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Research · Compact Cars

2000 Pontiac Grand AmRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 8 safety recalls and 691 owner complaints for the 2000 Pontiac Grand Am. Most complaints involve exterior lighting (159) and electrical system (130). The EPA rates it 21–23 mpg combined.

Check a VINAdd to my garage
Combined MPG
21–23mpg
EPA · 3 versions
NHTSA overall
—
Not rated by NCAP
Safety recalls
8campaigns
Latest Jul 2014
Owner complaints
691
Top: exterior lighting
Fuel cost / yr
$2,800est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

8 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 8 recalls with remedies
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Oct 28, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

691 complaints filed with NHTSA · Nov 1999 – May 2022
  1. Exterior lighting159
  2. Electrical system130
  3. Service brakes, hydraulic120
  4. Engine and engine cooling116
  5. Visibility44
  6. Steering36
  7. Fuel system, gasoline35
  8. Suspension34
  9. Air bags32

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
43
Fires reported
17
Injuries reported
40
Deaths reported
4
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Oct 28, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Exterior lighting

159 reports1 crash
“4 YEARS AFTER I BOUGHT MY GRAND AM 2000 I WAS IN AN ACCIDENT AND MY AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY I DIDNT KNOW THERE WAS A RECALL FOR THAT, ANY WAY RECENTLY I HAD TO REPLACE THE SWITCH IGNITION BECAUSE THE KEY GOT STUCK AND COULDNT GET OIT OUT. THEN JUST LAST WEEK THE CAR WOULD NOT START AND IT WAS THE FAULTY IGNITION SWITCH I PAID $380.00 OUT OF NY POCKET AND I WANT A REFUND BECAUSE THERE IS A RECALL 140350 FOR THE IGNITION SWITCH”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 18, 2020Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Air bagsCrash reportedODI 11359810

Electrical system

130 reports7 crashes7 fires
“Electrical wiring mess with air for air or heating up I was trying to make it work while driving and then all of suddenly dashboard light went out, car slowed down and stopped. Turned the car off then turned back on dashboard light wouldn't work, windshield wipers stop working. Got stuck middle of nowhere after I pulled over to check with the car won't turn back on till fuse change and engine start working again after put in mismatch fuse box supposed to match but it different fuse for fuse box”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled May 2, 2022Electrical system, Vehicle speed control, Service brakesODI 11463011

Service brakes, hydraulic

120 reports8 crashes2 fires
“THE COMPONENTS OF THE BRAKES WERE TORE UP AGAIN FOR A SECOND TIME IN 6 YEARS. THE MECHANIC SAID IT WAS THE SAME PROBLEM AND IT TORE UP EVERYTHING. THE ROTORS CALIPER AND BRAKE PADS. *TR”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jun 11, 2011Service brakes, hydraulicODI 10405985
All 2000 Grand Am problemsSend a problem to a mechanic on findmechanic.ai
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Oct 28, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

3 versions rated by the EPA
EPA class
Compact Cars
Engines
2.4L 4-cyl · 3.4L 6-cyl
Transmissions
Automatic 4-spd · Manual 5-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 28, 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
Man 5-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
172921$3,050423
  • Grand Am
    Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 2.4 L
    19 city · 28 hwy · $2,800/yr
    23
    mpg comb.
  • Grand Am
    Man 5-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
    17 city · 29 hwy · $3,050/yr
    21
    mpg comb.
Estimate your fuel costCost of ownership
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Oct 28, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

2 tested variants
NHTSA has not published 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2000 Pontiac Grand Am as of Oct 28, 2026.
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Oct 28, 2026Vehicle 4130Vehicle 4069
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

2000 Grand Am questions

How many recalls does the 2000 Pontiac Grand Am have?

8 safety recalls as of Oct 28, 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 2000 Pontiac Grand Am problems?

Owners filed 691 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are exterior lighting (159), electrical system (130), service brakes, hydraulic (120). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2000 Pontiac Grand Am get?

The EPA rates the 2000 Pontiac Grand Am at 21–23 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (3 versions rated).

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Oct 28, 2026