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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
110,000 miles · Feb 7, 2004
Engine And Engine Cooling

ABOUT A YEAR AGO I PURCHASED A 95 PONTIAC GRAND AM SE FROM PRICE POINT USED CAR SUPER CENTER. WHEN I BOUGHT THE CAR I WAS TOLD BY THE PERSON SELLING IT TO ME THAT IT WOULD BE GOOD FOR A KID GOING TO COLLEGE THAT IT WAS RELIABLE AND SUCH... WELL I GOT THE CAR, NOT ONLY IS IT NOT RELIABLE IT KEEPS BREAKING DOWN ON ME. FOR THE E…

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ABOUT A YEAR AGO I PURCHASED A 95 PONTIAC GRAND AM SE FROM PRICE POINT USED CAR SUPER CENTER. WHEN I BOUGHT THE CAR I WAS TOLD BY THE PERSON SELLING IT TO ME THAT IT WOULD BE GOOD FOR A KID GOING TO COLLEGE THAT IT WAS RELIABLE AND SUCH... WELL I GOT THE CAR, NOT ONLY IS IT NOT RELIABLE IT KEEPS BREAKING DOWN ON ME. FOR THE ENTIRE YEAR OF OWNING THE CAR IT HAS OVERHEATED TOO MANY TIMES TO COUNT... I CONTACTED THE DEALER BUT THEY TOLD ME THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO BECAUSE OF BEING BOUGHT AS IS... SO I TOOK IT TO AN A PLACE CALLED AUTO LAB... THEY SAID THEY FIXED THE PROBLEM OF IT OVERHEATING SAID IT WAS A HEAD GASKET BLOWN... SO AFTER IT WAS FIXED IT WORKED FOR ABOUT A WEEK THEN STARTED OVERHEATING AGAIN... I PROMPTLY TOOK IT BACK THEY SAID THAT I HAD BLOWN THE WATER PUMP AND FIXED IT A WEEK LATER AFTER GETTING IT BACK IT OVERHEATED AGAIN... THEY FINALLY DID A FINE INSPECTION OF IT AND SAID I NEEDED A NEW RADIATOR I FIGURED FINE GOT ONE AND IT STILL OVER HEATS THE ENGINE IS A 2.5 LITER QUAD 4.. ITS BEEN A YEAR NOW AND I HAVE YET BEEN ABLE TO GET THE CAR TO STOP OVERHEATING EVEN IN WINTER... AS A LAST DITCH EFFORT I AM WRITTING TO YOU WONDERING IF THERE IS ANYTHING THAT YOU MIGHT BE ABLE TO DO FOR ME... I WOULD LIKE TO ADD THAT MY PARENTS HAVE PUT IN WELL OVER $3,000 INTO THIS CAR IN VEHICLE REPAIRS ALONE AND IT STILL HAS FAILED TO WORK. EACH TIME I TOOK IT BACK TO AUTO LAB THEY HAD IT FOR A LEAST A WEEK, AND OVER A MONTH STRAIGHT DURING THE SUMMER. I AM STILL PAYING ON THIS VEHICLE AND IT IS BLEEDING ME DRY.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10056716

185,000 miles · Jan 15, 2004
Engine And Engine CoolingService Brakes, HydraulicSuspension

WE HAVE HAD THE CRANK SHAFT SENSOR REPLACED ,AND THAT COST US TWO TRIPS TO A MECHANIC TO FIGURE THAT PROBLEM OUT. THE TIMING BELT CHANGED TWICE, ANOTHER MOTOR PUT IN THIS YEAR, NEW ALTENATOR, NEW RADIATOR, FUEL PUMP, WATER PUMP,AND A NEW THROTTLE POSITION SENSOR. WE STILL HAVE AN OIL LEAK, WE NEED NEW STRUTS AND WE CONTINUALLY H…

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WE HAVE HAD THE CRANK SHAFT SENSOR REPLACED ,AND THAT COST US TWO TRIPS TO A MECHANIC TO FIGURE THAT PROBLEM OUT. THE TIMING BELT CHANGED TWICE, ANOTHER MOTOR PUT IN THIS YEAR, NEW ALTENATOR, NEW RADIATOR, FUEL PUMP, WATER PUMP,AND A NEW THROTTLE POSITION SENSOR. WE STILL HAVE AN OIL LEAK, WE NEED NEW STRUTS AND WE CONTINUALLY HAVE PROBLEMS WITH THE BRAKES. NOT TO LEAVE OUT THAT WHEN WE BOUGHT THE CAR WE HAD TO HAVE THE HEATER COIL REPLACED. THE DOOR LOCK DOES NOT WORK ON THE PASSENGER SIDE AND THE MOTOR MOUNT IS BROKE. I AM SURE THERE ARE OTHER THINGS I HAVE LEFT OUT BUT I CAN NOT THINK OF EVERYTHING RIGHT NOW. WHAT GOT ME TO THE POINT OF SENDING A COMPLAINT IS THAT WE JUST REPLACED THE RADIATOR 08/02/03, AND WE SEEM TO HAVE TO REPLACE SOMETHING EVERY MONTH OR SO, AND THERE DOES NOT SEEM TO BE ONE PART ON THIS CAR THAT DOES NOT COST A BUNDLE. IS THERE ANYWAY TO GET ANY OF MY MONEY BACK FOR ALL OF THIS? I'M SURE NOT BUT THERE OUGHT TO BE A WAY TO LET OTHER PEOPLE KNOW ABOUT PONTIAC GRAND-AM QUAD 4 (2.3) IT'S A PIECE OF _ _ _ _ !!!!!

