Total Complaints
245 filings
PONTIAC GRAND PRIX · model year
245 NHTSA complaints, 26 crash reports for this specific cohort.
NHTSA overall rating
Not crash-tested
New Car Assessment Program
The 1995PONTIACGRAND PRIX carries 245 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 26 crashes, 4 fires, 21 injuries, and 1 fatality. 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 1995 GRAND PRIX is service brakes, hydraulic:antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip with 28 filings, followed by power train:automatic transmission (22) and air bags:frontal (12). 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 1995 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
245 filings
Crashes Reported
26 reports
Source
NHTSA ODI
Federal complaints database
Above median complaint volume — review patterns below.
| Component | Count |
|---|---|
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP | 28 |
| POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION | 22 |
| AIR BAGS:FRONTAL | 12 |
| VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:CABLES | 9 |
| EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TAIL LIGHTS | 7 |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE | 6 |
| STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR | 6 |
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR | 6 |
| AIR BAGS | 6 |
| UNKNOWN OR OTHER | 6 |
| SEAT BELTS:FRONT:ANCHORAGE | 5 |
| EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:RADIO/TAPE DECK/CD ETC. | 4 |
| EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TURN SIGNAL | 4 |
| VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:SWITCH/WIRING | 4 |
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:PADS | 3 |
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1995 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS STOPPED WORKING. SHE WAS INFORMED BY AN AUTO PARTS STORE THAT THE NECESSARY PART FOR THE REPAIR WAS INCORRECT AND INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 97V017000 (VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:SWITCH/WIRING). THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED TO PURCHASE THE PART FROM THE DEALER. THE DEALER STATED THAT HER VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN ANY RECALLS AND SHE WAS UNABLE TO OBTAIN THE PART. ON A SEPARATE OCCASION, THE REAR MIDDLE SEAT BELT STOPPED WORKING. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 98V306000 (SEAT BELTS:FRONT:ANCHORAGE). THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS LESS THAN 120,000. UPDATED 12/15/08. *LJ UPDATED 12/15/08. *JB
Mileage: 100,000
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1995 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS STOPPED WORKING. SHE WAS INFORMED BY AN AUTO PARTS STORE THAT THE NECESSARY PART FOR THE REPAIR WAS INCORRECT AND INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 97V017000 (VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:SWITCH/WIRING). THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED TO PURCHASE THE PART FROM THE DEALER. THE DEALER STATED THAT HER VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN ANY RECALLS AND SHE WAS UNABLE TO OBTAIN THE PART. ON A SEPARATE OCCASION, THE REAR MIDDLE SEAT BELT STOPPED WORKING. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 98V306000 (SEAT BELTS:FRONT:ANCHORAGE). THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS LESS THAN 120,000. UPDATED 12/15/08. *LJ UPDATED 12/15/08. *JB
