6th Feb 2007, 18:31
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.
7th Feb 2007, 21:12
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.
16th Jul 2007, 17:23
I have a 2002 pontiac grand am and it is starting to give me a lot of problems. The two front windows went out, My fuel pump cost me $600 and the cooling system went bad! If your young or old read up on cars before you buy one, because I have a friend who is now having some of the same problems!
28th Jul 2007, 20:04
I just bought a 1996 Grand Am, and 3 days after buying it, my engine started knocking really bad. My dad changed the oil and it was running so horribly. I called the dealer that sold it to me, and he wouldn't take it back. I have only had the car 1 month since 6/29/07 and already I have had to put a new engine it in (3.1L V-6) that cost me $1400, and today I had the brakes worked on, and tires rebalanced and rotated, even though they are new tires.
Today while at the repair shop, my car decided to drive itself, and I had to throw it into park to get it to stop. The engine revved up really high and then the whole system puked.
What is wrong with these cars? It scares me to drive a car that decides to drive itself whenever it wants.
If anybody else is having issues like this, please let me know (www.jlynn8951@yahoo.com). I think I might be contacting a lawyer about all of this. What a hunk of junk.
3rd Aug 2007, 14:48
I too have a 1996 Grand Am Se. I had no problems with the car until I drove it about 30,000 miles and everything went. I had to replace the whole front end including struts, ball bearings, sway bar, cv axle, bushings, tie rod ends and it is still running like there is a vibration in the front. The brakes are completely redone too. It has approx. 186,000 miles on it and about 25,000 miles ago I had to replace the head gasket on the transmission. Also just a few weeks ago my power window on the drivers side went out. I have a loud clunking sound whenever I turn. Regular Maintence does help however, a reliable car is a car that is suppose to not have these many problems. I like the car, but I too can't afford to put more money into it. I have learned that no matter what you do have money saved up to make room for the neccessary repairs that a car may cost you. Also has anyone continued to have front end problems? If so have you found out anything about it?
29th Aug 2007, 08:04
I just bought a 1996 Grand Am Se with 145,000 miles. The guy said all was well. Now the power steering hose is leaking, the brakes act weird, went through some water and the check engine light came on and ETS will not work. I know there are about 5 recalls on the car so check the recall sites. Thank God I have a mechanical boyfriend.
11th Sep 2007, 01:37
I bought a 96 Grand Am 3.1L, and so far I've replaced in order: the water pump 100 dollars, the rocker 326 bucks, gaskets 350 bucks, power steering rack 475 bucks, the radiator 175 dollars.
Since I got the car back, it has been shaking; not just a little bit either, hard core shaking. Tonight as I proceeded to drive home from a friends house, the car shut down on me twice; once while I was going 45 miles an hour.
The caution lights don't work anymore for some reason; everyone says its the fuel injector or the spark plugs. Well let me tell you all I've replaced the the plugs and cleaned the injector.
In summary, Pontiac Grand Ams should not be driven by anyone who hates to be frustrated as much as I do.
Unless you got a couple grand to put into a car, don't buy this model.
Mine only has 83000 miles. Why is it doing this?
Someone tell me. My email is sexybeastfrom666@yahoo.com
2nd Jun 2006, 02:25
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.