Pontiac Grand Am fuel gauge problems

Filed Jun 3, 2023 · Acceleration, Electrical · TN

The gas gauge will show full then without warning quickly drop to “E” and the low fuel indicator will ding and the light will come on then just as quickly as it started it will go back to full or 2/3rds the slow creep back to the full position. (The tank was not full) While driving all the electrical components start going wild, everything goes on and off quickly. The accelerator will rev(while foot is on or off accelerator) and drop over and over (as if there were bad gas in it) then go back to normal. This happens while I’m on the road and is a massive hazard. I’m so afraid this will cause an accident that leads to loss of life.

Filed Jan 27, 2008 · Fuel system · 40,000 miles · CA · 1 injury

My 2003 grand am suffered a failure of it's fuel pump on feb. Of 2005 during a trip to the bay area. I was fueling up at a willits ca. Gas station on a friday afternoon . I filled up my gas tank and then attempted to start the pontiac. It wouldn't start. I was told by the mechanic who looked at my car and who made the subsequent repair that it was due to a manufacture defect. I had just filled up and my tank was at one quarter full prior to this and when I attempted to re-start the vehicle, I could not get the motor to turn-over and start. Fortunately for me the repair shop was right next door to the gas station and so the car was looked at and diagnosed almost immediately by the mechanic. I was subjected to having to wait for the repair since it occurred on a friday and the mechanic did not work on weekends and plus he had to wait for the part to be shipped from a ukiah chevrolet dealership. This put a strain on my travel plans however the mechanic was kind enough to loan me his wife's car for I had to make my trip because I was picking up my son at u.c. Davis and he was coming home to celebrate his birthday with us,his family. I was given the car back with the new fuel pump the following friday. I understand that there is a defect on this pontiac grand am also concerning the fuel gauge. It is not accurate. I seek remedy to the effect of total reimbursement of said repair bill of 850.00 dollars.

Filed Mar 13, 2007 · Fuel system · 80,000 miles · MN

My fuel gauge hasn't worked for years. I have ran out of gas on a few occasions but now know to use my trip meter, so when I hit 200 miles I need to fill up soon. I also notice it just doesn't stick at a 1/4 of a tank it sometimes flips back and forth from full to empty to full back to empty. It just goes bezerk. It is the sensor and by now I thought there would be a recall but I guess that probably won't happen. It should for gm sake. Pontiac were always good vehicles not anymore when they won't back up what they sell.

Filed Apr 21, 2006 · Engine, Fuel system · 61,000 miles · OK

Dt*: the contact stated the vehicle intermittently stalled, without warning, while driving 70-75mph. The vehicle restarted after waiting about five minutes. Also, the fuel gauge showed an inaccurate reading and no more than seven dollars of gasoline can be pumped into the tank before the pump shuts off. The vehicle was seen by the service dealer who was unable to duplicate or diagnose the problem.

Filed Feb 16, 2006 · Electrical · 117,239 miles · WV

Started with warning lights on dash coming on and off intermittently, took to local garage and they put it on the computer but nothing showed up. Husband bought new battery and new alternator. Did not have the problem for three months and than I was coming home from work and one by one the warning lights came on, speedometer, gas gauge, odometer, etc...went to 0 and the car just stops. This happens in the span of approximately 2 minutes. First time this happened I was in the outside lane of a 4 lane highway. Fortunately traffic was light and no one hit me. Car would not start again. Truck driver pulled his truck behind me with flashers until we could get my car across traffic and safely to the shoulder. This happened 9/9/2005. Took my car to local gmc repair shop and they said it was a fuse box that was corroded due to a leak and replaced it. Recommended that I have my car checked for leaks which I did and there was none which at the time I thought was odd but my car seemed to be better. 12/9/2005 same thing happened again only this time when it started I worked my way to the shoulder prior to my car stopping. Took back to same garage, they put it on the computer and could not figure out what was wrong so they called the company for guidance. First they thought it was the ignition switch, replaced this but did not stop the drain on my battery. Than they thought it was the one side of the middle fuse box but after replacing it, discovered that was not it, than they replaced my instrument panel cluster. In the meantime I went on line and discovered that I was not the only one to have this happen and that it appeared to be a defect in the electrical system but gmc is not receptive to acknowledging the problem. I wrote them a letter and they called and said I had to log my complaint with you. I have the first fuse box that was replaced but they did not give me the old parts the second time. I did get the repair sheet with codes and comments.

Filed Feb 5, 2006 · Fuel system · 80,000 miles · WI

I own a 1999 pontiac grand am with 80,000 miles, that I bought new. About a month ago (jan. 2006), the gas gauge failed. The needle dropped to empty (when the car tank was full). Now I don't know how much gas is in my tank, or when it will run out leaving me stranded. I called the dealership and they said it would cost $400 to repair. I called pontiac division about them fixing it, and they said it was not on their recall list! I said I've owned cars for over 45 years and have never had a gas gauge fail! They said I should pay to have it repaired and if they ever decide to recall it, they would give me my money back. Well, I'm a retired disabled veteran and can't afford $400 for a stupid gas gauge...so now I get it filled up every day!

Filed Jan 30, 2006 · Fuel system · NC

The fuel gauge was misreading fuel level. Gauge was showing gas in vehicle when there was none. I ran out of gas 3 or 4 times. I ended up replacing the fuel tank. The dealer explained the cause to me as the direct or indirect result of the ultimate failure of the fuel pump and system. I am disappointed with this and all the other problems I had with this vehicle. Because of my experience with gm I probably would not purchase or recommend to anyone else to purchase a gm product. No one wanted to stand behind his product. Maybe it doesn't matter, but there are a lot of people who ask and follow my advice. I gathered information that a lot of people will follow. It will make a difference as it is remembered and repeated.

Filed Jun 24, 2005 · Fuel system · 76,000 miles · MN

(1)gas gauge doesn't work, shows still have gas at 1/4 to 1/2 tank full and is near empty or I run out. (2)run out of gas. Had to call some one to bring me gas. (it was -10 degrees f) (3) nothing can't afford to get it fixed.

Filed Oct 5, 2004 · Fuel system, Locks · 75,000 miles · MN

Had to have fuel pump replaced, now gas gauge is faulty. (the dealer asked me if I had had problems with it I said no because I hadn't they were suprised they said they have changed alot because they were faulty. A month later mine acted up.)

Filed Sep 3, 2004 · Fuel system · 300 miles · NM

I purchased my vehicle in june of 2000. In august of the same year I was left on the side of the interstate because my gas gauge read 1/2 tank and was actually empty. I was towed into town and luckily my car was under warranty and repaired at no charge. I was told it was the fuel sender. Since then it has happened five more times in the last four years. I'm astonished this problem has not been investigated more thoroughly and a recall engaged. Something should be done about this.