Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (battery, alternator, wiring, ignition, instrument cluster, infotainment).
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).
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.
I was driving down hiway the car died I turned it to the right to get off the hiway and the airbag on drivers side exploded, I had the car towed and was told the pass key system or theft system went bad in ignition switch and no explanation why air bag went off? Or how to fix any of it, this is now July and I AM still having problems.
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.
The steering wheel column made grinding noises when my 1996 Grand AM se was driven. The noises even persisted after the Grand AM was returned to the original dealership in washington, d.c. Where the car was purchased from for service/repair in December 1999. The service manager informed me the noises from the steering wheel column could not be fixed and since the car was "older"- only 3 years old, any noises in the steering wheel column should be expected and are normal for a 3 year old car. The service manager told me he would look at the steering wheel column as well as the electrical componenets under the dashboard to investigate the problem. The service manager informed me that he did the best he could do to find and repair the noises in the steering wheel column. …
I started my car in a parking lot and was driving approx 10mph when the car died almost immediately, after restart, it did it again. Then, it wouldn't even turn over. I had it towed to a mechanic who told me that it was probably a bad fuel pump. Turns out it was the Pontiac anti-theft device that was keeping it from starting. When your key starts getting worn and rounded off, (as most keys do after some use!) the theft system locks your car up. There is no fix for this problem other than replacing the ECU, ignition system, key tumbler, or a combination of the same, and reprogramming it, which costs upwards of 1000.00 this anti theft system is preventing me from using my lawfully owned car! The only way to fix it is to have a dealership replace defective Pontiac parts. …
Car would not start. Steering locked and transmission stuck in park.key would not turn. Towed car home. Removed the ignition switch and found the ignition lock had melted. The obvious fire hazard prompted a recall search for the make and model finding an ignition recall has been issued. I contacted Pontiac customer service. The representative asked me if my VIN was covered. I have confirmed the VIN is on the recall list although the rep. Failed to acknowledge this. The seriousness of the recall, potential fire hazard and validity of my complaint was ignored and [redacted] (Pontiac rep.) would not assist me further. I AM stuck now with trying to resolve getting my car repaired in a timely manner. Please advise.
NHTSA recall 02-v-070-000: on certain passenger vehicles. If the engine failed to start and the driver held the key in the "start" position for an extended period, high current flew through the ignition switch, and sometimes produced enough heat to melt internal switch parts. This recall failed and the vehicle caught on fire. Consumer had backed up approx. Five feet in an parking lot when the engine died and smoke emitted from the steering column. At first the consumer couldn't get the keys out and the vehicle was in "park". After while the consumer was able to remove the keys the smoke stopped. When the tow truck driver arrived, he couldn't get the vehicle out of the "park" position. The tow truck driver had to disconnect the linkages.
Tl 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.
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.
Related recalls
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.
Electrical complaints in other Grand AM years
Frequently asked questions
How common are electrical problems on the 1996 Pontiac Grand AM?
NHTSA has 122 complaints about the electrical system of the 1996 Pontiac Grand AM, 27% of the model year's 450 complaints. The component named most often is ignition › switch (36 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1996 Pontiac Grand AM electrical problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 02V-070 (switch, Mar 6, 2002). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 1996 Pontiac Grand AM electrical problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 107,000 miles, and 5% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 11 fires and 4 injuries to electrical system 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.