Mileage: 100,000
PONTIAC RELEASED A RECALL OF 1997-? GRAND PRIX'S DUE TO A SEVERE ENGINE OIL LEAK THAT CAN CAUSE THE CAR TO CATCH FIRE. WE HAVE A 1995 GRAND PRIX WITH A 3.1L ENGINE THAT HAS A SEVERE OIL LEAK ALSO. THE LEAK HAS BEEN DIAGNOSED FROM THE LOWER INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET WITH A $1000 REPAIR ESTIMATE. I BELIEVE THE ENGINE IS ALMOST IDENTICAL TO THE ONES USED IN 1997-? MODEL YEARS. PONTIAC SHOULD INCLUDE ALL GRAND PRIX'S WITH THIS ENGINE IN THEIR RECALL! *TR
Mileage: 150,000
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS WORK INTERMITTENTLY. THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS, HEADLIGHTS DIMMER SWITCH, AND THE TURN SIGNAL ARE ALL CONTROLLED FROM THE SAME CONTROL ARM. IN ORDER FOR THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS TO WORK ALL OF THE ABOVE FUNCTIONS HAVE TO BE PERFORMED. ONCE THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS START WORKING THEY ONLY WORK FOR A SHORT PERIOD OF TIME. THERE IS NHTSA RECALL # 97V017000 REGARDING THE WINDSHIELD WIPER WASHER, SWITCH AND WIRING. THE VEHICLE HAS THE SAME PROBLEMS AS INDICATED IN THE RECALL; HOWEVER, IT IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO THE VIN. UPDATED O6/05/2006. *AK
Mileage: 130,000
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS WORK INTERMITTENTLY. THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS, HEADLIGHTS DIMMER SWITCH, AND THE TURN SIGNAL ARE ALL CONTROLLED FROM THE SAME CONTROL ARM. IN ORDER FOR THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS TO WORK ALL OF THE ABOVE FUNCTIONS HAVE TO BE PERFORMED. ONCE THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS START WORKING THEY ONLY WORK FOR A SHORT PERIOD OF TIME. THERE IS NHTSA RECALL # 97V017000 REGARDING THE WINDSHIELD WIPER WASHER, SWITCH AND WIRING. THE VEHICLE HAS THE SAME PROBLEMS AS INDICATED IN THE RECALL; HOWEVER, IT IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO THE VIN. UPDATED O6/05/2006. *AK
Mileage: 130,000
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS WORK INTERMITTENTLY. THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS, HEADLIGHTS DIMMER SWITCH, AND THE TURN SIGNAL ARE ALL CONTROLLED FROM THE SAME CONTROL ARM. IN ORDER FOR THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS TO WORK ALL OF THE ABOVE FUNCTIONS HAVE TO BE PERFORMED. ONCE THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS START WORKING THEY ONLY WORK FOR A SHORT PERIOD OF TIME. THERE IS NHTSA RECALL # 97V017000 REGARDING THE WINDSHIELD WIPER WASHER, SWITCH AND WIRING. THE VEHICLE HAS THE SAME PROBLEMS AS INDICATED IN THE RECALL; HOWEVER, IT IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO THE VIN. UPDATED O6/05/2006. *AK
Mileage: 130,000
