IllustrationPRIOR TO RECALL 02V07000 NOTIFICATION VEHICLE EXPERIENCED A SHORTAGE IN THE COMPUTER FOR THE STEERING WHEEL ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. CONSUMER BELIEVES THE SHORTAGE IS A RESULT OF RECALL. *TT
1997 Pontiac Grand Am
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
More warning signs than most Grand Am years
Owner complaints for the 1997 Pontiac Grand Am are substantially higher than the model-year median of 82.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Grand Am years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
Limited mileage data: 67 of 383 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
- Electrical System. Review the 105 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 83 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Service Brakes, Hydraulic. Review the 69 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
32 crash reports12 fire reports29 injury reports
Electrical System complaints
105 reportsNHTSA RECALL 02 V 070 000 MANUFACTURER'S RECALL 02008 CONCERNING IGNITION SWITCH: DEALER: DONNY BOHN GMC; HARVEY, LA; PHONE# 504/347-4070 REFUSED TO HONOR RECALL UNTIL A DIAGNOSTIC WAS PERFORMED AT CONSUMER'S COST. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK
GOT RECALL 02V070000. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER AND HAD REPAIRS DONE. CURRENTLY, VEHICLE WILL START, AND THEN SHUT OFF. WILL NOT STAY CRANKED. DEALER CONTACTED. PLEASE ADD VIN. *AK
THE CONSUMER RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR IGNITION LOCK BINDING. SEVERAL DEALERS WERE UNABLE TO CORRECT THE DEFECTIVE RECALL PART. THE CONSUMER HAS SPENT OVER THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS TO CORRECT THIS PROBLEM. BATTERY INDICATOR LAMP WAS FLASHING. *YH
VEHICLE PARKED IN GARAGE ATTEMPTED TO START ITSELF AT 6:01AM (MDT). KEY WAS NOT IN IGNITION NOR WAS IGINITION SWITCH ENGAGED. VEHICLE CRANKED FOR APPROX. 4 MINUTES WHILE OWNER ATTEMPTED TO DISCONNECT BATTERY. FOLLOWING APPROX 4 MINUTES OF ENGINE CRANKING VEHICLE STOPPED ON ITS OWN. OWNER THEN ATTEMPTED TO START VEHICLE TO MOVE O…
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VEHICLE PARKED IN GARAGE ATTEMPTED TO START ITSELF AT 6:01AM (MDT). KEY WAS NOT IN IGNITION NOR WAS IGINITION SWITCH ENGAGED. VEHICLE CRANKED FOR APPROX. 4 MINUTES WHILE OWNER ATTEMPTED TO DISCONNECT BATTERY. FOLLOWING APPROX 4 MINUTES OF ENGINE CRANKING VEHICLE STOPPED ON ITS OWN. OWNER THEN ATTEMPTED TO START VEHICLE TO MOVE OUT OF GARAGE IN THE EVENT OF ANOTHER OCCURRENCE. VEHICLE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM WAS COMPLETELY SHUTDOWN AND VEHICLE WOULD NOT START. OWNER ALSO NOTICED STRONG ELECTRICAL BURNING ODOR. VEHICLE WOULD ALSO NOT DISENGAGE FROM PARK DUE TO TOTAL SYSTEM FAILURE. VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO DEALER. IGNITION SWITCH IDENTIFIED AS FAILURE (PART RETAINED BY VEHICLE OWNER). WHILE VEHICLE IS NO LONGER WITHIN THE WARRANTY PERIOD, OWNER HAS SERIOUS CONCERN REGARDING FIRE POTENTIAL TO VEHICLE AND SURROUNDING STRUCTURES IF FAILURE HAD OCCURRED AT A TIME WHERE VEHICLE HAD BEEN UNATTENDED OR UNNOTICED.
