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1994 Pontiac Grand Prix

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

More warning signs than most Grand Prix years

Owner complaints for the 1994 Pontiac Grand Prix are substantially higher than the model-year median of 88.

About this comparison →

How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

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Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.

What owners reported most

All reported categories

Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

Limited mileage data: 10 of 213 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.

  • Visibility. Review the 65 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Service Brakes, Hydraulic. Review the 44 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electrical System. Review the 28 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

25 crash reports2 fire reports19 injury reports

What owners actually said

213 reports
Mileage unknown · Jan 4, 2012
Structure

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1994 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT BOTH DOOR HANDLES ON THE PASSENGER SIDE HAD BEEN REPLACED TWICE AND THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE HANDLE WAS REPLACED ONCE. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE HANDLES WERE MADE OUT OFF POT METAL, INCREASING THE RISK OF FRACTURE. THE CONTACT SPOKE WITH THE MANUFACTUR…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1994 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT BOTH DOOR HANDLES ON THE PASSENGER SIDE HAD BEEN REPLACED TWICE AND THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE HANDLE WAS REPLACED ONCE. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE HANDLES WERE MADE OUT OFF POT METAL, INCREASING THE RISK OF FRACTURE. THE CONTACT SPOKE WITH THE MANUFACTURER, BUT WAS INFORMED THAT THERE WAS NO REMEDY FOR THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 50,000.

NHTSA ODI #10442397

140,000 miles · Oct 13, 2010
Power Train

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1994 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO START THE VEHICLE AND IT WOULD NOT START. SHE MADE SEVERAL ATTEMPTS BEFORE THE VEHICLE WOULD START. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL MECHANIC AND HE ADJUSTED THE GEAR SHIFTER. THE CONTACT STATED THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1994 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO START THE VEHICLE AND IT WOULD NOT START. SHE MADE SEVERAL ATTEMPTS BEFORE THE VEHICLE WOULD START. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL MECHANIC AND HE ADJUSTED THE GEAR SHIFTER. THE CONTACT STATED THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN AGAIN TO THE SAME LOCAL MECHANIC AND HE ADJUSTED THE GEAR SHIFT; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE CONTINUED TO OCCUR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL MECHANIC 5 TO 6 TIMES FOR THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT DID NOT HAVE ANY DETAILS REGARDING THE DIAGNOSIS. THE PRE-OWNED VEHICLE WAS PURCHASE IN 1998. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 140,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 180,000.

NHTSA ODI #10360355

124,000 miles · Jun 28, 2010
Visibility

THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS COMPLETELY STOPPED WORKING ON MY 1994 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX. THERE IS A SAFETY RECALL FOR A FAULTY WINDSHIELD WIPER SWITCH FOR THE YEAR, MAKE AND MODEL OF MY CAR BUT THE DEALER SAYS MY VIN IS NOT COVERED UNDER THE SAFETY RECALL. ACCORDING TO THE REPAIR MANUAL FOR MY VEHICLE, IT IS THE WIPER SWITCH WHICH IS F…

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THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS COMPLETELY STOPPED WORKING ON MY 1994 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX. THERE IS A SAFETY RECALL FOR A FAULTY WINDSHIELD WIPER SWITCH FOR THE YEAR, MAKE AND MODEL OF MY CAR BUT THE DEALER SAYS MY VIN IS NOT COVERED UNDER THE SAFETY RECALL. ACCORDING TO THE REPAIR MANUAL FOR MY VEHICLE, IT IS THE WIPER SWITCH WHICH IS FAULTY. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10340526

83,000 miles · Nov 6, 2009
Visibility

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1994 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX. THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS DO NOT OPERATE AT THE HIGHEST SPEED. SHE CALLED THE DEALERSHIP WHO ADVISED HER THAT SHE WOULD HAVE TO PAY A DIAGNOSTIC FEE OF $94.00 PER HOUR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED, BUT NO ASSISTANCE WAS PROVIDED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 84,115. THE FAILURE MILEAGE…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1994 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX. THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS DO NOT OPERATE AT THE HIGHEST SPEED. SHE CALLED THE DEALERSHIP WHO ADVISED HER THAT SHE WOULD HAVE TO PAY A DIAGNOSTIC FEE OF $94.00 PER HOUR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED, BUT NO ASSISTANCE WAS PROVIDED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 84,115. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 83,000.

