IllustrationENGINE SHUTS DOWN/ALL POWER IS GONE/ THERE ARE NO BRAKES/ NO STEERING AND NO LIGHTS. CONSUMER INDICATES THERE IS NO POWER AT ALL, AND FEELS THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS, TOOK TO DEALER, AND THEY COULDN'T REMEDY THE PROBLEM. IT IS AN INTERMITTENT PROBLEM. *AK
1996 Pontiac Grand Am
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
More warning signs than most Grand Am years
Owner complaints for the 1996 Pontiac Grand Am are substantially higher than the model-year median of 82.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Grand Am years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
Limited mileage data: 78 of 450 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
- Electrical System. Review the 122 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Air Bags. Review the 104 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 74 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
32 crash reports14 fire reports52 injury reports
Electrical System complaints
122 reportsSINCE PURCHASE HAD TO REPLACE 3 ALTERNATORS/ 2 IGNITION SWITCHES/ 2 STOP-HAZARD SWITCHES/ABS SWITCH, AND 2 BATTERIES. *AK WINDSHIELD IS LEAKING DURING HEAVY RAINS. THE CONSUMER INDICATES THAT THE VEHICLE HAS QUESTIONABLE DESIGN WHICH CAUSING MOST OF THE PROBLEMS. *YH
CONSTANT PROBLEMS MOSTLY ELECTRICAL, BUT FROM WINDOWS AND LOCKS TO MAJOR THINGS LIKE ALTERNATORS AND IGNITION SWITCHES MULTIPLE TIMES. CONTACTED PONTIAC OVER A YEAR AND NEVER HEARD EVEN A REPLY. ANY RECALLS OR FACTORY FIX INFO WOULD BE APPRECIATED. *AK
SERVICE ADVISOR COMMENTS LEAD ME TO SUSPECT THAT SHORTNESS OF ALTERNATOR WIRING HARNESS CAUSED ELECTRICAL SHORTS WHICH CAUSED THREE ALTERNATOR FAILURES AND ONE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER FAILURE. INTIAL ALTERNATOR FAILURE RESULTED IN SUDDEN ELECTRICAL SYSTEM SHUTDOWN ON I-880 AT THE SANTA CRUZ MOUNTAINS SUMMIT, A NEAR SAFETY MISHAP. T…
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SERVICE ADVISOR COMMENTS LEAD ME TO SUSPECT THAT SHORTNESS OF ALTERNATOR WIRING HARNESS CAUSED ELECTRICAL SHORTS WHICH CAUSED THREE ALTERNATOR FAILURES AND ONE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER FAILURE. INTIAL ALTERNATOR FAILURE RESULTED IN SUDDEN ELECTRICAL SYSTEM SHUTDOWN ON I-880 AT THE SANTA CRUZ MOUNTAINS SUMMIT, A NEAR SAFETY MISHAP. THE VEHICLE HAD TO BE TOWED TO DEALER. ON THE OTHER TWO ALTERNATOR FAILURES, WARNING LIGHTS GAVE US ENOUGH NOTICE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR REPAIRS. *AK
CONSUMER WAS SITTING STILL WAITING TO MAKE A TURN & VEHCILE STALLED. TOW TRUCK DRIVER SAID THE ALTERNATOR WASN'T CHARGING THE BATTERY. CONUSMER WILL CONTACT THE DEALER. *AK
ALTERNATOR REPLACE TWO TIMES WITHIN A YEAR AND A HALF. BRAKES ALL WAYS GOING BAD ABS LIGHT STAYS ON ALL OF THE TIME I HAVE TO PAY FROM 300 TO 700 ALL OF THE TIME TO GET THIS CAR FIX NOW KOONS WANT A 1000 TO FIX THE EBTCM I HAVE SO MANY PROBLEM WITH THIS CAR I AM STILL PAYING A CAR NOTE I NO THAT THIS CAR HAS A DEFECT IT STAY…
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ALTERNATOR REPLACE TWO TIMES WITHIN A YEAR AND A HALF. BRAKES ALL WAYS GOING BAD ABS LIGHT STAYS ON ALL OF THE TIME I HAVE TO PAY FROM 300 TO 700 ALL OF THE TIME TO GET THIS CAR FIX NOW KOONS WANT A 1000 TO FIX THE EBTCM I HAVE SO MANY PROBLEM WITH THIS CAR I AM STILL PAYING A CAR NOTE I NO THAT THIS CAR HAS A DEFECT IT STAYS IN THE SHOP.
