Owner-reported complaints naming the interior system, filed with NHTSA
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Reports naming seats, latches, locks, linkages and interior fittings. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 1999 Pontiac Grand Am submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 28 reports on file name it.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
The 25 most recent of 28, in the owner's own words
SEATS DON'T RECLINE OR STICK. ELECTRIC SHORTAGES OUT AND MAY DEFECT RELAYS AND FUSES. SEAT BELTS STICK AND TWIST AND DON'T WINED BACK UP.
HAD ALL WINDOW MECHANISMS REPLACED AFTER ENDURING A WONDERFUL GARBAGE BAG COVER TREATMENT FOR WINDOW BEAUTY ENHANCEMENT LAST WINTER 2007-08. FOUND MY IGNITION REFUSES TO START W/ 1 KEY. I STARTED NOTICING THE SMELL OF ANTIFREEZE. TOOK TO MY MECHANIC OF 22 YEARS. THOUGHT IT WAS A CRACK IN THE ACTUAL CONTAINER WHICH HOUSES ANTIFREEZE. THIS WAS REPLACED. NOPE. STILL LEAKING. CAR NEVER INDICATED ON PANEL THAT IT WAS ABOVE TEMP & OVERHEATED, STAYED WITHIN THE NORMAL RANGE. THE CAR NEVER ONCE OVERHEATED. MECHANIC COULDN'T FIND THE PROBLEM. SAID IT WAS A FAULTY COMPUTER... INDICATES, TIRES NEED CHECKING, FLASHING LIGHTS, ABS OFF/ON...WHICH BY THE WAY WAS CAUSING ME TO NOT HAVE MY CAR PASS INSPECTION TO ADD INSULT TO INJURY!! FOUND I WAS ALL OF A SUDDEN REPLACING ANTIFREEZE BY THE GALLONS. WAS STILL PAYING OFF MECHANIC FROM PREVIOUS ISSUES. DON'T ASK, WHILE TRYING TO FIGURE OUT THE ANTIFREEZE PROBLEM! BROUGHT CAR IN TO HAVE RADIATOR CHECKED BY FRIENDS MECHANIC, FLUID WAS LITERALLY POURING OUT OF BOTTOM OF CAR. $1600. LATER!! HEAD GASKET SET,WATERPUMP,SERPENTINE BELT, RADIATOR HOSES, THERMOSTAT & GASKETS, CROSSOVERPIPES, AIRFILTER...NOW? 1 1/2 MONTHS LATER? WELL HEY.GUESS WHAT? RIDING MERRILY TO WORK LAST SAT. CAR STALLED ALL THE WAY...& YIPEE ANOTHER VISIT, ANOTHER MERE 900. BAG OF SHELLS CONSISTING OF CRANK SHAFT, BEARINGS. CAN YOU BELIEVE IT? I DON'T HAVE IT!!.....I THOUGHT THIS GUY WAS PUTTING ME ON...I'VE LOST WORK SINCE I'M 45 MIN. AWAY. I'VE SPOKEN TO PONTIAC SEVERAL TIMES. THEY WANT NOTHING TO DO WITH THIS. ACT DUMB- THE AMERICAN WAY...WEIRD, I'VE READ MORE COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS ISSUE, I'M SURPRISED YOU GUYS DON'T DEMAND SOME RESOLUTION FOR CONSUMERS. WHAT GIVES? IT'S SO INCREDIBLY OBVIOUS THIS IS A REAL SOLID COMPLAINT ABOUT ENGINE DEFECT WITH ALL THE EVIDENCE TO BACK IT UP!! I THINK IT WAS MINNISOTA OR MISSOURI THAT CONSUMERS ACTUALLY WON A CLASS ACTION SUIT AGAINST PONTIAC FOR THESE SPECIFIC COMPLAINTS. NAMELY HEAD GASKET, ENGINE RELATED ISSUES.. *TR
