2001 Pontiac Grand Am: headlights failing or too dim

Filed Sep 5, 2012 · Brakes, Engine · 240,000 miles · FL

Fuel system, gasoline details: @ times you can smell gas on the inside of the recently put $690 into changing the entire fuel system before that it cost me $1100 for the entire coolant system $250 for coil pack and cover frequently sparkplugs changed out the AC buttons wont allow the AC to turn on I live in the south we burn up down here with no AC in a car and again on this past sunday I just put another 4170 into sparkplugs and coil packs only to find out that all my problems are caused from the cars security anti - theft device that is defective I lose power no RPM's car will die in the middle of the interstate that I have to drive in downtown greeville sc and towns like atlanta and chattanooga tn the small things are the radio the lights the headlamps don't shine no brighter than a candle on a birthday cake not to mention that I go thru breaks and tires like they are candy it seems to wear a groove on the inside back passenger tire and the front drivers side makes this loud grinding noise that I think could be the brake booster ball not sure on that but I have spent enough money on this car to keep it going I could have bought 2 new vehicles can someone please have pontiac look into recalls.

Filed Nov 10, 2006 · Brakes, Electrical · 300 miles · DE

Grinding sound in front brakes. Dealer replaced rotors at my expense. Still making grinding noice. Breaks seem to have been a problem since I bought the car new in 2001. Recall of blinker switch. Blinking (inside above radio) noise came back after 1 year. Dealer says that recall was for the hazard lights not the turn signals? Car won't start and security light on. Have to wait 10 minutes with car in (on) position and then car will start..this information is located in the owners manual (are they expecting this problem?) dealer said at first that my key was worn out that's why it's not reading it correctly and then later stated that the sensor was bad in the ignition switch. Had to replace ignition sensor switch at my expense. Rear floor board behind drivers side gets wet. No known cause. Recently the service vehicle soon lite came on. Dealer repaired at my expense. Dealer said that the headlights were out and a part was cracked. Heater/AC buttons 1 and 2 do not work. Recently noticed that when I drive I hear grinding sounds seems to be coming from the body of the car, like it's coming unscrewed. Just took my car in for repairs of ignition switch, 4 new tires, a back seat seatbelt replacement and my drivers side automate seat adjuster was working the morning I took it in. When I picked up my car it was making a grinding sound and the seat cushion was torn. Service manager says they will replace the seat cushion but they don't think they broke the seat adjuster and the service manager says that maybe the seat adjuster just decided to go on that particular day. I'm now fighting to have them repair what they broke. I will never go to nucar pontiac in delaware for repairs again. This is the worst car I've ever owned. I think most of these problems should be recalls since many people have them. I will never buy a gm car again. Please someone help to make the car makers responsible for their poor workmanship.

Filed Nov 4, 2005 · Electrical · 61,000 miles · FL

For about 2 years now,we have been having problems with our 2001 pontiac grand am. There is some type of a short in the electrical system, causing the trunk release actuator to operate by itself,every time the driver side door is pened. Also ,the "automatic-on "dash lights, headlights, marker lights and so-on- sometimes will not turn on immediately,when the parking brake is lowered. I would like to know if an investigation could be opened for these problems; because they are safety related issues,and there may be many other people being affected with these same problems-with their 2001 grand am's. I believe pontiac should be made to be accountable for these issues,since the american public is trusting them to provide safe cars. This should not be something that is limited to a warranty, since it involves a safety issue, in which the lights could stop functioning while driving or the trunk could release( by itself) while driving. Thank you.

Filed Jul 31, 2005 · Electrical · 55,000 miles · UT

After starting the vehicle all electrical systems don't engage. Including radio, heater, A/C, speedometer, all gauges, power locks, power windows, all interior lights and head lamps if in the auto day lamp status. It then randomly starts sometimes, and other times you can drive for 30+ and it never comes back. Most of the time if you turn the vehicle off and back on 3-7 times then all works. This has been an ongoing problem coming up on a year now. I have submitted symptoms on web forums and the majority of the people blame it on faulty body control modules and claim that the grand am has a problem with them. I have yet to see a recall on it.

Filed Sep 29, 2004 · Lights · OH

Headlights in 2001 pontiac grandam gt are inefficient, cannot see road early morning and later nights. Need to reduce speed out of normal -> I as a driver feel very unsafe when driving my grandam at night or with low visibility because headlights don't help me see.

Filed Aug 24, 2004 · Electrical, Lights · 65,855 miles · IN

Friday morning I was on empty, so I went to the gas station. Turned off car & filled up, started it no problem. Then went to get breakfast, turned off car. The came back after no more then 5 minutes the car would not start. No sputtering, no failure to fire, no stalling before this occasion. Nothing. I have had the car for about 1.5 years. I have had no problem with it starting. I took it to auto repair shop & they said it was common problem. That they have had a lot of 2001 grand am with this exact problem. It was fixed. I was told to watch the car because if it happens again they will report the problem. When we first go the car the front head lights would go off by themselves at night. That happened at 12:30am. Also the taillights went out at the same time. We reported that to the dealership & they fixed it.

Filed Mar 23, 2004 · Electrical, Lights · SC

After making an appointment and leaving the vehicle at the dealership to have the hazard warning switch recall 03v327000 repairs performed, dealership didn't have the replacement switch. Also when the vehicle was picked up the clock, radio, display lights and the headlights were inoperative. The dealership did not accept responsibility.

Filed Dec 16, 2003 · Electrical, Lights · 38,000 miles · AR

2 weeks after purchase, floorboard was drenched and took to the dealership to be repaired.they said it was;however, the next big rain the car was drenched again. The car stayed for almost 2 weeks during which time, the mechanics could not "figure it out" and I was informed that some "experimental" fluid was used to try to stop the leak, but that did not work so it was being removed. The mechanics were putting it under the water hose to see if they could determine the leak. This was finally fixed, though I do not know what the cause may have been or what the final fix was done. 6 months later, the blinkers went out and were haphazard working. This was repaired under a different pontiac dealership as I was leery to "experiments." 3 months later, the check engine light was on or the check vehicle light, headlights were acting funny. Dealership and was informed this was due to corrosion and was not covered under warranty. Last week, the traction off light kept coming on, the headlights kept blowing bulbs, the service vehicle light was on, the cigarette lighter would not work, and the daylights and fog lights would not work at all. I was informed that the map sensor was covered under warranty, but the headlight control circuit control module was not covered. I was informed by dealer#2 that the faulty parts could have been caused by the prior water leakage. Both the warranty company and dealer #2 told me that even though headlights and a lighting system was pertinent, there was nothing they could do to fix it at no cost to me. Dealer #2 fixed the map sensor and I picked up the vehicle. Now other problems after map repai. Since the car was waterlogged and it is only logical that any water damage should be covered by someone. I called dealer#1 and explained the situation. At this time, when they pulled up the record of the car, I was informed the water leakage was on a service bulletin I did not go put my car in the lake and I did not ask for this kind of hassle.