Owner-reported complaints naming the fuel system system, filed with NHTSA
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Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 1996 Pontiac Grand Am submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 25 reports on file name it.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Shown in the owner’s own words, exactly as filed
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.
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. AN ANTI THEFT SYSTEM SHOULD BE A PREVENTATIVE MEASURE TO KEEP CROOKS FROM BOOSTING YOUR CAR, NOT SOMETHING THAT WILL COST THE OWNER MORE MONEY LATER WHEN THEIR KEY WEARS DOWN! WORSE YET, IF THE CAR IS DISABLED ON A HIGHWAY AND THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKS UP, YOU RISK KILLING YOURSELF OR OTHERS ON THE ROAD! THIS HAS GOT TO BE A SAFETY VIOLATION AND A RED FLAG FOR A RECALL. I'M GOING TO PROBABLY SELL THIS RAT-TRAP FOR SCRAP/CRUSH VALUE TO A JUNK YARD AND BUY ANOTHER CAR, SO ALTHOUGH THIS COMPLAINT WON'T BENEFIT ME, HOPEFULLY MY COMMENT WILL HELP SOMEONE ELSE WHO IS HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THEIR POS PONTIAC. *TR
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. *TR
CONSUMER HAD THE FUEL FILTER CHECKED FOR REPLACEMENT. IT WAS FOUND THAT THE CONNECTION FROM THE FUEL TANK TO THE FUEL FILTER WAS RUSTED TO THE POINT THE LINE AND FUEL FILTER HAD TO BE REPLACED. *JG *CB
CONSUMER SMELLED FUEL WHEN DRIVING. DEALER DETERMINED THAT FUEL PRESSURE REGULATOR WAS LEAKING FUEL ONTO ENGINE.*AK
CONSUMER COULD SMELL FUEL COMING INSIDE OF VEHICLE THROUGH VENTS. HAD A FUEL LEAK. DEALER CONTACTED. PLEASE ADD VIN. *AK
VEHICLE HAD A STRONG FUEL ODOR. TOOK IT TO GARAGE AND MECHANIC INDICATED A PIN HOLE LEAK IN FUEL LINE AT TOP OF ENGINE.*AK *YH
THE FUEL LINE WAS DEFECTED THE GASOLINE SHOOTS OUT INSIDE OF THE ENGINE CARPARTMENT. NLM
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". I HAVE MAINTAINED REGULAR OIL CHANGES AND AM DUE FOR AN OIL CHANGE IN APPROX 200 MI. THE DEALERSHIP DID NOT INFORM ME THAT I SHOULD HAVE HAD THE OIL CHANGED AFTER ANY OF THE COOLANT LEAK REPAIRS. ALSO, WE HAD TO HAVE THE ALTERNATOR REPLACED WHEN THEN CAR WAS JUST 2 YRS OLD. PLUS WE HAD TO HAVE THE R&R SHAFT SEAL & BEARING KIT REPLACED 3 TIMES DUE TO SQUEAKING NOISE COMING FROM STEERING COLUMN. ALSO HAD TO HAVE SHIFTER ASSEMPLY REPLACED BECAUSE THE KEY WAS STICKING IN THE IGNITION.*AK
VEHICLE LOST POWER THEN ENGINE QUIT. DEALER MECHANIC INDICATED INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET FAILURE TO LET COOLING FLUID INTO CRANKCASE OIL. GASKET REPLACED, ENGINE FLUSHED 5 TIMES ($480) SUGGESTED ENGINE OVERHAUL. TWO WEEKS, ENGINE FAILED WITH KNOCK DUE TO PREVIOUS PROBLEM. RECEIVED LETTER FROM DEALERSHIP WARNING OF POSSIBLE INTAKE GASKET FAILURE RESULTING IN ENGINE REPLACEMENT. NO SATISFACTION FROM GM, FOUND 5 IDENTICAL COMPLAINTS ON NHTSA WEB SITE, ATTORNEY CONTACTED, WE WILL BOTH INVESTIGATE. MY SITUATION IS, "NO CAR, STILL PAYING PAYMENT." OBSERVATION: GROSS DIREGARD FOR OBVIOUS ENGINEERING FLAW, SMAKS OF FIRESTONE WITHOUT THE DEATHS. *AK
PLEASE LET ME KNOW IF I AM ABLE TO GET PONTIAC TO PAY FOR THIS REPAIR. I HAVE HAD COUNTLESS THINGS HAPPEN TO THIS CAR. DURING AND NOW RIGHT OUT OF WARRANTY AT 62000 MILES. THEY ARE WANTING TO CHARGE ME 850.00 TO REPLACE THE INTAKE MANAFOLD GADGETS. THIS IS AN EMMISSION PROBLEM AND I FEEL AS IF I PURCHASED A LEMON BECAUSE OF ALL THE PROBLEMS I HAVE HAD ON THIS CAR. PLEASE HELP ME.*AK
