KnownCarProblemsHome › Pontiac › Grand AM › 2001
2001 Pontiac Grand AM Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 538 complaints with NHTSA about the 2001 Pontiac Grand AM, most often about the electrical (43% of complaints, typically around 85,000 miles). It is the 2nd most complained-about Grand AM model year since 2000 and has 4 recalls.
Most common 2001 Pontiac Grand AM problems
Electrical
232 complaints · 43%Half of these problems showed up before 85,000 miles. Parts named most often: ignition, wiring, starter assembly, instrument cluster/panel.
When trying to start the car it will not start and the security light is lit. A reset procedure is required that takes over 10 minutes. This has happened many times and makes the vehicle useless for emergencies. The first time this happened they replaced the fuel pump and the fuel filter at quite some expense to me.
The body control module caused two batteries to fail. The turn signal switch failed causing clicking noise in the ash. When the BCM failed the consumer noticed a 1 amp draw. The dealer could not duplicate the problem but replaced the BCM per the consumers request. The vehicle was bucking and felt as if there was a…
Lights
99 complaints · 18%Half of these problems showed up before 62,000 miles. Parts named most often: hazard flashing warning lights, turn signal, headlights, tail lights.
Dt: consumer complained about hazard light switch problem. Was told by the dealership that the model years 1999 -2001 had the same problem. The part number [VIN] that was on this car, and was under recall. Has a recall. The recall number was unavailable. The part was replaced in may 2005, and still had the same…
I have had a failure with my multi-function switch causing my turn signal sound to constantly be going off. A couple of times, my steering column has started smoking from this. It is also a distraction from paying attention to driving.
Engine
84 complaints · 16%Half of these problems showed up before 68,500 miles. Parts named most often: engine, cooling system, exhaust system.
This is a submission to note yet another general motors v6 issue with failing intake manifold gaskets. My particular gasket has a leak that is getting progressively worse, requiring me to fill coolant. At this time, the leak is external only and has not leaked into the engine compartments containing oil. My car is a…
I purchased my 2001 Grand AM gt in 2002. So far since I've owned the car, I seem to replace the breaks every 10,000 miles or every year, I have had the rotors replaced twice within the last 5 years, replaced the alternator and fuel pump. Now, my ABS lights continue to go on and most recently, my car will not start it…
Brakes
67 complaints · 13%Half of these problems showed up before 38,000 miles. Parts named most often: foundation components, antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip, antilock, pedals and linkages.
I bought a brand new gt and since I've had it the brakes made a slight grinding noise in the front, I just figured the car was new and 4 wheel disc brakes just make that noise. I drive a lot of highway mile so of course after the warranty expired the noise got worse. After 38000 miles I took it to my mechanic he…
There are 3- 2001 Grand AM's in my family and 1- 2000 Grand AM. All 4 cars had to have the brakes replaced before 40,000 miles.......
Fuel system
39 complaints · 7%Half of these problems showed up before 85,500 miles. Parts named most often: delivery, fuel injection system, storage.
When trying to start the car it will not start and the security light is lit. A reset procedure is required that takes over 10 minutes. This has happened many times and makes the vehicle useless for emergencies. The first time this happened they replaced the fuel pump and the fuel filter at quite some expense to me.
I purchased a used 2001 Grand AM gt in sept 08 and the car runs great but it is hard to start sometimes. It also gets about 15mpg in town. I have check the plugs, wires and tank. This is not something that the dealer would even consider checking.
Visibility and wipers
33 complaints · 6%Half of these problems showed up before 60,000 miles. Parts named most often: power window devices and controls, rearview mirrors/devices, defroster/defogger/hvac system, glass, side/rear.
- the contact's 2001 Pontiac Grand AM gt's fan speed switch for the defroster and air conditioning wasonly working at level 4. This incident occurred on several occasions ,and she was unable to adjust the setting to 1,2, or 3. Also, the driver side window was inoperable. The contact removed the panel and observed that…
Front passenger side window fell off track when trying to roll up window using automatic switch. The regulator, motor and sash-frt. Had to be replaced.
Steering
24 complaints · 5%Half of these problems showed up before 94,000 miles. Parts named most often: rack and pinion, steering wheel/handle bar, hydraulic power assist, linkages.
The steering wheel was hard to turn. It felt like it did not have any power steering fluid. The dealership was unable to locate the cause of the problem because the power steering fluid was full and there was no cuts or breaks in the fluid line. Also at 82,000 miles the vehicle failed to start. The vehicle was towed…
When driving the car the brakes will lock up making a grinding noise like something is about to brake somewhere in between the brake pedal and wheels it makes this loud grinding like metal on metal not sure because I have to replace brakes about every 2 - 3 months and rotors and calipers.
Equipment
22 complaints · 4%Half of these problems showed up before 70,000 miles. Parts named most often: appliance, electrical.
