RoadVitals

2001 Pontiac Grand Am Exterior lighting Problems

Owner-reported complaints naming the exterior lighting system, filed with NHTSA

Data refreshed

Exterior lighting reportsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
97
Latest Feb 1, 2021
Share of all reportsThis category as a share of every owner report on file for this model year. One report can name more than one component, so the categories overlap.
18%
of 538 total
Crash or fire reportedReports in this category whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. The reporter's own answer on the NHTSA form, not a verified finding.
1
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
0

What this page shows

Reports naming headlights, tail lights, turn signals and other exterior lighting. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 2001 Pontiac Grand Am submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 97 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.

Owner reports naming exterior lighting

The 25 most recent of 97, in the owner's own words

Exterior lighting
Filed Feb 1, 2021

DIRECTIONAL TURNING LEFT/RIGHT LIGHTS SOMETIMES DON'T WORK

NHTSA ID
11391093
Incident
Feb 1, 2021
Mileage
1,500 mi
ElectricalExterior lighting
Filed Oct 10, 2018

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 PONTIAC GRAND AM. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY AND WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE TURN SIGNALS FAILED TO OPERATE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE OCCURRED INTERMITTENTLY OVER THE COURSE OF THREE MONTHS. ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS, THE CONTACT ENGAGED THE HAZARD LIGHTS TO TEMPORARILY CORRECT THE FAILURE. A DEALER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND REFERRED THE CONTACT TO NHTSA. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT WAS PROVIDED WITH SERVICE REQUEST NUMBER: 8-470-818-4180. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 220,000.

NHTSA ID
11139399
Incident
Jul 10, 2018
Mileage
220,000 mi
ElectricalExterior lighting
Filed Aug 13, 2018

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 PONTIAC GRAND AM. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN THE LEFT TURNING LANE, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE TURN SIGNALS DID NOT WORK. THE TURN SIGNALS SEEMED TO OPERATE AFTER THE TURN SIGNAL SWITCH WAS MANEUVERED SEVERAL TIMES. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTIFICATION FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V400000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE CONTACT CALLED ETTLESON BUICK GMC AT (708) 215-7213 (LOCATED AT 6201 S LA GRANGE ROAD, HODGKINS, IL 60525), BUT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE FOR THE REPAIR. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS INFORMED OF THE FAILURE AND PROVIDED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 123,000. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT. *TT *JS

NHTSA ID
11119732
Incident
Jul 26, 2018
Mileage
123,000 mi
ElectricalExterior lighting
Filed Apr 6, 2017

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 PONTIAC GRAND AM. WHILE DRIVING, THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE TURN SIGNALS FAILED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

NHTSA ID
10970996
Incident
Apr 6, 2017
Exterior lighting
Filed Apr 5, 2017

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 PONTIAC GRAND AM. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO ACTIVATE THE TURN SIGNALS, BUT THEY FAILED TO ILLUMINATE. THE FAILURE RECURRED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER, BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE AND REFUSED TO ASSIST. THE VEHICLE HAD PREVIOUSLY BEEN SERVICED PER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 03V327000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING). THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000.

NHTSA ID
10970717
Incident
Oct 15, 2015
Mileage
120,000 mi
ElectricalExterior lighting
Filed Jan 24, 2017

WE ARE HAVING ISSUES WHEN WE USE OUR TURN SIGNALS. MOST OF THE TIME OUR SIGNALS DON'T WON'T WORK UNLESS WE WIGGLE (WITH FORCE) OUR HAZARD LIGHT BUTTON. THEN WE HEAR BUZZING AND CRACKLING THAT IS MOSTLY CONTINUOUS IN OUR HAZARD BUTTON. THIS HAPPENS WHEN WE ARE DRIVING OR SITTING STILL. IT DOES STOP CLICKING WHEN WE SHUT THE CAR OFF, BUT DOES OFTEN CONTINUE WHEN WE START OUR CAR BACK OFF. THE CRACKLING/BUZZING NOISE HAS WENT ON FOR AS LONG AS 15 MINUTES . I'M SURE IT WOULD HAVE GONE ON FOR LONGER, BUT WE WIGGLED THE HAZARD BUTTON AND PLACES A FOLDED PIECE OF PAPER TO LODGE IT QUIET. WE HAVE AN EXTREMELY HARD TIME USING OUR TURN SIGNALS AT TIMES, THEY JUST QUIT WORKING UNLESS WE WIGGLE OUR HAZARD LIGHT BUTTON.. ALL OF THIS HAPPENS WITH NORMAL DAY TO DAY DRIVING. *TR

NHTSA ID
10947301
Incident
Jan 24, 2017
ElectricalExterior lighting
Filed Aug 11, 2016

