Model year record

1996 Pontiac Grand AM

4 recall campaigns on file for this model year. 672 owner complaints on file.

Recalls

Recall campaignNHTSA 02V070000

Electrical system: ignition: switch

Component
Electrical system: ignition: switch
Manufacturer
GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
Vehicles affected
1,589,948
Reported to NHTSA
2002-03-06
Owners notified
2002-03-27

Defect description

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 PRODUCES ENOUGH HEAT TO MELT INTERNAL SWITCH PARTS.

Safety risk

IF THE SWITCH IS DAMAGED, A FIRE COULD OCCUR IN THE STEERING COLUMN, EVEN WITH THE ENGINE OFF AND THE KEY REMOVED.

Manufacturer 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 AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-222-1020, PONTIAC AT 1-800-762-2737, BUICK AT 1-800-521-7300, OR OLDSMOBILE AT 1-800-442-6537.

Recall campaignNHTSA 98V027000

Interior lighting

Component
Interior lighting
Manufacturer
GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
Vehicles affected
249,420
Reported to NHTSA
1998-02-17
Owners notified
1998-02-28

Defect description

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 REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 101, "CONTROLS AND DISPLAYS."

Safety risk

THE INTERIOR LAMPS COMING ON UNEXPECTEDLY COULD STARTLE A DRIVER CAUSING A MOMENTARY LOSS OF CONTROL INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE ACCIDENT.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL RUN A DIAGNOSTIC TEST ON THE LAMP CONTROL MODULE AND, IF NECESSARY, REPLACE IT.

Recall campaignNHTSA 96V249000

Steering: steering wheel/handle bar

Component
Steering: steering wheel/handle bar
Manufacturer
GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
Vehicles affected
424
Reported to NHTSA
1996-12-17
Owners notified
1997-01-06

Defect description

THE STEERING COLUMN LOWER PINCH BOLT WAS NOT PROPERLY TIGHTENED DURING ASSEMBLY.

Safety risk

AN UNDERTORQUED PINCH BOLT CAN RATTLE AND CAUSE LOOSENESS IN THE STEERING SYSTEM. IF THE PINCH BOLT BACKED OUT OF THE JOINT COMPLETELY, ROTATION OF THE STEERING SHAFT AGAINST THE CONNECTOR COULD CAUSE INCREASING LOOSENESS IN THE STEERING SYSTEM AND RESULT IN LOSS OF STEERING AND AN ACCIDENT.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE STEERING COLUMN PINCH BOLT FOR CORRECT TORQUE AND, IF NECESSARY, TIGHTEN THE BOLT TO THE SPECIFIED TORQUE.

Recall campaignNHTSA 96V250000

Exterior lighting: hazard flashing warning lights

Component
Exterior lighting: hazard flashing warning lights
Manufacturer
GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
Vehicles affected
270,014
Reported to NHTSA
1996-12-17
Owners notified
1997-01-30

Defect description

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 EQUIPMENT."

Safety risk

IF THESE LAMPS WERE NOT FLASHING, OTHER VEHICLES WOULD NOT BE AWARE THAT THIS VEHICLE WAS STOPPED INCREASING THE RISK OF AN ACCIDENT.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS OR VEHICLE OWNERS WILL INSPECT FOR PROPER FUNCTION OF THE HAZARD WARNING LAMPS. IF NECESSARY, DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE HAZARD LAMP SWITCH.

Owner complaints

A complaint is one person's report to a federal agency. It is not a finding.

