1996 Pontiac Grand Am transmission problems

Filed May 21, 2004 · Transmission · 102,353 miles · OH

Transmission locks without warning. As result, vehicle surges uncontrollably.

Filed Mar 6, 2003 · Engine, Transmission · 78,000 miles · CA

In the past 4 months, I have replaced my heater core, because it is plastic, and then the radiator, now the head gasket. Problems of this nature first surfaced with heater core failure, which is made of plastic and then proceeds through the cooling to system, to my current problem, head gasket replacement. The water pump and transmission have both been replaced, while under the new car warranty. I took my car to hardin pontiac in anaheim, ca at 3 pm on march 4th. They have now had my car 2 days and they want to charge me another $80 to further diagnose my coolant leak. I have opened a file w/pontiac, ref # 1-78-69-0865. Pontiac determined that, as I am the second owner, the age of the car (1996) and number of miles (82,622) they have no responsibility. I explained to her, that while I am the 2nd owner, I purchased the car while it was still under their 3 year/36,000 mile warranty. And while under warranty, my transmission & water pump had been replaced. The cooling system problems began while under the new car warranty. Also gm's n' car series has numerous problems with their cooling systems, I am being penalized, primarily, because I am the second owner, rather than the original owner. My car has been maintained and serviced as specified in their owner??s manual. While speaking w/pontiac, I was told there is an open recall on the ignition system, apparently it is know to overheat and melt, rendering the car undrivable. It appears gm's overheating issues are not limited to their cooling system and cheap plastic parts. I requested that the service rep, mr. Romero, explain why he felt they needed to further diagnose my coolant leak, is the head gasket leaking, or not? Mr. Romero, did indeed diagnose what he termed an "external coolant leak' in other words a leak at the head gasket. At this point, I have instructed ernie to handle the recall problem with the ignition only. Pontiac has minimized the problem and conveyed that it does not warrant immediate attention.

Filed Sep 4, 2002 · Transmission, Visibility · CA

The day I bought this vehicle the right passenger power motor went out. Within the next few weeks, the other three also went bad. My gear shifter light blinks on and off at times, the daytime running lights come on and off, the radio light comes on and off, the cigarette light fuse blows all the time. Irvine toyota told me there was no electricle problem and that pontiacs were notorious for their window motors heating up and going out. All they do is keep replacing the motors. Last night I was driving down the street and had complete power failure in the car. I was almost hit by an oncoming vehicle.

Filed Jun 3, 2002 · Transmission · HI

When driving speedometer is not working properly. Cause unknown.

Filed Mar 1, 2002 · Electrical, Engine · MO

We have had coolant loss three times with no visible leakage. We were informed that the car was "sucking the coolant in" rather than leaking out. We have had to have the intake manifold gasket replaced 3 times. The 1st time, the dealer replaced intake manifold gasket & oil pump drive ring and valve cover gasket leaking. The 2nd time, the dealer simple resealed the intake gasket but did not replace. The 3rd time, the dealer replaced the upper and lower intake gaskets and rechecked for leaks. All of these repairs were covered under either the original warranty or the extended warranty (good thru 72,000 mi). We now have almost 70,000 mi on this car and the engine is shot! The main throttle bearing gaulded and the extended warranty company is denying our claim (even though we have 2,000 mi left on extended warranty) because they say the oil is "contaminated". I have maintained regular oil changes and am due for an oil change in approx 200 mi. The dealership did not inform me that I should have had the oil changed after any of the coolant leak repairs. Also, we had to have the alternator replaced when then car was just 2 yrs old. Plus we had to have the r&r shaft seal & bearing kit replaced 3 times due to squeaking noise coming from steering column. Also had to have shifter assemply replaced because the key was sticking in the ignition.

Filed Sep 9, 2001 · Transmission · MI

No summary listed for above vehicle.

Filed Oct 6, 2000 · Engine, Transmission · CA

Due to shell reaction converter, transmission malfunctioned, which may cause a crash. There is a new design for this part. Please provide further information.

Filed Oct 6, 2000 · Transmission · CA

Without prior warning automatic transmision failed/went out when attemtping to place vehicle in reverse. Consumer contacted dealer. Dealer noticed a place within transmisison was missing teeth which caused malfunctioning of transmission. Also, manufacturer has changed the design of the part to prevent pieces of the teeth from breaking. Please provide any further details.

Filed Jul 14, 2000 · Transmission · TX

When consumer starts vehicle tachometer drops down to 0, and then it goes up to where it suppose to be.

Filed Mar 24, 2000 · Engine, Transmission · NY

Transmission failed two times.