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1996 Pontiac Grand AM Recalls, Complaints & Specs

4 safety recalls list the 1996 Pontiac Grand AM, and owners have filed 450 complaints with NHTSA. Check your own VIN below.

4
safety recalls
450
owner complaints to NHTSA
33 / 14
complaints citing a crash / fire
21–23
MPG combined (EPA)

4 safety recalls for the 1996 Pontiac Grand AM

Most recent first. Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. Click a recall for the full defect, consequence and remedy text.

  1. Switch (electrical system)

    NHTSA 02V070000 Reported 1,589,948 vehicles potentially affected GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

    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.

    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…

  2. Interior lighting

    NHTSA 98V027000 Reported 249,420 vehicles potentially affected GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

    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."

    Remedy: Dealers will run a diagnostic test on the lamp control module and, if necessary, replace it.

  3. Steering wheel/handle bar (steering)

    NHTSA 96V249000 Reported 424 vehicles potentially affected GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

    The steering column lower pinch bolt was not properly tightened during assembly.

    Remedy: Dealers will inspect the steering column pinch bolt for correct torque and, if necessary, tighten the bolt to the specified torque.

  4. Hazard flashing warning lights (exterior lighting)

    NHTSA 96V250000 Reported 270,014 vehicles potentially affected GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

    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."

    Remedy: Dealers or vehicle owners will inspect for proper function of the hazard warning lamps. If necessary, dealers will replace the hazard lamp switch.

450 owner complaints filed with NHTSA

Owners of the 1996 Pontiac Grand AM have filed 450 complaints with NHTSA; 33 describe a crash and 14 describe a fire. Reports cite 69 injuries and 0 deaths. The average mileage at failure in those reports is 110,103 miles. Complaints peaked in 2002 with 69 filed that year.

Most-reported components

What owners are reporting

“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 b”

Owner complaint to NHTSA, July 7, 2017 · Air bags

“Air bag when off when i was waiting to pull aut off parking lot. Have injury to my shoulder.”

Owner complaint to NHTSA, May 4, 2016 · Air bags

Fuel economy and specs

EPA ratings for the 1996 Pontiac Grand Am. Ranges cover every tested configuration.

Combined21–23 mpg
City / Highway18–20 / 27–30
FuelRegular
EPA classCompact Cars
Engine4/6 cyl, 2.4/3.1 L
TransmissionAutomatic 4-spd; Manual 5-spd

Compare Pontiac Grand AM model years

Recall and complaint counts for every Pontiac Grand AM model year in NHTSA's database.

Model yearRecallsComplaints
1973 Pontiac Grand AM31
1975 Pontiac Grand AM10
1978 Pontiac Grand AM40
1983 Pontiac Grand AM01
1985 Pontiac Grand AM44
1986 Pontiac Grand AM111
1987 Pontiac Grand AM228
1988 Pontiac Grand AM231
1989 Pontiac Grand AM244
1990 Pontiac Grand AM038
1991 Pontiac Grand AM282
1992 Pontiac Grand AM3168
1993 Pontiac Grand AM1204
1994 Pontiac Grand AM2377
1995 Pontiac Grand AM1409
1996 Pontiac Grand AM4450
1997 Pontiac Grand AM2383
1998 Pontiac Grand AM1172
1999 Pontiac Grand AM3849
2000 Pontiac Grand AM5675
2001 Pontiac Grand AM4538
2002 Pontiac Grand AM1395
2003 Pontiac Grand AM2325
2004 Pontiac Grand AM2293
2005 Pontiac Grand AM2102

Checking a specific 1996 Pontiac Grand AM

How do I know if my 1996 Pontiac Grand AM has an open recall?

Enter your 17-character VIN above. The VIN is on the driver's side dashboard (visible through the windshield), the driver's door jamb sticker, and your registration or insurance card. The check runs against NHTSA's live database and tells you which campaigns list your vehicle. 4 campaigns currently list the 1996 Pontiac Grand AM; your car may already have been repaired under some of them.

Is the recall repair free?

Yes. Under federal law, manufacturers must fix safety recalls at no charge for vehicles up to 15 years old from the date of sale to the first owner. Contact any authorised Pontiac dealer with your VIN and the NHTSA campaign number (for example 02V070000).

What is the difference between a recall and a complaint?

A recall is a safety campaign filed by the manufacturer or ordered by NHTSA, with a defined defect and remedy. A complaint is a report an owner sent to NHTSA; it is not verified, but patterns of complaints are what trigger NHTSA investigations and, eventually, recalls.

Other Pontiac models

Source: NHTSA recall and complaint databases and EPA fuel economy data, October 2026. Complaint counts are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. Recall counts are safety campaigns that list this model year; whether a particular car was already repaired depends on its VIN. How this data is compiled.