I bought the car, used, in feb. 2002. Since that time the clearcoat has began chipping off, leaving the paint exposed to the elements, specifically around the doors. In july the driver's side window regulator broke. On sept. 5th the passenger side window regulator broke. In august the driver's side mirror was caught against my plastic mailbox and snapped in half. I am aware that I am responsible for that mirror, however I tell you this because I feel the mirror should have withstood the plastic mailbox door, which is still intact. Along with that, the passenger side mirrot broke off simply by being brushed as my husband walked by the car. All of these issues seem to be a concern to many grand am owners. I have researched and found many other similar complaints. Pontiac refuses to cover any of the costs because I bought the car used, have not taken it to a gm dealer for service (with the exception of oil change it has not needed service), because I did not buy an extended warranty package, and because the mileage is more than they feel responsible for. The car is barely 5 years old. These things should not be falling apart this soon in a car's life, regardless of first or second ownership.
1999 Pontiac Grand Am visibility complaints
Page 3 of 4: complaints 41 to 70 of 89, newest first, as owners wrote them.
Driver side window broke two years ago while the car was no longer under warrenty. I paid for the motor and window - a little over $600. It broke again in the fall of 2002. This was still under warranty and I was not charged. It broke a 3rd time last month and the warranty for the one that was replaced had expired by one week to ten days. I was charged the $410. After complaining, I was given a reduction of 15%. I paid this amount as this is my daughter's only transporation and she needed it to attend class and to work. In voicing my displeasure to service manager/staff at sawyers pontiac in lansing mi (where the car was purchased used but still under warranty), I was informed that this problem was common to the 1999 grand am and was a result of a change in materials used in the window assembly. They advised me that it was they who authorized the 15% credit to me and that pontiac motors would do nothing more. In talking to staff at pontiac motors, I was offered a additonal free oil and lube service for one year. I own 3 gm vehicles, this is 1st pontiac. This re-occurring roblem is known to service mechanics but pontiac is unwilling to take responsibilty for it. There is no doubt I will be back for repairs in another year unless I can get rid of it. But I will not be back to buy another pontiac and probably not any other gm car.
Both driver and passenger windows have fallen into the door. I have seen so many people have had the same problem... Does the manufacturer not see this a on going problem and fix it right or recall it so us owners of the cars can be proud owners and not ripped off. It ridiculiously expensive and crazy , you buy a car and pay good money in turn the manufaturer should fix this problem .
Passenger side window clip broke,caused rattling had repaired for $120.00 then oct. 2003 my driver side window fell into the door.after another $45.00 I found out that yet another clip had broke,and now the cable was broke too.total repair would now be $290.00 please recall this--I believe my passenger side window is about to go, I am afraid to use my windows.
Electric window motor failure. Driver side front window and passenger rear window. Both window's motor units discontinued to function properly at approximately the same time causing the belt drive to snap allowing both windows to drop out of the upright position. The cost to repair motor unit is 480.00 per window. That is a cost of $960.00. A total for 2 windows that are up 85% of the time not being used. Windows will not stay in the upright position when the damage occurs and will only stay up with duct tape. In this heat the duct tape fails to hold the window on its proper position.
Passenger side window "fell into the door", dealer said the clips broke and I must purchase a new regulator, instead of the one inch plastic clips, the whole mechanism must be replaced at a cost of $488.00. Personally, I know of three other people with a grand am that this exact same situation has occurred and after a simple search on the internet it seems we are not the only poor saps!!!
I called pontiac to try to get some help regarding the fact that my car is only 5 years old and within the last 2 months both side mirrors have fallen off (one simply by being brushed against), my rearview mirror came off, both side window regulators have broken, and the clear coat is chipping and leaving my paint exposed to the elements. Pontiac pretty much told me "sorry, not our problem" because I bought the car used (I am the second owner), because I did not buy the extended warranty, and because it has over 70,000 miles. I have done my research and found that these are all common problems with this make and model. I would be happy to forward you my research. Regardless of what number owner I am or how many miles are on the vehicle, I feel that if pontiac cannot make a vehicle that can last 5 years without falling apart, then the general public should not be throwing away our hard earned money on a bad product. Pontiac should really be taking responsibility for making a less-than-desirable product.
While driving I tried to open my driver (power) window a little and it went crashing down. All clips were worn out, two of them are only sold with the track.
While driving 60 MPH driver heard a loud noise inside the vehicle. Sun roof glass shattered, and a small piece of glass was missing. Consumer stated that nothing hit the glass, and the sun roof was open about a half inch.
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.
The motor cable failed, which caused the driver's window not to work.
