Independent · Not affiliated with NHTSA or any automaker MethodologyData sourcesData refreshed Oct 6, 2026

1994 Pontiac Grand Am: Problems, Recalls and MPG

What this means

NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns for the 1994 Pontiac Grand Am, most recently filed October 2000. Owners have filed 377 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the engine and engine cooling.

Data summary generated from official records. Methodology Data: NHTSA, DOT, EPA · Refreshed Oct 6, 2026
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Recalls (2)

NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns for the 1994 Pontiac Grand Am. Check whether yours was repaired with NHTSA's free VIN lookup ↗

Only NHTSA and your automaker know whether your specific car was repaired. PlainVIN shows every recall campaign listed for a model year, with the official text and how many cars have been fixed so far.

Check on NHTSA ↗
Listed for 1994 Pontiac Grand Am. Not checked against your VIN.
Recall 00V287000 Filed Oct 2, 2000

GM/IGNITION SWITCH

Electrical system · starter assembly
Official NHTSA text
Summary
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. IF THE ENGINE STARTER FAILS TO ENGAGE AND THE DRIVER HOLD THE KEY IN THE "START" POSITION FOR AN EXTENDED PERIOD, HIGH CURRENT FLOWS THROUGH THE IGNITION SWITCH, PRODUCING HEAT THAT CAN MELT SWITCH PARTS.
Consequence
A FIRE COULD OCCUR IN THE STEERING COLUMN AND SPREAD TO THE INTERIOR OF THE CAR.
Remedy
DEALERS WILL INSTALL A RELAY KIT AND VERIFY THAT THE VEHICLE WILL START WITH A PROPERLY CHARGED BATTERY IN GOOD OPERATING CONDITION (ADEQUATE RESERVE CAPACITY, OR COLD CRANKING AMPS). THIS CAMPAIGN DOES NOT COVER BATTERY REPLACEMENT OR UNRELATED STARTING SYSTEM OR ELECTRICAL SYSTEM REPAIRS.
Repair progress not yet reported699,617 vehicles potentially affected
Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026
Check your VIN on NHTSA or ask a dealer to check campaign 00V287000
Listed for 1994 Pontiac Grand Am. Not checked against your VIN.
Recall 94V122000 Filed Jul 1, 1994

FUEL:FUEL TANK ASSEMBLY

Fuel system, gasoline · storage · tank assembly
Official NHTSA text
Summary
THESE VEHICLES WERE CONSTRUCTED WITH WELDS IN THE REAR COMPARTMENT PAN ASSEMBLY THAT ARE NOT SUFFICIENT TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS PERTAINING TO FUEL TANK LEAKAGE IN THE EVENT OF A REAR IMPACT COLLISION. THE FUEL TANK ASSEMBLIES DO NOT COMPLY WITH FMVSS NO. 301, "FUEL SYSTEM INTEGRITY."
Consequence
THIS CAN RESULT IN AN INCREASED RISK OF A VEHICLE FIRE IN THE EVENT OF A REAR IMPACT COLLISION.
Remedy
DEALER WILL INSTALL RIVETS ADJACENT TO THE LOCATIONS WHERE THE SUSPECT WELDS ARE LOCATED.
Repair progress not yet reported1,681 vehicles potentially affected
Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026
Check your VIN on NHTSA or ask a dealer to check campaign 94V122000

PlainVIN shows public government records for education. It isn't a vehicle inspection or legal advice. Check your own VIN with NHTSA or your dealer.

Owner complaints (377)

377 complaints filed with NHTSA (owner reports, not verified findings). The engine and engine cooling is mentioned most often.

59involved a crash
29involved a fire
51injuries reported
5deaths reported

As reported by owners in their complaints. These are reports, not NHTSA findings.

Most-reported components

Complaints filed with NHTSA for the 1994 Pontiac Grand Am, by component (top 10). One complaint can list several components, so these add up to more than 377.Source: NHTSA ODI owner complaints · Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 · Report a data error

How 1994 compares with other Grand Am years

Best and worst Grand Am years →
1990199119921993199419951996199719981999
This year (1994)Other yearsStill collecting reports

Counts are owner reports, not failure rates. Higher sales years tend to draw more reports. Owners are still filing reports for recent model years, so these counts will grow. Source: NHTSA ODI, retrieved Oct 6, 2026.

Fuel economy: up to 24 mpg combined

24
mpg combined
21
city
32
highway
EPA annual fuel cost
$2,800
CO₂ tailpipe
370 g/mi
EPA class
Compact Cars

What it costs you to run

$2,721per year
$227per month
625gallons a year

Miles ÷ 24 mpg × $4.354 (EIA US average regular, week of Oct 5, 2026, all taxes included). Source: EPA · EIA.

EPA label estimates from lab tests; your mileage will vary.

Specs by configuration

1994 Pontiac Grand Am configurations with EPA data
Engine · transmissionDriveCity / Hwy / CombEPA $/yrCO₂ g/mi
2.3 L 4-cyl · 5-speed manualFront-Wheel Drive21 / 32 / 24$2,800370
2.3 L 4-cyl · 3-speed automaticFront-Wheel Drive19 / 29 / 23$2,900386
2.3 L 4-cyl · 4-speed automaticFront-Wheel Drive19 / 29 / 22$3,050404
2.3 L 4-cyl · 4-speed automaticFront-Wheel Drive18 / 27 / 21$3,200423
2.3 L 4-cyl · 5-speed manualFront-Wheel Drive18 / 27 / 21$3,900423
3.1 L 6-cyl · 4-speed automaticFront-Wheel Drive18 / 26 / 21$3,200423

Source: EPA fuel economy data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026. Configurations are listed when EPA and NHTSA records match.

Used blue SUV on a sunny dealer lot with its hood open and a clipboard on the fender

Looking at a 1994 Grand Am for sale?

Print a one-page buyer's checklist: each recall campaign with a box to tick when the seller shows proof of repair, the top complaint areas to inspect, crash stars, MPG, and a link back to this page.

All Grand Am years

Where to next

1994 Pontiac Grand Am FAQ

How many recalls does the 1994 Pontiac Grand Am have?

NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns: 00V287000 (electrical), 94V122000 (fuel system). Use NHTSA's VIN lookup to see whether a specific car was repaired.

What are the most common 1994 Pontiac Grand Am problems?

Owners filed 377 complaints with NHTSA. Engine and engine cooling (73), Electrical system (71), Service brakes (64) are mentioned most. These are owner reports, not verified findings.

What mpg does the 1994 Pontiac Grand Am get?

EPA rates the 2.3 L 4-cyl · 5-speed manual version at 21 city, 32 highway and 24 combined mpg. Other configurations are listed in the fuel economy section.

How does the 1994 Grand Am compare with other years?

Among the 1990–1999 Pontiac Grand Am model years at least five years old, the 1990 drew the fewest complaints (38) and the 1999 the most (849). The 1994 drew 377. Counts are owner reports, not failure rates.

How this page was madeSources, processing, limits, review and changes

Processing

  • Complaints are counted per component. One complaint can list several, so component totals add up to more than the total.
  • Fuel cost = miles per year ÷ EPA combined mpg × EIA weekly price for your region.

Limitations

  • Complaint counts are owner reports, not verified findings or failure rates. There is no sales denominator.
  • Recall campaigns are listed for the model year. Only NHTSA and the automaker know whether a specific car was repaired.
  • Recent model years are still collecting reports.

Review

Data compiled automatically from the official files listed here.

Changelog

  • 2026-10-06 Data refreshed from the official files.
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