Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (struts, shocks, control arms, ball joints, springs).
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).
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. …
The control arm (a arm) on the front drivers side has a bushing which came loose and caused an awful sound when slowing down. This was replaced last year at my expense. Now a year later, the same arm has the exact same problem. I'm sure that I AM speaking for many when I say that I can not afford to fix the same problem every year.
While driving at any speed and going over any type of bump or hole in the street vehicle grinds due to lower control arm malfunctioning. Consumer had lower control arm on the right and left sides replaced.,
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.
Car runs hot. When starting up windows would fog, could smell antifreeze. Took vehicle to dealer, and they replaced heater core, they said it had a pin hole in it. Consumer said car wasstill running hot, consumer could hear a flapping noise, like a helicopter under the hood. The poping front right suspension was due to sway bar link failure which made stablizer bar loose. Horn malfunctions due to dirty contacts. Window does not go up or down properly due to window motor failure. The noise in engine area when cold was due to alternator failure. Water pump was leaking. Temperature guage was inaccurate. The noise from front and rear brakes was caused by worn brake pads. Driver side mirror control fell into the door panel.
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.
Control arms bushing wears out, unable to replace the bushing without replacing the whole control arm. Causes tire to move, alignment to be throwed off, and severe jerking when applying brakes. Have noticed that the new control arms have been modified so rubber bushing cannot come out, unlike the one that was originaly on the car, request reimbursement for control arms which are $160 a piece.
Lower control arm bushings are experiencing excessive wear and have disintegrated. Consumer was informed that this is due to a factory related defect. Also, front struts are noisy and squeaky, a metal to metal sound. Dealer replaced tie rods when crushing sound in front end was first heard.
Failure of the passenger side air bag, consumer was not involved in an accident and the passenger's side air bag deployed. Power steering pump needs replaced. Leak around air intake. Clicking noise occurs in the right front wheel area.
Lower control arm have experienced premature excessive wear and have fallen out. Holding on by a metal bar underneath the bushings. Also while driving at any speed or going over a bump the vehicle grinds making a metal to metal sound.
Suspension complaints in other Grand AM years
Frequently asked questions
How common are suspension problems on the 1996 Pontiac Grand AM?
NHTSA has 30 complaints about the suspension of the 1996 Pontiac Grand AM, 7% of the model year's 450 complaints. The component named most often is front (14 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1996 Pontiac Grand AM suspension problems?
No. NHTSA lists no suspension 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 suspension problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 142,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 2 fires and 0 injuries to suspension 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.