1995 Pontiac Grand Prix Problems

What owners report

Owners of this model year most often report brake and transmission problems, with brakes showing up early and repeatedly: noise, warped rotors, a low or soft pedal, and ABS behavior that complaints describe as unpredictable. Airbag non-deployment in frontal impacts is also frequently mentioned, along with wiper switch and tail light moisture complaints. Many reports come in above 80,000 miles, so on a car of this age the biggest factors are how the brakes, transmission and electrical accessories have been maintained or replaced.

1. 1
   Air bags

   Airbags not deploying in a frontal impact

   • 15 complaints (9%)
   • typically at 4.6 yrs old
   • 13 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 1996–2005

   Owners describe frontal collisions, including moderate-speed impacts and one head-on hit with a pole, where neither front airbag deployed. A few complaints report the opposite: airbags deploying with no impact at all, in one case while pulling out of a garage, and in another shortly after smoke came from the steering column. Complaint text also mentions the airbag warning light coming on. Mostly described in collisions without a stated mileage; the unintended-deployment reports came in at 116,000 and 150,000 miles.

   What to check: Check that the airbag warning light goes out after start-up, ask whether the airbags have ever been serviced or replaced, and have the steering column wiring inspected if there is any history of smoke or burning smells.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Vehicle was traveling about 35 MPH and rear ended another vehicle. Upon impact, there was no deployment of front air bags. Radiator was smashed into the engine. Not sure if vehicle was totalled. Please provide any further information.”

   NHTSA complaint #863769, filed 2000-06

   “Driving vehicle over wooden bridge, another vehicle traveling opposite directions, about 35 MPH, hit Pontiac head on, was wearing seat belt, but both air bags did not deploy upon impact.”

   NHTSA complaint #800612, filed 1996-08
2. 2
   Brakes

   Brakes: noise, warped rotors, low or soft pedal

   • 35 complaints (21%)
   • typically at 3.1 yrs old
   • 2 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 1995–2001

   Complaints describe grinding or squealing when braking, pedal travel that goes near the floor, and rotors that warp so the car shakes under braking. Some owners say rotors, pads and calipers were replaced more than once, and that dealers described the wear as normal or could not find the cause. Others describe the rear end stepping out on wet pavement during a gradual stop, or the ABS light coming on with a soft pedal shortly after start-up. Reported across a wide mileage range, from under 20,000 miles in the earliest complaints to well over 100,000 miles.

   1 related service bulletin

   What to check: Ask when the rotors, pads and calipers were last replaced and whether the ABS light has been coming on. A service bulletin describes the ABS pump running when not needed, so ask whether that has been looked at.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “The problem with the ABS: usually occurs within the first mile driven after start up. When the brake is applied, the pedal goes way soft and car lurches forward. A mechanical sound is heard and the ABS light then comes on. I am unsure if the ABS works or not after that, but the light is on. I have not taken it to the dealer as I can not afford to have it looked at at this time. This happens regardless of road conditions (wet, dry, ice, etc.) the cruise control problem has rendered it useless. …”

   NHTSA complaint #744158, filed 2001-04

   “Vehicle would make a squealing sound when brakes were applied. Vehicle wouldn't pass inspection in state of ny. Rotors/calipers and pads were replaced to bring up to state standards. Consumer has put out over a $1000 repairing brake system. Dealer stated that emergency brakes had to be done once a week to keep it from messing up back brakes. If not it, wears the brakes out.”

   NHTSA complaint #891541, filed 2001-06
3. 3
   Transmission and drivetrain

   Transmission will not shift or engage gear

   • 13 complaints (8%)
   • typically at 4.3 yrs old
   • 2 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 1995–2001

   Complaints describe the transmission failing to move the car when in drive, refusing to go into reverse, and a shifter that becomes progressively harder to move. Some owners report repeat failures needing shop work or a replacement unit, and dealers quoting full replacement rather than repair. In one case the transmission was repaired twice; in another, the dealer said the hard-shifting problem was known. Described at mileage that varies widely; the hard-shifting complaints tend to appear gradually over time rather than suddenly.

