The 1994 Pontiac Grand Am has 2 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting an estimated 701,298 vehicles. Recall repairs are always free at any authorized dealer. Owners have filed 515 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the engine and engine cooling. Last updated July 5, 2026.
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.
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."
Consequence
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.
Complaints by component
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
47
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
32
29crashes22injuries
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
32
9crashes3injuries
STEERING: STEERING WHEEL/HANDLE BAR
32
3crashes3fires
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
20
1fires
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
18
1crashes6fires2injuries
STEERING:COLUMN
15
1fires
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:STARTER ASSEMBLY
14
4fires
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
13
1crashes
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
10
Total complaints515
What owners report
Verbatim reports filed with NHTSA, lightly edited for readability and with personal
information removed.
“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”
“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”
“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”
“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…”
“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…”
“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…”
“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…”
Defect investigations
InvestigationEA00007 Opened 2000-03-03 · closed 2001-02-07
STEERING COLUMN FIRES
There is no summary currently available
InvestigationPE99063 Opened 1999-10-07 · closed 2000-03-03
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…
Recall, complaint, and investigation records from official NHTSA datasets (FLAT_RCL,
FLAT_CMPL, FLAT_INV), synced weekly. Counts reflect NHTSA records for the 1994 Pontiac Grand Am as of
July 5, 2026. Complaint narratives are consumer-submitted and unverified. This page
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