148 of the
587 complaints about the 1995 Pontiac Grand AM are about the
electrical system — 25% of everything
reported for this model year.
Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before
126,000 miles.
F
148
Complaints
3
Crashes
38
Fires
4
Injuries
Exactly what failed
Switch
3322.3%
Starter Assembly
3120.9%
Ignition
1812.2%
Fuses AND Circuit Breakers
128.1%
Electrical System
106.8%
Front Underhood
96.1%
Wiring
74.7%
Interior/Under Dash
74.7%
Alternator/Generator/Regulator
64.1%
12V/24V/48V Battery
53.4%
Electrical System across every Pontiac Grand AM year
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1995 PONTIAC GRAND AM. WHILE DRIVING OVER A BUMP AT APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, THE KEY SUDDENLY RELEASED FROM THE IGNITION SWITCH. THE VEHICLE CONTINUED OPERATING AS NORMAL DURING THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT PULLED THE VEHICLE TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND RE-INSERTED THE KEY INTO THE IGNITION. THE FAILURE OCCURRED MULTIPLE TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 290,000.
NHTSA complaint #10619070 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 138,000 milesBirmingham, AL
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
CAR WON'T START AND CUT OFF WHEN CAR IS IN DRIVE.
NHTSA complaint #10508338 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 140,000 milesOakley, CAFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
I WAS IN THE PARKING LOT OF A FAST FOOD PLACE WE CAME OUT AFTER WE ATE AND GOT IN THE CAR ATTEMPTED TO START IT BUT IT DID NOT START AT FIRST THEN I TURNED OFF THE IGNITION AND THEN TRIED AGAIN IT STARTED AND AFTER A SHORT TIME IT SEAMED LIKE IT TRIED TO START ITSELF AGAIN AND IT STARTED SMOKING FROM BELOW THE STEERING COLUMN SO I TURNED IT OFF AND JUMPED OUT OF THE CAR AND OUT THE BATTERY BY THE TIME THE BATTERY WAS OUT IT HAD ALREADY CAUGHT FIRE AND HAD TO BE PUT OUT WITH A FIRE EXTINGUISHER WHICH WAS SUPPLIED BY A TOW TRUCK DRIVER WHO JUST SO HAPPENED TO BE GETTING LUNCH THE FIRE DEPT WAS CALLED BUT NEVER FILED A REPORT THEY JUST MADE SURE ALL WERE OK THEN LEFT THAT'S BASICALLY WHAT HAPPENED.
NHTSA complaint #10257787 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Oakley, CAFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
WHILE DRIVING DOWN HIGHWAY 4 MY STEERING COLUMN CAUGHT ON FIRE MAKING ME PULL THE CAR OVER AND JUMP OUT ALONG WITH 2 OTHER PERSONS , AFTER THAT WE CALLED THE TOW TRUCK TO HAVE IT TOWED HOME TO SEE WHAT WE WERE GOING TO DO ABOUT THE PROBLEM AND WHO TO CONTACT IN THE MEAN TIME THE DEALERSHIP HAD MY CAR FOR 4 MONTHS AND TO THIS DAY STILL HAS IT AND IS REQUESTING ME TO PAY HALF OF THE BILL TO GET IT FIXED AND I DO NOT FEEL I SHOULD PAY A DIME FOR A RECALLED CAR WITH AN OPEN RECALL ON IT SO THEREFORE I AM FILING A COMPLAINT AGAINST THE DEALERSHIP FOR THE CAR TO BE FIXED AND FOR ALL THE INCONVENIENCE IN WHICH IT HAS CAUSED ME GETTING BACK AND FOURTH TO SCHOOL, I AM IN COLLEGE FULL TIME SO THEREFORE I HAD TO DO PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION GETTING TO AND FROM MY DESTINATIONS. AND WHEN THE CAR CAUGHT FIRE IT WAS THE FIRST TIME IN WHICH IT HAD EVER HAPPENED. SO NOW MY GRANDFATHER IS GOING TO PAY FOR IT TO GET FIXED AND WOULD LIKE ALL OF HIS MONEY BACK AND I WANT ALL I CAN GET FOR ALL THE INCONVENIENCE IN WHICH THIS PROBLEM HAS CAUSED MYSELF AND ALL OTHERS WHO WERE INVOLVED AND ALSO WE NEED TO KEEP IN MIND THIS COULD HAVE BEEN A MUCH BIGGER PROBLEM IF ANYONE WOULD HAVE GOTTEN HURT DO TO THE FIRE AND OR ANY OTHERS DAMAGES THAT COULD HAVE HAPPENED.