CAR RUNS HOT. WHEN STARTING UP WINDOWS WOULD FOG, COULD SMELL ANTIFREEZE. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER, AND THEY REPLACED HEATER CORE, THEY SAID IT HAD A PIN HOLE IN IT. CONSUMER SAID CAR WASSTILL RUNNING HOT, CONSUMER COULD HEAR A FLAPPING NOISE, LIKE A HELICOPTER UNDER THE HOOD.*AK THE POPING FRONT RIGHT SUSPENSION WAS DUE TO S…
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CAR RUNS HOT. WHEN STARTING UP WINDOWS WOULD FOG, COULD SMELL ANTIFREEZE. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER, AND THEY REPLACED HEATER CORE, THEY SAID IT HAD A PIN HOLE IN IT. CONSUMER SAID CAR WASSTILL RUNNING HOT, CONSUMER COULD HEAR A FLAPPING NOISE, LIKE A HELICOPTER UNDER THE HOOD.*AK THE POPING FRONT RIGHT SUSPENSION WAS DUE TO SWAY BAR LINK FAILURE WHICH MADE STABLIZER BAR LOOSE. HORN MALFUNCTIONS DUE TO DIRTY CONTACTS. WINDOW DOES NOT GO UP OR DOWN PROPERLY DUE TO WINDOW MOTOR FAILURE. THE NOISE IN ENGINE AREA WHEN COLD WAS DUE TO ALTERNATOR FAILURE. WATER PUMP WAS LEAKING. TEMPERATURE GUAGE WAS INACCURATE. THE NOISE FROM FRONT AND REAR BRAKES WAS CAUSED BY WORN BRAKE PADS. DRIVER SIDE MIRROR CONTROL FELL INTO THE DOOR PANEL. *YH
IGNITION KEY WAS BEING RELEASED FROM IGNITION SWITCH INTERMITTENTLY. DEALER NOTIFIED, AND WASA UNABLE TO DUPLICATE PROBLEM. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS. *AK
THIS IS THE THIRD REPLACEMENT OF THE IGNITION LOCK CYLINDER WITHIN TWO YEARS 1998-2000. IT SEEMS TO NEED REPLACED EVERY 9-12 MONTHS. I FEEL THIS IS AN OBVIOUS PROBLEM AND SHOULD BE CORRECTED. THE SEAT ANCHOR HAS BEEN REPORTED EACH TIME I TAKE THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP. THE LAST TIME I WAS TOLD TO RECLINE THE SEAT TO PREVENT …
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THIS IS THE THIRD REPLACEMENT OF THE IGNITION LOCK CYLINDER WITHIN TWO YEARS 1998-2000. IT SEEMS TO NEED REPLACED EVERY 9-12 MONTHS. I FEEL THIS IS AN OBVIOUS PROBLEM AND SHOULD BE CORRECTED. THE SEAT ANCHOR HAS BEEN REPORTED EACH TIME I TAKE THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP. THE LAST TIME I WAS TOLD TO RECLINE THE SEAT TO PREVENT THE PROBLEM. I DO NOT FEEL THIS IS AN ACCEPTABLE ANSWER TO THE PROBLEM. *AK
CONSUMER WAS INSIDE OF VEHICLE . STARTED VEHICLE UP, AND NOTICED SMOKE COMING UNDERNEATH THE DASHBOARD. FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CALLED.*AK
Official recalls
402V070000 · Electrical System:ignition:switch
Mar 6, 2002
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES. IF THE ENGINE FAILS TO START AND THE DRIVER HOLDS THE KEY IN THE "START" POSITION FOR AN EXTENDED PERIOD, HIGH CURRENT FLOWS THROUGH THE IGNITION SWITCH, AND SOMETIMES PRODUCES ENOUGH HEAT TO MELT INTERNAL SWITCH PARTS.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IF THE SWITCH IS DAMAGED, A FIRE COULD OCCUR IN THE STEERING COLUMN, EVEN WITH THE ENGINE OFF AND THE KEY REMOVED.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A RELAY KIT IN THESE VEHICLES TO PREVENT HIGH CURRENT FROM FLOWING THROUGH THE IGNITION SWITCH. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN MARCH 27, 2002. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-222-1020, PONTIAC AT 1-800-762-2737, BUICK AT 1-800-521-7300, OR OLDSMOBILE AT 1-800-442-6537.
98V027000 · Interior Lighting
Feb 17, 1998
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE VEHICLES WERE BUILT WITH THE POTENTIAL FOR THE INTERIOR LAMPS TO COME ON UNEXPECTEDLY WHILE THE VEHICLES ARE BEING DRIVEN. THIS DOES NOT MEET THE REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 101, "CONTROLS AND DISPLAYS."
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THE INTERIOR LAMPS COMING ON UNEXPECTEDLY COULD STARTLE A DRIVER CAUSING A MOMENTARY LOSS OF CONTROL INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE ACCIDENT.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL RUN A DIAGNOSTIC TEST ON THE LAMP CONTROL MODULE AND, IF NECESSARY, REPLACE IT.
