Pontiac Grand AM Reliability by YearBest & worst years, problems & recalls — NHTSA data
Comparing used Pontiac Grand AM options? We analyzed 6 model years (2000–2005) using real NHTSA complaint and recall data so you can spot stronger years, avoid riskier ones, and know what to inspect before buying.
Free VIN check
Found a Pontiac Grand AM? Check that exact car.
Model-year trends show patterns — they can't tell you whether this car was crashed, flooded, or rolled back. A VIN check can.
- Accident & damage history
- Odometer rollback records
- Open recalls & title brands
Based on NHTSA complaint data, the Pontiac Grand AM has 2,391 owner complaints and 32 safety recalls across model years 2000–2005. The most reported issue area is ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. 2001 drew the most complaints; 2005 drew the fewest.
- Make
- Pontiac
- Model
- Grand AM
- Model years analyzed
- 2000–2005 (6 years)
- Total NHTSA complaints
- 2,391
- Safety recall campaigns
- 32
- Crash-related complaints
- 154
- Fire-related complaints
- 38
- Worst model year (by complaints)
- 2001 (551 complaints)
- Best model year (fewest complaints)
- 2005 (102 complaints)
- Top reported issue area
- ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- Reliability signal
- Poor
By model year
Pontiac Grand AM: which years to avoid & which to buy
Based on total NHTSA owner complaints per model year. Higher complaint counts indicate a riskier year to buy used — lower counts suggest a cleaner reliability record.
These years have the most owner complaints. Inspect carefully and always run a VIN check.
These years have the fewest owner complaints on record — lower risk starting points.
Crash test ratings
NHTSA NCAP crash test ratings
New Car Assessment ProgramNCAP crash tests measure how well a vehicle protects occupants in controlled frontal crash, side crash, and rollover scenarios. Stars are awarded per category (5 = safest). These laboratory results are independent of owner complaints and are performed by NHTSA engineers on new production vehicles.
Source: nhtsa.gov/ratings
What the complaint data suggests
PoorThe PONTIAC GRAND AM has 2,391 NHTSA complaints and 32 recalls on record. 154 complaints involve crash-related incidents. This data reflects owner-reported issues submitted to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
- 2,391 total complaints filed with NHTSA
- 32 federal recall campaigns
- 154 crash-related complaints on record
- Review NHTSA complaint history for the most-reported components
- Check recall completion status at nhtsa.gov/recalls
- Verify service records for frequently complained components
Consult the by-year breakdown to identify model years with elevated complaint rates.
Consult the by-year breakdown to identify model years with fewer reported issues.
- Run a VIN check on the specific vehicle you are considering
- Verify all open recalls are completed at nhtsa.gov/recalls
- Request service records for the most-reported complaint components
- Have a certified mechanic inspect the vehicle before purchase
Problems by model year (best vs. worst)
Source: NHTSA public complaints database. Updated: Aug 2026
Safety recalls
NHTSA safety recalls
32 recalls foundSafety recalls are mandatory repair campaigns ordered by NHTSA when a vehicle defect poses an unreasonable risk to safety. Manufacturers are required to fix recalled vehicles free of charge. Always verify open recalls before buying a used car.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY:PRESSURE RELIEF DEVICES
FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY:PRESSURE RELIEF DEVICES
FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY:PRESSURE RELIEF DEVICES
FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY:PRESSURE RELIEF DEVICES
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:ACCELERATOR PEDAL
SUSPENSION:REAR
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
Source: NHTSA Recalls Database. Data covers model years 2000–2005. Always run a VIN-specific check below for the most up-to-date open recall status.
Common problems
What goes wrong most often
The vehicle systems owners complain about most, ranked from all 2,391 NHTSA complaints — these are the areas to inspect first on a used car.
Owner complaints
NHTSA complaint reports
2,391 totalThese are consumer-submitted safety complaints filed directly with NHTSA. Each complaint describes a real owner's experience. Complaints flagged as crash-related or fire-related are highlighted.
