1999 Pontiac Grand Am: sudden loss of power

Filed Sep 4, 2012 · Brakes, Engine · 49,000 miles · NY

Car the worst. I've sunk more $ in2 it than she cost to buy. $15,000 at lst. Head gasket x2. Intake manifold x2 window parts x2 brakes, pads rotors engine replaced in 2009 by quack mechanic on advice from a friend car 3 mths on lift! Cost $1000 a yr 2 pass nys inspection had catalytic converter & gaskets replaced after I begged do it! Cat whole prob for 31/2 yrs. Erg valve selonoid changed. Coils springs, strut mount(sensatrac) strut was only after I had tires replaced for upteenth time realizing it was cutting into 1 tire driving out of the shop. Antifreeze still oozes out regardless how many x's work done on cooling system. Thermastat twice fuel injector oxygen sensor antifreeze reservoir, hoses muffler rearview mirror fell off twice timing belt. Headlights several times rear lights. 2 or 3 batteries. This car should run like new- almost everything's been replaced nope! Was towed twice last 2 weeks due to coolant loss overheating engine stopping. Informed today after car again overheated & lost power it's probably intake manifold & head gasket, oil is dripping from sides of engine. Computer amuck nowodometer flashes 1/2 numbers instead of true mileage. Abs? Light mechanic stated its a waste of your $ to repair.... Three head gaskets? Another intake manifold? Hello! I've maintained this car it is a lemon a rotton lemon at that. Gm knows these issues & does nothing. In michigan consumers won a class action lawsuit because of this. Gm shoulda recalled this car period. I wasn't informed or savvy enough to know this cars issues upon purchase. What makes this worse, I now understand my rights were violated as a consumer for years! I'm poor & can't afford another car due to this car continued problems cost. I need a vehicle but am left with bus rides taking almost 3 hrs one way to work or a $35 cab fare one way. As of today my car is trash.

Filed Nov 15, 2005 · Electrical, Engine · 6,000 miles · AR

Replacement of the following parts on 99 pontiac grand am, r&r fuel strainer & filter/fuel filter/fuel pump/fuel injection/water pump/ECM/2brake jobs/thermostat/also I am having problems with coolant system overheating/ loss of coolant/ fog window/ smell of coolant/ loss of power/ low coolant continually I have to add coolant every week.

Filed Jan 22, 2004 · Steering · MA

Consumer complained about a power steering problem. While drving on an incline vehicle lost power steering. Consumer took vehicle to the dealer, and was told that power steering needed to be replaced.

Filed Aug 18, 2003 · Electrical · 130,800 miles · GA

Complete loss of power while driving - replaced battery/alternator- problem is in wiring??? Fyi.....3rd alternator put in car since purchased.

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 Feb 16, 2002 · Electrical · CA

Bought car used-3 wks later tried to start-trunk opened-car started then stalled would not restart-tow truck #1. Driving in fast lane freeway 65-70 MPH all lights on then off, flickering, radio turned off, gauges with dials up then down lasted 15 seconds then car lost all power, went off road into field-hurt lower back-would not start, tow truck #2; home from work 2 am stop to get mail, left car running keys in ignition, closed drivers door-doors locked with keys inside, tow truck #3; drove 3 miles to store from home-engine coolant light came on then overheat light-pulled off road-tow truck #4-all hub caps rattle, tail/brake lights only work sometimes-parts of this scenario have re-occurred 3 to 4 times per week since purchase date-dealer "repaired" intake manifold leak found by outside mechanic I hired when dealer said "nothing wrong lady!" then said "someone added wrong coolant & caused damage & leakage" I would not know where to begin, my mechanic added exact same fluid as he read owners manual, dealer was only other one working on the car!-my outside mechanic said computer program damaged from key entry in car that was programmed for remote & rims too big-dealer: "no"-then, battery died-wonder why?!-oops, not covered by service contract. Help!!

Filed Dec 10, 2001 · Electrical, Engine · MN

Vehicle would not go over 10 MPH. Speedometer stopped, vehicle lost power, and was not able to accelerate. Consumer took vehicle to dealer, and they replaced a computer. Please provide any further information.

Filed Dec 28, 2000 · Steering · MI

While turning into parking space vehicle lost all power steering.

Filed Aug 21, 2000 · Electrical · NY

Vehicle lost all power while driving causing a hazardous situation, dealership feels that the consumer must have hit the ignition switch, the system is very sensitive to touch due to design, possible design flaw which would cause accidental application while driving and cause vehicle to shut down.

Filed Jan 29, 2000 · Brakes, Locks · PA

The source of the problem is unidentified by the dealerships I've been to for service. The car will periodically violently pull to either side (has occured on both sides), thrved out of control, the brakes in general are poor and don't stop the car well; I have to downshift the automatic in order to stop at times, the locks quit working and needed reprogrammed three times, the car has lost power while driving and took a few minutes to restart. There are other problems with the car (such as rear windshield rattles, poor gas mileage 14 city, 19 highway, bad gas gauge) but they are not the major safety problems. I have almost been in several accident between the brakes and the 'violent pulling' but pontiac keeps telling me nothing is wrong with the car since they can not replicate the problem. The problem occurs intermitantly. I was told the car's lease would be repurchased, another time pontiac promised to replace the car if I took it in three more times, I have complied with their wishes, but they are now insisting that I start bringing the car back for service more. The car has been in 9 times, 7 for major safety problems. The state lemon laws says after 3 times I should have a refund or replaced vehicle, my choice, but pontiac, and the dealership either don't return my calls, or when pontiac does call they tell me to keep taking the car back for service. In the mean time the car is a serious risk to myself and other motorists or pedestrians being that I've lost control of the car more than 10 times in the past. I seriously hope that this issue doesn't keep getting bumped around. I'm going to send my info to the bbb, but that will take up to 40 days or more for a reply, in the mean time (I'm a medical student) I need to drive to fulfill my requirements to become a physician, and I'm placing myself and others at risk because pontiac will not abide the law.

Filed Nov 25, 1998 · Engine · MN

Vehicle stalls continually causing extremely dangerous driving situations due to loss of power and control, unable to determine cause.