“Vehicle was parked and consumer placed the key inside the ignition, and vehicle would not start. A burning smell was coming from the vehicle. Consumer lifted up the hood, and smoke was coming from the starter. Consumer was able to extinguish the fire. Consumer had the vehicle towed to the dealer for inspection, and mechanic determined that the ignition switch needed to be replaced due to failure. *ak *nm”
Owner complaint, filed May 20, 2004 at 95,493 miles
“Erls fuse blows, which causes the cruise control to stop working along with the a/c, also the reverse lights stop working, and when driving at 70 MPH instead of the rpm's running about 2500 they are at 3500 when the fuse blows. Brought it to dealer to be fixed, they put a 25 amp fuse in it when it only takes a 15 amp fuse and said they couldn't find anything wrong with it.”
Owner complaint, filed Jun 11, 2003
Complaints and recalls over time
By year of filing
All complaintsAbout the electrical systemRecall (red: the electrical system)NHTSA investigation opened
Complaints about the 1995 Grand AM peaked in 2001, with 84 filed that year. Owners had filed 31 complaints about the electrical system before the first recall that covers it, 00V287000 in October 2000; 76 more have come in since. In 2014 owners filed 1 so far.
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.
All 1 campaign on file, newest first.
NHTSA investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
Before a recall there is often an investigation: NHTSA opens one when complaints or manufacturer data point to a safety defect. 2 name the 1995 Grand AM.
Odi has expanded the scope of its investigation of steering column fires to include all models built on the n-platform.GM has indicated in its response that the subject vehicles are equipped with a rotary ignition switch that has been in use in a number of vehicle models since 1991 on both the n and j-platforms.however, the 1994-1995 n-platform is over represented accounting for 83 (81%) of the combinded total of 102 reports despite being only 14.2% of the combined population. Of the 10 new reports received since opening ea99-063, 7 include allegations of a no start condition when attempting …
Technical service bulletins
62 on file
Repair instructions the manufacturer sent its dealers for the 1995 Grand AM. Not recalls: the fix is usually free only while the car is under warranty.
brakes 12engine 11electrical system 10equipment 9transmission 7steering 2body and frame 2fuel system 2
PIP4723DService Bulletin/Repair InstructionsJan 31, 2020electrical system
This Preliminary Information communicates to the dealer the process for downloading or updating operating software for the Tire Pressure Monitor, Active Fuel Injector tester, multi media tester, PICO Scope, GR8 starting/charging tester and Vehicle Data Recorder tools, giving website address and step by step instructions to complete the update.
PIP4723BService Bulletin/Repair InstructionsFeb 22, 2017electrical system
This Preliminary Information communicates to the dealer the process for downloading or updating operating software for the Tire Pressure Monitor, Active Fuel Injector tester, multi media tester, PICO Scope, GR8 starting/charging tester and Vehicle Data Recorder tools, giving website address and step by step instructions to complete the update.
00079Service Bulletin/Repair InstructionsJan 8, 2001electrical system
INFORMATION REGARDING IGNITION SWITCH HIGH ELECTRICAL CURRENT. *JB
00079Service Bulletin/Repair InstructionsDec 22, 2000electrical system
00153Service Bulletin/Repair InstructionsDec 22, 2000electrical system
CAMPAIGN PARTS BULLETIN REGARDING IGNITION SWITCH HIGH ELECTRICAL CURRENT. *TT
00079Service Bulletin/Repair InstructionsDec 15, 2000electrical system
SUBJECT REGARDING PRODUCT SAFETY CAMPAIGN IGNITION SWITCH HIGH ELECTRICAL CURRENT - PART 1. *TT
Showing the newest 6 of 10 bulletins about the electrical system, and any warranty extensions or service campaigns.
What owners reported
Newest filings
Electrical System › Ignition
Filed Aug 5, 2014290,000 milesWI
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1995 PONTIAC GRAND AM. WHILE DRIVING OVER A BUMP AT APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, THE KEY SUDDENLY RELEASED FROM THE IGNITION SWITCH. THE VEHICLE CONTINUED OPERATING AS NORMAL DURING THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT PULLED THE VEHICLE TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND RE-INSERTED THE KEY INTO THE IGNITION. THE FAILURE OCCURRED MULTIPLE TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 290,000.
