Total Complaints
306 filings
PONTIAC GRAND PRIX · model year
306 NHTSA complaints, 33 crash reports for this specific cohort.
NHTSA overall rating
Not crash-tested
New Car Assessment Program
The 1994PONTIACGRAND PRIX carries 306 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 33 crashes, 4 fires, 36 injuries, and 0 fatalities. No NCAP 5-star crash-test rating is available for this model year in the federal database.
Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 1994 GRAND PRIX is visibility:windshield wiper/washer with 27 filings, followed by service brakes, hydraulic:antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip (23) and air bags:frontal (21). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability.
NHTSA currently has 5 investigation files overlapping the 1994 GRAND PRIX. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page — a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.
Total Complaints
306 filings
Crashes Reported
33 reports
Source
NHTSA ODI
Federal complaints database
Above median complaint volume — review patterns below.
| Component | Count |
|---|---|
| VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER | 27 |
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP | 23 |
| AIR BAGS:FRONTAL | 21 |
| VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:SWITCH/WIRING | 21 |
| EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TURN SIGNAL:SWITCH | 10 |
| VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS | 9 |
| VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:CABLES | 9 |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE | 9 |
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR | 8 |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ALTERNATOR/GENERATOR/REGULATOR | 7 |
| VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL | 7 |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE | 7 |
| STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR | 7 |
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC | 7 |
| STEERING: STEERING WHEEL/HANDLE BAR | 6 |
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1994 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT BOTH DOOR HANDLES ON THE PASSENGER SIDE HAD BEEN REPLACED TWICE AND THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE HANDLE WAS REPLACED ONCE. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE HANDLES WERE MADE OUT OFF POT METAL, INCREASING THE RISK OF FRACTURE. THE CONTACT SPOKE WITH THE MANUFACTURER, BUT WAS INFORMED THAT THERE WAS NO REMEDY FOR THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 50,000.
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1994 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO START THE VEHICLE AND IT WOULD NOT START. SHE MADE SEVERAL ATTEMPTS BEFORE THE VEHICLE WOULD START. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL MECHANIC AND HE ADJUSTED THE GEAR SHIFTER. THE CONTACT STATED THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN AGAIN TO THE SAME LOCAL MECHANIC AND HE ADJUSTED THE GEAR SHIFT; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE CONTINUED TO OCCUR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL MECHANIC 5 TO 6 TIMES FOR THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT DID NOT HAVE ANY DETAILS REGARDING THE DIAGNOSIS. THE PRE-OWNED VEHICLE WAS PURCHASE IN 1998. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 140,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 180,000.
Mileage: 140,000
THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS COMPLETELY STOPPED WORKING ON MY 1994 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX. THERE IS A SAFETY RECALL FOR A FAULTY WINDSHIELD WIPER SWITCH FOR THE YEAR, MAKE AND MODEL OF MY CAR BUT THE DEALER SAYS MY VIN IS NOT COVERED UNDER THE SAFETY RECALL. ACCORDING TO THE REPAIR MANUAL FOR MY VEHICLE, IT IS THE WIPER SWITCH WHICH IS FAULTY. *TR
Mileage: 124,000
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1994 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX. THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS DO NOT OPERATE AT THE HIGHEST SPEED. SHE CALLED THE DEALERSHIP WHO ADVISED HER THAT SHE WOULD HAVE TO PAY A DIAGNOSTIC FEE OF $94.00 PER HOUR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED, BUT NO ASSISTANCE WAS PROVIDED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 84,115. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 83,000.