RECALL N140350 OCTOBER ,2019 IGNITION STOP WORKING WHILE ON HIGHWAY. HAD TO GET TOWED. WON'T TURN ANYMORE I ALMOST CRASH BECAUSE OF IT.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 PONTIAC GRAND AM. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE CONTACT COASTED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND NOTICED THAT THE KEY MOVED FROM THE ON POSITION TO THE OFF POSITION. THE CONTACT RESTARTED THE VEHICLE AND THE VEHICLE OPERATED AS INTENDED. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V400000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO BE DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. A DEALER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 98,000.
THE CAR WILL NOT START UNLESS A PASS LOCK RESET IS PERFORMED.
ALL LIGHTING COMES ON BUT CAR WILL NOT START. AFTER IT HAS BEEN RUNNING FOR A WHILE, THEN IT WILL NOT START
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 PONTIAC GRAND AM. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HORN FAILED TO SOUND INTERMITTENTLY. IF THE STEERING WHEEL WERE IN A STRAIGHT POSITION, THE HORN WOULD WORK. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER TO BE DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 124,000.
DURING STARTING OR REGULAR DRIVING, THE SECURITY LIGHT WILL COME ON. SOON AFTER, THE CAR MAY SHUT DOWN OR WILL NOT START AT THE NEXT IGNITION CYCLE. THIS IS DUE TO A WIDELY-KNOWN FAILED PASSLOCK OR VATS SYSTEM. IT IS NOT DUE TO USER ERROR, AND IS POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS IF NOT FATAL AT THE WRONG TIME.
Read 14 more owner reports
"TAKATA INFLATE" MY CAR HAS TO GET A BOOST DAILY BUT ONCE AND NOW IT WHEN CAR IS IN THE ON POSTION IT WILL NOT MAKE A SOUND BUT ALL THE PANEL LIGHTS COME .IF YOU TURN ON HEAD LIGHTS INSIDE PANEL WILL NOT COME BUT TURN OFF LIGHTSOR TAKE OUT KEY IT WILL LIGHT UP ON THE PANEL
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 PONTIAC GRAND AM. THE CONTACT STATED THAT ALL FOUR WINDOWNS IN THE VEHICLE BECAME INOPERABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 130,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 PONTIAC GRAND AM. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE KEY FELL OUT OF THE IGNITION AND THE VEHICLE LOST POWER WITHOUT WARNING. A YEAR PRIOR TO THE FAILURE, THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED TWICE PER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V400000(ELECTRICAL SYSTEM); HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS INVALID. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 105,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 PONTIAC GRAND AM. THE CONTACT EXPERIENCED AN ISSUE WITH THE VEHICLE IDLING ROUGHLY AND DECELERATING. THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THAT THE VEHICLE MISFIRED; HOWEVER, THE DIAGNOSIS WAS NOT PROVIDED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFCATURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS INVALID. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT PROVIDED.
WILL NOT TURN OVER UNLESS YOU LEAVE THE KEY ON FOR 8 MINUTES-PASS LOCK ISSUE I AM TOLD AND IS QUITE PREVALENT.....WHY IS THERE NOT A RECALL????
I HAVE A TWO DOOR GRAND AM AND BOTH WINDOWS ARE MESSED UP WHERE THEY WILL NOT POWER UP OR DOWN. THIS HAS PREVIOUSLY HAPPENED TO ME WHERE A PLASTIC BRACKET SNAPPED OFF INSIDE THE DOOR CAUSING THE WINDOW TO NOT WORK. THE WINDOW IS OFF THE TRACK AND SOMETHING IS BROKEN ON THE INSIDE CAUSING THIS TO HAPPEN. THIS IS A MAJOR PROBLEM WITH PONTIAC GRAND AMS. IT HAS BEEN WELL DOCUMENTED BUT GM HAS NOT ISSUED ANY RECALL ON IT. I FEEL IT IS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE AS I CAN'T USE EITHER WINDOW, DRIVER OR PASSENGER SIDE, IN MY CAR.
