NHTSA — Engine And Engine Cooling: Engine Problems

CarComplaints.com Seal Of Avoid Like The Plague

3.5

definitely annoying
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
37,078 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.

2001 Pontiac Grand Am engine problems

engine problem

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2001 Pontiac Grand Am Owner Comments

problem #15

Aug 182008

Grand Am

  • 54,000 miles

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

While driving car, the engine just stops/stalls. It has only happened so far when slowing to stop. I am able to immediately restart it after shifting to park or neutral.

- Hollister, CA, USA

problem #14

Jan 112008

Grand Am 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 77,000 miles
A few years back, I had a problem in which my rpms would rise insanely when I was stopped at a light, and even when I put my car in park. It was as if I was "flooring it". I took it to the dealer. They said it was a head gasket problem. Luckily, it was still under warranty, as I only had about 45,000 miles on it. I took it home after it was "fixed", and it continued to do the same thing. I took it back to the dealer, and they said that they fixed the problem and that it will be ok. I took it back home and it has pretty much never stopped. It tends to do it more in the summer as opposed to the winter. Recently, the car was leaking coolant. I took it back to the dealer. I was once again told that it was the head gasket. My car is no longer under warranty, so I had to pay $1600 to get it fixed. 2 head gasket problems within a matter of 2 years? that seems like something that should never happen. After getting that fixed, I take it home. It runs fine for about 2 days, and then starts pulling some crazy stuff. The service engine soon light came on, although there weren't any noticeable issues. The light went off 2 days later. After that, I started experiencing other problems. My car has a serious lack of power when going up a hill. If I step on the gas a little more, the service engine soon light will flash. It doesn't stay on, it just flashes for about a minute. Whenever I come to a stop, my car tends to violently shake. I'm afraid to take it back to the dealer to see what's wrong, because I'm afraid I'll have to pay even more money for something that wasn't wrong prior to taking it the 1st time.

- Pittsburgh, PA, USA

problem #13

Jun 062007

Grand Am 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 73,000 miles
The intake manifold gasket started leaking coolant & oil. Said this is a common GM problem since they switched to plastic. At the same time there was one other 99 Grand Am having the same thing fixed.

- Mount Airy, MD, USA

problem #12

Dec 012004

Grand Am 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 50,000 miles

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

The contact owns a 2001 Pontiac Grand Am. The vehicle failed to start intermittently and was towed to a mechanic. The mechanic was unable to duplicate the failure. The contact stated that the vehicle would start after not being driven for a couple of days. The current mileage is 68,000 and failure mileage was 50,000.

- Akron, OH, USA

problem #11

Mar 032007

Grand Am 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 78,505 miles
I have a 2001 Pontiac Grand Am GT with the 3.4 V6 engine. The intake manifold gasket started leaking coolant into the cylinders. According to my mechanic, this was a common problem for this engine and that GM knew about this problem but refuses to pay for the cost of repairs.

- Ypsilanti, MI, USA

problem #10

Feb 122007

Grand Am 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 44,000 miles
While driving a 2001 Pontiac Grand Am the ABS, track off and service engine soon lights came on at the same time.

- Stafford, VA, USA

problem #9

Dec 232006

Grand Am 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 64,000 miles

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

I own a 2001 pontaic Grand Am that I bought in April 05 having bought it used I had it about 20 days when my service engine soon light came on took it to the dealer that I bought if from he sent it to his mechanics and the replaced the coil pack because it was reading a misfire on cylinder 4. didn't have problem for about 8 month so I thought. On Dec.20,2006 started running real bad had coil pack changed, boots, housing, and spark plugs at the nice price of $200. In 1 day to find out stll not working right mechanic said problem is internal and the only way to fix this is replace motor which for a used one only $3300 unless I would like a new one for $6000. I feel that they have lost there minds expecting people to pay that kind of money for another junky motor when the one I have now only has 77000 miles on it it should be like the energizer bunny still going I have taken excellent care of my car I did talk to pontaic complaint line to have smoke blown up my you know what they dont care about there customers I owe to much to trade it in and can't afford to fix it so now I have a car payment and can't even drive it pontaic need to fix there junk they have on the road before somebody gets hurt or killed driving this stuff I know I will never own another if I can get rid of this.

- Fenton, MO, USA

problem #8

Feb 052004

Grand Am 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Turn signal failure (recall by manufacture corrected that problem). However, dealer would not fix the continuos problem with the on-going ticking sound of the turn signal even when signal is not in use. That would cost $273 to fix, dealer said. Grinding sound in tires (dealer gave documentation to support the fact that the 2001 Pontiac Grand Am's were manufactured with a faulty tires and rim package. Suggested new rims or different than manufacture choice tires. The most significant problem is with the engine. Randomly upon ignition and sometimes after sitting idle, the engine will rev high (at times upto 3rpms). Sounds like the engine is going to explode! went to 2 Pontiac dealers various times (at least 6) and neither can fix the problem. Each time I was charged with assessment fees. I'm done with Pontiac vehicles!

