RoadVitals

1995 Pontiac Grand Am Transmission Problems

Owner-reported complaints naming the transmission system, filed with NHTSA

Data refreshed

Transmission reportsComplaints 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.
27
Latest Dec 2, 2005
Share of all reportsThis category as a share of every owner report on file for this model year. One report can name more than one component, so the categories overlap.
7%
of 409 total
Crash or fire reportedReports in this category whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. The reporter's own answer on the NHTSA form, not a verified finding.
4
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
4

What this page shows

Reports naming the automatic or manual transmission, including shifting behaviour, shudder, slipping and transmission control modules. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 1995 Pontiac Grand Am submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 27 reports on file name it.

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

Owner reports naming transmission

The 25 most recent of 27, in the owner's own words

Body & structureBrakesElectrical+4 more
Filed Dec 2, 2005

1995 PONTIAC GRAND AM OVERHEATING. REPLACED THE THERMOSTAT FOUR TIMES AND FINALLY THE HEAD GASKETS WARPED. PAID FOR THE HEAD GASKET REPLACEMENT. CONTINUED TO OVERHEAT AND CALLED GENERAL MOTORS. MEDIATOR WAS OF VERY LITTLE HELP. TOOK IT BACK UNDER THE REPAIR WARRANTY, THEN THE RADIATOR BLEW BECAUSE THEY HAD REPLACED THE RADIATOR CAP WITH A HIGHER PRESSURE RATING. WE TOOK IT BACK AND THEY REPLACED THE RADIATOR, HOSES, HEATER CORE AND NUMEROUS OTHER THINGS. IT CONTINUED TO OVERHEAT. IN GENERAL WE HAVE SPENT ABOUT $2500.00 AND STILL HAVE THIS ISSUE. ADDITIONALLY, WE NOW HAVE THE ABS WARNING LIGHT COMING ON OCCASIONALLY AND I FOUND SOME ENGINE WIRES TWISTED UP OVER THE MANIFOLD. I HAVE SINCE MOVED THEM BACK TO THEIR ORIGINAL LOCATION AND HAD TO USE ELECTRICAL TAPE ON ANOTHER WIRE CONNECTION THAT THE LOCK (SNAP) WAS BROKE OFF. SINCE DOING THIS I HAVE NOT HAD THE CAR OVERHEATING AS OFTEN. ADDITIONALLY SINCE REPAIRS WERE MADE, WE NOW HAVE HEAVY CONDENSATION ON THE INTERIOR WINDSHIELD, (WINDOW WIPERS ON THE INSIDE COULD BE A SOLUTION...) ALONG WITH PUDDLES OF WATER ON THE PASSENGER FLOOR AND IN THE TRUNK....GOD ONLY KNOWS WHAT THEY DID TO MY CAR AFTER I CALLED GENERAL MOTORS, EVERYTHING JUST SEEMED TO GET WORSE FROM THERE.. COINCIDENCE, I THINK NOT. THEY ARE NOW BANKRUPT SO THERE IS NO RECOURSE IN MY CASE OF RETRIEVING MONEY NEEDLESSLY SPENT ON REPAIRS THEY SHOULD HAVE FIXED PROPERLY IN THE FIRST PLACE. AND WHILE I'M AT IT, I WONDER IF THEY EVER TOOK CAR OF THAT IGNITION RECALL? I AM STILL DRIVING THE CAR WHEN IT IS BEHAVING BUT I HAVE BEEN HAVING TO HOLD THE IGNITION SWITCH TO GET THE CAR TO START WHICH I HADN'T HAD TO DO BEFORE... ARE THEY WAITING FOR MY CAR TO CATCH ON FIRE DUE TO THIS IGNITION PROBLEM? THE SMARTEST THING WOULD BE TO TAKE IT TO SOMEONE ELSE BUT NO ONE WANTS TO TOUCH THE CAR AFTER FINDING OUT IT WAS AT THE OTHER DEALERSHIP SO WHERE DO I GO NOW? AND A REPLY ON THAT SURE WOULD BE A BIG HELP! *JB

NHTSA ID
10144193
Incident
Jul 14, 2003
Mileage
165 mi
Interior & seatsTransmission
Filed Apr 8, 2004
Crash reported2 injuries reported

