41 of the 672 complaints about the 1996 Pontiac Grand AM are about the glass, mirrors and wipers — 6% of everything reported for this model year. Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before 75,000 miles.
41
Complaints
1
Crashes
0
Fires
0
Injuries
Filed with NHTSA, in their own words.
VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS
WHEN DRIVING THE VEHICLE AT AN UNDETERMINED SPEED CONSUMER ATTEMPTED TO ROLL THE WINDOW DOWN. HOWEVER, NONE OF THE FOUR WINDOWS WOULD ROLL DOWN. CONSUMER STATED THATTHIS WAS THE SECOND TIME THAT THE POWER WINDOWS FAILED.
NHTSA complaint #10076135 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS
MY MAIN PROBLEM IS THE STEERING COLUMN. WHEN IT IS TIME TO TAKE THE KEY OUT OF THE IGNITION IT GETS STUCKS. YOUR UNABLE TO TAKE THE KEY OUT UNTIL THE CAR WANTS TO LET IT GO. SOMETIMES THIS ENDS UP TO BE A 45 MINUTE TO AN HOUR WAIT. THE PLACE I BOUGHT IT FROM SAID THEY FIXED IT. OF COURSE, AFTR THE WARRANTY WAS UP SO WASN'T THE KEY ONCE AGAIN GETTING STUCK. HAD THE WHOLE STEERING COLUMN REPLACED FOR ABOUT $500.00 NO PROBLEMS FOR ABOUT 2 MONTHS AND NOW ONCE AGAIN KEY IS GETTING STUCK.
NHTSA complaint #10070417 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VISIBILITY:GLASS, SIDE/REAR
THE REAR WINDOW SHATTERED, WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED.
NHTSA complaint #10015437 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM:HEATER CORE
IN THE PAST 4 MONTHS, I HAVE REPLACED MY HEATER CORE, BECAUSE IT IS PLASTIC, AND THEN THE RADIATOR, NOW THE HEAD GASKET. PROBLEMS OF THIS NATURE FIRST SURFACED WITH HEATER CORE FAILURE, WHICH IS MADE OF PLASTIC AND THEN PROCEEDS THROUGH THE COOLING TO SYSTEM, TO MY CURRENT PROBLEM, HEAD GASKET REPLACEMENT. THE WATER PUMP AND TRANSMISSION HAVE BOTH BEEN REPLACED, WHILE UNDER THE NEW CAR WARRANTY. I TOOK MY CAR TO HARDIN PONTIAC IN ANAHEIM, CA AT 3 PM ON MARCH 4TH. THEY HAVE NOW HAD MY CAR 2 DAYS AND THEY WANT TO CHARGE ME ANOTHER $80 TO FURTHER DIAGNOSE MY COOLANT LEAK. I HAVE OPENED A FILE W/PONTIAC, REF # 1-78-69-0865. PONTIAC DETERMINED THAT, AS I AM THE SECOND OWNER, THE AGE OF THE CAR (1996) AND NUMBER OF MILES (82,622) THEY HAVE NO RESPONSIBILITY. I EXPLAINED TO HER, THAT WHILE I AM THE 2ND OWNER, I PURCHASED THE CAR WHILE IT WAS STILL UNDER THEIR 3 YEAR/36,000 MILE WARRANTY. AND WHILE UNDER WARRANTY, MY TRANSMISSION & WATER PUMP HAD BEEN REPLACED. THE COOLING SYSTEM PROBLEMS BEGAN WHILE UNDER THE NEW CAR WARRANTY. ALSO GM'S N' CAR SERIES HAS NUMEROUS PROBLEMS WITH THEIR COOLING SYSTEMS, I AM BEING PENALIZED, PRIMARILY, BECAUSE I AM THE SECOND OWNER, RATHER THAN THE ORIGINAL OWNER. MY CAR HAS BEEN MAINTAINED AND SERVICED AS SPECIFIED IN THEIR OWNER??S MANUAL. WHILE SPEAKING W/PONTIAC, I WAS TOLD THERE IS AN OPEN RECALL ON THE IGNITION SYSTEM, APPARENTLY IT IS KNOW TO OVERHEAT AND MELT, RENDERING THE CAR UNDRIVABLE. IT APPEARS GM'S OVERHEATING ISSUES ARE NOT LIMITED TO THEIR COOLING SYSTEM AND CHEAP PLASTIC PARTS. I REQUESTED THAT THE SERVICE REP, MR. ROMERO, EXPLAIN WHY HE FELT THEY NEEDED TO FURTHER DIAGNOSE MY COOLANT LEAK, IS THE HEAD GASKET LEAKING, OR NOT? MR. ROMERO, DID INDEED DIAGNOSE WHAT HE TERMED AN "EXTERNAL COOLANT LEAK' IN OTHER WORDS A LEAK AT THE HEAD GASKET. AT THIS POINT, I HAVE INSTRUCTED ERNIE TO HANDLE THE RECALL PROBLEM WITH THE IGNITION ONLY. PONTIAC HAS MINIMIZED THE PROBLEM AND CONVEYED THAT IT DOES NOT WARRANT IMMEDIATE ATTENTION.
