1996 Pontiac Grand Am: sudden loss of power

Filed Feb 26, 2002 · Engine, Fuel system · UT

Vehicle lost power then engine quit. Dealer mechanic indicated intake manifold gasket failure to let cooling fluid into crankcase oil. Gasket replaced, engine flushed 5 times ($480) suggested engine overhaul. Two weeks, engine failed with knock due to previous problem. Received letter from dealership warning of possible intake gasket failure resulting in engine replacement. No satisfaction from gm, found 5 identical complaints on the federal safety agency web site, attorney contacted, we will both investigate. My situation is, "no car, still paying payment." observation: gross diregard for obvious engineering flaw, smaks of firestone without the deaths.

Filed Feb 21, 2001 · Electrical, Engine · WY

Vehicle kept stalling out intermittently, causing loss of power . About 15 minutes later, vehicle would restart. Eventually, vehicle stalled out for dealer , which was then hooked up to a tackometer 2 machine, and codes indicted defect was due to ignition module sensor and crankshaft sensor.

Filed Jan 31, 2000 · Engine, Lights · TN · crash

I can't believe there are no defects investigations in the database for the 1996 pontiac grand am given the number of complaints submitted concerning this vehicle. What has to happen a death? My vehicle like several others I've read about , stalls at any given time with the most recent being on the interstate where I had to take the median for safety. Otherwise I would have been run over by a rig. This car is unsafe and was reported by the previous owner as such; however, no investigation has taken place. The car just shuts off in the middle of traffic, losing all power (including steering and brakes). All the instrument panel lights come on and the car is dead; that's right dead. Leaving the occupants in the middle of traffic hoping they're not going to smashed by speeding traffic considering no signal will work and neither do brake lights or anything. People's lives are at stake here and complaints are being handled by this department as if they couldn't care less. How could anyone with their right mind not assess this situation as a safety violation. The reports for this same defect are just too numerous and if you can't see it then I need a higher office and this office needs to close shop!

Filed Dec 23, 1999 · Electrical · VA

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.

Filed Dec 8, 1999 · Electrical · SC

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

Filed Feb 10, 1999 · Acceleration, Transmission · CA

While driving at 65 MPH no prior warning vehicle started to lose power. Consumer pressed on the accelerator, and vehicle felt like it wanted to cut off. But, vehicle didn't cut off, and consumer was able to get vehicle to dealer. Dealer checked the vehicle and noticedtransmission fluid should have been pink, but the fluid was black, and some metal objects came from transmission which caused problems for consumer.

Filed Dec 26, 1998 · Electrical · IA · fire

Ignition coil failed causing a loss of engine power, and exhaust components to become hot enough to melt and catch surroundings on fire

Filed Nov 22, 1998 · Electrical · NY

My car has stalled four times while driving. I lose all power and the car will not restart for for at least an hour. Two times the situation was very dangerous and I was nearly in an accident. One time it stalled on a blind turn on a back road and people has to swerve to avoid me. The other time the lose of power steering make it difficult to avoid other cars as I tried to pull off to the side of the road. I've had the car for a year and I am so scared that I'm going to be in an accident. I've had the car on a flatbed four times and brought to the dealer. Each time the car starts for the dealer and they can find no problems. They say it could be to many different things and cannot figure out what the problem is. The car has also failed to start on six occasions and the dealer cannot figure out this problem either.

Filed Jul 29, 1998 · Transmission · AZ

The transmission would slip into neutral when pulling into traffic also I noticed it, sometimes on the highway, total lose of power. We took the car in 4 times before the dealer diognosed the problem with the transmission. We have extended warrenty so we paid $100.00. Now the car seems not to have the acceleration power from a stop that it once had. Also, the engine sounds loud when accerating. And I have lost fuel economey.

Filed Dec 30, 1996 · Fuel system · IA

Air intake sucked insulation from left/front wheel well, causing vehicle to lose power.