1996 Pontiac Grand Am SE from North America - Comments

I have had to replace my water pump at 50,000 miles, which seems to be the complaint of half the people I have read reviews about. I have also had to replace the battery and then the dealership messed up my recall and they had to replace my alternator and battery (initially told me that my battery went bad and when I refused to pay for a new battery, they came back with the real story, they messed up the recall and fried my alternator and battery). Finally, my ignition system has had problems twice in less than 50,000 miles.

I am looking for people who have had similar problems in order to begin communicating these problems to Pontiac in a more concerted effort (i.e. possible law suit). If you have had similar problems, especially with your water pump being replaced and/or problems with ignition system I would be interested in hearing from you. Please e-mail me at jgalecke@hotmail.com.

I own a 96 Pontiac Grand AM. I too had to have the water pump replaced at around 90,000 and now I have 119,000 and was told there was a new leak. Clanky and bumpy to drive. Not pleased. American craftsmanship for sure. Just bought a Mitsubishi Eclipse and I am in the process of trying to sell the Grand AM.

A lot of creeking noise from the back, I was told

it may be the shockes yet I replaced them.

The water pump was changed, transmission died, gas tank leaked, power stearing pressure hose leaked, brakes need

changing all the time, the list goes on.

The 1996 Grand am is a lemon for sure.

97 Grand Am Quad 4...1 water pump at 40k ($670)... and 3 (three) alternators. I gave the car to my son and just got a call from a Pa. Trnpk rest stop... the alternator went again.

I bought my '96 G.A. SE 2-door with only 13,000 miles on it, it was a former rental car. I have put in 3 alternators, 4 batteries, and 1 starter. New front rotors, rear drums, and struts. The ABS went out, got it fixed, now after about 5 miles of driving there is a knock-knock sound, then it stops. A/C went out, got fixed, fuel injection went out, got fixed, both windows went out within a week of each other can't afford to fix, glad I got the A/C fixed. The fog light bulbs only last about a month for some reason, I even tried the Sylvania long life bulbs??? Radio just quit one day, I went to put a tape in (yes, a tape) and it just went dead. At 136,732 miles the automatic transmission went out, got it fixed. Last week the radiator light came on, so I filled it with the 'special' $12/gal orange anti-freeze, and the light is still on, now it's starting to run hot. Water pump, thermostat, I hope nothing major, I haven't looked into it yet. I've maxed out a $5000 credit card just to keep this car on the road to go to work. My conclusion: SE stands for Something new wrong Everyday.

I bought my grand am gt back in 96, and to be honest for a while I didn't have many problems with it, but as the miles got up, I started having more problems. I am up to 129,000 miles and this is all the problems I have had: Water pump, brakes (on multiple occasions), radiator, a couple bad alternators, replaced the battery, had other coolant problems. Now I have a bad ignition problem. My car has problems starting from a cold start. It will die out at intersections at a idle point. If I try to go into passing gear it will die out. If I try to go long distances it will die out. I avoid highways because I fear the car will break down and I will be unable to avoid high speed traffic. I have replaced most parts of the ignition system: The spark plugs, the spark plug boots, the coil housing assembly, replaced both coils, replaced the ignition module, and replaced all 4 fuel injectors. I am still having the same problems. From June 2003-September 2003 I have spent nearly $2000 in repairs and mechanic costs and the problem is still there. Had I known the costs back in June, I would have paid off my car (I still owe about 1400 on it) and would have got a newer or used car. This is very frustrating. If you have had the same problems or possible solutions, please contact me at abrothers78@comcast.net Thanks!

