IllustrationDT: CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE THE DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED. CONTACT DID NOT HIT ANYTHING IN THE ROAD, THERE WAS NO COLLISION.*AK CONSUMER STATES LAWYERS, INSURANCE COMPANY, OR GM WILL NOT HELP WITH THIS MATTER BECAUSE THERE WAS NOT AN ACCIDENT OR ANY INJURIES.*SB *NM
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
What owners actually said
450 reportsTHE CONTROL ARM (A ARM) ON THE FRONT DRIVERS SIDE HAS A BUSHING WHICH CAME LOOSE AND CAUSED AN AWFUL SOUND WHEN SLOWING DOWN. THIS WAS REPLACED LAST YEAR AT MY EXPENSE. NOW A YEAR LATER, THE SAME ARM HAS THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM. I'M SURE THAT I AM SPEAKING FOR MANY WHEN I SAY THAT I CAN NOT AFFORD TO FIX THE SAME PROBLEM EVERY…
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THE CONTROL ARM (A ARM) ON THE FRONT DRIVERS SIDE HAS A BUSHING WHICH CAME LOOSE AND CAUSED AN AWFUL SOUND WHEN SLOWING DOWN. THIS WAS REPLACED LAST YEAR AT MY EXPENSE. NOW A YEAR LATER, THE SAME ARM HAS THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM. I'M SURE THAT I AM SPEAKING FOR MANY WHEN I SAY THAT I CAN NOT AFFORD TO FIX THE SAME PROBLEM EVERY YEAR. *AK
AFTER STARTING THE VEHICLE WHILE PARKED IN THE DRIVEWAY DRIVER'S FRONTAL AIR BAG DEPLOYED INADVERTENTLY. DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED.*AK
AFTER STARTING THE VEHICLE DRIVER'S AIR BAG DEPLOYED. DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. *AK
I WAS DRIVING ON THE EXPRESSWAY AT 70 MPH AND WITHOUT WARNING, MY DRIVERSIDE AIRBAG DEPLOYED. I WAS IN SHOCK AND HAD TEMPORARY HEARING LOSS. BOTH OF MY LIPS WERE BLOODIED, I WAS BURNED ON MY NECK AND I STILL HAVE OCASSIONAL RINGING IN MY EARS. I DON'T KNOW HOW, BUT WHEN MY LINE OF VISION WAS CLEAR, I SAW I HAD MAINTAINED THE PO…
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I WAS DRIVING ON THE EXPRESSWAY AT 70 MPH AND WITHOUT WARNING, MY DRIVERSIDE AIRBAG DEPLOYED. I WAS IN SHOCK AND HAD TEMPORARY HEARING LOSS. BOTH OF MY LIPS WERE BLOODIED, I WAS BURNED ON MY NECK AND I STILL HAVE OCASSIONAL RINGING IN MY EARS. I DON'T KNOW HOW, BUT WHEN MY LINE OF VISION WAS CLEAR, I SAW I HAD MAINTAINED THE POSITION IN MY LANE AND CONTINUED TRAVELING. THEN, A FEW MINUTES LATER, MY PASSENGER- SIDE AIRBAG DEPLOYED WITHOUT WARNING. THANKFULLY, MY GIRLFRIEND WAS SLEEPING IN THE BACKSEAT. AGAIN I HAD TEMPORARY HEARING LOSS, BUT KEPT DRIVING UNTIL I GOT TO MY HOME. I CONTACTED GENERAL MOTORS DEALERSHIP, BUT THEY DID NOT FEEL THEY COULD HELP SINCE THEY HAD NOT HEARD OF THIS PROBLEM. THERE WERE A SERIES OF PHONE CALLS BETWEEN GENERAL MOTORS, MY DAD AND ME. OUT OF THE BLUE IN ONE CONVERSATION, GENERAL MOTORS ASKED IF I HAD WATER ON MY FLOORBOARD AND WHEN I SAID THAT I DID, THEY SAID THE AIRBAGS PROBABLY DEPLOYED BECAUSE OF THIS AND IT WAS MY FAULT FOR NOT GETTING THAT FIXED. WHEN MY DAD ASKED WHAT THAT HAD TO DO WITH THE AIRBAGS AND IF THEY WERE AWARE THAT THIS WAS A PROBLEM, THEY SAID IT WAS A ROUTINE QUESTION. SUBSEQUENTLY, A GENERAL MOTORS DEALERSHIP HAS CONCLUDED THAT WATER UNDER THE PASSENGER SEAT CAUSE THE COMPUTER MODULE TO CORRODE. THEY ARE WILLING TO REPLACE THE AIRBAGS AND THE COMPUTER, BUT NOT FIX THEY WATER PROBLEM THAT THEY INDICATED MAY HAVE CAUSED THIS. WE HAVE DISCUSSED THIS PROBLEM WITH INDEPENDENT MECHANICS AND HAVE SINCE RECEIVED TECHNICAL BULLETINS STATING THAT THE WATER PROBLEM IS INHERENT TO THIS VEHICLE. *AK