NHTSA complaint #10008516 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VISIBILITY:GLASS, SIDE/REAR
CONSUMER STATED THAT THE MOTORS ON ALL FOUR POWER WINDOWS FAILED IN 06/98. DEALER REPAIRED, BUT MOTORS FAILED AGAIN IN 06/99. WINDOWS WOULD WORK INTERMITTENLY WITH PROBLEM GETTING PROGRESSIVELY WORSE UNTIL FAILURE. MR
NHTSA complaint #8024175 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS
NO SUMMARY. DT
NHTSA complaint #770559 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS
THE POWER WINDOWS FAILED INTERMITTENTLY. THE WINDOW MOTOR HAS BEEN REPLACED TWICE BUT THE PROBLEM RESURFACES. *PH *NLM
NHTSA complaint #8023987 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS
THE WIRING MUST BE SHOT BECAUSE ANY THING THAT IS ELECTRIC IS ALWAYS GOING OUT. DT
NHTSA complaint #769834 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS
THE DAY I BOUGHT THIS VEHICLE THE RIGHT PASSENGER POWER MOTOR WENT OUT. WITHIN THE NEXT FEW WEEKS, THE OTHER THREE ALSO WENT BAD. MY GEAR SHIFTER LIGHT BLINKS ON AND OFF AT TIMES, THE DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHTS COME ON AND OFF, THE RADIO LIGHT COMES ON AND OFF, THE CIGARETTE LIGHT FUSE BLOWS ALL THE TIME. IRVINE TOYOTA TOLD ME THERE WAS NO ELECTRICLE PROBLEM AND THAT PONTIACS WERE NOTORIOUS FOR THEIR WINDOW MOTORS HEATING UP AND GOING OUT. ALL THEY DO IS KEEP REPLACING THE MOTORS. LAST NIGHT I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE STREET AND HAD COMPLETE POWER FAILURE IN THE CAR. I WAS ALMOST HIT BY AN ONCOMING VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #766684 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM
WHILE DRIVING NOTICE SMOKE WAS COMING FROM VENTILATION.
NHTSA complaint #8016577 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM:HEATER CORE
CONSUMER NOTICED COOLANT INDICATOR LIGHT FLASHING ON AFTER BACKING VEHICLE OUT. ALSO, CONSUMER NOTICED WATER ON GROUND. VEHICLE WAS SERVICED, AND TECHNICIAN STATED HEATER CORE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION.
NHTSA complaint #8014527 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS
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.
NHTSA complaint #763957 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS
REAR WINDOW, PASSENGER SIDE AND FRONT DRIVER SIDE WINDOWS STOPPED WORKING DUE TO THE ELECTRIC MOTORS FAILURES.
NHTSA complaint #8012806 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM
THERE IS A LEAK ON THE TOP OF THE ENGINE. ALSO, THROUGH AIR VENTS A BURNING GAS SMELL IS COMING INSIDE OF VEHICLE. PLEASE ADD MORE INFORMATION.
