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1995 Pontiac Grand Am

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

More warning signs than most Grand Am years

Owner complaints for the 1995 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: 33 of 409 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.

  • Electrical System. Review the 120 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Service Brakes, Hydraulic. Review the 75 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine And Engine Cooling. 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.

59 crash reports41 fire reports45 injury reports

What owners actually said

409 reports
89,548 miles · Aug 20, 2004
Suspension

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 B…

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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

NHTSA ODI #10083354

87,000 miles · Jul 23, 2004
Engine And Engine CoolingFire

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 WE…

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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 OWE $2000 ON MY CAR AND WAS TOLD TODAY BY NUMEROUS SPECIALISTS THAT THIS CAR WITH THE BLOWN HEAD GASKETS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM IN THESE CARS, AND FOR SOME REASON GM FAILS TO ACKNOWLEDGE THIS AND LETS THESE CARS REMAIN ON THE ROAD. YOU NEED TO DO SOMETHING. SO NOW I HAVE NO CAR WITH A BABY, AND A MAJOR PROBLEM. LIKE I SAID YOU NEED TO FIX THIS PROBLEM. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10082538

115,000 miles · Jun 23, 2004
Engine And Engine Cooling

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 …

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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

NHTSA ODI #10063130

Mileage unknown · May 27, 2004
Air BagsCrashInjury

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 DRA…

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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

NHTSA ODI #10074347

95,493 miles · May 20, 2004
Electrical SystemFire

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 MECHANI…

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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

NHTSA ODI #10068632

Mileage unknown · May 11, 2004
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

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

NHTSA ODI #10067169

Mileage unknown · May 3, 2004
Equipment

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

NHTSA ODI #10068242

121,000 miles · Apr 8, 2004
Power TrainSeatsCrashInjury

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 REMED…

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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

NHTSA ODI #10065779

Mileage unknown · Mar 29, 2004
Engine And Engine Cooling

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…

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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

NHTSA ODI #10064110

168,000 miles · Mar 3, 2004
Vehicle Speed Control

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 A…

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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

NHTSA ODI #10060303

Official recalls

1

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.

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.