#1 - COMPUTER MODULE FAILED - ALL WARNING LIGHTS INTERMITTENTLY COME ON AND GO OFF (50,000 MILES). #2 - IGNITION SWITCH - PIN COMES LOOSE AND KEY WILL NOT WORK. HAVE TO REPLACE & REKEY. #3 - PCM/VCM REPLACED @ 58,000 MILES. #4 - BRAKE ROTORS HAVE BEEN "TURNED" TWICE, STILL PULSATE. #5 - PARKING BRAKE CONSTANTLY NEEDS ADJU…
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#1 - COMPUTER MODULE FAILED - ALL WARNING LIGHTS INTERMITTENTLY COME ON AND GO OFF (50,000 MILES). #2 - IGNITION SWITCH - PIN COMES LOOSE AND KEY WILL NOT WORK. HAVE TO REPLACE & REKEY. #3 - PCM/VCM REPLACED @ 58,000 MILES. #4 - BRAKE ROTORS HAVE BEEN "TURNED" TWICE, STILL PULSATE. #5 - PARKING BRAKE CONSTANTLY NEEDS ADJUSTING. #6 - GM DEALER OVERCHARGED ON LABOR, 5.5 HOURS SHOULD HAVE BEEN 1 HOUR. GM NOT WILLING TO HELP SOLVE SITUATION.
I HAVE HAD ONE PROBLEM AFTER ANOTHER WITH THIS VEHICAL AND THERE ARE OTHERS WITH THE SAME STYLE CAR THAT ARE HAVING THE EXACT SAME PROBLEMS. THIS NEEDS TO BE LOOKED INTO SERIOUSLY. IT IS BECOMING TO COSTLY. NO SAFETY DEFECT MENTIONED. *AK
I HAVE AN ELECTICAL PROBLEM IN MY CAR THAT NO ONE SEEMS TO KNOW WHAT IS IF THE FUSE CONTINUES TO BLOW CONSTANTLY THEN THEY WILL BE ABBLE TO TRACE THE PROBLEM UNTIL THEN I HAVE THE BIRNDEN OF WORRYING ABOUT MY CAR CATCH ON FIRE FROM THIS SHORT.THEY TOLD ME TO POSSIBLY TRY A HEADLIGHT SWICH AT AN 85.00 PRICE AND LABOR ON TOP …
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I HAVE AN ELECTICAL PROBLEM IN MY CAR THAT NO ONE SEEMS TO KNOW WHAT IS IF THE FUSE CONTINUES TO BLOW CONSTANTLY THEN THEY WILL BE ABBLE TO TRACE THE PROBLEM UNTIL THEN I HAVE THE BIRNDEN OF WORRYING ABOUT MY CAR CATCH ON FIRE FROM THIS SHORT.THEY TOLD ME TO POSSIBLY TRY A HEADLIGHT SWICH AT AN 85.00 PRICE AND LABOR ON TOP OF THAT ON A MAYBE YES MAYBE NO FIX. AT THIS POINT I JUST DON'T KNOW WHAT ELSE TO DO. I'M HOPEING THAT YOU NIGHT BE ABLE TO HELP ME CURE THIS PROBLEM I'VE ONLY HAD THIS VEHICLE SINCE OCTOBER OF LAST YEAR I HATE TO TRADE IT IN BSCAUS OF THIS PROBLEM I DONT HAVE THE FUNDS AVAIBLE TO ME TO PURCHASE ANOTHER VEHICLE FOR THE TAXES THAT I WILL HAVE TO PAY OUT AGAIN FOR ANOTHER VEHICLE. I JUST DON'T KNOW WHAT ELSE TO DO AT THIS POINT . I HAVE BLOWN APOXAMETLY 25 -30 FUSES SINCE THE ACCIDENT . THERE IS NO CERTAIN TIME OR OCURRENCE THAT THIS FUSE BLOWS . THIS VEHICLE HAS AUTOMATIC HEADLIGHTS ON IT WHEN IT BECOMES DUSK THERE IS A SENSOR IN THE DASH THAT TELLS THE HEADLIGHT SWITCH TO TURN ON THE LIGHTS. I'M AFAID THAT THERE WILL BE A PROBLEM THERE WHICH COULD CAUSE THIS VEHICLE TO HAVE A FIRE IN THE INTERIOR OF THE VEHICLE. I HAVE TAKEN THE VEHICLE AT THR ADVISE OF THE INSURANCE COMPANY AND IT THEY TOLD ME TO ONLY WAY THEY CAN TRACE THIS IS IF THE FUSE IN QUESTION KEEPS BLOWING ONE AFTER ANOTHER THEN THEY MIGHT FIND THE PROBLEM. MAYBE YOU MIGHT BE ABLE TO GIVE MR THE NUMBER OF PONTAIC FACTORY SERVICE REPS FOR PONTAIC IF POSSIBLE TO TRY AND GET THIS MATTER RESOLVED. *AK
