1995 Pontiac Grand Prix Owner Complaints

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1995 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS STOPPED WORKING. SHE WAS INFORMED BY AN AUTO PARTS STORE THAT THE NECESSARY PART FOR THE REPAIR WAS INCORRECT AND INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 97V017000 (VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:SWITCH/WIRING). THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED TO PURCHASE THE PART FROM THE DEALER. THE DEALER STATED THAT HER VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN ANY RECALLS AND SHE WAS UNABLE TO OBTAIN THE PART. ON A SEPARATE OCCASION, THE REAR MIDDLE SEAT BELT STOPPED WORKING. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 98V306000 (SEAT BELTS:FRONT:ANCHORAGE). THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS LESS THAN 120,000. UPDATED 12/15/08. *LJ UPDATED 12/15/08. *JB

NHTSA ID

10248570

Incident

Dec 10, 2007

Mileage

100,000 mi

PONTIAC RELEASED A RECALL OF 1997-? GRAND PRIX'S DUE TO A SEVERE ENGINE OIL LEAK THAT CAN CAUSE THE CAR TO CATCH FIRE. WE HAVE A 1995 GRAND PRIX WITH A 3.1L ENGINE THAT HAS A SEVERE OIL LEAK ALSO. THE LEAK HAS BEEN DIAGNOSED FROM THE LOWER INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET WITH A $1000 REPAIR ESTIMATE. I BELIEVE THE ENGINE IS ALMOST IDENTICAL TO THE ONES USED IN 1997-? MODEL YEARS. PONTIAC SHOULD INCLUDE ALL GRAND PRIX'S WITH THIS ENGINE IN THEIR RECALL! *TR

NHTSA ID

10222560

Incident

Mar 28, 2008

Mileage

150,000 mi

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS WORK INTERMITTENTLY. THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS, HEADLIGHTS DIMMER SWITCH, AND THE TURN SIGNAL ARE ALL CONTROLLED FROM THE SAME CONTROL ARM. IN ORDER FOR THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS TO WORK ALL OF THE ABOVE FUNCTIONS HAVE TO BE PERFORMED. ONCE THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS START WORKING THEY ONLY WORK FOR A SHORT PERIOD OF TIME. THERE IS NHTSA RECALL # 97V017000 REGARDING THE WINDSHIELD WIPER WASHER, SWITCH AND WIRING. THE VEHICLE HAS THE SAME PROBLEMS AS INDICATED IN THE RECALL; HOWEVER, IT IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO THE VIN. UPDATED O6/05/2006. *AK

NHTSA ID

10152291

Incident

Mar 9, 2006

Mileage

130,000 mi

GRAND PRIX REAR ENDED A SEMI TRAILER. IT APPEARED TO HAVE A DRIVER'S SIDE AIRBAG. NO AIRBAGS DEPLOYED IN THE VEHICLE. THERE WAS SIGNIFICANT INTRUSION INTO THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT. I SEEMED THE INJURIES COULD HAVE BEEN LESS HAD AN AIR BAG DEPLOYED. UNSURE OF FACTORS LEADING TO NON DEPLOYMENT. REQUESTING INVESTIGATION OF THE AIRBAGS AS TO FAILURE OF SOME MECHANICAL NATURE OR IF THERE WAS SOME FORM OF FRAUD OR OTHER ALTERATION TO THE AIRBAGS. PATIENT WAS TRANSPORTED AFTER BEING SEDATED . UNSURE OF CURRENT CONDITION OF PATIENT. PASSENGER WAS TRANSPORTED TO FROEDERT MEMORIAL LUTHERAN HOSPITAL VIA FLIGHT FOR LIFE FOR LEVEL 1 TRAUMA CARE. *AK

NHTSA ID

10116925

Incident

Apr 13, 2005

INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET WENT OUT ON 1995 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX. CAR WAS IN RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC WHEN THE GASKET WENT; CAUSING THE OIL TO QUICKLY LEAK FROM THE ENGINE AND LEAVING CAR INOPERABLE IN TRAFFIC. DID NOT REALIZE THIS WAS HAPPENING UNTIL CAR SMELLED OF OIL AND SMOKE STARTED COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD. IT CREATED QUITE A DANGEROUS SITUATION IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROADWAY. NO PRIOR WARNING OF FAILURE WAS EVIDENT. CAR WAS TOWED TO REPAIR FACILITY WHERE BOTH INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKETS WERE REPLACED. VERY LABOR-INTENSIVE AND VERY EXPENSIVE REPAIRS. GM DEALERSHIP AND ASE-CERTIFIED MECHANICS ACKNOWLEDGE THE FACT THAT THIS FAILURE IS A COMMON PROBLEM.*AK

NHTSA ID

10107923

Incident

Dec 30, 2004

Mileage

96,500 mi

THE VEHICLE WAS TRAVELING AT 65 MILES PER HOUR WHEN ALL OF SUDDEN THE AIR BAG DEPLOYED. MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED BY OWNER. *NM

NHTSA ID

10108621

Incident

Jan 3, 2005

CONSUMER WAS INVOLVED IN A COLLISION, WHEREBY CONSUMER'S VEHICLE WAS STRUCK AT 45 MPH, AND THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY.*AK

NHTSA ID

10107221

Incident

Jan 6, 2005

WHILE DRIVING FRONT PASSENGER SEAT COLLAPSED FORWARD. C0NSUMER WAS ABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, AND DROVE IT HOME. THEN, CONSUMER CONTACTED THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION AND FOR AN APPOINTMENT. *AK

NHTSA ID

10094908

Incident

Oct 1, 2004

WHILE GETTING INTO TO MY CAR I SAT DOWN THE AND THE SEAT BROKE AND I FELL TO THE BACK. I CHECKED MY SEAT AND FOUND THE METAL BRACKET BROKE THAT SECURES THE SEAT DOWN.*AK

NHTSA ID

10093444

Incident

Sep 29, 2004

Mileage

134,281 mi

ON JULY 26, 2004 MY 1995 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX'S AIR BAGS DEPLOYED FOR NO REASON. I WAS EXITING MY GARAGE AND AS I PROCEEDED FORWARD ABOUT 5-10 FEET THE AIR BAGS BOTH WENT OFF SHATTERING MY WINDSHEILD. IT BURNED MY FACE, HANDS AND MY ARMS. I WAS TAKEN TO THE EMERGENCY ROOM AND DIAGNOSED WITH MULTIPLE FIRST DEGREE BURNS. I IMMEDIATELY CALLED MY INSURANCE COMPANY AND EXPLAINED WHAT HAD HAPPENED. I WAS TOLD THAT IT WAS A MANUFACTURE DEFECT AND THAT IF THERE WAS NO COLLISION THAT IT WAS NOT MY INSURANCE RESPONSIBILITY. I THEN CALLED GM AND EXPLAINED TO THEM WHAT HAD HAPPENED. I WAS TOLD THAT AN INVESTIGATOR WOULD COME TO CHECK THINGS OUT. MEANWHILE I HAVE TO RENT A VEHICLE. APPROX. 10 DAYS LATER GMS INVESTIGATOR ARRIVED TO TAKE MY STATEMENT, PICTURES AND TOOK THE MDULES FROM THE CAR TO BENCH TEST. AT THAT TIME I WAS TOLD THAT GM WOULD PROBABLY REIMBURSE MY RENTAL EXPENSES. 7 WEEKS INTO THE INVESTIGATION AND NOW GM WANTS TO PURCHASE MY VEHICLE. I STILL TO DATE AM DRIVING A RENTAL AT MY OWN EXPENSE. *AK

NHTSA ID

10091092

Incident

Jul 26, 2004

Mileage

150,000 mi

ACCELERATOR CABLE BROKE TWICE WHILE DRIVING. FIRST IN 1998 WHILE ACCELERATING ON TO I-95 FROM A REST AREA. (MILEAGE 50,000 MILES) SECOND, AUGUST 29, 2004 DRIVING ON MAJOR HIGHWAY IN TROY MICHIGAN. (MILEAGE 104,000) REPAIRED BOTH TIMES FOR ABOUT $150.00 OLD PARTS MAY BE AVAILABLE.*AK

NHTSA ID

10088878

Incident

Aug 29, 2004

Mileage

104,000 mi

DEALERSHIP WAS CHARGING THE CONSUMER $260.00 TO REPAIR THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS BECAUSE THE FAILURE WAS NOT CAUSED BY THE RECALLED PART AS INDICATED IN WINDSHIELD WIPER RECALL 97V017000.*AK *NM

NHTSA ID

10080208

Incident

Jun 30, 2004

Mileage

95,000 mi

CONSUMER WAS AT A STOP LIGHT AND THE DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED. A DAY BEFORE SMOKE CAME FROM THE STEERING COLUMN. AIR BAG WAS NOT REPAIRED, AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED.*AK

