1996 Pontiac Grand AM Air bags Problems
- Complaints
- 104about this part
- Share
- 23%of 450 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 125,299miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 104 complaints about the air bags of the 1996 Pontiac Grand AM, 23% of the 450 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 125,299 miles. 20 of these say a crash was involved and 2 a fire, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“I was driving down hiway the car died I turned it to the right to get off the hiway and the airbag on drivers side exploded, I had the car towed and was told the pass key system or theft system went bad in ignition switch and no explanation why air bag went off? Or how to fix any of it, this is now july and I am still having problems.”
NHTSA complaint #11003734, filed 2017-07, 163,000 miles“I was leaving my place of employment, had just backed out of my parking spot and put the car in drive. Started moving forward and the driver's side airbag deployed. No bumps, no contact with another vehicle. Just deployed. Steering wheel parts hit my arm, bruised it pretty well. Have since purchased another vehicle.”
NHTSA complaint #10583887, filed 2014-04, 190,000 miles“I was traveling along the highway going exactly 60 MPH when something popped causing me to lose control of my vehicle ( all passengers were in seat belts) we slid down a ditch hitting a light pole causing the vehicle to come to a stop neither the driver or the passenger bag deployed. We were traveling at a high rate of speed and the air bags malfunctioned causing my fiance to hit her head on the dash.”
NHTSA complaint #10340695, filed 2010-06, 20,478 miles“I have a 1996 ponitac Grand Am that has water in the passenger compartment. Gm sent a letter stating that the air bag module could deploy the air bags with warning while driving without a crash or when the key is turn on. This has many complaints but no one is doing anything. As a auto tech for my own safety as well of others there should be a recall and of the effective years or 96-98 grand ams. They said injuries have been reported already.”
NHTSA complaint #10290142, filed 2009-10, 186,000 miles“I stopped at a stop sign, started to creep forward to see if there was any oncoming traffic. I proceeded to go and I heard a loud sound like a gun shot. Looked over to the passenger side of the car and my airbag had deployed for no reason and no warning. Passenger side deployed but the drivers side did not. Airbag light was not on. I did not hit anything head on and the road was clear. No reason for air bag to go off.”
NHTSA complaint #10183419, filed 2007-02, 14,400 milesAir bags: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2005 | 10 | 10% |
| 2004 | 21 | 7% |
| 2003 | 20 | 6% |
| 2002 | 19 | 5% |
| 2001 | 14 | 3% |
| 2000 | 31 | 5% |
| 1999 | 76 | 9% |
| 1998 | 13 | 8% |
| 1997 | 41 | 11% |
| 1996 | 104 | 23% |
| 1995 | 46 | 11% |
| 1994 | 38 | 10% |
| 1993 | 1 | 0% |
| 1992 | 1 | 1% |
Other parts of the 1996 Pontiac Grand AM
122 complaintsEngine cooling
74 complaintsBrakes
64 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
37 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
33 complaintsSuspension
30 complaintsFuel system
25 complaintsBody and structure
24 complaintsExterior lighting
20 complaintsSteering
19 complaintsOther or unknown
15 complaintsEquipment
14 complaints
← All problems reported for the 1996 Pontiac Grand AM
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology