Comments: 1-15, 16-30, 31-45, 46-47
I bought a 1996 grand am a year ago, had to replace a few small things, brakes, rotors, radiator, battery, it is true my windows only work when they want to, my check engine light is always on, and up until now it drove like a dream
then one day I went outside to start it, and it turned over and over and over, but wouldn't start. then after 10-20 times it cranked. and still drove like a dream until one morning I tried to start it, and tried and tried and then smoke came out of my ignition the whole steering wheel. now the key refuses to turn at all, like welded shut. so now my beautiful red grandam is sitting in my front yard, paid off and two flat tires, sickens me, help, can someone help and tell me what it might be..
Bought my '96 GA SE in the spring of 2001, it had 77,000 miles on it with the 3.1 Liter engine. Alternator went out at 115,000 miles, replaced. Water pump went out at 165,000 miles, replaced. Transmission died at 191,000 miles, replaced. Intake manifold gasket went out at 251,000 miles, replaced. Lower control arm bushings replaced at 260,000 miles. Brakes get replaced around every 40,000 (except the back brakes get it at 20,000). Had to put a driver side window regulator in it. Now it's got 265,000 miles on it and I believe I'll get 300,000 out of it! I've drove the wheels off of it in 4 years (188,000 miles!!!) and she still runs smooth and the body is in great shape!
VERY HAPPY with my Pontiac Grand AM SE!!!
96 Grand AM GT Bought the car used, guy just had alternator and water pump replaced on it. Have had it a week and now the power steering is out. We are gonna try the hoses first since it looks like it leaked out. But with all the noise I say it is gone. 130.00 plus the tires are outrageous for this car. but oh well I like the car, but I see it is gonna be a headache!
I have a 1998 Grand AM SE. It's ranking right up there with the Dodge Intrepid I used to own: They look good, but your wallet doesn't.
The alternator has been replaced 5 times, the battery 2 times (I've owned it for six months- my sister previously owned it), the cooling system is all, but shot (regardless of what you do to solve the problem- it still wants to overheat)
And occasionally, it throws a complete tissy fit and won't give you your key back.
Someone had mentioned the accelerating on its own- its the throttle switch. Any mechanic should be able to figure that one out. Mine has done it on several occasions (and no, its not easy to try to stop), but you just have to push the clip back in.
Right now, my car is broken down yet again - battery and alternator. Joy.
I will NEVER buy another Grand AM. My girlfriend bought a 2004 grand am, and its given her nothing, but trouble as well.
My 1996 Grand Am SE 4dr is the best car I have ever had and I've been through a bunch of cars. At 140,000 miles. all I have to do is put gas in it. And for get up and go- There aren't many cars in its class that can keep up with it. I've tested that!!
I purchased a 1996 Pontiac Grand Am Se from a private owner. When I purchased the car, it had 31,000 miles on it. At this point and time, I really haven't had to many problems with it. Considering that the car is almost 10 years old and that the previous owner appears to have maintained it very well. So far I've had to put 2 new tires on it, put 2 speakers in the doors, as well as having to put front struts on the car. Overall I'm very pleased with the car. At this point and time, I need to put another horn on the car. I have had a problem with it overheating, but was told that for some reason, the car will always overheat, and it dosen't help with the overheating, because I live in AZ., and it gets really hot here in the summer time. The price I paid for the car was less than $2,000, and the blue book was over $4,000.00, I feel very blessed so far to have this car with so few problems. I only hope and pray that I don't start having some of the problems that some of the other people have had.
I am having the same problems. Our most recent problem besides getting the ignition replaced has been with the theft system not allowing the car to start.
I too own a 1996 Pontiac Grand AM, but mine is a "GT" which for the sake of the conversation is the same motor as the SE has, it only has the GT body kit. It is still the 2.4 Quad 4 from the SE. I bought the car in 2000 with 58,000 miles on it. I have replaced nearly EVERY part of the car that relates to the cooling system. It has a new water pump, heater core, thermostat, I got the ignition recall thing done, and I have had the brakes done twice and I now need to replace the compressor for the A/C for the second time. The heater is also having some issues. It now has 129,000 miles on it. I love my car and the way it drives, I just wish it was more dependable. It has NEVER left me stranded anywhere. I have some problem which my mechanics can't seem to diagnose. I have been told everything from a Tire Rod to a transmission. Everytime I turn right or go up a hill, I get a grindind type sound. I too wish that Pontiac would do something for us. I have driven many cars and nothing, I mean nothing drives quite like my GA does. I am gonna keep it, I just won't drive it very often after I get everything up and running again. It has sentimental value as it was my first car.
I purchased a 96 Pontiac Grand Am in 2000 with 43,000 miles on it, I am a college student, so now it has 100,000 miles on it.
My question is, what is wrong with the motors on the windows? I have replaced both of them and they went out again!!! Are you kidding me!!
Replaced alternator at about 70,000.
