1996 Pontiac Grand Prix SE Coupe review from North America

Transmission exploded at 135,000 miles- $1,500 to rebuild.

Rear rotors replaced 3 times in a year-finally a garage replaced the rear calipers-about $700 total.

Front brake pads twice and rotors once in a year-$350.

Spark plug wires disintegrated causing SES light to come on.

Condenser rotted and had to be replaced at 140,000 miles-$700 to replace.

Windshield washer tank leaked.

A/C would shut off and switch from vents to floor upon acceleration.

Turn signal switch failed and had to be replaced-$500.

Driver's seat foam disintegrated and was uncomfortable to sit on.

Finally-the intake manifold gasket blew and I traded it in.

This car was a headache from the start. I have never owned a car that required so much time in the shop as this one. It was such a good looking car too. Cop magnet red with a spoiler and the five spoke aluminum rims. These cars are fiends for brake repairs. I was at two GM garages and they basically apologized to me for owning a car like this. I guess that General Motors has apologized for the brake problems as well.

The transmission incident almost caused me to wreck. It did not just go bad, it blew up spewing fluid, gears, and fragments of the housing all over the road.

The heating/cooling system was terrible as well. I spent hundreds on trying to diagnose the cooling system because the fans would kick in either too late or too much and the car would typically run right up near the red line on the temperature guage.

When the intake manifold gasket began to leak I lost the war and traded it in. I cannot believe that a car like this could cause so much anxiety. I did not trust it to drive anywhere.