1994 Pontiac Grand Am
Safety record from NHTSA: recalls, owner complaints, investigations and service bulletins.
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Vehicles › Pontiac › Grand Am › 1994
These records cover every 1994 Pontiac Grand Am. To see whether one car still needs a recall repair, decode its VIN or check it with NHTSA.
Recalls
2 recalls name the 1994 Pontiac Grand Am. Newest first.
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.
Risk and remedy
Risk
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.
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."
Risk and remedy
Risk
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.
Owner complaints
377 complaints59 involved a crash29 involved a fire51 injuries5 deaths
What owners report most
Latest complaints
- Engine · Exterior lighting · Service brakes
I have multiple complaints on this vehicle. was bought as a used vehicle, past owner claims his daughter drove it to and from college. it IS an ABS car with the 2.3 4 cylinder, auto trans, FWD SE. the ABS system IS messed up and when you try to stop the tires lock-up on you, the car will slide…
I have multiple complaints on this vehicle. was bought as a used vehicle, past owner claims his daughter drove it to and from college. it IS an ABS car with the 2.3 4 cylinder, auto trans, FWD SE. the ABS system IS messed up and when you try to stop the tires lock-up on you, the car will slide especially if the roads are wet and this IS at a speed of not more than 15 mph. luckily we have avoided several accidents, but there IS going to come a time we aren't that lucky. also the headlights and dash lights work when they feel like it. the car won't stay cool no matter what I do to it, the thermostat and heater core were already removed from the car when we bought it. the electric fan does not work and I have replaced countless relays attempting to get this car to be dependable again. the tilt steering column needs work, because it moves when it shouldn't. we can't afford another vehicle because we are wasting money attempting to keep this one on the road. yes it was a used car and we got what we paid for in reality. but the design of the car just plain out was a failure. seriously the designers need to test their ideas more before putting them out on the market. we looked at a brand new KIA yesterday and walked away from it, because it was never tested for safety. the manager of the dealership claimed they just didn't bother putting the safety ratings on the window sticker. I in fact researched the car and found it had never been tested for safety. yes it IS a brand new 2014 KIA cadenza, don't buy one they aren't worth the almost $40,000 price tag. to top it off almost 90% of the car IS built and manufactured in korea. sorry just my opinion, if I'm going to spend that much money I will buy built american. *tr
- Tires · Wheels · Wheels › Hub
I was driving down the highway and my back frame that hooks to the tire broke in half and the tire went flying in the air. It looks as if there IS a default in the frame where the hub IS connected. *Tr
- Electrical system · Electrical system › Wiring › Fuses and circuit breakers
1994 pontiac grand am had a problem with the door locks but it turned out to be the fuse. *nj the consumer believed the fuse that he replaced was a harbor freight 15 amp. Recently a penny fell into the cigarette lighter and created a short and the fuse did not blow. This resulted in melting the wire harness. *Jb
- Steering
Steering column has come loose. Took to a pontiac dealer to have repaired and they replaced a pin in the column. Repair worked for a year and a half but the steering column has come loose again and the entire unit has fallen in the drivers lap while driving. Have been able to push the pin back in…
Steering column has come loose. Took to a pontiac dealer to have repaired and they replaced a pin in the column. Repair worked for a year and a half but the steering column has come loose again and the entire unit has fallen in the drivers lap while driving. Have been able to push the pin back in several times, but it does not stay in place. Have not taken back to local dealer because they are expensive and do not seem overly competent. *tr
- Electrical system
Tl*the contact owns a 1994 pontiac grand am. the contact's daughter attempted to drive the vehicle, but it failed to start. she exited the vehicle and noticed smoke inside the passenger compartment under the steering column approximately 10 minutes later. the smoke turned into flames, which were…
Tl*the contact owns a 1994 pontiac grand am. the contact's daughter attempted to drive the vehicle, but it failed to start. she exited the vehicle and noticed smoke inside the passenger compartment under the steering column approximately 10 minutes later. the smoke turned into flames, which were extinguished by the fire department. the vin was not included in nhtsa campaign ID number 00v287000 (electrical system:starter assembly). the vin was unavailable. the current and failure mileages were 118,000.