1. THE TRANSMISSION SLIPPED INTO NEUTRAL AT HIGHWAY SPEED IN CLOSE TRAFFIC, CAUSING LOSS OF CONTROL TO ESCAPE COLLISION WITH ADJACENT VEHICLES. THE CAR IS TOTALLED. WE HAVE FOUND A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN #677164 FEB 1997 FROM ALLDATA LISTING THIS DEFECT BUT WE ARE NOT AWARE OF ANY ACTION TAKEN BY THE MFG TO RECALL OR REMEDY THE DEFECT. 2. THE FRONT SEATS IN THIS AND OTHER GM COUPES OF THIS TYPE HAVE DEFECTIVE SEAT BACK LOCKS. THIS DEFECT PREVENTS THE SEATS FROM STAYING LOCKED IN AN UPRIGHT POSITION DURING A COLLISION. THEREBY, ALLOWING THE DRIVER AND FRONT PASSENGER TO BE PROPELLED FORWARD AND ALLOWING ANYONE OR ANYTHING IN THE REAR SEAT TO ADD ADDITIONAL CRUMPLING IMPACT ON THE FRONT PASSENGERS. *AK

NHTSA ID
10065779
Incident
Apr 5, 2004
Mileage
121,000 mi
BrakesElectricalTransmission
Filed Jul 14, 2003

WOULD HAVE KNOCKING UNDER THE VEHICLE WHEN CHANGING GEARS. ALSO, THERE WOULD BE SOME LOOSE WIRES THAT WOULD NEED TO BE PLACED ON THE BATTERY TO GET VEHICLE TO START. THE BRAKE LIGHTS COME ON AT THE WRONG TIME. VEHICLE ALSO WILL BE SQUEAKING. THE LIGHTS FAIL TO WORK PROPERLY BECAUSE THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM IS NOT WORKING. HAVE TAKEN VEHICLE TO ARBITRATION. THE DEALERSHIP WAS SUPPOSE TO DO REPAIRS ON THE PROBLEMS, BUT FAILED TO DO SO. PROBLEMS STILL EXIST.*AK

NHTSA ID
10027165
Transmission
Filed Apr 21, 2003

THE VEHICLE FAILED TO ACCELERATE, HOWEVER THE ENGINE CONTINUED TO RUN. *JB

NHTSA ID
10017213
Incident
Apr 16, 2003
Transmission
Filed Aug 20, 2001

TRANSMISSION IS SLIPPING, BEFORE ENGAGING INTO GEAR. *AK

NHTSA ID
750829
EngineTransmission
Filed Jun 27, 2001

CONSUMERS VEHICLE WAS BROUGHT INTO SERVICE DEPARTMENT OF DEALERSHIP FOR A REBUILT TRANSMISSION. VEHICLE HAD BEEN DRIVEN FOR THREE WEEKS BEFORE IT HAD TO BE PUT BACK IN THE SHOP FOR A BROKEN WATER PUMP. DEALER WILL NOT REPAIR AT NO CHARGE. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHUR DETAILS.*AK

NHTSA ID
891473
Incident
Jun 1, 2001
Transmission
Filed Apr 6, 2001

PREMATURE DEFECTIVE REAR ACTION DRUM WITHIN TRANSMISSION REQUIRED TRANSMISSION REBUILD BY LOCAL TRANSMISSION SHOP. NO ACCIDENT OR ON ROAD FAILURE OCCURRED, POPPING/THUMPING SOUND WAS OCCURING UPON LIGHT ACCERLERATION FROM A DEAD STOP.*AK

NHTSA ID
743633
Incident
Mar 26, 2001
Transmission
Filed Mar 29, 2001

TRANSMISSION JERKED WHEN SHIFTING FROM PARK TO REVERSE AT FIRST, THEN AN EXTREMELY LOUD WHINING NOISE @ 15 - 20 MPH. HAD A LOCAL GARAGE LISTEN TO VEHICLE WHICH INTURN THEY TOLD ME THAT THE TRANSMISSION WAS IN NEED OF REPLACEMENT OR A COMPLETE REBUILD. I CALLED AIRPORT TRANSMISSION IN ROCHESTER N.Y AND THEY REBUILT IT FOR A SUM OF $1,866.24.*AK

