1994 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX Recalls, Complaints & Safety

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.

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

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.

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

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

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.

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

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

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 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

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.

WHEN FILLING FUEL TANK GAS LEAKES ONTO HOT MUFFLER. FILLER TUBE RUSTED OUT. THIS SHOULD NOT HAPPEN TO A 1994 CAR.*AK

TURN SIGNALS AND HAZARD FLASHERS DO NOT WORK. CONSUMER VERIFIED THAT BULBS WERE WORKING PROPERLY.*AK

WINDSHIELD CRACKED FROM LEFT TO RIGHT ACROSS BOTTOM 3RD, ON COLD DAY WHEN DEFROSTER WAS TURNED ON. HAVE OBSERVED THE SAME TYPE OF CRACK IN AT LEAST THREE OTHER VEHICLES IN MY AREA, MADE BY PONTIAC (GRAND PRIX SAME MAKE, MODEL AND YEAR, BONNEVILLE). VEHICLES WITH HEADS-UP DISPLAYS. COST TO REPLACE WINDSHIELD IS OVER $600.*AK

WHILE TRAVELING AT 35 MPH, ANOTHER CAR TURNED IN FRONT OF CONSUMER'S CAR, IT HIT AND T-BONED OTHER DRIVER. UPON IMPACT, NONE OF THE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. *AK *YD

Crash 1 injured

MY DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING ALONG AT APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH WHEN THE REAR AXLE SNAPPED AT THE WHEEL. SHE DID NOT HIT ANYTHING TO CAUSE THIS T BREAK AND UPON INSPECTING IT I SAW THAT IT WAS A CLEAN BREAK. LE SNAPPED AT THE WHEEL.

Crash 1 injured

HAS THE WINDSHIELD WIPER SWITCH BEEN REPLACED BEING IT WAS A RECALL. WHEN AND WHO DID THE RECALL WORK. BEING THE WIPER SWITCH ALSO CONTROLLS THE CRUISE AND DIRECTIONAL THE BOOT AT THE COLLUM IS MISSING. THANK YOU FOR YOUR HELP. FRANK PISANO. *AK

WAS THE WINDSHIELD WIPER SWITCH RECALL CORRECTED, WHEN AND BY WHOM. IS THER ANY OTHER INFO I CAN OBTAIN FOR THIS CAR. THANK YOU. F

VEHICLE WOULD NOT START AS A RESULT OF A BROKEN WIRE ON KEY CYLINDER. WIRE WAS ROUTED SUCH THAT IT WAS CUT THROUGH BY KEY CYLINDER ACTUATION. APPROX. $350.00 FOR REPAIR.*AK

INTERMITTENTLY HAS SMOKE COMING OUT OF STEERING POST, MOSTLY WHEN APPLYING RIGHT TURN DIRECTIONAL ON. *AK

THE DRIVER SEAT BROKE ON IT SELF, WHICH CAUSED IT TO SEPARATE FROM THE CAR'S FRAME. THIS HAPPENED WHILE IN MOTION, WHICH CAUSED THE DRIVER TO LOSE CONTROL AND HIT THE CURB. THIS HAPPENED WITH NO PREVIOUS WARNING. IT IS VERY DANGEROUS. *AK

DURING INSPECTION MECHANIC FOUND ROTORS TO BE WARPED.*AK

WHITE SMOKE AND ODOR CAME FROM WINDSHIELD WIPER/CRUISE CONTROL/IGNITION SWITCH AREA OF THE STEERING COLUMN. CRUISE CONTROL AND TURN INDICATORS ACTED ERATICLY. I STOPPED VEHICLE AND SHUT OFF ENGINE. THEN RESTARTED VEHICLE AND PROCEDED TO DEALERSHIP. SMOKE CAME AND WENT DURING TRIP. A STEERING COLUMN FIRE WOULD BE VERY DANGEROUS IN A MOVING VEHICLE, ESPECIALLY ON A FREEWAY.

