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1994 Pontiac Grand Am

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

More warning signs than most Grand Am years

Owner complaints for the 1994 Pontiac Grand Am are substantially higher than the model-year median of 82.

About this comparison →

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

Limited mileage data: 27 of 377 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 73 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electrical System. Review the 71 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Service Brakes, Hydraulic. Review the 60 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

58 crash reports28 fire reports38 injury reports

Engine And Engine Cooling complaints

73 reports
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208,000 miles · May 9, 2006
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine Cooling

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, VACU…

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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

NHTSA ODI #10157054

123,000 miles · Feb 26, 2006
Engine And Engine Cooling

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

NHTSA ODI #10151259

123,000 miles · Feb 26, 2006
Engine And Engine Cooling

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

NHTSA ODI #10151258

150,000 miles · Aug 22, 2005
Engine And Engine Cooling

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

NHTSA ODI #10133734

74,258 miles · Feb 8, 2005
Engine And Engine CoolingVisibility

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 …

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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

NHTSA ODI #10110141

Mileage unknown · Oct 12, 2004
Engine And Engine Cooling

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 O…

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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

NHTSA ODI #10096644

145,200 miles · Sep 14, 2004
Engine And Engine Cooling

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.

NHTSA ODI #10090960

Mileage unknown · Jun 4, 2004
Engine And Engine CoolingService Brakes, HydraulicSuspension

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

NHTSA ODI #10075859

108,970 miles · Jan 15, 2004
Engine And Engine CoolingFuel System, GasolineVisibility

PURCHASED VEHICLE, HEATING DID NOT WORK - AIR WOULD BLOW OUT COLD. DEALER BLEW OUT HEAT CORE AND REPLACED THERMOSTAT. MINIMAL AMOUNT OF HEAT. ENGINE STARTED TO STUTTER AND STALL. FUEL INJECTOR IN 5TH CYLINDER BAD. MECHANIC FLUSHED INJECTED AND GAVE TUNE UP. RAN OK FOR A WEEK AND THEN CONSTANT STUTTER AND SHAKE AT 50 MPH. …

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PURCHASED VEHICLE, HEATING DID NOT WORK - AIR WOULD BLOW OUT COLD. DEALER BLEW OUT HEAT CORE AND REPLACED THERMOSTAT. MINIMAL AMOUNT OF HEAT. ENGINE STARTED TO STUTTER AND STALL. FUEL INJECTOR IN 5TH CYLINDER BAD. MECHANIC FLUSHED INJECTED AND GAVE TUNE UP. RAN OK FOR A WEEK AND THEN CONSTANT STUTTER AND SHAKE AT 50 MPH. MECHANIC REPLACED 1 INJECTOR. STUTTER GONE. NO OVERHEATING, BUT ANTIFREEZE LEAK X 1. REPLACED WATER PUMP. 1 WEEK LATER CONSTANT OVERHEATING AND PUDDLE OF ANTIFREEZE AROUND ENGINE BLOCK. THEN THE ENGINE STALLED AND I CHECKED THE OIL TO FIND THE DIPSTICK SHOWED TWICE THE AMOUNT OF OIL AFTER SITTING FOR 8 HOURS. JUST HAD OIL CHANGED 1 WEEK AFTER REPAIRS, I HAD THE OIL CHANGED, THAT IS WHEN THE OIL APPEARED OVERFULL AND THE CAR STAULED.

NHTSA ODI #10069976

86,000 miles · Dec 3, 2003
Engine And Engine Cooling

1994 PONTIAC WITH QUAD 4 ENGINE HAS A CRACKED HEAD. IT SEEMS THERE ARE SEVERAL OCCURRENCES OF THIS DEFECT, AND PONTIAC SHOULD RECALL.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10049158

Official recalls

2

00V287000 · Electrical System:starter Assembly

Oct 2, 2000

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.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: 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.

94V122000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:storage:tank Assembly

Jul 1, 1994

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."

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: 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.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

2

EA00007 · Steering Column Fires

Opened Mar 3, 2000 · Closed Feb 7, 2001

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Electrical System

There is no summary currently available

PE99063 · Steering Column Fire

Opened Oct 7, 1999 · Closed Mar 3, 2000

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Steering

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 TO ENGAGE THE STARTER.A FIRE IS CLAIMED TO HAVE ENSUED IN THE STEERING COLUMN IMMEDIATELY THERAFTER.GM ISSUED A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN (TSB) (NO. 433203) JULY 1994 WHIICH ADDRESSED OWNER COMPLAINTS THAT THE IGNITION SWITCH MAY NOT RETURN TO THE RUN POSITION AFTER THE VEHICLE HAS STARTED.THE TSB ADVISES THAT THE IGNITION SWITCH MOUNTING SCREWS MAY BE EXCESSIVELY TORQUED RESULTING IN DISTORTION OF THE SWITCH HOUSING.AN ENGINEERING ANALYSIS IS WARRANTED TO DETERMINE THE ROOT CAUSE(S) AND TO DETERMIN IF A SAFETY DEFECT EXISTS.