NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Electrical System complaints
122 reportsClear category filterMileage unknown · Apr 28, 2000
Electrical SystemSuspensionFire
THE STEERING WHEEL COLUMN MADE GRINDING NOISES WHEN MY 1996 GRAND AM SE WAS DRIVEN. THE NOISES EVEN PERSISTED AFTER THE GRAND AM WAS RETURNED TO THE ORIGINAL DEALERSHIP IN WASHINGTON, D.C. WHERE THE CAR WAS PURCHASED FROM FOR SERVICE/REPAIR IN DECEMBER 1999. THE SERVICE MANAGER INFORMED ME THE NOISES FROM THE STEERING WHEEL CO…
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THE STEERING WHEEL COLUMN MADE GRINDING NOISES WHEN MY 1996 GRAND AM SE WAS DRIVEN. THE NOISES EVEN PERSISTED AFTER THE GRAND AM WAS RETURNED TO THE ORIGINAL DEALERSHIP IN WASHINGTON, D.C. WHERE THE CAR WAS PURCHASED FROM FOR SERVICE/REPAIR IN DECEMBER 1999. THE SERVICE MANAGER INFORMED ME THE NOISES FROM THE STEERING WHEEL COLUMN COULD NOT BE FIXED AND SINCE THE CAR WAS "OLDER"- ONLY 3 YEARS OLD, ANY NOISES IN THE STEERING WHEEL COLUMN SHOULD BE EXPECTED AND ARE NORMAL FOR A 3 YEAR OLD CAR. THE SERVICE MANAGER TOLD ME HE WOULD LOOK AT THE STEERING WHEEL COLUMN AS WELL AS THE ELECTRICAL COMPONENETS UNDER THE DASHBOARD TO INVESTIGATE THE PROBLEM. THE SERVICE MANAGER INFORMED ME THAT HE DID THE BEST HE COULD DO TO FIND AND REPAIR THE NOISES IN THE STEERING WHEEL COLUMN. APPROXIMATELY THREE MONTHS LATER, AND CONTINUED TO HEAR GRINDING NOISES FROM THE STEERING WHEEL COLUMN, ON MARCH 31, 2000, AFTER DROPPING MY INFANT TO THE DAYCARE CENTER, I ATTEMPTED TO START THE CAR AND IT WOULD NOT START. THE STEERING WHEEL COLUMN IN ADDITION TO THE TURN SIGNAL CHAMBER ON THE STEERING WHEEL COLUMN BEGAN TO SMOKE. FLAMES BEGAN TO APPEAR FROM THE STEERING WHEEL COLUMN AND A STEADY FLOW OF SMOKE. THE ELECTRICAL FIRE INCREASED IN SIZE AND WAS FINALLY BROUGHT UNDER CONTROL BY TWO FIRE ENGINE COMPANIES. MY 1996 PONTIAC GRAND AM WAS TOWED, ASSESSED FOR DAMAGES AND FINALLY DEEMED UNSALVAGEABLE- A TOTAL LOSS. MY 1996 PONTIAC GRAND AM SE WAS ONLY THREE YEARS OLD. THIS INCIDENT SHOULD NOT HAVE OCCURRED.*AK( DOT NUMBER: )
NHTSA ODI #722065
Mileage unknown · Mar 30, 2000
Electrical System
WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE COMPLETELY SHUT DOWN WITHOUT WARNING, DUE TO A MALFUNCTION WITHIN THE IGNITION SWITCH. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS. *AK
NHTSA ODI #859457
Mileage unknown · Feb 8, 2000
Electrical System
ECM (ELECTRONIC CONTROL MODULE) KEEPS FAILING, CAUSING VEHICLE TO STALL. PART HAS BEEN REPLACED TWICE. *AK *ML
NHTSA ODI #856546
Mileage unknown · Feb 6, 2000
Electrical System
THIS VEHICLE HAS BEEN IN THE SHOP AT LEAST ONCE A MONTH,FOR MAJOR REPAIRS, NOW ITS BEEN IN THE SHOP FOR 2 WEEKS AND THEY STILL CANT FIND THE PROBLEM WITH THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,,,,AND THE VEHICLE IS MY LIVELY HOOD,,,,,,SO STRESSED DUE TO THIS VEHICLE BEENING IN THE SHOP AND THEY CANT FIND THE MAJOR PROPLEM,,, THIS CAR IS A LEMO…
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THIS VEHICLE HAS BEEN IN THE SHOP AT LEAST ONCE A MONTH,FOR MAJOR REPAIRS, NOW ITS BEEN IN THE SHOP FOR 2 WEEKS AND THEY STILL CANT FIND THE PROBLEM WITH THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,,,,AND THE VEHICLE IS MY LIVELY HOOD,,,,,,SO STRESSED DUE TO THIS VEHICLE BEENING IN THE SHOP AND THEY CANT FIND THE MAJOR PROPLEM,,, THIS CAR IS A LEMON,,, DATES THIS VEHICLE BEEN IN THE SHOP 9.30.99,,,10.18.99...11.08.99....12.17.99....1.24.00.. PLEASE HELP ME ONE THIS VEHICLE THANK YOU STRESSED OUT. *AK
NHTSA ODI #718398
Mileage unknown · Jan 31, 2000
Electrical SystemService Brakes, Hydraulic
