Comments: 1-15, 16-18
7 days after purchase I needed new brakes. This has been a continuing problem. I have replaced the brake pads 16 times, the rotors 4 times and the calipers 3 times.
Oil usage averages 2 qts. every 300 miles.
Replaced right upper motor mount one month after purchase.
Both front window switches and motors replaced.
Car shimmied @ hwy. spds. & on inclines, replaced new coil wires.
Serpentine belt assembly/tensioner fell off the motor while driving.
An electrical short in the fuseable link at the starter caused the car to NOT turn off, both starter & ignition replaced.
A/C unit has died.
Replaced fuel pump & filter assembly.
Replaced the electric starter a 2nd time along with a new battery 2 times because every electrical shortout caused battery to go bad.
Car is now back in shop for brake problems, caliper on the front right keeps locking up and warping a rotor. No known cause found yet!
Even though I had an extended warranty and repeatedly told the dealership about the brake problem, they refused to replace/repair them. I was told repeatedly that some cars were just harder on brakes than others. Only after my extended warranty expired did they suggest I have my calipers replaced.
I have had continuous problems with this car. Between the brake system and the electrical system there should be a recall.
I have had my car for almost a year and the only problem I've had is that I had to replace the alternator and the speedometer is 2 mph slow, but other than that it has treated me very well and I wouldn't think twice about buying another Grand Am even if I am the only one in my family who likes Pontiacs.
70K miles, poor performance after tune-up. Decided to do it myself, found that the #2 plug had never been replaced. Took 2 hours just to replace that one due to poor location. 98K miles, just had the serpentine belt tensioner break while driving.
I purchased my car in 1995 with only 5 miles on it. I had no problems until about 3 years ago. Since then, the driver's side window will not go up or down, the alternator has been replaced 3 times, 4 batteries have been put in, I have had to replace the rotors and brakes twice (soon to be a third when I get the money), a new head gasket has been installed and still having problems with the temperature running hot and the oil consumption. So, is it the car, the driver or the mechanic? I wish someone could tell me cause it's nickle and diming me to death!!!
I would like to say that I have a 94 Grand AM and bought it when it was 2 years old. I had warranty left on the car when I bought it, and that was a good thing. All of the fuel injectors were replaced, but were covered. I had the motor in the drivers side door replaced. Also I am always filling up with oil before my scheduled oil change because it is bone dry... The starter went, I have rust on both sides of the wheel wells, the car drives like a bread truck and the heat gauge is always reading HOT!!! The only way I would buy another Grand AM is if I bought it new and did not have to worry about things going wrong $$$$ Or if it was 1 year old. I think they have improved the way the new Grand Am rides but with my car, at times I think I have square wheels!!!
I've been having problems recently with mine running AND smelling hot. I've checked the oil and antifreeze levels and they are both fine. Quite the mystery! Haven't yet had a problem with the head gasket (it has 111,000 miles and I've had it for 5 years), unless the hot thing is an indicator. I'm planning on buying a Taurus soon rather than finding out.
Wouldn't recommend Grand Ams to anyone. They just have problem after problem once they get older. We've also had the serpentine belt snap while driving because one of the pulleys froze. The oxygen sensor was replaced two times in two years (they say it's poor part craftsmanship). Fuel gauge doesn't register properly. Entire suspension had to be replaced. A couple of engine mounts have been replaced. Just too long of a list of repairs for me.
I bought my 94 Grand AM 5 years ago. Two hundred and twenty eight thousand (228,000) miles later, it still runs great! Gets 33 miles to the gallon, too! I guess I got lucky!No major repairs at all except for an alternator. Would buy another in a heartbeat!
I got a grand am last year. About a month later the coils broke. Then about a week ago they broke again car stopped dead no warning or anything. I'm getting a Honda when I get my next car there more reliable.
The only thing I like about my Grand Am is the way it looks after its been washed. None of the windows will go up or down! I've had to replace the entire motor! My lights have recently stopped working because of an electrical problem! The temperature gauge is constantly floating towards the "HOT" end! The oil level has to be checked after every 700 miles! These are just some of the problems I've had in a 5 year period.
My wife and I have been the sole owners of our 1994 Pontiac Grand Am. Overall, it has performed well enough. It is interesting though that the repairs we have made are the same as most other owners note i.e. windows, alternator, serpentine belt and now a blown head gasket at 138,000. I don't think the car owes us anything, but I am reluctant at this point to keep investing in it, it sounds as if it will just require more, which any (Amercian?) car with this mileage probably would.