NHTSA complaint #8009364 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:MOTOR
WINDOW MOTORS HAVE BEEN REPLACED AND I STILL HAVE NUMEROUS PROBLEMS. WINDOWS STILL WILL NOT GO UP AND DOWN PROPERLY OR STICK AND WON'T GO DOWN OR STICK AND WON'T GO UP. GRINDING IN STEERING COLUMN; NOISE HAS BEEN THERE SINCE 6/96 AND DEALERS CAN'T SEEM TO LOCATE PROBLEM. STRUTS HAVE BEEN REPLACED AS FAULTY AND ARE BAD ONCE AGAIN. BACK WINDOW LEAKED THEY REPLACED IT, NOW LEAKS AGAIN. THIS IS VERY FUSTRATING KNOWING THAT I HAVE TWO CHILDREN ONE IS A TODDLER AND THE OTHER IS 8, RIDING IN THIS CAR WITH THESE PROBLEMS.
NHTSA complaint #760672 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS
REAR POWER WINDOWS COULD COME DOWN, BUT COULD NOT GO BACK UP. PASSENGER'S SIDE FRONT WINDOW WAS THE SAME WAY.
NHTSA complaint #889129 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS
POWER WINDOW MOTOR FAILED. NLM
NHTSA complaint #785222 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD
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.
NHTSA complaint #739723 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS
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.
NHTSA complaint #736636 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM:HEATER CORE
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.*AK 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.
NHTSA complaint #868008 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VISIBILITY:REARVIEW MIRRORS/DEVICES:EXTERIOR
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.*AK 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.
NHTSA complaint #868008 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS
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.*AK 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.
NHTSA complaint #868008 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS
DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHTS WERE SERVICED TWICE BECAUSE THEY WOULD FLICKER ON AND OFF WHEN THE CAR WAS BEING DRIVEN AND PARKED. AFTER I HAD THE CAR FOR ABOUT A YEAR THE AIR CONDITIONER WOULD NOT PUT OUT ANY COLD AIR. WE HAVE REFILLED THE FREEON ONCE AND THAT DIDN'T SEEM TO HELP AT ALL. THE DRIVERSIDE POWER WINDOW WILL NOT GO DOWN UNLESS ITS BEEN A VERY WARM DAY AND THE CAR HAS SAT IN THE SUN. THE FUSE WAS CHECKED AND IS OKAY.
NHTSA complaint #723669 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VISIBILITY:GLASS, SIDE/REAR
WHILE TRAVELING AT HIGHWAY SPEED OF 60 MPH REAR WINDOW DETACHED FROM VEHICLE AND SHATTERED IN MID -AIR, REASON UNKNOWN. DEALER / MANUFACTURER NOTIFIED, AND INFORMED CONSUMER THAT NOTHING WOULD BE DONE UNLESS COST GO TO CONSUMER.
NHTSA complaint #862638 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM:HEATER CORE
ANTI FREEZE ODOR COMES AS SOONS AS HEATER IS TURNED ON DUE TO HEATER CORE FAILURE. YH
NHTSA complaint #551175 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS
HAD ALL 4 POWER WINDOW MOTORS FAIL WITHIN THE PAST YR. ALSO PASS POWER LOCK FAILURE
NHTSA complaint #716465 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS
ON 09/09/99 MY LEFT REAR DOOR POWER WINDOW MOTOR FAILED ME AND WAS REPLACED AT THE COST OF $310.27. ON 10/02/99 THE RIGHT REAR DOOR POWER WINDOW MOTOR FAILED AND I AM SCHEDULED TO HAVE IT REPLACED ON 10/06/99.
NHTSA complaint #712803 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS
CONTINUALLY DISREGARDED BY DEALERSHIPS AND CORPORATE OFFICES
NHTSA complaint #712744 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS
ENGINE STALLED WHICH TOOK THE POWER AWAY FROM WINDOWS AND DOOR LOCKS. THE OWNER WAS TRAPPED IN VEHICLE FOR AN HOUR. DEALER SAYS IT WAS AN INTERNAL SHORT WITHIN THE BATTERY.
NHTSA complaint #848806 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VISIBILITY:REARVIEW MIRRORS/DEVICES
DRIVER'S SIDE MIRROR ADJUSTOR (HANDLE) FAILED.
NHTSA complaint #605660 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.