   What to check: Test drive from a cold start and check that drive and reverse engage promptly with no delay or clunk, and ask whether the transmission has been rebuilt or replaced.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “1995 Pontiac Grand Prix in which I own had the same exact transmission failure as did two other owners who have the same exact vehicle. Failure of transmission occurred within 30 to 60 days of my own failure. Quotes given as to replacement of transmission are $1,800 to $2,200 by dealerships and transmission repair shops.”

   NHTSA complaint #717340, filed 2000-01

   “While driving vehicle about 25 MPH consumer transmission pawl was in the drive position, but the vehicle did not move when stepping on the accelerator. Also pawl couldn't be moved to reverse.”

   NHTSA complaint #824501, filed 1998-06
4. 4
   Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)

   Windshield wipers and washer switch intermittent

   • 7 complaints (4%)
   • median 100,000 mi at 11.5 yrs old (3 state mileage, few)
   • filed 1999–2008

   Owners report wipers that work only intermittently, sometimes only while the turn signal is on, and a wiper/washer switch that has been replaced at their expense. Several complaints say the dealer told them the vehicle was not covered by the wiper switch campaign, either because of build date or because the failed part was not the recalled one, and one owner was told the part could no longer be obtained. Reported from early ownership through about 130,000 miles, in rain and everyday conditions.

   Recall 97V017000

   What to check: Run the wipers through every speed and the washer, and cycle the turn signal while the wipers are on. Ask whether the wiper switch has been replaced and whether the vehicle was included in the wiper switch campaign.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “The washer/wiper switch failed on my 95 Pontiac Grand Prix. I made an appointment with moore Pontiac buick to have it repaired. Moore Pontiac buick said they are not obligated to repair the washer/wiper because there is no recall for it. I showed them the report from NHTSA website and they still refused to repair the problem. I then contacted the manufacturer, Pontiac, who replied that there is not a recall for the 95 models. The recall only applies to the 97-98 models.”

   NHTSA complaint #729439, filed 2000-08

   “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.”

   NHTSA complaint #10080208, filed 2004-08, 95,000 miles
5. 5
   Exterior lighting

   Moisture and condensation inside tail lights

   Mentioned in 4 of 60 sampled complaints

   Complaints describe water and heavy condensation building up inside the tail light housings, requiring repeated assembly replacement on one or both sides. Owners say this cuts down how visible the tail lights are from behind, and one notes the parts are expensive to keep replacing. A separate set of complaints covers headlight lenses that came loose or let condensation in. Reported from the first year of ownership into the 2000s, with no consistent mileage pattern.

   What to check: Look inside both tail light housings for fogging or standing water after rain or a wash, and ask whether either assembly has been replaced.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Exterior lighting/tail lights - there is moisture build-up and heavy condensation in both tail lights, again . I've already had the tail light assembly replaced twice on both sides, and have to pay for it again. The cost for just one (1) tail light assembly is in excess of $250.00. Although there is a service bulletin for this same problem which many, many people have experienced on this make and model car, there's no recall. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10041809, filed 2003-10

   “Since the Grand Prix was purchased in november of 1994 {1995 model} it has been taken into the dealer 10 times for either the left or right tail light assembly leaking water into them. The very first time the car was taken in was december 5, 1994 for the left tail light assembly to be replaced. Then it just continued on for another 4 replacements of the left tail light assembly. Then the right side started to leak. Then both at the same time. The last time it was looked at by the dealer was in 1999. …”

   NHTSA complaint #768589, filed 2002-10

Buying note. On a car this old, condition and service history matter more than the model's reputation: check that brakes and ABS are working properly, test the transmission from cold, and confirm the wipers and lights function. Ask for records on brake, transmission and wiper switch work, and verify by VIN which open recalls still apply.

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.