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 · Jan 31, 2000
Engine And Engine CoolingEquipmentExterior LightingCrash
I CAN'T BELIEVE THERE ARE NO DEFECTS INVESTIGATIONS IN THE DATABASE FOR THE 1996 PONTIAC GRAND AM GIVEN THE NUMBER OF COMPLAINTS SUBMITTED CONCERNING THIS VEHICLE. WHAT HAS TO HAPPEN A DEATH? MY VEHICLE LIKE SEVERAL OTHERS I'VE READ ABOUT , STALLS AT ANY GIVEN TIME WITH THE MOST RECENT BEING ON THE INTERSTATE WHERE I HAD TO TA…
Read full complaint
I CAN'T BELIEVE THERE ARE NO DEFECTS INVESTIGATIONS IN THE DATABASE FOR THE 1996 PONTIAC GRAND AM GIVEN THE NUMBER OF COMPLAINTS SUBMITTED CONCERNING THIS VEHICLE. WHAT HAS TO HAPPEN A DEATH? MY VEHICLE LIKE SEVERAL OTHERS I'VE READ ABOUT , STALLS AT ANY GIVEN TIME WITH THE MOST RECENT BEING ON THE INTERSTATE WHERE I HAD TO TAKE THE MEDIAN FOR SAFETY. OTHERWISE I WOULD HAVE BEEN RUN OVER BY A RIG. THIS CAR IS UNSAFE AND WAS REPORTED BY THE PREVIOUS OWNER AS SUCH; HOWEVER, NO INVESTIGATION HAS TAKEN PLACE. THE CAR JUST SHUTS OFF IN THE MIDDLE OF TRAFFIC, LOSING ALL POWER (INCLUDING STEERING AND BRAKES). ALL THE INSTRUMENT PANEL LIGHTS COME ON AND THE CAR IS DEAD; THAT'S RIGHT DEAD. LEAVING THE OCCUPANTS IN THE MIDDLE OF TRAFFIC HOPING THEY'RE NOT GOING TO SMASHED BY SPEEDING TRAFFIC CONSIDERING NO SIGNAL WILL WORK AND NEITHER DO BRAKE LIGHTS OR ANYTHING. PEOPLE'S LIVES ARE AT STAKE HERE AND COMPLAINTS ARE BEING HANDLED BY THIS DEPARTMENT AS IF THEY COULDN'T CARE LESS. HOW COULD ANYONE WITH THEIR RIGHT MIND NOT ASSESS THIS SITUATION AS A SAFETY VIOLATION. THE REPORTS FOR THIS SAME DEFECT ARE JUST TOO NUMEROUS AND IF YOU CAN'T SEE IT THEN I NEED A HIGHER OFFICE AND THIS OFFICE NEEDS TO CLOSE SHOP! *AK
NHTSA ODI #718141
Mileage unknown · Jan 20, 2000
Engine And Engine Cooling
DUE TO CARBON BUILD UP EGR VALVE FAILED, CAUSING VEHICLE TO STALL AT ANY SPEED. *AK
NHTSA ODI #855181
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 · Jan 12, 2000
Fuel System, Gasoline
FRONT FUEL LINE SEPARATED FROM HOSE RESULTING IN A LEAK. NLM
NHTSA ODI #550382
Mileage unknown · Jan 11, 2000
Exterior LightingInterior Lighting
WHEN DRIVING WITH HEADLIGHTS ON,THEY FLICKER OFF/ON. ALSO, THE INSTRUMENT PANEL LIGHTS TURN OFF, CAUSING POOR DRIVER'S VISIBILITY. HIGH BEAM LIGHTS ARE THE ONLY OTHER OPTION. CONSUMER HAS CONTACTED DEALER. CONSUMER HAS YET TO HAVE THE PROBLEM CORRECTED. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS. *AK
NHTSA ODI #854875
Mileage unknown · Jan 5, 2000
Power TrainSuspension
TRANSMISSION EXPERIENCED A SLIP DUE TO "REPL 2ND CLUTCH INPUT CLUTCH" AND HAD TO BE COMPLETELY OVERHAULED. MECHANIC STATED THAT PROBLEM COULD ONLY BE LINKED TO MECHANICAL FAILURE. THERE WAS NO POSSIBLE WAY THAT HUMAN INTERFERANCE COULD HAVE CAUSED THE MALFUNCTION. A TRANSMISSION KIT, VALVE, PISTON, AND 12 ATF'S HAD TO BE PURC…
Read full complaint
TRANSMISSION EXPERIENCED A SLIP DUE TO "REPL 2ND CLUTCH INPUT CLUTCH" AND HAD TO BE COMPLETELY OVERHAULED. MECHANIC STATED THAT PROBLEM COULD ONLY BE LINKED TO MECHANICAL FAILURE. THERE WAS NO POSSIBLE WAY THAT HUMAN INTERFERANCE COULD HAVE CAUSED THE MALFUNCTION. A TRANSMISSION KIT, VALVE, PISTON, AND 12 ATF'S HAD TO BE PURCHASED FOR A TOTAL OF $861.49 IN PARTS AND $1224.00 IN LABOR. FRONT SUSPENSION IS ALSO LOOSE. ENTIRE FRONT END IS "LOOSE AS A TOOTH" ACCORDING TO DEALER MECHANIC. ALSO STATED THAT PROBLEM SHOULD NOT HAVE OCCURRED AT ONLY 40,000 MILES. NEED TO BALANCE WHEEL, ALIGN FRONT, AND PERFORM A TUNE-UP. LABOR IS ESTIMATED AT $200.00 WITH ADDITIONAL COSTS FOR PARTS. *AK
NHTSA ODI #716939
Mileage unknown · Dec 29, 1999
Fuel System, Gasoline
FUEL INJECTORS REPLACED ON TWO OCCASIONS, FAILURES CAUSING MISFIRE. *MJS
NHTSA ODI #550119
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 · 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…
Read full complaint
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
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