TAKATA. EVERYTHING HAS GONE WRONG WITH THIS CAR. PLEASE ME CALL ME. [XXX], BROUGHT THE CAR NEW. GAVE TO MY DAUGHTER HER NAME IS [XXX] , HER PHONE NUMBER IS, [XXX]. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

NHTSA ID
10895032
Incident
Apr 5, 2014
Exterior lighting
Filed Nov 20, 2014

MY CAR WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE NHTSA ACTION NUMBER: EA02037 FOR THE SAME ISSUE. MY CAR WAS MANUFACTURED 1 DAY AFTER THE DEADLINE OF 5/1/2001. THE TURN SIGNALS WORK INTERMITTENTLY. WE ARE ABLE TO GET THEM TO FUNCTION BY PUTTING THE SIGNAL INTO THE "ON" POSITION AND PRESSING THE HAZARD LIGHT BUTTON ON AND OFF AND THE TURN SIGNAL WILL STAY ON UNTIL SWITCHED OFF. I CONTACTED THE DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER AND BOTH CONFIRMED I WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. I FOUND OUT THIS WAS HAPPENING PRIOR TO MY PURCHASE OF THE VEHICLE AFTER PURCHASE. I DO NOT FEEL GM COMPLIED FULLY WITH RECALLING VEHICLES AND STILL PUT IN FAULTY SWITCHES AFTER THE DATE AS I AM NOT THE ONLY ONE THAT HAS THE PROBLEM AND WASN'T INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. *TR

NHTSA ID
10659765
Incident
Sep 1, 2014
Mileage
140,000 mi
ElectricalExterior lighting
Filed Aug 2, 2013

TURN SIGNALS WORK SOMETIMES AND STOP WORKING SOMETIMES,THE FUSES AND BULBS WERE CHECKED,THEY WERE OK. *TR

NHTSA ID
10533204
Incident
Jul 21, 2013
Mileage
165,000 mi
Exterior lighting
Filed Aug 23, 2012

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 PONTIAC GRAND AM. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HAZARD LIGHTS AND THE TURN SIGNALS MALFUNCTIONED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE WHO DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 03V327000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HAZARD FLASHING WARNING LIGHTS:SWITCH). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 120,000.

NHTSA ID
10472042
Incident
Aug 4, 2010
Mileage
90,000 mi
Exterior lighting
Filed May 22, 2012

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 PONTIAC GRAND AM. THE CONTACT WAS TRAVELING 10 MPH AND DISCOVERED THAT BOTH TURN SIGNAL LIGHTS FAILED TO ILLUMINATE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED BUT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 95,328.

NHTSA ID
10459252
Incident
May 21, 2012
Mileage
95,328 mi
EngineExterior lighting
Filed Apr 9, 2012

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 PONTIAC GRAND AM. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, HE NOTICED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS RUNNING LOW ON COOLANT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE HEAD GASKET WAS LEAKING. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE TURN SIGNALS ONLY ILLUMINATED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO HAVE THE FAILURE DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000.

NHTSA ID
10454487
Incident
Jan 1, 2011
Mileage
100,000 mi
Exterior lighting
Filed Feb 8, 2012

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 PONTIAC GRAND AM. THE VEHICLE WAS AT THE DEALER FOR ROUTINE MAINTENANCE WHEN THE TECHNICIAN ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE TURN SIGNALS FAILED INTERMITTENTLY. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THE FAILURE COULD POSSIBLY HAVE BEEN RELATED TO THE RECALL UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 03V327000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HAZARD FLASHING WARNING LIGHTS:SWITCH).THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN THE TURNS SIGNAL WAS ACTIVATED AND WOULD NOT FUNCTION, SHE WOULD THEN ACTIVATE THE HAZARD LIGHTS AND THE TURN SIGNAL WOULD OPERATE NORMALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000.

NHTSA ID
10447102
Incident
May 1, 2011
Mileage
100,000 mi
ElectricalEngineExterior lighting
Filed Apr 17, 2009

RECALL NUMBER: 03V327000 DATES MANUFACTURED: MAR 2000 TO MAY 2001 NUMBER OF VEHICLES AFFECTED: 670740 DATE OWNERS NOTIFIED ON: FEB 2004 CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES HAVE HAZARD WARNING SWITCHES THAT MAY EXPERIENCE SOLDER JOINT CRACKING CAUSED BY RAPID TEMPERATURE TRANSITIONS AND THE SOLDERING PROCESS. IF SOLDER JOINT CRACKING OCCURS AND RESULTS IN AN OPEN CIRCUIT, THE TURN SIGNALS/HAZARD LAMPS BECOME INTERMITTENT OR INOPERATIVE. I TRIED CALLING PONTIAC TODAY AND THEY REFUSED TO INSPECT MY CAR FREE OF CHARGE. THE ALSO TELL ME THAT THIS IS NOT A VALID RECALL NUMBER. I HAVE SEVAL ISSUES WITH MY CAR. I HAVE PAID SEVERAL THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS ON THIS CAR. *TR

