Reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers, shown in full
Data refreshed
Our database holds 79 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1996 Pontiac Grand Prix. Each one is a report filed by an owner or driver and published by NHTSA without most of them being verified. A complaint is not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. Narratives are shown exactly as filed.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Showing 1–25 of 79 · page 1 of 4
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX. WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE POWER STEERING MALFUNCTIONED. IT WAS EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO TURN THE STEERING WHEEL TO THE LEFT. THE CONTACT HAD TO EXERT FORCE UPON THE STEERING WHEEL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 106,998. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
AFTER STOPPING AT A STOP SIGN, LOST CONTROL OF STEERING WHILE MAKING LEFT TURN. CAR CONTINUED, RAN OVER A MAIL BOX AND CAME TO REST IN A FLOWER BED. WHEN TOW TRUCK ARRIVED AND PICKED CAR UP, TOW TRUCK DRIVER NOTICED THAT ENGINE CRADLE HAD FALLEN DOWN AND DISABLED THE STEERING. MECHANIC AND INSURANCE ADJUSTER LATER AGREED THAT THE ENGINE CRADLE BOLTS HAD SHEARED OFF. *JS
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX. THE VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE TWICE WHERE DROPS OF ENGINE OIL FELL ON THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD. THE FIRES OCCURRED THREE DAYS AFTER PURCHASING THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT WAS RESPONSIBLE FOR THE REPAIR COST OF $2000. THE CONTACT WAS NOT AWARE OF RECALL# 09V116000, COMPONENT: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING WHEN THE FAILURE OCCURRED. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THEY WOULD RESEARCH THE FAILURE AND CALL HIM; HOWEVER, HE HAS NOT RECEIVED A CALL. WHEN THE THIRD FIRE OCCURRED THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE; ALTHOUGH, HE COULD HAVE BEEN INJURED. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE WAS RENDERED INOPERABLE AND TO TOW IT TO A DEALER. THE CONTACT REQUESTED THAT THE DEALER ASSUME THE TOWING COST; HOWEVER, THEY DENIED TO DO SO. THERE WAS NO REPORT FILED WITH THE FIRE DEPARTMENT. HE HAS MADE SEVERAL ATTEMPTS TO SPEAK WITH THE MANUFACTURER AND HAS BEEN UNSUCCESSFUL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.
DT: AROUND SEPTEMBER 21, 2005 THE CONSUMER STARTED EXPERIENCING DIFFICULTY TURNING TO THE RIGHT. IT WAS LIKE THE STEERING WHEEL WAS LOCKED. THE PROBLEM WAS ONGOING WHEN TRYING TO TURN RIGHT. WHEN THE CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO BE REPAIRED, THE MECHANIC TOLD HER THAT THE RACK AND PINION NEEDED REPLACED. ALSO TOLD HER THAT THERE WAS A RECALL FOR THIS ISSUE ON HER TYPE OF VEHICLE. THERE WAS NHTSA RECALL 03V527000 AND GM RECALL RECALL 03062. WHEN SHE CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER, THEY TOLD HER THAT THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED DUE TO VIN. *AK
