1996 Pontiac Grand Prix SE Coupe from North America - Comments

Transmission exploded at 135,000 miles- $1,500 to rebuild.

Rear rotors replaced 3 times in a year-finally a garage replaced the rear calipers-about $700 total.

Front brake pads twice and rotors once in a year-$350.

Spark plug wires disintegrated causing SES light to come on.

Condenser rotted and had to be replaced at 140,000 miles-$700 to replace.

Windshield washer tank leaked.

A/C would shut off and switch from vents to floor upon acceleration.

Turn signal switch failed and had to be replaced-$500.

Driver's seat foam disintegrated and was uncomfortable to sit on.

Finally-the intake manifold gasket blew and I traded it in.

This car was a headache from the start. I have never owned a car that required so much time in the shop as this one. It was such a good looking car too. Cop magnet red with a spoiler and the five spoke aluminum rims. These cars are fiends for brake repairs. I was at two GM garages and they basically apologized to me for owning a car like this. I guess that General Motors has apologized for the brake problems as well.

The transmission incident almost caused me to wreck. It did not just go bad, it blew up spewing fluid, gears, and fragments of the housing all over the road.

The heating/cooling system was terrible as well. I spent hundreds on trying to diagnose the cooling system because the fans would kick in either too late or too much and the car would typically run right up near the red line on the temperature guage.

When the intake manifold gasket began to leak I lost the war and traded it in. I cannot believe that a car like this could cause so much anxiety. I did not trust it to drive anywhere.

What did you expect buying a car with 120,000 miles??? There were bound to be problems.

You probably had very little fluid in there...that's why the tranny probably "blew up" suddenly... I suggest you service your cars much more often... and at least check those things like fluids once in a while...also, your fan problem may have been a very simple and pretty cheap CTS problem.

I have the same car with about the same mileage, and I must say that if anything, it is one of the most reliable vehicles I have ever owned. The only problems I have experienced since my purchase two years ago was the alternator burning out and I had to replace the front rotors, as they were warped upon purchase.

I am the happy owner of a 1996 Grand Prix. I can't remember a car that was as good to me as this one has been. Sure, there have been a few problems along the road (Fuel pump, one coil pack, and a few other minor issues). Overall, I like this car and do not look forward to the day I have to retire her. This is the SE 4 door coupe with the 3.1 v6. The car has nearly 160000 miles on it as of this writing.

The one issue I do have with this car is the brakes. They work fine and the ABS is great. However, for whatever reason, this car seems to like warping the rear rotors. The calipers have been checked and they are fine. A simple turning fixes the problem, but within a few months, I'm back at the garage. No explanation seems to exist for this issue, so it is something I just have to live with.

As for reliability, well, need I say more that 3.1 v6? This is probably the best v6 that gm has ever made. I know there are others that are just as good, but this is the second vehicle I've had with the 3.1 and I'm sold on it! Overall, this car is really mechanically sound and I trust it to get me wherever I need to go...Great on gas, too; about 27-31 mpg average!

These are my views based upon my experience as a Pontiac owner who is completely satisfied... for the most part. Would I buy another Pontiac?...In a New York Minute!!

Thanks for reading this.

I have a 96 grand prix SE 2 door coupe. It overheats with in ten minutes of driving. blows hot air when driving, but come to a stop and it kicks out cold air. first car don't have money to get another please help me.

Hey my name is Paul Wilson and I drive a 1996 Pontiac grand prix Se. I'm 17 and it was my first car its red and its beautiful. my car had 170000 miles in it when I got it and now has 185000 miles. I have had no problems with it except I think I'm going to have to replace the struts soon.

I have a 1996 Grand Prix GTP... switched the motor to a 3.8 supercharged from a 2000...I had the car for four years before the motor swap and had no major problems aside from maintenance repairs...brakes, oil changes etc. It is one of the most reliable and best cars I have driven... those of you who had problems just got a bad car... I got mine at 75K miles and have treated it better than my girlfriend and it has paid off... now thanks to mods and supercharging it is pushing over 350hp under the hood and with classic styling it is an eye-catcher...

I bought the same exact car in 2005 and it had 182000 miles on it for 1000 dollars. I've drove it for two years since it now had 217000 miles on it and I haven't had 1 problem with it. it is the best car I have ever owned. the only thing is that the struts are getting bad, but its understandable on a car with over 200000 miles.

I have a 96 grand prix se and I love it I knew who owned it before I did and they never had any problems with it. very nice looking car I have had 3 cars with the 3.1 and only thing known to go out is intakes. but every motor has its flaws if only every one would just take care of there car and keep up on maintenance they would last.