1996 Pontiac GRAND PRIX problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
41 owner complaints analyzed
1 distinct recall campaigns
39,153 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1996 model year. Data snapshot: . 11 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine is the most frequently named component, appearing in 3 of 41 complaints (7.3%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 5 | 12.2% |
| Steering behavior | 5 | 12.2% |
| Engine operation | 4 | 9.8% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 3 | 7.3% |
| Transmission and shifting | 2 | 4.9% |
| Fuel system concerns | 2 | 4.9% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 3 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip | 3 |
| Air Bags:Frontal | 2 |
| Electrical System:Alternator/Generator/Regulator | 2 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline | 2 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Tank Assembly | 2 |
| Seats:Front Assembly:Recliner | 2 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Rotor | 2 |
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine: 3; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip: 3; Air Bags:Frontal: 2; Electrical System:Alternator/Generator/Regulator: 2; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline: 2; Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Tank Assembly: 2; Seats:Front Assembly:Recliner: 2; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Rotor: 2
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 3 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 4 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 1 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 0 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 3 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 3; 25,000 to 49,999: 4; 50,000 to 74,999: 1; 75,000 to 99,999: 0; 100,000 to 149,999: 3; 150,000 and above: 0
25,000 to 49,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (4). 30 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 1996 | 7 |
| 2000 | 9 |
| 2001 | 8 |
| 2002 | 4 |
| 2003 | 5 |
| 2004 | 3 |
| 2005 | 2 |
| 2009 | 1 |
| 2014 | 1 |
| 2016 | 1 |
1996: 7; 2000: 9; 2001: 8; 2002: 4; 2003: 5; 2004: 3; 2005: 2; 2009: 1; 2014: 1; 2016: 1
Pattern summary
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 5 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 5 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 4 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 720295 · 2000-03-18 (March 18, 2000)
MY FATHER, JIMMIE G. NALL, ORIGINALLY LEASED THIS VEHICLE; AT LEASE END, HE PURCHASED THE VEHICLE FOR ME. WHILE MY FATHER HAD IT, HE HAD IT SERVICED REGULARLY ON SCHEDULE, INCLUDING HAVING THE OIL CHANGED EVERY 3000 MILES. WHEN THE CAR WAS PURCHASED AND I BECAME THE MAIN DRIVER IT HAD A LITTLE OVER 18K MILES. IT NOW HAS 34496. NOTHING SHOULD BE WRONG WITH THIS CAR. I SHOULD NOT HAVE HAD TO MAKE ANY MAJOR REPAIRS YET. THERE HAS NOT BEEN ENOUGH WEAR AND TEAR FOR MAJOR DAMAGE OR REPAIRS. THE TRANSMISSION IS NOW STARTING TO SLIP AT TIMES. T…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 720295 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 737968 · 2000-12-18 (December 18, 2000)
VECHICLE ABS LIGHT CAME ON ALL INTERIOR AND EXTERNAL LIGHTS DIMMED, ONCE VECHICLE WAS SHUT OFF IT WOULD NOT RESTART. BATTERY WAS REPLACED IT WORKED FINE FOR ABOUT 1 WEEK. I WAS INFORMED THE ALTERNATOR WAS NOT PUTTING OUT ENOUGH AMPS, SO THE ALTERNATOR WAS REPLACED AND 1 WEEK LATER SAME PROBLEM AGAIN SO ALTERNATOR WAS REPLACED A 2ND TIME. THAT SAME DAY THE PROBLEM WAS REPEATED. IT SEEMS WHEN THE ABS LIGHT COMES ON ALL THE POWER FROM THE BATTERY IS DRAINED.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 737968 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10053857 · 2004-02-24 (February 24, 2004)
THE CONSUMEREXPERIENCED INTERMITTENT LOSS OF POWER STEERING WHEN TURNING LEFT. A RECALL WAS ISSUED FOR THIS MAKE/MODEL AND YEAR, HOWEVE THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO VIN. *AK *NM
Owner-reported narrative. 40,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10053857 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10138654 · 2005-10-05 (October 5, 2005)
DT: AROUND SEPTEMBER 21, 2005 THE CONSUMER STARTED EXPERIENCING DIFFICULTY TURNING TO THE RIGHT. IT WAS LIKE THE STEERING WHEEL WAS LOCKED. THE PROBLEM WAS ONGOING WHEN TRYING TO TURN RIGHT. WHEN THE CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO BE REPAIRED, THE MECHANIC TOLD HER THAT THE RACK AND PINION NEEDED REPLACED. ALSO TOLD HER THAT THERE WAS A RECALL FOR THIS ISSUE ON HER TYPE OF VEHICLE. THERE WAS NHTSA RECALL 03V527000 AND GM RECALL RECALL 03062. WHEN SHE CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER, THEY TOLD HER THAT THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED DUE TO VIN. …
Owner-reported narrative. 138,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10138654 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 722535 · 2000-05-11 (May 11, 2000)
LOSS OF POWER AT 60 MPH. AFTER STOPPING VEHICLE WOULD NOT SHIFT OUT OF OVERDRIVE. GRINDING. AFTER EVALUATION BY MECHANIC, METAL SHAVINGS WERE FOUND IN TRANSMISSION FLUID. COST OF REPAIRS WILL EXCEED $1,500.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 722535 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10022459 · 2003-06-26 (June 26, 2003)
THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED A GAS LEAKED. *JB THE GAS TANK STARTED TO LEAK ACROSS THE ENTIRE REAR WELD SEAM AFTER BEING FILLED. GAS DRIPPED FROM THE TANK AT THE CORNER(S), NEXT TO THE EXHAUST PIPE. THE MECHANIC THAT REPLACED THE TANK/PUMP/SENDING UNIT, SAID THE ENTIRE WELD SEAM LEAKED. *SCC *JB
Owner-reported narrative. 56,750 miles reported. Look up ODI 10022459 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10059741 · 2004-04-01 (April 1, 2004)
WHILE THE CONSUMER WAS WORKING ON THE VEHICLE NOTICED THAT GAS WAS COMING FROM UNDER THE VEHICLE. CONSUMER STATED THAT THE GAS TANK HAD A LEAK. *AK *MR
Owner-reported narrative. 130,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10059741 at NHTSA ↗