NHTSA vehicle safety data

1999 Pontiac Grand Am Recalls, Ratings & Complaints

The 1999 Pontiac Grand Am has 6 NHTSA recall campaigns and 848 owner complaints on file as of November 3, 2026. Recall repairs are usually free at an authorized Pontiac dealer.

NHTSA recall and complaint data for the 1999 Pontiac Grand Am, plus NCAP crash-test ratings. Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.

Pre-purchase inspection checklist → Reliability & 5-year cost forecast →

1999 Pontiac Grand Am owner complaints

Owners have filed 848 complaints with NHTSA about the 1999 Pontiac Grand Am, describing incidents dated March 17, 1998 to June 1, 2023.

Most-cited components

Service Brakes 217 complaints
Engine 144 complaints
Electrical System 129 complaints
Suspension 107 complaints
Visibility/Wiper 85 complaints
Air Bags 76 complaints

Of the 848 complaints on file, 73 report a crash and 13 a fire; across all 848 complaints, owners report 60 injuries and 16 deaths (owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA).

Newest complaints

ODI #11533840 · Filed July 22, 2023
Our braking system on this car failed us, and is probably crushed by now at no fault of my own. My safety was at–risk when the brakes lost pressure and if it wasn’t for our seatbelts, I could’ve been thrown through the windshield. I hereby declare that [XXX] deliberately caused our accident and lied…
ODI #11525143 · Filed June 3, 2023
The gas gauge will show full then without warning quickly drop to “E” and the low fuel indicator will ding and the light will come on then just as quickly as it started it will go back to full or 2/3rds the slow creep back to the full position. (The tank was not full) While driving all the…
ODI #11235024 · Filed July 26, 2019
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 1999 PONTIAC GRAND AM. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING ABOUT 60 MPH, THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO A CONCRETE BARRIER THAT WAS PUSHED OVER TO THE CONTACT'S LANE, FOLLOWING AN ACCIDENT THAT INVOLVED TWO TRUCKS. THE PASSENGER'S AIR BAG DEPLOYED. NO OTHER AIR BAG DEPLOYED…

Read all 848 complaints

NHTSA defect investigations

NHTSA's investigations file lists the 1999 Pontiac Grand Am in 3 investigations. A listed model year means only that an investigation names it; it says nothing about any particular vehicle. An open investigation is not a finding that a safety defect exists, and NHTSA can close one without a recall.

Recall Query RQ04-005: TURN SIGNAL FAILURES
Closed November 30, 2004
Engineering Analysis EA03-021: FRONT SUSPENSION COIL SPRING FRACTURE
Closed October 19, 2004
Preliminary Evaluation PE03-031: FRONT SUSPENSION COIL SPRING FRACTURE
Closed November 4, 2003

Open and recently closed NHTSA defect investigations

Ignition Switch may Turn Off

NHTSA #14V400000 · Electrical System — Ignition · NHTSA notice

Reported July 3, 2014 · General Motors LLC

Potentially affected: 5,877,718 vehicles

Repair completion: 37.05% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)

Manufacturer campaign 14350 · Owners notified September 8, 2014

Defect description

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.

Safety 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.

Manufacturer 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.

Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

FMVSS 108/AFTERMARKET COMBINATION LAMPS

NHTSA #09E012000 · Exterior Lighting · NHTSA notice

Reported April 7, 2009 · SABERSPORT

Potentially affected: 16,270 vehicles

Owners notified May 11, 2009

Defect description

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.

Safety consequence

DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Manufacturer 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.

Notes

THIS RECALL ONLY PERTAINS TO AFTERMARKET REPLACEMENT EQUIPMENT AND HAS NO RELATION TO ANY ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT INSTALLED ON VEHICLES PRODUCED BY THE VEHICLE MANUFACTURER.IN ORDER TO DETERMINE IF YOUR AFTERMARKET LAMP ASSEMBLY IS AFFECTED BY THIS NONCOMPLIANCE, PLEASE REVIEW THE LIST OF MODEL NUMBERS PROVIDED TO US BY SABERSPORT.THE LIST CAN BE FOUND UNDER "DOCUMENT SEARCH" LOCATED AT THE BOTTOM OF YOUR SCREEN.OWNERS MAY ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), OR GO TO <A HREF=HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV>HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV</A> .

