Engine shuts down/all power is gone/ there are no brakes/ no steering and no lights. Consumer indicates there is no power at all, and feels this is very dangerous, took to dealer, and they couldn't remedy the problem. It is an intermittent problem.
1996 Pontiac Grand Am electrical complaints
Page 4 of 5: complaints 71 to 100 of 122, newest first, as owners wrote them.
Since purchase had to replace 3 alternators/ 2 ignition switches/ 2 stop-hazard switches/ABS switch, and 2 batteries. *ak windshield is leaking during heavy rains. The consumer indicates that the vehicle has questionable design which causing most of the problems.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Ignition key was being released from ignition switch intermittently. Dealer notified, and wasa unable to duplicate problem. Please provide any further details.
This is the third replacement of the ignition lock cylinder within two years 1998-2000. It seems to need replaced every 9-12 months. I feel this is an obvious problem and should be corrected. The seat anchor has been reported each time I take the car to the dealership. The last time I was told to recline the seat to prevent the problem. I do not feel this is an acceptable answer to the problem.
Consumer was inside of vehicle . Started vehicle up, and noticed smoke coming underneath the dashboard. Fire department was called.
The steering wheel column made grinding noises when my 1996 grand am se was driven. The noises even persisted after the grand am was returned to the original dealership in washington, d.c. Where the car was purchased from for service/repair in december 1999. The service manager informed me the noises from the steering wheel column could not be fixed and since the car was "older"- only 3 years old, any noises in the steering wheel column should be expected and are normal for a 3 year old car. The service manager told me he would look at the steering wheel column as well as the electrical componenets under the dashboard to investigate the problem. The service manager informed me that he did the best he could do to find and repair the noises in the steering wheel column. Approximately three months later, and continued to hear grinding noises from the steering wheel column, on march 31, 2000, after dropping my infant to the daycare center, I attempted to start the car and it would not start. The steering wheel column in addition to the turn signal chamber on the steering wheel column began to smoke. Flames began to appear from the steering wheel column and a steady flow of smoke. The electrical fire increased in size and was finally brought under control by two fire engine companies. My 1996 pontiac grand am was towed, assessed for damages and finally deemed unsalvageable- a total loss. My 1996 pontiac grand am se was only three years old. This incident should not have occurred.*ak( dot number: )
While driving vehicle completely shut down without warning, due to a malfunction within the ignition switch. Please give any further details.
Ecm (electronic control module) keeps failing, causing vehicle to stall. Part has been replaced twice. *ak
This vehicle has been in the shop at least once a month,for major repairs, now its been in the shop for 2 weeks and they still cant find the problem with the electrical system,,,,and the vehicle is my lively hood,,,,,,so stressed due to this vehicle beening in the shop and they cant find the major proplem,,, this car is a lemon,,, dates this vehicle been in the shop 9.30.99,,,10.18.99...11.08.99....12.17.99....1.24.00.. Please help me one this vehicle thank you stressed out.
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. Please provide any further information.
Electrical system failed while driving home from work in rush hour traffic, in the dark, in the rain, driving down a hill. Without warning the lights flickered and dimmed, headlights went out, interior lights went out, lost power, unable to use brakes or power steer car. Was able to coast on a side road and apply emergency brake. After stopping, unable to release key from car or open door, able to escape through roll down window.
The headlights went dim while driving, the vehicle cut off / would not restart, resulting in complete loss of power. The key was stuck in the ignition and would not go into park. Consumer was trapped in vehicle for 20 minutes because doors and windows would not open. Dealer was not contacted yet. *ak
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.
Continually disregarded by dealerships and corporate offices
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.
Intermittently vehicle will not start . The dealer has replaced various parts and the problem still exists.
While driving vehicle in reverse smoke started coming out through dashboard, where according to consumer ,they found three wires that were rubbing together. Wires are currently kept apart, and consumer could start vehicle without smoke coming from dashboard.
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.
The alternator wa snot getting enough of a charge. Had to be recharged every week. The panel lights would blink on/off. The vehicle then shut down. Had taken to dealer & the alternator was replaced, but the problem still exists.
Underdash wiring harness failure caused vehicle fire. Mjs
Vehicle won't start due to igintion switch keeps locking up. Also, vehicle keeps stalling and cutting off without prior warning.
Automatic transmission surges at 60 MPH. Thought that transmission failed at first, but then noticed car was fine at low speeds. Shut off car and restarted, then transmission was fine. (noticed similar posting on your web site - odi id 802947) for the defect related to the steering column, key will not come out of ignition on occasion when car is turned off. To fix this, turn car back on, then put transmission into drive and then firmly into park. This, and turning wheel, will usually fix the problem.
While driving 20 MPH or above the vehicle completely shuts down without warning. Dealer has replaced the computer command module which did not correct the problem. Please give any further details.
Intermittently while driving vehicle stalled unexpectedly without warning which may hav e resulted in a crash. Been to dealer several times, and replace a loose wire, but problem is still occurring. Please provide further information.
My most recent problem included transmission failure, and according to the mechanic this had been happening for a very long time. The fourth gear of the transmission and the clutch were burned out. I've also had to replace a water pump on the vehicle. Immediately after purchase, I noticed anti-freeze leaking from the vehicle and the vehicle would just die while driving along. I attempted to get the dealer to repair the vehicle and did get his verbal agreement however, he lied and wouldn't follow through. I suppose because he knew he'd sold me a lemon and was more than eager to state his case, that had no lemon law. There are various electrical problems especially with the instrument panel and I suppose it may be something electrical that causes my vehicle to die while driving along. There is no warning, the vehicle just goes dead. During stops it seems that at times the rear end just has a mind of its own; almost as if it wants to keep going while the front end has stopped - it's sort of like a skipping effect. Other electrical problems include the passenger door lock not operating with the power door lock, the radio display is lit at times and sometimes it's not, since I've had the transmission repaired the check engine light and ets lights which have been on since I purchased the vehicle, are no longer lit. During the water pump failure the dealerships remedy for it was to disconnect the electrical wiring which prompted me that something was wrong with this system. The electrical problems are numerous. My car is a lemon!
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