Menu

1996 Pontiac Grand AMProblems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 450 owner complaints about the 1996 Pontiac Grand AM, most often about the electrical system. It is covered by 4 safety recalls.

37
CarFlaw IndexUse caution1.7× the Grand AM median · #4 of 20 years by complaints
Safety recalls4Free fix at dealersOwner complaints450100 with a crash, fire or injuryTypical failure mileage106kElectrical system, median miles

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through July 7, 2017. Updated daily.

Complaints by system

Where the 1996 Pontiac Grand AM has problems

450 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.

Box size = number of complaints naming that system. Darker = larger share. One complaint can name more than one system.
Complaints by system
SystemComplaintsCrash, fire or injury
Electrical system12213
Air bags10456
Engine and engine cooling745
Service brakes, hydraulic597
Visibility371
Power train330
Suspension303
Structure241
Exterior lighting201
13 other systems9812

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.

4 recalls

1996 Pontiac Grand AM recalls and how many were fixed

Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

–no report yet

Ignition: switch

Recall 02V-070 · Mar 6, 2002 · 1,589,948 vehicles

Risk. IF THE SWITCH IS DAMAGED, A FIRE COULD OCCUR IN THE STEERING COLUMN, EVEN WITH THE ENGINE OFF AND THE KEY REMOVED.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

–no report yet

Interior lighting

Recall 98V-027 · Feb 17, 1998 · 249,420 vehicles

Risk. THE INTERIOR LAMPS COMING ON UNEXPECTEDLY COULD STARTLE A DRIVER CAUSING A MOMENTARY LOSS OF CONTROL INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE ACCIDENT.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

–no report yet

Steering: steering wheel/handle bar

Recall 96V-249 · Dec 17, 1996 · 424 vehicles

Risk. AN UNDERTORQUED PINCH BOLT CAN RATTLE AND CAUSE LOOSENESS IN THE STEERING SYSTEM.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

–no report yet

Exterior lighting: hazard flashing warning lights

Recall 96V-250 · Dec 17, 1996 · 270,014 vehicles

Risk. IF THESE LAMPS WERE NOT FLASHING, OTHER VEHICLES WOULD NOT BE AWARE THAT THIS VEHICLE WAS STOPPED INCREASING THE RISK OF AN ACCIDENT.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with Pontiac.

Best & worst years

1996 vs. every other Grand AM year

Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the Grand AM median. How we score

'73'75'78'83'85'86'87'88'89'90'91'92'93'94'95'96'97'98'99'00'01'02'03'04'05
  • Avoid
  • Caution
  • Solid
  • Best
  • Not rated
NHTSA crash tests

1996 Pontiac Grand AM safety ratings

1996 Pontiac Grand Am 4-DR. in NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program. Photos are from NHTSA's crash tests.

  • Stability control: No
  • Forward collision warning: No
  • Lane departure warning: No
2 investigations

NHTSA defect investigations

Federal investigations that included the 1996 Pontiac Grand AM, and the recalls they led to.

  1. POWER RACK AND PINION STEERING FAILURERQ03001 · closed Sep 15, 2003
    No recall
  2. OVERSENSITIVE AIR BAG DEPLOYMENTSRQ98013 · still open
    Led to recall 98V-146
In owners' words

What Grand AM owners report

Recent electrical system complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.

I WAS DRIVING DOWN HIWAY THE CAR DIED I TURNED IT TO THE RIGHT TO GET OFF THE HIWAY AND THE AIRBAG ON DRIVERS SIDE EXPLODED, I HAD THE CAR TOWED AND WAS TOLD THE PASS KEY SYSTEM OR THEFT SYSTEM WENT BAD IN IGNITION SWITCH AND NO EXPLANATION WHY AIR BAG WENT OFF? OR HOW TO FIX ANY OF IT, THIS IS NOW…
Complaint 11003734 · Jul 7, 2017 · 163,000 miles
CAR WOULD NOT START. STEERING LOCKED AND TRANSMISSION STUCK IN PARK.KEY WOULD NOT TURN. TOWED CAR HOME. REMOVED THE IGNITION SWITCH AND FOUND THE IGNITION LOCK HAD MELTED. THE OBVIOUS FIRE HAZARD PROMPTED A RECALL SEARCH FOR THE MAKE AND MODEL FINDING AN IGNITION RECALL HAS BEEN ISSUED. I CONTACTED…
Complaint 10523832 · Jul 9, 2013 · 171,708 miles
I STARTED MY CAR IN A PARKING LOT AND WAS DRIVING APPROX 10MPH WHEN THE CAR DIED ALMOST IMMEDIATELY, AFTER RESTART, IT DID IT AGAIN. THEN, IT WOULDN'T EVEN TURN OVER. I HAD IT TOWED TO A MECHANIC WHO TOLD ME THAT IT WAS PROBABLY A BAD FUEL PUMP. TURNS OUT IT WAS THE PONTIAC ANTI-THEFT DEVICE THAT…
Complaint 10489407 · Dec 20, 2012 · 136,141 miles

Own a 1996 Grand AM?

Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.