DT: THE PROBLEM BEGAN ON 6/14/05 WHEN ALL LIGHTS CAME ON AND ALL GUAGES WENT TO ZERO, THE POWER DOOR LOCKS AND WINDOWS FAILED AS WELL. THE VEHICLE HAD NO BRAKES, IT COASTED TO A STOP, AND SHUT DOWN, OWNER WAS LOCKED IN VEHICLE. THE ALTERNATOR AND BELT WERE REPLACED, OWNER GOT IN BACK SEAT BECAUSE AIR BAG LIGHT CAME ON. TOW TRUCK DRIVER TRIED TO RESTART THE VEHICLE BUT IT HAD A COMPLETELY DEAD BATTERY. OWNER WAS ABLE TO GET OUT FINALLY WHEN THEY WERE TRYING TO RESTART THE BATTERY. SHE GRABBED THE HANDLE AND WAS ABLE TO GET OUT. VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN IMPOUND LOT, AND THE ALTERNATOR WAS CHANGED AT TOW PLACE BY A MECHANIC. IT WAS 90 + DEGREES OUTSIDE AND NO FRESH AIR WAS COMING IN THE VEHICLE. *AK
BOUGHT A 1999 GRANDAM HAVE ALL THESE PROBLEMS AS OF 2001.POWER SEAT WONT WORK AT ALL,FOUND WATER IN TAIL LIGHT ASSEMBLY REPLACED VARIOUS BULBS,AND SEALED UNIT,HAZARD FLASHING WARNING LIGHT SWITCH WORKS SOMETIMES,POWER WINDOW ON DRIVER SIDE DIDNT WORK ,THEN SUDDENLY IT STARTED WORKING AND LEFT REAR WON'T WORK NOW,ALSO ABS AND TRAC LIGHTS STAY ON .SOMETIMES ABS KICKS IN WHEN I COME TO A STOP.THIS CAR HAS BEEN A LEMON SINCE I BOUGHT IT.CAN'T GET THESE PROBLEMS FIXED OUT OF WARRENTY.AND DO NOT HAVE MONET TO FIX.SHOULDN'T HAVE TO IF THE CAR WAS DESIGN RIGHT.*AK
THE SEAT DID NOT LOCK WHEN HITTING THE BRAKES, THE SEAT WOULD SLIDE BACKWARDS. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED. *AK THE SPRING OF THE RIGHT REAR SEAT BROKE AND WERE STICKING THROUGH THE SEAT. THE MOTOR ON THE DRIVERS SEAT ALSO FAILED. *SCC *NLM
FIRE IN STEERING COLUMN - LIGHTS NOW STUCK ON BRIGHT - OTHERWISE I HAVE NO LIGHTS. *AK
THE PASSENGER SIDE DOOR HANDLE, THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE DOOR HANDLE AND THE REAR DRIVERS SIDE DOOR HANDLE ALL LOCK UP - THIS IS A SAFETY HAZARD (NO CHILD LOCKS ARE NOT IN USE) AND YOU CANNOT ENTER THE VEHICLE AT ALL. A MECHANIC HAS THOROUGHLY CHECKED THE VEHICLE - THEY ALL NEED TO BE REPLACED! I ALSO HAVE BROWN SPOTS COMING THROUGH THE PAINT JOB - IT IS A WHITE VEHICLE. *AK
HAVE REPLACED THE ENTIRE INTAKE MANIFOLD ON THIS CAR THREE TIMES. 1999 GRAND AM, PURCHASED NEW, HAS LESS THAN 60,000 MILES ON IT. IN ADDITION, HAVE REPLACED POWER STEERING TWICE AND BRAKES NUMEROUS TIMES. REPLACED ALTERNATOR, SERPENTINE BELT, BATTERY, STARTER ON IGNITION, MOLDING DUE TO LEAKS, WIRING ON DASH, AIR CONDITIONING RESISTORS/CIRCUITS, AND HEADLIGHTS/TAILLIGHTS.*AK
'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.
WHEN THE BRAKE WAS APPLIED, THE PASSENGER SEAT LURCHED FOWARD.*JB
THE DIRECTIONALS WILL TURN OFF AND NOT WORK AT ALL, UNLESS I TURN OFF THE CAR AND START IT AGAIN.
WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH CONSUMER NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM HEATER VENT AT LEFT SIDE OF DASH. ENGINE WAS SHUT OFF, AND FIRE PUT OUT. DAMAGE WAS $7000.00, NO INJURIES. *AK CONSUMER WAS INFORMED BY DEALER THAT IT COULD HAVE BEEN A FUSE OR FAULTY WIRING WHICH IGNITED A FIRE IN THE VEHICLE. *JG
ONE MONTH AFTER A PURCHASED THE CAR, IT HAD TO BE TAKEN BACK TWICE FOR PASSENGER SEAT-DETERMINED IT WAS NOT BOLTED CORRECTLY-AT TWO YEARS, MOTOR HAD TO BE REPLACED-AT 3 YEARS THE RADIATOR HAD TO BE FIXED AND MORE METAL WAS FOUND IN THE OIL FILTER-THE ALTERNATOR WENT AT JUST OVER THREE YEARS-BRAKES HAD TO BE REPLACED EVERY YEAR-CRUISE CONTROL WORKS "RANDOMLY" SINCE THE BEGINNING (REPORTED TO DELAER; SUPPOSEDLY NO ERRORS WERE FOUND), CAR HESITATES AND "SPITS & SPUTTERS" WHEN IDLING, ETC. ETC. ONE BIG LEMON!
DRIVER'S SEAT OR PASSENGER'S SEAT BROKE FROM SEAT TRACK . SEAT CANNOT BE ADJUSTED TO DIFFERENT POSITIONS. DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS.*AK
A FUSE KEEPS BLOWING, CAUSING VEHICLE'S DASH AND TAIL LIGHTS TO GO OUT. ENGINE CHECK LIGHT COMES ON. TAKEN TO DEALER ON 21 DEC 2000. DEALER REPLACED PARKING RELAY, LEFT TAIL LIGHT. CIRCUIT BOARD WAS MELTED , AND REPLACED IT. ON 27 DEC 2000, DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHTS AND DASHLIGHTS WERE NOT WORKING. DEALER REPLACED 15 AMP PARK FUSE THAT HAD BLOWN AND CHECKED GROUND WIRE. ON 2 JAN 2001, DASH LIGHTS AND BRAKE LIGHTS WERE NOT WORKING. DEALER REPLACED 15 AMP FUSE AND GROUND WIRING. *AK
PASSENGER'SSEAT, MANUAL SEAT, WILL NO LONGER STAY IN POSITION, SLIDES BACK AND FORTH, EVEN WITH NO PASSENGER IN SEAT. NOT TAKEN TO DEALER YET.*AK
STEERING WHEEL MADE NOISE AND DRIVER'S SIDE AIRBAG DROPPED OUT AND FELL IN LAPS. VEHICLE PULLED TO LIGHT, AND DASHLIGHT FLASHED ON AND OFF. ALSO HORN WAS INOPERABLE. *AK CONSUMER STATES THERE IS A NOISE IN BRAKE PEDAL, ALSO ABS LIGHT ILLUMINATED. AIR CONDITIONER AND HEATER INOPERABLE. DUE TO SQUEAKY STEERING, DEALER REPLACED STEERING RACK WHICH WAS LOOSE AND SET TOE. RADIO INOPERABLE. *SLC
COMPLAINED REPEATEDLY ABOUT THIS TO DEALER. ADNMITTED DESIGN FLAW. NO SAFETY DEFECT MENTIONED IN SUMMARY. *AK
SUPPORT BAR IN SEAT BACK SUDDENLY SNAPPED & POKING THROUGH FABRIC. *AK
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOV EVEHICLE. *AK
UPON STARTING FROM A RED LIGHT CAR HESITATES, AND GAUGES GO HAY WIRE (FLUCTUATE). CONSUMER FEARS VEHICLE MAY STALL ON TURNPIKE AND CAUSE AN ACCIDENT.*AK
UPON STOPPING, OCCASIONALLY ON RESTART CAR HESITATES AND THE DASH GAUGES GO HAYWIRE. THIS HAPPENS ABOUT EVERY 3,000 MILES, HOWEVER SUPPOSEDLY FIXED AT 32,000 MILES, REOCCURED AT 39,200 MILES. DEALERSHIP REFUSED SERVICE EVEN WITHIN WARRANTY PERIOD. *AK
CONSUMER STATES THAT DEALER REFUSED TO CORRECT RECALL CONCERNING SEAT LATCH. *AK
PASSENGER'S SIDE SEAT CUSHION WAS COMING UP FROM THE SEAT ITSELF. THIS WAS THE SECOND SEAT CUSHION TO BE REPLACED. CONSUMER HAS CONTACTED DEALER. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS. *AK
WHEN RAINING WATER WOULD LEAK THROUGH THE DASHBOARD PANEL TO THE FUSE BOX. *AK
Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.
Categories with enough reports to have a page of their own
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