ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:STARTER ASSEMBLY
1994 Pontiac Grand Am
Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data
Data refreshed
Overview
Our database contains 377 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1994 Pontiac Grand Am, most frequently naming the engine, electrical and brakes categories. 2 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; 2 NHTSA investigations name it; and 43 manufacturer communications are on file.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Complaint activity over time
When owners filed reports about this model year
View as table
| Month | Complaints filed | Cumulative |
|---|---|---|
| Oct 1999 | 2 | 176 |
| Nov 1999 | 7 | 183 |
| Dec 1999 | 3 | 186 |
| Jan 2000 | 6 | 192 |
| Feb 2000 | 7 | 199 |
| Mar 2000 | 4 | 203 |
| Apr 2000 | 1 | 204 |
| May 2000 | 1 | 205 |
| Jul 2000 | 4 | 209 |
| Aug 2000 | 7 | 216 |
| Sep 2000 | 8 | 224 |
| Oct 2000 | 4 | 228 |
| Nov 2000 | 2 | 230 |
| Dec 2000 | 7 | 237 |
| Jan 2001 | 23 | 260 |
| Feb 2001 | 13 | 273 |
| Mar 2001 | 7 | 280 |
| Apr 2001 | 6 | 286 |
| May 2001 | 5 | 291 |
| Jun 2001 | 4 | 295 |
| Jul 2001 | 6 | 301 |
| Aug 2001 | 6 | 307 |
| Sep 2001 | 2 | 309 |
| Oct 2001 | 2 | 311 |
| Nov 2001 | 1 | 312 |
| Jan 2002 | 1 | 313 |
| Feb 2002 | 3 | 316 |
| Mar 2002 | 3 | 319 |
| Apr 2002 | 1 | 320 |
| May 2002 | 4 | 324 |
| Jun 2002 | 3 | 327 |
| Aug 2002 | 3 | 330 |
| Sep 2002 | 5 | 335 |
| Oct 2002 | 1 | 336 |
| Dec 2002 | 1 | 337 |
| Mar 2003 | 2 | 339 |
| May 2003 | 3 | 342 |
| Jun 2003 | 1 | 343 |
| Jul 2003 | 2 | 345 |
| Aug 2003 | 1 | 346 |
| Nov 2003 | 1 | 347 |
| Dec 2003 | 2 | 349 |
| Jan 2004 | 4 | 353 |
| Feb 2004 | 3 | 356 |
| Mar 2004 | 1 | 357 |
| Jun 2004 | 3 | 360 |
| Aug 2004 | 1 | 361 |
| Sep 2004 | 1 | 362 |
| Oct 2004 | 1 | 363 |
| Feb 2005 | 1 | 364 |
| Apr 2005 | 1 | 365 |
| Jul 2005 | 1 | 366 |
| Aug 2005 | 2 | 368 |
| Feb 2006 | 2 | 370 |
| May 2006 | 1 | 371 |
| Feb 2008 | 1 | 372 |
| Aug 2008 | 2 | 374 |
| Feb 2009 | 1 | 375 |
| Jan 2013 | 1 | 376 |
| Aug 2013 | 1 | 377 |
What owners report
Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded
- Engine7516.0%
- Electrical6814.5%
- Brakes6614.1%
- Steering5612.0%
- Airbags388.1%
- Interior & seats265.6%
- Exterior lighting245.1%
- Visibility224.7%
Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.
Safety recalls
2 campaigns cover this model year
Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.
Check a VIN on NHTSA.govFUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY
Safety investigations
NHTSA inquiries naming this vehicle. An investigation is not a finding of a defect.
STEERING COLUMN FIRES
There is no summary currently available
STEERING COLUMN FIRE
ODI HAS EXPANDED THE SCOPE OF ITS INVESTIGATION OF STEERING COLUMN FIRES TO INCLUDE ALL MODELS BUILT ON THE N-PLATFORM.GM HAS INDICATED IN ITS RESPONSE THAT THE SUBJECT VEHICLES ARE EQUIPPED WITH A ROTARY IGNITION SWITCH THAT HAS BEEN IN USE IN A NUMBER OF VEHICLE MODELS SINCE 1991 ON BOTH THE N AND J-PLATFORMS.HOWEVER, THE 1994-1995 N-PLATFORM IS OVER REPRESENTED ACCOUNTING FOR 83 (81%) OF THE COMBINDED TOTAL OF 102 REPORTS DESPITE BEING ONLY 14.2% OF THE COMBINED POPULATION. OF THE 10 NEW REPORTS RECEIVED SINCE OPENING EA99-063, 7 INCLUDE ALLEGATIONS OF A NO START CONDITION WHEN ATTEMPTING TO ENGAGE THE STARTER.A FIRE IS CLAIMED TO HAVE ENSUED IN THE STEERING COLUMN IMMEDIATELY THERAFTER.GM ISSUED A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN (TSB) (NO. 433203) JULY 1994 WHIICH ADDRESSED OWNER COMPLAINTS THAT THE IGNITION SWITCH MAY NOT RETURN TO THE RUN POSITION AFTER THE VEHICLE HAS STARTED.THE TSB ADVISES THAT THE IGNITION SWITCH MOUNTING SCREWS MAY BE EXCESSIVELY TORQUED RESULTING IN DISTORTION OF THE SWITCH HOUSING.AN ENGINEERING ANALYSIS IS WARRANTED TO DETERMINE THE ROOT CAUSE(S) AND TO DETERMIN IF A SAFETY DEFECT EXISTS.