VEHICLE HAS BEEN TAKEN TO DEALER 17 TIMES FOR ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS. HORN WOULD STOP WORKING, ETS AND ENGINE LIGHTS CAME ON. RADIO WAS VERY HOT TO TOUCH. DEALER HAS REPLACED RADIO 6 TIMES, AND MOTOR OF DRIVER AND FRONT PASSENGER POWER WINDOWS 6 TIMES. CONSUMER FELT ELECTRICAL SYSTEM WAS DEFECTIVE.*AK
SUBJECT: RECALL # 00V287000 MY CAR EXPERIENCED THE IDENTICAL SYMPTOMS AS THOSE OUTLINED IN THE RECALL OF 1994 AND 1995 PONTIAC GRAND AM'S. I CONTACTED PONTIAC TWICE ABOUT THIS PROBLEM AND WAS TOLD THAT THE RECALL ONLY APPLIED TO 1994 AND 1995 MODEL YEARS, AND I COULD NOT BE REIMBURSED FOR THE COST OF REPAIRS TO MY CAR. PO…
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SUBJECT: RECALL # 00V287000 MY CAR EXPERIENCED THE IDENTICAL SYMPTOMS AS THOSE OUTLINED IN THE RECALL OF 1994 AND 1995 PONTIAC GRAND AM'S. I CONTACTED PONTIAC TWICE ABOUT THIS PROBLEM AND WAS TOLD THAT THE RECALL ONLY APPLIED TO 1994 AND 1995 MODEL YEARS, AND I COULD NOT BE REIMBURSED FOR THE COST OF REPAIRS TO MY CAR. PONTIAC SET UP FILE # 04017251 TO SHOW MY CONTACTS WITH THEM. I HAVE ALSO READ LETTERS IN YOUR DATABASE FROM OTHER PONTIAC OWNERS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM OF THE STARTER MOTOR FAILING TO ENGAGE AND THE IGNITION SWITCH BEGINS TO SMOKE.*AK
Official recalls
202V070000 · Electrical System:ignition:switch
Mar 6, 2002
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES. IF THE ENGINE FAILS TO START AND THE DRIVER HOLDS THE KEY IN THE "START" POSITION FOR AN EXTENDED PERIOD, HIGH CURRENT FLOWS THROUGH THE IGNITION SWITCH, AND SOMETIMES PRODUCES ENOUGH HEAT TO MELT INTERNAL SWITCH PARTS.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IF THE SWITCH IS DAMAGED, A FIRE COULD OCCUR IN THE STEERING COLUMN, EVEN WITH THE ENGINE OFF AND THE KEY REMOVED.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A RELAY KIT IN THESE VEHICLES TO PREVENT HIGH CURRENT FROM FLOWING THROUGH THE IGNITION SWITCH. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN MARCH 27, 2002. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-222-1020, PONTIAC AT 1-800-762-2737, BUICK AT 1-800-521-7300, OR OLDSMOBILE AT 1-800-442-6537.
