1994 Pontiac Grand Am GT 4D Sedan from North America - Comments

Worst electrical system known to man. I've had it tested by numerous mechanics and mechanically inclined friends, and know this to be true. Pontiac seems to be well known for electrical problems, especially with the Grand Am.

To date I have had 5 alternators replaced, with the newest AC Delco top of the line still holding up, for now.

Battery life is somewhat saddening, now with the failure of the best Interstate battery I could get installed adding to the total of 5 batteries as well since 1994.

Car began to poorly idle and stall with acceleration at 63,000 miles, spark plugs were replaced along with all new cables.

Automatic door locks are a disgrace, I've had the door locks replaced on the front doors twice, with continued failure and have just given up now on them ever properly working.

The driver side power window likes to burn up motors, I'm on my third with it, and overall I don't remember it taking nearly a minute for all of the windows throughout to ascend back up.

A car alarm would be nice, if it would ever stay functioning. I've had three alarms installed 2 black widow systems and a sidewinder, all have failed in properly working with various installers around trying to figure out what is making the system trip on and off, randomly locking and unlocking the few functioning door locks while driving.

A/C compressors bearings went out and the a/c locked up at around 85,000 miles.

A clogged EGR valve has now permanently affixed the "service engine soon" light on. Not really essential to fix it, just another 200 to 300 dollars. (Around 79,000 miles)

Car seems to be almost 90% plastic, my dashboard will never stay upright, the hunk of plastic pops and creeks constantly, and has fallen off of its secured brackets, rattling all the time, only loud music will fix it.

There was also a nation wide recall on a part I believe located in the steering column. I had to take the car to the dealership to get the part replaced, for it was known to have caused fires in the car and apparently it had affected some people in some disastrous ways.

A few good things, car is still running and I have a little money left after repairs. Few problems with the transmission and overall the engine, besides transmission fluid leaks and a nice fuel line leak in traffic. Gas was spilling all over the road and a nice guy behind me ran out of his car to inform me.

Overall I would never buy one again, even if Pontiac were to give me one for free I would send it back or give it away. I do not recommend the car, except for the person who is bold enough to take my car from me. I will just continue waiting the day I buy a new car.

I was reading about the problems you have had with your Grand am, and if you would really like to get rid of it I am willing to buy it off you. My email address is:

Dale3rule@hotmail.com.

Please feel free to email me with a response, because a Grand Am is the kind of car that I am looking to buy. Thank you very much.

Rob Reid.

I own a 94 Grand Am Gt, some of the problems you noted, had nothing to do with the car itself (such as the alarm) due to it is not a original part of the car and has nothing to do with the car itself. Spark plugs and wires are common to be needing replaced at around 70,000 miles. Windows could be a manufacture mess up or that you are trying to roll windows down in very cold weather which breaks them very easy. Batteries also are not a manufacturer mess up, either there is a high output sound system in the car making battery life and alternator life reduced or a problem you haven't found. I also had a problem on a car (not the Grand Am) but was bad ground and kept blowing the alternater and making battery life terrible. I recently bought a 1994 (in 2002) with 29,000 miles on it and bought a extended 7 year 100,000 mile warranty for under $1,000.

I own a 1994 Pontiac Grand Am SE, and also had a problem with the power door locks as many Grand Am owners seem to. My problem was fixed very easily by replacing the "Accessory" fuse in the fuse box located between the driver side door and the dash on that side. This also fixed a malfunctioning cigarette lighter. I also experienced the problem with the EGR valve you have. I bought the part for $75 at a local parts store and installed it my self saving hundreds of dollars. Virtually anyone can replace this part, if they know how to operate a screwdriver. Three screws hold the EGR valve in place, and three clips hold the sensor on the top. The new EGR valve screws right in no problem. Without the EGR valve working, you will have that annoying Service Engine Soon light on, and you won't be able to pass emissions. I love my Grand Am, and also would be willing to take yours off of your hands. I can be emailed at AHSPATCH@yahoo.com, please write me on how I can obtain yours. If you don't sell it to me I hope these solutions I had can help you or anyone else with a 92-95 Grand Am.

I bought a 1994 Grand Am Gt about 2 years ago. When I bought it, it had 64,000 miles on it. It now has 130,000 and still is so quiet, and runs so well, that most of the time I can barely tell its running. It has been a great car, and has lots of power, especially the 3.1 V6. I just put brand new tires on a couple weeks ago and it will still roast the tires.:) There are such a great looking car that I have had a lot of people come up to me and say, " Is that a 2000". This car was also my first car, and will probably keep it forever. When I get some money saved up, I will probably put a lot of money into it, just redo the whole thing. Very pretty car.:)

Bought my 1994 Grand Am GT in 2000 with 116,000 miles on it. 1 year later at 136,000 miles, the transmission went that cost me $1800. According to my brother and the mechanic...that's pretty good to get 136,000 on a trans. The recall on the Ignition Switch was replaced after the wires started burning. This recall caused an additional problem with my turn switch wires catching on fire as well. General Motors told me they need so many thousands of complaints before they can call it a recall. A friend was able to buy a new turn switch from the junk yard to put it in for me. Other than that, just regular maintenance on the car like any other. I'm now at 178,000 miles and just had my tensioner bust and replaced that myself. AC doesn't work. Sounds like the compressor is bad. Also have problems with the power windows burning out on the drivers and passengers side door. Replaced the window motor and it went out again in just 6 months. No matter how many problems I have with that car, it still starts and keeps on running! I love my car and would never get rid of it. I'll drive it till its death! I know friends that have more problems with their 2000+ vehicles.

Just my thoughts!

PS2Mom.

I read your comments about the 1994 Grand AM and I agree on most of them.

I am an owner of the 1996 model and it seems they didn't change much except adding more plastic parts and getting rid of the long lasting ones.

I have problems with all my windows, I have to push the switch every 5 minutes or so to roll the window about one inch and the motor will stop.

The power locks switch button is defective too, I replaced it twice.

Every thing is starting to vibrate due to plastic parts cracking and screws coming off of everywhere.

I drove a 1991 Honda accord the other day and was surprised the way it looks inside, I thought the car was newer than mine.

I did end up to the same conclusion which is not to buy any GM product for the rest of my life.

Back when I had my warranty, the serpentine belt broke off, and when I took it to the dealer they charged me $50 to replace it even though the car had a bumper to bumper warranty on it.

I paid them and decided not to buy ever again their product. Even like he said, if they give me a car for free I will return that junk, it will cost me more to keep it running anyway.

These days Made in USA is a warning label that means bad Quality, look elsewhere.

I have a 94 Pontiac Grand Am Se and have 78,000 miles on it.

I have replaced the driver side window motor three times. The first one lasted forever, and the last two, just a couple months each. A whole lot of plastic pieces are just breaking off and disintegrating.

I have developed a standing water problem on both the passenger and driver sides, no matter whether it's raining, snowing, or dry out??? I love the car, but it's eating my bank account out of house and home.

I also Have a Pontiac Grand Am SE. It runs really good, but like said in other comments. It has had all kinds of electrical problems. I am at 145,000mi. My battery is forever draining. I Have had tons of electrical problems from blinkers to doors. The power door locks have just died out on me. It is still a good car despite the electrical errors. And yes you have to put a bit of money in it to keep maintained. I still like the power and style of Pontiac. But unless you have ppatience it is not the car for you.