Most common 1996 Pontiac Grand AM problems
Share of the 450 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
Pontiac Grand AM complaints by model year
Best Grand AM years: 2005, 1998, 2004. Years to avoid: 1999, 2000. Compare all years →
1996 Pontiac Grand AM recalls (4)
Electrical system › Ignition › Switch
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.
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.
Interior lighting
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."
Remedy: Dealers will run a diagnostic test on the lamp control module and, if necessary, replace it.
Steering › Steering wheel/handle bar
The steering column lower pinch bolt was not properly tightened during assembly.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect the steering column pinch bolt for correct torque and, if necessary, tighten the bolt to the specified torque.
Exterior lighting › Hazard flashing warning lights
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."
Remedy: Dealers or vehicle owners will inspect for proper function of the hazard warning lamps. If necessary, dealers will replace the hazard lamp switch.
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal safety investigators have looked into 2 possible defects involving the 1996 Pontiac Grand AM:
Oversensitive air bag deployments
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…
Power rack and pinion steering failure
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…
What 1996 Pontiac Grand AM owners say
Electrical system all 122 →
Ignition would not turn over so driver popped hood and removed the keys, driver was walking to the front of the car with keys in hand and car started by itself. Driver jumped back in and turned key forward and back to get car to shut off and noticed smoke coming from the steering column. Within minutes, the steering column was flaming. Extensive damage. Melted steering wheel, steering column, front of driver's seat, headliner, dash, control panel and visors. All done!!! Checked recalls: ignition switch (recall # 02V070000)
Dt:the contact stated when placing the key in the ignition smoke poured from the steering column. The smoke quickly erupted into flames. Both the fire and the police departments responded to the scene. The fire was extinguished. There was extensive damage to the dashboard panel area and steering column. The fire department suggested this May have been an electrical system wiring fire. The vehicle was towed to an independent repair shop, but no repairs have been made.
Air bags all 104 →
To avoid hitting another vehicle head on driver veered off the road and ran into a telephone pole. Upon impact, front air bags did not deploy. Driver's head cracked the windshield, causing the driver to be unconscious for about 45 minutes. Also, driver's teeth hit the steering wheel and cracked. In addition, driver's right arm, right knee, and neck were injured. Once driver regained consciousness he drove to the emergency room because no one stopped to help.
I was traveling along the highway going exactly 60 MPH when something popped causing me to lose control of my vehicle ( all passengers were in seat belts) we slid down a ditch hitting a light pole causing the vehicle to come to a stop neither the driver or the passenger bag deployed. We were traveling at a high rate of speed and the air bags malfunctioned causing my fiance to hit her head on the dash.
Engine & cooling all 75 →
Water getting into vehicle somewhere behind firewall. Started approximately 1yr. Ago. Caused all lights on dash to light up, now vehicle will not start, could not afford to have Pontiac fix, although they did issue a warning regarding issue, but will not help with remedy.
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. …
1996 Pontiac Grand AM engines & fuel economy
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG city / hwy / combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2.4L 4-cyl | 4-speed automatic | FWD | 19 / 29 / 23 |
| 2.4L 4-cyl | 5-speed manual | FWD | 20 / 30 / 23 |
| 3.1L 6-cyl | 4-speed automatic | FWD | 18 / 27 / 21 |
EPA ratings. Class: Compact car.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 1996 Pontiac Grand AM a good car?
Based on 450 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 1996 Grand AM rates average: 1.2× as many complaints as a typical year of the Grand AM at the same age. Complaint counts don't account for sales volume or individual maintenance, so have any used car inspected before buying.
What is the most common problem with the 1996 Pontiac Grand AM?
The electrical system — 122 complaints, 27% of all complaints for this model year, most often about ignition › switch. Next are the air bags (104) and engine & cooling (75).
How many recalls does the 1996 Pontiac Grand AM have?
There are 4 recalls for the 1996 Pontiac Grand AM, the most recent from March 6, 2002 (switch). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer — check whether yours has been done with the VIN recall check.
What are the best and worst years of the Pontiac Grand AM?
The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2005, 1998 and 2004. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 1999 and 2000. See the full Pontiac Grand AM years comparison.
At what mileage do 1996 Pontiac Grand AM problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 119,000 miles; 17% of problems with a recorded mileage started before 50,000 miles.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.