AFTERMARKET FUEL PRESSURE REGULATORS

NHTSA #07E021000 · Fuel System, Other — Storage — Tank Assembly — Pressure Relief Devices · NHTSA notice

Reported March 12, 2007 · DELPHI

Potentially affected: 742 vehicles

Owners notified April 27, 2007

Defect description

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.

Safety consequence

FUEL MAY LEAK, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A FIRE.

Manufacturer 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.

Notes

THIS RECALL ONLY PERTAINS TO AFTERMARKET DELPHI FUEL PRESSURE REGULATORS AND HAS NO RELATION TO ANY ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT INSTALLED BY GENERAL MOTORS.CUSTOMERS MAY CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY: 1-800-424-9153); OR GO TO HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV.

FMVSS 108/AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS

NHTSA #06E064000 · Exterior Lighting · NHTSA notice

Reported July 17, 2006 · TRADESONIC

Potentially affected: 4,029 vehicles

Defect description

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.

Safety consequence

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

Manufacturer 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.

Notes

THIS RECALL ONLY PERTAINS TO TRADESONIC AFTERMARKET LAMPS AND HAS NO RELATION TO ANY ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT INSTALLED ON THE LISTED PASSENGER VEHICLES.FOR MORE INFORMATION ON THE LAMP MODEL NUMBERS, CLICK ON DOCUMENT SEARCH AND VIEW DOCUMENT TITLED "LAMP MODEL NUMBERS."CUSTOMERS MAY CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY: 1-800-424-9153); OR GO TO HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV.

GM/FMVSS 201/CONSOLE COVER

NHTSA #00V140000 · Structure — Body · NHTSA notice

Reported May 18, 2000 · GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

Potentially affected: 487,400 vehicles

Manufacturer campaign 00036 · Owners notified June 9, 2000 · Vehicles built October 1, 1997 – September 30, 1999 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

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.

Safety consequence

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

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE CONSOLE LATCH MECHANISM.

Notes

OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN JUNE 9, 2000. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT OLDSMOBILE AT 1-800-442-6537 OR PONTIAC AT 1-800-762-2737.ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).

GM/STEERING WHEEL

NHTSA #98V320000 · Steering — Steering Wheel/Handle Bar · NHTSA notice

Reported December 15, 1998 · GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

Potentially affected: 217 vehicles

Owners notified December 23, 1998 · Vehicles built November 1, 1998 – November 30, 1998 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

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.

Safety consequence

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

Manufacturer remedy

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

Notes

OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN DECEMBER 23, 1998.OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT OLDSMOBILE AT 1-800-442-6537 OR PONTIAC AT 1-800-762-2737. ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).

1999 Pontiac Grand Am 4-DR.

—

out of 5

Overall Safety Rating

Not Rated

Frontal Crash

Not Rated

Driver: 4, Passenger: 4

Side Crash

Not Rated

Driver: 3, Passenger: 3

Side Pole

Not Rated

Rollover

Not Rated

Safety Technology

3 investigations

848 owner complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 1999 Pontiac Grand Am.