I bought my 1996 Pontiac Grand Am SE in 2000 at 73,000 miles. My car didn't start messing up until three months after I bought the car. And now two years later, I wish I never bought the car. It has done nothing, but cause me headaches, day after day. Three months after purchasing my car, the alternator went out; got it fixed. I had problems getting my hood to lock; went to a junk yard and bought a new latch; got it fixed. For a whole year I thought the water on the floorboard on the driver's side was just a small leak from a window. I was wrong. Last month, my heat went out, in the middle of the winter, and my car was running very hot and noticed the small leak turned into a puddle in my car. Come to find out it was the heater core. Now that problem is fixed. My power windows aren't working properly. I had already replaced the motor on passenger back window. Now the other side, the motor is shot on that one. I have already replaced my brake pads twice. Now I am having to replace the rotors. The shocks on the car are just awful. As a single mother, I would not recommend or sell this car to any other single moms.

I have to agree that the 1996 Grand Am is a lemon. I bought mine less than a year ago from the original owner. The car had under 75,000 miles and was inexpensive. Now I know why. In the first week, I had to replace the fuel pump ($500). Next it was the oxygen sensor ($200). Then it was the coil housing ($200). When the coil housing was replaced, the computer needed to be reprogrammed. I also had the fuel pump regulator & timing chain tensioner replaced ($500). Now, the instrument cluster has to be replaced because of a problem with the theft system. A new instrument cluster is $200 along with a $45 tow because the theft system sends power to the fuel pump. My mechanic has had the car (and my money) most of January and February. Next time (very shortly), I am buying a foreign car. You may pay more up front, but at least it is reliable.

I have a 1996 Pontiac Grand Am SE with 130,000 miles on it and about a year ago my steering column started smoking and completely died on me. The problem involved the ignition switch and starter. The repair was covered under a recall issued by GM. So in regards to your inquiry about other Grand Am's with ignition problems, check with your Pontiac dealership because I think they are already aware of the defect. And if you notice your car taking a longer time to start (i.e. its turning over too many times), get it checked out because your 96' Grand Am could just erupt in flames. But as for the car in general, it does handle beautifully, BUT not worth the HUNDREDS of dollars in repair and upkeep. With all the money I have put into my '96 I could have bought a PORSCHE right off the bat and been equally satisfied with the handling!!!

http://www.carsurvey.org/viewcomments_review_33394.html

I am absolutely nauseous after reading many of the negative comments about the 1996 Grand Ams. My ‘Zelda’ is an SE V-6 4-door that I bought Spring 2003 and thus far I have sunk over $2,000 into her in Summer 2003 for: water pump, heater coil, intake gasket manifold, motor for electronic window, new battery (told me it was alternator problems), computer harness because the ABS light kept coming on….

RIGHT NOW car squeaks in rear end, knocking at front passenger side, radio light went out, radio volume button is wonky, power steering liquid leaking, needs new struts (so I am told), and Zelda is now leaking.

The floor boards, except the front passenger floor board, is saturated with rain water and a couple of weeks ago the trunk started filling up with water (donut tire was nearly submerged) and when my 13-year old son sat in the backseat on the weekend, his butt got soaking wet!

I am a single mother and like many others, I cannot afford the maintenance $$$$. I am so ticked!

Does anyone know how to stop the leaking, where to start, or should I just shoot her???

Thanks for the space to vent…did I mention that I live in BC where it rains 360 days out of 365… happy thoughts, happy thoughts … love to hear from ‘ya … goforth@dowco.com.

I purchased a 1996 Pontiac Grand Am SE in May of 2003. The same day, a few hours later I had to replace the 2 front control arms. Cost me $600.00.

Couple of months later the front passenger powder window started rolling up inch by inch. I have to allow several minutes of cool off time. Two weeks after that the right back window did the same exact thing. Never got it fixed.

ABS light is on since I purchased the vehicle, they cannot turn it off - I was told it's OK.

My battery light came on about a month ago, got new battery, but the very next day I had to purchase a new alternator. That event cost me $350.00.

Every time it is raining, as the car gets wet on the bottom it gives loud noises.

The volume button on the radio doesn't function.

Two weeks ago my horn stopped working.

