1996 Pontiac Grand Am SE 1 from North America - Comments

I am the owner of a 1996 Pontiac Grand Am SE 1. I love the way the car looks and drives. It's a has a very sporty look although its not a GT. I just bought the car a few months back and it did high mileage on it then, but I don't drive far to work and figured it would be fine for that. I am not sure of any problems the car has had before me, but I know what I am having now! A few things I noticed when I test drove the car where: the driver's side window motor is going bad (after reading many reviews I see this is common), the carpeting has a few wear problems that are easily covered by my mats. The radio volume knob didn't know what high and low was, this are just a few things that were first noticed, but I thought I could deal with. After driving for about a week, my check engine light appeared. I had this checked out and was told my oxygen sensors were bad, OK they are about 140.00 for both and there is noway to know which one is bad so you have to replace both. Now I am in the process of researching what the ETS system (enhanced tracking system) and the ABS (antilock brack system) have to do with each other. Now those lights are shining on my dash. I take it that the other owner used the owners manual often because it is gone so now I am having to research the internet for some help and that is how I found this site and all my information now.

I hope you have deep pockets... The volume control problem you are experiencing is not repairable, according to GM, so expect to pay $400.00 to replace the entire radio. if the intake manifold gasket hasn't all ready been replaced, expect to do so. It is also a known problem with GM's 3.4L V6, though you won't get any help from GM or the dealer on that one either. Expect to pay about $700.00 for this repair. Brakes will also need to be done a a much more frequent than average basis. The dealer will tell you you have been driving the car too hard (I've visited a few dealers... it's the standard answer). Good luck.

I also own a 1996 Grand Am SE which I bought at 62,000 miles about two years ago. It now has 96,000 and the entire journey has been problem after problem. I love the way this car looks, but that is about it. I've replaced the air conditioner ($1,000), new brakes, new water pump, and now it is in the shop again at this moment because the serpentine? belt came loose (it didn't break, it just came off). But the ETS light that you spoke of is controlled by the little button on your gear stick. I had this problem when I started driving mine. Just hit the button and the light goes off.

I too have a 1996 Grand Am SE, which I bought 2 1/2 years ago and have been very pleased, but now my check engine light keeps flashing on and off and then stays on, I have gave it a tune-up, changed the oil, and changed the filters, I can't seem to find out why this keeps doing this?

I am the owner of a 1996 GA GT and my girlfriend has a 1998 GA SE. So here is just a quick note on ETS.

The Electronic Traction system is employed to reduce wheel spin under any driving conditions. When turned on (the light on your dash is NOT lit) the computer will up-shift the transmission or retard the timing of the engine if wheel-spin is detected (the "LOW TRAC" light will flash).

I think personally that this is an unnecessary option, but if you have it you might as well use it. I must admit that it does provide excellent slip free acceleration in the snow.

So now you know what it is, what it does, and you already know that you can turn it on and off using the button on the shift knob. GM recommends leaving it on all the time. I say feel free to switch it on and off at your discretion. you can almost be sure that sooner than later it will be standard equipment and it will just "do its thing" without even telling you! Steve GA GT.

I bought a used 1996 Pontiac Grand AM SE with 55k miles on it. I has been nothing but trouble since day one.

In the six months I have owned it, I have experienced a ton of problems. Fortunately I have an extended warranty so it has been helping with the problems, but still the frustration level seems to be the major price I've been paying.

I have had to replace the front and rear brakes and rotors, both front struts, both front tie rods, the washer pump, mass air flow sensor and wiring, parking brakes, wheel cylinders, a. c compressor, wiper blades, and the list continues. I have already double-collected on the warranty.

Just this past week I had to replace the battery and alternator. Fortunately my brother is a mechanic which saves me labor on things that are not covered by warranty.

Now there is a loud clunk which I hear after sharp turns, any guess as to what is next?