Structure; Service Brakes; Forward Collision Avoidance

ODI #11533840

Crash 2 injuries

Incident: October 23, 2014 · Filed: July 22, 2023

Our braking system on this car failed us, and is probably crushed by now at no fault of my own. My safety was at–risk when the brakes lost pressure and if it wasn’t for our seatbelts, I could’ve been thrown through the windshield. I hereby declare that [XXX] deliberately caused our accident and lied about being blinded. [XXX] lost her son—[XXX]—and was jealous of my opportunity to do what he couldn’t. Her other son—[XXX]—choose not to attend college and contraband drugs among other things. [XXX] and his mother [XXX] were also jealous of me for having an opportunity that [XXX] chose not to take. They blame me for Chastity [XXX] & [XXX] turning their parental rights over to the Commonwealth of Kentucky. How their oldest daughter being raped by her paternal grandmother’s husband has to do me is absurd and childish in my opinion. Murray Police Department was called on October 23, 2014 at 7:23 am in reference to 2 vehicle collisions to inspected and verified by law in the Commonwealth of Kentucky. [XXX] and his sister [XXX] their colleagues at Seacrest Rehabilitation—Healthcare Center and [XXX] or [XXX] Consolidated Schools with the latter allegations. Ma and I later went to Dr. [XXX] chiropractic center for evaluation, he can verify her back or knee problems as they related to this incident. [XXX] can verify us suffering from medicalised homelessness, despite state law in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania declaring residential leases cannot exceed three years. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Electrical System; Vehicle Speed Control; Fuel/Propulsion System

ODI #11525143

Incident: June 1, 2023 · Filed: June 3, 2023

The gas gauge will show full then without warning quickly drop to “E” and the low fuel indicator will ding and the light will come on then just as quickly as it started it will go back to full or 2/3rds the slow creep back to the full position. (The tank was not full) While driving all the electrical components start going wild, everything goes on and off quickly. The accelerator will rev(while foot is on or off accelerator) and drop over and over (as if there were bad gas in it) then go back to normal. This happens while I’m on the road and is a massive hazard. I’m so afraid this will cause an accident that leads to loss of life.

Air Bags

ODI #11235024

Crash 1 injury

Incident: June 21, 2019 · Filed: July 26, 2019

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 1999 PONTIAC GRAND AM. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING ABOUT 60 MPH, THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO A CONCRETE BARRIER THAT WAS PUSHED OVER TO THE CONTACT'S LANE, FOLLOWING AN ACCIDENT THAT INVOLVED TWO TRUCKS. THE PASSENGER'S AIR BAG DEPLOYED. NO OTHER AIR BAG DEPLOYED, INCLUDING THE DRIVER'S. THERE WAS NO WARNING. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED MINOR ABRASIONS ON THE UPPER LEFT SHOULDER AND A BIG BUMP ON THE BACK. THE CONTACT WOULD BE GOING TO THE DOCTORS ATA A LATER POINT IN TIME. THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALED AND WAS TOWED TO A TOW YARD. THE DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER WERE NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 268,500.

Unknown or Other

ODI #10882222

Incident: May 27, 2016 · Filed: July 2, 2016

WINDSHIELD AND REAR WINDOW WERE BROKE AND BOTH HAVE BROKE INTO SHARDS. WINDSHIELD WAS APPROXIMENTLY 3" IN DIAMETER AND HALF INCH WIDE AND REAR WINDOW WAS APPROXIMENTLY 5" AND QUARTER IN WIDE.

Engine

ODI #10874327

Incident: April 22, 2016 · Filed: June 15, 2016

THE OIL PRESSURE SWITCH WENT OUT CAUSING ME TO LOSE A MASSIVE AMOUNT OF OIL.

Exterior Lighting

ODI #10874326

Incident: June 1, 2016 · Filed: June 15, 2016

THE HAZARD SWITCH MAKES A NOISE LIKE THE HAZARD LIGHTS ARE FLASHING WHEN THEY AREN'T EVEN ON. TO GET MY BLINKERS TO WORK I HAVE TO PUSH THE HAZARD BUTTON ON AND OFF SEVERAL TIMES.

