I CAN DEAL WITH MOST OF THE THINGS THAT WENT WRONG WITH MY CAR BUT I DONT THINK THAT I SHOULD HAVE TO DEAL WITH MY INTERIOR COMING DOWN FROM MY DOORS AND MY PAINT FADING AND CHIPPING AND EVEN MY CD PLAYER DONT WORK.. I KNOW IT IS A 1996 BUT THESE THINGS SHOULD NOT BE MESSING UP ALREADY.. I THINK THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL ON THESE…
Read full complaint
I CAN DEAL WITH MOST OF THE THINGS THAT WENT WRONG WITH MY CAR BUT I DONT THINK THAT I SHOULD HAVE TO DEAL WITH MY INTERIOR COMING DOWN FROM MY DOORS AND MY PAINT FADING AND CHIPPING AND EVEN MY CD PLAYER DONT WORK.. I KNOW IT IS A 1996 BUT THESE THINGS SHOULD NOT BE MESSING UP ALREADY.. I THINK THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL ON THESE THINGS.. I SHOULD NOT HAVE TO PAY OUT MY POCKET FOR THINGS LIKE THIS. *AK
NHTSA ODI #747342
Mileage unknown · Jan 3, 2001
Structure
DOOR LOCKS DO NOT WORK, DOOR LOCKS CONTROLED BY ALARM SYSTEM, WHICH MAY HAVE MALFUNCTIONED DUE TO CHANGES IN CLIMATE, REASON GIVEN TO CONSUMER BY CUSTOMER SERVICE DEPARTMENT. *CJ
NHTSA ODI #558707
Mileage unknown · Nov 20, 2000
Air BagsElectrical SystemStructure
CONSTANT PROBLEMS MOSTLY ELECTRICAL, BUT FROM WINDOWS AND LOCKS TO MAJOR THINGS LIKE ALTERNATORS AND IGNITION SWITCHES MULTIPLE TIMES. CONTACTED PONTIAC OVER A YEAR AND NEVER HEARD EVEN A REPLY. ANY RECALLS OR FACTORY FIX INFO WOULD BE APPRECIATED. *AK
NHTSA ODI #736636
Mileage unknown · Jun 6, 2000
Structure
THE VERTICAL BUSHING ON THE LOWER A FRAME SEPARATES FROM THE STEEL SLEEVE ALLOWING AFRAME TO MOVE FORWARD OR BACK 3INCHES STOPPING OR ACCELERATING ALSO ON TURNS IT WILL SHIFT. THIS DEFECT IS IN ALL GM N BODY J BODY CARS 94 AND UP AND NOT BEING REPAIRED WHEN RESOLD BECAUSE OF COST TO THEM. *AK
NHTSA ODI #723675
Mileage unknown · May 10, 2000
Engine And Engine CoolingStructure
UNDER WARRANTY, REPORTED THE TRUNK AND REAR SPOILER FOR WATER LEAKAGE. EVERY TIME DEALER ANSWER, RESEALED TRUNK. AT 5TH ATTEMPT TO REPAIR LEAK OWNER REQUESTED SPOILER TO BE REPLACED DEALER REFUSED TO REPLACE, OWNER FRUSTRATED. 2. ENGINE CONSUMES 1 QUART OF OIL EVERY 1500-3000 MILES DEALER RESPONDS WITH NO PROBLEMS. 2ND ATTEMPT …
Read full complaint
UNDER WARRANTY, REPORTED THE TRUNK AND REAR SPOILER FOR WATER LEAKAGE. EVERY TIME DEALER ANSWER, RESEALED TRUNK. AT 5TH ATTEMPT TO REPAIR LEAK OWNER REQUESTED SPOILER TO BE REPLACED DEALER REFUSED TO REPLACE, OWNER FRUSTRATED. 2. ENGINE CONSUMES 1 QUART OF OIL EVERY 1500-3000 MILES DEALER RESPONDS WITH NO PROBLEMS. 2ND ATTEMPT DEALER PERFORMED OIL CONSUMPTION TEST RESULTS: NO PROBLEM, OWNER REPORTS STILL CONSUMES OIL AT SAME RATE. 3. CLUTCH: OWNER REPORTED THAT IT WAS DIFFICULT TO SHIFT OUT OF 1ST AND 3RD GEAR DEALER RESPONDED NO PROBLEM DRIVETRAIN. ALL REPORTED DURING WARRANTY PERIOD. OWNER CONTINUES TO DRIVE VEHICLE ALTHOUGH PROBLEM STILL CONTINUES. DEALER SERVICED VEHICLE OVERFILLED ALL FLUIDS OWNER DID NOT DISCOVER PROBLEM UNTIL AFTER 500 MILES OF DRIVING OWNER INFORMED DEALER THAT THEY WOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR DAMAGES TO VEHICLE AT A LATER DATE DUE TO PRE MATURE WEAR. CURRENT: 30000 LATER ENGINE CONTINUES TO CONSUME OIL AT HIGHER RATE APP. 1000 MILES 1 QT OF OIL , CLUTCH BURNED OUT AT 62000 MILES CURRENTLY IN SHOP AND GMAC WILL NOT REPAIR IN LUE OF PROIR SERVICE HISTORY. *AK