- Air bags › Frontal
Hello. I was in a crash,sandwiched between 02 pickup trucks. My airbags never deployed. My car was crushed! The force broke my front seats slam me into the dash. The truck in front of me was stop also as I was a green truck slam into me at 45 miles an hour crushing me against a white pickup waiting to turn left into a gas station. *tr
- Electrical system · Engine and engine cooling › Engine
My car, which IS a 94 grand am, IS a good running car but I been working on it hard time for 5 weeks trying to get it to run. It has some problem where the fuel pump fuse keeps on blowing on it. I replace spark plug coil, fuel injectors, fuel pump, fuel filter, under the hood wiring harness…
My car, which IS a 94 grand am, IS a good running car but I been working on it hard time for 5 weeks trying to get it to run. It has some problem where the fuel pump fuse keeps on blowing on it. I replace spark plug coil, fuel injectors, fuel pump, fuel filter, under the hood wiring harness, control module, ignition switch, vacuum lines, and the little box that sounds off your alarm when you leave the lights on and/or keys in the ignition when you open your door. I don't know what else to do I am tired of busting my butt on it. It takes a lot for me to say that. *nm
- Engine and engine cooling › Engine
94' pontiac grand am quad 4 2.3L blown head gasket or maybe even head. Can't afford to have it fixed. Repairs estimated at $2300. The car IS not even worth that much. Gm knows this engine has been a constant problem. They need to recall it!*jb
- Engine and engine cooling › Engine
94' pontiac grand am quad 4 2.3L blown head gasket or maybe even head. Can't afford to have it fixed. Repairs estimated at $2300. The car IS not even worth that much. Gm knows this engine has been a constant problem. They need to recall it!*jb
- Engine and engine cooling
Dt: contact stated she IS having problems with a used car that she purchased on 5-31-05. on june 3, 2005 the radiator was leaking. When she took vehicle to dealer to have it inspected they told her that oil and antifreeze were leaking into the engine. They insisted that she would have to pay for engine repairs. *al
- Electrical system › Ignition › Switch
There was a recall on the electrical system on my 94 grandam took it to stuart pontaic in enid,ok to have the recall fixed they put a relay on the car but didn't change the ignition switch on the car causing the care to loose power when the car was driven in the heat of the day causing the…
There was a recall on the electrical system on my 94 grandam took it to stuart pontaic in enid,ok to have the recall fixed they put a relay on the car but didn't change the ignition switch on the car causing the care to loose power when the car was driven in the heat of the day causing the car to loose power and die when going over 40 mph,contacted pontaic and they made the dealership replace the ignition switch but would not replace the wiring going to the ignition switch, which if not replaced would of caused the car to catch on fire , on my way home from work on 7/30 while going 70 mph the car died 9 times,. I put the car in neutral to start it , and finally got the car home. *Nm
- Power train › Axle assembly
Dt: when driving over a pot hole three days ago, the front axle broke, resulting in damage to the tire and the wheel. The vehicle has not been seen by a service dealer. There was no problem before the axle broke off. There was no accident, police report and damage to the vehicle has not yet been assessed.*ak
- Electronic stability control › Automatic (asc) · Suspension › Front › Control arm
While driving a loud clicking noise from the front end was produced. Dealer stated the control arm and the stabilizer bar bushings needed to be replaced. *Ak
- Engine and engine cooling › Cooling system › Radiator assembly · Engine and engine cooling › Exhaust system › Emission control · Visibility › Defroster/defogger/hvac system › Heater core
I replaced the heater core in my car and an upper radiator hose and now I have problems with the antifreeze leakin out from between the engine block and the intake manifold which indicates that I need a new intake manifold gasket as weel as valve cover gaskets due to the fact that it IS leakin out…
I replaced the heater core in my car and an upper radiator hose and now I have problems with the antifreeze leakin out from between the engine block and the intake manifold which indicates that I need a new intake manifold gasket as weel as valve cover gaskets due to the fact that it IS leakin out there as well. I spent $250 on repalcing the heater core and $45 on the upper radiator hose to be repaired from the dealer that I bought the car from. I was told by a friend that her grand am was recalled due to a head gasket problem. Please inform me of a possible soloution.*ak
- Engine and engine cooling
While driving,the vehicle stalled. the consumer tried to restart the vehicle but was unable to do so. the consumer had the vehicle towed to the dealer for inspection. the mechanic informed the driver that the head gasket had blew and needed replacement. the driver informed the mechanic. this problem has occurred more than once and has not been resolved. please fill in additional information. *Jb
- Engine and engine cooling › Engine
Was just driving and it overheated, replaced water pump, sensors, wires, heater coil, themorstat twice, all to no avail, took it to 2 mechanics and they couldnt figure out what was wrong with it. Cleaned out the raditor with a complete flush and run fine for about 2 months, we also put 2 new computers into it.