ComponentComplaintsMedian mileage
Air bags: frontal63122,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip3769,000 mi
Electrical system: ignition: switch36107,350 mi
Air bags35140,400 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline33
Electrical system: alternator/generator/regulator26104,000 mi
Electrical system25120,000 mi
Power train: automatic transmission2178,000 mi
Electrical system: ignition1911,200 mi
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system1892,000 mi
Visibility: power window devices and controls1710,700 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine1660,000 mi
Unknown or other15
Suspension: front14
Exterior lighting: headlights10
Structure: body: door10
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: rotor9
Steering: steering wheel/handle bar9
Equipment: appliance: air conditioner8
Tires810,700 mi
Electrical system: horn7
Electrical system: wiring: interior/under dash7
Vehicle speed control7
Electrical system: 12V/24V/48V battery611,200 mi
Fuel system, gasoline: carburetor system6
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components6
Structure689,000 mi
Suspension: front: control arm: lower arm6142,000 mi
Visibility: rearview mirrors/devices6
Air bags: frontal: sensor/control module5106,847 mi
Air bags: side/window511,000 mi
Electrical system: wiring5177,000 mi
Electrical system: wiring: front underhood5
Engine and engine cooling5102,000 mi
Interior lighting5
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: pads5
Structure: body5100,000 mi
Exterior lighting422,000 mi
Power train4
Service brakes, air: antilock4
Steering469,000 mi
Suspension4
Visibility: defroster/defogger/hvac system: heater core478,000 mi
Visibility: glass, side/rear4
Visibility: rearview mirrors/devices: exterior4
Electrical system: ignition: module3
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe398,005 mi
Equipment: electrical3
Fuel system, gasoline398,000 mi
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery3
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: fuel pump3
Power train: axle assembly: axle shaft: seal3
Service brakes, hydraulic3
Structure: body: trunk lid3
Suspension: front: control arm3
Electrical system: ignition: anti-theft: control module2
Electrical system: starter assembly2
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline: belts and associated pulleys2
Equipment: electrical: radio/tape deck/CD etc.2
Exterior lighting: headlights: switch2
Fuel system, gasoline: fuel injection system: fuel rail2
Fuel system, other2
Fuel/propulsion system2136,141 mi
Seat belts: front: anchorage2
Seat belts: front: buckle assembly2
Seats2
Seats: front assembly: recliner2
Service brakes, air: disc: rotor2
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc2
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: caliper2
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: master cylinder2
Steering: linkages: tie rod assembly2
Tires: tread/belt2
Visibility: defroster/defogger/hvac system2
Visibility: windshield wiper/washer: motor2
Electrical system: wiring: fuses and circuit breakers1
Engine1136,141 mi
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system: hoses/lines/piping/fittings1
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system1
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: emission control: catalytic convertor1
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: emission control: crankcase (PCV)1
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: emission control: gas recirculation valve (EGR valve)1
Equipment: mechanical: accessory scissor/screw/bottle jack/lift1
Exterior lighting: brake lights1
Exterior lighting: hazard flashing warning lights: switch1
Exterior lighting: headlights: concealment devices1
Exterior lighting: turn signal1
Exterior lighting: turn signal: flasher unit1
Fuel system, gasoline: fuel injection system: injectors1
Fuel system, gasoline: storage1
Fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly1
Fuel system, other: storage: tank assembly: filling/charging1
Power train: automatic transmission: control module (TCM/PCM/TECM)1
Power train: automatic transmission: park/neutral start interlock switch1
Power train: axle assembly1
Power train: axle assembly: axle shaft1
Power train: driveline: differential unit1
Power train: manual transmission1
Seat belts: front: warning light/devices162,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: drum1
Steering: column1
Steering: column locking: anti-theft device1
Steering: gear box (other than rack and pinion)1
Steering: hydraulic power assist: pump1
Steering: linkages1
Structure: body: bumpers1
Structure: frame and members1
Suspension: front: macpherson strut1
Suspension: front: springs: air suspension system1
Suspension: front: wheel bearing1
Suspension: rear1
Suspension: rear: shock absorber1
Tires: sidewall1
Vehicle speed control: cables1
Vehicle speed control: linkages1
Visibility: windshield1
Visibility: windshield wiper/washer1
Wheels110,700 mi
Wheels: lugs/nuts/bolts/studs1

The 1995 model has roughly the same number of complaints as this one. The 1997 model has roughly the same number of complaints as this one. These figures reflect raw complaint counts, not failure rates. Higher-selling model years naturally receive more complaints.

Open investigations

An investigation is not a recall. It indicates that NHTSA is currently evaluating an alleged defect but has not reached a final determination.

RQ98013OVERSENSITIVE AIR BAG DEPLOYMENTS

Air bags

Safety recall repairs are provided free of charge by franchised dealers, regardless of vehicle age or mileage. This page displays aggregated data for the model year. To check recall status for a specific vehicle, search its VIN at nhtsa.gov.