NHTSA ODI #722519
Mileage unknown · Jan 12, 2000
EquipmentStructureSuspension
WHEN A/C IS FIRST TURNED ON THE CONSUMER SMELLS ODOR FROM A/C DURING HUMID DAYS. *ET
NHTSA ODI #784423
Mileage unknown · Dec 26, 1999
StructureVisibility
HAD ALL 4 POWER WINDOW MOTORS FAIL WITHIN THE PAST YR. ALSO PASS POWER LOCK FAILURE
NHTSA ODI #716465
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
Mileage unknown · Aug 26, 1999
EquipmentService Brakes, HydraulicStructure
I DRIVE 50 MILES A DAY TO AND FROM WORK THATS THE REASON FOR HIGH MILEGE ON MY CAR. I STILL BELIEVE THIS CAR SHOULD LAST LONGER THAN ITS PAYMENTS.
NHTSA ODI #710573
Mileage unknown · Apr 19, 1999
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine CoolingFuel System, Gasoline
MY MOST RECENT PROBLEM INCLUDED TRANSMISSION FAILURE, AND ACCORDING TO THE MECHANIC THIS HAD BEEN HAPPENING FOR A VERY LONG TIME. THE FOURTH GEAR OF THE TRANSMISSION AND THE CLUTCH WERE BURNED OUT. I'VE ALSO HAD TO REPLACE A WATER PUMP ON THE VEHICLE. IMMEDIATELY AFTER PURCHASE, I NOTICED ANTI-FREEZE LEAKING FROM THE VEHICLE …
Read full complaint
MY MOST RECENT PROBLEM INCLUDED TRANSMISSION FAILURE, AND ACCORDING TO THE MECHANIC THIS HAD BEEN HAPPENING FOR A VERY LONG TIME. THE FOURTH GEAR OF THE TRANSMISSION AND THE CLUTCH WERE BURNED OUT. I'VE ALSO HAD TO REPLACE A WATER PUMP ON THE VEHICLE. IMMEDIATELY AFTER PURCHASE, I NOTICED ANTI-FREEZE LEAKING FROM THE VEHICLE AND THE VEHICLE WOULD JUST DIE WHILE DRIVING ALONG. I ATTEMPTED TO GET THE DEALER TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE AND DID GET HIS VERBAL AGREEMENT HOWEVER, HE LIED AND WOULDN'T FOLLOW THROUGH. I SUPPOSE BECAUSE HE KNEW HE'D SOLD ME A LEMON AND WAS MORE THAN EAGER TO STATE HIS CASE, THAT HAD NO LEMON LAW. THERE ARE VARIOUS ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS ESPECIALLY WITH THE INSTRUMENT PANEL AND I SUPPOSE IT MAY BE SOMETHING ELECTRICAL THAT CAUSES MY VEHICLE TO DIE WHILE DRIVING ALONG. THERE IS NO WARNING, THE VEHICLE JUST GOES DEAD. DURING STOPS IT SEEMS THAT AT TIMES THE REAR END JUST HAS A MIND OF ITS OWN; ALMOST AS IF IT WANTS TO KEEP GOING WHILE THE FRONT END HAS STOPPED - IT'S SORT OF LIKE A SKIPPING EFFECT. OTHER ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS INCLUDE THE PASSENGER DOOR LOCK NOT OPERATING WITH THE POWER DOOR LOCK, THE RADIO DISPLAY IS LIT AT TIMES AND SOMETIMES IT'S NOT, SINCE I'VE HAD THE TRANSMISSION REPAIRED THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT AND ETS LIGHTS WHICH HAVE BEEN ON SINCE I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE, ARE NO LONGER LIT. DURING THE WATER PUMP FAILURE THE DEALERSHIPS REMEDY FOR IT WAS TO DISCONNECT THE ELECTRICAL WIRING WHICH PROMPTED ME THAT SOMETHING WAS WRONG WITH THIS SYSTEM. THE ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS ARE NUMEROUS. MY CAR IS A LEMON!
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.
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.
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.
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
2
RQ03001 · 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.
1996 Pontiac Grand Am Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year
Illustration