IllustrationWATER GETTING INTO VEHICLE SOMEWHERE BEHIND FIREWALL. STARTED APPROXIMATELY 1YR. AGO. CAUSED ALL LIGHTS ON DASH TO LIGHT UP, NOW VEHICLE WILL NOT START, COULD NOT AFFORD TO HAVE PONTIAC FIX, ALTHOUGH THEY DID ISSUE A WARNING REGARDING ISSUE, BUT WILL NOT HELP WITH REMEDY. *TR
1996 Pontiac Grand Am
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
More warning signs than most Grand Am years
Owner complaints for the 1996 Pontiac Grand Am are substantially higher than the model-year median of 82.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Grand Am years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
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
Fuel System, Gasoline complaints
20 reportsCONSUMER HAD THE FUEL FILTER CHECKED FOR REPLACEMENT. IT WAS FOUND THAT THE CONNECTION FROM THE FUEL TANK TO THE FUEL FILTER WAS RUSTED TO THE POINT THE LINE AND FUEL FILTER HAD TO BE REPLACED. *JG *CB
CONSUMER SMELLED FUEL WHEN DRIVING. DEALER DETERMINED THAT FUEL PRESSURE REGULATOR WAS LEAKING FUEL ONTO ENGINE.*AK
CONSUMER COULD SMELL FUEL COMING INSIDE OF VEHICLE THROUGH VENTS. HAD A FUEL LEAK. DEALER CONTACTED. PLEASE ADD VIN. *AK
VEHICLE HAD A STRONG FUEL ODOR. TOOK IT TO GARAGE AND MECHANIC INDICATED A PIN HOLE LEAK IN FUEL LINE AT TOP OF ENGINE.*AK *YH
THE FUEL LINE WAS DEFECTED THE GASOLINE SHOOTS OUT INSIDE OF THE ENGINE CARPARTMENT. NLM
WE HAVE HAD COOLANT LOSS THREE TIMES WITH NO VISIBLE LEAKAGE. WE WERE INFORMED THAT THE CAR WAS "SUCKING THE COOLANT IN" RATHER THAN LEAKING OUT. WE HAVE HAD TO HAVE THE INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET REPLACED 3 TIMES. THE 1ST TIME, THE DEALER REPLACED INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET & OIL PUMP DRIVE RING AND VALVE COVER GASKET LEAKING. THE 2ND …
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WE HAVE HAD COOLANT LOSS THREE TIMES WITH NO VISIBLE LEAKAGE. WE WERE INFORMED THAT THE CAR WAS "SUCKING THE COOLANT IN" RATHER THAN LEAKING OUT. WE HAVE HAD TO HAVE THE INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET REPLACED 3 TIMES. THE 1ST TIME, THE DEALER REPLACED INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET & OIL PUMP DRIVE RING AND VALVE COVER GASKET LEAKING. THE 2ND TIME, THE DEALER SIMPLE RESEALED THE INTAKE GASKET BUT DID NOT REPLACE. THE 3RD TIME, THE DEALER REPLACED THE UPPER AND LOWER INTAKE GASKETS AND RECHECKED FOR LEAKS. ALL OF THESE REPAIRS WERE COVERED UNDER EITHER THE ORIGINAL WARRANTY OR THE EXTENDED WARRANTY (GOOD THRU 72,000 MI). WE NOW HAVE ALMOST 70,000 MI ON THIS CAR AND THE ENGINE IS SHOT! THE MAIN THROTTLE BEARING GAULDED AND THE EXTENDED WARRANTY COMPANY IS DENYING OUR CLAIM (EVEN THOUGH WE HAVE 2,000 MI LEFT ON EXTENDED WARRANTY) BECAUSE THEY SAY THE OIL IS "CONTAMINATED". I HAVE MAINTAINED REGULAR OIL CHANGES AND AM DUE FOR AN OIL CHANGE IN APPROX 200 MI. THE DEALERSHIP DID NOT INFORM ME THAT I SHOULD HAVE HAD THE OIL CHANGED AFTER ANY OF THE COOLANT LEAK REPAIRS. ALSO, WE HAD TO HAVE THE ALTERNATOR REPLACED WHEN THEN CAR WAS JUST 2 YRS OLD. PLUS WE HAD TO HAVE THE R&R SHAFT SEAL & BEARING KIT REPLACED 3 TIMES DUE TO SQUEAKING NOISE COMING FROM STEERING COLUMN. ALSO HAD TO HAVE SHIFTER ASSEMPLY REPLACED BECAUSE THE KEY WAS STICKING IN THE IGNITION.*AK