ENGINE CHECK LIGHT CAME ON. TOOK CAR TO DEALER, AND DEALER TOLD CONSUMER TO IGNORE LIGHT. CONSUMER STATED A COUPLE OF DAYS LATER CAR BROKE DOWN. *AK

WINDSHIELD WIPERS ARE INOPERABLE, CAUSING POOR DRIVER VISIBILITY. WINDSHIELD WIPERS ONLY WORK WHEN LEFT HAND TURN SIGNAL IS BEING USED. ALSO, RECALL NUMBER 97V017000, MANUFACTURER HAS YET TO SEND A RECALL NOTICE TO CONSUMER. *AK

THE LEFT REAR PASSENGER SEAT BELT AND THE CENTER SEAT BELT DO NOT LOCK SECURELY, BOTH SEAT BELTS ARE INOPERABLE. *SLC

WHILE DRIVING, THE OIL FILTER CAME OFF AND STRUCK THE UNDERSIDE OF THE VEHICLE AND IGNITED A FIRE. (OHIO TRAFFIC CRASH REPORT) *SLC

Fire

BRAKE ROTORS ARE NOT WORKING PROPERLY AND IT'S AFFECTING BRAKES. OPERATION. CONTACTED DEALER, AND DEALER FIXED BRAKES. *AK

NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK

ACCLERATOR CABLE SNAPPED ON HEAVY ACCLERATION INTO TRAFFIC. SNAPPED JUST IN BACK OF ENGINE CONNECTION. REPLACED CABLE LESS THAN A YEAR AGO, BECAUSE THE ONE THAT WAS ON THE CAR WHEN WE BOUGHT IS DID EXACTLY THE SAME THING. WE WERE LUCKY BOTH TIMES NOT TO BE IN AN ACCIDENT!

WINDSHIELD WIPERS WORK INTERMITTENTLY. DEALER NOTIFIED, AND INFORMED CONSUMER THAT VEHICLE WAS NOT COVERED UNDER MANUFACTURER'S RECALL DUE TO VIN. *AK DEALER WAS NOT NOTIFIED ONLY PONTIAC MOTOR COMPANY WAS NOTIFIED. *YH

COMPLETE BRAKE FAILURE - WAS ADVISED BY REPAIR SHOP NOT TO DRIVE AT ALL UNTIL REPAIR MADE REPLACE ALL BRAKE ROTORS,CALIPERS AND PADS. TOTAL COST $1034. LATER WAS TOLD THERE IS A CLASSACTION SUIT AND THAT GM IS WILLING TO PAY AT LEAST 75% OF THE COST HOWEVER I CANNOT FIND OUT HOW TO GO ABOUT FILING A CLAIM. THE PONTIAC DEALER I INQUIRED ABOUT THIS SAYS GM IS CONTACTING OWNERS BUT THERE IS A DEADLINE OF OCTOBER 31 AND I HAVE NOT BEEN CONTACTED.

NO SUMMARY

THE ACCELERATOR CABLE (CONNECTS GAS PEDAL TO CARBURETOR) BROKE WHEN THE ACCELERATOR WAS DEPRESSED IN AN ATTEMPT TO SPEED UP AND MERGE WITH TRAFFIC. THIS HAS HAPPENED ON A TOTAL OF THREE OCCASSION, THE FIRST TIME IN MAY, 1996 WITH 35878 MILES ON THE CAR, THE SECONG IN JULY, 1997 WITH 61000 MILES ON THE CAR AND THE THIRD TIME IN AUGUST, 1999 WITH 97000 MILES ON THE CAR. ALL 3 INCIDENTS OCCURRED ON A FREEWAY AT FREEWAY SPEEDS WHILE ATTEMPTING TO SPEED UP SO AS TO MERGE WITH TRAFFIC. *AK

MUTLIPLE INCIDENTS OF FAILURE. SPORADIC BRAKE AND RELEASE ON ABS SYSTEM ACTIVATES DURING SLOW STOPS. CAR STUTTERS TO A STOP. OTHER DEFECTS WITH CAR INCLUDE SPORADIC TURN SIGNAL FAILURE, HEAD LIGHT FAILURE. AIR BAG DID NOT IMPLOY DURING AN T-BONE COLLISION. *AK

Crash

FRONT AND REAR BRAKES HAVE RUSTED OUT 3 TIMES, THE FIRST TIME BEING LESS THAN 7,100 MILES. THE CALIPERS ARE RUSTED OUT AND FROZEN. BRAKES HAVE BEEN REPLACED 3 TIMES AND ARE IN NEED OF ANOTHER REPLACEMENT. *AK