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Research · Compact Cars

2001 Pontiac Grand AmRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 7 safety recalls and 548 owner complaints for the 2001 Pontiac Grand Am. Most complaints involve electrical system (235) and exterior lighting (100). The EPA rates it 22–23 mpg combined.

Check a VINAdd to my garage
Combined MPG
22–23mpg
EPA · 3 versions
NHTSA overall
—
Not rated by NCAP
Safety recalls
7campaigns
Latest Jul 2014
Owner complaints
548
Top: electrical system
Fuel cost / yr
$2,800est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

7 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 7 recalls with remedies
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Oct 28, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

548 complaints filed with NHTSA · Jan 2001 – Nov 2023
  1. Electrical system235
  2. Exterior lighting100
  3. Engine and engine cooling78
  4. Service brakes, hydraulic59
  5. Visibility33
  6. Equipment32
  7. Fuel system, gasoline25
  8. Steering24
  9. Structure16

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
21
Fires reported
4
Injuries reported
16
Deaths reported
0
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

Electrical system

235 reports3 crashes3 fires
“WAS DRIVING DOWN CITY STREET CAR WAS IN MOTION AND CAR DIED LEAVING ME WITH NO STEERING OR POWER. HAS NOT STARTED SINCE. HAVE NARROWED DOWN TO IGNITION OR SECURITY IT HAS KILLED A BATTERY. TURNS OVER BUT WILL NOT START. GETTING VERY COSTLY.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jul 7, 2020Electrical system, Unknown or other, Electronic stability control (esc)ODI 11337863

Exterior lighting

100 reports1 crash
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 PONTIAC GRAND AM. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY AND WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE TURN SIGNALS FAILED TO OPERATE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE OCCURRED INTERMITTENTLY OVER THE COURSE OF THREE MONTHS. ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS, THE CONTACT ENGAGED THE HAZARD LIGHTS TO TEMPORARILY CORRECT THE FAILURE. A DEALER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND REFERRED THE CONTACT TO NHTSA. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT WAS PROVIDED WITH SERVICE REQUEST NUMBER: 8-470-818-4180. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 220,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 10, 2018Electrical system, Exterior lightingODI 11139399

Engine and engine cooling

78 reports2 crashes1 fire
“WE HAVE RECEIVED THE RECALL LETTER DATED OCTOBER 2014. WE HAD COMPLAINED ABOUT THE SAFETY OF THE VEHICLE AS IT SHUT OFF AS WE WERE GOING DOWN THE INTERSTATE ACROSS A BRIDGE WHICH HAS A BUMP ON IT WE LOST ALL POWER AND WAS LIKE OLD FASHION STEERING. WE COASTED TO THE END OF THE EXIT RAMP AND HAD TO PLAY WITH THE KEY AND AFTER AWHILE IT STARTED AND THIS CONTINUED OFF AND ON AND THEY TOLD US HAD TO TURN KEY FOR 10 MIN ON AUX TILL LIGHT BLINKED AND RESET ITSELF THEY TOLD US WOULD RESET SECURITY SYSTEM AND START. WHICH IT DID MOST OF THE TIME WAS A PAIN AN INCONVENIENT. WE GOT RID OF IT IN 06 OR 07. IT WAS INTERESTING AND GM SAID IT WAS OUR PROBLEM. HAVEN'T PURCHASED ANOTHER GM VEHICLE. HAD A LOT OF CLOSE CALLS WITH THIS VEHICLE....BUT WAS OUR ISSUE THEY TOLD US.... *TR”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Nov 23, 2014Engine and engine coolingODI 10660350
All 2001 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
Manual 5-spd · 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 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
Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.4 L · Front-Wheel Drive
192923$2,800386
Grand Am
Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 2.4 L · Front-Wheel Drive
192722$2,900404
Grand Am
Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 3.4 L · Front-Wheel Drive
192922$2,900404
  • Grand Am
    Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.4 L
    19 city · 29 hwy · $2,800/yr
    23
    mpg comb.
  • Grand Am
    Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 2.4 L
    19 city · 27 hwy · $2,900/yr
    22
    mpg comb.
  • Grand Am
    Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 3.4 L
    19 city · 29 hwy · $2,900/yr
    22
    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 2001 Pontiac Grand Am as of Oct 28, 2026.
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Oct 28, 2026Vehicle 4293Vehicle 4226
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

2001 Grand Am questions

How many recalls does the 2001 Pontiac Grand Am have?

7 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 2001 Pontiac Grand Am problems?

Owners filed 548 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are electrical system (235), exterior lighting (100), engine and engine cooling (78). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2001 Pontiac Grand Am get?

The EPA rates the 2001 Pontiac Grand Am at 22–23 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (3 versions rated).

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Oct 28, 2026