NHTSA ID
10265880
Incident
Apr 17, 2009
Mileage
150,000 mi
Exterior lighting
Filed Mar 4, 2009

TURN SIGNAL WORK ON AND OFF INTERMITTENT FAILURE TO WORK. *TR

NHTSA ID
10260670
Incident
Feb 25, 2009
Mileage
97,795 mi
ElectricalExterior lighting
Filed Feb 17, 2009

I HAVE A 2001 GRAND AM AND I KEEP HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM WITH THE SECURITY PASS LOCK SYSTEM. I FIRST HAD THIS PROBLEM IN 2004 AND PAID 400.00 TO FIX IT. WELL IT STARTED AGAIN JUNE 07. I DON'T HAVE THE FUNDS TO FIX IT AGAIN SO I KEEP RESETTING IT.I ALSO NEVER RECEIVED THE INFO ON THE TURN SIGNALS AND HAZARD LIGHTS AND NOW MINE IS MESSING UP. THEY NEED TO RECALL THIS SYSTEM. *TR

NHTSA ID
10259111
Incident
Jun 10, 2007
Mileage
113,000 mi
Exterior lighting
Filed Sep 22, 2008

I AM HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM WITH MY SIGNAL/HAZARD PROBLEM AS THE RECALL OF THE 2001 GRAND AM BUT MY VIN NUMBER IS OUTSIDE THE RANGE SO THUS IT IS NOT COVERED IN THE RECALL. *TR

NHTSA ID
10243062
Incident
Aug 25, 2008
Mileage
128,000 mi
Exterior lighting
Filed Jul 30, 2008

GM RECALL #03043 NHTSA ACTION#03V327000 HAZARD WARNING SWITCH OVERHEATS LEADING TO SOLDER JOINT CRACKING WHICH IN TURN LEADS TO AN OPEN CIRCUIT THAT CAUSES INTERMITTENT/INOPERATIVE USE OF HAZARD LIGHTS/TURN SIGNALS THEY HAVE REFUSED MY RECALL BECAUSE THEY SAY THE CAR WAS BUILT 10 DAYS AFTER THE CUTOFF OF 670,740 UNITS THAT WERE AFFECTED. *TR

NHTSA ID
10236438
Incident
Jul 20, 2008
Mileage
106,500 mi
ElectricalFuel systemExterior lighting
Filed Jul 16, 2008

I NEVER RECEIVED THE RECALL ON THE EXTERIOR FLASHERS. HAD TO HAVE INTERIOR AND EXTERIOR FLASHERS CHANGED AT MY EXPENSE. ALSO HAVE HAD ROTORS AND BRAKES CHANGED 6 TIMES IN LAST 1 1/2 YRS. WAS TOLD ITS A PROBLEM BUT NOT ON RECALL LIST. *TR

NHTSA ID
10234591
Incident
Jul 13, 2008
ElectricalExterior lighting
Filed Jul 4, 2008

MULTIFUNCTION SWITCH WENT BAD. IT IS A KNOWN PROBLEM FROM GM. HOWEVER, THERE WAS NEVER A RECALL ON THIS SWITCH BECAUSE GM DOESN'T WANT TO PAY THE COSTS. IT COULD CAUSE PROBLEMS WITH TURN SIGNAL BLINKERS POSING A SAFETY HAZARD TO THE DRIVER AND OTHER MOTORISTS. I HAD TO TAKE MY VEHICLE TO THE GARAGE AND PARTS WERE REPLACED FOR $316.40. *TR

NHTSA ID
10233204
Incident
May 9, 2008
Mileage
52,217 mi
Exterior lighting
Filed May 14, 2008

RELATED TO RECALL #03V327000 HAD MY HAZARD SWITCH REPLACED VIA RECALL. NEW SWITCH IS SAME AS OLD SWITCH AND IS DEFECTIVE. PONTIAC WON'T REPLACE. PURCHASE NEW SWITCH YESTERDAY AND IS ALSO DEFECTIVE. REPLACEMENT SWITCHES ARE ALSO DEFECTIVE. RECALL DOES NOT REMEDY PROBLEM. *TR

NHTSA ID
10227718
Incident
May 13, 2008
Mileage
81,500 mi
Exterior lightingVisibility
Filed May 4, 2008

