IllustrationWATER PUMP FAILED. YH
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
Engine And Engine Cooling complaints
83 reportsNO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOV EVEHICLE. *AK
I HAVE HAD MULTIPLE PROBLEMS FROM THIS CAR AND, GM DOES NOT WANT TO HELP. I WAS SENT OUT OF THE DEALER SHIP WITH NO HORN FOR THREE DAYS. DEALERS ARE NOW SMART ENOUGH TO WORK AROUND THE LEMON LAW IN WORDING REPAIR ORDERS. I THINK WITH ALL THE MOTOR PROBLEMS AND, SAFETY ISSUES MAYBE AN INVESTIGATION SHOULD BE DONE BEFORE A CAR STA…
Read full complaint
I HAVE HAD MULTIPLE PROBLEMS FROM THIS CAR AND, GM DOES NOT WANT TO HELP. I WAS SENT OUT OF THE DEALER SHIP WITH NO HORN FOR THREE DAYS. DEALERS ARE NOW SMART ENOUGH TO WORK AROUND THE LEMON LAW IN WORDING REPAIR ORDERS. I THINK WITH ALL THE MOTOR PROBLEMS AND, SAFETY ISSUES MAYBE AN INVESTIGATION SHOULD BE DONE BEFORE A CAR STALLS AND SOMEONE GETS KILLED. *AK
TH NEXT YEAR AFTER I PURCHASED MY CAR, I BEGAN TO LOSE COMPRESSION. THE CAR WOULD ALSO ACCELERATE ON ITS OWN, I NOTICED THAT MY "CHECK ENGINE LIGHTS WERE ON." I IMMEDIATELY TOOK THE CAR BACK TO THE DEALERS AND THEY GAVE A DIAGNOSIS OF "USING THE WRONG GAS". I AM A WOMEN, AND I DON'T KNOW MUCH ABOUT CARS, THEREFORE, AT THE TIME,…
Read full complaint
TH NEXT YEAR AFTER I PURCHASED MY CAR, I BEGAN TO LOSE COMPRESSION. THE CAR WOULD ALSO ACCELERATE ON ITS OWN, I NOTICED THAT MY "CHECK ENGINE LIGHTS WERE ON." I IMMEDIATELY TOOK THE CAR BACK TO THE DEALERS AND THEY GAVE A DIAGNOSIS OF "USING THE WRONG GAS". I AM A WOMEN, AND I DON'T KNOW MUCH ABOUT CARS, THEREFORE, AT THE TIME, I DID NOT DISPUTE THIS RIDICULOUS DIAGNOSIS. A YEAR LATER, I HAD TO REPLACE THE BRAKES/DISC PADS TWICE. THERE WAS LOUD SQUELCHING NOISES. I ALSO BOUGHT NEW TIRES AFTER ONE YEAR. MAJOR PROBLEMS HAVE DEVELOPED SINCE 1999, WHICH ARE: I HAD TO HAVE THE THERMOSTAT REPLACED (AIR CONDITION AND HEAT STOPPED WORKING), I HAD TO HAVE A NEW WATERPUMP INSTALLED (CAR WAS POURING ANTI-FREEZE AND SMOKING), AND AS OF FEBRUARY 6, 2000, THE CAR JUST COMPLETELY STOPPED RUNNING. I RECEIVED TWO QOUTES FROM AREA REPAIR SHOPS ESTIMATING BETWEEN $3K TO $4,500 TO REBUILD AND ENGINE! I HAVE EXHAUSTED MYSELF CONTACTING FRED JONES (SPOKE TO HIM PERSONALLY) OF FRED JONES PONTIAC, AND THEIR CUSTOMER CARE CENTER. PLEASE HELP ME! ALSO, I READ ON YOUR SITE THAT THERE WAS A RECALL ON THIS VEHICLE FOR UNDERHOOD FIRES - I NEVER RECEIVED A RECALL LETTER AND MY CAR WAS NEVER TAKEN IN! I AM VERY CONCERNED THAT BESIDES THIS MAKE OF CAR BEING A LEMON, THIS MAY HAVE ALSO CONTRIBUTED TO MY PROBLEMS. PLEASE HELP ME!!! *AK
MNO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK
THE WHEEL JOINT SIMPLY BROKE APART NO PRIOR WARNING. COMPANY DID COVER THAT. SPARK PLUG AND WIRE WERE SUPPOSED TO BE GOOD FOR 100,000 MILES, BUT WERE NO GOOD AFTER 47,000 MILES, WATER PUMP WENT OUT AT 49,000MILES. I HAVE NEVER HAD SO MANY PROBLEMS ON A VEHICLE WITH LOW MILEAGE. I HAVE HAD PREVIOUS GM CARS THAT HAVE LASTED OVER 1…
Read full complaint
THE WHEEL JOINT SIMPLY BROKE APART NO PRIOR WARNING. COMPANY DID COVER THAT. SPARK PLUG AND WIRE WERE SUPPOSED TO BE GOOD FOR 100,000 MILES, BUT WERE NO GOOD AFTER 47,000 MILES, WATER PUMP WENT OUT AT 49,000MILES. I HAVE NEVER HAD SO MANY PROBLEMS ON A VEHICLE WITH LOW MILEAGE. I HAVE HAD PREVIOUS GM CARS THAT HAVE LASTED OVER 100,000 MILES WITH NO PROBLEMS. IS THIS CAR KNOWN TO HAVE THESE KINDS OF PROBLEMS? I HAVE SPENT $700 IN REPAIRS BECAUSE THE WAY THE CAR IS PUT TOGETHER IT TAKES HOURS FOR THE MECHANIC TO FIX ANYTHING. $483 FOR A WATER PUMP!!
