IllustrationTHIS IS THE THIRD TIME THIS HAS HAPPENED TO ME. EACH TIME I'VE PAID $400.00 TO REPAIR. THE STEERING CULUMN GETS LOOSE WHILE I AM DRIVING.
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 →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Grand Am years →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: 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
What owners actually said
377 reportsVEHICLE WOULD NOT START AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS, SHORTLY THEREAFTER A ALRGE AMPOUNT OF BLACK SMOKE APEARED FROM TH EDRIVERS SIDE FOLLOWED BY FLAMES WHICH ENGULFED THE WHOLE DASH AREA.*AK
I HAD THE IGNITION SWITCH REPLACED (DUE TO RECALL) AND AM TOLD THE CAR IS FINE. THE THIRD TIME I TRIED TO START THE CAR, IT DOESN'T START. TOWING IT BACK TO DEALER, I'M TOLD THE BATTERY AND ALTERNATOR NEED TO BE REPLACED. I BELIEVE THIS PROBLEM IS DUE TO THE IGNITION SWITCH RECALL, BUT AM TOLD THAT IT'S JUST A COINCEDENCE AND…
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I HAD THE IGNITION SWITCH REPLACED (DUE TO RECALL) AND AM TOLD THE CAR IS FINE. THE THIRD TIME I TRIED TO START THE CAR, IT DOESN'T START. TOWING IT BACK TO DEALER, I'M TOLD THE BATTERY AND ALTERNATOR NEED TO BE REPLACED. I BELIEVE THIS PROBLEM IS DUE TO THE IGNITION SWITCH RECALL, BUT AM TOLD THAT IT'S JUST A COINCEDENCE AND I WILL HAVE TO PAY FOR THE ADDITIONAL REPAIRS. EITHER THE DEALERSHIP ISN'T AWARE OF HOW TO FIX THE PROBLEM, OR THE RECALL IS MASKING A LARGER ELECTRICAL PROBLEM.
SUDDEN IMMEDIATE FAILURE OF STEERING WHEEL TILT MECHANISM. CAUSED VEHICLE TO SWERVE TO SIDE BUT I WAS ABLE TO RECOVER WITHOUT IMPACT. FOLLOWING INCIDENT VEHICLE WAS BARELY DRIVEABLE DUE TO STEERING WHEEL PLAY.*AK
THE DRIVER'S SIDE PIN IN THE TILT STEERING CAME LOOSE RESULTING IN THE STEERING WHEEL TO BECOME VERY LOOSE. IN 1999, THE PASSENGER SIDE PIN OF THE SAME MECHANISM CAME LOOSE. THIS WAS ALSO REPORTED TO YOU.*AK
PINS CAME LOOSE ON TILT STEERING SECTION, CAUSING STEERING WHEEL TO BE LOOSE. CONTACTED DEALER. PLEASE ADD VIN. *AK
MY CAR WAS UNDER MANUFACTURER'S RECALL 00079. RECALL WAS IF THE IGNITION KEY TURNED FOR LONG CAN CAUSE FIRE, AND WORK WAS DONE BY THE PONTIAC DEALER IN CLINTON TWP., MICHIGAN. JIM CAUSLEY 38111 GRATIOT AVENUE,CLINTON TWP. MI 48036-3592. DEALER ADDED ONE MODULE BY MIDDLE TOP SECTION OF THE RADIATOR, AND WIRING WAS GROUNDED NEX…
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MY CAR WAS UNDER MANUFACTURER'S RECALL 00079. RECALL WAS IF THE IGNITION KEY TURNED FOR LONG CAN CAUSE FIRE, AND WORK WAS DONE BY THE PONTIAC DEALER IN CLINTON TWP., MICHIGAN. JIM CAUSLEY 38111 GRATIOT AVENUE,CLINTON TWP. MI 48036-3592. DEALER ADDED ONE MODULE BY MIDDLE TOP SECTION OF THE RADIATOR, AND WIRING WAS GROUNDED NEXT TO IT. REST OF THE WIRES WERE CONNECTED TO THE MAIN HARNESS BY THE STARTER AREA. PICTURES ARE AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST.I WENT TO PICKUP PIZZA ON 7/16/01 APROX. 8 P.M AND CAR WAS PARKED IN THE PLAZA IN PARKING LOT AND WAS NOT RUNNING AT THAT TIME , MATTER OF FACT I HAD THE KEYS WITH ME, WHILE MY NEPHEW WAS IN THE CAR, MINUTES LATER HE CAME IN AND MENTION ME ABOUT THE SMOKE COMING OUT OF THE HOOD AND I MENTIONED HIM HOW THIS IS POSSIBLE CAR IS NOT EVEN RUNNING. I HAVE THE KEY? I WENT OUT TO SEE THE CAR THE FIRE WAS ALL OVER. JUST THINK IF CAR PARKED IN MY GARAGE AND IT IS ATTACHED GARAGE MY HOUSE WILL BE ON FIRE AND POSSIBLY SOME OF LIFES. PLEASE INVESTIGATE HOW MANY ISSUES ARE LIKE THAT AND FOR THE PEOPLE SAFETY WHO HAVE THE SAME RECALL ON 94 PONTIAC GRANDAM I URGE YOU TO INFORM THEM FOR THIS ISSUE. THANKS - RAJ VIJ. *AK
WINDOW REGULATOR JAMMED CAUSING WINDOW NOT TO FUNCTION.FREED ROLLER ON REGULATOR.WIDOW WILL MOVE UP AND DOWN BUT WITH PROBLEMS.HAVE BEEN TRYING TO GET USED WINDOW REGULATOR FROM JUNK YARD BUT THIS SEEMS TO BE A PROBLEM WITH THIS VEHICLE AS A GOOD USED PART IS NOT AVAILABLE AND THE COST OF A NEW PART EXCEDES THE VALUE OF HAVING A…
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WINDOW REGULATOR JAMMED CAUSING WINDOW NOT TO FUNCTION.FREED ROLLER ON REGULATOR.WIDOW WILL MOVE UP AND DOWN BUT WITH PROBLEMS.HAVE BEEN TRYING TO GET USED WINDOW REGULATOR FROM JUNK YARD BUT THIS SEEMS TO BE A PROBLEM WITH THIS VEHICLE AS A GOOD USED PART IS NOT AVAILABLE AND THE COST OF A NEW PART EXCEDES THE VALUE OF HAVING A WORKING WINDOW.MFG SHOULD BE HELD RESPONSIBE AS THIS IS OBVIOUSLY A DEFECT IN DESIGN.
ENGINE HEAD CRACKED DUE TO INTERNAL CORROSION.DEALER INDICATED PROBLEM WITH COMPONENT AND NEW PART"IS DIFFERENT SO IT WON'T HAPPEN AGAIN" RESEARCH INDICATES THIS A PROBLEM WITH THIS ENGINE AND MFG SHOULD BE HELD RESPONSIBLE.CAR WAS IN FOR ELECTRICAL SYSTEM RECALL AND OIL CHANGE .DEALER DISCOVERED PROBLEM DURING OIL CHANGE.*AK
THIS PART FELL OUT WHILE ACCELARATING ONTO INTERSTATE 80 WHILE APPROACHING HIGHWAY SPEEDS. SLIGHT LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL DUE TO LOOSE STEERING WHEEL/
Official recalls
200V287000 · 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
2EA00007 · 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.