The car's headlight, fog lights and rear lights flicker all the time, fuses are okay, battery tests okay, headlights changed without any change, fuses changed without any difference, rear lights replaced without any change. Makes driving at night difficult and gives me a migraine headache.
1996 Pontiac Grand Am: headlights failing or too dim
16 of the 449 complaints about the 1996 Pontiac Grand Am describe headlights failing or too dim.
- owner complaints
- 16
- of this car's complaints
- 4%
- recalls
- 2
Is there a fix? There are 2 recalls and 1 service bulletin for this area of the car. See below
Headlights failing or too dim by model year
What owners say
Car electrical system shut down while driving, daylights, all dash gauges etc. This is an intermittent trouble. My trouble appears mainly when headlights are on with the heater blowing on defogger. It comes and goes every so often especially while driving at 5:00 a.m. When its cold and headlights are on and defogger is needed. Alternator was recently replaced but the car is still experiencing a christine haunted car syndrome with the electrical and its getting dangerous. This has been going on since I have owned the car, and since it is intermittent, when it happens the car's trouble cant be located.
When driving with headlights on,they flicker off/on. Also, the instrument panel lights turn off, causing poor driver's visibility. High beam lights are the only other option. Consumer has contacted dealer. Consumer has yet to have the problem corrected. Please provide any further details.
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
The drl sensor causes the low beam head lights to be on during daylight hours
The headlights go off sometimes. The vehicle has daylights, but when driving in the dark, the lights go off, the dashboard still works, including other parts.
Electrical wiring shorts, caused head lights and brake lights to fail.
Headlights: whenever applying the brakes the headlights become very dim. After releasing foot from brakes, headlights return to normal. Took to dealer and they said that they received letter from manufacturer indicating that this is normal.
Headlights cannot be turned off due to malfunctioning of light switch.
(5) times while driving the headlights and the dash lights went off and the anti-theft system light will come on and the vehicle will stall out. Problem is hard to duplicate while at dealership. Can not fix the problem.
Daytime running light switch designed to turn off running lights and turn on low beams when it gets dark, however it activates low beams during daylight hours, which activates dash lights, causing difficulty for driver to see dash controls/lgauges.
Service bulletins that may apply
Related recalls
Interior lighting
- What is wrong
- Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. These vehicles were built with the potential for the interior lamps to come on unexpectedly while the vehicles are being driven. This does not meet the requirements of fmvss no. 101, "controls and displays."
- Risk
- The interior lamps coming on unexpectedly could startle a driver causing a momentary loss of control increasing the risk of a vehicle accident.
- Remedy
- Dealers will run a diagnostic test on the lamp control module and, if necessary, replace it.
Recall number 98V027000 · Recall details
Exterior lighting: hazard flashing warning lights
- What is wrong
- The front and/or rear hazard warning lamps (four-way flashers) do not flash when the hazard switch is activated. This fails to comply with fmvss no. 108, "lamps, reflective devices, and associated equipment."
- Risk
- If these lamps were not flashing, other vehicles would not be aware that this vehicle was stopped increasing the risk of an accident.
- Remedy
- Dealers or vehicle owners will inspect for proper function of the hazard warning lamps. If necessary, dealers will replace the hazard lamp switch.
Recall number 96V250000 · Recall details
Questions about the 1996 Pontiac Grand Am headlights
Is headlights failing or too dim a common problem on the 1996 Pontiac Grand Am?
16 of 449 owner complaints about the 1996 Pontiac Grand Am (4%) mention headlights failing or too dim. The model year with the most reports is 1994.
Is there a recall or service bulletin for this on the 1996 Pontiac Grand Am?
There are 2 recalls and 1 service bulletin for the same area of the car. Check them below with your VIN.
Other symptoms on the 1996 Pontiac Grand Am
Stalling 27ABS 20Fire or smoke 14No deployment 13Ball joint 11Engine failure 10Loss of power 10Power windows 10Won't start 10Grinding brakes 9Airbag light 8Brake failure 8Jerking 8Transmission failure 8Check engine light 7Overheating 7
VIN decoder
See the problems and recalls for an exact car
Buying a used 1996 Pontiac Grand Am?
Check the exact car before you pay: accidents, salvage or flood titles, odometer readings and previous owners.
Check its history