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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

Power Train complaints

33 reports
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165 miles · Dec 2, 2005
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine CoolingExterior Lighting

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 RADIA…

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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 STILL DRIVING THE CAR WHEN IT IS BEHAVING BUT I HAVE BEEN HAVING TO HOLD THE IGNITION SWITCH TO GET THE CAR TO START WHICH I HADN'T HAD TO DO BEFORE... ARE THEY WAITING FOR MY CAR TO CATCH ON FIRE DUE TO THIS IGNITION PROBLEM? THE SMARTEST THING WOULD BE TO TAKE IT TO SOMEONE ELSE BUT NO ONE WANTS TO TOUCH THE CAR AFTER FINDING OUT IT WAS AT THE OTHER DEALERSHIP SO WHERE DO I GO NOW? AND A REPLY ON THAT SURE WOULD BE A BIG HELP! *JB

NHTSA ODI #10144193

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 · Jan 15, 2004
Engine And Engine CoolingFuel System, GasolinePower Train

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 CO…

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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

NHTSA ODI #10069670

Mileage unknown · Jul 14, 2003
Electrical SystemExterior LightingPower Train

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 TAK…

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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

NHTSA ODI #10027165

Mileage unknown · Jun 8, 2003
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train

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

NHTSA ODI #10021247

Mileage unknown · Apr 21, 2003
Power Train

THE VEHICLE FAILED TO ACCELERATE, HOWEVER THE ENGINE CONTINUED TO RUN. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10017213

Mileage unknown · Aug 20, 2001
Power Train

TRANSMISSION IS SLIPPING, BEFORE ENGAGING INTO GEAR. *AK

NHTSA ODI #750829

Mileage unknown · Jun 27, 2001
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train

CONSUMERS VEHICLE WAS BROUGHT INTO SERVICE DEPARTMENT OF DEALERSHIP FOR A REBUILT TRANSMISSION. VEHICLE HAD BEEN DRIVEN FOR THREE WEEKS BEFORE IT HAD TO BE PUT BACK IN THE SHOP FOR A BROKEN WATER PUMP. DEALER WILL NOT REPAIR AT NO CHARGE. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHUR DETAILS.*AK

NHTSA ODI #891473

Mileage unknown · Apr 6, 2001
Power Train

PREMATURE DEFECTIVE REAR ACTION DRUM WITHIN TRANSMISSION REQUIRED TRANSMISSION REBUILD BY LOCAL TRANSMISSION SHOP. NO ACCIDENT OR ON ROAD FAILURE OCCURRED, POPPING/THUMPING SOUND WAS OCCURING UPON LIGHT ACCERLERATION FROM A DEAD STOP.*AK

NHTSA ODI #743633

Mileage unknown · Mar 29, 2001
Power Train

TRANSMISSION JERKED WHEN SHIFTING FROM PARK TO REVERSE AT FIRST, THEN AN EXTREMELY LOUD WHINING NOISE @ 15 - 20 MPH. HAD A LOCAL GARAGE LISTEN TO VEHICLE WHICH INTURN THEY TOLD ME THAT THE TRANSMISSION WAS IN NEED OF REPLACEMENT OR A COMPLETE REBUILD. I CALLED AIRPORT TRANSMISSION IN ROCHESTER N.Y AND THEY REBUILT IT FOR A SUM O…

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TRANSMISSION JERKED WHEN SHIFTING FROM PARK TO REVERSE AT FIRST, THEN AN EXTREMELY LOUD WHINING NOISE @ 15 - 20 MPH. HAD A LOCAL GARAGE LISTEN TO VEHICLE WHICH INTURN THEY TOLD ME THAT THE TRANSMISSION WAS IN NEED OF REPLACEMENT OR A COMPLETE REBUILD. I CALLED AIRPORT TRANSMISSION IN ROCHESTER N.Y AND THEY REBUILT IT FOR A SUM OF $1,866.24.*AK

NHTSA ODI #743276

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.