ALTERNATOR AND ABS PROBLEMS: ALTERNATOR HAS BEEN REPLACED FOUR TIMES IN THE LAST SEVEN MONTHS, AND WILL NEED REPLACING AGAIN. WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES, UNDER NORMAL BRAKING CONDITIONS, PEDAL GOES TO THE FLOORBROAD AND THE VEHICLE TRAVELS ADDITIONAL DISTANCES BEFORE STOPPING. DEALER IS NOT ABLE TO DETERMINE WHAT IS CAUSING TH…
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ALTERNATOR AND ABS PROBLEMS: ALTERNATOR HAS BEEN REPLACED FOUR TIMES IN THE LAST SEVEN MONTHS, AND WILL NEED REPLACING AGAIN. WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES, UNDER NORMAL BRAKING CONDITIONS, PEDAL GOES TO THE FLOORBROAD AND THE VEHICLE TRAVELS ADDITIONAL DISTANCES BEFORE STOPPING. DEALER IS NOT ABLE TO DETERMINE WHAT IS CAUSING THIS PROBLEM. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK
NHTSA ODI #855785
Mileage unknown · Dec 23, 1999
Electrical System
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM FAILED WHILE DRIVING HOME FROM WORK IN RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC, IN THE DARK, IN THE RAIN, DRIVING DOWN A HILL. WITHOUT WARNING THE LIGHTS FLICKERED AND DIMMED, HEADLIGHTS WENT OUT, INTERIOR LIGHTS WENT OUT, LOST POWER, UNABLE TO USE BRAKES OR POWER STEER CAR. WAS ABLE TO COAST ON A SIDE ROAD AND APPLY EMERGENCY BRAKE…
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ELECTRICAL SYSTEM FAILED WHILE DRIVING HOME FROM WORK IN RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC, IN THE DARK, IN THE RAIN, DRIVING DOWN A HILL. WITHOUT WARNING THE LIGHTS FLICKERED AND DIMMED, HEADLIGHTS WENT OUT, INTERIOR LIGHTS WENT OUT, LOST POWER, UNABLE TO USE BRAKES OR POWER STEER CAR. WAS ABLE TO COAST ON A SIDE ROAD AND APPLY EMERGENCY BRAKE. AFTER STOPPING, UNABLE TO RELEASE KEY FROM CAR OR OPEN DOOR, ABLE TO ESCAPE THROUGH ROLL DOWN WINDOW. *AK
NHTSA ODI #716367
Mileage unknown · Dec 8, 1999
Electrical System
THE HEADLIGHTS WENT DIM WHILE DRIVING, THE VEHICLE CUT OFF / WOULD NOT RESTART, RESULTING IN COMPLETE LOSS OF POWER. THE KEY WAS STUCK IN THE IGNITION AND WOULD NOT GO INTO PARK. CONSUMER WAS TRAPPED IN VEHICLE FOR 20 MINUTES BECAUSE DOORS AND WINDOWS WOULD NOT OPEN. DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED YET. *AK *YC
NHTSA ODI #853880
Mileage unknown · Oct 10, 1999
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine CoolingService Brakes, Air
MY EXTENDED WARANTY PUT A USED ENGINE IN AFTER THE ORIGINAL BLEW UP. THE ENGINE THEY SENT HAD TO BE SENT BACK BECAUSE IT WAS ALSO NO GOOD . IT HAD 18,000 ON IT WHEN IT WAS SENT TO REPLACE. NOW THEY ARE SENDING ANOTHER ENGINE . IT IS NOW A MONTH LATER THEN WHEN I TOOK IT TO THE SHOP AND IT IS STILL NOT FIXED. I THINK SOMEONE OWES…
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MY EXTENDED WARANTY PUT A USED ENGINE IN AFTER THE ORIGINAL BLEW UP. THE ENGINE THEY SENT HAD TO BE SENT BACK BECAUSE IT WAS ALSO NO GOOD . IT HAD 18,000 ON IT WHEN IT WAS SENT TO REPLACE. NOW THEY ARE SENDING ANOTHER ENGINE . IT IS NOW A MONTH LATER THEN WHEN I TOOK IT TO THE SHOP AND IT IS STILL NOT FIXED. I THINK SOMEONE OWES ME SOMETHING.
NHTSA ODI #713087
Mileage unknown · Oct 3, 1999
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine CoolingEquipment
CONTINUALLY DISREGARDED BY DEALERSHIPS AND CORPORATE OFFICES
NHTSA ODI #712744
Mileage unknown · Sep 27, 1999
Electrical SystemStructureVisibility
ENGINE STALLED WHICH TOOK THE POWER AWAY FROM WINDOWS AND DOOR LOCKS. THE OWNER WAS TRAPPED IN VEHICLE FOR AN HOUR. DEALER SAYS IT WAS AN INTERNAL SHORT WITHIN THE BATTERY. *AK
NHTSA ODI #848806
Official recalls
4Mar 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.
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.
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.
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.
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