ON THREE SEPARATE OCCASIONS (TWICE WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY ONCE ON SIDE STREET) MY GAS PEDAL PUSHED DOWN UNDER MY FOOT AND MY CAR ACCELERATED BY IT SELF. I HAD TO HAVE THE MECHANIC DISCONNECT THE CRUISE CONTROL. LUCKY NO ONE WAS HIT BUT IT WAS CLOSE. *JB
WHILE THE CONSUMER WAS WORKING ON THE VEHICLE NOTICED THAT GAS WAS COMING FROM UNDER THE VEHICLE. CONSUMER STATED THAT THE GAS TANK HAD A LEAK. *AK *MR
THE CONSUMEREXPERIENCED INTERMITTENT LOSS OF POWER STEERING WHEN TURNING LEFT. A RECALL WAS ISSUED FOR THIS MAKE/MODEL AND YEAR, HOWEVE THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO VIN. *AK *NM
SATURDAY MARCH 8, 2003, I WAS ON MY WAY HOME FROM SHOPPING WITH MY 4-YEAR-OLD SON WHEN THE DRIVER SIDE AIRBAG OF MY 1996 PONTIAC GRAND AM EXPLODED IN MY FACE. THE DEPLOYMENT OF THE BAG FORCED MY ARM BACK INTO MY FACE SNAPPING MY HEAD BACK AND COMPLETELY DISORIENTING ME. ONCE I REGAINED MY BEARINGS I REALIZED I WAS NORTHBOUND IN THE SOUTHBOUND LANES OF WINSTON CHURCHILL BLVD. IN MISSISSAUGA. THE NEXT MORNING I WENT TO THE HOSPITAL TO HAVE MY ARM AND NECK LOOKED AT. FORTUNATELY MY ARM WASN'T BROKEN. IT WAS HOWEVER SEVERELY BRUISED AND STILL NON FUNCTIONAL. MY NECK WAS STILL VERY STIFF AND SORE. I AM CURRENTLY UNDERGOING TREATMENT FOR WHIPLASH AND LIGAMENT DAMAGE TO MY ARM. SINCE THE DATE OF THE ACCIDENT I HAVE FOUND OUT A FEW THINGS REGARDING MY 1996 PONTIAC GRAND AM. 1- THERE IS A SENSOR/MODULE UNDER THE CARPET UNDER THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT THAT WHEN IN CONTACT WITH MOISTURE CAN CORRODE AND CAUSE THE AIRBAGS TO DEPLOY. 2- MY FIREWALL HAD BEEN LEAKING WATER UNDER MY CARPET TO THE AREA WHERE THIS SENSOR/MODULE IS LOCATED. MY FIREWALL IS SO RUSTED IT CAN?T BE REPAIRED. 3- GM CONSIDERS THIS A MAINTENANCE ISSUE. I CONTACTED TRANSPORT CANADA TO REPORT THE INCIDENT AND WAS INFORMED THAT THEY ARE CURRENTLY INVESTIGATING 1995-1999 PONTIAC GRAND AM'S FOR WATER LEAKING INTO THE CAR THROUGH THE FIREWALL AND POOLING ON THE FLOOR. THIS HAS CAUSED ?MANY? AIRBAGS TO DEPLOY WITHOUT WARNING. I HAVE ALSO READ MANY SIMILAR REPORTS ON THE NHTSA WEBSITE. A LOCAL GM DEALERSHIP HAD MY CAR FOR 17 DAYS WHILE GM INVESTIGATED BUT IN THE END I WAS TOLD THAT THE MODULE/SENSOR WAS TOO CORRODED TO READ THE INFORMATION STORED IN IT. I HAVE REQUESTED THE MODULE/SENSOR BACK. KEN LOCKE FROM GM CONTACTED ME HE SAID GM WAS WILLING TO DO SOMETHING FOR ME. GM WILL REPAIR MY AIRBAG SYSTEM IF I AGREE TO TWO THINGS. 1- I PAY FOR AND REPAIR THE WATER LEAK IN MY CAR (THE IRREPAIRABLE ONE) 2- I SIGN A RELEASE STATING THAT THIS MATTER IS CLOSED AND I HAVE NO FURTHER CLAIMS PERTAINING TO THIS MATTER. .