NHTSA ID
743276
Incident
Feb 17, 2001
Heating & air conditioningElectricalTransmission
Filed Mar 5, 2001
Crash reported

ERLS FUSE BLOWS, IGNITION SWITCH FAILURE, REPLACED IGNITION AND REPAIRED WIRES, HEATING AND AIR AC/COMPRESSER WIL NOT COME ON, COMPRESSER SHORTED OUT, AUTO TRANS WILL NOT SHIFT INTO OVERDRIVE AND PASSING GEAR, TRANSMISSION REPLACED ONCE, WILL REPLACE AGAIN.

NHTSA ID
9001972
Incident
Feb 1, 2000
Heating & air conditioningElectricalTransmission
Filed Feb 26, 2001

A FUSE BLEW THAT CAUSED TRANSMISSION AND AIR CONDITIONER COMPRESSOR TO GO OUT. TOOK TO DEALER, AND THEY REPLACED FUSES. BUT, PROBLEM STILL EXISTS.

NHTSA ID
881428
Incident
Feb 20, 2001
Transmission
Filed Nov 30, 2000

AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION OPERATED ERRATICALLY. *AK

NHTSA ID
875790
Incident
Oct 1, 2000
Transmission
Filed Oct 31, 2000

VEHICLE SHIFTED INTO NEUTRAL FROM DRIVE, CAUSING SPEED TO BE REDUCED .*AK

NHTSA ID
874238
ElectricalEngineTransmission
Filed Apr 3, 2000
Fire reported2 injuries reported

THE CAR SET ON FIRE AND STALLED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD, BLEW A ROD AND MELTED THE SPARK PLUGS, THE COMPUTER FAILED AND THE TRANSMISSION BLEW.

NHTSA ID
720972
Incident
Mar 25, 2000
Transmission
Filed Feb 28, 2000

NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK

NHTSA ID
719375
Incident
Feb 14, 2000
Transmission
Filed Oct 22, 1999

POSSIBLE TRANSMISSION FAILURE CAUSING GEAR TO SLIP INTO NEUTRAL WHILE DRIVING WHICH COULD RESULT IN SEVERE INJURY / PROPERTY DAMAGE. *YC

