Model year record

1996 Pontiac Grand AM

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

Pontiac Grand AM, 1992–1998 generation
Pictured: the 1992–1998 generation. Cutlass, CC0 · Wikimedia Commons

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

Other Pontiac Grand AM model years

All Pontiac Grand AM recalls by year

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.