WHILE DRIVING AT 20 MPH, THE CONSUMER NOTICED THE SEAT WAS GETTING EXTREMELY WARM. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A MECHANIC AND IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE ELECTRIC SEAT MOTOR WAS BECOMING RED HOT, AND INTERIOR NEARLY CAUGHT ON FIRE. VEHICLE WAS BROUGHT IN AT PRECISELY THE RIGHT TIME. BY THE TIME THE MECHANIC GOT TO THE MOTOR HE WAS UNABLE TO TOUCH IT WITH HIS BARE HANDS. HE HAD TO PUT ON INSULATED GLOVES AND DISCONNECT THE MOTOR.*AK CONSUMER SAW SMOKE COMING FROM UNDER THE SEAT AND THATS WHEN SHE DROVE TO A MECHANIC. THE MECHANIC SAW THE SMOKE AND UNPLUGGED THE SEAT WITH SOME PLIERS. THE MECHANIC STATED IF THE CONSUMER WOULD'VE TOOK ANY LONGER GETTING THERE, THE VEHICLE WOULD HAVE CAUGHT FIRE. *PH *JB
SEAT BELT BUCKLE FAILURE, TWO OF THREE IN BACK SEAT HAVE FAILED IN LAST 4 MONTHS NOW TODAY FRONT PASSENGER SEAT FAILED. LUCKLY THESE WERE DISCOVERED BEFORE AN ACCIDENT OR OTHER INCIDENT OCCURRED THAT COULD HAVE RESULTED IN SEVER INJURY OR DEATH TO SOMEONE.
THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED A GAS LEAKED. *JB THE GAS TANK STARTED TO LEAK ACROSS THE ENTIRE REAR WELD SEAM AFTER BEING FILLED. GAS DRIPPED FROM THE TANK AT THE CORNER(S), NEXT TO THE EXHAUST PIPE. THE MECHANIC THAT REPLACED THE TANK/PUMP/SENDING UNIT, SAID THE ENTIRE WELD SEAM LEAKED. *SCC *JB
THE POWER WINDOW ON DRIVER'S SIDE KEEPS COMING OFF OF THE TRACK, IT HAS BEEN TO THE DEALER 5 TIMES FOR THIS, AND STILL IS NOT FIXED. ONCE REPAIRED IT WILL LAST FOR 3 TO 6 MONTHS THAN THE WINDOW WILL FALL DOWN INTO THE DOOR.*AK
FAILURE OF THE IGNITION WIRES & PLUGS FOR THE SECOND TIME IN 3 YEARS. *JB
VEHICLE ON 4TH ALTERNATOR AT 63,000 MILES. ALTERNATOR FAILURE IN THIS VEHICLE CAN OCCUR SUDDENLY, WITH LITTLE OR NO WARNING, AT ANY SPEED, LEAVING DRIVER WITH LIMITED ABILITY TO CONTROL VEHICLE. VOLUNTARY MANUFACTURER RECALL 8/99, SPARK PLUG WIRES REPLACED TO BETTER HANDLE ELECTRICAL LOADS. PROBLEM IMPROVED BUT NOT RESOLVED. OTHER VEHICLE OWNERS HAVE SAME EXPERIENCE AND COMPLAINTS INCLUDING AT NHTSA WEBSITE. VEHICLE MODEL & YEAR WITH 3.4 LITRE ENGINE UNABLE TO SUSTAIN NORMAL ELECTRICAL LOADS. ALTERNATOR FAILURE OCCURS EVERY 1-2 YEARS, ALWAYS WHEN AIR CONDITIONER OPERATING. MANUFACTURER REFUSED TO COVER MOST RECENT REPLACEMENT UNDER "SECRET WARRANTY". REPAIRS WITH REBUILT ALTERNATOR COST NEARLY $800 EXCLUDING TOW, CAR RENTAL & CELL PHONE CHARGES. VEHICLE BLOCKING LANE OF TRAFFIC ON MAJOR ARTERIAL DURING RUSH HOUR. FREQUENCY OF ALTERNATOR FAILURE IS CLEARLY NOT NORMAL WEAR OR USE. RECEIVED NO WRITTEN RESPONSE FROM PRIOR WRITTEN COMPLAINTS TO PONTIAC. TS
WHILE DRIVING 10 MPH AND MAKING A RIGHT TURN, THE INNER TIE ROD ON PASSENGER'S TIRE BROKE OFF, CAUSING VEHICLE TO BE INOPERATIVE. *AK *JB
CAR STALLS OUT WHILE DRIVING. I HAVE ALMOST KILLED MYSELF AN OTHER DRIVERS BECAUSE OF THIS. IT IS ALSO HARD TO START. *AK
CONSUMER COMPLAINS THE HEATING SYSTEM HAS BECOME INOPERABLE. INSPECTION OF THE FAILURE LED TO THE DISCOVERY THAT THE VEHICLE IS IN NEED OF A NEW ENGINE. MECHANIC CAN NOT EXPLAIN WHY THIS OCCURED. *JG
WHILE MAKING A RIGHT TURN AFTER BEING STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT, THE THROTTLE CABLE BROKE AND THE CAR WAS GOING AS IF IT WAS ON NEUTRAL, AS I COULD NOT CONTROL THE GAS PEDAL ANYMORE, AND MISSED GOING IN TO THE WALL BY ONLY A COUPLE OF INCHES. *AK
MY HUSBAND AND MYSELF WERE INVOLVED IN A HIGH IMPACT REAR END COLLISION. DUE TO THE SEAT BACK FAILURE MY SEAT BELT DID NOT RESTRAINT ME. I AM NOW A GRAND MAUL EPILEPTIC DUE TO MY HEAD INJURIES. I ALSO SUFFER FROM NECK AND SHOULDER PAIN.
FRONT BRAKE ROTORS ARE PREMATURELY WEARING. WHEN APPLYING BRAKES AT HIGH SPEED VEHICLE VIBRATES, AND PEDAL NEARLY GOES TO THE FLOOR, CAUSING EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE. *AK CONSUMER STATES VEHICLE IS VERY HARD TO STOP AT SPEEDS OVER 35 MPH ROTORS HAVE BEEN REPLACED 3 TIMES SINCE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED, AND NEED REPLACEMENT AGAIN AT THE PRESENT TIME. *JB
ENGINE WAS OVERHEATING DURING NORMAL OPERATION OF VEHICLE. CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO A DEALERSHIP AND REPLACED RADIATOR CAP BECAUSE OF A DEFECTIVE SPRING. THEN, WHEN TRAVELING AT APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH, ENGINE STALLED SUDDENLY. TOOK ALL OF CONSUMER'S EFFORT TO BRING VEHICLE TO SIDE OF ROAD. DEALERSHIP STATED THAT HEAD GASKET WAS CONSIDERED TO BE DEFECTIVE WHICH CAUSED THE ENGINE TO STALL. PRIVATE MECHANIC WAS CURRENTLY REBUILDING/REMANUFACTURING THE ENGINE. *AK
WOULD BE DRIVING VEHICLE WHEN IT WOULD START TO HESITATE AT 40MPH. PROBLEM WAS SPORADIC. WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO PASS ANOTHER VEHICLE. TOOK TO DEALER NUMEROUS TIMES FOR PROBLEM. MECHANIC COULD NOT LOCATE CAUSE.*AK
I THINK THIS CAR WAS WRECKED BEFORE WE BOUGHT IT AND THE DEALER KNEW IT, AT THE TIME OF SALE. WE WERE NOT INFORMED OF IT AND HAVE JUST NOTICED IT. NO SAFETY DEFECT. *AK
VEHICLE HIT A TREE AT 40-45MPH. UPON IMPACT, AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY, RESULTING IN MINOR INJURIES. VEHICLE WAS TATALLED. MANUFACTURER WILL BE NOTIFIED. *AK
CONSUMER WAS TRAVELING ABOUT 5MPH ON INTERSTATE AND WAS TURNING INTO HIS APARTMENT COMPLEX, AND DRIVER'S SIDE TIRE FELL OFF. TWO OF THE BOLTS WERE WARPED AND BROKEN OFF, AND AND/ RIM WERE BENT. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. AND DEALERSHIP WILL BE NOTIFIED. *AK
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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