHTSA campaign number: 14v400000 (electrical system). The failure mileage was 138,000.”Owner report · Electrical System · Dec 2014
When filing, owners marked a crash in 73 of these complaints and injuries in 60 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 6 campaigns
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: THESE VEHICLES DO NOT COMPLY WITH THE OCCUPANT PROTECTION REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 201, "OCCUPANT PROTECTION IN INTERIOR IMPACT." THE CONSOLE COVER ON THESE VEHICLES DOES NOT STAY CLOSED WHEN A SPECIFIED VERTICAL LOAD IS APPLIED.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE CONSOLE LATCH MECHANISM.
CERTAIN DELPHI FUEL PRESSURE REGULATORS, P/NOS. FP10020-11B1, FP10026-11B1, AND FP10027-11B1, SOLD AFTER JANUARY 9, 2007, AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. THE UNIVERSAL PRESSURE REGULATORS (UPR) WERE PRODUCED WITHOUT AN O'RING AND RETAINER.
Remedy: DELPHI WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE UPR FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 23, 2007. OWNERS CAN CONTACT DELPHI AT 877-411-8770.
This defect can affect the safe operation of the airbag system. Until this recall is performed, customers should remove all items from their key rings, leaving only the ignition key. The key fob (if applicable), should also be removed from the key ring. General Motors LLC (GM) notified the agency on July 3, 2014, that they are recalling 5,877,718 model year 2000-2005 Chevrolet Impala and Monte Carlo, 1997-2003 Chevrolet Malibu, 2004-2005 Malibu Classic, 1999-2004 Oldsmobile Alero, 1998-2002 Oldsmobile Intrigue, 1999-2005 Pontiac Grand Am and 2004-2008 Pontiac Grand Prix vehicles. In these models, the weight on the key ring and/or road conditions or some other jarring event may cause the ignition switch to move out of the run position, turning off the engine.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will install two key rings and an insert in the key slot or a cover over the key head on all ignition keys, free of charge. The recall began on September 9, 2014. GM's number for this recall is 14350.
CERTAIN TRADESONIC COMBINATION LAMPS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LISTED PASSENGER VEHICLES. COMBINATION LAMPS NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.
Remedy: TRADESONIC WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE LAMPS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING JULY 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT TRADESONIC AT 626-934-8884.
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE STEERING WHEEL CAN COME LOOSE FROM THE STEERING SHAFT BECAUSE THE STEERING WHEEL RETAINING NUT COULD HAVE BEEN IMPROPERLY TIGHTENED.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE STEERING WHEEL RETAINING NUT FOR CORRECT TIGHTNESS AND TIGHTEN IF NECESSARY.
SABERSPORT IS RECALLING 16,270 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.
Remedy: SABERSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 11, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SABERSPORT AT 1-909-598-7589.
How other years compare
Check your exact Grand AM by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 1999 Pontiac Grand AM reliable?
NHTSA has 849 owner complaints and 6 recall campaigns on record for the 1999 Pontiac Grand AM. The most complained-about area is service brakes, hydraulic (20% of complaints).
At what mileage do 1999 Pontiac Grand AM problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 70,000 miles or less.
Does the 1999 Pontiac Grand AM have open recalls?
6 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning structure:body. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.