Mileage: 83,000
WITHOUT WARNING, ACCIDENT OR OTHER CAUSE, THE DRIVERS DOOR HANDLES FAILED TO OPERATE. I CANNOT OPEN THE DOOR FROM INSIDE OR OUTSIDE THE VEHICLE. I HAD MY LOCAL MECHANIC TRY TO REPAIR THE LINKAGE, BUT GM SAYS NO PARTS ARE AVAILABLE. HE REPAIRED IT, BUT WARNED IT MAY NOT LAST . REPAIR LASTED 2500 MILES AND SIX MONTHS AT A COST OF $165.00. CAR IS UNSAFE IF I CANNOT ENTER OR EXIT WITH REASONABLE EFFORT. *TR
Mileage: 130,000
DRIVER DOOR LATCH MECHANISM FAILED TO WORK. SERVICED BY PRIVATE MECHANIC WHO STATED LINKAGE PARTS NOT AVAILABLE. DOOR CANNOT BE OPENED FROM EITHER SIDE TRAPPING DRIVER IN CAR IN AN EMERGENCY. *TR
Mileage: 129,000
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1994 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX. AFTER THE CONTACT INSERTED THE KEY INTO THE IGNITION, THE VEHICLE JUST CLICKED. THE LOCAL MECHANIC PURCHASED THE PARTS FROM PARTS PLUS AND FOUND A NOTICE IN THE BOX. THE NOTICE STATED THAT THERE WAS INSUFFICIENT VOLTAGE BEING CARRIED TO THE STARTER DUE TO THE MR. GOODWRENCH ANTITHEFT SYSTEM. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO ANOTHER REPAIR SHOP AND THEY STATED THAT THEY COULD MAKE THE NECESSARY REPAIRS, WHICH WOULD COST BETWEEN $250-$500. SHE CALLED THE DEALER REGARDING RECALLS AND WAS INFORMED THAT THERE WERE NONE RELATED TO HER VEHICLE. THE FAILURE HAS OCCURRED THREE TIMES AND THE STARTER WAS REPLACED THREE TIMES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 126,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 130,000.
Mileage: 126,000
1994 GRAND PRIX 38,746 MI DROVE VEHICLE 1 AND 3/4 MI TO WARM UP TO CHANGE OIL NOTICED TEMP GAUGE RISING SHUT OFF MOTOR WAITED 30 MIN CHECKED RADIATOR NO ANTI FREEZE CHECKED OIL NOTICED ANTI FREEZE MIXED WITH OIL TOOK CAR HOME CALLED REPAIR SHOPS BEST PRICE $950.00 TO REPAIR BAD HEAD GASKET AND INTAKE GASKET I OWNED THE CAR EXACTLY 3 DAYS I UNDERSTAND THE PONTIAC 3100 AND 3800 HAVE BAD HEAD GASKETS THIS IS MY LAST GM. *TR
Mileage: 38,746
MY DAD WORKS FOR GM. MY PARENTS BOUGHT THIS CAR BRAND NEW IN 1994, IMMEDIATELY, THERE WAS A MANUFACTURING DEFECT IN THE WINDSHIELD THAT CAUSED VISUAL PROBLEMS. THE WINDSHIELD WAS REPLACED BY THE DEALERSHIP AT NO CHARGE. LATER, THE WINDSHIELD CRACKED FROM BOTTOM LEFT ACROSS TO THE RIGHT. IT WAS REPLACED AGAIN FOR NO CHARGE. MY PARENTS WERE ACTUALLY TOLD IT MAY CRACK AGAIN. I NOW OWN THE CAR AND HAVE HAD IT FOR 2 YEARS. THE WINDSHIELD STARTED CRACKING AGAIN FROM THE LOWER LEFT CORNER FOR NO PARTICULAR REASON . THE CRACKS HAVE GROWN OVER THE LAST 2 YEARS, BUT I CAN STILL SEE FINE BECAUSE OF MY HEIGHT, IT ISN'T OBSTRUCTING. MY PROBLEM IS, I GOT PULLED OVER AND WAS TOLD I HAVE TO EITHER HAVE THE WINDSHIELD REPLACED, GET RID OF THE CAR ( WHICH IT STILL RUNS WELL), OR PAY A FINE. I DON'T THINK I SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR SOMETHING THAT IS CLEARLY A MANUFACTURER DEFECT. *JB
