VehicleVerdict

1999 Pontiac Grand AM problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 1,318 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 12.9 times the median Grand AM year — the 1999 model ranks #1 of 29 Grand AM years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list. Reports tied to this model year include 18 deaths and 94 injuries, per the complaint records themselves.

No single system dominates the record — complaints spread across brakes (270), electrical system (171), and engine (155), which usually points to general build quality rather than one defect.

1,318

NHTSA complaints

6

Recalls

3

Investigations

99

Crash-involved

15

Fires reported

94

Injuries

18

Deaths

NCAP overall

How does 1999 compare to other Grand AM years?

See all Grand AM years to avoid →

What are the most common 1999 Pontiac Grand AM problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Brakes27020%
Electrical System17113%
Engine15512%
Suspension1139%
Visibility & Wipers1008%
Lighting846%
Airbags806%
Steering756%
Body & Structure494%
Fuel System453%
Other433%
Transmission343%
Tires & Wheels252%
Speed Control232%
Seat Belts181%
Seats171%
Climate Control (A/C & Heat)111%
Latches & Locks40%
Driver Assistance10%

Does the 1999 Pontiac Grand AM have recalls?

6 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

14V400000Electrical SystemJuly 3, 2014 · 5,877,718 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

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.

Remedy

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.

09E012000LightingApril 7, 2009 · 16,270 units

Defect

SABERSPORT IS RECALLING 16,270 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.

Consequence

DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy

SABERSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 11, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SABERSPORT AT 1-909-598-7589.

07E021000Fuel SystemMarch 12, 2007 · 742 units

Defect

CERTAIN DELPHI FUEL PRESSURE REGULATORS, P/NOS. FP10020-11B1, FP10026-11B1, AND FP10027-11B1, SOLD AFTER JANUARY 9, 2007, AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. THE UNIVERSAL PRESSURE REGULATORS (UPR) WERE PRODUCED WITHOUT AN O'RING AND RETAINER.

Consequence

FUEL MAY LEAK, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A FIRE.

Remedy

DELPHI WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE UPR FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 23, 2007. OWNERS CAN CONTACT DELPHI AT 877-411-8770.

06E064000LightingJuly 17, 2006 · 4,029 units

Defect

CERTAIN TRADESONIC COMBINATION LAMPS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LISTED PASSENGER VEHICLES. COMBINATION LAMPS NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.

Consequence

LACK OF AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS IN THE LAMPS WILL DECREASE LIGHTING VISIBILITY TO OTHER DRIVERS AND MAY POSSIBLY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy

TRADESONIC WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE LAMPS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING JULY 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT TRADESONIC AT 626-934-8884.

00V140000Body & StructureMay 18, 2000 · 487,400 units

Defect

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: THESE VEHICLES DO NOT COMPLY WITH THE OCCUPANT PROTECTION REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 201, "OCCUPANT PROTECTION IN INTERIOR IMPACT." THE CONSOLE COVER ON THESE VEHICLES DOES NOT STAY CLOSED WHEN A SPECIFIED VERTICAL LOAD IS APPLIED.

Consequence

IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, THE CONSOLE COVER COULD OPEN AND THE COVER OR ITEMS STORED UNDER IT COULD INJURE AN OCCUPANT.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE CONSOLE LATCH MECHANISM.

98V320000SteeringDecember 15, 1998 · 217 units

Defect

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE STEERING WHEEL CAN COME LOOSE FROM THE STEERING SHAFT BECAUSE THE STEERING WHEEL RETAINING NUT COULD HAVE BEEN IMPROPERLY TIGHTENED.

Consequence

THIS CONDITION COULD CAUSE A LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE STEERING WHEEL RETAINING NUT FOR CORRECT TIGHTNESS AND TIGHTEN IF NECESSARY.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

ABOUT MARCH 1, 2005, STEERING MECHANISM WOULD VIBRATE AND LOSE CONTROL. FRONT BRAKES WOULD PULL THE CAR TO THE RIGHT. A SUBSEQUENT MOTOR VEHICLE ACCIDENT OCCURRED ON FEBRUARY 7, 2005, ON I80, 7PM, GOING SOUTHBOUND. LUCKILY NO ONE WAS INJURED IN EITHER CAR ... MY CAR WAS HYDROPLANING DUE TO…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · February 7, 2005 · crash

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

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · April 23, 2002 · fire

WITHIN 35 MINUTES OF PARKING THE VEHICLE, CONSUMER WAS INFORMED THAT VEHICLE WAS ON FIRE. FIRE WAS EXTINGUISHED BY EMPLOYEE. VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO DEALER, AND INFORMED CONSUMER THAT FIRE MAY HAVE COMMENCED FROM THE COWL PANEL. STATE FARM INSURANCE, HOWEVER, SAID THAT THE FIRE WAS NOT THE RESULT OF…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · February 24, 2000 · fire

REAR STABILIZER BAR BROKE CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO SPIN, CROSS 4 TRAFFIC LANES, AND COLLIDE INTO AN 8-12" CURB RESULTING IN A SHATTERED WIND DEFLECTER AND 8-10" CRACK IN BUMPER STABILIZER BAR WAS REPLACED ALONG WITH THE REQUIRED NUT AND BOLT AND A 4 WHEEL ALIGNMENT WHICH IS NECESSARY WHEN THE…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Suspension · February 12, 2008 · crash

PASSENGER SIDE WINDOW CLIP BROKE,CAUSED RATTLING HAD REPAIRED FOR $120.00 THEN OCT. 2003 MY DRIVER SIDE WINDOW FELL INTO THE DOOR.AFTER ANOTHER $45.00 I FOUND OUT THAT YET ANOTHER CLIP HAD BROKE,AND NOW THE CABLE WAS BROKE TOO.TOTAL REPAIR WOULD NOW BE $290.00 PLEASE RECALL THIS--I BELIEVE MY…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Visibility & Wipers · October 15, 2003

1999 Pontiac Grand AM — common questions

Is the 1999 Pontiac Grand AM reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 1,318 complaints put the 1999 model at #1 of 29 Grand AM years. It is one of the Grand AM years to avoid.

What are the most common 1999 Grand AM problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are brakes (270 complaints), electrical system (171 complaints), engine (155 complaints).

Does the 1999 Pontiac Grand AM have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 6 recall campaigns affecting the 1999 Pontiac Grand AM. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 1999 Pontiac Grand AM under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened 3 investigations into this model year; all are now closed.

Which Pontiac Grand AM years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Grand AM years to avoid are 1999, 2000, 2001, 1996, 1997, 1995, 2002, 1994, 2003, 2004, 1992, 1993, 1998. The cleanest record among Grand AM years belongs to 1984.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.