Recent owner complaints
Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words
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
- NHTSA ID
- 10535722
- Incident
- Jan 16, 2013
- Mileage
- 180,000 mi
I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY AND MY BACK FRAME THAT HOOKS TO THE TIRE BROKE IN HALF AND THE TIRE WENT FLYING IN THE AIR. IT LOOKS AS IF THERE IS A DEFAULT IN THE FRAME WHERE THE HUB IS CONNECTED. *TR
- NHTSA ID
- 10495153
- Incident
- Jan 29, 2013
1994 PONTIAC GRAND AM HAD A PROBLEM WITH THE DOOR LOCKS BUT IT TURNED OUT TO BE THE FUSE. *NJ THE CONSUMER BELIEVED THE FUSE THAT HE REPLACED WAS A HARBOR FREIGHT 15 AMP. RECENTLY A PENNY FELL INTO THE CIGARETTE LIGHTER AND CREATED A SHORT AND THE FUSE DID NOT BLOW. THIS RESULTED IN MELTING THE WIRE HARNESS. *JB
- NHTSA ID
- 10260148
- Incident
- Jan 1, 1901
STEERING COLUMN HAS COME LOOSE. TOOK TO A PONTIAC DEALER TO HAVE REPAIRED AND THEY REPLACED A PIN IN THE COLUMN. REPAIR WORKED FOR A YEAR AND A HALF BUT THE STEERING COLUMN HAS COME LOOSE AGAIN AND THE ENTIRE UNIT HAS FALLEN IN THE DRIVERS LAP WHILE DRIVING. HAVE BEEN ABLE TO PUSH THE PIN BACK IN SEVERAL TIMES, BUT IT DOES NOT STAY IN PLACE. HAVE NOT TAKEN BACK TO LOCAL DEALER BECAUSE THEY ARE EXPENSIVE AND DO NOT SEEM OVERLY COMPETENT. *TR
- NHTSA ID
- 10239402
- Incident
- Apr 20, 2008
- Mileage
- 82,000 mi
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1994 PONTIAC GRAND AM. THE CONTACT'S DAUGHTER ATTEMPTED TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE, BUT IT FAILED TO START. SHE EXITED THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED SMOKE INSIDE THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT UNDER THE STEERING COLUMN APPROXIMATELY 10 MINUTES LATER. THE SMOKE TURNED INTO FLAMES, WHICH WERE EXTINGUISHED BY THE FIRE DEPARTMENT. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 00V287000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:STARTER ASSEMBLY). THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 118,000.
- NHTSA ID
- 10239057
- Incident
- Nov 1, 2007
- Mileage
- 118,000 mi
HELLO. I WAS IN A CRASH,SANDWICHED BETWEEN 02 PICKUP TRUCKS. MY AIRBAGS NEVER DEPLOYED. MY CAR WAS CRUSHED! THE FORCE BROKE MY FRONT SEATS SLAM ME INTO THE DASH. THE TRUCK IN FRONT OF ME WAS STOP ALSO AS I WAS A GREEN TRUCK SLAM INTO ME AT 45 MILES AN HOUR CRUSHING ME AGAINST A WHITE PICKUP WAITING TO TURN LEFT INTO A GAS STATION. *TR
- NHTSA ID
- 10217424
- Incident
- Dec 31, 2004
- Mileage
- 125,000 mi
MY CAR, WHICH IS A 94 GRAND AM, IS A GOOD RUNNING CAR BUT I BEEN WORKING ON IT HARD TIME FOR 5 WEEKS TRYING TO GET IT TO RUN. IT HAS SOME PROBLEM WHERE THE FUEL PUMP FUSE KEEPS ON BLOWING ON IT. I REPLACE SPARK PLUG COIL, FUEL INJECTORS, FUEL PUMP, FUEL FILTER, UNDER THE HOOD WIRING HARNESS, CONTROL MODULE, IGNITION SWITCH, VACUUM LINES, AND THE LITTLE BOX THAT SOUNDS OFF YOUR ALARM WHEN YOU LEAVE THE LIGHTS ON AND/OR KEYS IN THE IGNITION WHEN YOU OPEN YOUR DOOR. I DON'T KNOW WHAT ELSE TO DO I AM TIRED OF BUSTING MY BUTT ON IT. IT TAKES A LOT FOR ME TO SAY THAT. *NM
- NHTSA ID
- 10157054
- Incident
- Mar 20, 2006
- Mileage
- 208,000 mi
94' PONTIAC GRAND AM QUAD 4 2.3L BLOWN HEAD GASKET OR MAYBE EVEN HEAD. CAN'T AFFORD TO HAVE IT FIXED. REPAIRS ESTIMATED AT $2300. THE CAR IS NOT EVEN WORTH THAT MUCH. GM KNOWS THIS ENGINE HAS BEEN A CONSTANT PROBLEM. THEY NEED TO RECALL IT!*JB
- NHTSA ID
- 10151259
- Incident
- Sep 23, 2005
- Mileage
- 123,000 mi
Manufacturer communications
A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.
EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:ANTI-THEFT DEVICES; EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:RADIO/TAPE DECK/CD ETC.
This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician on how to unlock radios that are Delco TheftLock. Technician will use the radio to get the scrambled code. Technician will need to contact the radio unlock center to retrieve the unlock code from the scrambled code. The PI update to version D is to advise the unlock procedure is temporarily unavailable. E version update is to add administrative details.
EQUIPMENT
This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician on how to unlock radios that are Delco TheftLock. Technician will use the radio to get the scrambled code. Technician will need to contact the radio unlock center to retrieve the unlock code from the scrambled code. The PI update to version D is to advise the unlock procedure is temporarily unavailable.
EQUIPMENT; EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY; EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:RADIO/TAPE DECK/CD ETC.
This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician on how to unlock radios that are Delco Theft Lock. Technician will use the radio to get the scrambled code. Technician will need to contact the radio unlock center to retrieve the unlock code from the scrambled code.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:ENGINE CONTROL MODULE (ECU/ECM)
Expanded Availability for Remanufacture and Return (R&R) Electronic Control Modules
SERVICE BRAKES, AIR:ANTILOCK:WHEEL SPEED SENSOR
VEHICLES MAY SET ANYONE OR A COMBINATION OF FRONT-WHEEL SPEED SENSOR ANTI-LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM CODES AS INTERMITTENT OR HARD FAILURES. GM VOICEMAIL EXPRESS. *TT
SERVICE BRAKES, AIR:ANTILOCK:WHEEL SPEED SENSOR
ANTI-LOCK BRAKING SYSTEM (ABS) FRONT WHEEL SPEED CODES - JUMPER HARNESS. *TT
Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.
Compare model years
Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model
| Year | Complaints | Recalls | Investigations | Issue Index |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2005 | 102 | 4 | 0 | 53.5 |
| 2004 | 293 | 4 | 0 | 52.9 |
| 2003 | 325 | 5 | 0 | 53.9 |
| 2002 | 395 | 4 | 1 | 54.2 |
| 2001 | 538 | 7 | 3 | 57.5 |
| 2000 | 675 | 8 | 5 | 62.3 |
| 1999 | 849 | 6 | 3 | 62.0 |
| 1998 | 172 | 3 | 1 | 57.1 |
| 1997 | 383 | 4 | 2 | 61.5 |
| 1996 | 450 | 6 | 2 | 63.7 |
| 1995 | 409 | 1 | 2 | 57.4 |
| 1994Viewing | 377 | 2 | 2 | 62.4 |
| 1993 | 204 | 1 | 0 | 46.8 |
| 1992 | 168 | 3 | 0 | 51.9 |
| 1991 | 82 | 3 | 0 | 54.6 |
| 1990 | 38 | 1 | 0 | 43.2 |
| 1989 | 44 | 3 | 1 | 58.9 |
| 1988 | 31 | 3 | 4 | 63.3 |
| 1987 | 28 | 3 | 3 | 65.5 |
| 1986 | 11 | 2 | 2 | 58.9 |
| 1985 | 4 | 5 | 3 | — |
| 1984 | 0 | 0 | 1 | — |
| 1983 | 1 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 1981 | 0 | 0 | 1 | — |
| 1980 | 0 | 1 | 1 | — |
| 1979 | 0 | 1 | 1 | — |
| 1978 | 0 | 5 | 1 | — |
| 1975 | 0 | 1 | 0 | — |
| 1973 | 1 | 3 | 0 | — |
Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.