1996 Pontiac GRAND AM: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
278 owner complaints analyzed
4 distinct recall campaigns
114,526 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1996 model year. Data snapshot: . 78 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Air Bags:Frontal is the most frequently named component, appearing in 45 of 278 complaints (16.2%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 27 | 9.7% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 25 | 9.0% |
| Steering behavior | 21 | 7.6% |
| Engine operation | 17 | 6.1% |
| Transmission and shifting | 7 | 2.5% |
| Fuel system concerns | 5 | 1.8% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Air Bags:Frontal | 45 |
| Air Bags | 31 |
| Electrical System:Ignition:Switch | 30 |
| Electrical System | 20 |
| Electrical System:Alternator/Generator/Regulator | 18 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline | 18 |
| Electrical System:Ignition | 16 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip | 15 |
Air Bags:Frontal: 45; Air Bags: 31; Electrical System:Ignition:Switch: 30; Electrical System: 20; Electrical System:Alternator/Generator/Regulator: 18; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline: 18; Electrical System:Ignition: 16; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip: 15
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 9 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 4 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 4 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 9 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 36 |
| 150,000 and above | 16 |
Under 25,000: 9; 25,000 to 49,999: 4; 50,000 to 74,999: 4; 75,000 to 99,999: 9; 100,000 to 149,999: 36; 150,000 and above: 16
100,000 to 149,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (36). 200 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 | 12 |
| 2000 | 49 |
| 2001 | 42 |
| 2002 | 69 |
| 2003 | 21 |
| 2004 | 20 |
| 2005 | 10 |
| 2006 | 5 |
| 2007 | 8 |
| 2008 | 16 |
| 2009 | 6 |
| 2010 | 7 |
| 2011 | 4 |
| 2012 | 3 |
| 2013 | 2 |
| 2014 | 2 |
| 2016 | 1 |
| 2017 | 1 |
1996: 12; 2000: 49; 2001: 42; 2002: 69; 2003: 21; 2004: 20; 2005: 10; 2006: 5; 2007: 8; 2008: 16; 2009: 6; 2010: 7; 2011: 4; 2012: 3; 2013: 2; 2014: 2; 2016: 1; 2017: 1
Pattern summary
Air Bags:Frontal leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 27 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 25 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 21 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.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10000494 · 2003-01-03 (January 3, 2003)
THE ENGINE STALLED TWICE IN DRIVING. ALTERNATOR HAS BEEN REPLACED TWICE IN THE LAST YEAR. WINDOWS GET STUCK IN THE MIDDLE AND DON'T GO UP AND DOWN. TS
Owner-reported narrative. 104,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10000494 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10005349 · 2003-02-05 (February 5, 2003)
ENGINE FAILURE --PISTON OR ROD AND ONLY 30K MILES ON USED ENGINE
Owner-reported narrative. 30,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10005349 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10007119 · 2003-02-12 (February 12, 2003)
THE VEHICLE FAILED TO STOP WHEN THE BRAKE WAS APPLIED, WHICH RESULTED IN AN ACCIDENT.*JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10007119 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10008516 · 2003-03-06 (March 6, 2003)
IN THE PAST 4 MONTHS, I HAVE REPLACED MY HEATER CORE, BECAUSE IT IS PLASTIC, AND THEN THE RADIATOR, NOW THE HEAD GASKET. PROBLEMS OF THIS NATURE FIRST SURFACED WITH HEATER CORE FAILURE, WHICH IS MADE OF PLASTIC AND THEN PROCEEDS THROUGH THE COOLING TO SYSTEM, TO MY CURRENT PROBLEM, HEAD GASKET REPLACEMENT. THE WATER PUMP AND TRANSMISSION HAVE BOTH BEEN REPLACED, WHILE UNDER THE NEW CAR WARRANTY. I TOOK MY CAR TO HARDIN PONTIAC IN ANAHEIM, CA AT 3 PM ON MARCH 4TH. THEY HAVE NOW HAD MY CAR 2 DAYS AND THEY WANT TO CHARGE ME ANOTHER $80 TO FURTHE…
Owner-reported narrative. 78,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10008516 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10010628 · 2003-03-17 (March 17, 2003)
I OWN A 1996 PONTIAC GRAND AM, I NOTICED SB #020601014 REGARDING THE MANIFOLD INTAKE GASKET - I HAD TO REPLACE TWO ON MY GRAND AM. I WAS TOLD IT IS TYPICAL EVERY 50,000 MILES, YET I PREVIOUSLY OWNED A GRAND AM AND KNOW PLENTY OF PEOPLE WHO DO AND HAVE NOT EXPERIENCED THIS PROBLEM. WHAT MAKES MATTERS WORSE IS THAT IT IS A $900.00 JOB, AND I HAD TO DO IT TWICE! I AM LISTING THE MOST RECENT DATE - THE SECOND OCCURRENCE. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. 60,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10010628 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10011602 · 2003-03-31 (March 31, 2003)
THE IGNITION WOULD NOT TURN OVER, THE INTERIOR AND EXTERIOR LIGHTING LEVELS FLUCTUATED, THE DASHBOARD LIGHT FLICKERED ON/OFF, AND THE BATTERY DIED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. THE CONSUMER REQUESTED REIMBURSEMENT FOR THE PARTS THAT HAVE BEEN REPLACED FOR A PROBLEM THAT HASN'T BEEN FIXED. SCC *NLM
Owner-reported narrative. 30,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10011602 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10015055 · 2003-04-02 (April 2, 2003)
THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED WITHOUT IMPACT. *JB THE CONSUMER WAS DRIVING THE VEHICLE WHEN THE DRIVER SIDE AIRBAG DEPLOYED. THE DEALER HAD GIVEN THE CONSUMER THE RUN-AROUND, WHILE THE AIR BAG(S) STILL HASN'T BEEN REPLACED. SCC
Owner-reported narrative. 5,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10015055 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10015437 · 2003-04-08 (April 8, 2003)
THE REAR WINDOW SHATTERED, WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10015437 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
4 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
02V070000 · Electrical System:Ignition:Switch
Reported: 2002-03-06 (March 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: 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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗96V249000 · Steering: Steering Wheel/Handle Bar
Reported: 1996-12-17 (December 17, 1996)
THE STEERING COLUMN LOWER PINCH BOLT WAS NOT PROPERLY TIGHTENED DURING ASSEMBLY.
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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗96V250000 · Exterior Lighting:Hazard Flashing Warning Lights
Reported: 1996-12-17 (December 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: 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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗98V027000 · Interior Lighting
Reported: 1998-02-17 (February 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: 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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