VehicleVerdict

2000 Pontiac Grand AM problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 939 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 9.2 times the median Grand AM year — the 2000 model ranks #2 of 29 Grand AM years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list. Reports tied to this model year include 6 deaths and 54 injuries, per the complaint records themselves.

No single system dominates the record — complaints spread across lighting (182), brakes (161), and electrical system (148), which usually points to general build quality rather than one defect.

939

NHTSA complaints

8

Recalls

5

Investigations

68

Crash-involved

19

Fires reported

54

Injuries

6

Deaths

NCAP overall

How does 2000 compare to other Grand AM years?

See all Grand AM years to avoid →

What are the most common 2000 Pontiac Grand AM problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Lighting18219%
Brakes16117%
Electrical System14816%
Engine12513%
Fuel System556%
Visibility & Wipers475%
Suspension364%
Steering344%
Airbags313%
Body & Structure263%
Tires & Wheels263%
Transmission192%
Other172%
Speed Control111%
Seats81%
Seat Belts51%
Latches & Locks40%
Climate Control (A/C & Heat)20%
Child Seat20%

Does the 2000 Pontiac Grand AM have recalls?

8 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.

03V327000LightingAugust 28, 2003 · 670,740 units

Defect

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.

Remedy

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.

00V372000TransmissionNovember 13, 2000 · 216 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

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.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL DISABLE THE 5TH/REVERSE INHIBITOR BY REMOVING A RETAINING PIN AND REPLACE THE SHIFTER ASSEMBLY.

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.

00V116000SuspensionApril 18, 2000 · 23 units

Defect

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE BOLT THAT ATTACHES THE REAR SUSPENSION TRAILING ARM TO THE LEFT REAR KNUCKLE MAY NOT HAVE BEEN TIGHTENED TO SPECIFICATIONS DURING ASSEMBLY.

Consequence

THE BOLT COULD BACK COMPLETELY OUT OF THE JOINT AFFECTING VEHICLE CONTROL.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL TIGHTEN THIS BOLT.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

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

4 YEARS AFTER I BOUGHT MY GRAND AM 2000 I WAS IN AN ACCIDENT AND MY AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY I DIDNT KNOW THERE WAS A RECALL FOR THAT, ANY WAY RECENTLY I HAD TO REPLACE THE SWITCH IGNITION BECAUSE THE KEY GOT STUCK AND COULDNT GET OIT OUT. THEN JUST LAST WEEK THE CAR WOULD NOT START AND IT WAS THE…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Lighting · August 31, 2020 · crash

WHILE DRIVING CONSUMER APPLIED THE BRAKES AND PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR. VEHICLE CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE. CONSUMER LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND HIT ANOTHER VEHICLE IN A HEAD ON COLLISION. DRIVER WAS NOT INJURED. BOTH FRONTAL DRIVER 'S AND PASSENGER AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE INSURANCE COMPANY…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · August 24, 2004 · crash

LETTER FROM SENATOR BROWN ON BEHALF OF CONSTITUENT RE VEHICLE RECALL. *SMD ON JANUARY 8, 2013, THE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THE CONSUMER RECEIVED A POST CARD IN THE MAIL, IN JUNE 2014 REGARDING A RECALL CONCERNING A POSSIBLE ENGINE FIRE. THE CONSUMER NO LONGER OWNS THE…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · January 8, 2013 · fire

LETTER FROM SENATOR BROWN ON BEHALF OF CONSTITUENT RE VEHICLE RECALL. *SMD ON JANUARY 8, 2013, THE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THE CONSUMER RECEIVED A POST CARD IN THE MAIL, IN JUNE 2014 REGARDING A RECALL CONCERNING A POSSIBLE ENGINE FIRE. THE CONSUMER NO LONGER OWNS THE…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · January 8, 2013 · fire

MY CAR HAS BEEN IN THE SHOP REPEATEDLY FOR THE BRAKES GRINDING AND SHAKING WHEN I BRAKE. THE ROTORS HAVE BEEN REPLACED TWICE FOR RUSTING AND WARPING AND THE BRAKES ONCE, UNDER WARRANTY. I HAVE HAD WATER LEAKS, MY DASH HAS BEEN REPLACED FOR WARPING, 2 DOOR PANELS HAVE BEEN REPLACED FOR WARPING. I…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Fuel System · February 6, 2000 · crash

2000 Pontiac Grand AM — common questions

Is the 2000 Pontiac Grand AM reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 939 complaints put the 2000 model at #2 of 29 Grand AM years. It is one of the Grand AM years to avoid.

What are the most common 2000 Grand AM problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are lighting (182 complaints), brakes (161 complaints), electrical system (148 complaints).

Does the 2000 Pontiac Grand AM have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 8 recall campaigns affecting the 2000 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 2000 Pontiac Grand AM under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened 5 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.