MY HUSBAND BOUGHT ME A 2001 GRAND AM GT IN OCTOBER 05' @ 80,000 MILES. I HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE FRONT DRIVER AND PASSENGER WINDOWS IN A YEAR. THE DRIVER SIDE WINDOW REGULATOR POPPED AND BLEW OUT THEN ABOUT 2WKS LATER THE PASSENGER SIDE WINDOW WENT OUT!! MY IGNITION SWITCH DOESN'T WORK, I CAN TAKE MY KEYS OUT OF THE IGNITION WHILE THE CAR IS STILL ON. MY SIGNAL LIGHTS WENT OUT I REPLACED THEM. MY DRIVER SIDE SEAT DOES NOT MANEUVER @ ALL. MY FOG LIGHT IN THE FRONT ON THE LEFT SIDE HAS CAME OFF COMPLETELY WHILE THE CAR WAS STILL PARKED. I HAVE NOTICED OTHER GRAND AMS @ DRIVE THROUGH RESTAURANTS WHO'S WINDOWS DON'T WORK AND YOU HAVE TO GET YOU'RE FOOD THROUGH THE DOOR!! THIS IS COMPLETELY UNACCEPTABLE AND SHOULD BE FIXED FREE OF CHARGE TO ALL OWNERS ASAP!! ITS A SHAME WE PAY SO MUCH FOR SO LITTLE!! *TR

NHTSA ID
10226611
Incident
Nov 1, 2006
Mileage
90,000 mi
Exterior lightingOther / unspecified
Filed Jan 22, 2008

I HAVE A 2001 GRAND-AM. THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE HAZARD LIGHT SWITCH #NHTSA RECALL CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 03V327000 COMPONENT: EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HAZARD FLASHING WARNING LIGHTS:SWITCH DETAILS: CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES HAVE HAZARD WARNING SWITCHES THAT MAY EXPERIENCE SOLDER JOINT CRACKING CAUSED BY RAPID TEMPERATURE TRANSITIONS AND THE SOLDERING PROCESS. IF SOLDER JOINT CRACKING OCCURS AND RESULTS IN AN OPEN CIRCUIT, THE TURN SIGNALS/HAZARD LAMPS BECOME INTERMITTENT OR INOPERATIVE. CONSEQUENCE: WHEN THE TURN SIGNALS ARE INOPERATIVE, THE DRIVER CANNOT USE THEM TO SIGNAL INTENT TO TURN THAT COULD RESULT IN A CRASH. CORRECTIVE ACTION: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE HAZARD WARNING SWITCH. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON FEBRUARY 5, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438, PONTIAC AT 1-800-620-7668, OR OLDSMOBILE AT 1-800-630-6537. UNITS POTENTIALLY AFFECTED: 670740 RECALL INITIATED BY: ODI DATE ADDED TO NHTSA DATABASE: 09/04/2003 I HAVE CALLED PONTIAC BECAUSE I AM HAVING THE EXACT PROBLEM BUT THEY SAY MY VIN PUTS MY CAR OUT OF THE ALMOST 700,000 CARS EFFECTED. WHAT CAN I DO? *TR

NHTSA ID
10215634
Incident
Jan 16, 2008
Mileage
56,000 mi
Body & structureElectricalFuel system+2 more
Filed Oct 9, 2007

TL*CONTACT OWNS A 2001 PONTIAC GRAND AM. SHE NOTICED THAT THERE WAS A LEAK UNDER HER VEHICLE FOR A FEW YEARS. ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO FIND THE CAUSE OF THE LEAK. THE DEALER LATER STATED THAT THE LEAK WAS COMING FROM THE GAS TANK LINE AND IT WAS A FUEL LEAK. THEY ALSO TOLD HER THAT THERE WAS A RELATED RECALL; HOWEVER, HER VIN WAS NOT RELATED. THE CONTACT IS AWARE OF THE SAFETY RISK INVOLVED AND REQUEST THAT HER VIN IS A PART OF THE EXISTING NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 07E021000. THE DEALER INFORMATION IS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 98,000. THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE IS STILL LOCATED AT THE REPAIR SHOP AWAITING WORD FROM THE CORP OFFICE. THE DEALER STATED REPLACED HAZARD LIGHTS SWITCH, SPEAKER RADIO REAR DOOR, MOLDING WINDSHIELD SIDE PILLAR, EXTERIOR BULBS, AND WIPER BLADE. UPDATED 10/31/07 *TR

NHTSA ID
10205286
Incident
Aug 1, 2005
Mileage
70,000 mi
Exterior lighting
Filed Sep 28, 2007

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 PONTIAC GRAND AM. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TURNING SIGNAL LIGHT WOULD BECOME STUCK EACH TIME IT WAS ACTIVATED. SHE STATED THAT THE SWITCH BEGAN SMOKING. THE DEALER PREVIOUSLY REPAIRED THE TURN SIGNAL, HOWEVER, THE FAILURE STILL OCCURRED. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED, BUT NO REPAIRS WERE MADE. THE POWERTRAIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 56,146 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 56,140.

NHTSA ID
10204348
Incident
Sep 24, 2007
Mileage
56,140 mi

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.

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Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .