RoadVitals

1994 Pontiac Grand Am Owner Complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers, shown in full

Data refreshed

Complaints on fileComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
377
Latest Aug 16, 2013
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
86
Filed in the last 12 monthsReports filed with NHTSA in the trailing 365 days. Recent volume reflects attention and vehicle age as much as anything else.
0
Reports on file since Jan 9, 1995

What this page shows

Our database holds 377 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1994 Pontiac Grand Am. Each one is a report filed by an owner or driver and published by NHTSA without most of them being verified. A complaint is not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. Narratives are shown exactly as filed.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

Complaints, most recent first

Showing 1–25 of 377 · page 1 of 16

BrakesEngineExterior lighting
Filed Aug 16, 2013

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

NHTSA ID
10535722
Incident
Jan 16, 2013
Mileage
180,000 mi
Other / unspecifiedTires & wheels
Filed Jan 29, 2013

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
Electrical
Filed Feb 27, 2009

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
Filed Aug 22, 2008

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
Electrical
Filed Aug 20, 2008
Fire reported

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
Airbags
Filed Feb 8, 2008
Crash reported1 injury reported

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
ElectricalEngine
Filed May 9, 2006

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
Engine
Filed Feb 26, 2006

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
Engine
Filed Feb 26, 2006

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
10151258
Incident
Sep 23, 2005
Mileage
123,000 mi
Engine
Filed Aug 22, 2005

DT: CONTACT STATED SHE IS HAVING PROBLEMS WITH A USED CAR THAT SHE PURCHASED ON 5-31-05. ON JUNE 3, 2005 THE RADIATOR WAS LEAKING. WHEN SHE TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER TO HAVE IT INSPECTED THEY TOLD HER THAT OIL AND ANTIFREEZE WERE LEAKING INTO THE ENGINE. THEY INSISTED THAT SHE WOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR ENGINE REPAIRS. *AL

NHTSA ID
10133734
Incident
Jul 28, 2005
Mileage
150,000 mi
Electrical
Filed Aug 3, 2005

THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM ON MY 94 GRANDAM TOOK IT TO STUART PONTAIC IN ENID,OK TO HAVE THE RECALL FIXED THEY PUT A RELAY ON THE CAR BUT DIDN'T CHANGE THE IGNITION SWITCH ON THE CAR CAUSING THE CARE TO LOOSE POWER WHEN THE CAR WAS DRIVEN IN THE HEAT OF THE DAY CAUSING THE CAR TO LOOSE POWER AND DIE WHEN GOING OVER 40 MPH,CONTACTED PONTAIC AND THEY MADE THE DEALERSHIP REPLACE THE IGNITION SWITCH BUT WOULD NOT REPLACE THE WIRING GOING TO THE IGNITION SWITCH, WHICH IF NOT REPLACED WOULD OF CAUSED THE CAR TO CATCH ON FIRE , ON MY WAY HOME FROM WORK ON 7/30 WHILE GOING 70 MPH THE CAR DIED 9 TIMES,. I PUT THE CAR IN NEUTRAL TO START IT , AND FINALLY GOT THE CAR HOME. *NM

NHTSA ID
10131473
Incident
Jul 30, 2005
Mileage
225,620 mi
Powertrain (other)
Filed Jul 6, 2005

DT: WHEN DRIVING OVER A POT HOLE THREE DAYS AGO, THE FRONT AXLE BROKE, RESULTING IN DAMAGE TO THE TIRE AND THE WHEEL. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN SEEN BY A SERVICE DEALER. THERE WAS NO PROBLEM BEFORE THE AXLE BROKE OFF. THERE WAS NO ACCIDENT, POLICE REPORT AND DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE HAS NOT YET BEEN ASSESSED.*AK

NHTSA ID
10127700
Incident
Jul 3, 2005
Mileage
176,000 mi
Driver assistanceSuspension
Filed Apr 4, 2005

WHILE DRIVING A LOUD CLICKING NOISE FROM THE FRONT END WAS PRODUCED. DEALER STATED THE CONTROL ARM AND THE STABILIZER BAR BUSHINGS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *AK