97V059000 · Electrical System:wiring:front Underhood
Apr 8, 1997
THE PROTECTIVE COVER FOR THE UNDERHOOD FUSE CENTER WAS OMITTED. WITHOUT THIS COVER, THE POSITIVE TERMINAL BOLT ON THE FUSE BLOCK IS EXPOSED AND CAN CONTACT THE INSULATED NEGATIVE BATTERY CABLE. IF THE INSULATION ON THE NEGATIVE CABLE BECOMES SUFFICIENTLY WORN, AN ELECTRICAL SHORT CIRCUIT CAN OCCUR BETWEEN THE POSITIVE TERMINAL AND NEGATIVE CABLE RESULTING IN EXTREMELY HIGH CURRENT FLOW.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THIS HIGH CURRENT FLOW CAN CAUSE ARCING AND RESULT IN AN UNDERHOOD FIRE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THESE VEHICLES FOR THE PRESENCE OF THE PROTECTIVE COVER AND, IF NECESSARY, INSTALL A PROTECTIVE COVER TO THE UNDERHOOD FUSE CENTER.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
2RQ03001 · Power Rack And Pinion Steering Failure
Opened Jan 2, 2003 · Closed Sep 15, 2003
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Steering; Steering:rack And Pinion
GM CONDUCTED A SAFETY RECALL (NHTSA # 02V286) TO ADDRESS A STEERING DEFECT PERTAINING TO A LOWER PINION BEARING (LPB) WITHIN THE RACK AND PINION STEERING GEAR (R&P). THE RECALL COVERED 1,159,156 MODEL YEAR 1997-1998 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX VEHICLES BUILT BETWEEN MARCH 1, 1996 AND OCTOBER 31, 1997, 1996-1998 PONTIAC TRANS SPORT, CHEVROLET LUMINA APV, CHEVROLET VENTURE, OLDSMOBILE SILHOUETTE MINIVANS, AND CHEVROLET CAVALIER AND PONTIAC SUNFIRE SEDANS BUILT BETWEEN JANUARY 1, 1996 AND OCTOBER 31, 1997.ODI OPENED THIS RQ AFTER RECEIVING REPORTS THAT OTHER VEHICLES WERE EXHIBITING THE SAME SYMPTOMS AS THE RECALLED VEHICLES.BASED ON ODI'S REVIEW OF TECHNICAL AND COMPLAINT DATA COLLECTED DURING THE RQ, THE W-CARS ARE ASSOCIATED WITH EITHER A HIGHER STEERING COMPLAINT RATE OR A HIGHER LPB FAILURE RATE THAN THE OTHER VEHICLES INVESTIGATED UNDER THE RQ AND ARE ABOVE OR NEAR THE RATES FOR THE RECALLED VEHICLES.THUS, ODI WILL FURTHER EXAMINE THE W-CARS (1996-1997 OLDSMOBILE CUTLASS SUPREME, 1996-1998 BUICK REGAL, CHEVROLET LUMINA, CHEVROLET MONTE CARLO, 1997-1998 BUICK CENTURY, AND 1998 OLDSMOBILE INTRIGUE) UNDER A NEW INVESTIGATION, ENGINEERING ANALYSIS (EA)03-019.
Additional source detail variants (2)
Steering
GM CONDUCTED A SAFETY RECALL (NHTSA # 02V286) TO ADDRESS A STEERING DEFECT PERTAINING TO A LOWER PINION BEARING (LPB) WITHIN THE RACK AND PINION STEERING GEAR (R&P). THE RECALL COVERED 1,159,156 MODEL YEAR 1997-1998 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX VEHICLES BUILT BETWEEN MARCH 1, 1996 AND OCTOBER 31, 1997, 1996-1998 PONTIAC TRANS SPORT, CHEVROLET LUMINA APV, CHEVROLET VENTURE, OLDSMOBILE SILHOUETTE MINIVANS, AND CHEVROLET CAVALIER AND PONTIAC SUNFIRE SEDANS BUILT BETWEEN JANUARY 1, 1996 AND OCTOBER 31, 1997.ODI OPENED THIS RQ AFTER RECEIVING REPORTS THAT OTHER VEHICLES WERE EXHIBITING THE SAME SYMPTOMS AS THE RECALLED VEHICLES.BASED ON ODI'S REVIEW OF TECHNICAL AND COMPLAINT DATA COLLECTED DURING THE RQ, THE W-CARS ARE ASSOCIATED WITH EITHER A HIGHER STEERING COMPLAINT RATE OR A HIGHER LPB FAILURE RATE THAN THE OTHER VEHICLES INVESTIGATED UNDER THE RQ AND ARE ABOVE OR NEAR THE RATES FOR THE RECALLED VEHICLES.THUS, ODI WILL FURTHER EXAMINE THE W-CARS (1996-1997 OLDSMOBILE CUTLASS SUPREME, 1996-1998 BUICK REGAL, CHEVROLET LUMINA, CHEVROLET MONTE CARLO, 1997-1998 BUICK CENTURY, AND 1998 OLDSMOBILE INTRIGUE) UNDER A NEW INVESTIGATION, ENGINEERING ANALYSIS (EA)03-019.