CARD RUNS ROUGH, STUMBLES AND HESITATES, ENGINE CHECK LIGHT ON. DEALER REPLACED CATALITIC CONVERTER, O2 CENSORS, EGR VALVE, SPARK PLUGS TO NO AVAIL. PLEASE E-MAIL ME IF YOU ARE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM AT ALIEN@CASTLES.COM. *AK
THIS IS THE LETTER I SUBMITTED TO THEM: I'M WRITING YOU THIS LETTER TO LET YOU KNOW HOW DISATISFIED I AM WITH YOUR PRODUCT. I BOUGHT MY 97 PONTIAC GRAND AM NEW. I AM A STRONG BELIEVER YOU GET WHAT YOU PAY FOR. THAT IS WHY I BOUGHT NEW VERSUS A USED VEHICLE. I BELIEVE THAT I SHOULD GET MORE FOR MY MONEY THAN WHAT I HAVE GOT …
Read full complaint
THIS IS THE LETTER I SUBMITTED TO THEM: I'M WRITING YOU THIS LETTER TO LET YOU KNOW HOW DISATISFIED I AM WITH YOUR PRODUCT. I BOUGHT MY 97 PONTIAC GRAND AM NEW. I AM A STRONG BELIEVER YOU GET WHAT YOU PAY FOR. THAT IS WHY I BOUGHT NEW VERSUS A USED VEHICLE. I BELIEVE THAT I SHOULD GET MORE FOR MY MONEY THAN WHAT I HAVE GOT FROM YOUR PRODUCT. I'M VERY DISSATISFIED!!!! I AM IN THE U.S.M.C. MY FAMILY AND I DO ALOT OF TRAVELING TO AND FROM OUR HOME STATE. MY WIFE WAS BROKE DOWN ON THE HIGHWAY WITH THIS VEHICLE. WE AS CAR OWNERS HAVE NEVER BROKE DOWN ON THE HIGHWAY IN MY 18 YEARS OF BEING IN THE MILITARY. I AM VERY PICKY ABOUT MY VEHICLES AND ALWAYS HAVE MY CAR SERVICED AS REQUIRED. I NEVER MISS MY OIL CHANGES. I AM A MIDDLE CLASS CITIZEN JUST TRYING TO MAKE A LIVING AND MAKE SURE MY FAMILY IS SAFE ON THE ROADS. I HAVE HAD NO PROBLEMS WITH THE CAR DEALERSHIP. I BELIEVE THEM TO BE THE BEST IN TOWN. I BELIEVE I JUST PICKED THE LEMON ON THE LOT. I HAVE LISTED MY EXPENSES THAT I HAVE PAID OUT OF MY POCKET AND ALSO WHAT WAS COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. PLEASE FELL FREE TO GIVE ME A CALL IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS. I FEEL THAT I SHOULD BE REIMBURSE FOR REPAIRS AND EXPENSES. OF $1257.65 *AK
STARTED VEHICLE AND BACKED OUT OF DRIVEWAY. WHILE TRAVELING APPROXIMATELY 500 FEET, VEHICLE SUDDENLY STALLED. WAS ABLE TO GET IT STARTED, AND TOOK IT TO THE DEALER. DEALER INDICATED THAT ALTERNATOR BEARING WAS BAD AND REPLACED IT. HOWEVER, VEHICLE STALLED AGAIN ON 01-SEP-99/11-OCT-99 AND 13-OCT-99. *AK
WHEN DRIVING AT ANY SPEED AND APPLYING BRAKES THERE IS A GRINDING AND SQUEAKING NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE WHEEL, AND WHEN COASTING DOWN A HILL AND APPLYING BRAKES THE GRINDING AND SQUEAKING NOISE IS STILL ALSO, AIR CONDITOONING HOSE/ RADIATOR HOSE ,AND THE ALTERNATOR HAD BE REPLACED. HOWEVER., DEALER CAN'T DE…
Read full complaint
WHEN DRIVING AT ANY SPEED AND APPLYING BRAKES THERE IS A GRINDING AND SQUEAKING NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE WHEEL, AND WHEN COASTING DOWN A HILL AND APPLYING BRAKES THE GRINDING AND SQUEAKING NOISE IS STILL ALSO, AIR CONDITOONING HOSE/ RADIATOR HOSE ,AND THE ALTERNATOR HAD BE REPLACED. HOWEVER., DEALER CAN'T DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF PROBLEMS. *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.