- Wilmington, DE, USA

problem #7

Apr 142004

Grand Am 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 66,000 miles
Our 2001 Pontiac Grand Am GT1 has coolant leaks. 3/15/04 we called Pontiac to request assistance. They opened a file & said they'd investigate to determine if the problems were a manufacturer defect & if so provide repair assistance, to take it to a dealership for evaluation & call back with diagnosis, which we did 3/19/04 (cost $47). The dealership said the intake manifold gasket needed replacing [see GM service bulletin #03-06-01-010] & would cost $700+. after approx a month of waiting, on 4/14/04 Pontiac denied our request stating we were past warranty & there was no recall. (we knew that & so did they from the start! otherwise, we would have just had it fixed!) no one read the service bulletin & Pontiac refuses to admit liability for a faulty intake manifold gasket, despite the service bulletin which reads: "correction: Install a new design intake manifold gasket. The material used in the gasket has been changed in order to improve the sealing qualities of the gasket. When replacing the gasket, the intake manifold bolts must also be cleaned, coated with threadlocker and torqued to a revised specification." Not a manufacturer's defect? in denying our request Pontiac is hiding behind the fact that they have unethically not issued a recall on their admitted defect. They have identified a design defect but disguised it in a service bulletin, then used the words "new design", "changed in order to improve" and "revised specification", which admits faulty equipment & procedures & should warrant a recall or at least assistance to the customer!! please look into this matter on our behalf. We appreciate any assistance you can offer us.

- Hillsboro, MO, USA

problem #6

Apr 072004

Grand Am 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 43,000 miles
Engine coolant leak at intake manfold, relating to tsb 03-06-01-010A Apr 03. Isue appears to be common among this make and model of car. Car is a 2001 Pontiac Grand Am with 45K miles. This type of leak is not typical for a car of this age and usage. Local and dealer mechninics indicate that this is a common problem that could be easily solved with proper installation of the gasket.

- Mechanicsburg, PA, USA

problem #5

Jul 162003

Grand Am 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles

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

Car has a very slow and hard start most of the time, and cranking noise when trying to start. It has been in the shop multiple times since it has been bought and nobody can seem to figure the problem out.

- Tekonsha, MI, USA

problem #4

Oct 222003

(reported on)

Grand Am

  • miles
Dash lights came on and off intermittently. Also, while braking there was a loud grinding noise. ABS warning light and engine check light kept illuminating.

- Modesto, CA, USA

problem #3

Mar 152003

Grand Am 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 6,668 miles
Fuel pump does not work. Dealer notified. The fuel gauge, fuel injectors, fan, lights, door locks, computer chip, oil leak, brakes, blinkers had to be replaced. Gmac had been notified on several occasions and had refused to cooperative in fixing the defects. These were known defects. Gmac refused to fix under warranty and refused under the lemon law.

- River Falls, WI, USA

problem #2

Apr 252003

Grand Am 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
I have a 2001 Pontiac Grand Am. I purchased my vehicle in December of 2000 or January of 2001. Nevertheless, I have 26K miles on my car and I have brought it in twice for major engine repair. The first time I brought it in was approximately 8-9 months ago when my engine was knocking loudly and grinding during acceleration. In addition it would not accelerate or kick into overdrive it just grinded. I brought my car into gay Pontiac in dickinson tx where it was purchased. They were not authorized by GMC to replace my engine but to replace certain portions of my engine I.e. rods and main bearing. Last Friday on April 25th my engine began to do the exact same thing as I was driving home. I began to accelerate and the car started grinding every time the RPM meter reached 2200 RPM. I tend to accelerate fast when I drive however I do not consider this grounds for the damage that appears to be happening to my vehicle. I have not added any components to my vehicle since purchasing it. I took my vehicle back to the same dealership, and this time they called out a GMC rep who suggested again that only certain parts of my engine are replaced. I am in the process of trying to get this changed. I believe at this point parts that were not originally repaired or replaced have since sustained additional damage and I believe that there is a problem outside of my engine that is calling for the engine to sustain this damage. I am very concerned that my vehicle is a lemon and the failure of GMC to investigate and repair my vehicle will eventually cause me additional harm. I would hate to be in rush hour traffic and have an engine failure or be unable to accelerate to the flow of traffic.

- Pearland, TX, USA

problem #1

Apr 092003

Grand Am

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
2001 Pontiac Grand Am has problems cranking. Ignition turns over but engine will not crank until 3-4 tries. Does not do it on a consistent basis and dealership has not been able to duplicate problem. It has been in 4 times for this problem and 4 times because the back doors will not open some times without bumping the doors with your hip. Dealership was not able to duplicate problem. Also, rearview mirror fell off, side mirrors had to be replaced because clear coat was left off, door reflector fell off, weather strip on window fell off, blinkers stopped working. Despite the fact that this car is well taken care of, it is coming apart at the seams. Pontiac rep has been contacted answer is the same, we have to duplicate problem. It has now began stalling out after you get it cranked. I am now contacting GM/BBB as a last resort. Please help me if you can.

- Hattiesburg, MS, USA

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