NHTSA — Electrical System: Alternator/Generator/Regulator Problems

1996 Pontiac Grand Am (Page 1 of 2)

8.3

pretty bad
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
4,000 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

1996 Pontiac Grand Am electrical problems

electrical problem

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1996 Pontiac Grand Am Owner Comments (Page 1 of 2)

problem #26

Nov 092001

Grand Am 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 104,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The engine stalled twice in driving. Alternator has been replaced twice in the last year. Windows get stuck in the middle and don't go up and down.

- Atlanta, GA, USA

problem #25

Dec 062002

(reported on)

Grand Am

  • miles
No summary.

- Tomah, WI, USA

problem #24

Nov 242002

Grand Am

  • miles
Coolant leaking into crankcase, engine needs replaced. Also I have replaced 3 alternators since I owned this vehicle. The first one at 40000 miles. This car by my book is crap.

- Dandridge, TN, USA

problem #23

Sep 152002

Grand Am

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The wiring must be shot because any thing that is electric is always going out.

- Waco, TX, USA

problem #22

Jul 222002

Grand Am

  • miles
Light that reflexes the failure of alternator will not come on until all 3 diod has failed. This causes engine to quit when two of the 3 diods hav failed.dealer contacted.

- Cinncinnati, OH, USA

problem #21

Jul 082002

Grand Am

  • miles
In this vehicle, by 80,000 miles, all 4 power window motors had sequentially overheated and failed with ordinary use. They have all had to undergo replacement. In addition, the alternator has twice become clogged with debris (leaves, etc). Through ordinary use, overheated and failed. Both the original alternator and a manufacturer-branded replacement have failed in this fashion, and have required replacement.

- Naper, IL, USA

problem #20

Jun 212002

(reported on)

Grand Am

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

No summary listed for above vehicle.

- Demin, NM, USA

problem #19

Dec 312001

Grand Am

  • miles
Recall 02 V 070 000/ignition switch: Alternator/ battery and ignition coil had to be replaced., dealer notified, and informed consumer that recall was not the cause of other failures. Feel free to provide any further information.

- Orlando, FL, USA

problem #18

Oct 151997

Grand Am

  • miles
We have had coolant loss three times with no visible leakage. We were informed that the car was "sucking the coolant in" rather than leaking out. We have had to have the intake manifold gasket replaced 3 times. The 1st time, the dealer replaced intake manifold gasket & oil pump drive ring and valve cover gasket leaking. The 2nd time, the dealer simple resealed the intake gasket but did not replace. The 3rd time, the dealer replaced the upper and lower intake gaskets and rechecked for leaks. All of these repairs were covered under either the original warranty or the extended warranty (good thru 72,000 mi). We now have almost 70,000 mi on this car and the engine is shot! the main throttle bearing gaulded and the extended warranty company is denying our claim (even though we have 2,000 mi left on extended warranty) because they say the oil is "contaminated". I have maintained regular oil changes and am due for an oil change in approx 200 mi. The dealership did not inform me that I should have had the oil changed after any of the coolant leak repairs. Also, we had to have the alternator replaced when then car was just 2 yrs old. Plus we had to have the R&R shaft seal & bearing kit replaced 3 times due to squeaking noise coming from steering column. Also had to have shifter assemply replaced because the key was sticking in the ignition.

- St Louis, MO, USA

problem #17

Jan 222002

(reported on)

Grand Am

  • miles
No summary listed for above vehicle.

- Miami Beach, FL, USA

problem #16

Jul 021998

Grand Am

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

I believe this car to be a lemon, most of the complaints described by other owners this year model exist with this vehicle. How can I get help, now something is smoking under the hood, I believe it to be electrical but I don't have the cash to take to a mechanic. Help. No safety defect.

- Shreveport, LA, USA

problem #15

Aug 011996

Grand Am

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Since purchase had to replace 3 alternators/ 2 ignition switches/ 2 stop-hazard switches/ABS switch, and 2 batteries. Windshield is leaking during heavy rains. The consumer indicates that the vehicle has questionable design which causing most of the problems.

- Gretna, LA, USA

problem #14

Nov 142000

Grand Am

  • miles
Constant problems mostly electrical, but from windows and locks to major things like alternators and ignition switches multiple times. Contacted Pontiac over a year and never heard even a reply. Any recalls or factory fix info would be appreciated.

- Sebastian, FL, USA

problem #13

Sep 252000

Grand Am

  • miles
Service advisor comments lead me to suspect that shortness of alternator wiring harness caused electrical shorts which caused three alternator failures and one instrument cluster failure. Intial alternator failure resulted in sudden electrical system shutdown on I-880 at the santa cruz mountains summit, a near safety mishap. The vehicle had to be towed to dealer. On the other two alternator failures, warning lights gave us enough notice to drive the vehicle to the dealer for repairs.

- San Jose, CA, USA

problem #12

Sep 202000

Grand Am

  • miles
Consumer was sitting still waiting to make a turn & vehcile stalled. Tow truck driver said the alternator wasn't charging the battery. Conusmer will contact the dealer.

- Whitehall, PA, USA

problem #11

Aug 152000

Grand Am

  • miles
Alternator replace two times within a year and a half. Brakes all ways going bad ABS light stays on all of the time I have to pay from 300 to 700 all of the time to get this car fix now koons want a 1000 to fix the ebtcm I have so many problem with this car I am still paying a car note I no that this car has a defect it stays in the shop.

- Washington, DC, USA

problem #10

Jul 261996

Grand Am

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Car runs hot. When starting up windows would fog, could smell antifreeze. Took vehicle to dealer, and they replaced heater core, they said it had a pin hole in it. Consumer said car wasstill running hot, consumer could hear a flapping noise, like a helicopter under the hood. The poping front right suspension was due to sway bar link failure which made stablizer bar loose. Horn malfunctions due to dirty contacts. Window does not go up or down properly due to window motor failure. The noise in engine area when cold was due to alternator failure. Water pump was leaking. Temperature guage was inaccurate. The noise from front and rear brakes was caused by worn brake pads. Driver side mirror control fell into the door panel.

- Compton, CA, USA

problem #9

Jul 071999

Grand Am

  • miles
Alternator and ABS problems: Alternator has been replaced four times in the last seven months, and will need replacing again. When applying the brakes, under normal braking conditions, pedal goes to the floorbroad and the vehicle travels additional distances before stopping. Dealer is not able to determine what is causing this problem.

- Brant Lake, NY, USA

problem #8

Oct 101999

(reported on)

Grand Am

  • miles
My extended waranty put a used engine in after the original blew up. The engine they sent had to be sent back because it was also no good. It had 18,000 on it when it was sent to replace. Now they are sending another engine. It is now a month later then when I took it to the shop and it is still not fixed. I think someone owes me something.

- Linesville, PA, USA

problem #7

Aug 111999

Grand Am

  • miles
The paint peeling on the mirrors and the front suspension squak has been repaired once by the manufacuter and they refuse to fix the repairs now. The cold start rattle has never been fixed, they have not been able to find the problem.

- Oklahoma City, OK, USA

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