10.0
really awful- Crashes / Fires:
- 1 / 2
- Injuries / Deaths:
- 15 / 0
- Average Mileage:
- 89,990 miles
About These NHTSA Complaints:
The NHTSA is the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints can be spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem. See the Back button — blue bar at the very top of the page — to explore more.
« Read the previous 20 complaints
The contact owns a 1996 Pontiac Grand Am. While driving 25 mph uphill, both front air bags deployed. The contact was unable to notify the dealer due to a weekend schedule. The vehicle is currently at her place of employment. The failure mileage was 172,000.
- Greenbay, WI, USA
Air bags driver and passenger deployed while driving car for no reason no auto crash.
- Bath, OR, USA
My daughter's vehicle air bag came on. We made a appointment with the garage. Meanwhile on the way to work she turned the key on and the air bag went off. Injuries were sustained.
- Potsdam, NY, USA
- the contact owns a 1996 Pontiac Grand Am. Three of the customers children while driving at 25 mph the driver side and passenger side air bags deployed without warning. No warning lights illuminated before or after they deployed. The driver sustained bruises and some abrasions from the air bag, including a minor injury to his eye when a piece of plastic popped off. GMC offered the contact $3,000 for the vehicle, and stated that they would assume liability. However, they were unable to diagnose the failure. The current and failure mileage were 95,000. The consumer stated that her daughter also sustained minor burns and injuries. Updated 10/16/07
- Oxford, MI, USA
A tech issue memo issued from Pontiac/GM dated April, 1998 stated that owners may claim water leaking into the front passenger compartment of the car due to an inferior adhesive used during the manufacturing process on the top vent grille... was given to me by my mechanic, after I disvoered water leakage on my passenger area floor for 2 years (which I attributed to my negligence only) until this water leakage finally caused a short in my air bag module (located under the front passenger seat) which caused all of the other car electrical systems to short out. Seal to the top vent grille was replaced, short repaired, airbag module was disconnected and the battery was replaced. The airbag module will be replaced at a later date when I can afford it. This totals $956.99 (including NY sales tax) which I requested Pontiac reimburse me for. They steadfastedly refuse to reimburse me due to basically 4 things: (1) the warranty time expired on the car, (2) the age of the car, (3) the fact that I didn't bring it directly to Pontiac to fix it (4) the fact that it wasn't a recall... my arguement is: (1) the warranty expiring shouldn't absolve GM/Pontiac of responsibility of the defect, (2) the normal wear and tear on this car (in spite of it's age) wouldn't have produced this water damage if the top vent grille was properly sealed in the manufacturing process by Pontiac in the first place (3) I didn't know that Pontiac caused this problem until after the damage was done and my mechanic told me about the tech issue memo (I have a copy) and (4) why wasn't this a recall? I sent a letter to Pontiac's customer assistance center in detroit, mi on or about June 27, 2005 with all relevant documentation backing up my claim (yours for the asking), who called me back today, refusing to reimburse me on this claim. I know that negligence by Pontiac caused some major damage to my car of which I believe I should be reimbursed for.
- Bronx, NY, USA
On wenesday December 15 at approximentally 7:20 P.M. I went out to my boyfriend, scott fuller's car to roll up a window that was down. As I placed the key in the ignition, and turned 1 click, the air bag spontaneously deployed in my face. I have a cut in the middle of my throat, and I bit through my lip on the right side, I have bruising on the left side of my chest and I can barely hear in me left ear. His windows are electric that is why I needed to put the key in the ignition. He has a 1996 Pontiac Grand Am GT, VIN # 2nw12M6tc813666, car mileage:142,441and his insurance company is aa&J insurance company 109 E. main St. Gouverneur N.Y. 13642 policy # 17772843-1.
- Gouverneur, NY, USA
While sitting at a red light passenger's side air bag deployed. Also, while turning into a parking lot driver's side air bag deployed. Vehicle was filled with CO2.
- Waterford Township, MI, USA
While leaving a parking space air bag deployed by itself. Vehicle was not in a crash. Dealer contacted.
- Buffalo, NY, USA
Constant problems mostly electrical, but from windows and locks to major things like alternators and ignition switches multiple times. Contacted Pontiac over a year and never heard even a reply. Any recalls or factory fix info would be appreciated.
- Sebastian, FL, USA
In June 2000 horn started sounding off at all hours I have to tap the horn several times to make it stop. I took the grandam to a Pontiac dealership courtesy of lex. The service dept. Iformed me that my airbag was swelling and could deploy at anytime. They were going to charge me $700 to replace the system. I refused. I feel that this is a factory defect.
- Lexington, KY, USA
The sensor, due to water in and under the carpeting, caused the driver side air bag to deploy.
- Mounds View, MN, USA
The sensor, due to water in and under the carpeting, caused the driver side air bag to deploy.
- Mounds View, MN, USA
Violent deployment of air bag during collision, resulting in injuries to head, neck and face.
- Wheeling, WV, USA
Unspecified: Consumer is concerned about air bag being to close to her chest, air bag warnings indicate she is positioned too close to the missile and will suffer injury on deployment. The law states that the dealership cannot remove the air bag.
- Los Angeles, CA, USA
- Bath, NY, USA