Steering:rack And Pinion
GM CONDUCTED A SAFETY RECALL (NHTSA # 02V286) TO ADDRESS A STEERING DEFECT PERTAINING TO A LOWER PINION BEARING (LPB) WITHIN THE RACK AND PINION STEERING GEAR (R&P). THE RECALL COVERED 1,159,156 MODEL YEAR 1997-1998 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX VEHICLES BUILT BETWEEN MARCH 1, 1996 AND OCTOBER 31, 1997, 1996-1998 PONTIAC TRANS SPORT, CHEVROLET LUMINA APV, CHEVROLET VENTURE, OLDSMOBILE SILHOUETTE MINIVANS, AND CHEVROLET CAVALIER AND PONTIAC SUNFIRE SEDANS BUILT BETWEEN JANUARY 1, 1996 AND OCTOBER 31, 1997.ODI OPENED THIS RQ AFTER RECEIVING REPORTS THAT OTHER VEHICLES WERE EXHIBITING THE SAME SYMPTOMS AS THE RECALLED VEHICLES.BASED ON ODI'S REVIEW OF TECHNICAL AND COMPLAINT DATA COLLECTED DURING THE RQ, THE W-CARS ARE ASSOCIATED WITH EITHER A HIGHER STEERING COMPLAINT RATE OR A HIGHER LPB FAILURE RATE THAN THE OTHER VEHICLES INVESTIGATED UNDER THE RQ AND ARE ABOVE OR NEAR THE RATES FOR THE RECALLED VEHICLES.THUS, ODI WILL FURTHER EXAMINE THE W-CARS (1996-1997 OLDSMOBILE CUTLASS SUPREME, 1996-1998 BUICK REGAL, CHEVROLET LUMINA, CHEVROLET MONTE CARLO, 1997-1998 BUICK CENTURY, AND 1998 OLDSMOBILE INTRIGUE) UNDER A NEW INVESTIGATION, ENGINEERING ANALYSIS (EA)03-019.
RQ98013 · Oversensitive Air Bag Deployments
Opened Aug 26, 1998 · No close date supplied
Status: open (inferred from source dates) · Air Bags
ON JUNE 26, 1998, GENERAL MOTORS BEGAIN A SAFETY RECALL, 98V-146, TO RECALIBRATE THE AIR BAG SENSING AND DIAGNOSTIC MODULE (SDM) IN THE 1996 AND SOME 1997 J BODY CARS, CAVALIER AND SUNFIRE.DUE TO CERTAIN CALIBRATIONS IN THE AIR BAG SDM, THERE IS AN INCREASED RISK OF INADVERTENT AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT IN A LOW SPEED CRASH OR WHEN AN OBJECT STRIKES THE FLOOR PAN.THE RECALL POPULATION CONSISTS OF 675,302 VEHICLES BUILT FROM APRIL 1995 THROUGH MAY 1997.ODI HAS RECEIVED 8 OWNER REPORTS ALLEGING INADVERTENT AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT WITHOUT A CRASH.THE PURPOSER OF THE RQ IS TO DETERMINE WHETHER GM SHOULD EXPAND THE RECALL TO INCLUDE THESE VEHICLES.CLOSING RESUME NOTE:AS OF AUGUST 5, 1999, ODI RECEIVED ONE ADDITIONAL COMPLAINT REGARDING THE ALLEGED DEFECT.THE INCIDENT RATES FOR THE SUBJECT VEHICLES ARE ABOUT ONE-THRID OF THE RATES OF THE RECALLED VEHICLES (WHEN THE RECALL WAS INITIATED).BASED ON THE AVAILABLE INFORMATION, A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT TREND HAS NOT BEEN IDENTIFIED AT THIS TIME AND FURTHER USE OF AGENCY RESOURCES DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE WARRANTED.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT DOSE NOT EXIST.THE AGENCY RESERVES THE RIGHT TO TAKE FURTHER ACTION IF WARRANTED BY FUTURE CIRCUMSTANCES.