GRAND PRIX REAR ENDED A SEMI TRAILER. IT APPEARED TO HAVE A DRIVER'S SIDE AIRBAG. NO AIRBAGS DEPLOYED IN THE VEHICLE. THERE WAS SIGNIFICANT INTRUSION INTO THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT. I SEEMED THE INJURIES COULD HAVE BEEN LESS HAD AN AIR BAG DEPLOYED. UNSURE OF FACTORS LEADING TO NON DEPLOYMENT. REQUESTING INVESTIGATION OF THE AIRBAGS AS TO FAILURE OF SOME MECHANICAL NATURE OR IF THERE WAS SOME FORM OF FRAUD OR OTHER ALTERATION TO THE AIRBAGS. PATIENT WAS TRANSPORTED AFTER BEING SEDATED . UNSURE OF CURRENT CONDITION OF PATIENT. PASSENGER WAS TRANSPORTED TO FROEDERT MEMORIAL LUTHERAN HOSPITAL VIA FLIGHT FOR LIFE FOR LEVEL 1 TRAUMA CARE. *AK
GRAND PRIX REAR ENDED A SEMI TRAILER. IT APPEARED TO HAVE A DRIVER'S SIDE AIRBAG. NO AIRBAGS DEPLOYED IN THE VEHICLE. THERE WAS SIGNIFICANT INTRUSION INTO THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT. I SEEMED THE INJURIES COULD HAVE BEEN LESS HAD AN AIR BAG DEPLOYED. UNSURE OF FACTORS LEADING TO NON DEPLOYMENT. REQUESTING INVESTIGATION OF THE AIRBAGS AS TO FAILURE OF SOME MECHANICAL NATURE OR IF THERE WAS SOME FORM OF FRAUD OR OTHER ALTERATION TO THE AIRBAGS. PATIENT WAS TRANSPORTED AFTER BEING SEDATED . UNSURE OF CURRENT CONDITION OF PATIENT. PASSENGER WAS TRANSPORTED TO FROEDERT MEMORIAL LUTHERAN HOSPITAL VIA FLIGHT FOR LIFE FOR LEVEL 1 TRAUMA CARE. *AK
INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET WENT OUT ON 1995 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX. CAR WAS IN RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC WHEN THE GASKET WENT; CAUSING THE OIL TO QUICKLY LEAK FROM THE ENGINE AND LEAVING CAR INOPERABLE IN TRAFFIC. DID NOT REALIZE THIS WAS HAPPENING UNTIL CAR SMELLED OF OIL AND SMOKE STARTED COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD. IT CREATED QUITE A DANGEROUS SITUATION IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROADWAY. NO PRIOR WARNING OF FAILURE WAS EVIDENT. CAR WAS TOWED TO REPAIR FACILITY WHERE BOTH INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKETS WERE REPLACED. VERY LABOR-INTENSIVE AND VERY EXPENSIVE REPAIRS. GM DEALERSHIP AND ASE-CERTIFIED MECHANICS ACKNOWLEDGE THE FACT THAT THIS FAILURE IS A COMMON PROBLEM.*AK
Mileage: 96,500
THE VEHICLE WAS TRAVELING AT 65 MILES PER HOUR WHEN ALL OF SUDDEN THE AIR BAG DEPLOYED. MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED BY OWNER. *NM
CONSUMER WAS INVOLVED IN A COLLISION, WHEREBY CONSUMER'S VEHICLE WAS STRUCK AT 45 MPH, AND THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY.*AK
WHILE GETTING INTO TO MY CAR I SAT DOWN THE AND THE SEAT BROKE AND I FELL TO THE BACK. I CHECKED MY SEAT AND FOUND THE METAL BRACKET BROKE THAT SECURES THE SEAT DOWN.*AK
Mileage: 134,281
WHILE DRIVING FRONT PASSENGER SEAT COLLAPSED FORWARD. C0NSUMER WAS ABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, AND DROVE IT HOME. THEN, CONSUMER CONTACTED THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION AND FOR AN APPOINTMENT. *AK
