1996 Pontiac GRAND PRIX: complaints, problems and recalls
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.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10010483 · 2003-03-14 (March 14, 2003)
FAILURE OF THE IGNITION WIRES & PLUGS FOR THE SECOND TIME IN 3 YEARS. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10010483 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10020927 · 2003-06-02 (June 2, 2003)
THE POWER WINDOW ON DRIVER'S SIDE KEEPS COMING OFF OF THE TRACK, IT HAS BEEN TO THE DEALER 5 TIMES FOR THIS, AND STILL IS NOT FIXED. ONCE REPAIRED IT WILL LAST FOR 3 TO 6 MONTHS THAN THE WINDOW WILL FALL DOWN INTO THE DOOR.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10020927 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 10030474 · 2003-07-30 (July 30, 2003)
SEAT BELT BUCKLE FAILURE, TWO OF THREE IN BACK SEAT HAVE FAILED IN LAST 4 MONTHS NOW TODAY FRONT PASSENGER SEAT FAILED. LUCKLY THESE WERE DISCOVERED BEFORE AN ACCIDENT OR OTHER INCIDENT OCCURRED THAT COULD HAVE RESULTED IN SEVER INJURY OR DEATH TO SOMEONE.
Owner-reported narrative. 34,149 miles reported. Look up ODI 10030474 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10034153 · 2003-09-15 (September 15, 2003)
WHILE DRIVING AT 20 MPH, THE CONSUMER NOTICED THE SEAT WAS GETTING EXTREMELY WARM. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A MECHANIC AND IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE ELECTRIC SEAT MOTOR WAS BECOMING RED HOT, AND INTERIOR NEARLY CAUGHT ON FIRE. VEHICLE WAS BROUGHT IN AT PRECISELY THE RIGHT TIME. BY THE TIME THE MECHANIC GOT TO THE MOTOR HE WAS UNABLE TO TOUCH IT WITH HIS BARE HANDS. HE HAD TO PUT ON INSULATED GLOVES AND DISCONNECT THE MOTOR.*AK CONSUMER SAW SMOKE COMING FROM UNDER THE SEAT AND THATS WHEN SHE DROVE TO A MECHANIC. THE MECHANIC SAW THE SMOKE…
Owner-reported narrative. 14,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10034153 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 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 ↗
Owner report 10071341 · 2004-01-15 (January 15, 2004)
SATURDAY MARCH 8, 2003, I WAS ON MY WAY HOME FROM SHOPPING WITH MY 4-YEAR-OLD SON WHEN THE DRIVER SIDE AIRBAG OF MY 1996 PONTIAC GRAND AM EXPLODED IN MY FACE. THE DEPLOYMENT OF THE BAG FORCED MY ARM BACK INTO MY FACE SNAPPING MY HEAD BACK AND COMPLETELY DISORIENTING ME. ONCE I REGAINED MY BEARINGS I REALIZED I WAS NORTHBOUND IN THE SOUTHBOUND LANES OF WINSTON CHURCHILL BLVD. IN MISSISSAUGA. THE NEXT MORNING I WENT TO THE HOSPITAL TO HAVE MY ARM AND NECK LOOKED AT. FORTUNATELY MY ARM WASN'T BROKEN. IT WAS HOWEVER SEVERELY BRUISED AND STILL NON…
Owner-reported narrative. 220 miles reported. Look up ODI 10071341 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
1 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
03V527000 · Steering:Rack And Pinion
Reported: 2003-12-11 (December 11, 2003)
CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES HAVE LOWER PINION BEARINGS IN THE POWER RACK AND PINION ASSEMBLY IN WHICH THE RETAINER TABS WERE NOT CRIMPED PROPERLY. THESE RETAINERS COULD FAIL AND PERMIT THE BALL BEARINGS TO ESCAPE.
Consequence: IF THIS OCCURS, THE PINION SHAFT CAN BE FORCED UPWARD DURING LEFT TURNS AND BACK DOWN AS THE STEERING WHEEL IS MOVED BACK AND TO THE RIGHT. IF THE PINION SHAFT MOVES FURTHER, THE DRIVER WILL NEED TO EXERT MORE EFFORT TO TURN THE STEERING WHEEL, SIMILAR TO A VEHICLE WITHOUT POWER ASSISTED STEERING. IF THE PINION SHAFT MOVES EVEN FURTHER, THE DRIVER WILL REQUIRE MUCH HIGHER EFFORT TO TURN LEFT AND MAY NOT BE ABLE TO TURN THE WHEEL AS MUCH AS INTENDED. WITH THE MAXIMUM PINION SHAFT MOVEMENT, WHICH REQUIRES INTERNAL GEAR COMPONENT DAMAGE, THE DRIVER CAN ENCOUNTER HIGH RESISTANCE TO TURNING LEFT, FOLLOWED BY UNINTENDED POWER ASSIST TO THE RIGHT. IN ANY OF THESE CONDITIONS, A CRASH COULD OCCUR.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NEW LOWER PINION BEARING UNLESS INSPECT OF THE EXISTING BEARING INDICATES THAT REPLACEMENT OF THE GEAR ASSEMBLY IS NECESSARY. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON FEBRUARY 5, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT BUICK AT 1-866-608-8080; CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438; OLDSMOBILE AT 1-800-630-6537; OR PONTIAC AT 1-800-620-7668.
NHTSA campaign record ↗