Most common 1995 Pontiac Grand AM problems
Share of the 409 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
Pontiac Grand AM complaints by model year
Best Grand AM years: 2005, 1998, 2004. Years to avoid: 1999, 2000. Compare all years →
1995 Pontiac Grand AM recalls (1)
Electrical system › Starter assembly
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.
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).
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal safety investigators have looked into 2 possible defects involving the 1995 Pontiac Grand AM:
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…
Steering column fires
There is no summary currently available
What 1995 Pontiac Grand AM owners say
Electrical system all 120 →
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.
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.
Brakes all 77 →
We have had the crank shaft sensor replaced ,and that cost us two trips to a mechanic to figure that problem out. The timing belt changed twice, another motor put in this year, new altenator, new radiator, fuel pump, water pump,and a new throttle position sensor. We still have an oil leak, we need new struts and we continually have problems with the brakes. Not to leave out that when we bought the car we had to have the heater coil replaced. The door lock does not work on the passenger side and the motor mount is broke. I AM sure there are other things I have left out but I can not think of everything right now. What got me to the point of sending a complaint is that we just replaced the radiator 08/02/03, and we seem to have to replace something every month or so, and there does not seem to be one part on this car that does not cost a bundle. …
The brake system fails with the pedal going soft to the floor. When the problem fixes itself the brakes are still soft and then you have the brakes to the floor and the system slams on the brakes. This only happens at speeds less than 15 MPH, all ABS sensors have been changed and it still happens. ABS light comes on dash, but tech's can't find a problem. When slow backing you can hear brakes working though your not touching them. Fell free to contact at numbers listed for additional information or to give insight as to problem as tech's can't figure it out. *dimsii ivoq entry posted after 12/12/02 cut-over to artemis*730195
Engine & cooling all 60 →
About a year ago I purchased a 95 Pontiac Grand AM se from price point used car super center. When I bought the car I was told by the person selling it to me that it would be good for a kid going to college that it was reliable and such... Well I got the car, not only is it not reliable it keeps breaking down on me. For the entire year of owning the car it has overheated too many times to count... I contacted the dealer but they told me there was nothing they could do because of being bought as is... So I took it to an a place called auto lab... They said they fixed the problem of it overheating said it was a head gasket blown... So after it was fixed it worked for about a week then started overheating again... I promptly took it back they said that I had blown the water pump and fixed it a week later after getting it back it overheated again... …
I bought my 1995 Pontiac Grand AM se, used in 2001, not even a month after having it, I had to replace the radiator. From there went my coolant line, a dealer part I had to pay a fortune for. Then I also have significant water damage that somehow gets into my carand I end up with puddles of water on the floor. My heater core went, replaced that. Then ball joints, replaced that. Then the recall on my ignition that I failed to recieve, was out with my husband and son for the day, got in to start my car and it wouldnt turn over. Took the key out, then all of a sudden the car started to turn over repeditily. Needless to say if my husband wasnt there my son and I could have died, I wouldnt have know what to do. My son was strapped in his car seat and I popped the hood, next thing I know smoke starts pouring into my car from the dash. …
1995 Pontiac Grand AM engines & fuel economy
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG city / hwy / combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2.3L 4-cyl | 5-speed manual | FWD | 19 / 29 / 23 |
| 2.3L 4-cyl | 3-speed automatic | FWD | 19 / 28 / 22 |
| 2.3L 4-cyl | 4-speed automatic | FWD | 19 / 29 / 22 |
| 3.1L 6-cyl | 4-speed automatic | FWD | 18 / 26 / 21 |
EPA ratings. Class: Compact car.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 1995 Pontiac Grand AM a good car?
Based on 409 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 1995 Grand AM rates average: 1.2× as many complaints as a typical year of the Grand AM at the same age. Complaint counts don't account for sales volume or individual maintenance, so have any used car inspected before buying.
What is the most common problem with the 1995 Pontiac Grand AM?
The electrical system — 120 complaints, 29% of all complaints for this model year, most often about ignition › switch. Next are the brakes (77) and engine & cooling (60).
How many recalls does the 1995 Pontiac Grand AM have?
There is 1 recall for the 1995 Pontiac Grand AM, the most recent from October 2, 2000 (starter assembly). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer — check whether yours has been done with the VIN recall check.
What are the best and worst years of the Pontiac Grand AM?
The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2005, 1998 and 2004. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 1999 and 2000. See the full Pontiac Grand AM years comparison.
At what mileage do 1995 Pontiac Grand AM problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 110,000 miles; 6% of problems with a recorded mileage started before 50,000 miles.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.