INTERMITTENT AND THEN COMPLETE FAILURE OF THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS. FOR A WHILE, THEY WOULD OPERATE INTERMITTENT;Y IF THE TURN-SIGNAL STALK WAS WIGGLED OR HELD IN A NON STANDARD POSITION. IN SPITE OF AN EXISTING RECALL ON THE VEHICLE, NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER : 97V017000, GM REFUSES TO FIX THEIR FAULTY PRODUCT. *JB
1. RUNS HOT WAS TOLD BY DEALER ITS "NORMAL" TO RUN IT AT 230 20,000 MILES. 2. REPLACE BRAKES AT 40,000 MILES. 500.00 REPAIR 3. RECALLED FOR WIPER/SIGNAL SWITCH 45,000, 4. CUTS OUT OR RPMS MOVE THE CAR DOESN'T, DEALER CANT FIND A PROBLEM 46,000 MILES. 5. "DRINKS OIL NO SIGNS OF LEAKS! 60,000 MILES DEALER HAS NO CLUE! 6. TOTAL OVER HEATING AT 70,000. REPLACE THERMOSTAT. 300.00 REPAIR 7. BATTERY WENT DEAD 71,000 MILES 90.00 REPAIR 8. TURN SIGNALS "STICK" WILL NOT TURN OFF BY THEMSELVES NOT BLINK 72,000 MILES 9. REPLACE ALTERNATOR AT 73,000 MILES, 400.00 REPAIR. IM THE SECOND OWNER...THIS CAR IS A TOTAL PIECE OF '!@#$%! NEVER BUY ANOTHER ONE FOR SURE!!! *NM
Mileage: 20,000
1. RUNS HOT WAS TOLD BY DEALER ITS "NORMAL" TO RUN IT AT 230 20,000 MILES. 2. REPLACE BRAKES AT 40,000 MILES. 500.00 REPAIR 3. RECALLED FOR WIPER/SIGNAL SWITCH 45,000, 4. CUTS OUT OR RPMS MOVE THE CAR DOESN'T, DEALER CANT FIND A PROBLEM 46,000 MILES. 5. "DRINKS OIL NO SIGNS OF LEAKS! 60,000 MILES DEALER HAS NO CLUE! 6. TOTAL OVER HEATING AT 70,000. REPLACE THERMOSTAT. 300.00 REPAIR 7. BATTERY WENT DEAD 71,000 MILES 90.00 REPAIR 8. TURN SIGNALS "STICK" WILL NOT TURN OFF BY THEMSELVES NOT BLINK 72,000 MILES 9. REPLACE ALTERNATOR AT 73,000 MILES, 400.00 REPAIR. IM THE SECOND OWNER...THIS CAR IS A TOTAL PIECE OF '!@#$%! NEVER BUY ANOTHER ONE FOR SURE!!! *NM
Mileage: 20,000
1. RUNS HOT WAS TOLD BY DEALER ITS "NORMAL" TO RUN IT AT 230 20,000 MILES. 2. REPLACE BRAKES AT 40,000 MILES. 500.00 REPAIR 3. RECALLED FOR WIPER/SIGNAL SWITCH 45,000, 4. CUTS OUT OR RPMS MOVE THE CAR DOESN'T, DEALER CANT FIND A PROBLEM 46,000 MILES. 5. "DRINKS OIL NO SIGNS OF LEAKS! 60,000 MILES DEALER HAS NO CLUE! 6. TOTAL OVER HEATING AT 70,000. REPLACE THERMOSTAT. 300.00 REPAIR 7. BATTERY WENT DEAD 71,000 MILES 90.00 REPAIR 8. TURN SIGNALS "STICK" WILL NOT TURN OFF BY THEMSELVES NOT BLINK 72,000 MILES 9. REPLACE ALTERNATOR AT 73,000 MILES, 400.00 REPAIR. IM THE SECOND OWNER...THIS CAR IS A TOTAL PIECE OF '!@#$%! NEVER BUY ANOTHER ONE FOR SURE!!! *NM
Mileage: 20,000