96V249000 · Steering: Steering Wheel/handle Bar
Dec 17, 1996
THE STEERING COLUMN LOWER PINCH BOLT WAS NOT PROPERLY TIGHTENED DURING ASSEMBLY.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: AN UNDERTORQUED PINCH BOLT CAN RATTLE AND CAUSE LOOSENESS IN THE STEERING SYSTEM. IF THE PINCH BOLT BACKED OUT OF THE JOINT COMPLETELY, ROTATION OF THE STEERING SHAFT AGAINST THE CONNECTOR COULD CAUSE INCREASING LOOSENESS IN THE STEERING SYSTEM AND RESULT IN LOSS OF STEERING AND AN ACCIDENT.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE STEERING COLUMN PINCH BOLT FOR CORRECT TORQUE AND, IF NECESSARY, TIGHTEN THE BOLT TO THE SPECIFIED TORQUE.
96V250000 · Exterior Lighting:hazard Flashing Warning Lights
Dec 17, 1996
THE FRONT AND/OR REAR HAZARD WARNING LAMPS (FOUR-WAY FLASHERS) DO NOT FLASH WHEN THE HAZARD SWITCH IS ACTIVATED. THIS FAILS TO COMPLY WITH FMVSS NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT."
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IF THESE LAMPS WERE NOT FLASHING, OTHER VEHICLES WOULD NOT BE AWARE THAT THIS VEHICLE WAS STOPPED INCREASING THE RISK OF AN ACCIDENT.
Remedy: DEALERS OR VEHICLE OWNERS WILL INSPECT FOR PROPER FUNCTION OF THE HAZARD WARNING LAMPS. IF NECESSARY, DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE HAZARD LAMP SWITCH.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
2RQ03001 · Power Rack And Pinion Steering Failure
Opened Jan 2, 2003 · Closed Sep 15, 2003
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Steering; Steering:rack And Pinion
GM CONDUCTED A SAFETY RECALL (NHTSA # 02V286) TO ADDRESS A STEERING DEFECT PERTAINING TO A LOWER PINION BEARING (LPB) WITHIN THE RACK AND PINION STEERING GEAR (R&P). THE RECALL COVERED 1,159,156 MODEL YEAR 1997-1998 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX VEHICLES BUILT BETWEEN MARCH 1, 1996 AND OCTOBER 31, 1997, 1996-1998 PONTIAC TRANS SPORT, CHEVROLET LUMINA APV, CHEVROLET VENTURE, OLDSMOBILE SILHOUETTE MINIVANS, AND CHEVROLET CAVALIER AND PONTIAC SUNFIRE SEDANS BUILT BETWEEN JANUARY 1, 1996 AND OCTOBER 31, 1997.ODI OPENED THIS RQ AFTER RECEIVING REPORTS THAT OTHER VEHICLES WERE EXHIBITING THE SAME SYMPTOMS AS THE RECALLED VEHICLES.BASED ON ODI'S REVIEW OF TECHNICAL AND COMPLAINT DATA COLLECTED DURING THE RQ, THE W-CARS ARE ASSOCIATED WITH EITHER A HIGHER STEERING COMPLAINT RATE OR A HIGHER LPB FAILURE RATE THAN THE OTHER VEHICLES INVESTIGATED UNDER THE RQ AND ARE ABOVE OR NEAR THE RATES FOR THE RECALLED VEHICLES.THUS, ODI WILL FURTHER EXAMINE THE W-CARS (1996-1997 OLDSMOBILE CUTLASS SUPREME, 1996-1998 BUICK REGAL, CHEVROLET LUMINA, CHEVROLET MONTE CARLO, 1997-1998 BUICK CENTURY, AND 1998 OLDSMOBILE INTRIGUE) UNDER A NEW INVESTIGATION, ENGINEERING ANALYSIS (EA)03-019.
Additional source detail variants (2)
Steering
GM CONDUCTED A SAFETY RECALL (NHTSA # 02V286) TO ADDRESS A STEERING DEFECT PERTAINING TO A LOWER PINION BEARING (LPB) WITHIN THE RACK AND PINION STEERING GEAR (R&P). THE RECALL COVERED 1,159,156 MODEL YEAR 1997-1998 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX VEHICLES BUILT BETWEEN MARCH 1, 1996 AND OCTOBER 31, 1997, 1996-1998 PONTIAC TRANS SPORT, CHEVROLET LUMINA APV, CHEVROLET VENTURE, OLDSMOBILE SILHOUETTE MINIVANS, AND CHEVROLET CAVALIER AND PONTIAC SUNFIRE SEDANS BUILT BETWEEN JANUARY 1, 1996 AND OCTOBER 31, 1997.ODI OPENED THIS RQ AFTER RECEIVING REPORTS THAT OTHER VEHICLES WERE EXHIBITING THE SAME SYMPTOMS AS THE RECALLED VEHICLES.BASED ON ODI'S REVIEW OF TECHNICAL AND COMPLAINT DATA COLLECTED DURING THE RQ, THE W-CARS ARE ASSOCIATED WITH EITHER A HIGHER STEERING COMPLAINT RATE OR A HIGHER LPB FAILURE RATE THAN THE OTHER VEHICLES INVESTIGATED UNDER THE RQ AND ARE ABOVE OR NEAR THE RATES FOR THE RECALLED VEHICLES.THUS, ODI WILL FURTHER EXAMINE THE W-CARS (1996-1997 OLDSMOBILE CUTLASS SUPREME, 1996-1998 BUICK REGAL, CHEVROLET LUMINA, CHEVROLET MONTE CARLO, 1997-1998 BUICK CENTURY, AND 1998 OLDSMOBILE INTRIGUE) UNDER A NEW INVESTIGATION, ENGINEERING ANALYSIS (EA)03-019.