It is currently in the shop getting a $500 fuel pump put in, wonderful summer break present huh?
DO NOT BUY A PONTIAC GRAND AM WHATEVER YOU DO, THEY ARE JUST A MASSIVE HEADACHE!!!
I have a 1998 grand am gt 3.1 liter engine purchased in 11/04 with 57000 miles now has 66000 miles within this short period of miles I have spent over 3 thousand on parts right from the start I had to replace rack and pinion system that was 680 dollars then frount bushings needed to be repacked, then heater core went, now power steering pump is bad and engine is knocking all the time with exceleration, when I use good gas and all tune up and parts where changed. the car looks great, but for the original price of 16800 dollars new your just not getting your moneys worth, I am sorry I did not buy a good track record rather than looks. also has lower intake manifold leak which is leaking into the engine causing sludge build up. thanks for reading.
1996 pontia Grand Am Recall.
#4. NHTSA Campaign ID Number: 02V070000 - Hide Details
Recall Date: 03/06/2002
Component: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
Units Affected: 1589948
Recall Date:
03/06/2002.
Summary:
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES. IF THE ENGINE FAILS TO START AND THE DRIVER HOLDS THE KEY IN THE "START" POSITION FOR AN EXTENDED PERIOD, HIGH CURRENT FLOWS THROUGH THE IGNITION SWITCH, AND SOMETIMES PRODUCES ENOUGH HEAT TO MELT INTERNAL SWITCH PARTS.
Consequence:
IF THE SWITCH IS DAMAGED, A FIRE COULD OCCUR IN THE STEERING COLUMN, EVEN WITH THE ENGINE OFF AND THE KEY REMOVED.
Remedy:
DEALERS WILL INSTALL A RELAY KIT IN THESE VEHICLES TO PREVENT HIGH CURRENT FROM FLOWING THROUGH THE IGNITION SWITCH. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN MARCH 27, 2002. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-222-1020, PONTIAC AT 1-800-762-2737, BUICK AT 1-800-521-7300, OR OLDSMOBILE AT 1-800-442-6537.
Potential Units Affected:
1589948.
Notes:
Pontiac Grand AM 02008.
Hello... I am just disgusted to hear about all of these problems with the '96 Grand Am. I own a '95 Grand Am SE with the 3.1L V-6. My father purchased the car with about 30,000 miles on it. We never had any major problems with it until the one of the heads warped at 165,000 miles! We had the head replaced and then at 180,000 miles, the engine threw a rod. We found a 3.1L block for a '96 with the pistons in it for really cheap, so we purchased it and had the engine rebuilt and put into the car. During that period, my father gave my sister that car, in which she put 4 hard years of town driving on it. I now got the car and it's at 200,000 and running strong. I just wanted to let you all know that not all Grand Am's are lemons, just a few.
I bought my 1996 Grand Am Le 4 years ago with 77,000 miles on it. It seemed to be in really good shape when I bought it, although the clock on the radio never worked. Within the first year, the driver's window stopped working. I had that replaced and then realized how slow the other windows were. Within a month, the new window motor was just as slow as the others. Within the next year I had to replace the water pump, alternator and battery. Shortly after that the compressor on the air conditioner went out. The brakes and rotors have been replaced numerous times, and last summer I had to replace the calipers. Periodically, the check engine light and ETS lights come on and stay on for awhile and then both shut off together. Two days ago I was stranded at work because it wouldn't start. The Theft System light is on and after reading some of the other comments, I'm sure that's what is keeping it from running, however, it could be the fuel pump. It sat at my work for two days covered in a foot of snow before I broke down and had it towed. I don't even want to think about the repair costs this time. I was hoping to get the G6 when I decided to buy a new car, but now I know I won't buy another Pontiac.
I bought a 1996 pontiac grand am 5 years ago and have replaced all sensors on engine intake manafold gasket spark plugs ignition coils ignition module spark plug boots fuel filter several times starter twice all emission components fuel injector fuel presure regulater heater core thermostat egr valve gasket o rings on injectors checked wiring fuses key switch and nothing has helped this car so far I have a fortune invested in this car and it runs like a peace of junk everytime you press down on the gas it stumbles and jumps it is the worst car I have ever owned and I have read so many complants about this kind of car I think that a class action law suit is not out of the question for all grand am owners I am going too talk with my lawyer about pontiac grand am with the quad 4 engine it is not fair that people should have too drive cars that are defective in anyway I have allmost ben ran over in this car several times because it won't go when I mash on the gas.
I just purchased a 1996 pontiac grand am GT. After reading all of your comments I hope that all this tragic stuff does not happen to me. My power windows do not work does anybody got any opinions on that situation. The car has 140,000 miles on it. As for the car itself it is beautiful. I'm just worried that its not going to be reliable for myself and my newborn. Any helpful hints will be greatly apprecaited. Thank you. please email me at Rick84@comcast.net.