1. RUNS HOT WAS TOLD BY DEALER ITS "NORMAL" TO RUN IT AT 230 20,000 MILES. 2. REPLACE BRAKES AT 40,000 MILES. 500.00 REPAIR 3. RECALLED FOR WIPER/SIGNAL SWITCH 45,000, 4. CUTS OUT OR RPMS MOVE THE CAR DOESN'T, DEALER CANT FIND A PROBLEM 46,000 MILES. 5. "DRINKS OIL NO SIGNS OF LEAKS! 60,000 MILES DEALER HAS NO CLUE! 6. TOTAL OVER HEATING AT 70,000. REPLACE THERMOSTAT. 300.00 REPAIR 7. BATTERY WENT DEAD 71,000 MILES 90.00 REPAIR 8. TURN SIGNALS "STICK" WILL NOT TURN OFF BY THEMSELVES NOT BLINK 72,000 MILES 9. REPLACE ALTERNATOR AT 73,000 MILES, 400.00 REPAIR. IM THE SECOND OWNER...THIS CAR IS A TOTAL PIECE OF '!@#$%! NEVER BUY ANOTHER ONE FOR SURE!!! *NM
Mileage: 20,000
DT: THE CONTACT OWNS A 1994 GRAND PRIX. NHTSA RECALL 97V017000 WAS ISSUED CONCERNING WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER SWITCH WIRING. THIS COULD CAUSE THE WINDSHIELD WASHER/WIPER TO WORK INTERMITTENTLY, AND COULD ULTIMATELY RESULT IN INOPERATIVE WIPERS. IF THIS WERE TO OCCUR IN A SEVERE WEATHER SITUATION DRIVER'S VISIBILITY COULD BE REDUCED, INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE CRASH. THE WIPERS WILL EITHER QUIT ALL TOGETHER OR WORK INTERMITTENTLY. HE HAS HAD PROBLEM FOUR TIMES OVER THE LAST SIX MONTHS. *AK
THE STEERING COLUMN HAD TO BE REPLACED ON THE CONSUMERS 1994 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX. *JB THE STEERING WHEEL HAD COME OUT OF THE POST. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS RETURNED TO THE CONSUMER THE DIRECTIONAL LIGHT AND THE HAZARD LIGHTS HAD BECOME INOPERATIVE. THE CONSUMER REQUESTED REIMBURSEMENT. *SC
THE STEERING COLUMN HAD TO BE REPLACED ON THE CONSUMERS 1994 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX. *JB THE STEERING WHEEL HAD COME OUT OF THE POST. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS RETURNED TO THE CONSUMER THE DIRECTIONAL LIGHT AND THE HAZARD LIGHTS HAD BECOME INOPERATIVE. THE CONSUMER REQUESTED REIMBURSEMENT. *SC
THE SEAT BELT LATCH ON THE FRONT AND REAR PASSENGER SIDE BROKE. THE DEALER STATED THAT THERE IS NO RECALL ON THEM AND A CALIFORNIA HIGHWAY PATROL STATED THAT THIS IS A NUISANCE. *LA *SC
Mileage: 178,000
THE SEAT BELT LATCH ON THE FRONT AND REAR PASSENGER SIDE BROKE. THE DEALER STATED THAT THERE IS NO RECALL ON THEM AND A CALIFORNIA HIGHWAY PATROL STATED THAT THIS IS A NUISANCE. *LA *SC
Mileage: 178,000
WINDSHIELD WIPER/TURN SIGNAL MULTI-FUNCTION SWITCH ON STEERING COLUMN REPLACED TWICE ALREADY (12/31/96, 02/17/99) AND NOW BLINKERS ARE INOP AND MUST BE REPLACED FOR A THIRD TIME. HAVE NOTICED THIS ITEM IS RESPONSIBLE FOR NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS.
Mileage: 140,000
Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.
Read our methodology — how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.