1996 Pontiac Grand AM Electrical System:ignition:switch Problems

NHTSA component category: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH · data through 07/12/2026

36Electrical System:ignition:switch complaints

8%Of all 450 complaints

#3Most-reported category

Source: U.S. NHTSA complaint data. Complaints are unverified reports from vehicle owners — a complaint is not a confirmed defect.

How electrical system:ignition:switch ranks on this vehicle

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL63 · 14%

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP37 · 8.2%

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH36 · 8%

AIR BAGS35 · 7.8%

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE33 · 7.3%

Share of the 450 complaints citing each category; one complaint can cite several. Full breakdown on the 1996 Pontiac Grand AM overview page.

What owners report

“WHEN CONSUMER SHUTS OFF THE ENGINE, THE IGNITION SWITCH DOES NOT GO ALL THE WAY TO WHERE HE COULD TAKE THE KEY OUT OF THE…”NHTSA complaint 825256 — filed 07/09/1998

“IGNITION KEY CANNOT BE MOVED FROM THE IGNITION WHEN THE VEHICLE IS TURNED OFF. IT TAKES ABOUT 10 MINUTES UP TO ONE HOUR BEFORE THE…”NHTSA complaint 825135 — filed 07/08/1998

Excerpts are shortened and scrubbed of personal details; they are individual, unverified reports.

Electrical System:ignition:switch complaints by year filed

Frequently asked questions

Does the 1996 Pontiac Grand AM have electrical system:ignition:switch problems?

Electrical System:ignition:switch is the #3 most-reported problem area on the 1996 Pontiac Grand AM: 36 of 450 complaints on file (8%). Complaints are unverified owner reports, not confirmed defects.

How many complaints does the 1996 Pontiac Grand AM have in total?

450 complaints were on file with NHTSA as of 07/12/2026. Across all categories, 33 involved a crash, 14 involved a fire, 69 reported injuries, and none reported deaths.

What does NHTSA's electrical system:ignition:switch category include?

NHTSA assigns each complaint to standard component categories; this page reports the ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH category exactly as NHTSA defines and records it.

About this data — Complaint figures on this page are consumer reports submitted to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), a U.S. government agency. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints; a complaint is not proof that a defect exists, and counts reflect what owners chose to report, not confirmed failure rates. Recall information comes from official NHTSA safety recall campaigns; recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Always check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. CarModelProblems.com is an independent site and is not affiliated with NHTSA or any vehicle manufacturer. Data through 07/12/2026.