1996 Pontiac Grand AM
This year had 30% to 100% more complaints than this model's typical year.
This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.
COMPLAINTS PER YEAR
View as data table
| Year | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 1980 | 0 |
| 1981 | 0 |
| 1983 | 1 |
| 1984 | 0 |
| 1985 | 4 |
| 1986 | 11 |
| 1987 | 28 |
| 1988 | 33 |
| 1989 | 44 |
| 1990 | 39 |
| 1991 | 82 |
| 1992 | 168 |
| 1993 | 206 |
| 1994 | 384 |
| 1995 | 409 |
| 1996 | 450 |
| 1997 | 383 |
| 1998 | 172 |
| 1999 | 849 |
| 2000 | 675 |
| 2001 | 538 |
| 2002 | 395 |
| 2003 | 325 |
| 2004 | 293 |
| 2005 | 102 |
KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS
Percentages can add to more than 100% -- a complaint can name more than one system.
32% of complaints: electrical system — 144 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing switch and alternator/generator/regulator.
CRASH FIRE INJURYShow complaint excerpts
CONSUMER STATES VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE SECONDS AFTER BEING PARKED. VEHICLE WAS TO BE TOWED, HOWEVER, DEALERSHIP REFUSED TO ACCEPT THE VEHICLE. CONSUMER RECEIVED RECALL NOTIFICATION RELATING TO IGNITION SWITCH 02V07 TO CORRECT POTENTAL FIRE.
NHTSA ODI report, 20020925
24% of complaints: air bags — 107 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing frontal and side/window.
CRASH FIRE INJURYShow complaint excerpts
DRIVER AIR BAG DEPLOYED WITHOUT WARNING. *TR
NHTSA ODI report, 20140514
WHILE DRIVING HOME FROM THE PARK, DRIVER SIDE AIR BAG WENT OFF, BURST OF POWDER AND HORN BLOWING, SCRAPED RIGHT HAND. WAS ABLE TO PULL TO SIDE OF ROAD AND UNDO FUSE TO HORN.
NHTSA ODI report, 20120917
I HAD JUST TURNED MY CAR ON AND PUT IT IN REVERSE TO BACK OUT OF A PARKING SPOT. I ONLY MOVED ABOUT TWO INCHES BACKWARDS, NOT EVEN GOING OVER 5 MPH, WHEN THE AIR BAG RANDOMLY DEPLOYED WITHOUT WARNING.
NHTSA ODI report, 20120827
18% of complaints: engine and engine cooling — 82 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing gasoline and cooling system.
CRASH FIRE INJURY16% of complaints: service brakes — 73 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing hydraulic and air.
CRASH INJURY9% of complaints: visibility — 41 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing power window devices and controls and rearview mirrors/devices.
CRASHSAFETY TIMELINE
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.
Campaign 96V249000 — check if this car was fixed
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 EQ
Remedy: DEALERS OR VEHICLE OWNERS WILL INSPECT FOR PROPER FUNCTION OF THE HAZARD WARNING LAMPS. IF NECESSARY, DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE HAZARD LAMP SWITCH.
Campaign 96V250000 — check if this car was fixed
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 REQU
Remedy: DEALERS WILL RUN A DIAGNOSTIC TEST ON THE LAMP CONTROL MODULE AND, IF NECESSARY, REPLACE IT.
Campaign 98V027000 — check if this car was fixed
OVERSENSITIVE AIR BAG DEPLOYMENTS
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 P
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. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN
Campaign 02V070000 — check if this car was fixed
POWER RACK AND PINION STEERING FAILURE
CERTAIN DELPHI AFTERMARKET FUEL PUMP MODULES / MODULE RESERVOIR ASSEMBLIES (MRA) THAT WERE SOLD FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LISTED VEHICLES. DURING PRODUCTION THE MRAS VENT AND FUEL RETURN TUBES WERE REVERS
Remedy: DELPHI WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE DEFECTIVE MRAS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MARCH 20, 2007. OWNERS CAN CONTACT DELPHI AT 1-877-335-7443.
Campaign 07E015000 — check if this car was fixed
CERTAIN DELPHI FUEL PRESSURE REGULATORS, P/NOS. FP10020-11B1, FP10026-11B1, AND FP10027-11B1, SOLD AFTER JANUARY 9, 2007, AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. THE UNI
Remedy: DELPHI WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE UPR FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 23, 2007. OWNERS CAN CONTACT DELPHI AT 877-411-8770.
Campaign 07E021000 — check if this car was fixed
BUY-SMART CHECKLIST
1996 Pontiac Grand AM — pre-purchase inspection
- Test/inspect for electrical system issues (144 reports on file for this year).
- Test/inspect for air bags issues (107 reports on file for this year).
- Test/inspect for engine and engine cooling issues (82 reports on file for this year).
- Verify recall 96V249000 (steering) has been completed.
- Verify recall 96V250000 (exterior lighting) has been completed.
- Verify recall 98V027000 (interior lighting) has been completed.
- Verify recall 02V070000 (electrical system) has been completed.
- Verify recall 07E015000 (fuel system, gasoline) has been completed.
- Verify recall 07E021000 (fuel system, other) has been completed.
OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL
BEST YEARS
WORST YEARS
FAQ
Is the 1996 Pontiac Grand AM reliable?
Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 1996 Pontiac Grand AM is rated "worse than typical".
What are the most common problems with the 1996 Pontiac Grand AM?
The most-reported component is electrical system, accounting for 32% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 1996 Pontiac Grand AM have?
6 recalls on file for this model year.
Data updated 2026-09-01 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.