Model year record

1995 Pontiac Grand AM

1 recall campaign on file for this model year. 587 owner complaints on file.

Recalls

Recall campaignNHTSA 00V287000

Electrical system: starter assembly

Component
Electrical system: starter assembly
Manufacturer
GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
Vehicles affected
699,617
Reported to NHTSA
2000-10-02
Owners notified
2000-12-19

Defect description

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.

Safety risk

A FIRE COULD OCCUR IN THE STEERING COLUMN AND SPREAD TO THE INTERIOR OF THE CAR.

Manufacturer 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). THIS CAMPAIGN DOES NOT COVER BATTERY REPLACEMENT OR UNRELATED STARTING SYSTEM OR ELECTRICAL SYSTEM REPAIRS.

Owner complaints

A complaint is one person's report to a federal agency. It is not a finding.

ComponentComplaintsMedian mileage
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip5370,000 mi
Air bags: frontal36190,000 mi
Electrical system: ignition: switch3393,000 mi
Electrical system: starter assembly31188,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine2387,000 mi
Power train: automatic transmission22121,000 mi
Electrical system: ignition18290,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline14
Visibility: power window devices and controls1480,103 mi
Electrical system: wiring: fuses and circuit breakers12
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components12
Air bags10
Electrical system1078,000 mi
Electrical system: wiring: front underhood9126,000 mi
Equipment: appliance: air conditioner9
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: rotor8
Structure: body: door8
Electrical system: wiring7
Electrical system: wiring: interior/under dash7
Exterior lighting: headlights778,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: pads7
Electrical system: alternator/generator/regulator6
Engine and engine cooling6165 mi
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe6115,000 mi
Latches/locks/linkages: doors: latch6
Tires6185,000 mi
Vehicle speed control6168,000 mi
Electrical system: 12V/24V/48V battery5
Electrical system: horn5
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system596,801 mi
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system: radiator assembly5
Exterior lighting: headlights: high/low beam dimmer switch5101,000 mi
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: fuel pump5
Seat belts: front: anchorage5
Service brakes, hydraulic595,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: master cylinder5
Structure: body5
Unknown or other5135,000 mi
Visibility: windshield5165 mi
Visibility: windshield wiper/washer5
Equipment: electrical: radio/tape deck/CD etc.4
Exterior lighting: hazard flashing warning lights4
Power train4
Seat belts: front: buckle assembly4
Seats4121,000 mi
Steering4
Steering: steering wheel/handle bar4
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system3
Exterior lighting: brake lights3
Exterior lighting: tail lights3165 mi
Power train: manual transmission3
Seats: front assembly: recliner3
Suspension: front3
Electrical system: ignition: module2
Electrical system: starter assembly: relay2
Exterior lighting: fog lights2
Exterior lighting: hazard flashing warning lights: unit2
Exterior lighting: headlights: switch2
Exterior lighting: turn signal2
Exterior lighting: turn signal: switch2
Fuel system, gasoline2
Fuel system, gasoline: carburetor system2
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings2
Fuel system, gasoline: fuel injection system2
Fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly2
Interior lighting2
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc2
Service brakes, hydraulic: pedals and linkages2
Steering: column2
Structure: body: hood: hinge and attachments2100,000 mi
Structure: frame and members2105,000 mi
Suspension2185,000 mi
Suspension: front: macpherson strut2
Tires: sidewall2
Visibility: defroster/defogger/hvac system: fan/motor2
Visibility: defroster/defogger/hvac system: heater core2
Air bags: side/window1
Electrical system: 12V/24V/48V battery: cables1
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: emission control1
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: emission control: catalytic convertor1
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: emission control: gas recirculation valve (EGR valve)1
Equipment: electrical1
Equipment: mechanical: accessory scissor/screw/bottle jack/lift1
Exterior lighting1
Exterior lighting: brake lights: switch1
Exterior lighting: turn signal: flasher unit1
Fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly: filler pipe and cap1
Fuel system, other1
Fuel system, other: delivery: fuel pump1
Fuel system, other: delivery: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings1
Fuel system, other: storage1
Latches/locks/linkages: hood: latch1
Power train: automatic transmission: lever and linkage: floor shift1
Power train: axle assembly1
Power train: axle assembly: axle shaft1
Power train: axle hubs1
Power train: manual transmission: floor shift assembly1165 mi
Seat belts: front: retractor1125,000 mi
Seat belts: front: webbing1
Service brakes, air1
Service brakes, air: antilock1
Service brakes, air: disc: rotor1
Service brakes, hydraulic: brake fluid low warning: lamp1
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: drum1
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: drum: drum1
Steering: column locking: anti-theft device1
Steering: gear box (other than rack and pinion)1
Steering: hydraulic power assist: power steering fluid1
Structure: body: hood1
Structure: body: trunk lid1165 mi
Suspension: front: control arm1
Suspension: front: control arm: lower arm189,548 mi
Suspension: multiple axle1
Suspension: multiple axle: torque arm1
Suspension: rear: axle: spindle1
Tires: tread/belt1
Vehicle speed control: accelerator pedal1
Vehicle speed control: cables1
Visibility: defroster/defogger/hvac system1
Wheels1

The 1994 model has roughly the same number of complaints as this one. The 1996 model has roughly the same number of complaints as this one. These figures reflect raw complaint counts, not failure rates. Higher-selling model years naturally receive more complaints.

Safety recall repairs are provided free of charge by franchised dealers, regardless of vehicle age or mileage. This page displays aggregated data for the model year. To check recall status for a specific vehicle, search its VIN at nhtsa.gov.