VehicleVerdict

1996 Pontiac Grand AM steering problems

The 1996 Pontiac Grand AM has 20 steering complaints filed with NHTSA — 3% of the year's total, and up sharply from the prior model year.

20

Steering complaints

3%

Share of year

1

Crash-involved

1

Related recalls

Steering complaints by year

Related recalls

96V249000SteeringDecember 17, 1996 · 424 units

Defect

THE STEERING COLUMN LOWER PINCH BOLT WAS NOT PROPERLY TIGHTENED DURING ASSEMBLY.

Consequence

AN UNDERTORQUED PINCH BOLT CAN RATTLE AND CAUSE LOOSENESS IN THE STEERING SYSTEM. IF THE PINCH BOLT BACKED OUT OF THE JOINT COMPLETELY, ROTATION OF THE STEERING SHAFT AGAINST THE CONNECTOR COULD CAUSE INCREASING LOOSENESS IN THE STEERING SYSTEM AND RESULT IN LOSS OF STEERING AND AN ACCIDENT.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE STEERING COLUMN PINCH BOLT FOR CORRECT TORQUE AND, IF NECESSARY, TIGHTEN THE BOLT TO THE SPECIFIED TORQUE.

Common questions

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

NHTSA has 20 complaints about the 1996 Pontiac Grand AM steering — 3% of all complaints filed for that model year.

Are there recalls for the 1996 Pontiac Grand AM steering?

Yes — 1 NHTSA recall campaign for this model year is tied to the steering: 96V249000.

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.