NHTSA ODI #10291238

130,000 miles · Nov 1, 2009
Latches/locks/linkages

WITHOUT WARNING, ACCIDENT OR OTHER CAUSE, THE DRIVERS DOOR HANDLES FAILED TO OPERATE. I CANNOT OPEN THE DOOR FROM INSIDE OR OUTSIDE THE VEHICLE. I HAD MY LOCAL MECHANIC TRY TO REPAIR THE LINKAGE, BUT GM SAYS NO PARTS ARE AVAILABLE. HE REPAIRED IT, BUT WARNED IT MAY NOT LAST . REPAIR LASTED 2500 MILES AND SIX MONTHS AT A COST O…

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WITHOUT WARNING, ACCIDENT OR OTHER CAUSE, THE DRIVERS DOOR HANDLES FAILED TO OPERATE. I CANNOT OPEN THE DOOR FROM INSIDE OR OUTSIDE THE VEHICLE. I HAD MY LOCAL MECHANIC TRY TO REPAIR THE LINKAGE, BUT GM SAYS NO PARTS ARE AVAILABLE. HE REPAIRED IT, BUT WARNED IT MAY NOT LAST . REPAIR LASTED 2500 MILES AND SIX MONTHS AT A COST OF $165.00. CAR IS UNSAFE IF I CANNOT ENTER OR EXIT WITH REASONABLE EFFORT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10290521

129,000 miles · Apr 21, 2009
Latches/locks/linkages

DRIVER DOOR LATCH MECHANISM FAILED TO WORK. SERVICED BY PRIVATE MECHANIC WHO STATED LINKAGE PARTS NOT AVAILABLE. DOOR CANNOT BE OPENED FROM EITHER SIDE TRAPPING DRIVER IN CAR IN AN EMERGENCY. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10266304

126,000 miles · Aug 8, 2008
Engine And Engine Cooling

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1994 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX. AFTER THE CONTACT INSERTED THE KEY INTO THE IGNITION, THE VEHICLE JUST CLICKED. THE LOCAL MECHANIC PURCHASED THE PARTS FROM PARTS PLUS AND FOUND A NOTICE IN THE BOX. THE NOTICE STATED THAT THERE WAS INSUFFICIENT VOLTAGE BEING CARRIED TO THE STARTER DUE TO THE MR. GOODWRENCH ANTIT…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1994 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX. AFTER THE CONTACT INSERTED THE KEY INTO THE IGNITION, THE VEHICLE JUST CLICKED. THE LOCAL MECHANIC PURCHASED THE PARTS FROM PARTS PLUS AND FOUND A NOTICE IN THE BOX. THE NOTICE STATED THAT THERE WAS INSUFFICIENT VOLTAGE BEING CARRIED TO THE STARTER DUE TO THE MR. GOODWRENCH ANTITHEFT SYSTEM. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO ANOTHER REPAIR SHOP AND THEY STATED THAT THEY COULD MAKE THE NECESSARY REPAIRS, WHICH WOULD COST BETWEEN $250-$500. SHE CALLED THE DEALER REGARDING RECALLS AND WAS INFORMED THAT THERE WERE NONE RELATED TO HER VEHICLE. THE FAILURE HAS OCCURRED THREE TIMES AND THE STARTER WAS REPLACED THREE TIMES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 126,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 130,000.

NHTSA ODI #10237456

38,746 miles · Mar 27, 2008
Engine And Engine Cooling

1994 GRAND PRIX 38,746 MI DROVE VEHICLE 1 AND 3/4 MI TO WARM UP TO CHANGE OIL NOTICED TEMP GAUGE RISING SHUT OFF MOTOR WAITED 30 MIN CHECKED RADIATOR NO ANTI FREEZE CHECKED OIL NOTICED ANTI FREEZE MIXED WITH OIL TOOK CAR HOME CALLED REPAIR SHOPS BEST PRICE $950.00 TO REPAIR BAD HEAD GASKET AND INTAKE GASKET I OWNED THE CAR EXACT…

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1994 GRAND PRIX 38,746 MI DROVE VEHICLE 1 AND 3/4 MI TO WARM UP TO CHANGE OIL NOTICED TEMP GAUGE RISING SHUT OFF MOTOR WAITED 30 MIN CHECKED RADIATOR NO ANTI FREEZE CHECKED OIL NOTICED ANTI FREEZE MIXED WITH OIL TOOK CAR HOME CALLED REPAIR SHOPS BEST PRICE $950.00 TO REPAIR BAD HEAD GASKET AND INTAKE GASKET I OWNED THE CAR EXACTLY 3 DAYS I UNDERSTAND THE PONTIAC 3100 AND 3800 HAVE BAD HEAD GASKETS THIS IS MY LAST GM. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10222499

