2000 Pontiac Grand AM Problems

What owners report

Owners of the 2000 Grand Am most often describe turn signals and hazard lights that quit working intermittently, and a security (Passlock) system that leaves the car unable to restart. Cooling-system leaks traced to the intake manifold gasket and brake work such as rotors and calipers are also frequently mentioned, and many of these reports were filed at moderate mileage rather than at low mileage.

1. 1
   Exterior lighting

   Turn signals and hazard lights work intermittently

   • 151 complaints (22%)
   • median 70,000 mi at 5.0 yrs old (99 state mileage)
   • 3 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • owner-quoted repair $600 (median of 11 quotes)
   • filed 2001–2018

   Owners describe turn signals and hazard flashers that work only some of the time, sometimes from day to day and sometimes during a single drive; several say the lights failed entirely. Some note that pressing or tapping the hazard switch temporarily restored the signals. According to the complaints, dealers often told owners their vehicle was not covered by the hazard-switch recall because of the VIN, and some owners paid for switch replacement themselves. Reported across a wide mileage range, from roughly 30,000 to 150,000 miles, in everyday driving.

   Recall 03V3270002 related service bulletins

   What to check: Cycle the turn signals and hazards several times, including while pressing the hazard switch, and ask whether the hazard-switch recall was ever applied to this specific VIN. A service bulletin describes lamp condensation and water-leak guidelines, so check the lenses for moisture as well.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “My turn signals are no longer working. I found that if I pushed the hazards button, it would make the turn signals work. His worked for a while (about 6 months) but now I do not have functioning hazard lights or turn signals. This happened while I was driving posing a very dangerous situation.”

   NHTSA complaint #11119762, filed 2018-08, 35 miles

   “Hazard and or turn signal indicators quit working and I have come very close to being involved in many accidents. Problem has persisted for at least 9 months. When contacting GM, was told that my vehicle was not affected by the recent recall.”

   NHTSA complaint #10067882, filed 2004-04, 57,354 miles
2. 2
   Electrical system

   Security light on and engine will not start (Passlock)

   • 56 complaints (8%)
   • median 91,911 mi at 8.9 yrs old (38 state mileage)
   • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • owner-quoted repair $550 (median of 6 quotes)
   • filed 2001–2022

   Complaints describe an anti-theft security light that stays on, after which the engine will not start; owners say waiting about ten minutes, or disconnecting the battery briefly, sometimes allows a restart. Some also mention the trunk opening or gauges dropping out when the key is turned. Dealers reportedly advised the wait-and-retry procedure, and some repairs such as a computer chip replacement did not resolve it. Mostly reported between about 50,000 and 120,000 miles, sometimes at very low mileage.

   Recall 14V400000

   What to check: Ask whether the ignition switch was replaced under the ignition recall, and start the engine several times, including after a short stop, to see whether the security light comes on and blocks a restart.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “My 2000 Pontiac Grand Am has left me stranded about 100 times, I have had my car fixed 7 times for the security light problem under warranty but the problem has not been corrected. The car only starts when it wants to because of the pass lock system failure. Please have GM recall the parts of the security feature it really isn't safe to be stranded when I work in the middle of night.”

   NHTSA complaint #10208863, filed 2007-11, 54,986 miles

   “The security feature will not allow me to properly start my car. The security light in the car the upper left corner of the dash board display flashes . I then have to wait 10 min or remove power I.e. Disconnect one terminal of the battery reconnect it then hope the car will start.”

   NHTSA complaint #10369259, filed 2010-12, 115,326 miles
3. 3
   Engine cooling

   Coolant loss and oil/coolant mixing at intake manifold

   • 68 complaints (10%)
   • median 55,000 mi at 5.2 yrs old (50 state mileage)
   • 2 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • owner-quoted repair $829 (median of 17 quotes)
   • filed 2003–2016

   Owners describe coolant disappearing quickly, the heater blowing cold, and the engine overheating, with several attributing it to the intake manifold or its gasket. Some report oil and coolant mixing and describe the leak as resembling a head gasket failure, with coolant burning off rather than leaving puddles. Some say a dealer could not identify the source, while others report paying for gasket repairs. Reported from roughly 33,000 to 95,000 miles, including low-mileage vehicles.

   3 related service bulletins

   What to check: Check the coolant level and look for staining or residue around the intake manifold, and look for a milky tint in the oil; ask whether the intake gasket has been replaced. Bulletins on engine oil consumption and cylinder bore wear describe related diagnostic steps.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “I am having problems with my coolant leaking my I have ran into a couple of people who have had the same problems they say its is the intake manifold pontaic nedds to recall these cars I have spent a lot of money trying to find out the problem took it to a Pontiac dealer and they couldn't tell me what the problem is loked on the web an found others haning the same problem.”

   NHTSA complaint #10075289, filed 2004-06, 94,000 miles

   “Intake manifold ,lower gasket rotted away, mixing oil and antifreeze, like a blown head gasket, I hear there are many complaints on the same engine. I feel GM should do something about this ,like a recall. It made me feel very disgusted ,I feel I will switch to a different make of car. Or at least compensate. 900.00 later.”

   NHTSA complaint #10496783, filed 2013-02, 84,358 miles
4. 4
   Brakes

   Brake pulsation, premature brake wear and stuck components

   • 111 complaints (16%)
   • median 45,500 mi at 4.1 yrs old (30 state mileage)
   • 8 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • owner-quoted repair $500 (median of 11 quotes)
   • filed 2000–2014

   Owners report extended stopping distance and vibration traced to warped front rotors, and some describe repeated brake shoe or pad replacement at short intervals. A few mention calipers and hoses replaced because the brakes were not releasing. Some say the problem returned after the dealer's repair. Reported from about 13,000 to 90,000 miles, with several at low mileage.

   1 related service bulletin

   What to check: Test braking from moderate speed for pulsation or pull, and ask for service records showing when rotors, pads, calipers and hoses were last replaced.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “I have had this vehicle for 14 years & have multiple issues with it in that the ignition switch has been replaced 2 to 3 times in the first 3 years of owning the car and never did work property; I had to have the intake gasket done & the head gasket done; I too had an issue w/ the ABS light being on and a wire or something was off. Luckily I have a relative who is a mechanic and did not have to endure the upcharge of the dealership however, these were costly expenses none the less. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10609888, filed 2014-07, 10,000 miles

   “I purchased this car new (my first new car) in august 2000. After the first 15,000 miles and the next 15.000 miles the brakes were replaced under warranty. After each additional 15,000 +/- miles I paid for this service out of pocket. In addition, I started paying for wheel bearings and replaced them too many times to count. Next the electrical system with the fan only working on speed 1 and 5. Many dealer trips to have attempts to be fixed. Problems grew to add issues with fuel pump. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10199610, filed 2007-08, 15,000 miles

Buying note. On a car this age, check the turn signals and hazards carefully, confirm whether the ignition and hazard-switch recalls were performed for the specific VIN, and look at coolant level and oil condition before buying; service records for the intake gasket and brakes are worth asking for.

Summary written with AI from a sample of 60 NHTSA complaints for this model year (picked at random, with complaints that state a mileage and recent ones taken first), then checked automatically against the source records. Where a problem shows a complaint count, every complaint for this model year was matched with fixed keyword rules (written with AI and tested against the sample), and the mileage, age and repair figures are calculated from those complaints; owners' figures are as stated, not verified. Other counts refer to the sample. The excerpts come from NHTSA's public complaint records and are unverified; capitalisation is normalised, NHTSA staff notes are removed, and shortened text ends with “…”. Something wrong? Request a correction.