NHTSA — Electrical System: Ignition: Switch Problems

1996 Pontiac Grand Am (Page 2 of 2)

10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 2
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
9,599 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

1996 Pontiac Grand Am electrical problems

electrical problem

Find something helpful? Spread the word.
Get notified about new defects, investigations, recalls & lawsuits for the 1996 Pontiac Grand Am:

Unsubscribe any time. We don't sell/share your email.

1996 Pontiac Grand Am Owner Comments (Page 2 of 2)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #16

Jul 012001

Grand Am

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Car wouldn't start, it started smoking, burned ignition switch and starter. Having same problem as recall # 02-V-070-000, but dealership said it was not the samething.

- Joliet, IL, USA

problem #15

Apr 022002

Grand Am

  • miles
Sometimes when turning the ignition to start car, key won't turn.

- Perkasie, PA, USA

problem #14

Dec 312001

Grand Am

  • miles
Recall 02 V 070 000/ignition switch: Alternator/ battery and ignition coil had to be replaced., dealer notified, and informed consumer that recall was not the cause of other failures. Feel free to provide any further information.

- Orlando, FL, USA

problem #13

Apr 022002

(reported on)

Grand Am

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

After driving vehicle has had a difficult time trying to remove key from ignition. Has taken about 4 hours. Mechanic has inspected vehicle, and has not found problem. Consumer is concerned about it.

- Garry, IN, USA

problem #12

Oct 151997

Grand Am

  • miles
We have had coolant loss three times with no visible leakage. We were informed that the car was "sucking the coolant in" rather than leaking out. We have had to have the intake manifold gasket replaced 3 times. The 1st time, the dealer replaced intake manifold gasket & oil pump drive ring and valve cover gasket leaking. The 2nd time, the dealer simple resealed the intake gasket but did not replace. The 3rd time, the dealer replaced the upper and lower intake gaskets and rechecked for leaks. All of these repairs were covered under either the original warranty or the extended warranty (good thru 72,000 mi). We now have almost 70,000 mi on this car and the engine is shot! the main throttle bearing gaulded and the extended warranty company is denying our claim (even though we have 2,000 mi left on extended warranty) because they say the oil is "contaminated". I have maintained regular oil changes and am due for an oil change in approx 200 mi. The dealership did not inform me that I should have had the oil changed after any of the coolant leak repairs. Also, we had to have the alternator replaced when then car was just 2 yrs old. Plus we had to have the R&R shaft seal & bearing kit replaced 3 times due to squeaking noise coming from steering column. Also had to have shifter assemply replaced because the key was sticking in the ignition.

- St Louis, MO, USA

problem #11

Aug 011996

Grand Am

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Since purchase had to replace 3 alternators/ 2 ignition switches/ 2 stop-hazard switches/ABS switch, and 2 batteries. Windshield is leaking during heavy rains. The consumer indicates that the vehicle has questionable design which causing most of the problems.

- Gretna, LA, USA

problem #10

Nov 142000

Grand Am

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Constant problems mostly electrical, but from windows and locks to major things like alternators and ignition switches multiple times. Contacted Pontiac over a year and never heard even a reply. Any recalls or factory fix info would be appreciated.

- Sebastian, FL, USA

problem #9

Sep 151999

Grand Am

  • miles
Ignition key was being released from ignition switch intermittently. Dealer notified, and wasa unable to duplicate problem.

- Claremore, OK, USA

problem #8

May 292000

Grand Am

  • miles
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.

- Pittsburgh, PA, USA

problem #7

Mar 302000

(reported on)

Grand Am

  • miles
While driving vehicle completely shut down without warning, due to a malfunction within the ignition switch.

- Advance, NC, USA

problem #6

Sep 201999

(reported on)

Grand Am

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Intermittently vehicle will not start. The dealer has replaced various parts and the problem still exists.

- Oceanside, CA, USA

problem #5

Jan 011999

Grand Am

  • miles
Vehicle won't start due to igintion switch keeps locking up. Also, vehicle keeps stalling and cutting off without prior warning.

- Willingboro, NJ, USA

problem #4

Mar 011999

Grand Am

  • miles
Automatic transmission surges at 60 mph. Thought that transmission failed at first, but then noticed car was fine at low speeds. Shut off car and restarted, then transmission was fine. (noticed similar posting on your web site - ODI id 802947) for the defect related to the steering column, key will not come out of ignition on occasion when car is turned off. To fix this, turn car back on, then put transmission into drive and then firmly into park. This, and turning wheel, will usually fix the problem.

- Findlay, OH, USA

problem #3

Jul 091998

Grand Am

  • miles
When consumer shuts off the engine, the ignition switch does not go all the way to where he could take the key out of the ignition, and this is the second time that this has happened. Manufacturer and dealer were contacted.

- Philadelphia, PA, USA

problem #2

Apr 041998

Grand Am

  • miles
Ignition key cannot be moved from the ignition when the vehicle is turned off. It takes about 10 minutes up to one hour before the key can be removed. The dealer has tried to correct this problem 3 times. Vehicle is at dealership for the 4th time for this problem.

- Girard, OH, USA

problem #1

Feb 031997

Grand Am

  • miles
While driving vehicle stopped in traffic and the whole car died and locked up. The brakes and steering failed, and driver did not know why the vehicle did this without any warning.

- Senatobia, MS, USA

Not what you are looking for?