1996 Pontiac Grand Am engine problems

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 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 Jan 8, 2008 · Engine · 102,000 miles · MO

I have two pontiac grand am 1995, 1996 both cars has the same problem the intake and head gasket needs replace they sent me a paper in the mail and said there was a recall on my cars but never heard any thing about it my car it about to stop running and my 1995 won't run with out over heating if someone could get me any info please do and pass it my way I could really use the help.

Filed Feb 6, 2006 · Engine · 92,000 miles · MI

I went to a car service place to have an oil change and I had them check my coolant to see if it was leaking; sure enough it was. They had told me my car is leaking coolant from the intake manifold gasket and it would cost me $700.00 + to repair in which I don't have.

Filed Oct 18, 2004 · Engine · 98,005 miles · OH

As my husband was putting gas into my 1996 grand am he noticed orange coolent ( dex cool) leaking from the car. The next morning on his way to work the car motor temperature increased to a point were he had to pull over and let the car cool down. After work he took the car to gateway tire and service for the problem. Gateway service stated that the following failures occured -the intake manifold gasket and timing cover gasket failed. What needs to be done to correct the problem? -replace manifold gasket (b) -replace upper and lower manifold gasket -replace seal kit lube oil and filter -replace timing cover gasket -replace cover gasket -replace timing cover gasket if done with lower intake currently car at gateway tire service (10-18-04).

Filed Feb 17, 2004 · Engine · MO

Vehicle leaking coolant from lower intake manifold gasket. Leak was both interior and exterior.

Filed Jan 14, 2004 · Brakes, Engine · 69,000 miles · OH

While driving and turning to the left there was no steering. Also, brake failed, and vehicle intermittently stalled.

Filed Oct 8, 2003 · Engine · ME

The check oil light appeared on the dashboard intermittently. Vehicle stalled and shut down. Dealer was aware of the problem. The driver requested the dealership mechanic to look at vehicle because it was on recall a year ago.

Filed Jun 24, 2003 · Electrical, Engine · NC

Periodically the key gets stuck in the "on" position. This has caused damage to the sending unit to the crankcase.

Filed Jun 11, 2003 · Engine · 100,050 miles · WI

I have a 1996 pontiac grand am with a quad 4 engine in it. The engine has 100,050 miles on it, I took very good care of it, oil changes on time did all of the maintenance on it required in the book, etc, etc. I started the car the other day and the whole thing jerked forward, made a loud bang then would not do any thing but turn over really fast. I had it towed in to my mechanic and found out that my engine needs to be replaced because the exhaust valves smashed into the pistons and did a lot of damage. From what I was told by three different mechanics is that the quad 4 engine made by gm is the worst engine ever designed and should not have been put out on the market. I was also told that on this type of car over 100,000 miles was lucky and that kind of miles on this engine is considered high mileage. I was told one of two things could have caused this and that both problems are common in this car. The first cause could have been the hydraulic fluid that causes the manifold gasket to open when the car is shut off sludged up and this caused the timing to mis align at start up and caused the valves and pistons to smash together. The second common cause for this in this type of engine is the pin in the cam shaft snapped off at start up and caused the timing to jump and crash the pistons and valves together. Both problems are known by gm, yet the consumer is not alerted so they can go in and get the cam pin checked or have the fluid checked for sludging.