Reliability, what owners report, and what it costs to keep.
AVOIR's read: the numbers are mixed and the complaint record is worth reading before you commit.
Owners have filed 703 complaints with NHTSA about the 2000 Pontiac Grand Am, and it carries 8 recalls. These are owner allegations rather than confirmed defects, but the pattern of what people complain about is the most useful signal a used buyer has.
| Area | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Exterior lighting | 135 | 19% |
| Engine and engine cooling | 90 | 13% |
| Electrical system | 89 | 13% |
| Service brakes | 85 | 12% |
| Visibility | 30 | 4% |
| Air bags | 24 | 3% |
| Fuel system | 19 | 3% |
| Suspension | 19 | 3% |
| Steering | 18 | 3% |
| Structure | 13 | 2% |
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.
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 dash
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
The ignition is faulty. My ignition allows my radio to turn on randomly. I could have the car off, I'm not in it at all. If I get inside to go somewhere and the radio is already on before I put the key in. Most times
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
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 C
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
WHEN DRIVING MY VEHICLE IT WILL CONSTANTLY DIE WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AND I'M UNSURE OF WHAT THE PROBLEM IS AND IT'S STARTING TO CAUSE VERY MANY ISSUES AND POSSIBLY LEADING TO A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION. IT'S BEEN D
NHTSA complaint: Unknown or other
IGNITION SWITCH WILL NOT TURN THE SWITCH OVER THE DING DING COME HOME WHILE KEY IN THE SWITCH BUT JUST STOP ALL OF A SUDDEN WENT TO GROCERY COME BACK OUT AND THE SWITCH WOULD NOT CRANK THE CAR AT ALL IT WAS STATIONARY
NHTSA complaint: Unknown or other
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 A
NHTSA complaint: Air bags
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 SI
NHTSA complaint: Exterior lighting
REPLACED RECALL IGNITION SWITCH HAD TO ALWAYS JIGGLE KEY AFTER THAT. 2 YEARS LATER GETTING WORSE SHUTS OFF BY SELF PERIODUCALLY IGNITION SWITCH NEVER REPLACED RIGHT.
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
NHTSA lists 8 recall campaigns for the 2000 Pontiac Grand Am. Recalls are free to have fixed at a franchised dealer regardless of who owns the car now, but only if they were never done, so check the VIN of the specific car rather than trusting the model.
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 agen
Risk: If the key is not in the run position, the air bags may not deploy if the vehicle is involved in a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
Fix: GM will notify owners, and dealers will install two key rings and an insert in the key slot or a cover over the key head on all ignition keys, free of charge. The recall began on September 9, 2014.
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
Risk: DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
Fix: SABERSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 11, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SABERSPORT AT 1-909-598-7589.
CERTAIN TRADESONIC COMBINATION LAMPS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LISTED PASSENGER VEHICLES. COMBINATION LAMPS NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED
Risk: LACK OF AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS IN THE LAMPS WILL DECREASE LIGHTING VISIBILITY TO OTHER DRIVERS AND MAY POSSIBLY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
Fix: TRADESONIC WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE LAMPS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING JULY 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT TRADESONIC AT 626-934-8884.
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH MANUAL TRANSAXLES (RPO M86) FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 114, "THEFT PROTECTION." WHEN A DRIVER ATTEMPTS TO SHIFT FROM 5TH GEAR TO REVERSE, A SHIFT INHIBITOR CAUSES THE TRANSMISSION TO BE MECHANICALLY IN 4TH GEAR EV
Risk: IN THIS SITUATION, THE KEY CAN BE REMOVED FROM THE IGNITION WHILE THE TRANSMISSION IS IN A FORWARD GEAR, WHICH IS NOT PERMITTED BY THE STANDARD.
Fix: DEALERS WILL DISABLE THE 5TH/REVERSE INHIBITOR BY REMOVING A RETAINING PIN AND REPLACE THE SHIFTER ASSEMBLY.
| Reliability raw | 71 | good |
|---|---|---|
| Longevity est. | 74 | good |
| Maintenance | 88 | excellent |
| Depreciation | 60 | average |
| Performance | 49 | below average |
| Efficiency | 43 | below average |
Percentile ranks against other compact cars in the catalog.
What stands behind each score for this car:
Owners have filed 703 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and exterior lighting is the most reported area with 135 of them (19%). There are 8 recalls on record. Check any specific car against its VIN before buying.
AVOIR scores its reliability 71/100 (good) from NHTSA recall campaigns and complaint density. That figure is a raw complaint count, not yet adjusted for sales volume, so a high-volume model scores worse than it deserves.
AVOIR scores its longevity 74/100, but that figure is an estimate built from the powertrain and the brand's record, not a measurement. A 2000 car has no 200,000-mile population to observe yet, so treat it as a prior rather than evidence.
AVOIR's read: be careful, because the numbers are mixed and the complaint record is worth reading before you commit. Its overall ownership score is 68/100. Condition, mileage and service history still matter more than any score, so get a pre-purchase inspection on the specific car.
Sources: NHTSA recalls and complaints, EPA fuel economy, IIHS awards, and live market listings. A score describes a model-year, not the individual car in front of you. Get a pre-purchase inspection.