VEHICLE LOST POWER THEN ENGINE QUIT. DEALER MECHANIC INDICATED INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET FAILURE TO LET COOLING FLUID INTO CRANKCASE OIL. GASKET REPLACED, ENGINE FLUSHED 5 TIMES ($480) SUGGESTED ENGINE OVERHAUL. TWO WEEKS, ENGINE FAILED WITH KNOCK DUE TO PREVIOUS PROBLEM. RECEIVED LETTER FROM DEALERSHIP WARNING OF POSSIBLE INTAKE G…
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VEHICLE LOST POWER THEN ENGINE QUIT. DEALER MECHANIC INDICATED INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET FAILURE TO LET COOLING FLUID INTO CRANKCASE OIL. GASKET REPLACED, ENGINE FLUSHED 5 TIMES ($480) SUGGESTED ENGINE OVERHAUL. TWO WEEKS, ENGINE FAILED WITH KNOCK DUE TO PREVIOUS PROBLEM. RECEIVED LETTER FROM DEALERSHIP WARNING OF POSSIBLE INTAKE GASKET FAILURE RESULTING IN ENGINE REPLACEMENT. NO SATISFACTION FROM GM, FOUND 5 IDENTICAL COMPLAINTS ON NHTSA WEB SITE, ATTORNEY CONTACTED, WE WILL BOTH INVESTIGATE. MY SITUATION IS, "NO CAR, STILL PAYING PAYMENT." OBSERVATION: GROSS DIREGARD FOR OBVIOUS ENGINEERING FLAW, SMAKS OF FIRESTONE WITHOUT THE DEATHS. *AK
PLEASE LET ME KNOW IF I AM ABLE TO GET PONTIAC TO PAY FOR THIS REPAIR. I HAVE HAD COUNTLESS THINGS HAPPEN TO THIS CAR. DURING AND NOW RIGHT OUT OF WARRANTY AT 62000 MILES. THEY ARE WANTING TO CHARGE ME 850.00 TO REPLACE THE INTAKE MANAFOLD GADGETS. THIS IS AN EMMISSION PROBLEM AND I FEEL AS IF I PURCHASED A LEMON BECAUSE OF ALL …
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PLEASE LET ME KNOW IF I AM ABLE TO GET PONTIAC TO PAY FOR THIS REPAIR. I HAVE HAD COUNTLESS THINGS HAPPEN TO THIS CAR. DURING AND NOW RIGHT OUT OF WARRANTY AT 62000 MILES. THEY ARE WANTING TO CHARGE ME 850.00 TO REPLACE THE INTAKE MANAFOLD GADGETS. THIS IS AN EMMISSION PROBLEM AND I FEEL AS IF I PURCHASED A LEMON BECAUSE OF ALL THE PROBLEMS I HAVE HAD ON THIS CAR. PLEASE HELP ME.*AK
FLEXIBLE FUEL HOSE IN ENGINE COMPARTMENT FAILED, CONSUMER STATES THAT A CORRUGATED FLEXIBLE PLASTIC SHIELDING COVERS MOST OF THE HOSES, HOWEVER THE COVERAGE IS NOT COMPLETE, CONSUMER FEELS THIS IS WHY THE HOSE FAILED. *SLC
Official recalls
402V070000 · Electrical System:ignition:switch
Mar 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.
98V027000 · Interior Lighting
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.
96V249000 · Steering: Steering Wheel/handle Bar
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.
96V250000 · Exterior Lighting:hazard Flashing Warning Lights
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.