Complaints
672
Crashes
45
Fires
18
Injuries
83
Fatalities
—
Recalls
0
Worst 1996 Pontiac Grand Am Problems
Top 3 most-reported issues with average mileage at failure.
#163 complaints
Air Bags:Frontal
Avg mileage:104,601 mi
Crash-related:19
#237 complaints
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip
Avg mileage:69,000 mi
Crash-related:5
#336 complaints
Electrical System:Ignition:Switch
Avg mileage:115,187 mi
Fires:2
Considering a 1996 Pontiac Grand Am?
Check the actual VIN — every car is different.
This page shows the model year's reputation. The VIN tells you about this specific car — accidents, title issues, odometer rollbacks. Full report just $4.99 (vs. Carfax $44.99).
All Problems by Category
Every NHTSA complaint category for the 1996 Pontiac Grand Am.
| Component | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Avg Mileage | Volume |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Air Bags:Frontal | 63 | 19 | — | 104,601 mi | |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip | 37 | 5 | — | 69,000 mi | |
| Electrical System:Ignition:Switch | 36 | — | 2 | 115,187 mi | |
| Airbags | 35 | 1 | 2 | 136,941 mi | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline | 33 | 1 | 2 | — | |
| Electrical System:Alternator/Generator/Regulator | 26 | — | — | 104,000 mi | |
| Electrical Faults | 25 | 1 | 1 | 115,778 mi | |
| Automatic Transmission | 21 | — | — | 90,176 mi | |
| Electrical System:Ignition | 19 | — | 1 | 11,200 mi | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System | 18 | 1 | — | 89,333 mi | |
| Visibility:Power Window Devices And Controls | 17 | 1 | — | 42,850 mi | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 16 | — | — | 64,762 mi | |
| Suspension:Front | 14 | — | 1 | — | |
| Exterior Lighting:Headlights | 10 | — | — | — | |
| Structure:Body:Door | 10 | — | — | — | |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Rotor | 9 | 2 | — | — | |
| Steering: Steering Wheel/Handle Bar | 9 | — | — | — | |
| Equipment:Appliance:Air Conditioner | 8 | 1 | — | — | |
| Tire Defects | 8 | 2 | — | 28,000 mi | |
| Electrical System:Horn | 7 | — | 1 | — | |
| Electrical System:Wiring:Interior/Under Dash | 7 | — | 3 | — | |
| Unintended Acceleration | 7 | 1 | — | — | |
| Electrical System:12v/24v/48v Battery | 6 | — | — | 11,200 mi | |
| Fuel System, Gasoline:Carburetor System | 6 | — | — | — | |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components | 6 | — | — | — | |
| Structural Problems | 6 | 1 | — | 96,175 mi | |
| Suspension:Front:Control Arm:Lower Arm | 6 | 1 | — | 142,000 mi | |
| Visibility:Rearview Mirrors/Devices | 6 | — | — | — | |
| Air Bags:Frontal:Sensor/Control Module | 5 | — | — | 108,589 mi |
Air Bags:Frontal
63
complaints
Crashes
19
Fires
—
Avg Miles
104,601
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip
37
complaints
Crashes
5
Fires
—
Avg Miles
69,000
Electrical System:Ignition:Switch
36
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
2
Avg Miles
115,187
Airbags
35
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
2
Avg Miles
136,941
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline
33
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
2
Avg Miles
—
Electrical System:Alternator/Generator/Regulator
26
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
104,000
Electrical Faults
25
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
1
Avg Miles
115,778
Automatic Transmission
21
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
90,176
Electrical System:Ignition
19
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
1
Avg Miles
11,200
Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System
18
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
89,333
Visibility:Power Window Devices And Controls
17
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
42,850
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine
16
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
64,762
Suspension:Front
14
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
1
Avg Miles
—
Exterior Lighting:Headlights
10
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Structure:Body:Door
10
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Rotor
9
complaints
Crashes
2
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Steering: Steering Wheel/Handle Bar
9
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Equipment:Appliance:Air Conditioner
8
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Tire Defects
8
complaints
Crashes
2
Fires
—
Avg Miles
28,000
Electrical System:Horn
7
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
1
Avg Miles
—
Electrical System:Wiring:Interior/Under Dash
7
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
3
Avg Miles
—
Unintended Acceleration
7
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Electrical System:12v/24v/48v Battery
6
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
11,200
Fuel System, Gasoline:Carburetor System
6
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components
6
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Structural Problems
6
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
96,175
Suspension:Front:Control Arm:Lower Arm
6
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
142,000
Visibility:Rearview Mirrors/Devices
6
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Air Bags:Frontal:Sensor/Control Module
5
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
108,589
Search Owner Complaints
Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 1996 Pontiac Grand Am. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.
Other Pontiac Grand Am Years
1996 Pontiac Grand Am — FAQ
Answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this specific model year.
Is the 1996 Pontiac Grand Am reliable?
Verdict: Above Average Complaints. The 1996 Pontiac Grand Am has 672 NHTSA complaints, 45 crash-related, and 0 recall campaigns. The most common issue is Air Bags:Frontal with 63 complaints. Source: NHTSA via VinItel.
What are common problems with the 1996 Pontiac Grand Am?
Top reported problems: Air Bags:Frontal (63 complaints, avg 104,601 mi); Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip (37 complaints, avg 69,000 mi); Electrical System:Ignition:Switch (36 complaints, avg 115,187 mi). Every complaint is filed by an owner with NHTSA — this is raw reported data, not editorial opinion.
At what mileage do problems start on the 1996 Pontiac Grand Am?
The weighted average mileage at time of complaint is about 91,347 miles. Some components fail earlier, some later — check the "All Problems by Category" table above for per-issue averages.
How safe is the 1996 Pontiac Grand Am?
NHTSA complaints for the 1996 Pontiac Grand Am include 45 crash-related reports, 18 fire reports, 83 injuries, and 0 fatalities. These are owner-reported incidents, not official crash-test ratings — a complaint being filed doesn't confirm a defect, but clusters around specific components are worth investigating.
Does the 1996 Pontiac Grand Am have any recalls?
No NHTSA recall campaigns have been issued for the 1996 Pontiac Grand Am as of the latest data sync. Verify by VIN for the most current status — new recalls can be issued years after a model year ships.
Should I buy a 1996 Pontiac Grand Am?
Slightly worse than average. Most owners are fine; problem clusters are concentrated around specific components. Check the issues table below and match against the specific car's mileage.
Source: NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) complaint and recall databases, aggregated by VinItel.
Wider context: See the full Pontiac Grand Am reliability report with year-by-year comparison and generation analysis.
Check Your Specific 1996 Pontiac Grand Am
Real owner complaints tell you about the model. The VIN tells you about your specific car — accidents, title issues, odometer fraud.
Check Any VIN — $4.99