Steering:rack And Pinion
GM CONDUCTED A SAFETY RECALL (NHTSA # 02V286) TO ADDRESS A STEERING DEFECT PERTAINING TO A LOWER PINION BEARING (LPB) WITHIN THE RACK AND PINION STEERING GEAR (R&P). THE RECALL COVERED 1,159,156 MODEL YEAR 1997-1998 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX VEHICLES BUILT BETWEEN MARCH 1, 1996 AND OCTOBER 31, 1997, 1996-1998 PONTIAC TRANS SPORT, CHEVROLET LUMINA APV, CHEVROLET VENTURE, OLDSMOBILE SILHOUETTE MINIVANS, AND CHEVROLET CAVALIER AND PONTIAC SUNFIRE SEDANS BUILT BETWEEN JANUARY 1, 1996 AND OCTOBER 31, 1997.ODI OPENED THIS RQ AFTER RECEIVING REPORTS THAT OTHER VEHICLES WERE EXHIBITING THE SAME SYMPTOMS AS THE RECALLED VEHICLES.BASED ON ODI'S REVIEW OF TECHNICAL AND COMPLAINT DATA COLLECTED DURING THE RQ, THE W-CARS ARE ASSOCIATED WITH EITHER A HIGHER STEERING COMPLAINT RATE OR A HIGHER LPB FAILURE RATE THAN THE OTHER VEHICLES INVESTIGATED UNDER THE RQ AND ARE ABOVE OR NEAR THE RATES FOR THE RECALLED VEHICLES.THUS, ODI WILL FURTHER EXAMINE THE W-CARS (1996-1997 OLDSMOBILE CUTLASS SUPREME, 1996-1998 BUICK REGAL, CHEVROLET LUMINA, CHEVROLET MONTE CARLO, 1997-1998 BUICK CENTURY, AND 1998 OLDSMOBILE INTRIGUE) UNDER A NEW INVESTIGATION, ENGINEERING ANALYSIS (EA)03-019.
RQ98013 · Oversensitive Air Bag Deployments
Opened Aug 26, 1998 · No close date supplied
Status: open (inferred from source dates) · Air Bags
ON JUNE 26, 1998, GENERAL MOTORS BEGAIN A SAFETY RECALL, 98V-146, TO RECALIBRATE THE AIR BAG SENSING AND DIAGNOSTIC MODULE (SDM) IN THE 1996 AND SOME 1997 J BODY CARS, CAVALIER AND SUNFIRE.DUE TO CERTAIN CALIBRATIONS IN THE AIR BAG SDM, THERE IS AN INCREASED RISK OF INADVERTENT AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT IN A LOW SPEED CRASH OR WHEN AN OBJECT STRIKES THE FLOOR PAN.THE RECALL POPULATION CONSISTS OF 675,302 VEHICLES BUILT FROM APRIL 1995 THROUGH MAY 1997.ODI HAS RECEIVED 8 OWNER REPORTS ALLEGING INADVERTENT AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT WITHOUT A CRASH.THE PURPOSER OF THE RQ IS TO DETERMINE WHETHER GM SHOULD EXPAND THE RECALL TO INCLUDE THESE VEHICLES.CLOSING RESUME NOTE:AS OF AUGUST 5, 1999, ODI RECEIVED ONE ADDITIONAL COMPLAINT REGARDING THE ALLEGED DEFECT.THE INCIDENT RATES FOR THE SUBJECT VEHICLES ARE ABOUT ONE-THRID OF THE RATES OF THE RECALLED VEHICLES (WHEN THE RECALL WAS INITIATED).BASED ON THE AVAILABLE INFORMATION, A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT TREND HAS NOT BEEN IDENTIFIED AT THIS TIME AND FURTHER USE OF AGENCY RESOURCES DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE WARRANTED.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT DOSE NOT EXIST.THE AGENCY RESERVES THE RIGHT TO TAKE FURTHER ACTION IF WARRANTED BY FUTURE CIRCUMSTANCES.