VehicleVerdict

2001 Pontiac Grand AM problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 759 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 7.4 times the median Grand AM year — the 2001 model ranks #3 of 29 Grand AM years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list. Complainants reported 27 injuries in total across these filings.

Electrical System leads the complaint categories with 254 reports (34% of the total).

759

NHTSA complaints

7

Recalls

3

Investigations

30

Crash-involved

6

Fires reported

27

Injuries

0

Deaths

NCAP overall

How does 2001 compare to other Grand AM years?

See all Grand AM years to avoid →

What are the most common 2001 Pontiac Grand AM problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Electrical System25433%
Lighting10914%
Engine8511%
Brakes7410%
Fuel System415%
Visibility & Wipers334%
Other294%
Steering263%
Tires & Wheels223%
Suspension162%
Body & Structure152%
Airbags142%
Speed Control122%
Transmission122%
Seat Belts61%
Climate Control (A/C & Heat)61%
Latches & Locks20%
Seats20%
Child Seat10%

Does the 2001 Pontiac Grand AM have recalls?

7 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.

03V250000OtherJuly 15, 2003 · 1,707,825 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

THIS DOES NOT MEET THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE STANDARD.

Remedy

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.

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.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

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

WHEN TRYING TO START THE CAR THE SECURITY LIGHT IS ON AND THE CAR WILL NOT START. IT HAPPENS EVERYTIME I GO TO START MY CAR, SO IT HAPPENS 6 TIMES A DAY, 365 DAYS A YEAR. I HAVE TO TURN THE KEY TO ON AND LET IT SIT FOR 10 MINUTES WHILE IT RESETS. WHILE DRIVING SOMETIMES MY SECURITY LIGHT GOES ON…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · November 11, 2003 · crash

THE TURN SIGNAL FLASHER FAILED AND AS A RESULT THE VEHICLE WAS REAR ENDED WHILE ATTEMPTING TO MAKE A LEFT TURN. *AK *NM

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Lighting · July 15, 2004 · crash

I HAVE REPLACED THE RADIATOR TWICE, THE WATER PUMP TWICE (GOING ON NUMBER 3 TOMORROW) AND ALSO GET TO DO AN INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET. I OWN A 2001 PONTIAC GRAND AM. THE CAUSE HAS SINCE BEEN DISCOVERED AS THE DEX-COOL COOLANT THAT GM MANUFACTURES WHICH EATS ANYTHING IT COMES IN CONTACT WITH. RECALL…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · December 27, 2009 · crash

EVERY THREE MONTHS I ENDED UP REPLACING BRAKE PADS AND ROTORS ON MY 2001 GRAND AM. THEN ONE MORNING I WAS GOING TO WORK TRAVELING AT THE SPEED OF AROUND 60 MPH WHEN THE CAR STARTED TO DRIFT LEFT UNCONTROLLABLY. I ENDED UP JERKING THE WHEEL TO AVOID A HEAD-ON COLLISION, WHICH RESULTED IN A END TO…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · October 15, 2003 · crash

When I was gassing up my car, a fuel leak occurred in the gas tank and my car caught on fire. The gas station attendant used a fire extinguisher to put the fire out. I had 113,262 miles on my car. As you can see, the leak in the plastic gas tank caused the gas tank fuel pump to burn up and burn up…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Fuel System · November 30, 2021 · fire

2001 Pontiac Grand AM — common questions

Is the 2001 Pontiac Grand AM reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 759 complaints put the 2001 model at #3 of 29 Grand AM years. It is one of the Grand AM years to avoid.

What are the most common 2001 Grand AM problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are electrical system (254 complaints), lighting (109 complaints), engine (85 complaints).

Does the 2001 Pontiac Grand AM have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 7 recall campaigns affecting the 2001 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 2001 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.