The most-reported Grand Am run is 1G2NE52E1XM (1999 builds) with 18 complaints, 6.4× the typical run. Electrical system problems make up 27% of reports; 1999 is the worst model year at 5.2 complaints per run; NHTSA lists 21 recall campaigns for Grand Am model years 1995–2005.
Which build runs owners report most
A production run is the first 11 characters of the VIN: plant, model year, body and engine. The Pontiac Grand Am has 1,221 of them on record. The five runs at the top of this table hold 2% of every Grand Am complaint on file.
| Production run (VIN 1–11) | Year | Complaints | Involved a crash | Fire |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1G2NE52E1XM•••••• | 1999 | — | — | |
| 1G2NE52F74C•••••• | 2004 | 2 | — | |
| 1G2NF52T81M•••••• | 2001 | — | — | |
| 1G2NE52EXXM•••••• | 1999 | — | — | |
| 1G2NE12E5XM•••••• | 1999 | 1 | — | |
| 1G2NE52E7XM•••••• | 1999 | 1 | — | |
| 1G2NW52E7XM•••••• | 1999 | — | — | |
| 1G2NE52E4XM•••••• | 1999 | 1 | 1 | |
| 1G2NE12E8XM•••••• | 1999 | 1 | — | |
| 1G2NE52T8TC•••••• | 1996 | — | — | |
| 1G2NE52M6TC•••••• | 1996 | — | — | |
| 1G2NW12E2XM•••••• | 1999 | 2 | — |
Each of the other 1,209 Grand Am runs has 11 complaints or fewer. ForCar has checked 11 Grand Am VINs so far, most often 2004, 2005, 2003 builds.
Which model years to check twice
Complaints per production run, so a year that simply sold more does not top the list. On the Pontiac Grand Am the gap between build years is 3.5×: a 1999 car draws 5.2 complaints per run, a 1998 one 1.5.
| Year | Per run | Complaints | Runs | Crashes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2005 | 89 | 28 | 14 | |
| 2004 | 220 | 89 | 20 | |
| 2003 | 255 | 107 | 21 | |
| 2002 | 297 | 109 | 22 | |
| 2001 | 381 | 130 | 16 | |
| 2000 | 523 | 167 | 39 | |
| 1999 | 615 | 118 | 50 | |
| 1998 | 132 | 88 | 8 | |
| 1997 | 282 | 145 | 22 | |
| 1996 | 343 | 127 | 22 | |
| 1995 | 273 | 139 | 33 |
Heaviest year here is 1999 at 5.2 complaints per run; lightest is 1998 at 1.5.
What to inspect on this car
One system accounts for 27% of everything Pontiac Grand Am owners report: Electrical System, 999 of 3,410 complaints. Start the pre-purchase inspection there.
| System | Complaints | Involved a crash | Fire |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical System | 28 | 65 | |
| Service Brakes | 44 | 4 | |
| Hydraulic | 30 | 4 | |
| Exterior Lighting | 6 | 3 | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 6 | 11 | |
| Air Bags | 147 | 2 | |
| Visibility | 2 | 1 | |
| Steering | 33 | 4 |
Recalls to check against your VIN
NHTSA has 21 recall campaigns on the Pontiac Grand Am; the 6 below cover build years 1996 to 2005. These are for the model and year; whether one is still open on a given car, only that VIN can tell.
| Campaign | Component | Model years |
|---|---|---|
| 07E021000 | Fuel System, Other:storage:tank Assembly:pressure Relief Devices | 1996–2005 |
| 14V400000 | Electrical System:ignition | 1999–2005 |
| 09E012000 | Exterior Lighting | 1999–2005 |
| 06E064000 | Exterior Lighting | 1999–2003 |
| 07E015000 | Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:fuel Pump | 1996–1998 |
| 00V372000 | Power Train:manual Transmission | 2000–2001 |
The Grand Am against its rivals
The Grand Am draws 2.8 complaints per production run; the Chevrolet Cavalier 2.8 and the Toyota Camry Solara 2.3.
| Model | Complaints | Runs | Per run | Involved a crash |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pontiac Grand Am | 3,410 | 1,221 | 7.8% | |
| Chevrolet Cavalier | 3,474 | 1,220 | 9.2% | |
| Toyota Camry Solara | 594 | 256 | 18.9% |
How serious were they
Of the 3,410 reports on the Pontiac Grand Am, 7.8% involved a crash against 5.8% across all vehicles, above the norm.
| Outcome | Pontiac Grand Am | All vehicles |
|---|---|---|
| Complaints filed | 3,410 | 1,115,966 |
| Involved a crash | 267 (7.8%) | 64,194 (5.8%) |
| Involved a fire | 91 (2.7%) | 26,974 (2.4%) |
| Injuries reported | 296 | 58,013 |
| Deaths reported | 30 | 2,728 |
Crash-related reports run 34% above the all-vehicle rate.
You know what it is. Find out what it's worth.
- Exact value for this VIN, adjusted for mileage
- The original window sticker and factory options
- Full research report as a PDF you can hand to a mechanic
- Decode a whole list of VINs at once
- No ads, no tracking — and much more
How this check works
The file behind this page holds 1,115,966 complaints filed with NHTSA between 1981 and 2026, across 298,921 production runs. The Pontiac Grand Am share of that is 3,410 complaints over 1,221 runs, 0.31% of everything on record.
Frequently asked questions
How do I check a Pontiac Grand Am VIN for free?
Enter the 17 characters above. ForCar matches the first eleven, the production run, against 3,410 NHTSA complaints from 1,221 Grand Am runs and 21 recall campaigns. No account, no card.
Which Grand Am production run has the most complaints?
1G2NE52E1XM, a 1999 build, with 18 complaints. The typical Grand Am run has 2.8.
Which Grand Am years have the most complaints?
Per production run, 1999 is heaviest at 5.2 complaints per run and 1998 lightest at 1.5.
Does the Grand Am get more complaints than the Chevrolet Cavalier?
They are level: 2.8 complaints per production run for the Grand Am against 2.8 for the Chevrolet Cavalier.
How many Grand Am complaints involve a crash?
7.8% of 3,410 reports, against 5.8% across all vehicles; 91 involved a fire.
Mark ForCar as a preferred source and our data shows up first in your Google results. One click, no account.