Reliability, what owners report, and what it costs to keep.
AVOIR's read: the numbers are mixed and the complaint record is worth reading before you commit.
Owners have filed 213 complaints with NHTSA about the 1995 Pontiac Grand Prix, and it carries 4 recalls. These are owner allegations rather than confirmed defects, but the pattern of what people complain about is the most useful signal a used buyer has.
| Area | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Service brakes | 38 | 18% |
| Power train | 27 | 13% |
| Exterior lighting | 16 | 8% |
| Visibility | 15 | 7% |
| Air bags | 13 | 6% |
| Electrical system | 12 | 6% |
| Engine and engine cooling | 11 | 5% |
| Vehicle speed control | 11 | 5% |
| Seat belts | 10 | 5% |
| Structure | 9 | 4% |
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.
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 complaint: Visibility
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 DIA
NHTSA complaint: Engine and engine cooling
MY FAMILY, AND I WERE RETURNING HOME ON I-77 FROM A CAMPING TRIP, WHEN WITHOUT WARNING, THE PASSENGER AIR BAG DEPLOYED, SHATTERING THE WINDSHIELD. WE MADE IT SAFELY TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, SCARED, AND DAZED, TRYING TO F
NHTSA complaint: Visibility
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
NHTSA complaint: Exterior lighting
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
NHTSA complaint: Air bags
I HAVE HAD MANY PROBLEMS OVER THE YEARS WITH MY 1995 GRAND PRIX SE, 6 CYL, 3.1L ENGINE. I SAW THE 35 PLUS SERVICE BULLETINS AND I CAN PERSONALLY RELATE TO THESE PROBLEMS. MY QUESTION IS. I HAVE LIVED IN THE SAME PLACE SI
NHTSA complaint: Engine and engine cooling
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 W
NHTSA complaint: Engine and engine cooling
THE VEHICLE WAS TRAVELING AT 65 MILES PER HOUR WHEN ALL OF SUDDEN THE AIR BAG DEPLOYED. MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED BY OWNER. *NM
NHTSA complaint: Air bags
NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns for the 1995 Pontiac Grand Prix. Recalls are free to have fixed at a franchised dealer regardless of who owns the car now, but only if they were never done, so check the VIN of the specific car rather than trusting the model.
CERTAIN DELPHI FUEL PRESSURE REGULATORS, P/NOS. FP10020-11B1, FP10026-11B1, AND FP10027-11B1, SOLD AFTER JANUARY 9, 2007, AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. THE UNIVERSAL PRESSURE REGULATORS (UPR) WERE PRODUCED WITHOUT AN O'RING AND RETAINER.
Risk: FUEL MAY LEAK, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A FIRE.
Fix: DELPHI WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE UPR FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 23, 2007. OWNERS CAN CONTACT DELPHI AT 877-411-8770.
SOME OF THESE VEHICLES HAVE A STRAINED OR SEPARATED WASHER/WIPER SWITCH POWER FEED WIRE.
Risk: THIS CAN 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 VISIBILITY COULD BE RE
Fix: DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND REPLACE THE OLD DESIGNED WASHER/WIPER SWITCHES WITH A NEWLY DESIGNED SWITCH.
THE CENTER REAR SEAT BELT ANCHOR PLATE EXHIBITS STRESS CRACKS.
Risk: IN THE EVENT OF A VEHICLE CRASH, THE SEAT BELT SYSTEM CAN FRACTURE, INCREASING THE RISK OF INJURY TO THE SEAT OCCUPANT.
Fix: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE CENTER REAR SEAT BELT SYSTEM.
THE CENTER REAR SEAT BELT ANCHOR PLATE EXHIBITS STRESS CRACKS.
Risk: IN THE EVENT OF A VEHICLE CRASH, THE SEAT BELT SYSTEM CAN FRACTURE AND INJURY TO THE SEAT OCCUPANT CAN OCCUR.
Fix: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE CENTER REAR SEAT BELT SYSTEM.
| Reliability raw | 80 | excellent |
|---|---|---|
| Longevity est. | 78 | good |
| Maintenance | 78 | good |
| Depreciation | 60 | average |
| Performance | 54 | average |
| Efficiency | 38 | below average |
Percentile ranks against other midsize & large cars in the catalog.
What stands behind each score for this car:
Owners have filed 213 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and service brakes is the most reported area with 38 of them (18%). There are 4 recalls on record. Check any specific car against its VIN before buying.
AVOIR scores its reliability 80/100 (excellent) from NHTSA recall campaigns and complaint density. That figure is a raw complaint count, not yet adjusted for sales volume, so a high-volume model scores worse than it deserves.
AVOIR scores its longevity 78/100, but that figure is an estimate built from the powertrain and the brand's record, not a measurement. A 1995 car has no 200,000-mile population to observe yet, so treat it as a prior rather than evidence.
AVOIR's read: be careful, because the numbers are mixed and the complaint record is worth reading before you commit. Its overall ownership score is 69/100. Condition, mileage and service history still matter more than any score, so get a pre-purchase inspection on the specific car.
Sources: NHTSA recalls and complaints, EPA fuel economy, IIHS awards, and live market listings. A score describes a model-year, not the individual car in front of you. Get a pre-purchase inspection.