Electrical System
Filed Apr 15, 2013138,000 milesAL
CAR WON'T START AND CUT OFF WHEN CAR IS IN DRIVE. *TR
Electrical SystemFire
Filed Feb 7, 2009140,000 milesCA
I WAS IN THE PARKING LOT OF A FAST FOOD PLACE WE CAME OUT AFTER WE ATE AND GOT IN THE CAR ATTEMPTED TO START IT BUT IT DID NOT START AT FIRST THEN I TURNED OFF THE IGNITION AND THEN TRIED AGAIN IT STARTED AND AFTER A SHORT TIME IT SEAMED LIKE IT TRIED TO START ITSELF AGAIN AND IT STARTED SMOKING FROM BELOW THE STEERING COLUMN SO I TURNED IT OFF AND JUMPED OUT OF THE CAR AND OUT THE BATTERY BY THE TIME THE BATTERY WAS OUT IT HAD ALREADY CAUGHT FIRE AND HAD TO BE PUT OUT WITH A FIRE EXTINGUISHER WHICH WAS SUPPLIED BY A TOW TRUCK DRIVER WHO JUST SO HAPPENED TO BE GETTING LUNCH THE FIRE DEPT WAS CALLED BUT NEVER FILED A REPORT THEY JUST MADE SURE ALL WERE OK THEN LEFT THAT'S BASICALLY WHAT HAPPENED. *TR
Electrical SystemFire
Filed Jan 16, 2009CA
WHILE DRIVING DOWN HIGHWAY 4 MY STEERING COLUMN CAUGHT ON FIRE MAKING ME PULL THE CAR OVER AND JUMP OUT ALONG WITH 2 OTHER PERSONS , AFTER THAT WE CALLED THE TOW TRUCK TO HAVE IT TOWED HOME TO SEE WHAT WE WERE GOING TO DO ABOUT THE PROBLEM AND WHO TO CONTACT IN THE MEAN TIME THE DEALERSHIP HAD MY CAR FOR 4 MONTHS AND TO THIS DAY STILL HAS IT AND IS REQUESTING ME TO PAY HALF OF THE BILL TO GET IT FIXED AND I DO NOT FEEL I SHOULD PAY A DIME FOR A RECALLED CAR WITH AN OPEN RECALL ON IT SO THEREFORE I AM FILING A COMPLAINT AGAINST THE DEALERSHIP FOR THE CAR TO BE FIXED AND FOR ALL THE INCONVENIENCE IN WHICH IT HAS CAUSED ME GETTING BACK AND FOURTH TO SCHOOL, I AM IN COLLEGE FULL TIME SO THEREFORE I HAD TO DO PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION GETTING TO AND FROM MY DESTINATIONS. AND WHEN THE CAR CAUGHT FIRE IT WAS THE FIRST TIME IN WHICH IT HAD EVER HAPPENED. SO NOW MY GRANDFATHER IS GOING TO PAY FOR IT TO GET FIXED AND WOULD LIKE ALL OF HIS MONEY BACK AND I WANT ALL I CAN GET FOR ALL THE INCONVENIENCE IN WHICH THIS PROBLEM HAS CAUSED MYSELF AND ALL OTHERS WHO WERE INVOLVED AND ALSO WE NEED TO KEEP IN MIND THIS COULD HAVE BEEN A MUCH BIGGER PROBLEM IF ANYONE WOULD HAVE GOTTEN HURT DO TO THE FIRE AND OR ANY OTHERS DAMAGES THAT COULD HAVE HAPPENED. *TR
Engine and Engine Cooling › Cooling System
Filed Apr 8, 200796,801 milesOH
WHILE DRIVING THE OVERHEAT LIGHT ILLUMINATED, AND ENGINE DIED. THE MECHANIC SAID IT IS A CRACKED HEAD GASKETS. I HAVE ALWAYS FOLLOWED THE MAINTENANCE SCHEDULE IN OWNER MANUAL. OIL CHANGES EVERY THREE MONTHS ETC.*AK
Electrical System › Ignition
Filed Jul 31, 2006MI
1995 PONTIAC GRAND AM COILS WENT BAD. *KB THE CONSUMER STATED HIS VEHICLE WOULD NOT START. THE COILS WERE REPLACED BECAUSE THE GARAGE STATED THEY WERE BAD, HOWEVER THE CONSUMER KEPT THE COILS AND PLACED THEM BACK IN THE VEHICLE WHICH HAS BEEN RUNNING EVER SINCE. *JB
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
Filed Jan 4, 2006PA
CONSUMER COMPLAINT REGARDING 1995 GRAND AM THEFT. *TS THE CONSUMER LISTED BRAKES AS A POSSIBLE PROBLEM ON HIS VEHICLE. *JB
Visibility › Windshield
Filed Dec 2, 2005165 milesMD
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
Tires › SidewallCrash
Filed Sep 21, 2005VA
DT: 1995 PONTIAC GRAND AM. THE CONSUMER STATED THE DRIVER'S SIDE FRONT TIRE BLEW OUT AFTER BEING IN THE VEHICLE FOR 30 MINUTES. THIS WAS A NEW SUMMIT TIRE. THE DEALERSHIP GAVE THE CONSUMER HIS MONEY BACK AND PUT THE OLD TIRES ON VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS GOING 60 MPH. THIS CAUSED FRONT END DAMAGE. THE CONSUMER STATED THAT THERE WAS A CRASH DUE TO TIRE BLOWOUT. *AK