NHTSA complaint #10255375 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Wyoming, MI
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
1995 PONTIAC GRAND AM COILS WENT BAD. *KB THE CONSUMER STATED HIS VEHICLE WOULD NOT START. THE COILS WERE REPLACED BECAUSE THE GARAGE STATED THEY WERE BAD, HOWEVER THE CONSUMER KEPT THE COILS AND PLACED THEM BACK IN THE VEHICLE WHICH HAS BEEN RUNNING EVER SINCE.
NHTSA complaint #10164768 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 165 milesLusby, MD
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
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!
NHTSA complaint #10144193 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 93,000 milesLancaster, PA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
INTERMITTENTLY CONSUMER WOULD BE UNABLE TO START THE VEHICLE. ALSO, IT STALLS. CONSUMER IS ABLE TO RESTART VEHICLE AFTER 45 MINUTES. DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #10115133 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 188,000 milesAmbridge, PAFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:STARTER ASSEMBLY
A RECALL (#00V287000) WAS ISSUED FOR THE STARTER ASSEMBLY THE DEALER REFUSED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE AT NO CHARGE. THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE TWICE. PLEASE PROVIDE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION.
NHTSA complaint #10094142 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Manahawkin, NJ
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
NAR 6-03-2003 *MR IGNITION SWITCH FIRE HAZARD.
NHTSA complaint #10022243 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 126,000 milesEphrata, PAFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD
CONSUMER TURNED THE IGNITION AND VEHICLE DID NOT START. UPON TRYING TO START THE VEHICLE AGAIN THERE WAS A NOISE. CONSUMER LOOKED UNDER THE HOOD AND THERE WAS FIRE.
NHTSA complaint #10089376 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 95,493 milesEverett, MAFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
VEHICLE WAS PARKED AND CONSUMER PLACED THE KEY INSIDE THE IGNITION, AND VEHICLE WOULD NOT START. A BURNING SMELL WAS COMING FROM THE VEHICLE. CONSUMER LIFTED UP THE HOOD, AND SMOKE WAS COMING FROM THE STARTER. CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE. CONSUMER HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION, AND MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE IGNITION SWITCH NEEDED TO BE REPLACED DUE TO FAILURE. *AK
NHTSA complaint #10068632 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 78,000 milesMiddlebury Center, PA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
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.
NHTSA complaint #10046137 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Sedar Riddil, OH
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:STARTER ASSEMBLY:RELAY
CONSUMER STATES THAT THERE WAS A PROBLEM STARING THE VEHICLE. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER, AND THE DEALER REPLACED THE STARTER.
NHTSA complaint #10030111 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Woodbury, MN
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
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.
NHTSA complaint #10027165 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Woodbury, MN
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY
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.
NHTSA complaint #10027165 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Sault Ste. Marie, MI
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FUSES AND CIRCUIT BREAKERS
ERLS FUSE BLOWS, WHICH CAUSES THE CRUISE CONTROL TO STOP WORKING ALONG WITH THE A/C, ALSO THE REVERSE LIGHTS STOP WORKING, AND WHEN DRIVING AT 70 MPH INSTEAD OF THE RPM'S RUNNING ABOUT 2500 THEY ARE AT 3500 WHEN THE FUSE BLOWS. BROUGHT IT TO DEALER TO BE FIXED, THEY PUT A 25 AMP FUSE IN IT WHEN IT ONLY TAKES A 15 AMP FUSE AND SAID THEY COULDN'T FIND ANYTHING WRONG WITH IT. OF COURSE THAT BLEW EVENTUALLY ALONG WITH SOME SMOKE FROM THE FUSE PANEL.
NHTSA complaint #10021425 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Weirton, WV
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
THE CONSUMER STATES THAT AFTER THE RECALL FOR THE STARTING PROBLEM, THE VEHICLE STARTING PROBLEM HAD GOTTEN WORSE. (WILL SOMETIMES TAKE 3-4 TIMES TO START) THE CONSUMER HAD TAKEN THE VEHICLE IN FOR THE REACLL AND THEY HAD PLACED A WIRING HARNESS IN BUT THAT ONLY MADE THE PROBLEM WORSE. *SCC
NHTSA complaint #567932 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Weirton, WV
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
WHEN PUTTING KEY IN IGNITION AND TURNING IT, VEHICLE WILL NOT START. CONSUMER HAS TO TRY AT LEAST THREE TIMES BEFORE ENGINE WILL TURN OVER AND START.*AK
NHTSA complaint #8018340 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Plymouth Meeting, PA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
THE CONSUMER FEELS THAT THE DEFECTIVE IGNITION THE THE VEHICLE WHICH CAUSED IT TO SMOKE IS DIRECTLY RELATED TO RECALL 00V-287, THE COMPONENT FAILED PRIOR TO NOTIFICATION AND THE CONSUMER REQUESTED REIMBURSEMENT BUT WAS TOLD THAT SHE WAS NOT ENTITLED TO REFUND. NLM
NHTSA complaint #561671 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Denton, TX
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:STARTER ASSEMBLY
CONSUMER STATED THAT VEHICLE JUST STOPPED COMPLETELY AND WOULD NOT START AGAIN, CONSUMER HAD BEEN AWAITING PARTS FOR RECALL ON RELAY KIT, CONSUMER HAD CAR FIXED AT OWN EXPENSE AND WAS TOLD SHE WOULD BE REIMBURSED MONIES PAID OUT OF POCKET.
