RoadVitals

1996 Pontiac Grand Am Steering Problems

Owner-reported complaints naming the steering system, filed with NHTSA

Data refreshed

Steering reportsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
19
Latest Jul 9, 2013
Share of all reportsThis category as a share of every owner report on file for this model year. One report can name more than one component, so the categories overlap.
4%
of 450 total
Crash or fire reportedReports in this category whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. The reporter's own answer on the NHTSA form, not a verified finding.
1
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
0

What this page shows

Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage. 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. 19 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.

Owner reports naming steering

Shown in the owner’s own words, exactly as filed

ElectricalSteering
Filed Jul 9, 2013

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 [XXX] (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. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

NHTSA ID
10523832
Incident
Jul 3, 2013
Mileage
171,708 mi
Other / unspecifiedSteeringTires & wheels+1 more
Filed Jan 15, 2004
Crash reported

MY MAIN PROBLEM IS THE STEERING COLUMN. WHEN IT IS TIME TO TAKE THE KEY OUT OF THE IGNITION IT GETS STUCKS. YOUR UNABLE TO TAKE THE KEY OUT UNTIL THE CAR WANTS TO LET IT GO. SOMETIMES THIS ENDS UP TO BE A 45 MINUTE TO AN HOUR WAIT. THE PLACE I BOUGHT IT FROM SAID THEY FIXED IT. OF COURSE, AFTR THE WARRANTY WAS UP SO WASN'T THE KEY ONCE AGAIN GETTING STUCK. HAD THE WHOLE STEERING COLUMN REPLACED FOR ABOUT $500.00 NO PROBLEMS FOR ABOUT 2 MONTHS AND NOW ONCE AGAIN KEY IS GETTING STUCK.

NHTSA ID
10070417
Incident
Jun 15, 2002
Mileage
10,700 mi
BrakesEngineSteering
Filed Jan 14, 2004

WHILE DRIVING AND TURNING TO THE LEFT THERE WAS NO STEERING. ALSO, BRAKE FAILED, AND VEHICLE INTERMITTENTLY STALLED. *AK

NHTSA ID
10054049
Incident
Jan 14, 2004
Mileage
69,000 mi
ElectricalEngineInterior & seats+1 more
Filed Jul 11, 2002

INTERIOR LIGHTS COME ON INTERMITTENTLY WHILE DRIVING, THERE ARE RECALLS 88V927000 AND 96V257000; BUT THIS VEHICLE IS NOT AFFECTED DUE TO VIN. *AK THE INVOICE STATES THAT THEY CHECKED THE RECALL/CAMPAIGN-THEY HAD TO INSTALL ENGINE WIRING HARNESS, REPLACE THE IGNITION SWITCH AND THE STEERING COLUMN TILT LEVER. *SCC

NHTSA ID
8013776
Incident
May 10, 2002
ElectricalSteering
Filed Jun 21, 2002

NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK

NHTSA ID
763331
ElectricalSteeringSuspension
Filed Jan 22, 2002

NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK

NHTSA ID
757164
SteeringSuspension
Filed May 25, 2001

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. *AK DEALER REPLACED TIE RODS WHEN CRUSHING SOUND IN FRONT END WAS FIRST HEARD. *SLC

NHTSA ID
889177
Incident
Dec 1, 1997
Steering
Filed Aug 1, 2000

IS THIS STILL A FREE FIX? YOUR CAMPAIGN #: 96V249000. NO SAFETY DEFECT LISTED WITHIN SUMMARY. *AK

NHTSA ID
726368
Incident
Jul 1, 2000
ElectricalSteering
Filed May 30, 2000

THIS IS THE THIRD REPLACEMENT OF THE IGNITION LOCK CYLINDER WITHIN TWO YEARS 1998-2000. IT SEEMS TO NEED REPLACED EVERY 9-12 MONTHS. I FEEL THIS IS AN OBVIOUS PROBLEM AND SHOULD BE CORRECTED. THE SEAT ANCHOR HAS BEEN REPORTED EACH TIME I TAKE THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP. THE LAST TIME I WAS TOLD TO RECLINE THE SEAT TO PREVENT THE PROBLEM. I DO NOT FEEL THIS IS AN ACCEPTABLE ANSWER TO THE PROBLEM. *AK

NHTSA ID
723334
Incident
May 29, 2000
Steering
Filed Oct 13, 1999

WHILE TRAVELING AND MAKING A TURN STERRING WHIEEL LOCKED UP, CAUSING CONSUMER TO JERK THE STERRING WHEEL . PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORJMATON. DRL HAS BEEN CONTACTED. *AK

NHTSA ID
850578
BrakesSteeringTransmission
Filed Jul 8, 1999

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. *AK

NHTSA ID
841890
Incident
Jul 6, 1999
Steering
Filed Oct 19, 1998

STEERING COLUMN FAILED CAUSING THE IGNITION KEY TO STICK INTERMITTENTLY.

NHTSA ID
542064
Incident
Sep 1, 1997
EngineSteeringTransmission
Filed Mar 21, 1997

OWNER STATES THAT STEERING ARM BOLTS WERE FAULTY. ALSO, THERE WERE OTHER DEFECTIVE ITEMS, SUCH AS FAULTY MOTOR MOUNTS AND FAULTY TRANSSMISSION MOUNTING BOLTS. *AK

NHTSA ID
810285
SteeringSuspension
Filed Mar 4, 1997

OWNER STATES THAT HER VEHICLE HAS BEEN IN THE SHOP 14 TIMES FOR HER STEERING, STEERING WHEEL LOCKS WHILE MAKING A TURN AND DEALERS ARE UNABLE TO CORRET PROBLEM; ALSO, THE FRONT END SHAKES. *AK

NHTSA ID
809649
Interior & seatsExterior lightingSteering
Filed Feb 12, 1997

(5) TIMES WHILE DRIVING THE HEADLIGHTS AND THE DASH LIGHTS WENT OFF AND THE ANTI-THEFT SYSTEM LIGHT WILL COME ON AND THE VEHICLE WILL STALL OUT. PROBLEM IS HARD TO DUPLICATE WHILE AT DEALERSHIP. CAN NOT FIX THE PROBLEM. *AK

NHTSA ID
808810
Body & structureElectricalEngine+6 more
Filed Dec 2, 1996

IRREGULAR TIRE WEAR.

NHTSA ID
511941
Incident
Jul 31, 1996
Steering
Filed Oct 22, 1996

WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE AT (10) MPH THE DRIVER'S SIDE WHEEL COLLASPED BECAUSE THE INNER TIE ROD BROKE. *AK

NHTSA ID
803861
Incident
Oct 17, 1996
AirbagsFuel systemSteering+1 more
Filed Sep 10, 1996

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

NHTSA ID
802141
Incident
Jul 4, 1996
Steering
Filed May 28, 1996

DURING TURNING MANUEVERS STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP. EXPLAIN IN MORE DETAIL. *AK

NHTSA ID
984921
Incident
May 23, 1995

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.

Other components reported on this vehicle

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Elsewhere on this vehicle

Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .