VehicleVerdict

1995 Pontiac Grand AM problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 587 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 5.8 times the median Grand AM year — the 1995 model ranks #6 of 29 Grand AM years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list. Reports tied to this model year include 9 deaths and 82 injuries, per the complaint records themselves.

Electrical System leads the complaint categories with 153 reports (26% of the total).

587

NHTSA complaints

1

Recalls

2

Investigations

78

Crash-involved

47

Fires reported

82

Injuries

9

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 1995 compare to other Grand AM years?

Grand AM NHTSA complaints by model year, 1995 highlighted1,318 complaints1973: 1 complaints1975: 0 complaints1978: 0 complaints1979: 0 complaints1980: 0 complaints1981: 0 complaints1983: 1 complaints1984: 0 complaints1985: 8 complaints1986: 13 complaints1987: 47 complaints1988: 34 complaints1989: 88 complaints1990: 61 complaints1991: 102 complaints1992: 304 complaints1993: 290 complaints1994: 515 complaints1995: 587 complaints1996: 672 complaints1997: 600 complaints1998: 236 complaints1999: 1,318 complaints2000: 939 complaints2001: 759 complaints2002: 549 complaints2003: 436 complaints2004: 402 complaints2005: 143 complaints
Grand AM NHTSA complaints by model year, 1995 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Grand AM years to avoid →

What are the most common 1995 Pontiac Grand AM problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Electrical System15326%
Brakes10017%
Engine6511%
Airbags478%
Lighting376%
Transmission346%
Visibility & Wipers295%
Fuel System203%
Body & Structure193%
Steering132%
Suspension122%
Seat Belts112%
Tires & Wheels102%
Climate Control (A/C & Heat)92%
Speed Control81%
Seats71%
Latches & Locks71%
Other61%

Does the 1995 Pontiac Grand AM have recalls?

1 NHTSA recall campaign on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

00V287000Electrical SystemOctober 2, 2000 · 699,617 units

Defect

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

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.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“PUT KEY IN THE IGNITION. WOULDN'T START. NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM THE STEERING COLUMN. MORE SMOKE STARTED TO APPEAR. WITHIN MINUTES THERE WAS BLACK SMOKE BILLOWING FROM THE CAR. NOT MORE THAN A MINUTE LATER THE FRONT SEATS OF THE CAR WERE INGULFED IN FLAMES. IN A MATTER OF MINUTES, THE CAR WAS…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · May 16, 2000 · fire

“CONSUMER WAS TRAVELING AT APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH WHEN SHE ATTEMPTED TO APPLY BRAKES, BUT BRAKE PEDAL HAD DISCONNECTED AND WAS LAYING ON THE FLOORBOARD.VEHICLE WENT THROUGH A 4 WAY STOP DUE TO A LACK OF BRAKES. DEALERSHIP WAS EXAMINING VEHICLE. *AK *SLC”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · June 8, 2001 · crash

“WHILE STARTING THE VEHICLE, THE ENGINE CAUGHT ON FIRE . MANUFACTURER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. *AK CONSUMER SAW SMOKE FIRST AND THEN THE FIRE WITHIN 3 MINUTES, VEHICLE WOULD NOT SHUT OFF EVEN WITH THE KEYS REMOVED FROM THE IGNITION, CONSUMER STATES THAT THE HORN SOUNDED. *SLC”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · July 9, 1998 · fire

“PARENT WAS PLACING CHILD IN VEHICLE AND WHEN EXITING VEHICLE, CONSUMER'S KEYS SOMEHOW FELL DOWN INSIDE VEHICLE. CONSUMER CLOSED THE DOOR AND ALL THE DOORS AUTOMATICALLY LOCKED, TRAPPING THE CHILD INSIDE VEHICLE. CONSUMER WAS ALSO INVOLVED IN A FRONTAL CRASH AT 15-20 MPH IN WHICH DRIVER'S SIDE AIR…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Airbags · February 23, 1997 · crash

“THE WHOLE CASTING THAT HOUSES THE BULB FOR THE DRIVER'S SIDE FOG LIGHT HAS BURNED TWICE. THE FIRST TIME WAS ABOUT 2 YEARS AGO. THE DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED ABOUT THE PROBLEM. OWNER'S FATHER REPLACED THE FOG LIGHT AND CASTING. THE DEALER IS NOT AWARE OF THE CURRENT PROBLEM. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Lighting · October 22, 1999

1995 Pontiac Grand AM — common questions

Is the 1995 Pontiac Grand AM reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 587 complaints put the 1995 model at #6 of 29 Grand AM years. It is one of the Grand AM years to avoid.

What are the most common 1995 Grand AM problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are electrical system (153 complaints), brakes (100 complaints), engine (65 complaints).

Does the 1995 Pontiac Grand AM have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign affecting the 1995 Pontiac Grand AM. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 1995 Pontiac Grand AM under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened 2 investigations into this model year; all are now closed.

Which Pontiac Grand AM years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Grand AM years to avoid are 1999, 2000, 2001, 1996, 1997, 1995, 2002, 1994, 2003, 2004, 1992, 1993, 1998. The cleanest record among Grand AM years belongs to 1984.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.