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
186,000 miles · Oct 28, 2009
Air BagsStructure
I HAVE A 1996 PONITAC GRAND AM THAT HAS WATER IN THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT. GM SENT A LETTER STATING THAT THE AIR BAG MODULE COULD DEPLOY THE AIR BAGS WITH WARNING WHILE DRIVING WITHOUT A CRASH OR WHEN THE KEY IS TURN ON. THIS HAS MANY COMPLAINTS BUT NO ONE IS DOING ANYTHING. AS A AUTO TECH FOR MY OWN SAFETY AS WELL OF OTHERS …
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I HAVE A 1996 PONITAC GRAND AM THAT HAS WATER IN THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT. GM SENT A LETTER STATING THAT THE AIR BAG MODULE COULD DEPLOY THE AIR BAGS WITH WARNING WHILE DRIVING WITHOUT A CRASH OR WHEN THE KEY IS TURN ON. THIS HAS MANY COMPLAINTS BUT NO ONE IS DOING ANYTHING. AS A AUTO TECH FOR MY OWN SAFETY AS WELL OF OTHERS THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL AND OF THE EFFECTIVE YEARS OR 96-98 GRAND AMS. THEY SAID INJURIES HAVE BEEN REPORTED ALREADY. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10290142
160,000 miles · Aug 9, 2009
Electrical System
GM PASS LOCK SYSTEM ON A 1996 PONTIAC GRAND AM WONT ALLOW CAR TO START STRANDING ME AT WORK. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10279844
100,608 miles · May 6, 2009
Air Bags
MY AIRBAG DEPLOYED UNDER NORMAL DRIVING CONDITIONS (NO IMPACT/CRASH, NO DAMAGE, ETC.) AFTER DOING SOME RESEARCH, I LEARNED THAT IT COULD BE DUE TO THE FACT THAT MY CAR WAS WET (NOT FLOODED.) I SUFFERED BRUSH BURNS UP MY FOREARMS. I RECEIVED A LETTER FROM PONTIAC STATING THAT THEY ARE AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM, HOWEVER, THERE IS N…
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MY AIRBAG DEPLOYED UNDER NORMAL DRIVING CONDITIONS (NO IMPACT/CRASH, NO DAMAGE, ETC.) AFTER DOING SOME RESEARCH, I LEARNED THAT IT COULD BE DUE TO THE FACT THAT MY CAR WAS WET (NOT FLOODED.) I SUFFERED BRUSH BURNS UP MY FOREARMS. I RECEIVED A LETTER FROM PONTIAC STATING THAT THEY ARE AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM, HOWEVER, THERE IS NO RECALL AND IT IS UP TO THE OWNER TO FIX IT (AT THE OWNER'S EXPENSE.) IF PONTIAC IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM, AND SENT OUT MILLIONS OF LETTERS, THEY SHOULD ISSUE A RECALL. AT THE VERY LEAST, THEY SHOULD PAY FOR THE DAMAGES/REPAIRS. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10267888
Mileage unknown · Apr 29, 2009
Air BagsInjury
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 PONTIAC GRAND AM. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE AIR BAG DEPLOYED IN THE CONTACT'S FACE. THERE WAS NO IMPACT OR CRASH AT THE TIME OF THE DEPLOYMENT. SHE LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, BUT MANAGED TO PULL OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE CONTACT WAS THE ONLY OCCUPANT IN THE VEHICLE AND SHE WAS WEARING HER…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 PONTIAC GRAND AM. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE AIR BAG DEPLOYED IN THE CONTACT'S FACE. THERE WAS NO IMPACT OR CRASH AT THE TIME OF THE DEPLOYMENT. SHE LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, BUT MANAGED TO PULL OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE CONTACT WAS THE ONLY OCCUPANT IN THE VEHICLE AND SHE WAS WEARING HER SEAT BELT AT THE TIME. SHE SUFFERED SEVERE CHEMICAL BURNS ALL OVER HER FACE AND WAS TRANSPORTED TO THE EMERGENCY ROOM FOR HER INJURIES. THE CONTACT HAS NOT YET NOTIFIED PONTIAC. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.