Today, I was driving on the highway, the dashboard went crazy, and I was just lucky to pull the car over. Eventually, it stopped on its own, the key was in the ignition, the car had power, the power window worked and all the lights came on on the dashboard. I put it in park and in gear, but didn't do anything. Finally, I shut the engine off. I re-started the car and it worked for about 2 miles and it did the same thing again. It shut off on me, but at this time I couldn't move the steering wheel at all. I shut off the engine again and it worked- again.

I am a single college girl who really can't afford this. Please don't sell these types to single females.

I don't think I need another Grand Am.

I bought a 96 Pontiac Grand Am SE 2 door 3 years ago. I am single mother. The car had only 48,000 miles when I got it. Boy it was a beauty.

A couple of days later the water pump was leaking. That cost 700 dollars. most of was labor since it was a Quad 4.

Then on a emergency trip to oklahoma the coil housing went out. That was 200 dollars. Apparently, the coil housing is made out of plastic so it will need to be replaced every so often, especially making long trips.

Now for the second time the power windows are shot. both sides in the middle of summer.

Found out recently the motor mounts are shot causing electrical problems. Those are 100 dollars a piece.

For such a pretty looking car, be prepared for high maintenance...

Can I get some input on how to do some of this work myself instead of taking it to the shop... attitude2ya@yahoo.com.

I am 18 years old and I had bought a 96 Pontiac Grand Am less than a year ago. I have had nothing, but problems out of it ever since. My water pump, radiator, brakes, you name it has went out. I bought it with 103,000 miles on it and now almost a year later there are 117,000 miles on it and my transmission went out. If you have a Grand Am get rid of it while you still can. Thank you for listening to me and good luck with your cars.

My 96 grand am has 200,000 miles on it and I haven't had to replace anything, but the brakes and 1 alt. Normal wear and tear. All the complaints I have seen are normal wear and tear. If upkeep is done these cars wouldn't be falling apart. This is not just intended for this guy its all of you. take care of your equipment and it will last. Any vehical no matter what make or model will give you fits if you expect it to be able to change its own oil or trany fluid or do regular inspections of vital parts.

I have a 1996 Grand Am SE too, and to the guy who says regular maintenance will solve all of these problems keep dreaming. My car has about 71,000 miles on it now, I have been the lone owner of my car, have done all the regular maintenance. This car has given me nothing, but grief since the day I bought it. I have had to make repairs to it at least every 6 months or less between breakdowns. My most recent problem has been with the theft system I had it replaced a year ago because it went bad, don't need it to run the car, but the car won't run with out it because it cuts off the gas. Now its doing the same thing and I'm afraid I'm going to be stranded somewhere. Looks like its about time to trade it in. I couldn't possibly sell it myself I would feel too guilty!

My Nightmare 1996 Pontiac Grand Am car which I'm letting my 19 year old daughter drive for school. The car decided to accelerate to 85 mph. The car was accelerating and then decelerating. My daughter was quite scared because using the brakes did nothing. Fortunately she had the smarts to call 911 and they told her to put the car into Neutral. Thank you 911 operator!!! The car coasted to a stop and she was unharmed. Fathers, Mothers, Brothers, Sisters, please let your loved ones know what to do should this acceleration emergency happen to you!!! The car was towed to my Pontiac dealership which has done over 3K in repairs to my daughter's vechicle in 3 years. This happened on a Saturday and I went to the dealership an hour after the tow truck dropped off the car and I started it and the engine continued to rev up and down. When the dealership opened on Monday am, of course the car purred like a kitten and no error codes have been found. They still have no explanation after 260 miles of test driving the vehicle. I feel they are trying to find the problem, but it's still frustrating as to what to with car if it comes home not repaired. The familiar stories of bad a/c, 2 bad power windows and 2 bad alternators, new batery, leaking power steering hose, check engine lights and ETS light on is very real to me. If anyone has the same terrifying story of acceleration, please email my self at "atiscotz@msn.com".