NHTSA ID
851507
Incident
Oct 21, 1999
Transmission
Filed Sep 29, 1999

CONSUMER PUT VEHICLE IN REVERSE AND SHE HEARD A CLUNKING NOISE AND SQUEAKING. *AK

NHTSA ID
849349
Incident
Sep 28, 1999
Transmission
Filed Jul 11, 1999

WE HAVE HAD MINOR PROBLEMS WITH OUR SINCE WE BOUGHT IT IN OCT., 1998 THEN IN NOV., 1998 OUR DAUGHTER WAS IN A CAR ACCIDENT. SHE WAS DRIVING DOWN A HILL, GOING THROUGH AN INTER-SECTION WHEN A YOUNG MAN RAN THE STOP SIGN TO HER LEFT THEN SHE WAS THROWN SIDEWAYS. THERE WAS DAMAGE TO THE FRONT-END. AFTER GETTING THE CAR BACK MORE PROBLEMS WOULD START BUT DISAPPEAR. THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE CAR NOT SHIFTING AND MAKING AN UNDISCRIBABLE NOISE. ATTEMPTED TO HAVE IT LOOKED AT WHILE WE WERE VISITING IN ANOTHER STATE BUT THEY WERE BUSY. THERE HAS BEEN OTHER TIMES WHEN I FELT A STRANGE VIBRATION UNDER MY FEET ON THE PASSENGER SIDE BUT IT WOULD DISAPPEAR. THEN ACT UP SEVERAL OTHER TIMES BUT ONCE AGAIN STOP. LAST WEEK, MY DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING WHEN SHE HEARD A LOUD POP, SHE STOPPED AND CHECKED TO SEE IF SHE HAD A FLAT TIRE, SHE COULDN'T TELL WHERE THE SOUND HAD COME FROM. EVERYTHING WAS FINE. SHE CONTINUED TO DRIVE A SHORT DISTANCE, A COUPLE OF BLOCKS, SHE BEGAN TO HEAR A NOISE THAT SOUNDED LIKE SOMETHING WAS BEING DRAGGED. SHE PULLED INTO ANOTHER PARKING LOT, TURNED OFF THE CAR, GOT OUT AND CHECKED. NOTHING APPEARED WRONG. SHE PUT THE CAR INTO REVERSE , THE SAME NOISE THAT WAS UNDISCRIBABLE FROM THE EARLIER TIME BEGAN AGAIN, IT WOULD NOT CHANGE GEAR TYPE SOUND. SHE PULLED FORWARD, THE NOISE WOULD NOT STOP. SHE THEN COMPLETELY STOPPED AND TURNED OFF THE CAR AND CALLED US AT HOME. WHEN WE GOT THE CAR HOME, MY HUSBAND CHECKED ALL OF THE FLUIDS AND DETERMINED SOMETHING MUST BE WRONG WITH THE TRANSMISSION. THE NEXT DAY HE DROVE IT WITH ALL OF THE SAME PROBLEMS TO A NEARBY TRANSMISSION STATION BUT DUE TO OTHER REASONS DECIDED TO HAVE IT TOWED TO OUR DEALERSHIP. THEY TEST DROVE IT AND CALLED MY HUSBAND AT WORK. THEY COULDN'T FIND ANYTHING WRONG AT FIRST. THEY SUGGESTED TEARING DOWN THE TRANSMISSION AFTER TALKING TO MY HUSBAND. I THEN RECEIVED A PHONE CALL STATING THE TWO MECHANICS HAD NEVER SEEN SO MUCH METAL SCHAVINGS IN A TRANSMISSION. I ASKED IF THE ACCIDENT HAD CAUSED THIS?

NHTSA ID
708505
Incident
Jul 3, 1999
Transmission
Filed Jun 4, 1999

WHEN DRIVING AT ANY SPEED THE VEHICLE IS STALLING AND JERKING AND NOT GOING INTO GEAR PROPERLY. VEHICLE HAS BEEN INTO THE SHOP THREE TIMES FOR TRANSMISSION, AND THE DEALER CAN'T DETERMINE THE PROBLEM. MANUFACTURER HAS BEEN INFORMED. *AK

NHTSA ID
838907
Incident
Jun 18, 1998
Transmission
Filed Apr 28, 1999

TRANSMISSION FAILED CAUSING THE VEHICLE NOT TO GO BACKWARD AND FORWARD MOTION WAS SPORADIC. NM

NHTSA ID
545242
Incident
Oct 8, 1998
Transmission
Filed Mar 12, 1999

WHEN DRIVING AT 65MPH AND WITHOUT ANY PRIOR WARNING TRANSMISSION WENT OUT. VEHICLE HAS BEEN IN THE SHOP TWICE, AND THE VEHICLE IS BACK IN SHOP AGAIN. DEALER CAN'T DETERMINE THE PROBLEM. *AK

NHTSA ID
835830
Incident
Aug 1, 1998
Transmission
Filed Dec 14, 1998

TRANSMISSION HAD COMPLETE FAILURE WITHOUT ANY PRIOR WARNING.

NHTSA ID
701353
Incident
Dec 11, 1998
SuspensionTransmission
Filed Dec 8, 1998

TRANSMISSION WAS MAKING WHINING NOISE. YH

NHTSA ID
701207
Incident
Nov 20, 1998
Transmission
Filed Apr 21, 1998

TRANSMISSION SLIPPAGE.

NHTSA ID
534558
Incident
Apr 16, 1998
Transmission
Filed Mar 5, 1998

TRANSMISSION DISSENAGRATED.

NHTSA ID
531943
Incident
Sep 1, 1997
BrakesEngineExterior lighting+1 more
Filed Feb 5, 1998

AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FAILED TWICE, AND ABS BRAKES WERE REPLACED FOUR TIMES. IN ADDITION, ENGINE VALVE COVER GASKET LEAKS OIL , AND TAIL LIGHTS HOLD WATER, REPLACED FOUR TIMES. *AK

NHTSA ID
523229
Incident
Jun 1, 1997

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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Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .