1999 Pontiac Grand Am: engine knocking or ticking

Filed Sep 22, 2006 · Electrical · WI

My 1999 pontiac grand am has a ticking sound on the dash board which sounds like the blinker going nuts. This mostly occurs when you have just used the turn signal. I am not the original owner of the vehicle, but I do know that the previous owner had some type of a switch replaced and the problem went away for a while. Now it is back and getting increasingly worse. I found an internet forum with a bunch of people with different grand am model years and they all have the same problem. Some of them have had the hazard and multi function switch replaced to fix the problem. The cost of repairs is huge. I have a student driver now using this vehicle and I'm very concerned about the distraction this ticking noise is causing while he is learning how to drive. Many people have complained to pontiac, but no recall has been made.

Filed Sep 13, 2004 · Suspension · 97,537 miles · GA

When making left hand turns consumer heard a knocking noise coming from underneath the vehicle. Dealership was notified, but did not resolve the problem.

Filed Aug 10, 2004 · Brakes, Seat belts · 72,535 miles · MN

The window regulators have had to be replaced in the driver's door and both back doors. Each of the windows failed to close after they were opened. The first one to go out was the driver's window and the back two windows were working occasionally at that time. The mechanic told me that they would probably need to be replaced soon, but if they stop working, I could just knock on the outside of the door or slam the door shut and they would work for a short time again. This got me through for about another month. All broke within the past year and each one has had to be replaced. The total cost to fix all three window regulators was $1188.17. I called gm to file a complaint with them and to find out why there hasn't been a recall on the regulators, (as well as the seat belts, the side view mirrors, the brakes and to find out why I also have scratches on my windows). I told them about the mycarstats.com website and explained that all of my complaints are common. I finally received a call back about a week later and was told that I would not be reimbursed for any of my repair costs which came to $2,974.58!! This total includes: brakes, calipers and rotors replaced twice for $834.08; side view mirror replaced after falling off while going through a carwash $167.86; seat belts replaced for driver and both back passengers because the plastic clips broke for no apparent reason $784.47 and of course the window regulators $1,188.17. Instead, gm was offering me $1,000.00 towards the purchase of another gm vehicle!!! I asked why I would want to purchase another vehicle that they don't stand behind!?!? I told them to keep the $1,000 and expressed that I would never buy another gm product again, since these are safety features that should have been recalled years ago!! This past week, I have also noticed that the molding around the window shield is coming loose on the passenger side, so I used silicone caulking to hold it in place.

Filed Jul 6, 2004 · Brakes · FL

When the brakes were applied at a low speed, the consumer heard a knocking noise coming from the vehicle. The consumer had taken the vehicle to the dealership on four occasions, however, the problem continued. *jb the vehicle remained experiencing the same noise in the brakes when applied and when driven slow.

Filed Jun 28, 2004 · Engine · 55,000 miles · GA

Second notice posted: ince 2002: replaced rotors, too thin when car was manufactured. (no recall ever done). Cooling system: although the manifold gasket has been replaced, the water reservoir cap has been replaced, the radiator flushed repeatedly, entire cooling system bleed (to remove any excess air from radiator), serpentine belt replaced, all fuses, including the AC relay fuse/switch, all sensors replaced, and various mechanics have checked the entire car bumper-to-bumper, it continues to leak antifreeze coolant by forcing the water out of the radiator into the reservoir and out through the overflow tub (small tube located on reservoir tank). Excess pressure building up in the system. Leaking antifreeze once car is stopped. I have to refill the tank at least once a week. This problem (the pontiac grand am leaking coolant) is a common problem with all pontiac grand am. Recall to some component of cooling system is dire overdue! This car is an oil change every three months, regardless of 3000 miles or not, still out of the blue, the lifters are knocking and the belt is making a very high pitched screeching sound. Believed tension pulley needs replacing, with a possibility that all other pulleys need replacing. Its not the belt; the belt has been considered by three different mechanics has been "basically new". Also, although it has only happened three times in the last several months, the engine has stalled. When this originally happened I changed the grade of gasoline I put in the car from 87 grade to 89 grade. Didn't help. (number of failures: for coolant leaks: infinite).

Filed Jun 14, 2004 · Engine · 75,000 miles · VA

Purchased used 1999 grand am used with 40000 miles. Problems begin with replacing 2 alternators, while replacing those I noticed coolant leaking then replaced water pump, a battery, days later heard noise from lf wheel- replaced wheel hub\ bearing. Also having major electrical problems such as continuosly changing bulbs (mostly tail lights), cigarette lighter wont work (fuses are good), radio knob works sometimes but no lights on the display meaning I have no clock. Signal lights blink extremely fast, dashlights flicker, knocking noise in front end when turning,oh yeah the best one yet... Now I have coolant leaking from from the intake. Im sure gm wont take care of these problems of mine or many others like me, but I can say I will buy a ford next time I promise.