Structure › Body
Filed May 4, 2005PA
CONTACT STATES: ON THE FRONT DRIVERS' SIDE THE METAL PART BROKE AWAY AND THE TIRE CAME AWAY FROM THE PART IT WAS ATTACHED TO. THE TIRE HIT THE SIDE OF THE CAR. THE CAR WAS NOT DRIVABLE, AND THEY HAD TO HAVE IT TOWED.*AK
Electrical System › Ignition › Switch
Filed Mar 15, 200593,000 milesPA
INTERMITTENTLY CONSUMER WOULD BE UNABLE TO START THE VEHICLE. ALSO, IT STALLS. CONSUMER IS ABLE TO RESTART VEHICLE AFTER 45 MINUTES. DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM.*AK
Air Bags › FrontalCrash
Filed Jan 18, 2005190,000 milesMO
THE CONSUMER WAS DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH AND STRUCK A LIGHT POST. UPON IMPACT, THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS. *JB
THE ORIGINAL HEADLIGHT SWITCH MALFUNCTIONED AND I DID NOT HAVE ANY DASH LIGHTS OR TAIL-LIGHTS. THE SECOND SWITCH MALFUNCTIONED TOO AND THE HEADLIGHTS NOW GO OUT WHEN I TRY TO CYCLE THEM FROM HIGH BEAM TO LOW BEAM OR DON'T COME ON UNTIL I CYCLE THEM AGAIN. *JB
Suspension › Rear › Axle › SpindleCrash1 injured
Filed Nov 9, 2004MS
WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE SWERVED RIGHT ON ITS OWN. CONSUMER IMMEDIATELY PULLED LEFT, CAUSING REAR AXLE TO BREAK OFF, AND RESULTING IN A CRASH. DRIVER SUSTAINED INJURIES. *AK
MY VEHICLE'S (1995 PONTIAC GRAND AM) DIMMER SWITCH IS MALFUNCTIONED. THE HEAD LIGHTS GO OUT IF YOU TRY TO CYCLE FROM HIGH BEAM TO LO BEAM. I ALSO KNOW OF ANOTHER PERSON WITH THE SAME PROBLEM.I RECENTLY EXPERINCED THIS PROBLEM WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT. *AK
Electrical System › Starter AssemblyFire
Filed Sep 23, 2004188,000 milesPA
A RECALL (#00V287000) WAS ISSUED FOR THE STARTER ASSEMBLY THE DEALER REFUSED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE AT NO CHARGE. THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE TWICE. PLEASE PROVIDE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. *JB
Air BagsCrash1 injured
Filed Sep 15, 2004NC
WHILE DRIVING, THE CONSUMER APPLIED THE BRAKE, BUT THE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR. THE VEHICLE CONTINUE TO ACCELERATE WITH SPEED. THE DRIVER LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND HIT A DITCH AND A FENCE. A 2X4 STEEL POLE HIT THE WINDSHIELD AND HIT THE DRIVER IN THE FACE THE DRIVER WAS UNCONSCIOUS. BOTH FRONTAL AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED HEAD AND NECK INJURIES AND WAS TRANSPORTED BY AMBULANCE TO THE HOSPITAL. THE INSURANCE COMPANY TOTALED THE VEHICLE. PLEASE FILL IN ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. *JB
Visibility › Power Window Devices and Controls
Filed Aug 31, 200480,103 milesMN
WE HAVE HAD A PROBLEM WITH THE WINDOWS NOT WORKING. WE'VE HAD TO PUSH UP THE WINDOW WITH OUR HANDS WHILE PUSHING THE POWER WINDOW BUTTON AND IT DOESN'T CLOSE ALL THE WAY. NOW IT DOES NOT WORK AT ALL. ALSO WE HAVE PROBLEMS WITH THE HEADLIGHTS STAYING ON. WE NOTICED IF WE PLAY WITH THE MULTIFUNCTION SWITCH (LIKE TURNING THE HIGH BEAMS ON AND OFF) THEN THE HEADLIGHTS WILL COME BACK ON AFTER A FEW TRIES. WE RECENTLY REPLACED ALL 4 BRAKES AND NOW THE ABS LIGHT IS ON AND STAYS ON. DEALER STATED THAT THERE'S NOTHING WRONG WITH THE ABS BRAKES.*AK