NHTSA ODI #10070641

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

20 miles · Dec 27, 2003
Engine And Engine Cooling

CAR BOUGHT IN 1995. HAS BEEN IN THE SHOP OVER 10 TIMES FOR MAJOR REPAIRS. CAR IS AGAIN IN THE SHOP DUE TO NOT BEING ABLE TO ACCELERATE OVER 30 MILES PER HOUR. ENTIRE ENGINE SHAKES VERY BADLY.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10051181

118,000 miles · Dec 22, 2003
Engine And Engine Cooling

CONSUMER NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD. TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER DETERMINED THAT INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET LEAKED ANTIFREEZE INTO THE ENGINE, AND THE ENGINE HAD TO BE REPLACED. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10051892

Mileage unknown · Dec 10, 2003
Structure

WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH HOOD POPPED OPEN. CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER TO THE SHOULDER. THEN, HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED. TO DEALER. *AK THE HOOD HIT THE FRONT WINDSHIELD DAMAGING IT AND INJURING THE CONSUMER. CONSUMER CLOSED THE HOOD UNTIL IT LOCKED. WHILE DRIVING TO THE DEALERSHIP, THE HOOD UNLATCHED AGAIN THE HIT TH…

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WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH HOOD POPPED OPEN. CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER TO THE SHOULDER. THEN, HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED. TO DEALER. *AK THE HOOD HIT THE FRONT WINDSHIELD DAMAGING IT AND INJURING THE CONSUMER. CONSUMER CLOSED THE HOOD UNTIL IT LOCKED. WHILE DRIVING TO THE DEALERSHIP, THE HOOD UNLATCHED AGAIN THE HIT THE WINDSHIELD. MECHANIC INFORMED THE CONSUMER THAT THIS KIND OF INCIDENT HAPPENS ALL THE TIME WITH PONTIAC GRAND AM'S. *PH

NHTSA ODI #10048006

78,000 miles · Dec 2, 2003
Electrical SystemExterior Lighting

THE COMBINATION SWITCH FOR THE HEAD LIGHTS/TURN SIGNAL, AND CRUISE CONTROL FAILED. AS A RESULT, WHILE DRIVING THE HEAD LIGHTS SHUT OFF WITHOUT WARNING. *AK HEADLIGHTS REPEATEDLY WENT OUT WHILE DRIVING. *PH

NHTSA ODI #10046137

100,000 miles · Nov 20, 2003
StructureInjury

WHILE DRIVING AT 45-MPH THE UNDERHOOD LATCH FAILED. THE HOOD OPENED UP BREAKING THE WINDSHIELD AND INJURING THE DRIVER'S FACE AND ARMS. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. DEALER NOTIFIED. *PH

NHTSA ODI #10048393

113,264 miles · Sep 10, 2003
Engine And Engine Cooling

95 PONTIAC GRAND AM SE 3.1L V6, AUTOMATIC TRANS. WITH 113,264 MILES. CAR LOST POWER, STARTING SMOKING VERY BADLY, CAR WAS PULLED OFF HIGHWAY AND STOPPED IMMEDIATELY. REPAIR SHOP INSPECTED AND FOUND OIL FILTER GASKET BLEW OUT, ALLOWING ENGINE OIL TO BE EXPELLED. THIS COULD CAUSE AN ENGINE FIRE, BUT DID NOT THIS TIME. OIL CHAN…

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95 PONTIAC GRAND AM SE 3.1L V6, AUTOMATIC TRANS. WITH 113,264 MILES. CAR LOST POWER, STARTING SMOKING VERY BADLY, CAR WAS PULLED OFF HIGHWAY AND STOPPED IMMEDIATELY. REPAIR SHOP INSPECTED AND FOUND OIL FILTER GASKET BLEW OUT, ALLOWING ENGINE OIL TO BE EXPELLED. THIS COULD CAUSE AN ENGINE FIRE, BUT DID NOT THIS TIME. OIL CHANGE SHOP INSPECTED FILTER AND CLAIMS REGULATOR IN OIL PUMP CAUSED OIL TO BE OVER-PRESSURIZED, BLOWING OUT THE GASKET AND CLAIMS NO RESPONSIBILITY. ENGINE NEEDS TO BE REPLACED ACCORDING THE REPAIR SHOP. I BOUGHT CAR NEW AND MAINTAINED IT REGULARLY AND AM VERY DISAPPOINTED WITH THE APPARENT POOR QUALITY OF THIS GM PRODUCT. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10037605

125,000 miles · Aug 19, 2003
Seat BeltsCrashInjury

I WAS REAR-ENDED BY FOUR CARS ON 410E IN SAN ANTONIO. MY SEAT BELT DID NOT RESTRAIN ME IN MY 1995 PONTIAC GRAND-AM AND I WAS INJURED. I AM NOW OUT OF WORK FOR A WEEK DUE TO A HEAD TRAUMA AND MY CAR WAS TOTALLED!. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10033100

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.