NHTSA complaint #561519 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Upper Marlboro, MD
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:STARTER ASSEMBLY
WHILE TRYING TO START VEHICLE, THE VEHICLE MADE A TERRIBLE SOUND AND CONSUMER COULD SMELL BURNING AROUND THE IGNITION, THE STARTER AND IGNITION SWITCH WERE REPLACED, A WEEK LATER CONSUMER RECEIVED RECALL P00079-S, CONSUMER IS REQUESTING A REFUND. *SLC
NHTSA complaint #561178 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Abilene, TX
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:STARTER ASSEMBLY
IGNITION STARTED SMOKING FROM THE STEERING COLUMN AND THEN WOULD NOT START, THE IGNITION SWITCH WAS REPLACED, CONSUMER LATER RECEIVED RECALL 00V287, DEALER STATED THERE WAS NO WAY TO TELL IF THE PROBLEM WAS RELATED TO THE RECALL BECAUSE THE RELAY SWITCH HAD NOT BEEN INSTALLED, CONSUMER IS REQUESTING REIMBURSEMENT IF HER REPAIRS ARE RELATED TO THE RECALL. *SLC
NHTSA complaint #561660 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Central Islip, NY
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
IGNITION SWITCH BURNED OUT IN STEERING COLUMN STARTER. VEHICLE BECAME DIFFICULT TO OPERATE, UPON STARTING SMOKE EMMITTED FROM THE STEERING COLUMN. MECHANIC REPLACED STARTER AND IGNITION.
NHTSA complaint #564715 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Austin, TX
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:STARTER ASSEMBLY
PRIOR TO THE RECALL NOTICE THE CONSUMER HAD A PROBLEM WITH THE IGNITION SYSTEM. THE DEALER INSTALLED A NEW RELAY KIT. THE CONSUMER IS ASKING FOR REIMBURSMENT.
NHTSA complaint #564180 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Sebring, FL
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
IGNITION SWITCH WAS BURNED OUT AND HAD TO BE REPLACED.
NHTSA complaint #8009422 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Central Islip, NY
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
IGNITION SWITCH BURNED OUT IN STEERING COLUMN STARTER. VEHICLE BECAME DIFFICULT TO OPERATE, UPON STARTING SMOKE EMMITTED FROM THE STEERING COLUMN. MECHANIC REPLACED STARTER AND IGNITION.
NHTSA complaint #564715 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Salyer, CA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
RECEIVED RECALL NOTICE 00V287000. CONTACTED DEALERSHIP. TOOK VEHICLE ON APPOINTED DATE AND HAD RECALLED IGNITION REPAIRED. SINCE REPAIR, REMEDY FOR IT HAD FAILED , AND CAUSED MORE PROBLEMS.
NHTSA complaint #8007593 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Austin, TX
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:STARTER ASSEMBLY
PRIOR TO THE RECALL NOTICE THE CONSUMER HAD A PROBLEM WITH THE IGNITION SYSTEM. THE DEALER INSTALLED A NEW RELAY KIT. THE CONSUMER IS ASKING FOR REIMBURSMENT.
NHTSA complaint #564180 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Phildelphia, PAFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:INTERIOR/UNDER DASH
VEHICLE WAS TURNED OFF WHEN SMOKE CAME FROM UNDER THE STEERING WHEEL. SECONDS LATER IT WAS IGNITED, BUT DIDN'T SPREAD. CAUSE HAS NOT BEEN DETERMINED. CONSUMER WILL CONTACT DEALER AND MANUFACTURER. PLEASE PROVIDE MORE INFORMATION.
NHTSA complaint #8003618 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Denton, TX
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:STARTER ASSEMBLY
CONSUMER STATED THAT VEHICLE JUST STOPPED COMPLETELY AND WOULD NOT START AGAIN, CONSUMER HAD BEEN AWAITING PARTS FOR RECALL ON RELAY KIT, CONSUMER HAD CAR FIXED AT OWN EXPENSE AND WAS TOLD SHE WOULD BE REIMBURSED MONIES PAID OUT OF POCKET.
NHTSA complaint #561519 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.