NHTSA ID
10117373
Incident
Apr 4, 2005
Mileage
150,210 mi
EngineVisibility
Filed Feb 8, 2005

I REPLACED THE HEATER CORE IN MY CAR AND AN UPPER RADIATOR HOSE AND NOW I HAVE PROBLEMS WITH THE ANTIFREEZE LEAKIN OUT FROM BETWEEN THE ENGINE BLOCK AND THE INTAKE MANIFOLD WHICH INDICATES THAT I NEED A NEW INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET AS WEEL AS VALVE COVER GASKETS DUE TO THE FACT THAT IT IS LEAKIN OUT THERE AS WELL. I SPENT $250 ON REPALCING THE HEATER CORE AND $45 ON THE UPPER RADIATOR HOSE TO BE REPAIRED FROM THE DEALER THAT I BOUGHT THE CAR FROM. I WAS TOLD BY A FRIEND THAT HER GRAND AM WAS RECALLED DUE TO A HEAD GASKET PROBLEM. PLEASE INFORM ME OF A POSSIBLE SOLOUTION.*AK

NHTSA ID
10110141
Incident
Nov 10, 2004
Mileage
74,258 mi
Engine
Filed Oct 12, 2004

WHILE DRIVING,THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE CONSUMER TRIED TO RESTART THE VEHICLE BUT WAS UNABLE TO DO SO. THE CONSUMER HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE MECHANIC INFORMED THE DRIVER THAT THE HEAD GASKET HAD BLEW AND NEEDED REPLACEMENT. THE DRIVER INFORMED THE MECHANIC. THIS PROBLEM HAS OCCURRED MORE THAN ONCE AND HAS NOT BEEN RESOLVED. PLEASE FILL IN ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. *JB

NHTSA ID
10096644
Incident
Oct 12, 2004
Engine
Filed Sep 14, 2004

WAS JUST DRIVING AND IT OVERHEATED, REPLACED WATER PUMP, SENSORS, WIRES, HEATER COIL, THEMORSTAT TWICE, ALL TO NO AVAIL, TOOK IT TO 2 MECHANICS AND THEY COULDNT FIGURE OUT WHAT WAS WRONG WITH IT. CLEANED OUT THE RADITOR WITH A COMPLETE FLUSH AND RUN FINE FOR ABOUT 2 MONTHS, WE ALSO PUT 2 NEW COMPUTERS INTO IT.

NHTSA ID
10090960
Incident
Jul 1, 2003
Mileage
145,200 mi
Powertrain (other)
Filed Aug 6, 2004
Crash reported1 injury reported

I HAVE A 1994 PONTIAC GRAND AM SE.I WAS COMING AROUND A TURN AND THE DRIVERS REAR AXLE SNAPPED CAUSING THE WHEEL TO FALL OFF. THERE WAS NO WARNING. I COULDN'T REGAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AFTER THE WHEEL CAME OFF AND WRECKED INTO AN EMBANKMENT ROLLING AND, TOTALING THE VEHICLE.*AK

NHTSA ID
10086291
Incident
Jul 30, 2004
Mileage
157,000 mi
Electrical
Filed Jun 28, 2004
Fire reported

WHILE DRIVING 50-55 MPH CONSUMER NOTICED SMOKE COMING OUT THE DRIVER'S AIR BAG. CONSUMER IMMEDIATELY PULLED OVER, TURNED THE ENGINE OFF, AND GOT OUT. WITHIN TWO MINUTES VEHICLE WAS ON FIRE. *AK

NHTSA ID
10080048
Incident
Jun 28, 2004
Steering
Filed Jun 15, 2004
Fire reported

WHILE PULLING IN A PARKING LOT, THE STEERING COLUMN CAUGHT FIRE WITHOUT WARNING. AS A RESULT THE VEHICLE WAS A TOTAL LOSS. NO INJURIES REPORTED. PLEASE PROVIDE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. *LA

NHTSA ID
10079272
Incident
May 15, 2000
Mileage
125,000 mi
BrakesEngineSuspension+1 more
Filed Jun 4, 2004