- Power train › Axle assembly › Axle shaft · Power train › Axle hubs
I have a 1994 pontiac grand am se.i was coming around a turn and the drivers rear axle snapped causing the wheel to fall off. There was no warning. I couldn't regain control of the vehicle after the wheel came off and wrecked into an embankment rolling and, totaling the vehicle.*ak
- Engine and engine cooling › Exhaust system · Service brakes, hydraulic · Suspension · Tires
Problems with brakes, exhaust, tires, shocks, and suspension on 1994 pontiac grand am. *mr the consumer requested assistance with the repairs needed. the vehicle also needed a compressor. *sc *jb
- Electrical system
While driving 50-55 mph consumer noticed smoke coming out the driver's air bag. Consumer immediately pulled over, turned the engine off, and got out. Within two minutes vehicle was on fire. *Ak
- Steering › Column
While pulling in a parking lot, the steering column caught fire without warning. As a result the vehicle was a total loss. No injuries reported. Please provide additional information. *la
- Unknown or other · Visibility › Power window devices and controls
I bought the car from a dealer in february 2000 with 8000 miles on it. since that time I have had the drivers side door window engine replaced 3 times. each time they tell me the motor or track system has broken and since they are one unit it needs to be replaced. in february of this year the…
I bought the car from a dealer in february 2000 with 8000 miles on it. since that time I have had the drivers side door window engine replaced 3 times. each time they tell me the motor or track system has broken and since they are one unit it needs to be replaced. in february of this year the hood of the car has started to peel severely, it IS now up both side of the hood from the nose to the top by the window. maaco says they will need to sand the hood down and repaint the entire car and that IS about $900. what can I do????
- Engine and engine cooling · Fuel system, gasoline · Visibility › Power window devices and controls
Purchased vehicle, heating did not work - air would blow out cold. dealer blew out heat core and replaced thermostat. minimal amount of heat. engine started to stutter and stall. fuel injector in 5TH cylinder bad. mechanic flushed injected and gave tune up. ran ok for a week and then constant…
Purchased vehicle, heating did not work - air would blow out cold. dealer blew out heat core and replaced thermostat. minimal amount of heat. engine started to stutter and stall. fuel injector in 5TH cylinder bad. mechanic flushed injected and gave tune up. ran ok for a week and then constant stutter and shake at 50 mph. mechanic replaced 1 injector. stutter gone. no overheating, but antifreeze leak x 1. replaced water pump. 1 week later constant overheating and puddle of antifreeze around engine block. then the engine stalled and I checked the oil to find the dipstick showed twice the amount of oil after sitting for 8 hours. just had oil changed 1 week after repairs, I had the oil changed, that IS when the oil appeared overfull and the car stauled.
- Steering
Steering column: pin keep falling out, file complaint 2 times. You know what pontiac corp. Ask me. They asked what did I want them to do?
- Steering
Stering lock that adjusts the location of the wheel gave way while driving causing the steering wheel to move up and down while drining. Dangerous on I95 at 65mph... Losing some level of control.
- Exterior lighting › Headlights › Switch
Consumer stated there was an electrical short in the switch that controlled the headlights. The headlights failed to come on. *ak
Defect investigations
NHTSA’s Office of Defects Investigation opened these reviews into vehicles including this one.
- Steering column fires
There is no summary currently available
- Steering column fire
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…
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.
Service bulletins
Technical service bulletins and other communications the manufacturer sent dealers about this vehicle. Ask a dealer for the full document by its number.
