IllustrationIGNITION SWITCH WILL NOT TURN ON AT ALL WHEN APPLYING INSIDE OF IGNITION SWITCH. CONSUMER HAS HAD TO REPLACE BATTERY. DEALERSHIP IS AWARE OF PROBLEM. *AK DEALER PERFORMED RECALL 02V07000 RELATING TO THE IGNITION SWITCH. CONSUMER IS SATISFIED WITH REPAIRS. *TT
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
What owners actually said
450 reportsIGNITION SWITCH WILL LOCKUP. ENGINE WILL SHUT OFF ,THEN LOCK, SO THAT THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM IS STILL ON, AND YOU CANNOT PULL OUT THE KEY.*AK
CONSUMER STATES VEHICLE IGNITION SWITCH WILL NOT ALLOW CONSUMER TO TAKE KEY OUT OF IGNITION. TOOK TO DEALER AND THEY ARE NOT GOING TO REPLACE THE IGNITION SWITHCH. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*JB
WHILE PULLING OUT OF THE PARKING LOT DRIVER'S FRONT AIR BAG DEPLOYED WITHOUT CAUSE. DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT NOTIFIED AT THIS TIME. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK
NHTSA RECALL 02-V-070-000/ MANUFACTURER'S RECALL 02008 DEALERSHIP: ART GAMBLIN 1047 HWY 410, ENUMCLAW,WA. PHONE NUMBER 360-825-2567 WHERE THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO WAS NOT SERVICED FOR THE RECALL DUE TO PARTS NOT AVAILABLE UNTIL JULY OF 2002. CONSUMER STATED THAT IGNITION SWITCH MADE THE CLICKING NOISE MENTIONED IN THE RECAL…
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NHTSA RECALL 02-V-070-000/ MANUFACTURER'S RECALL 02008 DEALERSHIP: ART GAMBLIN 1047 HWY 410, ENUMCLAW,WA. PHONE NUMBER 360-825-2567 WHERE THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO WAS NOT SERVICED FOR THE RECALL DUE TO PARTS NOT AVAILABLE UNTIL JULY OF 2002. CONSUMER STATED THAT IGNITION SWITCH MADE THE CLICKING NOISE MENTIONED IN THE RECALL LETTER. PLEASE PROVIDE MORE INFORMATION.*AK
CAR WOULDN'T START, IT STARTED SMOKING, BURNED IGNITION SWITCH AND STARTER. HAVING SAME PROBLEM AS RECALL # 02-V-070-000, BUT DEALERSHIP SAID IT WAS NOT THE SAMETHING.*AK
WHILE LEAVING A PARKING SPACE AIR BAG DEPLOYED BY ITSELF. VEHICLE WAS NOT IN A CRASH. DEALER CONTACTED.*AK
I WAS DRIVINGON A PAVED ROAD WHEN MY DRIVERS SIDE AIRBAG DEPLOYED. THE ROAD WAS SMOOTH AND I DIDN'T HIT ANYTHING.A FRIEND CUT THE AIR BAG OUT AND WE TOOK IT TO DEALER WERE I PURCHASED CAR. THEY SAID TO TAKE IT TO A PONTIAC DEALER. I ASK IF THE OTHER AIRBAG WOULD GO OFF THEY SAID MAYBE. WHILE BACKING INTO DRIVEWAY THE PASSENGER …
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I WAS DRIVINGON A PAVED ROAD WHEN MY DRIVERS SIDE AIRBAG DEPLOYED. THE ROAD WAS SMOOTH AND I DIDN'T HIT ANYTHING.A FRIEND CUT THE AIR BAG OUT AND WE TOOK IT TO DEALER WERE I PURCHASED CAR. THEY SAID TO TAKE IT TO A PONTIAC DEALER. I ASK IF THE OTHER AIRBAG WOULD GO OFF THEY SAID MAYBE. WHILE BACKING INTO DRIVEWAY THE PASSENGER SIDE WENT OFF. TOOK IT TO BROWN PONTIAC AND THEY RAN A CHECK TO GET CODES ,THEY FOUND NO CODES. CALLED PONTIAC WITH INFO. AND I HAVE A FILE #06730530. A REPRESTITIVE IS SUPPOSE TO CALL BACK ITS BEEN 4 DAYS, NOTHING . I WAS JUST GLAD THERE WASN'T AN ACCIDENT. CAN'T GET CAR FIXED UNTILL INSPECTOR FROM GM COMES OUT IN 4 WEEKS TO 2 MONTHS. CAN YOU HELP?*AK
CONSUMER HAD IGNITION SWITCH REPLACED PRIOR TO RECALL 02V07 AND IS REQUESTING REIMBURSEMENT FOR REPAIRS. *SLC
WINDOW MOTORS HAVE BEEN REPLACED AND I STILL HAVE NUMEROUS PROBLEMS. WINDOWS STILL WILL NOT GO UP AND DOWN PROPERLY OR STICK AND WON'T GO DOWN OR STICK AND WON'T GO UP. GRINDING IN STEERING COLUMN; NOISE HAS BEEN THERE SINCE 6/96 AND DEALERS CAN'T SEEM TO LOCATE PROBLEM. STRUTS HAVE BEEN REPLACED AS FAULTY AND ARE BAD ONCE AG…
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WINDOW MOTORS HAVE BEEN REPLACED AND I STILL HAVE NUMEROUS PROBLEMS. WINDOWS STILL WILL NOT GO UP AND DOWN PROPERLY OR STICK AND WON'T GO DOWN OR STICK AND WON'T GO UP. GRINDING IN STEERING COLUMN; NOISE HAS BEEN THERE SINCE 6/96 AND DEALERS CAN'T SEEM TO LOCATE PROBLEM. STRUTS HAVE BEEN REPLACED AS FAULTY AND ARE BAD ONCE AGAIN. BACK WINDOW LEAKED THEY REPLACED IT, NOW LEAKS AGAIN. THIS IS VERY FUSTRATING KNOWING THAT I HAVE TWO CHILDREN ONE IS A TODDLER AND THE OTHER IS 8, RIDING IN THIS CAR WITH THESE PROBLEMS.
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.