PROBLEMS WITH BRAKES, EXHAUST, TIRES, SHOCKS, AND SUSPENSION ON 1994 PONTIAC GRAND AM. *MR THE CONSUMER REQUESTED ASSISTANCE WITH THE REPAIRS NEEDED. THE VEHICLE ALSO NEEDED A COMPRESSOR. *SC *JB

NHTSA ID
10075859
Incident
Jun 4, 2004
Exterior lighting
Filed Mar 29, 2004

CONSUMER STATED THERE WAS AN ELECTRICAL SHORT IN THE SWITCH THAT CONTROLLED THE HEADLIGHTS. THE HEADLIGHTS FAILED TO COME ON. *AK

NHTSA ID
10065148
Incident
Mar 20, 2004
Mileage
104,900 mi
Driver assistanceElectricalFuel system
Filed Feb 28, 2004

I BOUGHT THIS CAR USED AT A DEALERSHIP, I.E., BILL KELLEY CHEVROLET, AND WAS NOT GIVEN INFORMATION ABOUT THE RECALLS . THE CAR HAS NOT BEEN ABLE TO WORK PROPERLY AND THE DEALER WHO SOLD US THE CAR REFUSES TO GIVE US ANY HELP. MY SON PAID AN ADDITIONAL 300 TO GET THE CAR IN WORKING ORDER AND 3 DAYS LATER IT IS STILL NOT WORKING. I BELIEVE THEY SHOULD HAVE INFORMED US OF THE RECALL NOTICES TO REPAIR SAID CAR.*AK

NHTSA ID
10059985
Incident
Jan 6, 2004
Electrical
Filed Feb 11, 2004
Fire reported

I OWNED A 1994 PONTIAC GRAND AM THAT CAUGHT FIRE APPROXIMATELY 9/30/02 AND I RECENTLY LEARNED THAT THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE IGNITION SWITCH ON CERTAIN MODELS BECAUSE OF FIRE THAT COULD OCCUR. I WANT TO KNOW WHAT I NEED TO DO TO FILE A CLAIM SINCE I LOST MY VEHICLE DUE TO THE EXTENSIVE DAMAGE CAUSED BY THE FIRE THAT OCCURED. THE VEHICLE WAS UNDER MY PRIOR NAME OF ZOBEIDA DIAZ. THAT WAS THE NAME ON THE TITLE. TITLE IS HELD BY FIRST FIDELITY BANK OF OKLAHOMA CITY SINCE I STILL OWE ON THE LOAN FOR THIS VEHICLE.*AK

NHTSA ID
10057023
Incident
Sep 30, 2002
Steering
Filed Feb 4, 2004

STEERING COLUMN TILT PINS BECAME LOOSE, ENTIRE STEERING WHEEL UPPER ASSEMBLY BROKE LOOSE FROM STEERING COLUMN AND LANDED IN DRIVERS LAP, HELD ON ONLY BY THE WIRES. VEHICLE WAS FORTUNATELY MOVING AT A SLOW SPEED AND DRIVER WAS ABLE TO STOP WITH OUT INJURY. VEHICLE COULD NOT BE STEERED AT ALL. *AK

NHTSA ID
10056500
Incident
Feb 3, 2004
Mileage
158,824 mi
Visibility
Filed Jan 15, 2004

I BOUGHT THE CAR FROM A DEALER IN FEBRUARY 2000 WITH 8000 MILES ON IT. SINCE THAT TIME I HAVE HAD THE DRIVERS SIDE DOOR WINDOW ENGINE REPLACED 3 TIMES. EACH TIME THEY TELL ME THE MOTOR OR TRACK SYSTEM HAS BROKEN AND SINCE THEY ARE ONE UNIT IT NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. IN FEBRUARY OF THIS YEAR THE HOOD OF THE CAR HAS STARTED TO PEEL SEVERELY, IT IS NOW UP BOTH SIDE OF THE HOOD FROM THE NOSE TO THE TOP BY THE WINDOW. MAACO SAYS THEY WILL NEED TO SAND THE HOOD DOWN AND REPAINT THE ENTIRE CAR AND THAT IS ABOUT $900. WHAT CAN I DO????

NHTSA ID
10070304
Incident
Feb 15, 2001
Mileage
26,000 mi

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.

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