2001 Pontiac Trans Am Problems
Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component
Data refreshed
What this page shows
Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 2001 Pontiac Trans Am, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Reports by component
Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category
- Engine220.0%
- Brakes220.0%
- Body & structure220.0%
- Visibility110.0%
- Interior & seats110.0%
- Transmission110.0%
- Electrical110.0%
Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.
Each component in detail
What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words
Engine
Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.
From owner reports, verbatim
MY CAR IS USING APPROXIMATELY 1 TO 1.25 QUARTS OF OIL EVERY 3000 MILES WITH ONLY 30,000 MILES ON THE CAR. THE DEALER CLAIMS THIS IS WITHIN "ACCEPTABLE" TOLERANCES. I DISAGREE.
WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN THE GARAGE IT CAUGHT ON FIRE, THE FIRE DEPARTMENT STATED THE FIRE ORIGINATED IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE NEAR THE BREAKER BOXES AND FUEL INJECTORS, THE VEHICLE WAS DEYSTROYED.*JB
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Brakes
Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.
From owner reports, verbatim
BRAKING SYSTEM FAILED WHILE ATTEMPTING TO STOP AT 40-45 MPH. WHILE BRAKING, THE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR AND WARNING LIGHTS WERE NOTICED. THIS FAILURE LED TO A 2 VEHICLE ACCIDENT WHERE 1 PERSON WAS POSSIBLY INJURED. THE EMERGENCY BRAKE WAS NEEDED TO SLOW THE CAR, THOUGH THE SPIN OUT AS A RESULT OF THE ACCIDENT ULTIMATELY STOPPED THE VEHICLE. AFTER THE INCIDENT, THE ABS WAS INOPERABLE TCS OFF??, AND THE BRAKE WARNINGS WERE LIT AND REMAINED LIT. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE AT THIS POINT IS UNKNOWN AND A DETERMINATION SHOULD BE MADE LATER IN THE WEEK. *JB
WHILE DRIVING ABS BRAKE SYSTEM GOES OUT , CAUSING VEHICLE TO HAVE NO BRAKES. DEALER CONTACTED. CANNOT LOCATE CAUSE. *AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Body & structure
Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim.
From owner reports, verbatim
MY DOOR IS FALLING OFF FROM THE FRAME OF THE CAR. NO ACCIDENTS TO THE CAR. THE WINDOW HAS HAD NUMEROUS PROBLEMS. THE GM BODY SHOP SAID THEY JUST HAD THIS SAME PROBLEM LAST WEEK WITH ANOTHER FIREBIRD. GM HAS OFFERED TO PAY 15% OF THE $982.00. I HAVE FOUND OUT THAT THE DOORS ARE GLUED ON ALL FIREBIRDS. I FEEL THIS IS A MAJOR DEFECT FROM THE MANUFACTURER. THE PROBLEM HAS NOT BEEN FIXED. *NM
CONSUMER STATES DURING THE MONTH OF AUGUST WAS RAINING A LOT IN TX. TRUNK GOT WATER INSIDE LIKE A SWIMMING POOL. CAUSING DAMAGE TO BACK SEAT AND FLOOR. DEALER AND MANUFACTURER DIDN'T HELP. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. TS
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Visibility
Reports naming windshields, glass, wipers, defrosters and mirrors.
From owner reports, verbatim
RIVETS TEARING THROUGH DOOR PANEL THAT HOLDS THE WINDOW REGULATOR.*AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Interior & seats
Reports naming seats, latches, locks, linkages and interior fittings.
From owner reports, verbatim
PONTIAC, MONTANA 2001, IT SEEMS LIKE THE SLIDING DOOR BEHIND THE DRIVER'S DOOR, IS NOT WELL SEALED WHEN IT CLOSES, YOU CAN FEEL AIR OMING THRU THE HOLE, I'VE NEVER BEEN IN A ACCIDENT PLUS I AM VER CAREFUL WHEN IT COMES TO DEALING WITH THAT DOOR, THERE HAS NEVER BEEN A TIME WHEN SOMEONE OPENED THE DOOR ABRUPTLY
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Transmission
Reports naming the automatic or manual transmission, including shifting behaviour, shudder, slipping and transmission control modules.
From owner reports, verbatim
WHILE DRIVING TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM BECAME INOPERATIVE, CAUSING VEHICLE TO SPIN OUT OF CONTROL ON ROUGH OR WET ROADS.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Electrical
Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.
From owner reports, verbatim
WARRANTY DENIED BY DEALERSHIP/MFG BASED ON SPECULATION THAT I "RACED" VEHICLE AND THAT BOLT ON ALTERATIONS CAUSED MORE HORSEPOWER THAN ENGINE CAN HANDLE.*AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
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.
Elsewhere on this vehicle
Data sources
- NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation — owner-reported complaints and the components recorded on them
Data on this page last refreshed .