1995 Pontiac Grand Prix Problems

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.

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.

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.

FOR A CAR WITH ONLY 80,000 MILES ON IT THE TRANSMISSION SHOULD NOT HAVE FAILED ESPECIALY SINCE IT HAS BEEN IN THE SHOP ABOUT 8 TIMES SINCE I BOUGHT IT 2 YEARS AGO. THE CAR IS ALWAYS KEPT UP WITH SCHEDULED CHANGES AND NEVER ABUSED BUT STILL THE CAR BREAKS DOWN AND GM SHOULD CONSIDER THE 1995 GRAND PRIX A LEMON. *AK

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

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

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

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

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

WHILE TURNING IGNITION SWITCH ON CONSUMER NOTICED A NOISE. SOON AFTER, AIR BAG HAD DEPLOYED. *AK AIR BAG DEPLOYED IN CONSUMERS FACE, CAUSING INJURY, CONSUMER ALSO STATES AIR BAG HIT THE LEFT SIDE OF THE CAR VERY HARD. *SLC

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

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

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

ACCELERATOR CABLE HAS BROKE TWICE. DEALER HAS NOT FIXED. TSB ISSUED.*AK

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

CONSUMER CONTACTED DEALER IN REFERENCE TO RECALL 97V065000/ MOTORIZED SEAT BELT. DEALER STATED PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS.*AK

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

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

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

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

HOUSING BROKE ON ALL FOUR SWITCH COVERS. VERY BRITTLE MATERIAL POOR DESIGN. NOT THE FIRST TIME WE SAW THIS.

STARTER FAILED.

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.

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

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

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

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

STARTER FAILED.

A/C ODOR DURING HUMID DAYS WHEN FIRST TURNING ON. *ET

THE LOWER LEFT BALL JOINT HAD A TOTAL FAILURE.THIS FAILURE CAUSED THE LOWER A-ARM TO DISCONNECT FROM THE STEERING COMPONENTS.THE DESIGN ON THIS COMPONENT IS SUCH THAT YOU HAVE NO DIRECTIONAL CONTROL. I WAS EXTREMELY LUCKY IN THAT WE WERE GOING VERY SLOWLY WHEN THIS HAPPENED.I HAVE WORKED ON CARS FOR A GOOD WHILE, AND I HAVE NEVER SEEN A BALL JOINT THAT WAS PRESSED TOGETHER AS OPPOSED TO BEING BOLTED TOGETHER. THIS ALSO CREATED A TRANSMISSION FAILURE THAT IS GOING TO COST A LOT TO REPAIR. IF THIS INCIDENT HAD HAPPENED AT HIGHWAY SPEED, IT MAY WELL HAVE BEEN FATAL. I WOULD APPRECIATE YOU LOOKING INTO THIS NOT-SO-OBVIOUS DESIGN FLAW. THANKS,MARVIN REESE. *AK

FUEL INJECTORS FAILED AND REQUIRED REPLACEMENT. *MJS

NO SUMMARY GIVEN . *MJS

A/C ODOR DURING HUMID DAYS WHEN FIRST TURNING ON. *ET

WINDOWS FOG WHEN AIR CONDITIONER IS TURNED ON.