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 reports
11,000 miles · Jul 30, 2004
Air BagsInjury
WHILE CONSUMER WAS PARKING THE VEHICLE PASSENGER'S SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED. CONSUMER CLAIMED THAT THE VEHICLE NEVER COLLIDED WITH ANYTHING NOR RAN OVER ANYTHING. THE NEXT DAY CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER FOR THE FIRST AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT WHEN DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED. THE CONSUMER SUFFERED A SPLIT LIP AND ABRASIONS…
Read full complaint
WHILE CONSUMER WAS PARKING THE VEHICLE PASSENGER'S SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED. CONSUMER CLAIMED THAT THE VEHICLE NEVER COLLIDED WITH ANYTHING NOR RAN OVER ANYTHING. THE NEXT DAY CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER FOR THE FIRST AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT WHEN DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED. THE CONSUMER SUFFERED A SPLIT LIP AND ABRASIONS ON THE ARMS.*AK
NHTSA ODI #10083933
45,300 miles · Jul 22, 2004
TiresCrash
WHILE DRIVING, THE REAR PASSENGER TIRE BLEW OUT WHICH CAUSED THE CONSUMER TO HIT THE MEDIAN. THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALED. THE OWNER JUST BOUGHT THE TIRES APPROXIMATELY TWO MONTHS AGO. PLEASE PROVIDE INFO ON TIRE DEALER. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10083478
8,400 miles · Jul 13, 2004
Air Bags
AIR BAG WENT OFF BY STARTING MY CAR IN THE DRIVE WAY.GM SAID THEY CAN NOT HELP BECAUSE THE CAR IS OUT OF WARRANTY. *LA
NHTSA ODI #10080935
124,252 miles · Jun 14, 2004
Air Bags
WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH DRIVER SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED INADVERTENTLY. NO INJURIES REPORTED. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10076137
Mileage unknown · Jun 14, 2004
Visibility
WHEN DRIVING THE VEHICLE AT AN UNDETERMINED SPEED CONSUMER ATTEMPTED TO ROLL THE WINDOW DOWN. HOWEVER, NONE OF THE FOUR WINDOWS WOULD ROLL DOWN. CONSUMER STATED THATTHIS WAS THE SECOND TIME THAT THE POWER WINDOWS FAILED. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10076135
102,353 miles · May 21, 2004
Power Train
TRANSMISSION LOCKS WITHOUT WARNING. AS RESULT, VEHICLE SURGES UNCONTROLLABLY. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10074051
106,847 miles · Apr 8, 2004
Air BagsInjury
AIR BAG DEPLOYED WHEN STARTING THE VEHICLE. I LEANED IN TO START MY 96 PONTIAC GRAND AM AND WHEN I TURNED THE IGNITION THE AIR BAG DEPLOYED INJURING MY CHEST AND NECK. GM TAKES NO RESPONSIBILITY AS THEY SAY IT IS A MAINTENANCE ISSUE DUE TO STANDING WATER AROUND THE DEPLOYMENT MODULE. *JB *SC *JB
NHTSA ODI #10062734
107,885 miles · Mar 3, 2004
Air Bags
WHILE SITTING AT A RED LIGHT PASSENGER'S SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED. ALSO, WHILE TURNING INTO A PARKING LOT DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED. VEHICLE WAS FILLED WITH CO2. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10061295
137,000 miles · Mar 3, 2004
Air BagsCrashInjury
TO AVOID HITTING ANOTHER VEHICLE HEAD ON DRIVER VEERED OFF THE ROAD AND RAN INTO A TELEPHONE POLE. UPON IMPACT, FRONT AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. DRIVER'S HEAD CRACKED THE WINDSHIELD, CAUSING THE DRIVER TO BE UNCONSCIOUS FOR ABOUT 45 MINUTES. ALSO, DRIVER'S TEETH HIT THE STEERING WHEEL AND CRACKED. IN ADDITION, DRIVER'S RIGHT…
Read full complaint
TO AVOID HITTING ANOTHER VEHICLE HEAD ON DRIVER VEERED OFF THE ROAD AND RAN INTO A TELEPHONE POLE. UPON IMPACT, FRONT AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. DRIVER'S HEAD CRACKED THE WINDSHIELD, CAUSING THE DRIVER TO BE UNCONSCIOUS FOR ABOUT 45 MINUTES. ALSO, DRIVER'S TEETH HIT THE STEERING WHEEL AND CRACKED. IN ADDITION, DRIVER'S RIGHT ARM, RIGHT KNEE, AND NECK WERE INJURED. ONCE DRIVER REGAINED CONSCIOUSNESS HE DROVE TO THE EMERGENCY ROOM BECAUSE NO ONE STOPPED TO HELP. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10061268
138,926 miles · Feb 19, 2004
Air BagsInjury
WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH BOTH FRONTAL AIR BAGS DEPLOYED INADVERTENTLY. THE CAUSE HAS YET TO BE DETERMINED. *NM THERE WAS A 15 SECOND DELAY BETWEEN THE FIRST AND SECOND AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT. THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER RECEIVED MINOR ABRASIONS FROM THE AIR BAGS. *NM
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.
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.
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.
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
2
RQ03001 · 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.
1996 Pontiac Grand Am Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year
Illustration