'99 gr am: grinding noise r front-dealer: drilled out restrictor in pwr steerng hose per bulletin 990232002. Rubbing & squawk noise turning left-dealer: sway bar bushings replcd. Passenger seat stuck-dealer: replaced seat track. Center console door latch assmbly replaced per recall. Radio lcd garbled & blacking out-dealer: replcd radio assembly. Whining in pwr steering- dealer: p/s cooler line leaking, replcd & bled system. Gas gauge back & forth from full to empty-dealer: tank sending unit shorted, replcd tank module assy. Fluid/oil leak from intake gasket-dealer: replcd gaskets & replcd oil pump drive o-ring. Passenger seat squeaks-dealer: seat tracks loose in floor pan hook attchmnt openings. Crunch/squawk in front end on speed bumps-dealer: replcd r&r front struts, replcd upper mounts. Brake pulsation-dealer: front rotors warped, both rotors were machined & pads replaced. Oil/fluid leak rt trans. Axle seal, steering rack center section- dealer: replcd seal & sleeve, replcd steering rack. Shimmy & shake on hwy- dealer: couldn't duplicate problem, no repair. Intermittently hesitates cold start & on excelleration-dealer: couldn't duplicate problem, no repair. Driver's side window plastic regulator broke & window fell down-no longer on warrantee, consumer replcd @ approx $500.00 own expense. All occuring at under 40,000 miles. Am afraid to take in for next "scheduled" service for fear of what will be found.
I had to spend $278.00 for a window regulator for the drivers door when a 25 cent plastic piece of it broke. I have never been ripped off that bad!!!
Have had passenger window break 3 times now and pontiac will do nothing about it. The driver side has broken once so far. The brakes have been replaced twice and they need to be done again. The car shakes while braking.
Brake rotors have warped and been replaced 3 times. Once at 20977, at 29687 and then at 44726. Brake pedal makes a creaking sound when pushing down on pedal. Mechanic told me had never heard such a sound and could not fix it. Also advised me to get rid of car as soon as possible as it drives as it has more miles on it then it actually has.still making sound and worried that they are going to completely break. Power steering and altenator went at 44726 miles and had to pay for those along with the last rotor replacement as car is no longer under warranty. Wheels also make rubbing sound when turning either way. Called gm when first started and was told they were aware of the problem and nothing has ever been done. Mechanics also can not do anything about that problem. I fear for my life in this car.
Driver window fell down into door while driving, motor had to be replaced.*ak. Consumer stated the entire window assembly had to be replaced, because the motor itself could not be purchased separately.
Cigarette lighter does not work, hazard lights and blinkers work intermittently, gas cap is broken, windshield has 3 chips, radio volume knob works intermittently, steering has jerked when rounding corners, heater fan speeds 1 and 2 do not work at all, cruise doesn't work intermittently, rubber molding on door coming off, dealer says need all new brake pads and front rotors
Front passenger window fell down onto door while driving, one week later, drivers window fell down. Dealer has not been contacted.*ak dealer notified.
The outside rear view mirrors are very easily damaged (ie. As reported by numerous car washes through out the country - www.carwash.com; just search for "pontiac mirrors"). The problem is widely known, even by gm, but they refuse to formally acknowledge it because they probably do not want the expense of a recall or tsb to fix the problem. It is due to a faulty design of the mirror base - it is made of cheap plastic and is damaged very easily, rendering the mirror a safety concern. The mirror is the rigid kind (does not fold in, as some do) but again instead of having a solid base support structure (ie. Made of metal) it is made of plastic. The mirror once damaged becomes loose and vibrates while driving resulting in the mirror shaking and not being able to present a clear view. In addition to the problem with my car, I know 2 other people who have experienced the same problem, only to be told by gm that it is not covered under the warranty and had to pay for it to be fixed out of their pocket. I can supply additional documentation / information if required.
Passenger front side window will not go up or down. Consumer feels the switch is defective. Dealer has been contacted. Please provide any further information.
No summary listed for above vehicle.
Consumer states driver side window regulator keeps breaking and the window will fall at anytime. Contacted glass shop and they replaced the part but the problem still accurs. Nlm
Driver side and passenger side windows fell off the track . Glue came loose.
Window was rolled down and wouldn't come back up was told at the dealership that the regulator blew up and in order to fix it one of two things could be done...pay $486.00 and they would attempt to repair the window and frame and install a new regulator with no warrenty..was told could last a day or a year..or could pay $1050.00 and they could install an intire new window and regulator was not told what type warrenty came with that...I could not see putting $486 into something they could not guarntee and could not afford $1100 for a new window.. I searched and have located a replace door and am having it gutted and the window replaced with the guts of new door....saved myself quite a bit of money.. I feel however that this should have been covered, and have been told that there have been at least 4 other people right here in this town that have had the same problem..I was given your web sight by my insurance agent.
Driver's and passenger side windows keep falling off the tracks. Windows broke inside door. Dealer notified. Feel free to provide any further information.
While driving in the rain, could start windshield wipers, but they will quit after a few minutes of operation. Dealer could not correct the problem. *ak
Consumer has experienced problems with radio severl times.td
While traveling on a dirt road and when rolling window up or down window glass on all four doors become scratched. Dealer has been notified. Please provide further information.
Passenger's side window will not go up all the way. When traveling on highway windows rattle like molding is comming apart. Dealership fixed driver's side window.*ak consumer states window unglued and making a loud noise like someone has broken the glass, then it falls and unable to roll back up has happened to both sides.
While vehicle was parked passenger's side window fell down, consumer took vehicle to dealer, and had it replaced. About 2 months later while consumer was driving at 65mph, driver's side window fell off, almost causing loss of vehicle control. Cause is unknown.
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