Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (doors, hood, frame, rust, paint and trim).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 1996 Pontiac Grand AM owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
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.
06/05 water under the dash made me think the windshield was leaking-an auto glass dealer determined it was not leaking and agreed to take out the carpet-he discovered the firewall was not sealed properly from the factory- I paid him to seal it & dry & replace the carpet...09/07 I had problems with the all the alarm lights on the dash coming on---after turning off &restarting the car--the only light left on was the air bag light----06/17/08 I received an 'owner manual supplement' to add to my owners manual telling me the "air bag controller" May or May not deploy in a crash or even without warning....this is a design defect ...there are 1000's of the these time bombs going down the same highways we are traveling-GM needs to issue a recall & replace these---GM is not able to notify every owner of this problem after 12 years-people are driving these vehicles 60 and 70 miles an hour down …
Tl contact owns a 1996 Pontiac Grand AM. The contact stated that the passenger side and the driver side had two inches of rain in the vehicle but was unable to identify where it was coming from. The theft system activated and the vehicle responded as if it were stolen which made it impossible to start the vehicle. The contact also had a lot of major components repaired on the vehicle and the failure continued to occur. The dealer advised the contact that there was nothing they could do to assist with the failure. The failure mileage was currently 141,000. The failure mileage was 120,000.
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.
During inclement weather conditions, water was leaking through the vehicle fire wall onto the electrical harness leading into the taillights. The consumer has a concern that the condition May lead to a electrical short.
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.
My most recent problem included transmission failure, and according to the mechanic this had been happening for a very long time. The fourth gear of the transmission and the clutch were burned out. I've also had to replace a water pump on the vehicle. Immediately after purchase, I noticed anti-freeze leaking from the vehicle and the vehicle would just die while driving along. I attempted to get the dealer to repair the vehicle and did get his verbal agreement however, he lied and wouldn't follow through. I suppose because he knew he'd sold me a lemon and was more than eager to state his case, that had no lemon law. There are various electrical problems especially with the instrument panel and I suppose it May be something electrical that causes my vehicle to die while driving along. There is no warning, the vehicle just goes dead. …
There is water on all four floors of my car (front driver and passenger/back seat two both passenger sides). The rear left floor has particularly heavy water saturation. My air bag light has also stayed on for the last two weeks. Yesterday, I received a letter from GM indicating that the air bag controller on the 1996 Pontiac Grand AM is mounted above the floor pan beneath the front passenger seat, and that if the vehicle is exposed to significant water entering the interior and soaking the carpet, the air bag controller can be soaked and damaged. The damaged controller can make the air bags deflate, even without impact or crash. Conversely, the air bags May not deploy at all because of the controller damage. This letter was sent by GM as an owner manual supplement and they will not be responsible for what is clearly a problem. At this point, no recall has been issued. …
Under warranty, reported the trunk and rear spoiler for water leakage. Every time dealer answer, resealed trunk. At 5th attempt to repair leak owner requested spoiler to be replaced dealer refused to replace, owner frustrated. 2. Engine consumes 1 quart of oil every 1500-3000 miles dealer responds with no problems. 2nd attempt dealer performed oil consumption test results: no problem, owner reports still consumes oil at same rate. 3. Clutch: owner reported that it was difficult to shift out of 1st and 3rd gear dealer responded no problem drivetrain. All reported during warranty period. Owner continues to drive vehicle although problem still continues. Dealer serviced vehicle overfilled all fluids owner did not discover problem until after 500 miles of driving owner informed dealer that they would be responsible for damages to vehicle at a later date due to pre mature wear. …
Check engine light would come one for a day and go off did this 3 times before total failure of alternater & battery/front end/steering/brakes(ABS) abd shocks. Car will pull hard to the left while braking at highway speeds. Have to fight steering wheel to keep car in lane. Had brakes checked and could not find anything. ( front brakes were very hot) hit small bump or pothole or taking turn or going down the street/highway and car will wander left and rigth while you are holding the wheel. Sometimes it is bad enough to have to take corrective action to keep going straight. NHTSA recall #96V249000 my car does not fall in the manfactured date of July 96 can I still have checked no charge? I was taking wax of my car with keys in the ignition car off, the power door looks locked car. I have seen more complaints in your consumer complaint section of these issues I have just reported.
Body complaints in other Grand AM years
Frequently asked questions
How common are body problems on the 1996 Pontiac Grand AM?
NHTSA has 24 complaints about the body & structure of the 1996 Pontiac Grand AM, 5% of the model year's 450 complaints. The component named most often is body › door (10 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1996 Pontiac Grand AM body problems?
No. NHTSA lists no body & structure recall for the 1996 Pontiac Grand AM, though it has 4 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 1996 Pontiac Grand AM body problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 100,000 miles, and 17% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 0 fires and 3 injuries to body & structure problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
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.