NHTSA ODI #10267224
Mileage unknown · Apr 28, 2009
Air Bags
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 PONTIAC GRAND AM. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED WITHOUT WARNING. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN INSPECTED TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE UNKNOWN.
NHTSA ODI #10267053
181,271 miles · Mar 27, 2009
Electrical System
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 PONTIAC GRAND AM. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS DIFFICULT TO START DUE TO THE THEFT SYSTEM. ONCE THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED, IT STALLED AT 40 MPH DUE TO THE THEFT SYSTEM. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A MECHANIC, WHO STATED THAT THE IGNITION CYLINDER MAY HAVE CAUSED THE FAILURE. ACCORDING TO THE …
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 PONTIAC GRAND AM. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS DIFFICULT TO START DUE TO THE THEFT SYSTEM. ONCE THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED, IT STALLED AT 40 MPH DUE TO THE THEFT SYSTEM. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A MECHANIC, WHO STATED THAT THE IGNITION CYLINDER MAY HAVE CAUSED THE FAILURE. ACCORDING TO THE OWNER'S MANUAL, THE CONTACT MUST WAIT TEN MINUTES BEFORE RESTARTING THE VEHICLE AFTER THE FAILURE OCCURS. SHE FEELS THAT THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE BECAUSE THE VEHICLE COULD STOP IN THE MIDDLE OF THE HIGHWAY. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 181,271 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 181,600.
NHTSA ODI #10263285
122,000 miles · Nov 19, 2008
Air BagsInjury
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 PONTIAC GRAND AM. WHILE STOPPING AT A STOP SIGN, THE DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED WITHOUT ANY IMPACT. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED INJURIES TO THE EYES AND MOUTH, IN ADDITION TO BROKEN TEETH. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO BE DRIVEN. THE POL…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 PONTIAC GRAND AM. WHILE STOPPING AT A STOP SIGN, THE DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED WITHOUT ANY IMPACT. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED INJURIES TO THE EYES AND MOUTH, IN ADDITION TO BROKEN TEETH. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO BE DRIVEN. THE POLICE AND AMBULANCE WERE NOT CALLED TO THE SCENE. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED OF THE SAFETY RISK INVOLVED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 122,000. UPDATED 12/12/08 *CN UPDATED 12/15/08. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10249345
Mileage unknown · Sep 15, 2008
Structure
DRIVERS SIDE INTERIOR FLOOR KEEPS GETTING EXTREMELY WET. JUST THE OTHER DAY THERE WAS ABOUT AN INCH OF STANDING WATER ON THE BACKSEAT DRIVERS SIDE FLOOR BOARD. ALL WINDOWS ARE ALWAYS UP AND THERE IS EVEN WATER ON THE FLOOR BOARDS WHEN IT DOESN'T RAIN.*TR
NHTSA ODI #10242205
100,000 miles · Aug 24, 2008
Electrical SystemStructure
EVERY TIME IT RAINS I GET WATER ON THE FLOOR OF MY CAR, THIS HAS BEEN AN ONGOING I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER BECAUSE IT WENT OUT ON ME WILE DRIVING BECAUSE THE WIRES BEHIND ON THE FIREWALL ARE WET.*TR
NHTSA ODI #10239544
172,000 miles · Aug 5, 2008
Air BagsInjury
1996 PONTIAC GRAND AM AIR BAGS DEPLOYED WITH NO CONTACT OR COLLISION. VEHICLE HAD TO BE SOLD TO SALVAGE CO. DUE TO LOCAL CODES. VEHICLE DAMAGE TOO COSTLY TO REPAIR. DRIVER SUSTAINED INJURY. *TR
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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