Visibility › Defroster/Defogger/Hvac System › Fan/MotorFire
Filed Aug 24, 2004TX
VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE DUE TO A SPACE BETWEEN THE FIREWALL AND THE INTERIOR. THERE WAS A SPACE WHERE WATER RAN DOWN, AND LEAVES GATHERED. THERE THE FIRE STARTED. *AK
Suspension › Front › Control Arm › Lower Arm
Filed Aug 20, 200489,548 milesMA
WHILE DRIVING AT 5 MPH AND WITHOUT WARNING THE PASSENGER SIDE FRONT LOWER CONTROL ARM SEPARATED FROM THE VEHICLE, AS A RESULT THE FRONT WHEEL COLLAPSED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT SHOP. THE MECHANIC INDICATED TO THE CONSUMER THAT THE PROBLEM WAS DUE TO CORROSION. *JB THE REAR FRAME BOLT ON THE LOWER CONTROL ARM BROKE, WHICH PUT ALL THE WEIGHT ON THE FRONT FRAME BOLT OF THE LOWER CONTROL ARM AND AS A RESULT THE VEHICLE COLLAPSED. *NM *JB
Electrical System › Wiring › Front UnderhoodFire
Filed Aug 20, 2004126,000 milesPA
CONSUMER TURNED THE IGNITION AND VEHICLE DID NOT START. UPON TRYING TO START THE VEHICLE AGAIN THERE WAS A NOISE. CONSUMER LOOKED UNDER THE HOOD AND THERE WAS FIRE.*AK
Engine and Engine Cooling › EngineFire
Filed Jul 23, 200487,000 milesPA
I BOUGHT MY 1995 PONTIAC GRAND AM SE, USED IN 2001, NOT EVEN A MONTH AFTER HAVING IT, I HAD TO REPLACE THE RADIATOR. FROM THERE WENT MY COOLANT LINE, A DEALER PART I HAD TO PAY A FORTUNE FOR. THEN I ALSO HAVE SIGNIFICANT WATER DAMAGE THAT SOMEHOW GETS INTO MY CARAND I END UP WITH PUDDLES OF WATER ON THE FLOOR. MY HEATER CORE WENT, REPLACED THAT. THEN BALL JOINTS, REPLACED THAT. THEN THE RECALL ON MY IGNITION THAT I FAILED TO RECIEVE, WAS OUT WITH MY HUSBAND AND SON FOR THE DAY, GOT IN TO START MY CAR AND IT WOULDNT TURN OVER. TOOK THE KEY OUT, THEN ALL OF A SUDDEN THE CAR STARTED TO TURN OVER REPEDITILY. NEEDLESS TO SAY IF MY HUSBAND WASNT THERE MY SON AND I COULD HAVE DIED, I WOULDNT HAVE KNOW WHAT TO DO. MY SON WAS STRAPPED IN HIS CAR SEAT AND I POPPED THE HOOD, NEXT THING I KNOW SMOKE STARTS POURING INTO MY CAR FROM THE DASH. SO I GRAB MY SON OUT QUICKLY AS MY HUSBAND POPPED THE HOOD, AND SEEN SPARKS AND RIPPED THE POWER CORD OFF OF THE BATTERY WHICH STOPPED THE SPARKS WHICH WAS IN THE PROCESS OF STARTING A FIRE. AFTER REPLACING THAT, MY POWER STEERING WENT, HAD TO REPLACE THOSE LINES. THEN MY COOLANT WAS LOW FOR NO REASON AT ALL, THE NEXT WEEK, TWO WEEKS AFTER AN OIL CHANGE, OIL LIGHT COMES ON. NO OIL IN THE ENGINE. PUT OIL IN AND WAS FINE FOR ABOUT AN HOUR UNTIL CAR SUDDENLY LOST POWER AND I HAD TO PULL OF TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD TO FIND OUT THAT I HAVE A BLOWN HEAD GASKET PLUS OTHER PROBLEMS CAUSED BY THIS THAT CAUSED MY MOTOR TO NO LONGER BE IN RUNNING ORDER. I STILL O
Engine and Engine Cooling › Exhaust System › Manifold/Header/Muffler/Tail Pipe
Filed Jun 23, 2004115,000 milesFL
INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKETS DETERIORATED, CAUSING FUEL AIR MIXTURE FUMES TO ENTER INTO THE CAB. *AK THE INTAKE MANIFOLD ALLOWED OIL AND ANTIFREEZE TO LEAK OUT OF THE ENGINE. AT CERTAIN POINTS OF ACCELERATION AND DECELERATION THE FUEL AIR MIXTURE WOULD EXPEL INTO THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT AND INTO THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT. THE ODOR HAD BECOME STRONGER. *SC *JB
Air BagsCrash1 injured
Filed May 27, 2004KY
