Independent · Not affiliated with NHTSA or any automaker MethodologyData sourcesData refreshed Oct 6, 2026

1999 Pontiac Grand Am: Problems, Recalls and MPG

What this means

NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns for the 1999 Pontiac Grand Am, most recently filed July 2014. Owners have filed 849 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the service brakes.

Data summary generated from official records. Methodology Data: NHTSA, DOT, EPA · Refreshed Oct 6, 2026
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Recalls (3)

NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns for the 1999 Pontiac Grand Am. Check whether yours was repaired with NHTSA's free VIN lookup ↗

Only NHTSA and your automaker know whether your specific car was repaired. PlainVIN shows every recall campaign listed for a model year, with the official text and how many cars have been fixed so far.

Check on NHTSA ↗
Listed for 1999 Pontiac Grand Am. Not checked against your VIN.
Recall 14V400000 Filed Jul 3, 2014

Ignition Switch may Turn Off

Electrical system · ignition
Official NHTSA text
Summary
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.
Consequence
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.
Remedy
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. GM's number for this recall is 14350.
37.1% repairedof 5,877,718 vehicles
Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026
Check your VIN on NHTSA or ask a dealer to check campaign 14V400000
Listed for 1999 Pontiac Grand Am. Not checked against your VIN.
Recall 00V140000 Filed May 18, 2000

GM/FMVSS 201/CONSOLE COVER

Structure · body
Official NHTSA text
Summary
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: THESE VEHICLES DO NOT COMPLY WITH THE OCCUPANT PROTECTION REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 201, "OCCUPANT PROTECTION IN INTERIOR IMPACT." THE CONSOLE COVER ON THESE VEHICLES DOES NOT STAY CLOSED WHEN A SPECIFIED VERTICAL LOAD IS APPLIED.
Consequence
IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, THE CONSOLE COVER COULD OPEN AND THE COVER OR ITEMS STORED UNDER IT COULD INJURE AN OCCUPANT.
Remedy
DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE CONSOLE LATCH MECHANISM.
Repair progress not yet reported487,400 vehicles potentially affected
Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026
Check your VIN on NHTSA or ask a dealer to check campaign 00V140000
Listed for 1999 Pontiac Grand Am. Not checked against your VIN.
Recall 98V320000 Filed Dec 15, 1998

GM/STEERING WHEEL

Steering · steering wheel/handle bar
Official NHTSA text
Summary
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE STEERING WHEEL CAN COME LOOSE FROM THE STEERING SHAFT BECAUSE THE STEERING WHEEL RETAINING NUT COULD HAVE BEEN IMPROPERLY TIGHTENED.
Consequence
THIS CONDITION COULD CAUSE A LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy
DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE STEERING WHEEL RETAINING NUT FOR CORRECT TIGHTNESS AND TIGHTEN IF NECESSARY.
Repair progress not yet reported217 vehicles potentially affected
Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026
Check your VIN on NHTSA or ask a dealer to check campaign 98V320000

PlainVIN shows public government records for education. It isn't a vehicle inspection or legal advice. Check your own VIN with NHTSA or your dealer.

Owner complaints (849)

849 complaints filed with NHTSA (owner reports, not verified findings). The service brakes is mentioned most often.

73involved a crash
13involved a fire
60injuries reported
16deaths reported

As reported by owners in their complaints. These are reports, not NHTSA findings.

Most-reported components

Complaints filed with NHTSA for the 1999 Pontiac Grand Am, by component (top 10). One complaint can list several components, so these add up to more than 849.Source: NHTSA ODI owner complaints · Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 · Report a data error

How 1999 compares with other Grand Am years

Best and worst Grand Am years →
1995199619971998199920002001200220032004
This year (1999)Other yearsStill collecting reports

Counts are owner reports, not failure rates. Higher sales years tend to draw more reports. Owners are still filing reports for recent model years, so these counts will grow. Source: NHTSA ODI, retrieved Oct 6, 2026.

Fuel economy: up to 23 mpg combined

23
mpg combined
19
city
28
highway
EPA annual fuel cost
$2,900
CO₂ tailpipe
386 g/mi
EPA class
Compact Cars

What it costs you to run

$2,840per year
$237per month
652gallons a year

Miles ÷ 23 mpg × $4.354 (EIA US average regular, week of Oct 5, 2026, all taxes included). Source: EPA · EIA.

EPA label estimates from lab tests; your mileage will vary.

Specs by configuration

1999 Pontiac Grand Am configurations with EPA data
Engine · transmissionDriveCity / Hwy / CombEPA $/yrCO₂ g/mi
2.4 L 4-cyl · 4-speed automaticFront-Wheel Drive19 / 28 / 23$2,900386
3.4 L 6-cyl · 4-speed automaticFront-Wheel Drive18 / 26 / 20$3,350444

Source: EPA fuel economy data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026. Configurations are listed when EPA and NHTSA records match.

Used blue SUV on a sunny dealer lot with its hood open and a clipboard on the fender

Looking at a 1999 Grand Am for sale?

Print a one-page buyer's checklist: each recall campaign with a box to tick when the seller shows proof of repair, the top complaint areas to inspect, crash stars, MPG, and a link back to this page.

All Grand Am years

Where to next

1999 Pontiac Grand Am FAQ

How many recalls does the 1999 Pontiac Grand Am have?

NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns: 14V400000 (electrical), 00V140000 (structure), 98V320000 (steering). Use NHTSA's VIN lookup to see whether a specific car was repaired.

What are the most common 1999 Pontiac Grand Am problems?

Owners filed 849 complaints with NHTSA. Service brakes (219), Engine and engine cooling (133), Electrical system (132) are mentioned most. These are owner reports, not verified findings.

What mpg does the 1999 Pontiac Grand Am get?

EPA rates the 2.4 L 4-cyl · 4-speed automatic version at 19 city, 28 highway and 23 combined mpg. Other configurations are listed in the fuel economy section.

How does the 1999 Grand Am compare with other years?

Among the 1995–2004 Pontiac Grand Am model years at least five years old, the 1998 drew the fewest complaints (172) and the 1999 the most (849). The 1999 drew 849. Counts are owner reports, not failure rates.

How this page was madeSources, processing, limits, review and changes

Processing

  • Complaints are counted per component. One complaint can list several, so component totals add up to more than the total.
  • Fuel cost = miles per year ÷ EPA combined mpg × EIA weekly price for your region.

Limitations

  • Complaint counts are owner reports, not verified findings or failure rates. There is no sales denominator.
  • Recall campaigns are listed for the model year. Only NHTSA and the automaker know whether a specific car was repaired.
  • Recent model years are still collecting reports.

Review

Data compiled automatically from the official files listed here.

Changelog

  • 2026-10-06 Data refreshed from the official files.
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