ON WENESDAY DECEMBER 15 AT APPROXIMENTALLY 7:20 P.M. I WENT OUT TO MY BOYFRIEND, SCOTT FULLER'S CAR TO ROLL UP A WINDOW THAT WAS DOWN. AS I PLACED THE KEY IN THE IGNITION, AND TURNED 1 CLICK, THE AIR BAG SPONTANEOUSLY DEPLOYED IN MY FACE. I HAVE A CUT IN THE MIDDLE OF MY THROAT, AND I BIT THROUGH MY LIP ON THE RIGHT SIDE, I HAVE…
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ON WENESDAY DECEMBER 15 AT APPROXIMENTALLY 7:20 P.M. I WENT OUT TO MY BOYFRIEND, SCOTT FULLER'S CAR TO ROLL UP A WINDOW THAT WAS DOWN. AS I PLACED THE KEY IN THE IGNITION, AND TURNED 1 CLICK, THE AIR BAG SPONTANEOUSLY DEPLOYED IN MY FACE. I HAVE A CUT IN THE MIDDLE OF MY THROAT, AND I BIT THROUGH MY LIP ON THE RIGHT SIDE, I HAVE BRUISING ON THE LEFT SIDE OF MY CHEST AND I CAN BARELY HEAR IN ME LEFT EAR. HIS WINDOWS ARE ELECTRIC THAT IS WHY I NEEDED TO PUT THE KEY IN THE IGNITION. HE HAS A 1996 PONTIAC GRAND AM GT, VIN # 2NW12M6TC813666, CAR MILEAGE:142,441AND HIS INSURANCE COMPANY IS AA&J INSURANCE COMPANY 109 E. MAIN ST. GOUVERNEUR N.Y. 13642 POLICY # 17772843-1. *AK
UPON STARTING THE VEHICLE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. WHILE CONSUMER WAS BACKING OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. CONTACTED THE MECHANIC. *AK *SC
DURING INCLEMENT WEATHER CONDITIONS, WATER WAS LEAKING THROUGH THE VEHICLE FIRE WALL ONTO THE ELECTRICAL HARNESS LEADING INTO THE TAILLIGHTS. THE CONSUMER HAS A CONCERN THAT THE CONDITION MAY LEAD TO A ELECTRICAL SHORT. *JB
AS MY HUSBAND WAS PUTTING GAS INTO MY 1996 GRAND AM HE NOTICED ORANGE COOLENT ( DEX COOL) LEAKING FROM THE CAR. THE NEXT MORNING ON HIS WAY TO WORK THE CAR MOTOR TEMPERATURE INCREASED TO A POINT WERE HE HAD TO PULL OVER AND LET THE CAR COOL DOWN. AFTER WORK HE TOOK THE CAR TO GATEWAY TIRE AND SERVICE FOR THE PROBLEM. GATEWAY…
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AS MY HUSBAND WAS PUTTING GAS INTO MY 1996 GRAND AM HE NOTICED ORANGE COOLENT ( DEX COOL) LEAKING FROM THE CAR. THE NEXT MORNING ON HIS WAY TO WORK THE CAR MOTOR TEMPERATURE INCREASED TO A POINT WERE HE HAD TO PULL OVER AND LET THE CAR COOL DOWN. AFTER WORK HE TOOK THE CAR TO GATEWAY TIRE AND SERVICE FOR THE PROBLEM. GATEWAY SERVICE STATED THAT THE FOLLOWING FAILURES OCCURED -THE INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET AND TIMING COVER GASKET FAILED. WHAT NEEDS TO BE DONE TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM? -REPLACE MANIFOLD GASKET (B) -REPLACE UPPER AND LOWER MANIFOLD GASKET -REPLACE SEAL KIT LUBE OIL AND FILTER -REPLACE TIMING COVER GASKET -REPLACE COVER GASKET -REPLACE TIMING COVER GASKET IF DONE WITH LOWER INTAKE CURRENTLY CAR AT GATEWAY TIRE SERVICE (10-18-04). *AK
DRIVER'S SIDE FLOOR GETS A PUDDLE WHEN IT RAINS. *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.