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.
The worst 1994 Pontiac Grand Am problems
Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.
Problems by type
Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.
- Engine75
- Electrical71
- Brakes65
- Steering56
- Airbags38
- Lights24
- Transmission22
- Visibility22
- Suspension15
- Fuel system13
- Seat belts12
- Seats12
- Body11
- Acceleration8
- Locks8
- Tires5
- Driver assistance2
- Wheels2
Specific symptoms reported on the 1994 Pontiac Grand Am
Fire or smoke 24No deployment 21Headlights 18ABS 17Brake failure 15Stalling 15Won't start 13Door locks 6Overheating 6Ball joint 5Engine failure 5Wipers 5
Recalls 2
Electrical system: starter assembly
- What is wrong
- 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
- 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.
Recall number 00V287000 · Recall details
Fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly
- What is wrong
- 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
- 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.
Recall number 94V122000 · Recall details
See all 2 recalls for the 1994 Pontiac Grand Am
Defect investigations
Steering column fires
There is no summary currently available
EA00007
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 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.
PE99063
Technical service bulletins for the 1994 Pontiac Grand Am 43
Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.
- Equipment: electrical: anti-theft devices
- Equipment
- Expanded Availability for Remanufacture and Return (R&R) Electronic Control Modules
- Vehicles may set anyone or a combination of front-wheel speed sensor anti-lock brake system codes as...
- ABS front wheel speed codes - jumper harness
- Anti-lock braking system (ABS) front wheel speed codes - jumper harness
- Revised piston pin removal / installation procedure
- Some owners may comment on driveability symptons of long or hard starts, chuggle, rough idle and light or...
- Owners of some vehicles equipped with hydra-matic 3T40, 4T60, 4T60-E or 4T65-E transaxles may comment on a...
- Information regarding ignition switch high electrical current
1994 Pontiac Grand Am fuel economy
Official EPA estimates in miles per gallon (MPGe for electric). Ranges cover trims that share the same engine.
| Engine | Drive | City | Highway | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.3L 4‑cyl | FWD | 18-21 | 27-32 | 21-24 |
| 3.1L 6‑cyl | FWD | 18 | 26 | 21 |
What 1994 Pontiac Grand Am owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
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.
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.
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.
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 the federal safety agency campaign id number 00v287000 (electrical system:starter assembly). The VIN was unavailable. The current and failure mileages were 118,000.
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.
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.
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!
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!
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.
Compare the 1994 Pontiac Grand Am
Other model years
1990199119921993199419951996199719981999200020012002200320042005
Questions about the 1994 Pontiac Grand Am
Is the 1994 Pontiac Grand Am reliable?
Owners have filed 377 complaints about the 1994 Pontiac Grand Am, 1.2 times a typical Grand Am model year.
What is the most common problem with the 1994 Pontiac Grand Am?
Engine and cooling, with 75 complaints, typically around 123,000 miles. Next is electrical (71).
How many recalls does the 1994 Pontiac Grand Am have?
2 recalls, covering electrical system and fuel system, gasoline.
What year does the Pontiac Grand Am have bad engine?
The Pontiac Grand Am model years with the most engine complaints are 1999 (148 complaints), 2000 (121 complaints) and 2001 (84 complaints).
What gas mileage does the 1994 Pontiac Grand Am get?
Official estimates for the 1994 Pontiac Grand Am range from 21 to 24 mpg combined. The most efficient version (2.3L 4-cyl, FWD) gets 18-21 city and 27-32 highway.
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