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…
Car won't start. Leaves me (widow) stranded wherever I am, awaiting tow truck. These are what have been repeated culprits - defective pass door lock, defective hazard switch (2 replacements) faulty ignition switch (2 replacements), faulty ignition pass lock sensor... This car has alot of faulty replaced over and over…
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2001 Pontiac Grand AM recalls
Electrical: ignition
Risk: If the key is not in the run position, the air bags may not deploy if the vehicle is involved in a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
Fix: Gm will notify owners, and dealers will install two key rings and an insert in the key slot or a cover over the key head on all ignition keys, free of charge. The recall began on september 9, 2014. Gm's number for this recall is 14350.
Full defect summary
This defect can affect the safe operation of the airbag system. Until this recall is performed, customers should remove all items from their key rings, leaving only the ignition key. The key fob (if applicable), should also be removed from the key ring. General motors llc (gm) notified the agency on july 3, 2014, that they are recalling 5,877,718 model year 2000-2005 chevrolet impala and monte carlo, 1997-2003 chevrolet malibu, 2004-2005 malibu classic, 1999-2004 oldsmobile alero, 1998-2002 oldsmobile intrigue, 1999-2005 pontiac grand am and 2004-2008 pontiac grand prix vehicles. In these models, the weight on the key ring and/or road conditions or some other jarring event may cause the ignition switch to move out of the run position, turning off the engine.
Lights: switch
Risk: When the turn signals are inoperative, the driver cannot use them to signal intent to turn that could result in a crash.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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.
Equipment: owners/service/other manual
Risk: This does not meet the requirements of the standard.
Fix: Owners will be provided with a supplement for their owner's manual. This supplement describes and shows the location symbols for the child restraint anchors that are located in the vehicle and on the child restraint or booster cushion. Owner notification began august 18, 2003. Owners should contact buick at 1-866-608-8080, cadillac at 1-866-982-2339, chevrolet at 1-800-630-2438, gmc at 1-866-996-9463, pontiac at 1-800-620-7668, or oldsmobile at 1-800-630-6537.
Full defect summary
Certain minivans, passenger and sport utility vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 225, "child restraint anchorage system." the owner's manual does not explain the meaning of the location symbols for the child restraint lower universal anchorage system.
Transmission: manual transmission
Risk: In this situation, the key can be removed from the ignition while the transmission is in a forward gear, which is not permitted by the standard.
Fix: Dealers will disable the 5th/reverse inhibitor by removing a retaining pin and replace the shifter assembly.
Full defect summary
Vehicle description: certain passenger vehicles equipped with manual transaxles (rpo m86) fail to comply with the requirements of fmvss no. 114, "theft protection." when a driver attempts to shift from 5th gear to reverse, a shift inhibitor causes the transmission to be mechanically in 4th gear even though the shift lever indicates reverse gear.
Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which recalls are still open on your car.
NHTSA defect investigations
Turn signal failures
Summary
By letter dated august 27, 2003, gm notified the agency that it is conducting a voluntary safety recall (NHTSA recall no. 03v327) involving certain model year (my) 2000-2001 chevrolet malibu, oldsmobile alero, and pontiac grand am.gm's recall covers 670,740 vehicles manufactured beginning february 1, 2000 through may 1, 2001 (alero and grand am) and february 1, 2000 through may 31, 2001 (malibu).gm reports that turn signal failure is due to solder joint cracking in the hazard switch, and has identified rapid temperature transitions of the hazard switch and the soldering process as the cause of cracking.electrical current to the turn signals flows through the hazard switch and an open circuit
Erratic fuel gauge
Summary
Odi opened ea 02-028 to review complaints of consumers reporting that their fuel gauge was incorrectly displaying the amount of fuel in the gas tank.the fuel gauge receives an electrical signal from a fuel tank sending sensor circuit card.a float arm in the tank moves electrical contacts that rub against the card as the level of fuel rises and falls.disruption of the electrical signal (such as caused by corrosion of the circuit card) will cause incorrect readings to register on the fuel gauge.gm reported in their response to odi dated january 13, 2003 that the primary cause of erratic fuel gauge operation is excess elemental sulfur in fuel.gm reported that abnormal levels of sulfur sporadica
Erratic fuel gauge
Summary
There is no summary currently available
Questions about the 2001 Pontiac Grand AM
- What are the most common problems with the 2001 Pontiac Grand AM?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: electrical (232 complaints, typically around 85,000 miles); lights (99 complaints, typically around 62,000 miles); engine (84 complaints, typically around 68,500 miles).
- How many recalls does the 2001 Pontiac Grand AM have?
- 4 recalls listed by NHTSA, the latest from July 3, 2014 (electrical). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which ones are still open on your car.
- Is the 2001 a bad year for the Pontiac Grand AM?
- It is the 2nd most complained-about Grand AM model year since 2000, with 538 complaints. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so popular years collect more of them, and the newest years have had less time to.