NHTSA — Electrical System: Ignition: Switch Problems

CarComplaints.com Seal Of Avoid Like The Plague

10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
1 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
1 / 0
Average Mileage:
33,111 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

1999 Pontiac Grand Am electrical problems

electrical problem

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1999 Pontiac Grand Am Owner Comments

problem #9

Oct 022014

Grand Am 6-cyl

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The contact owns a 1999 Pontiac Grand Am. The contact stated while driving at 35 mph, the vehicle traveled over an unknown object which caused the ignition switch to change to the off setting independently. As a result, the steering and brakes malfunctioned causing the vehicle to swerve off the roadway and crash into a creek. A police report was filed. The contact sustained unknown injuries and medical attention was required. The vehicle was removed from the creek and after several attempts it was able to be restarted. The contact had also received notification of NHTSA campaign number 14V400000 (electrical system) however, the dealer refused to perform the recall remedy on the vehicle because it had previously been involved in a crash. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was unknown...updated 03-16-15...updated 04/15/15 the consumer stated the dealer refused to repair the vehicle because the defect was the cause of the accident. Updated 10/8/2015 the consumer stated the ignition switch moved from the on position. The dealer refused to repair the defect because it caused an accident. Updated 11/12/2015

- Roslindale , MA, USA

problem #8

Mar 022006

Grand Am 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 61,000 miles
: the contact stated while driving 60 mph all the lights on the dash failed and the engine stalled. The vehicle was pushed to the side of the road. After the vehicle was restarted, it was taken to the dealership for inspection. They replaced the ignition switch and cylinder, which remedied the problem.

- Bronx, NY, USA

problem #7

Apr 232005

Grand Am 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 101,000 miles
I bought this car used a month ago, and already had to replace the ignitiion switch. The repair facility said it was totally ruined and that I didn't do anything to cause it, nor was it preventable. They also said that they have replace this same part on 5 other Grand Am.

- Columbus, MI, USA

problem #6

Jun 172002

Grand Am 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 82,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Since I bought a used 1999 Grand Am in August 2001 I have had to replace the ignition switch 4 times.

- Kimberly, WI, USA

problem #5

Nov 032004

Grand Am 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 54,000 miles
I had my car started and the key came out way to easy so I put the key back and turned it off and I tried to start it again and the key would not move at all.had it towed to the dealership and they said it was the lock cylinder and switch and it would be $475 just for parts.the key shouldnt of came out that easy.

- Newark, OH, USA

problem #4

Sep 082001

Grand Am

  • miles
Bought car used-3 wks later tried to start-trunk opened-car started then stalled would not restart-tow truck #1. driving in fast lane freeway 65-70 mph all lights on then off, flickering, radio turned off, gauges with dials up then down lasted 15 seconds then car lost all power, went off road into field-hurt lower back-would not start, tow truck #2; home from work 2 am stop to get mail, left car running keys in ignition, closed drivers door-doors locked with keys inside, tow truck #3; drove 3 miles to store from home-engine coolant light came on then overheat light-pulled off road-tow truck #4-all hub caps rattle, tail/brake lights only work sometimes-parts of this scenario have re-occurred 3 to 4 times per week since purchase date-dealer "repaired" intake manifold leak found by outside mechanic I hired when dealer said "nothing wrong lady!" then said "someone added wrong coolant & caused damage & leakage" I would not know where to begin, my mechanic added exact same fluid as he read owners manual, dealer was only other one working on the car!-my outside mechanic said computer program damaged from key entry in car that was programmed for remote & rims too big-dealer: "no"-then, battery died-wonder why?!-oops, not covered by service contract. Help!!

- Modesto, CA, USA

problem #3

May 131999

Grand Am

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

While driving at 65mph on freeway vehicle stalled. Finally restarted. Took it to dealership. Mechanic replaced PCM. Drove from Florida to California, made a stop in Arizona due to brake rotors warping. Replaced and adjusted rotors and brakes. While driving in California, vehicle stalled again. Failed to restart after being parked. Battery replaced after being towed to dealership. Key refused to be released from ignition. Air conditioner motor fan replaced. Shifter cable was replaced. Right turn signal lamp replaced. Oil light comes on before the 3000 mile scheduled oil change, dealer failed to set computer button, consumer feels this might have had to do with vehicle stalling and not starting.

- Chico, CA, USA

problem #2

Jul 172000

Grand Am

  • miles
Vehicle lost all power while driving causing a hazardous situation, dealership feels that the consumer must have hit the ignition switch, the system is very sensitive to touch due to design, possible design flaw which would cause accidental application while driving and cause vehicle to shut down.

- Cobleskill, NY, USA

problem #1

Dec 041998

Grand Am

  • miles
Have had all but 1 of 4 door panels replaced. Now getting into electrical problems when instrument panel went haywire, car would not start next day. When I tried to start the car the trunk opened. When I took the key out of the ignition the gauges lit up and stayed on without a key. This was 2 days after the ignition switch was replaced. Now car will not start at all.

- Christmas, LA, USA

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