1996 Pontiac Grand Am electrical problems

Filed Jul 7, 2017 · Airbags, Electrical · 163,000 miles · KS

I was driving down hiway the car died I turned it to the right to get off the hiway and the airbag on drivers side exploded, I had the car towed and was told the pass key system or theft system went bad in ignition switch and no explanation why air bag went off? Or how to fix any of it, this is now july and I am still having problems.

Filed Jul 9, 2013 · Electrical, Steering · 171,708 miles · WA

Car would not start. Steering locked and transmission stuck in park.key would not turn. Towed car home. Removed the ignition switch and found the ignition lock had melted. The obvious fire hazard prompted a recall search for the make and model finding an ignition recall has been issued. I contacted pontiac customer service. The representative asked me if my VIN was covered. I have confirmed the VIN is on the recall list although the rep. Failed to acknowledge this. The seriousness of the recall, potential fire hazard and validity of my complaint was ignored and [xxx] (pontiac rep.) would not assist me further. I am stuck now with trying to resolve getting my car repaired in a timely manner. Please advise. Information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6).

Filed Dec 20, 2012 · Electrical, Engine · 136,141 miles · NC

I started my car in a parking lot and was driving approx 10mph when the car died almost immediately, after restart, it did it again. Then, it wouldn't even turn over. I had it towed to a mechanic who told me that it was probably a bad fuel pump. Turns out it was the pontiac anti-theft device that was keeping it from starting. When your key starts getting worn and rounded off, (as most keys do after some use!) the theft system locks your car up. There is no fix for this problem other than replacing the ecu, ignition system, key tumbler, or a combination of the same, and reprogramming it, which costs upwards of 1000.00 this anti theft system is preventing me from using my lawfully owned car! The only way to fix it is to have a dealership replace defective pontiac parts. An anti theft system should be a preventative measure to keep crooks from boosting your car, not something that will cost the owner more money later when their key wears down! Worse yet, if the car is disabled on a highway and the steering wheel locks up, you risk killing yourself or others on the road! This has got to be a safety violation and a red flag for a recall. I'm going to probably sell this rat-trap for scrap/crush value to a junk yard and buy another car, so although this complaint won't benefit me, hopefully my comment will help someone else who is having problems with their pos pontiac.

Filed Sep 3, 2010 · Electrical · 150,000 miles · SC

Anti-theft system keeps activating. Had key switch and instrument cluster replaced. Still happening!!!!!

Filed Apr 9, 2010 · Body, Electrical · 98,000 miles · PA · crash · 3 injuries

Water getting into vehicle somewhere behind firewall. Started approximately 1yr. Ago. Caused all lights on dash to light up, now vehicle will not start, could not afford to have pontiac fix, although they did issue a warning regarding issue, but will not help with remedy.

Filed Feb 9, 2010 · Body, Electrical · 120,000 miles · ME

Tl*the contact owns a 1996 pontiac grand am. The contact stated that the passenger side and the driver side had two inches of rain in the vehicle but was unable to identify where it was coming from. The theft system activated and the vehicle responded as if it were stolen which made it impossible to start the vehicle. The contact also had a lot of major components repaired on the vehicle and the failure continued to occur. The dealer advised the contact that there was nothing they could do to assist with the failure. The failure mileage was currently 141,000. The failure mileage was 120,000.

Filed Aug 9, 2009 · Electrical · 160,000 miles · OH

Gm pass lock system on a 1996 pontiac grand am wont allow car to start stranding me at work.

Filed Mar 27, 2009 · Electrical · 181,271 miles · MI

Tl*the contact owns a 1996 pontiac grand am. The contact stated that the vehicle was difficult to start due to the theft system. Once the vehicle was started, it stalled at 40 MPH due to the theft system. The vehicle was taken to a mechanic, who stated that the ignition cylinder may have caused the failure. According to the owner's manual, the contact must wait ten minutes before restarting the vehicle after the failure occurs. She feels that this is a safety issue because the vehicle could stop in the middle of the highway. The failure mileage was 181,271 and current mileage was 181,600.

Filed Aug 24, 2008 · Body, Electrical · 100,000 miles · WI

Every time it rains I get water on the floor of my car, this has been an ongoing I have had to replace the instrument cluster because it went out on me wile driving because the wires behind on the firewall are wet.

Filed Jul 27, 2007 · Electrical · OH

I own a 96 pontiac grand am. Having on going problems with the theft system preventing the car from starting.