NHTSA ID

10087202

Incident

Aug 2, 2004

Mileage

116,379 mi

I HAVE A 95 GRAND PRIX SE AND THE STEERING FEELS LOOSE, BUT THE MECHANIC CANT FIND ANYTHING WRONG WIRE THE ALIGNMENT. IT MAY HAVE THE SAME DEFECT THE 96 MODELS HAVE. PLEASE CHECK THIS AND LET ME KNOW IF I HAVE THE SAME STEERING SYSTEM. THANK YOU. *CB

NHTSA ID

10054327

Incident

Jan 15, 2004

Mileage

151,000 mi

ALL OF THE PAINT ON THE TRIM MOLDING HAS COME OFF. AFTER REPEATED ATTEMPTS TO TALK TO THE MANUFACTURER AND TOLD BASICALLY TO GET LOST I GAVE UP AND HAVEN'T PURCHASED ANOTHER PONTIAC SINCE. OF COURSE, OUR FAMILY HAS MADE THREE NEW CAR PURCHASES SINCE THEN BUT NONE OF THEM PONTIAC.

NHTSA ID

10070487

Incident

Jun 15, 2003

Mileage

85,000 mi

THE 4 WAY FLASHER SWITCH DOES NOT WORK ON MY 1995 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX. MY 2001 CHEVY BLAZER WAS RECALLED FOR THE SAME ISSUE. WHEN THE SWITCH IS DEPRESSED, THE HAZARD LIGHTS DO NOT WORK, THEN PREVENTS THE TURN INDICATORS FROM WORKING. *LA

NHTSA ID

10045674

Incident

Aug 18, 2002

EXTERIOR LIGHTING/TAIL LIGHTS - THERE IS MOISTURE BUILD-UP AND HEAVY CONDENSATION IN BOTH TAIL LIGHTS, AGAIN . I'VE ALREADY HAD THE TAIL LIGHT ASSEMBLY REPLACED TWICE ON BOTH SIDES, AND HAVE TO PAY FOR IT AGAIN. THE COST FOR JUST ONE (1) TAIL LIGHT ASSEMBLY IS IN EXCESS OF $250.00. ALTHOUGH THERE IS A SERVICE BULLETIN FOR THIS SAME PROBLEM WHICH MANY, MANY PEOPLE HAVE EXPERIENCED ON THIS MAKE AND MODEL CAR, THERE'S NO RECALL. THERE'S DEFINITELY A SAFETY ISSUE WITH THIS PROBLEM DURING THE DAYTIME BECAUSE IT CAUSES POOR VISIBILITY FOR OTHER DRIVERS ON THE ROAD WHO CAN'T SEE MY BRAKE LIGHTS. I ALREADY HAVE ONE HERNIATED DISC IN MY NECK DUE TO A REAR-END COLLISION, AND I DON'T NEED ANOTHER ONE! *LA

NHTSA ID

10041809

Incident

Oct 14, 2003

CONSUMER STATES THAT THEIR VEHICLE IS EXPERIENCING THE SAME DEFECT FOR THE POWER STEERING STATED IN RECALL NUMBER 02 V 286 000, BUT THEIR YEAR VEHICLE IS NOT INCLUDED IN RECALL. TS