Unknown or Other; Visibility/Wiper

ODI #10870578

Incident: May 21, 2016 · Filed: May 24, 2016

TO START WITH I READ THE COMPLAINTS AND WAS WONDERING HOW MANY COMPLAINTS DOES IT TAKE FOR SOMETHING TO BE RECALLED. THE DRIVER SIDE WINDOW FALLS, PASSENGER SIDE WINDOW HAS SCRATCHES ON IT FROM I AM GUESSING THE REGULATOR, THE DASH IS SEPARATED FROM THE WINDSHIELD, THE STRUTS, AND SPRINGS HAVE BEEN REPLACED, ABS LIGHT STAYS ON, THE SUSPENSION FEELS LIKE THE CAR IS FALLING APART THROUGH EVERY BUMP IN THE ROAD, THE HEADLIGHTS ARE FOGGED UP AND POINT DOWN. SIDE MIRROR HAS BEEN REPLACED AND WE VISITED SEVERAL AUTO YARDS TO TRY TO FIND A DASH AND SIDE MIRROR AND WOULDN'T YOU KNOW IT ALL THE MODELS OF THE GRAND AM WAS MISSING THE PASSENGER SIDE MIRROR WHERE IT HAD BROKE OFF AND ALL OF THEM THE DASH WAS SEPARATED FROM THE WINDSHIELD. I AM NOT SURE AS TO WHAT WILL HAPPEN IF THE DASH COMES COMPLETELY OFF BUT I DON'T WANT TO BE IN THE CAR WHEN IT DOES HAPPEN. AND I DON'T WANT TO DRIVE A CAR THAT HAS THIS MANY ISSUES AND NO ONE IS RESOLVING THE PROBLEMS. NOW THE CV BOOT HAS TO BE REPLACED. I AM SO FRUSTRATED RIGHT NOW SEEING THE AMOUNT OF COMPLAINTS AND ONLY SIX RECALLS THAT IS A PROBLEM. I AM SORRY TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE PRODUCT YOU PUT OUT. I GUESS IT WILL TAKE SOMEONE GETTING HURT OR KILLED TO RESOLVE THE PROBLEMS AND I HOPE YA'LL CAN SLEEP GOOD AT NIGHT KNOWING ALL THESE PROBLEMS HAVE EXISTED FOR THIS LONG AND NOTHING IS BEING DONE. TIRED OF PUTTING MONEY INTO SOMETHING THAT IS GOING TO CONTINUE WITH THE SAME ISSUES.

Steering

ODI #10865918

Incident: January 31, 2016 · Filed: May 20, 2016

CLOCK SPRING HAS A DISK THAT IS NOT A UNIFORM DESGINE DUE TO IT SPLITTING AND BOWING OUT. STEERING WHEEL STICKS WHEN TURNED EITHER DIRECTION AND HORN IS SET OFF AS WELL. THE AIRBAG LIGHT IS ALSO ON AND WOULD ASSUME THAT IT WOULD NOT INFLATE IN THE EVENT OF A FRONTAL COLLISION. PONTIAC FEELS THAT THE DISK THAT SHOULD BE ONE SOLID PIECE THAT I BELIEVE IS TWO PIECES, IM RESPONSIBLE FOR THEIR DEFECTIVE CRAFTSMANSHIP.

Steering; Air Bags; Unknown or Other

ODI #10864610

Incident: March 15, 2016 · Filed: May 12, 2016

IGNITION FROZEN, UNABLE TO MOVE VEHICLE WITHOUT TOW. NO SHIFT REALEASE, AND UNSAFE IN THE EVENT OF ENGINE STALL ON OPEN ROADWAYS. VEHICLE IS DEAD ONCE YOU SHIFT INTO PARK TO RESTART.

Electrical System

ODI #10850293

Incident: March 5, 2016 · Filed: March 17, 2016

I BOUGHT THIS CAR FROM A FRIEND ABOUT 2WEEKS AGO AND HE TOLD ME THAT THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE IGNITION BUT HE TOOK IT UP THERE. BUT HE JUST DONE THIS ABOUT A WEEK BEFORE I BOUGHT THE CAR , SO NOW THE KEY WON'T EVEN TURN THE IGNITION TO START. WHAT CAN YOU DO FOR ME?THE CAR WAS IN MY DRIVEWAY WHEN I WENT OUT TO LEAVE AND NOTICE THAT I COULD NOT.

Other Pontiac Grand Am model years

Check your 1999 Pontiac Grand Am VIN

Not every recall applies to every VIN in a given year. Enter the 17-character VIN from your Pontiac Grand Am at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether your specific vehicle has an unrepaired recall.

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