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Model Year Problem Record

Pontiac Grand AM 1996 - Problems, Recalls, and Investigations

The complete public record for the 1996 Pontiac Grand AM: what owners reported, which systems drew recalls, and where complaints exist that no recall has ever covered.

450Distinct owner complaintsSource: NHTSA Complaints
4Recall campaignsSource: NHTSA Recalls
3Defect investigationsSource: NHTSA Investigations
63Complaints reporting a crash or fireOwner Reports, Unverified

Complaints by System

Distinct complaints naming each system, most reported first. Select a system for its own page.

Did a Recall Cover It?

The join between complaints and recalls for this model year, system by system. A gap does not prove a defect - it means owners reported the problem and no recall campaign covers that system on this model year.

Electrical System144 complaints

144 complaints; 1 recall campaign covers this system. Campaigns: 02V070000.

Air Bags107 complaints

107 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Engine83 complaints

83 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Brakes73 complaints

73 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Visibility41 complaints

41 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Power Train34 complaints

34 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Suspension32 complaints

32 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Lighting26 complaints

26 complaints; 2 recall campaigns cover this system. Campaigns: 96V250000, 98V027000.

Vehicle Structure26 complaints

26 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Fuel and Propulsion System25 complaints

25 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Steering20 complaints

20 complaints; 1 recall campaign covers this system. Campaigns: 96V249000.

Unknown Or Other15 complaints

15 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Equipment14 complaints

14 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Tires9 complaints

9 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Vehicle Speed Control9 complaints

9 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Seat Belts5 complaints

5 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Seats4 complaints

4 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Wheels2 complaints

2 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Recall Campaigns

Every campaign covering this model year, in our own words. The campaign number is the official reference.

02V070000Reported March 6, 2002 - 1,589,948 vehicles potentially affected

Electrical System. Recall covering the electrical system system, reported to NHTSA on March 6, 2002. The campaign covers an estimated 1,589,948 vehicles across all affected models.

96V249000Reported December 17, 1996 - 424 vehicles potentially affected

Steering. Recall covering the steering system, reported to NHTSA on December 17, 1996. The campaign covers an estimated 424 vehicles across all affected models.

96V250000Reported December 17, 1996 - 270,014 vehicles potentially affected

Lighting. Recall covering the lighting system, reported to NHTSA on December 17, 1996. The campaign covers an estimated 270,014 vehicles across all affected models.

98V027000Reported February 17, 1998 - 249,420 vehicles potentially affected

Lighting. Recall covering the lighting system, reported to NHTSA on February 17, 1998. The campaign covers an estimated 249,420 vehicles across all affected models.

Defect Investigations

NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation opened these investigations touching this model year.

RQ03001Opened January 2, 2003 - Closed September 15, 2003

POWER RACK AND PINION STEERING FAILURE. No recall campaign resulted from this investigation.

RQ03001Opened January 2, 2003 - Closed September 15, 2003

POWER RACK AND PINION STEERING FAILURE. No recall campaign resulted from this investigation.

RQ98013Opened August 26, 1998 - Open

OVERSENSITIVE AIR BAG DEPLOYMENTS. Resulted in recall campaign 98V146000.

Complaints by Year Received

When this model year's complaints reached NHTSA - whether its problems surfaced early or late in its life.

199628
199762
199838
199956
200049
200142
200269
200321
200420
200510
20065
20078
200816
20096
20107
20114
20123
20132
20142
20161
20171
How to Read These Counts: complaint counts are owner reports to NHTSA, not failure rates. Older and higher-volume vehicles accumulate more reports, and counts are not adjusted for vehicles sold - no per-sales rate or reliability ranking is shown, because the public data does not support one.

Data as of October 30, 2026. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaints, recalls, and investigations files (U.S. Government public domain). DefectRecord is not affiliated with NHTSA or any manufacturer. For your specific vehicle, use NHTSA's VIN lookup. Report an error.