* THIS HAS HAPPENED ON 2 OCCASIONS * I HAVE A 2005 PONTIAC GRAND AM I HAD THE RACK CHANGED AS THE BOLT THAT HOLDS THE STEERING RACK & PINION TO THE FRAME HAD BROKE AT THE WELD AS WELL AS THE FRONT PART OF WHERE STEERING RACK & PINION ATTACH TO THE FRAME SO I TOOK CAR TO MECHANIC HE PUT A BRAND NEW RACK IN THE CAR AS WELL AS A NEW FRAME NOW ABOUT 4 1/2 MONTHS LATER (LAST WEEK) NOTICED VEHICLE WAS NOT STEERING PROPERLY, MY WIFE HAD THAN WENT AND PICKED THE 2 GIRLS UP FROM SCHOOL AND ON THE WAY HOME SHE MADE A TURN TO PULL IN THE DRIVEWAY AND WOULDN'T STEER AT ALL I DID GET THE VEHICLE IN THE DRIVEWAY AND HAD JACKED IT UP AND NOTICED THAT YET AGAIN THE FRAME ( WHICH IS ONLY 4 1/2 MONTHS OLD )WAS BROKE IN THE FRONT WHERE THE RACK ATTACHES TO THE FRAME WAS SNAPPED RIGHT OFF AND THE BACK ON BOTH LEFT AND RIGHT SIDES ARE COMPLETELY BROKE OFF AS WELL AS THE THE STABILIZER BAR BOLT AND BUSHING THAT ATTACH IT TO THE CONTROL ARE WERE COMPLETELY GONE ON THE PASSENGER SIDE I HAVE NOW HAVE TO SEND THE VEHICLE YET AGAIN TO THE MECHANIC FOR REPAIR I HAVE HAD THE CONTROL ARMS REPLACED AS WELL AS ALL BUSHING ETC.. IN CASE THAT SOMETHING HAD BEEN TWISTED, OUTTER & INNER TIE RODS HAVE BEEN CHANGED AS WELL AS FRONT STRUTS AND 4 BRAND NEW TIRES AND A WHEEL ALIGNMENT HAS BEEN DONE ON THE VEHICLE
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 PONTIAC GRAND AM. WITHOUT WARNING, THE TURN SIGNAL AND HAZARD LIGHTS FAILED TO WORK. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND PROVIDED NO PERMANENT REMEDY. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 200,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 PONTIAC GRAND AM. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE MAKING A TURN, THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT ALL WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. PRIOR TO THE FAILURE, THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V400000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM) HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THE LOCK IGNITION CYLINDER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT PROVIDED.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 PONTIAC GRAND AM. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START AND THE INSTRUMENT PANEL FAILED TO FUNCTION. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE FAILURE WAS RECURRING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 110,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 PONTIAC GRAND AM. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND CRASHED INTO A CURB. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED AND THERE WERE NO INJURIES REPORTED. THE VEHICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY REPAIRED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V400000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM) HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO START AFTER NUMEROUS ATTEMPTS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 105,000. UPDATED 02/26/16*LJ THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE WAS DIFFICULT TO START AFTER BEING PARKED FOR EXTENDED PERIODS OF TIME. THE CONSUMER STATED THE FAILURES BEGAN TO OCCUR AFTER HAVING A SAFETY RECALL REPAIR COMPLETED. *JS
I'M NOT SURE POLICE AND FIRE DEPARTMENTS, MEDIA COVERAGE MADE THE LOCAL ISSUES IN COLORADO SPRINGS, COLORADO.
CAR WOULD NOT START AND MECHANIC ADVISED SECURITY SYSTEM WAS NOT ALLOWING IGNITION. REQUIRED A "SECURITY RELEARN PROCEDURE".
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 PONTIAC GRAND AM. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS SERVICED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V400000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 167,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.
Showing 20 of 2,391 total NHTSA complaints. Source: NHTSA Complaints Database
Check the exact car
Before you buy, check the exact Pontiac Grand AM
These pages show model-year patterns across 6 years. Enter a VIN to verify the exact vehicle's accident history, title brands, odometer records, and open recall status before purchase.
The basics
How to read this data
Complaints, recalls, investigations — here’s what each number actually tells you about a used Pontiac Grand AM, in plain English.