NHTSA ID

8023758

Incident

Nov 1, 2002

SINCE THE GRAND PRIX WAS PURCHASED IN NOVEMBER OF 1994 {1995 MODEL} IT HAS BEEN TAKEN INTO THE DEALER 10 TIMES FOR EITHER THE LEFT OR RIGHT TAIL LIGHT ASSEMBLY LEAKING WATER INTO THEM. THE VERY FIRST TIME THE CAR WAS TAKEN IN WAS DECEMBER 5, 1994 FOR THE LEFT TAIL LIGHT ASSEMBLY TO BE REPLACED. THEN IT JUST CONTINUED ON FOR ANOTHER 4 REPLACEMENTS OF THE LEFT TAIL LIGHT ASSEMBLY. THEN THE RIGHT SIDE STARTED TO LEAK. THEN BOTH AT THE SAME TIME. THE LAST TIME IT WAS LOOKED AT BY THE DEALER WAS IN 1999. SINCE THEN IT HAS BEEN LEAKING ON AND OFF CONSISTANTLY. RECENTLY I TOOK THE ASSEMBLY OUT MYSELF AND FOUND THAT THE INNER MOLDING OF THE ASSEMBLY WAS WARPED. I HAVE NOT CONTACTED PONTIAC OR THE DEALER WITH THIS FINDING, SINCE THE MANUFACTURER TOLD ME THAT THEY WOULD NOT HONOR A REPAIR. I FEEL THIS IS A SAFETY PROBLEM BECAUSE THE TAIL LIGHT ASSEMBLY FILLS UP WITH WATER AND WHEN THE BRAKE LIGHTS ARE ACTIVATED IT CAUSES A MAJOR FOG AND CONDENSATION IN THE ASSEMBLY, SO THE LIGHTS ARE NOT VISIBLE TO CARS BEHIND YOU. AND THE WATER HAS NO WHERE TO GO SO IT STAYS IN THE ASSEMBLIES AND CONTINUES TO CONDENSATE. I AM FRUSTRATED WITH PONTIAC BECAUSE THEY STATED THE MILEAGE WAS TOO FAR OUT FOR A WARRANTY COVERAGE. I'M LOOKING AT IT FROM A SAFETY POINT AND THAT I HAVE TAKEN THE CAR IN SO MANY TIMES FOR REPAIR TO BOTH LIGHT ASSEMBLIES. I ALSO FEEL THAT BECAUSE THE CAR WAS A NEW BODY STYLE FOR '95 THERE ARE PROBLEMS THAT THE MANUFACTURER DIDN'T WORK OUT. THE LIGHT ASSEMBLIES HAVE BOTH BEEN REPLACED WITH NEW ASSEMBLIES, BUT THEY CONTINUE TO LEAK. SO THIS COULD BE LOOKED AT AS A RECALL ITEM. I WOULD APPRECIATE ANY HELP YOU CAN GIVE. DT

NHTSA ID

768589

Incident

Sep 23, 2002

WHILE DRIVING AND WITH NO WARNING TURN LIGHT SIGNAL WENT OUT, AND COULD HAVE CAUSED AN ACCIDENT. CAUSE UNKNOWN. DEALER NOTIFIED.*AK

NHTSA ID

8014414

Incident

Jun 27, 2002

UPON STARTING VEHICLE IGNITION DOES NOT CATCH RIGHT AWAY, IT OFTEN TAKES A COUPLE OF TIMES BEFORE IT CATCHES. ALSO KEY BECOMES VERY HOT. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK

NHTSA ID

8006708

WHILE DRIVING 45-50 MPH HIT A TELEPHONE POLE HEAD-ON, AND NEITHER AIRBAG DEPLOYED. VEHICLE WAS TOTALLED. NO INJURIES.*AK

NHTSA ID

8002222

Incident

Dec 28, 2001

THE REAR AXLE OF THIS FRONT WHEEL DRIVE VEHICLE BROKE DURING A LOW SPEED CURVE. THIS CAUSED THE RIGHT REAR WHEEL TO GO SAILING OFF AND CAUSED THE DRIVER INITIALLY TO LOSE CONTROL OF THE CAR. NO ONCOMING TRAFFIC WAS INVOLVED. THE CAR DID HIT THE CURB BLOWING THE FRONT TIRE AND THEN HIT A TRAFFIC SIGN. THE INSURANCE COMMPANY TOTALLED THE CAR. THE MANUFACTURER WILL NOT DEAL WITH ME.*AK

NHTSA ID

756854

Incident

Dec 17, 2001

I PURCHASED THIS CAR WITH LOW MILEAGE AND HAVE CARED FOR IT EXCEPTIONALLY WELL AND I HAVE HAD TWO MAJOR EQUIPMENT FAILURES. THESE SHOULD NOT OCCUR AT SUCH RELATIVELY LOW MILEAGE TOTALS. I UNDERSTAND SOME MODELS OF PONTIACS HAVE HAD RECALLS FOR THE BRAKE SYSTEM, BUT I WAS TOLD THIS MODEL DOES NOT HAVE A RECALL FOR THAT EQUIPMENT. I WILL DEFINTELY CONSIDER ANOTHER MODEL OF CAR OTHER THAN THIS ONE WITHIN THE NEXT YEAR BECAUSE OF MY FRUSTRATION.

NHTSA ID

755932

Incident

Apr 5, 1998

WINDSHIELD WIPERS DO NOT WORK WHEN OPERATED ON HIGH. WINDSHIELD WIPERS WILL STOP IN A RAINSTORM. *AK *JB

NHTSA ID

897289

Incident

Sep 1, 2001