Tl* the contact owns a 2002 pontiac grand am. The contact stated that when she turned the key in the ignition, the engine failed to start the vehicle was previously repaired per an unknown ignition switch recall. It took over ten minutes for the vehicle to start. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 109,848. Updated 05/17/17*lj the consumer stated the manufacturer was notified of the failure and did not offer any assistance. The consumer requested to have all the electrical components replaced. Updated 09/20/2017
Pontiac Grand Am engine failure problems
60 of the 5,457 owner complaints about the Pontiac Grand Am describe engine failure, most of them for the 1996 model year.
- owner complaints
- 60
- worst model year
- 1996
- typical repair cost reported
- $3,000
- typical mileage
- 96,997
By model year
Often reported together
Overheating 8Stalling 7Check engine light 5Steering lock-up 4Knocking 4Brake failure 4Won't start 3Fire or smoke 3
What owners say
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 pontiac grand am. While driving at 35 MPH, the vehicle stalled and the rear wheels seized. As a result, the contact lost control of the vehicle and the rear driver side crashed into a curb, deflating the tire. The air bags failed to deploy. The ABS and the check engine warning lights illuminated. The contact did not sustain any injures that required medical attention. A police report was not filed. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The VIN was included in the federal safety agency campaign number: 14v400000 (electrical system). The failure mileage was 25,000.
Hi I've bought a car from car hop the first time it broke n 3 months after I bought it and car hop had it towed to one of there shops and I was told they put a new engine in it 6 months ago car broke down again they wouldn't get it fix so I stopped make n payment on car for 3 months and they call me and asked me if I'd like to start there fresh start program were I'd have a warranty n I'd just have to keep up with my payment but they will fix the car so they put n another engine 4 months after new engine car broke down again now they are telling me I have no warranty and that I will have to pay 700 dollars on top of my 340 payments to get cardiac is there anything I can do I'm a single mom of two kids and this is stressful I've give in car hop 5,000 n payments and they are not being far.
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 pontiac grand am. The contact stated while driving over a bump at approximately 25 MPH, the steering wheel seized and the brakes failed. As a result, the contact side swiped another vehicle on the passenger side and crashed into a concrete ridge before coming to a stop. Also, the contact added that due to the failure one of the tires blew. The contact did not sustain any injuries and a police report was filed. The vehicle had not been taken to the dealer. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The VIN was included in the federal safety agency campaign number: 14v400000 (electrical system). The approximate failure mileage was unavailable.
Tl* the contact owns a 1999 pontiac grand am. The contact stated that while driving approximately 35 MPH, the steering wheel seized. The contact crashed and the vehicle became lodged in between two trees, in the front yard of a neighboring home. The vehicle was destroyed. There were no injuries. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was unknown.
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 pontiac grand am. The contact stated while driving approximately 10 MPH, the engine stalled and the steering and brakes seized. As a result, the check engine light illuminated and the vehicle crashed into a pole. No police report was filed. The failure recurred twice. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was unknown.
Tl* the contact owns a 2000 pontiac grand am. The contact stated that while driving at a low speeds during inclement weather, the steering wheel seized and the brakes failed causing the contact to crash. The contact sustained injuries that required medical attention. It was unknown if there was a police report filed. The contact mentioned that the vehicle experience the failure directly related to recall the federal safety agency campaign number: 14v400000 (electrical system). The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where the vehicle was deemed destroyed. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 pontiac grand am. The contact stated that while driving at 40 MPH, the steering wheel seized and the brake pedal was depressed but the brakes failed to respond causing the vehicle to crash into a garage. A police report was filed. The contact sustained a back pain and lacerations to the arm, chest and face area which required medical attention. The vehicle was destroyed. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 100,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 pontiac grand am. The contact stated that the ignition switch seized. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic who stated that the ignition switch failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired and the manufacturer was not notified. The approximate failure mileage was 120,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 pontiac grand am. When the contact inserted the key into the ignition, the engine failed to start on numerous occasions. The security sensor randomly illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic. The technician diagnosed that there was ignition failure that triggered the security sensor. The mechanic referred the contact to an authorized dealer for further inspection and diagnostic testing. The vehicle was included in the federal safety agency campaign number: 14v400000 (electrical system). The vehicle was not repaired and the manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unavailable.
Related recalls
No recalls on record for this model year.
Questions about the Pontiac Grand Am engine failure
Which Pontiac Grand Am years have engine failure problems?
The model years with the most reports are 1996 (10 complaints), 1999 (8 complaints) and 2002 (8 complaints).
How much does it cost to fix engine failure on the Pontiac Grand Am?
Owners who mentioned a price put the repair at about $3,000 (median of 10 complaints that include a dollar amount). Costs vary with mileage, warranty and where the work is done.
VIN decoder
See the problems and recalls for an exact car
Buying a used Pontiac Grand Am?
Check the exact car before you pay: accidents, salvage or flood titles, odometer readings and previous owners.
Check its history