AI Damage1996 Pontiac Trans AM: common problems
Owners of the 1996 Pontiac Trans AM filed 4 complaints with NHTSA, most often about electrical system and engine and cooling. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 4
What fails most often
- 1 Electrical system 25% of all complaints
- 2 Engine and cooling 25% of all complaints
- 3 Powertrain 25% of all complaints
- 4 Steering 25% of all complaints
- 5 Suspension 25% of all complaints
- Electrical system: 1 complaints (25% of all).
- Engine and cooling: 1 complaints (25% of all).
- Powertrain: 1 complaints (25% of all).
- Steering: 1 complaints (25% of all).
- Suspension: 1 complaints (25% of all).
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 4 NHTSA complaints mention each symptom (automatic count from complaint text; one complaint can mention several).
Components owners complain about
| Component | Owner complaints | involving a crash | Technical service bulletins (TSB) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical system | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Engine and cooling | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Powertrain | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Steering | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Suspension | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Other | 1 | 0 | 0 |
What owners report
Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.
Shifter can be moved from park to reverse or drive without pushing thumb button or stepping on brake pedal. Attempted repair by dealer made problem worse not better.
Grinding and pinging noise from underneath the vehicle while accelerating and braking, dealership has failed to locate noise and fix the problem.
Drains battery. Vehicle has been in garage 7 times since recent purchase. Dealer has not been able to fix. Service bulletin found on this problem: bulletin # [phone]34 through internet research on edmunds.com . Nhtsa item #sb054345. Vision greatly impaired when night driving because of lights not going off.
Consumer has noticed an oil leak. Also, coolent leaking, and causing very bad fumes/odor in to enter into the passenger's compartment. The occupant became sick. Consumer has contacted dealer, dealer has yet to determine the cause of the problem. Please provide any further details.
When owners complained
NHTSA complaints by filing year. The peak shows at what age the problems show up most.
Comparison
By complaint count this model year ranks 15,524 of 36,659 model years in the NHTSA data (top 42% most complained about).
On average one model year of the Trans AM has 6 complaints (22 years in the data). This year has 4, below average.
What to check before buying
- Electrical system. Scan all modules, test the battery and alternator, inspect connectors near the impact zone.
- Engine and cooling. Radiator and fan after a frontal hit, coolant level and condition, overheating.
- Powertrain. Shift quality under load, harsh shifts, transmission codes, CV joints.
- Steering. Steering play, power assist, rack and tie rods after a wheel impact.
Other years of this model
Questions and answers
What are the most common problems with the 1996 Pontiac Trans AM?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: electrical system, engine and cooling, powertrain. Total complaints: 4. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: battery drain (25%), knocking, grinding or other noise (25%), oil leak or consumption (25%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 1996 Pontiac Trans AM?
NHTSA lists 0 manufacturer service bulletins for this year. A bulletin tells dealers how to diagnose or fix a known issue; it is not a recall.
Should I buy a 1996 Pontiac Trans AM from a US auction?
Owner complaints describe defects, not crash damage. Before bidding, check the components listed above and review the lot photos: VinWind builds a report of visible and hidden damage by VIN.
Other 1996 models
Read also
Sources: public NHTSA data (USA): service bulletins and owner complaints; YouTube: links to videos credited to their authors. Complaints are owner statements not verified by NHTSA, and describe defects rather than crash damage. Data updated 2026-11-06.