Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (automatic and manual transmissions, CVT, axles, driveshaft, 4WD/AWD).
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).
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. …
We have had coolant loss three times with no visible leakage. We were informed that the car was "sucking the coolant in" rather than leaking out. We have had to have the intake manifold gasket replaced 3 times. The 1st time, the dealer replaced intake manifold gasket & oil pump drive ring and valve cover gasket leaking. The 2nd time, the dealer simple resealed the intake gasket but did not replace. The 3rd time, the dealer replaced the upper and lower intake gaskets and rechecked for leaks. All of these repairs were covered under either the original warranty or the extended warranty (good thru 72,000 mi). We now have almost 70,000 mi on this car and the engine is shot! The main throttle bearing gaulded and the extended warranty company is denying our claim (even though we have 2,000 mi left on extended warranty) because they say the oil is "contaminated". …
In the past 4 months, I have replaced my heater core, because it is plastic, and then the radiator, now the head gasket. Problems of this nature first surfaced with heater core failure, which is made of plastic and then proceeds through the cooling to system, to my current problem, head gasket replacement. The water pump and transmission have both been replaced, while under the new car warranty. I took my car to hardin Pontiac in anaheim, ca at 3 pm on March 4th. They have now had my car 2 days and they want to charge me another $80 to further diagnose my coolant leak. I have opened a file w/Pontiac, ref # 1-78-69-0865. Pontiac determined that, as I AM the second owner, the age of the car (1996) and number of miles (82,622) they have no responsibility. I explained to her, that while I AM the 2nd owner, I purchased the car while it was still under their 3 year/36,000 mile warranty. …
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.
The day I bought this vehicle the right passenger power motor went out. Within the next few weeks, the other three also went bad. My gear shifter light blinks on and off at times, the daytime running lights come on and off, the radio light comes on and off, the cigarette light fuse blows all the time. Irvine Toyota told me there was no electricle problem and that pontiacs were notorious for their window motors heating up and going out. All they do is keep replacing the motors. Last night I was driving down the street and had complete power failure in the car. I was almost hit by an oncoming vehicle.
Automatic transmission surges at 60 MPH. Thought that transmission failed at first, but then noticed car was fine at low speeds. Shut off car and restarted, then transmission was fine. (noticed similar posting on your web site - odi id 802947) for the defect related to the steering column, key will not come out of ignition on occasion when car is turned off. To fix this, turn car back on, then put transmission into drive and then firmly into park. This, and turning wheel, will usually fix the problem.
The transmission would slip into neutral when pulling into traffic also I noticed it, sometimes on the highway, total lose of power. We took the car in 4 times before the dealer diognosed the problem with the transmission. We have extended warrenty so we paid $100.00. Now the car seems not to have the acceleration power from a stop that it once had. Also, the engine sounds loud when accerating. And I have lost fuel economey.
While driving at 65 MPH no prior warning vehicle started to lose power. Consumer pressed on the accelerator, and vehicle felt like it wanted to cut off. But, vehicle didn't cut off, and consumer was able to get vehicle to dealer. Dealer checked the vehicle and noticedtransmission fluid should have been pink, but the fluid was black, and some metal objects came from transmission which caused problems for consumer.
Without prior warning automatic transmision failed/went out when attemtping to place vehicle in reverse. Consumer contacted dealer. Dealer noticed a place within transmisison was missing teeth which caused malfunctioning of transmission. Also, manufacturer has changed the design of the part to prevent pieces of the teeth from breaking. Please provide any further details.
When driving at any speed, transmission went out, causing vehicle to stall/jerk.upon applying the brakes, they went to the floorboard, resulting in extended stopping distance. Also, steering is turning on its own, and dealer can't determine the problem.
Transmission complaints in other Grand AM years
Frequently asked questions
How common are transmission problems on the 1996 Pontiac Grand AM?
NHTSA has 33 complaints about the transmission & drivetrain of the 1996 Pontiac Grand AM, 7% of the model year's 450 complaints. The component named most often is automatic transmission (21 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1996 Pontiac Grand AM transmission problems?
No. NHTSA lists no transmission & drivetrain 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 transmission problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 102,000 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.