What is an NHTSA Complaint?
An NHTSA safety complaint is a report filed directly by a vehicle owner or driver describing a safety-related issue. Anyone can submit a complaint at NHTSA.gov. The number of complaints is a signal of how common a problem is — but complaints per model-year matter more than raw totals, since popular vehicles naturally receive more reports. The Pontiac Grand AM has 2,391 complaints on record across 6 model years.
What is a Safety Recall?
A safety recall is a mandatory campaign issued by NHTSA when a vehicle component poses an unreasonable risk to safety or does not comply with federal motor vehicle safety standards. Unlike complaints (which are owner-reported), recalls are formally investigated and confirmed by regulators. Manufacturers must fix recalled vehicles free of charge. The Pontiac Grand AM has 32 recall campaigns in the NHTSA database.
What Are Crash Complaints?
Crash complaints are NHTSA filings where the owner indicates a crash occurred as part of the incident. 154 of the Pontiac Grand AM's 2,391 complaints involved a crash. This metric is particularly important because it indicates how often defects resulted in actual collisions — a key safety signal beyond general reliability.
How Is the Reliability Verdict Calculated?
The reliability verdict (Poor) is generated by analyzing the vehicle's total complaints, recall history, crash complaint ratio, fire complaint ratio, and top component failures relative to class averages. This verdict gives buyers a quick interpretation before they review year-level details and VIN-level history. It should be treated as one decision input, not a substitute for a VIN-specific report.
Why Do Newer Years Have Fewer Complaints?
Newer model years appear to have fewer complaints because there has been less time for owners to file them. Complaints accumulate over years of ownership. A 2020 model year vehicle will typically show fewer complaints than a 2015 model year even if it is less reliable — simply because fewer owners have had time to report issues. Focus on complaints per year of market presence when comparing across model years.
Fleet Data vs. Individual VIN
Everything on this page reflects aggregated data across all Pontiac Grand AM vehicles on the road — not any specific car. Two Pontiac Grand AM vehicles of the same year can have very different histories: one may have been in three accidents and have an open recall; another may be clean. A VIN check gives you the individual car's history: accidents, title brands, odometer records, service history, and real-time recall status.
What Are NHTSA Investigations?
When NHTSA receives a pattern of related safety complaints, it opens a formal investigation. A Preliminary Evaluation (PE) is the first stage — NHTSA determines if a safety defect may exist. If evidence is strong, it escalates to an Engineering Analysis (EA), which can result in a mandatory recall. The Pontiac Grand AM has 0 investigations on record (0 active). Investigations listed above may have already led to the recalls shown on this page.
Compare
Buyers also compare
How does the Pontiac Grand AM stack up? Compare complaint history with similar vehicles.
By state
Check a Pontiac Grand AM by state
Title-branding rules, flood-damage exposure, and salvage laws vary by state. Run a free VIN check or explore state-specific vehicle history guidance before buying a used Pontiac Grand AM.
Research more
Keep researching before you buy
Compare brands and categories, then check the exact car's history by VIN.
Pontiac Grand AM reliability — frequently asked questions
Is the Pontiac Grand AM reliable?
Poor. The Pontiac Grand AM has 2,391 NHTSA owner complaints and 32 recall campaigns across model years. A commonly reported issue area is ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. Use year-level data as a pattern guide, then verify the exact car with a VIN check before purchase.
Which Pontiac Grand AM years to avoid?
Years with the most NHTSA complaints: 2001 (551 complaints), 2002 (404 complaints), 2003 (338 complaints). Use these years as a shortlist for deeper inspection, and always run a VIN check on the exact vehicle before purchase.
What are the most common Pontiac Grand AM problems?
Top reported issues: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM (834 complaints); EXTERIOR LIGHTING (489 complaints); ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING (293 complaints).
Does the Pontiac Grand AM have recalls?
Yes — 32 NHTSA recall campaigns have been issued for the Pontiac Grand AM. Check nhtsa.gov/recalls or run a VIN check to see if your specific vehicle has open recalls.