Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (battery, alternator, wiring, ignition, instrument cluster, infotainment).
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).
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.
A recall (#00V287000) was issued for the starter assembly the dealer refused to repair the vehicle at no charge. The consumer stated the vehicle caught fire twice. Please provide additional information.
While driving down highway 4 my steering column caught on fire making me pull the car over and jump out along with 2 other persons , after that we called the tow truck to have it towed home to see what we were going to do about the problem and who to contact in the mean time the dealership had my car for 4 months and to this day still has it and is requesting me to pay half of the bill to get it fixed and I do not feel I should pay a dime for a recalled car with an open recall on it so therefore I AM filing a complaint against the dealership for the car to be fixed and for all the inconvenience in which it has caused me getting back and fourth to school, I AM in college full time so therefore I had to do public transportation getting to and from my destinations. And when the car caught fire it was the first time in which it had ever happened. …
The car was driven for 8 minutes and parked. I went back to the car 3 1/2 hours later and found the passenger side burned up. Apparently a fire ignited in the electrical wiring under the dash while the car was parked. The dash board, controls, wiring, and steering wheel were all melted. The windshield had cracked from the heat. The visor fell on the seat and burned the seat. I have pictures of the damage. I AM waiting on a formal report from the insurance claim.
Tl* the contact owns a 1995 Pontiac Grand AM. While driving over a bump at approximately 65 MPH, the key suddenly released from the ignition switch. The vehicle continued operating as normal during the failure. The contact pulled the vehicle to the side of the road and re-inserted the key into the ignition. The failure occurred multiple times. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified. The approximate failure mileage was 290,000.
Prior to recall notification (00V287000) consumer's vehicle caught fire in the switch of her vehcile while driving, consumer states she did not receive notification until five years later and after the damage had already been done, manufacturer investigated the incident and consumer was advised that they were unable to determine any manufacturing liability because the vehicle had already been repaired.
Had tried to start vehicle, would not turn over, and there was no clicking noise. Left vehicle parked. Earlier had smelled plastic burning. Went and contacted dealership. Heard horn blowing. Checked and noticed windows were dark. Opened driver's door and smoke came billowing out of dashboard and steering column. Flames started to shoot out of column. Notified fire department who put flames out.
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 completely on fire. The car was completely totaled.
Vehicle parked. Started vehicle & no sound or noise. Would not crank up. Lifted hood & went to start vehicle again. Started to smell smoke which was coming from the steering wheel. The vehicle was on fire. Fire department arrived & put flames out. Vehicle towed to dealer. Location of fire not determined by fire department or GM inspector.
Related recalls
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 investigations
Steering column fires
There is no summary currently available
Electrical complaints in other Grand AM years
Frequently asked questions
How common are electrical problems on the 1995 Pontiac Grand AM?
NHTSA has 120 complaints about the electrical system of the 1995 Pontiac Grand AM, 29% of the model year's 409 complaints. The component named most often is ignition › switch (33 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1995 Pontiac Grand AM electrical problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 00V-287 (starter assembly, Oct 2, 2000). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 1995 Pontiac Grand AM electrical problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 126,000 miles, and 11% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 2 crashes, 36 fires and 4 injuries to electrical system 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.