We bought our 94 Grand am Gt new and have been happy with its sporty style and comfortable ride. The fold in back seat is handy! It still looks good and rides well. I started having problems last year. I had to replace the alternator, battery and front window motors like others. We have a new problem that no one can diagnose or fix- it turns off/stalls when I am braking in city traffic after running fine for some time. All the power goes including steering and brakes-the dash needles drop and coasts to a stop. It will start again fine the first few times, but the intervals gets closer and starting harder each time. I've had it scanned including transmission, but so far no answer.
I am glad I found this site when I did. I woke up this morning with full intentions of buying a Grand Am. Something in the back of my mind told me to do some research. Good thing I did. Too many problems for my liking. Thank you for posting your likes and dislikes and problems you have experienced. I am sure it has saved myself and others from a lot of frustration.
I have a 94 Grand Am SE 3.1L. As I read most of the comments on this page, I feel I am not alone. I have had my car for 4 yrs. I have had problems with stalling, usually starting cold in warm weather. It coasts to a stop. No problem starting though. I have had this to several mechanics; nothing resolved. I have also had a problem shimming/shaking when the car is on the highway (around 80km/hr). The A/C is dead. Had no.5 fuel injector replaced. Because of the location the injector, they had to take part of the engine apart. Had drivers side window motor replaced. Front brake pads replaced twice. Car battery replaced. Rotors rotated. The car burns oil since the injector was replaced; usually 1 qt. before oil change. ERG valve replaced. The car is starting to smell of gas (raw). Had the mechanic look at this and replaced filler pipe. Still smell persists; can't locate the problem. Coolant sensor, air filter, fuel filter, muffler replaced. Rust around wheel wells. I can't wait to get rid of it. Putting me in the hole. Never buy used again!
I'm original owner, bought April 1994. I'm 50-something female with excellent driving habits. Have 75k miles. now and today it is in shop getting a new fuel pump assembly because it died with no warning yesterday.
I have always maintained with regular oil changes, tuneups, transmission services and radiator flushes.
I've replaced:
new brakes 3 times (the first time @ 9k miles.)
new transmission @ 19k miles. under warranty
swaybar repair
new alternator and serpentine belt @ 24k miles.
New struts 2 times
right front door actuator
both front power window motors
2 tie rods
oxygen sensor
new EGR module
new ECU
O-ring on distributor shaft plug
upper and lower manifold gaskets
fuel injection system cleaned.
These are just the ones I remember.
Other annoyances: The car runs very hot though the temp gauge never says so. Smells like it's burning. Windshield wipers throw the water onto side windows no matter who adjusts them or what brand replacement wipers I buy. The body style is horrendous to wash... those fluted jobs on the side of the car are always collecting dirt... takes forever to wash this car well.
On the good side: It always starts right up no matter the season, and the air conditioner and heater work great.
I will drive this car until it dies, but I will never buy another Pontiac. Actually, I will never buy an American car again, very sorry to say. It's Honda for me next time.
I originally owned a 1992 Chevy Camero, it was my mothers. I decided I wanted something that was mine. So I bought a 1994 Pontiac Grand Am GT, Black, Tan interior, power windows and locks.
I have been paying on it a year now and already am tired of fixing it.
MINOR THINGS.
Driver side window motor did not work got it fixed about 5 months ago, but it still doesn't work properly.
Passenger side window will roll down about an inch, but it takes forever to get it to roll up. Haven't got it fixed yet.
Passenger side power door lock does not work, you have to lock and unlock manually.
My car constantly runs hot.
It smells like oil is burning, but I am not low.
MAJOR THINGS.
There is the bumping noise under my car again. I think it is my struts, this will be the 2nd time I have replaced them in the 1 year I have had this car.
I have been through 3 sets if brakes, my last set I had put on 1.5 months ago and they are squeaking again.
Right Front Motor Mount is broke.
Steering column---- BIG ISSUE HERE
I have had 2 new steering columns put in. About 3 months ago on my way home from work, my steering wheel falls of in my lap. I almost wrecked. I managed to put my car in neutral and coast to a safe stop. My mechanic could only glue my pins back in. That was in my new column, before that the pins fell out and he put them back in with a hammer. Some mechanic huh? I stopped using that mechanic and went to different one, but I don't think it's the mechanic, I think it's the car. I will never own another Pontiac as long as I live. And I am only 19 now.
I think for the most part these cars should be recalled.