- 10246631Expanded Availability for Remanufacture and Return (R&R) Electronic Control Modules
- 10168979This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician on how to unlock radios that are Delco TheftLock. Technician will use the radio to get the scrambled code. Technician will need to contact the radio unlock center to retrieve the unlock code from the scrambled code. The PI update to version D is to advise the unlock procedure is temporarily unavailable. E version update is to add administrative details.
- 10165876This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician on how to unlock radios that are Delco TheftLock. Technician will use the radio to get the scrambled code. Technician will need to contact the radio unlock center to retrieve the unlock code from the scrambled code. The PI update to version D is to advise the unlock procedure is temporarily unavailable.
- 10141381This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician on how to unlock radios that are Delco Theft Lock. Technician will use the radio to get the scrambled code. Technician will need to contact the radio unlock center to retrieve the unlock code from the scrambled code.
- 10009220Vehicles may set anyone or a combination of front-wheel speed sensor anti-lock brake system codes as intermittent or hard failures. Gm voicemail express.
- 10007816Anti-lock braking system (ABS) front wheel speed codes - jumper harness.
- 10007293ABS front wheel speed codes - jumper harness.
- 10000782Revised piston pin removal / installation procedure.
- 6089996Some vehicles equipped with hydra-matic 3T40, 4T60 or 4t60-e transxales may comment on a grinding and / or growling noise that IS noticeable when in park on incline.
- 619370Owners of some vehicles equipped with hydra-matic 3T40, 4T60, 4t60-e or 4t65-e transaxles may comment on a grinding and / or growling noise that IS noticeable when standing in park on a hill or slope with the engine running and the parking brake not applied.
- 619360Some owners may comment on driveability symptons of long or hard starts, chuggle, rough idle and light or intermittent misfire due to clogged fuel injectors.
- 618103Information regarding ignition switch high electrical current.
- 617765Campaign parts bulletin regarding ignition switch high electrical current.
- 617752Subject regarding 00079 - product safety campaign ignition switch high electrical current - part 2.
- 617751Subject regarding product safety campaign ignition switch high electrical current - part 1.
- 617747Subject regarding 00079 - product safety campaign ignition switch high electrical current.
- 615073Some V6 engines may, on a very infrequent basis, have an oil odor condition that IS generally encountered after the engine's oil has been changed.typically the odor lasts approximately 1000 miles after the change of oil and then does not reappear until the next change of oil.
- 613590Information regarding snow intrusion into rear drum brake assemblies. **Mr
- 604343Some owners may experience a driveability symptom of long or hard starts, chuggle, rough idle and light or intermittent misfire.
- 602983Concerns of door handles on white painted vehicles truning yellow.
- 601915Comments on a ticking type noise that begins shortly after cold engine start-up and gradually diminishes as the engine warms up.
- 600282Some vehicles may experience a driveability symptom of long or hard starts, chuggle, rough idle and light or intermittent misfire.
- 54419Comment that the ABS light IS on with diagnostic trouble codes (dtc's) 46 and 86 set as current or history.
- 54418Some vehicles experience difficulties to depress accelerator pedal and/or an accelerator cable separation.
- 54329Complaints that the ABS indicator lamp IS "on".
- 54066Subject pertaining to driveability symptoms due to fuel injector deposits.
- 54065Comments on inoperative power door locks (front and/or rear doors).
- 52580Difficult to depress accelerator pedal and/or accelerator cable separation (install accelerator cable and clip).
- 52339Squawk noise coming from front suspension or engine compartment area (install ultra high molecular tape).
- 51497Cold start rattle noise (diagnosis/service procedure).
- 51301Engine miss (replace spark plug wire and ignition coil).
- 51244Condensation collects on instrument panel cluster hood during high humidity (install new instrument panel cluster hood).
- 50571Cold start rattle noise.
- 45881Grinding and/or growling noise in park on incline.*sd
- 45815Cold engine tick or rattle after start-up (replace piston/pin assembly).
- 43031Unknown
- 43030Unknown
- 43021Unknown
- 39725Oil leak at the rocker cover.
- 39308Cold start rattle noise.
Every Pontiac Grand Am model year
Bars are owner complaints, dots mark years with recalls. Select a year to open its report.