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1996 Pontiac Grand PrixProblems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 79 owner complaints about the 1996 Pontiac Grand Prix, most often about the service brakes, hydraulic. It is covered by 1 safety recall.

70
CarFlaw IndexOne of the best years57% below the Grand Prix median · #20 of 21 years by complaints
Safety recalls1Free fix at dealersOwner complaints7915 with a crash, fire or injuryTop problem16Service brakes, hydraulic

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through October 27, 2016. Updated daily.

Complaints by system

Where the 1996 Pontiac Grand Prix has problems

79 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
Service brakes, hydraulic160
Engine and engine cooling133
Electrical system90
Steering81
Structure72
Power train51
Vehicle speed control51
Seats41
Seat belts42
9 other systems214

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

1 recall

1996 Pontiac Grand Prix 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

Steering: rack and pinion

Recall 03V-527 · Dec 11, 2003 · 750,283 vehicles

Risk. IF THIS OCCURS, THE PINION SHAFT CAN BE FORCED UPWARD DURING LEFT TURNS AND BACK DOWN AS THE STEERING WHEEL IS MOVED BACK AND TO THE RIGHT.

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 Prix 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 Prix median. How we score

'65'66'70'72'73'74'76'77'78'79'80'81'82'83'84'85'86'87'88'89'90'91'92'93'94'95'96'97'98'99'00'01'02'03'04'05'06'07'08
  • Avoid
  • Caution
  • Solid
  • Best
  • Not rated
NHTSA crash tests

1996 Pontiac Grand Prix safety ratings

1996 Pontiac Grand Prix 2-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
3 investigations

NHTSA defect investigations

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

  1. INAPPROPRIATE AIR BAG DEPLOYMENTEA96023 · closed Feb 13, 1998
    No recall
  2. INADVERTENT AIR BAG DEPLOYMENTEA99026 · closed Dec 28, 2001
    Led to recall 00V-171
  3. ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRESPE02050 · closed Oct 22, 2002
    No recall
In owners' words

What Grand Prix owners report

Recent service brakes, hydraulic complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.

FRONT BRAKE ROTORS ARE PREMATURELY WEARING. WHEN APPLYING BRAKES AT HIGH SPEED VEHICLE VIBRATES, AND PEDAL NEARLY GOES TO THE FLOOR, CAUSING EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE. *AK CONSUMER STATES VEHICLE IS VERY HARD TO STOP AT SPEEDS OVER 35 MPH ROTORS HAVE BEEN REPLACED 3 TIMES SINCE VEHICLE WAS…
Complaint 888960 · May 23, 2001
BRAKE ROTORS RUSTED OUT, CAUSING THEM TO FLAKE AWAY WHEN THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED. DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED, REPAIRED AT OWNER'S COST. *AK *ML
Complaint 862349 · May 23, 2000
CONSUMER HAS HAD A PROBLEM WITH POWER DOORS/LOCKS EVERY SINCE SHE HAS HAD THE VEHICLE. CONSUMER WAS LOCKED INSIDE FOR THIRTY MINUTES. ALSO, POWER STEERING AND THE BRAKES WERE NOT WORKING. SHE HELD THE EMERGENCY BRAKE DOWN, JAMMING IT. *AK
Complaint 848461 · Sep 22, 1999

Own a 1996 Grand Prix?

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