1994 Pontiac Grand Prix Problems

What owners report

Owners of this model year most often write about windshield wipers and the multi-function stalk switch, which control wipers, turn signals and cruise control; many report repeats even after the wiper switch recall campaign. ABS and brake complaints are the second large group, many describing a pedal that goes to the floor and long stopping distances. Older cars in the sample also show airbag non-deployment in collisions, engine/cooling faults and door-latch or no-start electrical problems.

1. 1
   Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)

   Windshield wipers quit or only work intermittently

   • 59 complaints (28%)
   • median 103,500 mi at 13.5 yrs old (4 state mileage, few)
   • filed 1995–2010

   Wipers stop mid-wipe, fail to park, or only run on one speed, and in some cars they work only while the left turn signal is held on, which owners tie to the stalk switch on the steering column. Several report the wiper switch was replaced under the earlier wiper/washer recall and later failed again, and that a dealer declined a second repair or said the VIN was not covered. Others describe smoke or odor from the steering column area where the wiper, turn signal and cruise controls share the switch. Reported across a wide mileage range, from roughly 80,000 to 140,000 miles, and often noticed in rain when the wipers are needed.

   Recall 97V017000

   What to check: Cycle the wipers through every speed and the intermittent setting, and watch whether they park correctly; ask whether the wiper/washer switch recall work was done and whether the switch has been replaced since.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “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.”

   NHTSA complaint #10340526, filed 2010-06, 124,000 miles

   “There has been smoke and fumes emitting from the steering column six different times. I have had two turn signals switches replaced and a third one is going bad and two winfshield wiper switches. There was a recall for the wiper switch which went bad also. I have expressed the concern over this being a fire hazard and am worried. I am now writing to GM explaining my concerns.”

   NHTSA complaint #707575, filed 1999-06
2. 2
   Brakes

   ABS light on, pedal to the floor, long stopping distance

   • 39 complaints (18%)
   • typically at 3.7 yrs old
   • 6 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 1995–2000

   Owners describe the ABS warning light coming on at start-up or while driving, then a brake pedal that feels spongy or travels to the floor with little braking, sometimes in wet conditions. Some report repeated repairs of the ABS motor or module, and others report rotors, calipers and pads rusting or wearing out quickly. Complaints describe dealers replacing sensors or parts without resolving the symptom, and in some cases the driver rear-ended another vehicle. Filed across the 1990s and into the 2000s; several mention failures at highway or normal road speeds and in wet weather.

   What to check: Confirm the ABS light comes on and then goes out when starting, check the pedal for firmness and travel, and ask for records of ABS module, motor and brake hydraulic repairs.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “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.”

   NHTSA complaint #729905, filed 2000-09

   “This car has cost me a fortune. First I paid for the ABS brake problem from the time I owned the car and the disc brakes were new. I also had the rotors turned and they still make squeaky noises when backing up there is a weird noise,plus the brakes feel like they have air in the brake line. Also, when the ABS light comes on, it feels as if I dont have any brakes at all. I'm sorry to say that it is a great looking car everyone that sees it thinks it; looks great and the engine sounds good, but it always cost me so much to keep it. …”

   NHTSA complaint #705828, filed 1999-04
3. 3
   Air bags

   Airbags did not deploy in a collision

   • 27 complaints (13%)
   • typically at 4.0 yrs old
   • 22 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 1995–2002

   Complaints describe front-end and head-on collisions at moderate speeds, and in some cases more severe impact damage, where neither the driver nor passenger airbag deployed. Owners report that the airbags were original to the vehicle and that no warning light had indicated a fault beforehand. Reported after collisions at roughly 25 to 55 mph; complaint dates run from the mid-1990s through the early 2000s.

   What to check: Check that the airbag readiness light behaves normally and look for signs of prior front-end repair; ask whether the airbag system has ever been diagnosed or serviced.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Consumer was driving through intersection when a vehicle ran a red light and created a head-on collision. Consumer's air bags did not deplo., there was approximately $,5000 in damages to consumer's vehicle. Consumer was injured during impact, her foot broke in five places.”

   NHTSA complaint #817562, filed 1997-10

   “Vehicle was involved in head-on collision, impact 12:00 position, neither drivers nor passengers side airgabs deploied, front passengers side seat belt failed! Along with steering column smokes.”

   NHTSA complaint #540298, filed 1998-08
4. 4
   Exterior lighting

   Sticking turn signal and wiper stalk; steering column smoke

   • 33 complaints (15%)
   • median 80,000 mi at 10.3 yrs old (2 state mileage, few)
   • 5 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 1995–2005

   Several complaints describe the multi-function stalk on the steering column, which also carries turn signals and cruise control, becoming erratic: signals that will not cancel on their own, cruise control that will not disengage, and smoke or fumes from the column area. Owners report the stalk or switch being replaced more than once and, in some cases, no parts being available from the dealer. Reported mostly between the late 1990s and about 140,000 miles, with some complaints tied to the earlier wiper switch recall visit.

   Recall 97V017000

   What to check: Test the turn signals, cruise control and wipers together and confirm the signals cancel on their own; ask whether the column stalk switch has been replaced and whether smoke or burning odor has ever been noticed.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “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.”

   NHTSA complaint #10005794, filed 2003-02, 140,000 miles

   “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. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10130911, filed 2005-08, 20,000 miles
5. 5
   Engine cooling

   Engine stalls, overheats or mixes coolant with oil

   • 20 complaints (9%)
   • median 29,373 mi at 12.8 yrs old (2 state mileage, few)
   • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 1995–2008

   Owners describe stalling or cutting out while driving with no warning, and in one case an electrical short in engine wiring that shut the computer down. Others report overheating and coolant appearing in the oil, which shops attributed to failed head and intake gaskets. Several mention oil consumption with no visible leak that dealers could not identify. Reported from very low mileage (under 40,000 miles) up to around 78,000 miles in the sample, on both short trips and highway driving.

   1 related service bulletin

   What to check: Check coolant and oil condition for mixing, look for coolant loss or overheating on a test drive, and ask about head-gasket, intake-gasket and thermostat history.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “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.”

   NHTSA complaint #10222499, filed 2008-03, 38,746 miles

   “While driving vehicle about 25-30 MPH, vehicle shut down or stall out for no reason, coast to side of road tried restarting but failed to start, finally took to dealer and was put on diagnostic machine and informed electric short; wires on engine burned & cause computer to shut down.”

   NHTSA complaint #813876, filed 1997-07

Buying note. On a car this old, wiper, stalk-switch, airbag and ABS complaints are the ones owners raised most, so test those systems carefully and ask for service records. Confirming that the wiper/washer switch recall was performed and that the ABS and airbag warning lights behave correctly covers much of what owners describe.

Summary written with AI from a sample of 60 NHTSA complaints for this model year (picked at random, with complaints that state a mileage and recent ones taken first), then checked automatically against the source records. Where a problem shows a complaint count, every complaint for this model year was matched with fixed keyword rules (written with AI and tested against the sample), and the mileage, age and repair figures are calculated from those complaints; owners' figures are as stated, not verified. Other counts refer to the sample. The excerpts come from NHTSA's public complaint records and are unverified; capitalisation is normalised, NHTSA staff notes are removed, and shortened text ends with “…”. Something wrong? Request a correction.