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
What owners actually said
450 reports
Mileage unknown · Jul 16, 2002
Air BagsInjury
MY HUSBANDIS DRIVING AND I AM IN THE PASSENGER SEAT DRIVING DOWN A DIRT ROAD AT 30MPH. WE KNOW YOU CANT GO FAST ON DIRT ROADS SO WE ARE BEING PRECAUTIOUS.ALL OF THE SUDDEN THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG DEPLOYS STRIKING ME IN THE FACE. THE VEHICLE COMES TO A STOP AND WE RUSH TO THE EMERGENCY ROOM VIA A FRIEND. I WAS INJURED. MY NECK…
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MY HUSBANDIS DRIVING AND I AM IN THE PASSENGER SEAT DRIVING DOWN A DIRT ROAD AT 30MPH. WE KNOW YOU CANT GO FAST ON DIRT ROADS SO WE ARE BEING PRECAUTIOUS.ALL OF THE SUDDEN THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG DEPLOYS STRIKING ME IN THE FACE. THE VEHICLE COMES TO A STOP AND WE RUSH TO THE EMERGENCY ROOM VIA A FRIEND. I WAS INJURED. MY NECK WAS SEVERELY SWELLED AND BRUISED AS WELL AS NOT BEING ABLE TO HEAR BECAUSE OF DAMAGE TO THE EAR DRUM. THE SHOCK OF THE WHOLE THING HAD MY HUSBAND AND I BOTH SHAKEN UP. WHO KNOWS WHAT WOULD HAVE HAPPENED IF THIS WAS THE DRIVER AIRBAG INSTEAD OF THE PASSENGER SIDE. WE ARE LUCKY BUT NOT HAPPY.MY HUSBAND AND I FEEL VERY UNSAFE DRIVING THIS VEHICLE.*AK
NHTSA ODI #764309
Mileage unknown · Jul 11, 2002
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine CoolingInterior Lighting
INTERIOR LIGHTS COME ON INTERMITTENTLY WHILE DRIVING, THERE ARE RECALLS 88V927000 AND 96V257000; BUT THIS VEHICLE IS NOT AFFECTED DUE TO VIN. *AK THE INVOICE STATES THAT THEY CHECKED THE RECALL/CAMPAIGN-THEY HAD TO INSTALL ENGINE WIRING HARNESS, REPLACE THE IGNITION SWITCH AND THE STEERING COLUMN TILT LEVER. *SCC
NHTSA ODI #8013776
Mileage unknown · Jul 10, 2002
Electrical System
WITH NO PRIOR WARNING MY '96 PONTIAC GRAND AM SUDDENLY 'SHIVERED' OR 'SNEEZED' WHILE DRIVING AT A STEADY SPEED OF APPROXIMATELY 55 - 60 MPH. ALL THE DASHBOARD LIGHTS CAME ON AND WERE BLINKING. THE VEHICLE LOST ACCELERATION AS WELL ALTHOUGH I WAS ABLE TO CONTINUE TRAVELING AS A RESULT OF THE ORIGINAL SPEED. I WAS UNABLE TO PUL…
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WITH NO PRIOR WARNING MY '96 PONTIAC GRAND AM SUDDENLY 'SHIVERED' OR 'SNEEZED' WHILE DRIVING AT A STEADY SPEED OF APPROXIMATELY 55 - 60 MPH. ALL THE DASHBOARD LIGHTS CAME ON AND WERE BLINKING. THE VEHICLE LOST ACCELERATION AS WELL ALTHOUGH I WAS ABLE TO CONTINUE TRAVELING AS A RESULT OF THE ORIGINAL SPEED. I WAS UNABLE TO PULL OVER SINCE I WAS IN RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC ON A MAJOR US HIGHWAY WITH NO SHOULDER OF THE ROAD. I QUICKLY TURNED ON MY WARNING FLASHERS, GRABBED THE STEERING WHEEL TIGHTLY WITH BOTH HANDS AND TRIED TO ALERT OTHER DRIVERS THAT I WAS IN DISTRESS. MY CAR WAS TOWED TO THE CLOSEST INDEPENDENT SHOP, WHO, AFTER 4 ATTEMPTS AT REPAIRS, WERE UNABLE TO FIX THE PROBLEM. I EVENTUALLY TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A PONTIAC DEALER WHO REPLACED THE 'IGNITION COIL'. I BELIEVE THIS INCIDENT IS A SAFETY DEFECT AND WOULD LIKE TO REPORT IT AS SUCH.*AK
NHTSA ODI #764032
Mileage unknown · Jul 8, 2002
Electrical SystemVisibility
IN THIS VEHICLE, BY 80,000 MILES, ALL 4 POWER WINDOW MOTORS HAD SEQUENTIALLY OVERHEATED AND FAILED WITH ORDINARY USE. THEY HAVE ALL HAD TO UNDERGO REPLACEMENT. IN ADDITION, THE ALTERNATOR HAS TWICE BECOME CLOGGED WITH DEBRIS (LEAVES, ETC). THROUGH ORDINARY USE, OVERHEATED AND FAILED. BOTH THE ORIGINAL ALTERNATOR AND A MANUFAC…
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IN THIS VEHICLE, BY 80,000 MILES, ALL 4 POWER WINDOW MOTORS HAD SEQUENTIALLY OVERHEATED AND FAILED WITH ORDINARY USE. THEY HAVE ALL HAD TO UNDERGO REPLACEMENT. IN ADDITION, THE ALTERNATOR HAS TWICE BECOME CLOGGED WITH DEBRIS (LEAVES, ETC). THROUGH ORDINARY USE, OVERHEATED AND FAILED. BOTH THE ORIGINAL ALTERNATOR AND A MANUFACTURER-BRANDED REPLACEMENT HAVE FAILED IN THIS FASHION, AND HAVE REQUIRED REPLACEMENT.
NHTSA ODI #763957
Mileage unknown · Jun 27, 2002
Visibility
REAR WINDOW, PASSENGER SIDE AND FRONT DRIVER SIDE WINDOWS STOPPED WORKING DUE TO THE ELECTRIC MOTORS FAILURES. *YH
NHTSA ODI #8012806
Mileage unknown · Jun 25, 2002
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine CoolingFire
NHTSA# 02 V 07 000/IGNITION : WHILE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, HORN STARTED GOING OFF, AND THEN NOTICED VEHICLE ON FIRE UNDER THE HOOD. DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED. *AK AN INVESTIGATOR DETERMINED THE CAUSE OF FIRE WAS ARSON. *JG
NHTSA ODI #8012650
Mileage unknown · Jun 25, 2002
Service Brakes, HydraulicVehicle Speed Control
AT 62MPH PUSHED ON THE BRAKES AND VEHICLE WOULD NOT DECELERATE, STAYING AT SPEED OF 62MPH. CONSUMER HAD TO TURN OFF VEHICLE. IT COULD HAD CAUSED AN ACCIDENT. CAUSE UNKNOWN. DEALER NOTIFIED.*AK
NHTSA ODI #8012598
Mileage unknown · Jun 21, 2002
Electrical System
AFTER RECALL 02V070000 REPAIRS WERE DONE, PROBLEM REOCCURRED. DEALER WANTED TO CHARGE CONSUMER TO REPLACE RECALL AGAIN.*AK
NHTSA ODI #8012420
Mileage unknown · Jun 21, 2002
Electrical SystemSteering
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK
NHTSA ODI #763331
Mileage unknown · Jun 21, 2002
Air Bags
CONSUMER STATES VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN ROLLOVER ACCIDENT AND NEITHER AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. DEALER NOTIFIED. *TT
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
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