1996 Pontiac Grand Am: check engine light

7 of the 449 complaints about the 1996 Pontiac Grand Am describe check engine light.

owner complaints: 7
of this car's complaints: 2%
recalls: 0

Is there a fix? 13 service bulletins cover this area of the car. See below

Check engine light by model year

2004
3
2003
8
2002
7
2001
7
2000
13
1999
8
1998
2
1997
16
1996
7
1995
5
1994
1

What owners say

Filed Apr 19, 1999 · Body, Brakes · TN

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!

Filed Mar 31, 1999 · Body, Brakes · MA

Check engine light would come one for a day and go off did this 3 times before total failure of alternater & battery/front end/steering/brakes(ABS) abd shocks. Car will pull hard to the left while braking at highway speeds. Have to fight steering wheel to keep car in lane. Had brakes checked and could not find anything. ( front brakes were very hot) hit small bump or pothole or taking turn or going down the street/highway and car will wander left and rigth while you are holding the wheel. Sometimes it is bad enough to have to take corrective action to keep going straight. The federal safety agency recall #96v249000 my car does not fall in the manfactured date of july 96 can I still have checked no charge? I was taking wax of my car with keys in the ignition car off, the power door looks locked car. I have seen more complaints in your consumer complaint section of these issues I have just reported.

Filed Dec 28, 1998 · Engine · PA

Check engine has been reset, but continues to come (3 times) code reads p1870, but no transmission slipping.

Filed Dec 27, 1998 · Acceleration · PA

Cruise control & ets inoperative during check engine operative period.

Filed May 7, 1998 · Engine · MI

Check engine light keeps coming on after have major tune up after the 30,000 miles. Also the vehicle hesitates as if to stop then speeds up.

Filed Feb 17, 1998 · Engine · UN

Vehicle shut off without warning leaving driver with little steering ability, the fuel systems shut down, and all the safety lights came on including engine light. Driver managed to pull the vehicle to safety.

Filed Jul 18, 1997 · Engine · TX

The exuaust gas recicirlation (egr) had been replace five times according to the comsumer, the engine light come on at 50 MPH. Over heating like going to blow up.