WHILE DRIVING AT 30 MPH, THE VEHICLE SLID ON A WET ROAD AND REAR ENDED ANOTHER MOTORIST. THE DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG FAILED TO DEPLOY UPON IMPACT. THE CONSUMER'S NECK, SHOULDER AND CHEST WERE SORE. THE VEHICLE'S FRONT END WAS SEVERELY DAMAGED. THE DEALERSHIP WILL BE CONTACTED. WHILE DRIVING LONG DISTANCES THE CONSUMER HEARD A DRAGGING NOISE COMING FROM UNDER THE VEHICLE. THE CONSUMER HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO DEALERSHIP WHERE THE TECHNICIAN NOTICED WORN WHEEL BEARINGS. VEHICLE IS NOW ON IT'S SIXTH REPAIR. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. *NM
Electrical System › Ignition › SwitchFire
Filed May 20, 200495,493 milesMA
VEHICLE WAS PARKED AND CONSUMER PLACED THE KEY INSIDE THE IGNITION, AND VEHICLE WOULD NOT START. A BURNING SMELL WAS COMING FROM THE VEHICLE. CONSUMER LIFTED UP THE HOOD, AND SMOKE WAS COMING FROM THE STARTER. CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE. CONSUMER HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION, AND MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE IGNITION SWITCH NEEDED TO BE REPLACED DUE TO FAILURE. *AK *NM
Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components › Disc › Rotor
Filed May 11, 2004MI
WHILE APPLYING THE BRAKES THEY LOCKED UP. CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER FOR INSPECTION, AND MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT ROTORS AND BRAKE PEDAL NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AND REPLACED THEM. HOWEVER, PROBLEM RECURRED. *AK *NM
Equipment › Appliance › Air Conditioner
Filed May 3, 2004FL
THE A.C FAN HOUSEING IS CRACKING AND FALLING OUT DUE TO ENGINE HEAT. THE FAN VIBRATES ON HIGH & DOES NOT BLOW OR COOL THAT WELL.*AK
Power Train › Automatic TransmissionCrash2 injured
Filed Apr 8, 2004121,000 milesGA
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
Engine and Engine Cooling
Filed Mar 29, 2004MO
1995 PONTIAC GRAND AM SE OVERHEATING PROBLEMS SINCE I GOT THIS CAR. HAS BEEN IN THE SHOP 10 TIMES. OVER $4500 WORTH OF REPLACED PART- INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKETS, BEARINGS, HEAD GASKETS, THERMOSTATS, WATER PUMPS ETC. YET ONCE AGAIN IT HAS OVERHEATED AND IS AGAIN IN THE SHOP. I HAVE HAD SEVERAL PEOPLE I KNOW HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM. ALSO HAVE CHECKED OUT SEVERAL COMPLAINT WEB SITES AND LOW AND BEHOLD IT SEEMS THE REST OF THE PONTIAC WORLD HAS THE SAME PROBLEM. MY SUGGESTION TO PONTIAC IS TO STOP PRODUCTION OF ALL PRODUCTION OF NEW VEHICLES AND WORK ON FIXING THE PROBLEM BEFORE SPREADING IT EVEN MORE LIKE A VIRUS.*AK
Vehicle Speed Control
Filed Mar 3, 2004168,000 milesKY
CONTINIOUS ANALYSIS OF CHECK ENGINE LIGHT THAT INDICATES THE TPS/THROTTLE. AFTER IMMEDIATE REPAIR ANOTHER LIGHT ANOTHER THROTTLE. I'VE REPEATLY INQUIRED AS TO WHAT IS "THROWING" OR FLIPPING THE THROTTLE. QUALFIED AND AUTHORIZED MECHANICS CAN'T DETERMINE THIS. NOT ONLY IS THIS ISSUE CONTINUING BUT NOW THE TWO FRONT WINDOWS ARE HESITITATING. I'M GUESSING ITS AN ELECTRICAL PROBLEM THAT IS NOT BEING PROPERLY DIAGNOISED. THERE WAS THE ELECTRICAL IGNITION RECALL THAT I PARTICIPATED IN BUT THIS ISSUES IS A HAZARD AT ANY SPEED WHEN THE CAR HESITATES TO THE POINT OF CAUSING NEAR ACCIDENTS TO TRAFFIC BEHIND ME. THIS IS A MAJOR HAZARD THAT NEEDS TO BE DIAGNOSED AND REMEDIED. THIS IS A 1995 GRAND AM W/168,000 MILES AND REGULAR MAINTENANCE. SUGGESTIONS? *AK
Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine
Filed Feb 7, 2004110,000 milesMI
ABOUT A YEAR AGO I PURCHASED A 95 PONTIAC GRAND AM SE FROM PRICE POINT USED CAR SUPER CENTER. WHEN I BOUGHT THE CAR I WAS TOLD BY THE PERSON SELLING IT TO ME THAT IT WOULD BE GOOD FOR A KID GOING TO COLLEGE THAT IT WAS RELIABLE AND SUCH... WELL I GOT THE CAR, NOT ONLY IS IT NOT RELIABLE IT KEEPS BREAKING DOWN ON ME. FOR THE ENTIRE YEAR OF OWNING THE CAR IT HAS OVERHEATED TOO MANY TIMES TO COUNT... I CONTACTED THE DEALER BUT THEY TOLD ME THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO BECAUSE OF BEING BOUGHT AS IS... SO I TOOK IT TO AN A PLACE CALLED AUTO LAB... THEY SAID THEY FIXED THE PROBLEM OF IT OVERHEATING SAID IT WAS A HEAD GASKET BLOWN... SO AFTER IT WAS FIXED IT WORKED FOR ABOUT A WEEK THEN STARTED OVERHEATING AGAIN... I PROMPTLY TOOK IT BACK THEY SAID THAT I HAD BLOWN THE WATER PUMP AND FIXED IT A WEEK LATER AFTER GETTING IT BACK IT OVERHEATED AGAIN... THEY FINALLY DID A FINE INSPECTION OF IT AND SAID I NEEDED A NEW RADIATOR I FIGURED FINE GOT ONE AND IT STILL OVER HEATS THE ENGINE IS A 2.5 LITER QUAD 4.. ITS BEEN A YEAR NOW AND I HAVE YET BEEN ABLE TO GET THE CAR TO STOP OVERHEATING EVEN IN WINTER... AS A LAST DITCH EFFORT I AM WRITTING TO YOU WONDERING IF THERE IS ANYTHING THAT YOU MIGHT BE ABLE TO DO FOR ME... I WOULD LIKE TO ADD THAT MY PARENTS HAVE PUT IN WELL OVER $3,000 INTO THIS CAR IN VEHICLE REPAIRS ALONE AND IT STILL HAS FAILED TO WORK. EACH TIME I TOOK IT BACK TO AUTO LAB THEY HAD IT FOR A LEAST A WEEK, AND OVER A MONTH STRAIGHT DURING THE SUMMER. I AM STILL PAYING ON TH
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
Filed Jan 15, 2004TN
I HAVE REPLACED THESE ITEMS OR HAD THEM REPLACED. 1.HEATER CORE 2.BELT TENSIONER 3.ALTERNATOR TWICE 4.FULEPUMP 5.BREAKS BACK BREAKS ARE NEVER RIGHT. CAUSES RIGHT BACK TO STOPE ROLLING 6.GAS HAND DOES NOT WORK 7.CAR LOSES POWER THAN REGAINS POWER AND SURGES 8.AFTER STARTING CAR THERE IS A LOUD KNOCKING UNDER CAR, POSSIBLY TORQ CONVERTER 9.STARTER SOUNDS BAD WHEN CAR IS GETTING STARTED 10.RIGHT FRONT AXEL IS BAD WOBBLES AND RUINS TIRE 11. CLEAR COAT PAINT IS CHIPPING 12.POWER LOCKS DO NOT WORK 13.WINDOW TRACK ON DRIVERSIDE BAD 14.SEAL IN TRUNCK IS BAD LEAKS
Unknown or Other
Filed Jan 15, 2004185,000 milesLA
WE HAVE HAD THE CRANK SHAFT SENSOR REPLACED ,AND THAT COST US TWO TRIPS TO A MECHANIC TO FIGURE THAT PROBLEM OUT. THE TIMING BELT CHANGED TWICE, ANOTHER MOTOR PUT IN THIS YEAR, NEW ALTENATOR, NEW RADIATOR, FUEL PUMP, WATER PUMP,AND A NEW THROTTLE POSITION SENSOR. WE STILL HAVE AN OIL LEAK, WE NEED NEW STRUTS AND WE CONTINUALLY HAVE PROBLEMS WITH THE BRAKES. NOT TO LEAVE OUT THAT WHEN WE BOUGHT THE CAR WE HAD TO HAVE THE HEATER COIL REPLACED. THE DOOR LOCK DOES NOT WORK ON THE PASSENGER SIDE AND THE MOTOR MOUNT IS BROKE. I AM SURE THERE ARE OTHER THINGS I HAVE LEFT OUT BUT I CAN NOT THINK OF EVERYTHING RIGHT NOW. WHAT GOT ME TO THE POINT OF SENDING A COMPLAINT IS THAT WE JUST REPLACED THE RADIATOR 08/02/03, AND WE SEEM TO HAVE TO REPLACE SOMETHING EVERY MONTH OR SO, AND THERE DOES NOT SEEM TO BE ONE PART ON THIS CAR THAT DOES NOT COST A BUNDLE. IS THERE ANYWAY TO GET ANY OF MY MONEY BACK FOR ALL OF THIS? I'M SURE NOT BUT THERE OUGHT TO BE A WAY TO LET OTHER PEOPLE KNOW ABOUT PONTIAC GRAND-AM QUAD 4 (2.3) IT'S A PIECE OF _ _ _ _ !!!!!
Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine
Filed Dec 27, 200320 milesIL
CAR BOUGHT IN 1995. HAS BEEN IN THE SHOP OVER 10 TIMES FOR MAJOR REPAIRS. CAR IS AGAIN IN THE SHOP DUE TO NOT BEING ABLE TO ACCELERATE OVER 30 MILES PER HOUR. ENTIRE ENGINE SHAKES VERY BADLY.*AK
Engine and Engine Cooling › Exhaust System › Manifold/Header/Muffler/Tail Pipe
Filed Dec 22, 2003118,000 milesWI
CONSUMER NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD. TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER DETERMINED THAT INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET LEAKED ANTIFREEZE INTO THE ENGINE, AND THE ENGINE HAD TO BE REPLACED. *AK
Structure › Body › Hood › Hinge and Attachments
Filed Dec 10, 2003MI
WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH HOOD POPPED OPEN. CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER TO THE SHOULDER. THEN, HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED. TO DEALER. *AK THE HOOD HIT THE FRONT WINDSHIELD DAMAGING IT AND INJURING THE CONSUMER. CONSUMER CLOSED THE HOOD UNTIL IT LOCKED. WHILE DRIVING TO THE DEALERSHIP, THE HOOD UNLATCHED AGAIN THE HIT THE WINDSHIELD. MECHANIC INFORMED THE CONSUMER THAT THIS KIND OF INCIDENT HAPPENS ALL THE TIME WITH PONTIAC GRAND AM'S. *PH
Electrical System
Filed Dec 2, 200378,000 milesPA
THE COMBINATION SWITCH FOR THE HEAD LIGHTS/TURN SIGNAL, AND CRUISE CONTROL FAILED. AS A RESULT, WHILE DRIVING THE HEAD LIGHTS SHUT OFF WITHOUT WARNING. *AK HEADLIGHTS REPEATEDLY WENT OUT WHILE DRIVING. *PH
Structure › Body › Hood › Hinge and Attachments1 injured
Filed Nov 20, 2003100,000 milesMI
WHILE DRIVING AT 45-MPH THE UNDERHOOD LATCH FAILED. THE HOOD OPENED UP BREAKING THE WINDSHIELD AND INJURING THE DRIVER'S FACE AND ARMS. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. DEALER NOTIFIED. *PH
Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine
Filed Sep 10, 2003113,264 milesOH
95 PONTIAC GRAND AM SE 3.1L V6, AUTOMATIC TRANS. WITH 113,264 MILES. CAR LOST POWER, STARTING SMOKING VERY BADLY, CAR WAS PULLED OFF HIGHWAY AND STOPPED IMMEDIATELY. REPAIR SHOP INSPECTED AND FOUND OIL FILTER GASKET BLEW OUT, ALLOWING ENGINE OIL TO BE EXPELLED. THIS COULD CAUSE AN ENGINE FIRE, BUT DID NOT THIS TIME. OIL CHANGE SHOP INSPECTED FILTER AND CLAIMS REGULATOR IN OIL PUMP CAUSED OIL TO BE OVER-PRESSURIZED, BLOWING OUT THE GASKET AND CLAIMS NO RESPONSIBILITY. ENGINE NEEDS TO BE REPLACED ACCORDING THE REPAIR SHOP. I BOUGHT CAR NEW AND MAINTAINED IT REGULARLY AND AM VERY DISAPPOINTED WITH THE APPARENT POOR QUALITY OF THIS GM PRODUCT. *JB
Seat Belts › Front › RetractorCrash1 injured
Filed Aug 19, 2003125,000 milesTX
I WAS REAR-ENDED BY FOUR CARS ON 410E IN SAN ANTONIO. MY SEAT BELT DID NOT RESTRAIN ME IN MY 1995 PONTIAC GRAND-AM AND I WAS INJURED. I AM NOW OUT OF WORK FOR A WEEK DUE TO A HEAD TRAUMA AND MY CAR WAS TOTALLED!. *AK
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
Filed Aug 7, 200395,000 milesMO
WHEN BRAKES WERE DEPRESSED THERE WAS A HESITATION IN BRAKING THAT RESULTED IN EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE. *PH
Electrical System › Starter Assembly › Relay
Filed Jul 24, 2003OH
CONSUMER STATES THAT THERE WAS A PROBLEM STARING THE VEHICLE. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER, AND THE DEALER REPLACED THE STARTER. *AK
Electrical System
Filed Jul 14, 2003MN
