Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (front, side and curtain air bags, sensors and inflators).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 1995 Pontiac Grand AM owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
While driving at 30 MPH, the vehicle slid on a wet road and rear ended another motorist. The driver's side air bag failed to deploy upon impact. The consumer's neck, shoulder and chest were sore. The vehicle's front end was severely damaged. The dealership will be contacted. While driving long distances the consumer heard a dragging noise coming from under the vehicle. The consumer had the vehicle towed to dealership where the technician noticed worn wheel bearings. Vehicle is now on it's sixth repair. Please provide any additional information.
While driving, the consumer applied the brake, but the pedal went to the floor. The vehicle continue to accelerate with speed. The driver lost control of the vehicle and hit a ditch and a fence. A 2x4 steel pole hit the windshield and hit the driver in the face the driver was unconscious. Both frontal air bags did not deploy. The driver sustained head and neck injuries and was transported by ambulance to the hospital. The insurance company totaled the vehicle. Please fill in additional information.
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 bag did not deploy and seat belts did not lock in place, causing driver to be forced forward. 2 people were injured in accident.
Vehicle was hit in the rear by another vehicle traveling 70 MPH, causing consumer to hit another vehicle head-on, and the driver's side air bag did not deploy. Driver sustained injuries to head/neck/ribs, and has back pain with both legs going numb.
Vehicle was involved in a direct frontal collision at 50mph. Upon impact, air bags did not deploy, resulting in minor injuries to driver. Vehicle was totaled. Dealer has been notified. Please provide additional information.
While driving at 55 MPH and applied the brakes the vehicle went into a ditch to avoid hitting a horse, and the air bags didn't deploy. Also, shoulder strap didn't hold the consumer , causing the consumer to hit his face.
Consumer states that another vehicle that was traveling ahead of consumer suddenly came to a stop. Consumer was not able to stop in time and rear ended other driver. Consumer states that none of the vehicle airbags deployed. Please provide any further information.
The consumer was driving at approximately 35 MPH and struck a light post. Upon impact, the air bags failed to deploy. Provide further details.
While driving under wet road conditions brakes failed when applied, causing the vehicle to run a stop sign and strike another vehicle at 15 MPH. Upon impact, air bags did not deploy.
While driving 25 MPH the vehicle experienced a direct frontal impact, and driver's airbag did not deploy, which did not protect the occupant in this accident. Cause unknown.
Airbag complaints in other Grand AM years
Frequently asked questions
How common are airbag problems on the 1995 Pontiac Grand AM?
NHTSA has 46 complaints about the air bags of the 1995 Pontiac Grand AM, 11% of the model year's 409 complaints. The component named most often is frontal (36 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1995 Pontiac Grand AM airbag problems?
No. NHTSA lists no air bags recall for the 1995 Pontiac Grand AM, though it has 1 recall for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 1995 Pontiac Grand AM airbag problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 190,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 39 crashes, 0 fires and 35 injuries to air bags problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
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.