83 of the 515 complaints about the 1994 Pontiac Grand AM are about the electrical system — 16% of everything reported for this model year. Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before 163,000 miles.
83
Complaints
2
Crashes
24
Fires
1
Injuries
Filed with NHTSA, in their own words.
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.
NHTSA complaint #10260148 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
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.
NHTSA complaint #10260148 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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 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.
NHTSA complaint #10239057 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
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.
NHTSA complaint #10157054 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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 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.
NHTSA complaint #10131473 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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.
NHTSA complaint #10080048 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY
I BOUGHT THIS CAR USED AT A DEALERSHIP, I.E., BILL KELLEY CHEVROLET, AND WAS NOT GIVEN INFORMATION ABOUT THE RECALLS . THE CAR HAS NOT BEEN ABLE TO WORK PROPERLY AND THE DEALER WHO SOLD US THE CAR REFUSES TO GIVE US ANY HELP. MY SON PAID AN ADDITIONAL 300 TO GET THE CAR IN WORKING ORDER AND 3 DAYS LATER IT IS STILL NOT WORKING. I BELIEVE THEY SHOULD HAVE INFORMED US OF THE RECALL NOTICES TO REPAIR SAID CAR.
NHTSA complaint #10059985 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:STARTER ASSEMBLY
I BOUGHT THIS CAR USED AT A DEALERSHIP, I.E., BILL KELLEY CHEVROLET, AND WAS NOT GIVEN INFORMATION ABOUT THE RECALLS . THE CAR HAS NOT BEEN ABLE TO WORK PROPERLY AND THE DEALER WHO SOLD US THE CAR REFUSES TO GIVE US ANY HELP. MY SON PAID AN ADDITIONAL 300 TO GET THE CAR IN WORKING ORDER AND 3 DAYS LATER IT IS STILL NOT WORKING. I BELIEVE THEY SHOULD HAVE INFORMED US OF THE RECALL NOTICES TO REPAIR SAID CAR.
NHTSA complaint #10059985 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:STARTER ASSEMBLY
I OWNED A 1994 PONTIAC GRAND AM THAT CAUGHT FIRE APPROXIMATELY 9/30/02 AND I RECENTLY LEARNED THAT THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE IGNITION SWITCH ON CERTAIN MODELS BECAUSE OF FIRE THAT COULD OCCUR. I WANT TO KNOW WHAT I NEED TO DO TO FILE A CLAIM SINCE I LOST MY VEHICLE DUE TO THE EXTENSIVE DAMAGE CAUSED BY THE FIRE THAT OCCURED. THE VEHICLE WAS UNDER MY PRIOR NAME OF ZOBEIDA DIAZ. THAT WAS THE NAME ON THE TITLE. TITLE IS HELD BY FIRST FIDELITY BANK OF OKLAHOMA CITY SINCE I STILL OWE ON THE LOAN FOR THIS VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #10057023 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:INTERIOR/UNDER DASH
WHILE THE CONSUMER MERGED ON THE HIGHWAY AN EXPLOSION OF SMOKE CAME FROM UNDER THE DASHBOARD. *NLM
NHTSA complaint #10009799 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
ONE DAY CONSUMER UNSUCCESSFULLY ATTEMPTED TO START VEHICLE. REMOVED KEY AND VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE. VEHICLE CHECKED BY DEALER, WHO ADVISED CONSUMER THAT TOO HIGH VOLTAGE WAS USED WITH IGNITION SWITCH. CONSUMER ADVISED CONFIRMATION OF OPEN RECALL 00V287000 ON VEHICLE, BUT MANUFACTURER HAS BEEN UNRESPONSIVE.
NHTSA complaint #8019100 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:INTERIOR/UNDER DASH
STEERING COLUMN HAS SMOKE COMING FROM UNDERNEATH DASHBOARD. DEALERSHIP IS AWARE OF PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #8012485 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:STARTER ASSEMBLY
PRIOR TO RECALL THE STEERING COLUMN OF THE VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE WHILE THE CONSUMER WAS STARTING IT, THE CONSUMER HAD THE STARTER, KEY SWITCH, TURN SIGNAL AND RELAY KIT REPLACED. *YH (RECALL # 00V287)
NHTSA complaint #563737 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ALTERNATOR/GENERATOR/REGULATOR
A PART OF ABS SYSTEM IS SHORTING OUT AND CAUSING THE ALTERNATER TO SHORT OUT.