ON JULY 26, 2004 MY 1995 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX'S AIR BAGS DEPLOYED FOR NO REASON. I WAS EXITING MY GARAGE AND AS I PROCEEDED FORWARD ABOUT 5-10 FEET THE AIR BAGS BOTH WENT OFF SHATTERING MY WINDSHEILD. IT BURNED MY FACE, HANDS AND MY ARMS. I WAS TAKEN TO THE EMERGENCY ROOM AND DIAGNOSED WITH MULTIPLE FIRST DEGREE BURNS. I IMMEDIATELY CALLED MY INSURANCE COMPANY AND EXPLAINED WHAT HAD HAPPENED. I WAS TOLD THAT IT WAS A MANUFACTURE DEFECT AND THAT IF THERE WAS NO COLLISION THAT IT WAS NOT MY INSURANCE RESPONSIBILITY. I THEN CALLED GM AND EXPLAINED TO THEM WHAT HAD HAPPENED. I WAS TOLD THAT AN INVESTIGATOR WOULD COME TO CHECK THINGS OUT. MEANWHILE I HAVE TO RENT A VEHICLE. APPROX. 10 DAYS LATER GMS INVESTIGATOR ARRIVED TO TAKE MY STATEMENT, PICTURES AND TOOK THE MDULES FROM THE CAR TO BENCH TEST. AT THAT TIME I WAS TOLD THAT GM WOULD PROBABLY REIMBURSE MY RENTAL EXPENSES. 7 WEEKS INTO THE INVESTIGATION AND NOW GM WANTS TO PURCHASE MY VEHICLE. I STILL TO DATE AM DRIVING A RENTAL AT MY OWN EXP
Mileage: 150,000
ON JULY 26, 2004 MY 1995 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX'S AIR BAGS DEPLOYED FOR NO REASON. I WAS EXITING MY GARAGE AND AS I PROCEEDED FORWARD ABOUT 5-10 FEET THE AIR BAGS BOTH WENT OFF SHATTERING MY WINDSHEILD. IT BURNED MY FACE, HANDS AND MY ARMS. I WAS TAKEN TO THE EMERGENCY ROOM AND DIAGNOSED WITH MULTIPLE FIRST DEGREE BURNS. I IMMEDIATELY CALLED MY INSURANCE COMPANY AND EXPLAINED WHAT HAD HAPPENED. I WAS TOLD THAT IT WAS A MANUFACTURE DEFECT AND THAT IF THERE WAS NO COLLISION THAT IT WAS NOT MY INSURANCE RESPONSIBILITY. I THEN CALLED GM AND EXPLAINED TO THEM WHAT HAD HAPPENED. I WAS TOLD THAT AN INVESTIGATOR WOULD COME TO CHECK THINGS OUT. MEANWHILE I HAVE TO RENT A VEHICLE. APPROX. 10 DAYS LATER GMS INVESTIGATOR ARRIVED TO TAKE MY STATEMENT, PICTURES AND TOOK THE MDULES FROM THE CAR TO BENCH TEST. AT THAT TIME I WAS TOLD THAT GM WOULD PROBABLY REIMBURSE MY RENTAL EXPENSES. 7 WEEKS INTO THE INVESTIGATION AND NOW GM WANTS TO PURCHASE MY VEHICLE. I STILL TO DATE AM DRIVING A RENTAL AT MY OWN EXP
Mileage: 150,000
ACCELERATOR CABLE BROKE TWICE WHILE DRIVING. FIRST IN 1998 WHILE ACCELERATING ON TO I-95 FROM A REST AREA. (MILEAGE 50,000 MILES) SECOND, AUGUST 29, 2004 DRIVING ON MAJOR HIGHWAY IN TROY MICHIGAN. (MILEAGE 104,000) REPAIRED BOTH TIMES FOR ABOUT $150.00 OLD PARTS MAY BE AVAILABLE.*AK
Mileage: 104,000
CONSUMER WAS AT A STOP LIGHT AND THE DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED. A DAY BEFORE SMOKE CAME FROM THE STEERING COLUMN. AIR BAG WAS NOT REPAIRED, AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED.*AK
Mileage: 116,379
DEALERSHIP WAS CHARGING THE CONSUMER $260.00 TO REPAIR THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS BECAUSE THE FAILURE WAS NOT CAUSED BY THE RECALLED PART AS INDICATED IN WINDSHIELD WIPER RECALL 97V017000.*AK *NM
Mileage: 95,000
ALL OF THE PAINT ON THE TRIM MOLDING HAS COME OFF. AFTER REPEATED ATTEMPTS TO TALK TO THE MANUFACTURER AND TOLD BASICALLY TO GET LOST I GAVE UP AND HAVEN'T PURCHASED ANOTHER PONTIAC SINCE. OF COURSE, OUR FAMILY HAS MADE THREE NEW CAR PURCHASES SINCE THEN BUT NONE OF THEM PONTIAC.
Mileage: 85,000
ALL OF THE PAINT ON THE TRIM MOLDING HAS COME OFF. AFTER REPEATED ATTEMPTS TO TALK TO THE MANUFACTURER AND TOLD BASICALLY TO GET LOST I GAVE UP AND HAVEN'T PURCHASED ANOTHER PONTIAC SINCE. OF COURSE, OUR FAMILY HAS MADE THREE NEW CAR PURCHASES SINCE THEN BUT NONE OF THEM PONTIAC.
Mileage: 85,000
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.