FLEXIBLE FUEL HOSE IN ENGINE COMPARTMENT FAILED, CONSUMER STATES THAT A CORRUGATED FLEXIBLE PLASTIC SHIELDING COVERS MOST OF THE HOSES, HOWEVER THE COVERAGE IS NOT COMPLETE, CONSUMER FEELS THIS IS WHY THE HOSE FAILED. *SLC
GAS IS LEAKING FROM FUEL PRESSURE REGULATOR. YH
FRONT FUEL LINE SEPARATED FROM HOSE RESULTING IN A LEAK. NLM
FUEL INJECTORS REPLACED ON TWO OCCASIONS, FAILURES CAUSING MISFIRE. *MJS
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. DURING STOPS IT SEEMS THAT AT TIMES THE REAR END JUST HAS A MIND OF ITS OWN; ALMOST AS IF IT WANTS TO KEEP GOING WHILE THE FRONT END HAS STOPPED - IT'S SORT OF LIKE A SKIPPING EFFECT. OTHER ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS INCLUDE THE PASSENGER DOOR LOCK NOT OPERATING WITH THE POWER DOOR LOCK, THE RADIO DISPLAY IS LIT AT TIMES AND SOMETIMES IT'S NOT, SINCE I'VE HAD THE TRANSMISSION REPAIRED THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT AND ETS LIGHTS WHICH HAVE BEEN ON SINCE I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE, ARE NO LONGER LIT. DURING THE WATER PUMP FAILURE THE DEALERSHIPS REMEDY FOR IT WAS TO DISCONNECT THE ELECTRICAL WIRING WHICH PROMPTED ME THAT SOMETHING WAS WRONG WITH THIS SYSTEM. THE ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS ARE NUMEROUS. MY CAR IS A LEMON!
ENGINE FAILED DUE TO INTERNAL LOWER INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET FAILURE ON REAR ENGINE CYLINDER BANK, CAUSING INTERNAL LEAKAGE OF ENGINE COOLANT INTO INTERNAL ENGINE PARTS.
DEFECT IN LOW FUEL INDICATOR CAUSED CONSUMER TO BECOME STRANDED. ,INDICTOR LIGHT DID NOT COME ON TO WARN THE CONSUMER THAT THE FUEL WAS LOW, DEALER HAS REPLACED INSTRUMENT PANEL ASSEMBLY, BUT DEFECT IS STILL OCCURRING. *AK
INTERMITTENTLY, THE DEFECTIVE ABS BRAKING SYSTEM MALFUNTIONCTIONS WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKE PEDAL THERE'S A SPONGY FEELING AND GOES TO THE FLOOR, CAUSING EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE. DEALER REPLACE FUEL PUMP AND BRAKE PADS. DEALER CANNOT DETERMINE PROBLEM. *AK
WHENEVER GETTING IN THE CAR AND TURNING THE IGNITION KEY ON SMELLED VERY STRONG GAS FUMES INSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. HAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER SEVERAL TIMES, BUT THEY WERE UNABLE TO FIX THE PROBLEM. *AK
DRIVING THE VEHICLE AND BEGAN TO SMELL GAS, THE VEHICLE GAS LINE WAS BROKEN. *AKTHIS FUEL LINE BROKE AT THE FITTING PUTTING RAW GAS ON THE ENGINE WHILE RUNNING. *NLM
THROTTLE CABLE/ABS BRAKES/FUEL PUMP FAILED, VEHICLE BECAME DISABLED ON THE ROAD THREE TIMES. *AK
AIR INTAKE SUCKED INSULATION FROM LEFT/FRONT WHEEL WELL, CAUSING VEHICLE TO LOSE POWER.
IRREGULAR TIRE WEAR.
FAILURE OF THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG, CONSUMER WAS NOT INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT AND THE PASSENGER'S SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED.*AK POWER STEERING PUMP NEEDS REPLACED. LEAK AROUND AIR INTAKE. CLICKING NOISE OCCURS IN THE RIGHT FRONT WHEEL AREA. *SLC
Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.
Categories with enough reports to have a page of their own
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