Filed Apr 17, 2004 · Airbags · IA · crash · 1 injury

This is a general complaint about airbags. I was in medium grade accident and airbags deployed. I was traveling at maybe 10mph. The seat belt was plenty of protection. The airbags deployed knocking me unconcious for a few minutes and I have severe pain from this.

Filed Jun 25, 2003 · Body, Brakes · 11,000 miles · KY

1999 pontiac grand am 2.4 l auto severe brake failure---replacement of pads 8 times, rotors 3 times and calipers 2 times in 80,000 miles. Brakes occasionally lock up and make loud grinding and squealing noises steering shudders and vehicle pulls to left.. Participating pontiac dealer failed to fix this problem since purchase at 11,000 miles. Under warranty replacement it has had 6 door panels due to peeling leather on top of panel, 5 gear shifters due to dealers improper installation, 2 factory cd/radio failures, 1 rack and pinion unit, 2 front strut assemblies due to knocking noise from front of car (went bad after 10,000 miles use), problem with hesitation at idle-cold start(unsuccessfully diagnosed by dealer) carpet loose in trunk around latch assembly(too short for trunk and was hot glued to back wall of car by dealer instead of replacement). Turn signals still occasionally fail to work(dealer said they worked just fine) battery connection in factory battery broke loose spilling corrosive battery acid all over around battery tray area. All four wheel covers have been replaced because of "pie pan" noise when you hit a bump (new ones did not fix problem). After warranty was up pontiac' care hotline or the dealer could "care " less that after dozens of trips for repairs the dealer still didn't fix the car while it was still under warranty. Since then,besides the unrepaired items on my car, the alternator went bad at 60,000 miles ($120), glass in interior rear view mirror broke while adjusting, both outside rear view mirrors have broke off in two different automatic car washes (held into door by a stud mounted into 1/4 inch of plastic in the mirror). And the ignition switch failed at 75,000 miles($300). Fog lights and backup lights have water condensation in them shorting out bulbs. Surprisingly ,this car is "babied" ,but by in my description you sure couldn't tell it.

Filed Jan 6, 2003 · Brakes, Electrical · 30,000 miles · UT

I have had to have the following repaired: the fan replaced 2 times, the brakes repaired 4 times, the radio replaced once, the water pump replaced once and the battery replaced twice. I am also having problems with the transmission it has been slipping. The intake gasket needs to replaced because antifreeze is leaking out and one of the lifters is knocking. Most of these problems started at about 30,000 miles and gradually there was just one problem after another. I took it in to the dealership for the tranmission at about 32,000 miles and since the dealership couldn't get it to slip they wouldn't do anything about it. The brakes started having problems at 40,000 miles. I called gm to complain about the car and gm told me there was nothing they could do because it was out of warranty. If it was still under warranty they would replaced the rotors because the rotors were to thin when the car was manufactured. I wonder why no recall was sent out on this. The brakes are an important part of a car. The battery, radio and fan were replaced at about 30,000 also. Then the fan was replaced again at about 70,000. The intake started giving me problems that about 90,000. The second battery was installed at about 95,000. The lifter started having problems at about 110,000. The transmission has slipped ever since I got the car.

Filed Oct 21, 2002 · Brakes, Electrical · CT

Leaking power steering return hose, low oil levels between oil changes, unable to find problem first time, car to go back in shop 10-22-02, driver side power window inoperable and scratched since purchase, rewired remote starter, pulsating brakes, replaced pad, rotors, positive battery terminal broken, replaced battery,radio LED inoperable, replaced radio assembly, wheel speed sensor r/f wheel incorrect signal, replaced r/f hub and bearing assembly, knocking and car shaking at stops and loss of power, lack of fuel cylinder #4, replaced injector, replaced machine cylinder head, replaced upper strut mounts, 6-10-02 inspect for oil loss down 2 1/2 quarts, nothing found. Oil change completed at 34304 and at 37160 oil loss to 3 quarts, car to be brought back to dealer 10-22-02. Air conditioner has pc leak in hose, hose needs to be replaced and freon added. Dt

Filed Apr 11, 2001 · Brakes, Suspension · KA

Consumer purchased vehicle with 13 miles on it. Vehicle has been in 4 times. Brakes were replaced for knocking and grinding noise coming from front end. Rotors have been replaced 3 times/ pads and struts were all changed to rectify problem. Repairs held up a week and repeated. Consumer purchased an extended warranty up to 75,000 because so many problem were happening to vehicle.

Filed Jan 18, 2000 · Engine · TX

Engine makes a knocking or ticking noise when idling in park.