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Research · Compact Cars

1999 Pontiac Grand AmRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 6 safety recalls and 858 owner complaints for the 1999 Pontiac Grand Am. Most complaints involve service brakes, hydraulic (203) and engine and engine cooling (134). The EPA rates it 20–23 mpg combined.

Check a VINAdd to my garage
Combined MPG
20–23mpg
EPA · 2 versions
NHTSA overall
—
Not rated by NCAP
Safety recalls
6campaigns
Latest Jul 2014
Owner complaints
858
Top: service brakes, hydraulic
Fuel cost / yr
$2,800est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

6 NHTSA campaigns · applies to some vehicles, check your VIN

Electrical system: ignition

Free remedy

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.

Electrical systemReported Jul 3, 2014NHTSA 14V400000

Exterior lighting

Free remedy

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.

Exterior lightingReported Apr 7, 2009NHTSA 09E012000

Fuel system

Free remedy

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.

Fuel system, otherReported Mar 12, 2007NHTSA 07E021000
See all 6 recalls with remedies
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Oct 27, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

858 complaints filed with NHTSA · Jul 1998 – Jul 2023
  1. Service brakes, hydraulic203
  2. Engine and engine cooling134
  3. Electrical system133
  4. Suspension107
  5. Visibility86
  6. Air bags77
  7. Steering71
  8. Exterior lighting68
  9. Structure43

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

By model year

Complaints for each Grand Am model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
1996450
1997394
1998179
1999858
2000691
2001548
2002404
2003338
2004293
2005102
Crashes reported
74
Fires reported
13
Injuries reported
61
Deaths reported
16
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Oct 27, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Service brakes, hydraulic

203 reports7 crashes
“CAR THE WORST. I'VE SUNK MORE $ IN2 IT THAN SHE COST TO BUY. $15,000 AT LST. HEAD GASKET X2. INTAKE MANIFOLD X2 WINDOW PARTS X2 BRAKES, PADS ROTORS ENGINE REPLACED IN 2009 BY QUACK MECHANIC ON ADVICE FROM A FRIEND CAR 3 MTHS ON LIFT! COST $1000 A YR 2 PASS NYS INSPECTION HAD CATALYTIC CONVERTER & GASKETS REPLACED AFTER I BEGGED DO IT! CAT WHOLE PROB FOR 31/2 YRS. ERG VALVE SELONOID CHANGED. COILS SPRINGS, STRUT MOUNT(SENSATRAC) STRUT WAS ONLY AFTER I HAD TIRES REPLACED FOR UPTEENTH TIME REALIZING IT WAS CUTTING INTO 1 TIRE DRIVING OUT OF THE SHOP. ANTIFREEZE STILL OOZES OUT REGARDLESS HOW MANY X'S WORK DONE ON COOLING SYSTEM. THERMASTAT TWICE FUEL INJECTOR OXYGEN SENSOR ANTIFREEZE RESERVOIR, HOSES MUFFLER REARVIEW MIRROR FELL OFF TWICE TIMING BELT. HEADLIGHTS SEVERAL TIMES REAR LIGHTS. 2 OR 3 BATTERIES. THIS CAR SHOULD RUN LIKE NEW- ALMOST EVERYTHING'S BEEN REPLACED NOPE! WAS TOWED TWICE LAST 2 WEEKS DUE TO COOLANT LOSS OVERHEATING ENGINE STOPPING. INFORMED TODAY AFTER CAR AGAIN OVERHEATED & LOST POWER IT'S PROBABLY INTAKE MANIFOLD & HEAD GASKET, OIL IS DRIPPING FROM SIDES OF ENGINE. COMPUTER AMUCK NOWODOMETER FLASHES 1/2 NUMBERS INSTEAD OF TRUE MILEAGE. ABS?…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 4, 2012Suspension, Service brakes, hydraulic, Visibility, Engine, Fuel/propulsion systemODI 10473840

Engine and engine cooling

134 reports4 fires
“TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 PONTIAC GRAND AM. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35-45 MPH, THE VEHICLE WOULD SUDDENLY STALL. AFTER THE FAILURE, HE NOTICED THAT THE ABS LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENTAL PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO RESTART AFTER THE CONTACT WAITED A WHILE. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN INSPECTED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 100,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Feb 14, 2011Engine and engine coolingODI 10382583

Electrical system

133 reports1 crash9 fires
“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.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jun 3, 2023Electrical system, Vehicle speed control, Fuel/propulsion systemODI 11525143
All 1999 Grand Am problemsSend a problem to a mechanic on findmechanic.ai
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Oct 27, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

2 versions rated by the EPA
EPA class
Compact Cars
Engines
2.4L 4-cyl · 3.4L 6-cyl
Transmissions
Automatic 4-spd
Drive
Front-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Regular Gasoline

Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.

Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Oct 27, 2026EPA listing
05 —Fuel economy

EPA fuel economy by version

City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
VersionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
Grand Am
Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 2.4 L · Front-Wheel Drive
192823$2,800386
Grand Am
Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 3.4 L · Front-Wheel Drive
182620$3,200444
  • Grand Am
    Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 2.4 L
    19 city · 28 hwy · $2,800/yr
    23
    mpg comb.
  • Grand Am
    Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 3.4 L
    18 city · 26 hwy · $3,200/yr
    20
    mpg comb.
Estimate your fuel costCost of ownership
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Oct 27, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

1 tested variant
NHTSA has not published 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 1999 Pontiac Grand Am as of Oct 27, 2026.
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Oct 27, 2026Vehicle 3964
07 —Maintenance

Maintenance basics

General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
ItemMilesTimeNote
Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi6–12 monthsFollow the oil-life monitor if fitted
Tire rotation5,000–7,500 miEvery oil changeCheck pressure monthly
Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi1–2 yearsSooner in dusty areas
Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi1–2 years
Brake fluid—2–3 yearsAbsorbs moisture over time
Coolant60,000–100,000 mi5–10 yearsLong-life coolants last longer
Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi—Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end
12V battery—3–5 yearsHeat shortens battery life
  • Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi
    6–12 months
  • Tire rotation5,000–7,500 mi
    Every oil change
  • Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Brake fluid—
    2–3 years
  • Coolant60,000–100,000 mi
    5–10 years
  • Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi
    —
  • 12V battery—
    3–5 years
Typical intervals for modern cars. Severe service (towing, short trips, extreme heat or cold) shortens them.
09 —FAQ

1999 Grand Am questions

How many recalls does the 1999 Pontiac Grand Am have?

6 safety recalls as of Oct 27, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.

What are the most common 1999 Pontiac Grand Am problems?

Owners filed 858 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are service brakes, hydraulic (203), engine and engine cooling (134), electrical system (133). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 1999 Pontiac Grand Am get?

The EPA rates the 1999 Pontiac Grand Am at 20–23 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (2 versions rated).

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Oct 27, 2026