Mileage unknown · Oct 5, 2006
Visibility

MY DAD WORKS FOR GM. MY PARENTS BOUGHT THIS CAR BRAND NEW IN 1994, IMMEDIATELY, THERE WAS A MANUFACTURING DEFECT IN THE WINDSHIELD THAT CAUSED VISUAL PROBLEMS. THE WINDSHIELD WAS REPLACED BY THE DEALERSHIP AT NO CHARGE. LATER, THE WINDSHIELD CRACKED FROM BOTTOM LEFT ACROSS TO THE RIGHT. IT WAS REPLACED AGAIN FOR NO CHARGE. MY P…

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MY DAD WORKS FOR GM. MY PARENTS BOUGHT THIS CAR BRAND NEW IN 1994, IMMEDIATELY, THERE WAS A MANUFACTURING DEFECT IN THE WINDSHIELD THAT CAUSED VISUAL PROBLEMS. THE WINDSHIELD WAS REPLACED BY THE DEALERSHIP AT NO CHARGE. LATER, THE WINDSHIELD CRACKED FROM BOTTOM LEFT ACROSS TO THE RIGHT. IT WAS REPLACED AGAIN FOR NO CHARGE. MY PARENTS WERE ACTUALLY TOLD IT MAY CRACK AGAIN. I NOW OWN THE CAR AND HAVE HAD IT FOR 2 YEARS. THE WINDSHIELD STARTED CRACKING AGAIN FROM THE LOWER LEFT CORNER FOR NO PARTICULAR REASON . THE CRACKS HAVE GROWN OVER THE LAST 2 YEARS, BUT I CAN STILL SEE FINE BECAUSE OF MY HEIGHT, IT ISN'T OBSTRUCTING. MY PROBLEM IS, I GOT PULLED OVER AND WAS TOLD I HAVE TO EITHER HAVE THE WINDSHIELD REPLACED, GET RID OF THE CAR ( WHICH IT STILL RUNS WELL), OR PAY A FINE. I DON'T THINK I SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR SOMETHING THAT IS CLEARLY A MANUFACTURER DEFECT. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10169978

Mileage unknown · May 23, 2006
Visibility

INTERMITTENT AND THEN COMPLETE FAILURE OF THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS. FOR A WHILE, THEY WOULD OPERATE INTERMITTENT;Y IF THE TURN-SIGNAL STALK WAS WIGGLED OR HELD IN A NON STANDARD POSITION. IN SPITE OF AN EXISTING RECALL ON THE VEHICLE, NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER : 97V017000, GM REFUSES TO FIX THEIR FAULTY PRODUCT. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10158118

Official recalls

1

97V017000 · Visibility:windshield Wiper/washer:switch/wiring

Feb 11, 1997

SOME OF THESE VEHICLES HAVE A STRAINED OR SEPARATED WASHER/WIPER SWITCH POWER FEED WIRE.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: THIS CAN CAUSE THE WINDSHIELD WASHER/WIPER TO WORK INTERMITTENTLY AND COULD ULTIMATELY RESULT IN INOPERATIVE WIPERS. IF THIS WERE TO OCCUR IN A SEVERE WEATHER SITUATION, DRIVER VISIBILITY COULD BE REDUCED, INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND REPLACE THE OLD DESIGNED WASHER/WIPER SWITCHES WITH A NEWLY DESIGNED SWITCH.

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

EA96010 · Windshield Wiper Failures

Opened Jun 18, 1996 · Closed Feb 19, 1997

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Visibility

BY LETTER DATED FEBRUARY 4, 1997, GM NOTIFIED NHTSA THAT IT WAS GOING TO RECALL 349,331 MODEL YEAR 1994 AND 1995 W CAR VEHICLES.THE W CAR MODELS OF CHEVROLET, BUICK, OLDSMOBILE, AS WELL AS THE SUBJECT PONTIAC GRAND PRIX MODELS ARE INCLUDED.THE RECALL (97V-017) WILL INVOLVE REPLACING ALL THE OLD STYLE WINDSHIELD WIPER SWITCHES WITH THE LATER IMPROVED SWITCH, WITH THE LONGER WIRING HARNESS.DUE TO GM'S SAFETY-RECALL ACTION, THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT NO SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT EXISTS.THE AGENCY RESERVES THE RIGHT TO TAKE FURTHER ACTION IF WARRANTED BY THE CIRCUMSTANCES.

PE96011 · Windshield Wiper Failure

Opened Feb 8, 1996 · Closed Jun 18, 1996

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Visibility

There is no summary currently available