I have a 97 Pontiac Grand Am. Is ETS Off suppossed to be lit up all the time while driving? Mine either says ETS OFF of ETS ON is that normal? Also anybody having any trouble with the shift indicator lights on the PRDNL123 indicator? Mine only lights up at the 1. I usually count to make sure it is in the correct gear?

I own a 1996 grand am. I purchased it 4 years ago with approximately 50,000 kilometers on it. I have replaced the alternator twice (apparently a design defect - the alternator is too close to the engine block - though you will get no help from gm or the dealer), the drivers side window motor, oxygen sensors (more than once), fuel pump, water pump, front calipers, tensioner belt and the air conditioning was recharged last summer and this did not last the summer. Also the "low traction" warning light often comes on, and when it does, the next lights that come on are the "ABS" and "ETS" lights (the button on the gear shift does not affect this). Does anybody know what is causing this?

I recently bought a 1997 Grand Am with 72,000 miles on it. Now, 7 months later I am having problems with the check engine light and the ETS light. ETS comes on even after I release it with the button on the gear shifter. My check engine light came on and I had it checked. Mechanics told me that it was due to a misfire reading?! Told me not to worry about it unless it happened again. It did today and that is why I am on-line trying to find answers. Now my check engine light nor my ETS light will not turn off. I am wondering if one is causing the other or if both are separate problems. My owner's manual has proven to be very little help.

I purchased a 1996 Pontiac Grand Am about 6 months ago,

and when buying the "ETS" along with the check engine light

came on. I told the sellers I would not purchase until it

was gone, and the fix was temporary I found. Also there

is a leak that I can't figure out rain water keeps filling

up my passenger side.

I wanted to thank all of you for posting your problems. My boyfriend is having the same problems with his '96 Grand Am right now that many of you have had. These postings have been very helpful in narrowing down the source of our problems. Seeing as how we are expecting twins, we are trying to either fix the car completely or enough to trade in for something better, but we cannot afford the $2000+ that it will cost to take it to a garage to fix it. He's having all the problems with the check engine, ABS, and ETS lights that many of you have talked about. And, there were suspicions about the alternator, which have now been resolved due to somebody mentioning that it was a defect in the positioning. Once again, thank you.

That nasty clunking sound... is also another known issue with the Grand Am's. I have a 1996 Grand Am GT. That Clunk is due to a "bushing" in your control arm. They are a rubber composite that apparently shrinks over time, drops down the control arm and does...NOTHING. I have the same issue. Seems to be worse in humid weather...etc.. Has started to effect my brake wear heavily. I just got done replacing my motor in my window and had to replace the engine over a year ago when I blew a rod through my oil pan. I agree they are a very attractive vehicle, but goodness they are a chore. And you ask how do I decide to work on this vehicle myself. Frustration at local shops for insane prices and false information. (i.e. that stupid motor in my window.) 45.99 to buy it myself 500.00 and a lie from a shop to have them do it... no way.

Man you people are bumming me out! I just bought an 96 last week with 99k miles on it. What am I in for?!

Reading the lists of problems makes me nervous! My 96 Grand Am just had the intake valve replaced, head gaskets, EGR valve (nope, wasn't carbon stuck in it), the passenger window motor has gone, I recently had front and rear brakes done (rotors and drums) and yet I still feel the brakes pulsating when I stop.

Has anyone noticed that the motor moves when shifting into different gears? (I do have an automatic). What's the status on that?

Also, I have a huge water leak on the drivers side. Any help? I've pulled the carpet up as far as I can. The rubber mat, the insulation, and carpet are completely and utterly soaked. It makes for a very fragrant automobile! Any ideas?

Hi. I am owner of 1997 Pontiac Grand AM GT.

I had no problems with it, but now I have one, and it's a big one. My wheel is very hard to turn. And I don't know why. Any comments on that?

Less than a week ago I agreed to purchase a '96 Grand Am SE. I was told that there has never been a problem with the car, and that no parts have gone since the girl I'm buying it from, purchased it in 1997. Are there any flawless '96 GA's on the road, or do all of them have problems?