NHTSA complaint #754169 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
SINCE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED UNDER RECALL 00V287000 FOR IGNITION SWITCH FAILURE, INTERMITTENTLY VEHICLE WILL NOT START UP UNTIL IT IS PUT INTO NEUTRAL. DEALER, JOHNSON AUTO PLACE, BRIGHTON, CO 303-654-1940, WANTS TO CHARGE CONSUMER TO INSPECT VEHICLE.*AK DEALER STATED THERE IS NOTHING ELSE THEY CAN DO WITHOUT CHARGING HIM.
NHTSA complaint #895846 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD
VEHICLE 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.
NHTSA complaint #751067 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
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.
NHTSA complaint #750606 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ALTERNATOR/GENERATOR/REGULATOR
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.
NHTSA complaint #750606 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY
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.
NHTSA complaint #750606 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD
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.
NHTSA complaint #748963 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:STARTER ASSEMBLY
PRIOR TO RECALL NOTICE THE CONSUMER HAD BEEN HAVING DIFFICULTY STARTING THE VEHICLE, THESE SYMPTOMS WERE SIMILAR TO THE ONES OUTLINED IN THE RECALL 00V-287, WHILE ATTEMPTING TO FIND THE PROBLEM THE DEALER REPLACED THE BATTERY, ALTERNATOR AND THE VEHICLE HAD A FEW TUNE-UPS. NLM
NHTSA complaint #561451 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD
THE TRANSAXLE WIRING HARNESS HAS A SHORT MAKING THE PCM UNIT SEND THE WRONG MESSAGE TO THE TRANSMISSION. NLM
NHTSA complaint #561451 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:STARTER ASSEMBLY
PRIOR TO RECALL NOTIFICATION (00V287000) CONSUMER HAS EXPERIENCED ELECTRICAL FAILURE AND IS NOW REQUESTING REIMBURSEMENT.
NHTSA complaint #561266 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
GMC IS DOING NOTHING TO HELP US THROUGH THIS! . NO SAFETY DEFECT LISTED.
NHTSA complaint #746343 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
PRIOR TO RECALL NOTIFICATION(00V287000) CONSUMER HAD REPAIRS DONE BECAUSE AIR CONDITION CEASED AND IT WAS DISCOVERED AT THAT POINT THAT IGNITION SWITCH NEEDED TO BE REPLACED,FAILURE OF THE RECALL COMPONENT CAUSED THE AIR CONDITIONER TO FAIL, CONSUMER IS SEEKING REIMBURSEMENT FOR IGNITION SWITCH.
NHTSA complaint #560993 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
CONSUMER RECEIVED RECALL 00V287000 NOTICE FOR IGNITION SWITCH THAT COULD POSSIBLY CAUSE A FIRE IN VEHICLE. MANUFACTURER HAS HAD SINCE DECEMBER TO GET PARTS, BUT STILL DID NOT HAVE THE PARTS AVAILABLE TO REPAIR DEFECT. ON MAY 20TH, 2001, CONSUMER'S VEHICLE EXPERIENCED A STEERING COLUMN FIRE WHICH COULD BE RELATED TO RECALL. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION/ATTACHMENTS.
NHTSA complaint #888953 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
PUT KEY IN IGNITION AND IT WOULD NOT TURN, IN 1998, CONSUMER HAD TO GET ANOTHER IGNITION SWITCH, CONSUMER STATES A 3RD TIME CAR CUT OFF BY ITSELF. THEN, CONSUMER COULD NOT TURN SWITCH.
NHTSA complaint #886926 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:STARTER ASSEMBLY
AFTER RECEIVING RECALL NOTICE 00V-287 RELATED TO HIGH CURRENT FLOW THROUGH THE IGNITION, CONSUMER CONTACTED THE DEALER ABOUT A PROBLEM THE VEHICLE WAS HAVING WITH OVERHEATING WIRES WHICH MAKES THE STEERING COLUMN TOO WARM TO TOUCH, THE CONSUMER BELIEVES THIS PROBLEM IS RELATED TO THE RECALL BUT THE DEALER IS UNSURE. NLM
NHTSA complaint #559894 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:STARTER ASSEMBLY
BRAKE FAILED. NLM. CONSUMER STATES PRIOR TO RECALL, A NEW STARTER WAS NEEDED AS WELL AS A NEW ENGINE AND ALSO A NEW LIGHTING SWITCH, CONSUMER HAS ALSO HAD TO GET NEW TIRES.
NHTSA complaint #559944 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
DEALERSHIP IS CONTINUALLY TELLING CONSUMER THEY DO NOT HAVE PARTS AVAILABLE TO FIX RECALL 00V287000/ IGNITION SWITCH FAILURE. *AK *SLC
NHTSA complaint #884926 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.