1996 Pontiac Grand Am SE from North America - Comments

So far the alternator has been replaced, the entire dash system, the computer and the water pump. The brakes went without so much as a squeak. This car has an electrical problem that can't seem to be resolved. You drive along and whether you are going 70mph or 35mph the whole dash system goes crazy and without any warning the car shuts itself off, very dangerous, if you sit with the car for awhile it will start again and this problem can reoccur in two days or six months, you don't know when or why.

Neither the dealership I bought this car from or Pontiac has ever done anything to help me resolve this problem, instead I got alot of grief from both companies. I had a hard time trying to get them to fix this car. Of course now the car is out of warranty. I would absolutely never buy a Pontiac again as this has been my first Pontiac and it is truly a lemon but because the problem is so intermittent could not use the lemon law.

It is a well known fact that GM has had electrical and brake problems for the last ten years or so. I saw no real problem with your review, but as a pretty fair car mechanic I do not believe in your knowledge of cars. Neither Pontiac or any other GM product has ever been equipped with V-4 . I own a 1996 Grand Am with a V-6 and I have had very few problems with it.

The part about the car shutting off may have to do with the theft system. Our car did this when we had other remote starter hooked up.

Thank you.

The V-6 isn't so bad, but the quad 4 is notorious for cracking heads. Call around and get an estimate, you won't believe it.

I too own a 1996 Grand Am. Have had nothing but problems since buying it last year. I love the way it handles and responds. I've had to replace the instrument panel and am having trouble with the electrical system as well. Last week, I couldn`t get it out of park. It took my mechanic one whole week to track down the problem. It keeps blowing fuses every 3 to 4 weeks or so. You can bet I`ll be trading it in. I love driving it so much though, i will consider getting a new one.

Thanks Dale Stevens

Well I had the same problem with my car as lots of other people have had. My car would not shift out of park and was blowing the fuse, the ERLS fuse. So we had to re-wire it. Now it runs great, but I have all these wires all over the place. We should all get together and give GM sh#$. It cost me 500.00 to fix. If you would like to talk about Grand Am E-mail me at jsichewski@mts.net.

I also own a 96'Grand-Am, a sporty looking car, even for a 4 door. Like most of you I also had problems, a lot of them has to do with normal maintenance, a mis in cly. #3 (needed plugs.), rotors and brakes, alternator (usually brushes®ulator), If you want a/c you have to maintain it. My problem with the car is mostly the unavailability, of help, and high cost of parts. I believe that manufacturers sit down and say "let's build cars so that they only last 3-4 yrs. and then the customer has to dispose of them & buy a new one, all in favor?" Having car repair knowledge (which I have some) is definitely an asset, it keeps maintenance costs low. Too bad the parts are not. Its pretty bad in order to replace a bad water pump they have to a lot of the engine apart just to see it! What I don't understand, they've known about their elect. problems for a lot of years now, why not fix it???

I also own a 1996 grand am gt, I have only had it for a few months, but my alternator is going out, it needs new brakes, and it always stinks of rotten eggs, and gas... I know why it smells like rotten eggs, but have no idea why it smells like gas.. and I am always having problems with my daytime running lights, sometimes they work sometimes they do not.. yet every dealership I have talked to say that the sensor for them is in a different spot and I have yet to find it.. other than that I love the way it looks, and handles.. but my boyfriend has the 95 gt and he has had nothing but problems with it in two years he has replaced the tires, brakes, water pump, the heater core, the thermostat 3 times, and the fog lights are always going out (a problem with all the grand ams it seems)

To the first reply: Pontiac vehicles do come with four cylinders. I drive a 1996 Grand Am GT, 2.4L 5speed, sedan. It handles great and has a nice ride. I got the car at 72k miles and the dealer replaced the alternator when I bought it. After that I had to replace the clutch because the previous owner trashed it all the way down to the rivets. Other than that, I got the front passenger window regulator replaced and I just got a new transmission put it. That was a lot of money for the trannsmission. Other than that it runs awesome and I don't see why so many others have all these complaints.

As for this guy's Survey... your Grand Am must have been really messed up. My dash lights or any others I've talked to have don't do that. I'm not saying it's not possible, I'm just saying you have a badly made Grand Am.

Water pumps do tend to go out on our cars as well as the front disk breaks/rotors. Cross drilled or slotted rotors are only $50 from JCWhitney though, no big deal.

I have a 1996 Grand Am Se. Everything seems pretty good with it, EXCEPT for the driving along at any speed and shuts off. I have taken it to the dealer and they also cannot find anything wrong with it. The dealer had it for 5 days and 200 miles later they could not duplicate it. Anyone finding out what this is please post it. Also, anyone else have a smell of antifreeze come into the car only when you have the vent turned on hot? If you have any responses please post.

Well I have a 96' grand am GT. With the 2.4 DOHC 5 speed. It is a great car. I've only had one big problem with it and it was my slave celender want out. For everyone whos looking down on this car need to know it's a 96' things will go wrong. But if you take care of it will have just little problem like any car.I've done a lot of after market parts although they cost a lot it is worth the price for the power.

Hi,

I had the shut off problem also and it turned out the computer on the car needed to be replaced. After the replacement of the computer the car runs fine and does not shut off anymore

Jr.

I own a 1995 Pontiac grandam, also a quad 4.I'm telling you this car has definitely tried to break me. where should I begin? well I've replaced the entire radiator system, the throttle position sensor, water pump, crankshaft pulley and harmonic balancer 2x, i have had the drive axles replaced 2x, it seems like the more I do to the car the greedier it gets. this is my 2nd grandam, the first one also was a headache, the major on that car was it blew a head, i never could get it too run right after that. So you can imagine how bad I felt the day my brother showed up with this new car he bought me, a 1995 grandam, what was he thinking. if I weren't so broke from repairs, i would definitely trade it in, but as you all know, in order to get a good trade in your car has to be in good running condition.amyyyy76@yahoo.com.

I have a 96 Pontiac Grand Am. I have had my share of problems with this car. Today I brought it in because the coolant light was on and the mechanic said it needs a new water pump (because its leaking) and it will cost $951; I almost wanted to die. 1 1/2 years ago I put in a water pump at a local mechanic for $300 because everyone else was charging me over $600 to do the job; and when I first bought the car in 96 with like 5 miles, it had to be towed away because it needed a new water pump/alternator... in addition, I have had the car shut off in the middle of the highway after all the lights going crazy (twice) due to needing a new alternator and battery. The electrical problem has been fixed once and I decided to turn off completely my internal light, which goes on and off whenever it wants. The key ignition sticks all the time not letting me get my key out. I have fixed various things various times including, but not limited to alternator, battery, brakes, shocks, etc. I will never buy a Pontiac again, nor would I recommend to anyone to buy one either. Thank you.

I too have had nothing but problems with this car I have a 96 grand am 4 cylinder 2.4 so far I have had to replace the transmission two engine mounts, timing chain, ignition module, front right ball joint, both front bushings, the right control arm, both rotors and drums, and to top it all off my daytime running lights don't work and the car will not release my key when I shift into park. The cost of all this is more than the stupid thing is worth.

Hey, anybody know if you have to replace the timing chain with the water pump on a 96 Grand Am SE? Yes, the water pump seems to screw up...also, all of the power windows have gone out, and on several occasions have I had to physically pull the window up... perhaps if you're considering one of these vehicles, a Civic might be a good alternative. While I do like my Grand Am, parts and labor may end up causing you to have spent much more than even its original price.

My 2000 grand am has electrical probs, rotors, brake pads a, d calipers that were replaced so often, that it's like the norm now. I will never buy a pontiac again.