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
Fuel System, Other › Delivery › Fuel Pump
Filed Jun 23, 2003MT
CONSUMER STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED AND WITHOUT WARNING THE FUEL PUMP FAILED. DEALER NOTIFIED. *AK
Electrical System › Wiring › Fuses and Circuit Breakers
Filed Jun 11, 2003MI
ERLS FUSE BLOWS, WHICH CAUSES THE CRUISE CONTROL TO STOP WORKING ALONG WITH THE A/C, ALSO THE REVERSE LIGHTS STOP WORKING, AND WHEN DRIVING AT 70 MPH INSTEAD OF THE RPM'S RUNNING ABOUT 2500 THEY ARE AT 3500 WHEN THE FUSE BLOWS. BROUGHT IT TO DEALER TO BE FIXED, THEY PUT A 25 AMP FUSE IN IT WHEN IT ONLY TAKES A 15 AMP FUSE AND SAID THEY COULDN'T FIND ANYTHING WRONG WITH IT. OF COURSE THAT BLEW EVENTUALLY ALONG WITH SOME SMOKE FROM THE FUSE PANEL. *AK
Engine and Engine Cooling › Cooling System
Filed Jun 9, 2003110,000 milesMI
VEHICLE KEEPS OVER HEATING EVEN AFTER BEING IN A REPAIR SHOP OVER 6 TIMES. *AK
Power Train
Filed Jun 8, 2003IL
INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET LEAK. CAR HAD 55,000 ORIGINAL MILES. PISTON SLAP ALSO BEGUN TO OCCUR. TRANSMISSION HAD PROBLEMS, ONLY REVS TO 4K RPM, WILL NOT GO HIGHER THAN 4K RPM. *TT
Electrical System › Ignition › Switch
Filed Jun 3, 2003NJ
NAR 6-03-2003 *MR IGNITION SWITCH FIRE HAZARD. *CB
Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip
Filed May 22, 2003OH
ABS BRAKES. *NLM
Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine
Filed Apr 22, 2003NY
THE ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE TEMPERATURE GAUGE READ THE VEHICLE OVER HEATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER ON 1/21/03 WHO STATED THERE A BLOCKAGE IN THE ENGINE, AND THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *JB
Complaints 1-50 of 409, newest first, reproduced as filed.
It is not among the Grand AM years to avoid. Owners filed 409 complaints, against about 351 for a typical Grand AM year. The most common complaint is about the electrical system (26%).
What is the most common problem with the 1995 Pontiac Grand AM?
The electrical system: 107 of the 409 complaints (26%) are about it. Owners most often say it smokes or smells of burning (22%), will not start (14%) and drains the battery or stops charging (5%). The typical report comes at 138,000 miles.
How many recalls does the 1995 Pontiac Grand AM have?
1 safety recall on file with NHTSA, the most recent filed Oct 2, 2000. Recall repairs are free at a dealer; whether a specific car still has one open depends on its VIN.
At what mileage do 1995 Pontiac Grand AM problems start?
Half of the complaints that record an odometer reading came in before 110,000 miles. For the electrical system the midpoint is 138,000 miles.
Has NHTSA investigated the 1995 Pontiac Grand AM?
Yes, 2 times. The latest, EA00007 ("STEERING COLUMN FIRES"), was opened Mar 3, 2000 and closed Feb 7, 2001.
Are there service bulletins for the 1995 Pontiac Grand AM?
The manufacturer filed 62 technical service bulletins and other notices for it with NHTSA, most of them about the brakes (12), the engine (11) and the electrical system (10). A bulletin is a repair instruction to dealers, not a recall: the fix is usually free only under warranty.
Reading this record
A high number of complaints describe fires or crashes.
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.