1994 Pontiac Grand AM

Fatalities reported

Owners filed 377 complaints about this vehicle with federal regulators, most often about the engine and engine cooling › engine. It has been recalled 2 times.

When it fails
020k40k60k90k120k200k
123,000 milesMedian miles at failure

27 complaints record an odometer reading. Failures cluster around 120,000150,000 miles.

What fails
ComponentReportsCrashesFiresInjuries
Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine38
000
Air Bags › Frontal32
29022
Steering › Steering Wheel/Handle Bar26
330
Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip25
602
Electrical System › Ignition › Switch18
162
Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine › Gasoline16
010
Steering › Column15
010
Electrical System › Starter Assembly11
040
Electrical System › Ignition9
030
Power Train › Automatic Transmission8
100

2 safety recalls

Part 573 reports
Electrical System › Starter Assembly00V287000
Filed Oct 2, 2000699,617 vehiclesGeneral Motors Corp.

Defect. VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. IF THE ENGINE STARTER FAILS TO ENGAGE AND THE DRIVER HOLD THE KEY IN THE "START" POSITION FOR AN EXTENDED PERIOD, HIGH CURRENT FLOWS THROUGH THE IGNITION SWITCH, PRODUCING HEAT THAT CAN MELT SWITCH PARTS.

Risk. A FIRE COULD OCCUR IN THE STEERING COLUMN AND SPREAD TO THE INTERIOR OF THE CAR.

Remedy. DEALERS WILL INSTALL A RELAY KIT AND VERIFY THAT THE VEHICLE WILL START WITH A PROPERLY CHARGED BATTERY IN GOOD OPERATING CONDITION (ADEQUATE RESERVE CAPACITY, OR COLD CRANKING AMPS). THIS CAMPAIGN DOES NOT COVER BATTERY REPLACEMENT OR UNRELATED STARTING SYSTEM OR ELECTRICAL SYSTEM REPAIRS.

Fuel System, Gasoline › Storage › Tank Assembly94V122000
Filed Jul 1, 19941,681 vehiclesGeneral Motors Corp.

Defect. THESE VEHICLES WERE CONSTRUCTED WITH WELDS IN THE REAR COMPARTMENT PAN ASSEMBLY THAT ARE NOT SUFFICIENT TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS PERTAINING TO FUEL TANK LEAKAGE IN THE EVENT OF A REAR IMPACT COLLISION. THE FUEL TANK ASSEMBLIES DO NOT COMPLY WITH FMVSS NO. 301, "FUEL SYSTEM INTEGRITY."

Risk. THIS CAN RESULT IN AN INCREASED RISK OF A VEHICLE FIRE IN THE EVENT OF A REAR IMPACT COLLISION.

Remedy. DEALER WILL INSTALL RIVETS ADJACENT TO THE LOCATIONS WHERE THE SUSPECT WELDS ARE LOCATED.

What owners reported

Newest filings
Service Brakes
Filed Aug 16, 2013180,000 milesFL

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

Tires
Filed Jan 29, 2013IN

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

Electrical System › Wiring › Fuses and Circuit Breakers
Filed Feb 27, 2009DC

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

Steering
Filed Aug 22, 200882,000 milesKS

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

Electrical SystemFire
Filed Aug 20, 2008118,000 milesMI

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.

Air Bags › FrontalCrash1 injured
Filed Feb 8, 2008125,000 milesTX

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

Electrical System
Filed May 9, 2006208,000 milesOH

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

Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine
Filed Feb 26, 2006123,000 milesTX

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

Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine
Filed Feb 26, 2006123,000 milesTX

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

Engine and Engine Cooling
Filed Aug 22, 2005150,000 milesDE

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

Electrical System › Ignition › Switch
Filed Aug 3, 2005225,620 milesOK

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

Power Train › Axle Assembly
Filed Jul 6, 2005176,000 milesIL

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

Suspension › Front › Control Arm
Filed Apr 4, 2005150,210 milesPA

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

Engine and Engine Cooling › Cooling System › Radiator Assembly
Filed Feb 8, 200574,258 milesNY

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

Engine and Engine Cooling
Filed Oct 12, 2004TX

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

Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine
Filed Sep 14, 2004145,200 milesKY

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.

Power Train › Axle Assembly › Axle ShaftCrash1 injured
Filed Aug 6, 2004157,000 milesPA

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

Electrical SystemFire
Filed Jun 28, 2004CA

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

Steering › ColumnFire
Filed Jun 15, 2004125,000 milesNC

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

Service Brakes, Hydraulic
Filed Jun 4, 2004IN

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

20 of 377 complaints, reproduced as filed.

Across model years

Worst on record: 1999
YearComplaintsRecallsFiresDeathsAssessment
2005102411Fatalities reported
2004293471Fatalities reported
2003325558Fatalities reported
2002395430Above average
2001538740Above average
20006758144Fatalities reported
19998496134Fatalities reported
1998172352Fatalities reported
19973834123Fatalities reported
19964506140Above average
19954091420High concern
1994 — this page3772295Fatalities reported
19932041202Fatalities reported
1992168342Fatalities reported
199182352Fatalities reported
199038110Routine

Compare every Grand AM year →

Reading this record

5 deaths reported in complaints filed with NHTSA.

Complaint counts track how many cars were sold and how long they have been on the road as much as they track quality. A common model from 2013 has had a decade to accumulate reports; a rare one from last year has not. The signal worth weighing is in the severity columns, in whether the same component keeps appearing, and in whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.

Recall repairs are free for as long as the recall stands. Check whether a specific car still has open work at NHTSA's VIN lookup.

Most recent recall on file: Oct 2, 2000. Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.