VehicleVerdict

1996 Pontiac Grand AM lighting problems

The 1996 Pontiac Grand AM has 26 lighting complaints filed with NHTSA — 4% of the year's total, and down from the prior model year.

26

Lighting complaints

4%

Share of year

2

Crash-involved

2

Related recalls

Lighting complaints by year

Grand AM lighting complaints by model year182 complaints1985: 1 complaints1986: 2 complaints1992: 7 complaints1993: 5 complaints1994: 27 complaints1995: 37 complaints1996: 26 complaints1997: 13 complaints1998: 3 complaints1999: 84 complaints2000: 182 complaints2001: 109 complaints2002: 106 complaints2003: 70 complaints2004: 60 complaints2005: 15 complaints
Grand AM lighting complaints by model year. Red bars are years to avoid.

Related recalls

98V027000LightingFebruary 17, 1998 · 249,420 units

Defect

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."

Consequence

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.

96V250000LightingDecember 17, 1996 · 270,014 units

Defect

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."

Consequence

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.

Common questions

How many lighting complaints does the 1996 Pontiac Grand AM have?

NHTSA has 26 complaints about the 1996 Pontiac Grand AM lighting — 4% of all complaints filed for that model year.

Are there recalls for the 1996 Pontiac Grand AM lighting?

Yes — 2 NHTSA recall campaigns for this model year are tied to the lighting: 96V250000, 98V027000.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.