IllustrationI HAVE BROUGHT A SET OF FOUR TIRE FROM FIRESTONE DOT NUMBER IS H Y C 6 38B 3896 DUR3M365182 P195/65R15 SO THE TIRES START WHAT DO I DO ABOUT THIS TO COME A PART THE FRIST TIME THIS HAPPEN I BROUGHT TO TIRES. *TR
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
Tires complaints
10 reports1997 PONTIAC GRAND AM TIRE BLEW CAUSING THE DRIVER TO LOSE CONTROL AND END UP IN A DITCH. *KB THE VEHICLE HAD DAMAGE TO THE REAR AXLE AND LEFT SIDE MIRROR. (OHIO TRAFFIC CRASH REPORT)*JB
PROBLEMS WITH GOODYEAR TIRE EQUIPMENT ON 1997 A PONTIAC GRAND AM.*MR THE VEHICLE CAME EQUIPPED WITH FIRESTONE TIRES, ONE OF THE TIRES EXPERIENCED A FLAT AND THE LOCAL TIRE SHOP RECOMMENDED REPLACEMENT OF ALL FOUR TIRES, GOODYEAR INTEGRITY XNW9608B TIRES WERE CHOSEN, AFTER ABOUT 100 MILES OF DRIVING, THE CONSUMER HEARD A STRAN…
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PROBLEMS WITH GOODYEAR TIRE EQUIPMENT ON 1997 A PONTIAC GRAND AM.*MR THE VEHICLE CAME EQUIPPED WITH FIRESTONE TIRES, ONE OF THE TIRES EXPERIENCED A FLAT AND THE LOCAL TIRE SHOP RECOMMENDED REPLACEMENT OF ALL FOUR TIRES, GOODYEAR INTEGRITY XNW9608B TIRES WERE CHOSEN, AFTER ABOUT 100 MILES OF DRIVING, THE CONSUMER HEARD A STRANGE NOISE AND IT WAS DISCOVERED THE TIRE SHOWED SIGNS OF TREAD SEPARATION, 200 MILES LATER THE NOISE CAME BACK. *JB *NLM
CONSUMER NOTICED TIRE WEAR, ALL FOUR TIRES WERE REPLACED BECAUSE THE DRIVER COULD NOT CONTROL THE VEHICLE, DEALER WAS CONTACTED. PLEASE PROVIDE MORE INFORMATION. NLM
TIRE CASING STARTED TO PEEL OFF. WE WERE AWAY FROM HOME FOR THE WEEKEND. WE IMMEDIATELY CHANGED TO THE SPARE TIRE, AND LIMPED HOME. THE PONTIAC DEALER TOLD US THAT WE HAD TO GO TO THE GOODYEAR DEALER FOR AN ADJUSTMENT. THEY GAVE US AN ALLOWANCE TOWARD A NEW TIRE. BUT, I CAN'T HELP THINKING I CAUGHT OUR TIRE BEFORE IT GOT A CHANC…
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TIRE CASING STARTED TO PEEL OFF. WE WERE AWAY FROM HOME FOR THE WEEKEND. WE IMMEDIATELY CHANGED TO THE SPARE TIRE, AND LIMPED HOME. THE PONTIAC DEALER TOLD US THAT WE HAD TO GO TO THE GOODYEAR DEALER FOR AN ADJUSTMENT. THEY GAVE US AN ALLOWANCE TOWARD A NEW TIRE. BUT, I CAN'T HELP THINKING I CAUGHT OUR TIRE BEFORE IT GOT A CHANCE TO FALL APART LIKE ALL OF THOSE ONES I'VE BEEN SEEING ON TV. MY SON HAS A 1995 GRAND AM WITH THE SAME TIRES, AND HE EXPERIENCED THE SAME PROBLEM WITH A GOODYEAR EAGLE GA, THE SAME SIZE AS OURS. I JUST WANTED TO LET YOU FOLKS KNOW. *AK (DOT NUMBER: MKT2E2DR12 TIRESIZE: P205/55R16)
AFETR MARKET TIRES, P185/80R13 SIZE. RIGHT FRONT TIRE EXPLORED WITHOUT WARNING ON THE INSIDE WALL WHILE DRIVING 40-45MPH.*AK FAILED TIRE WAS A GOODYEAR REGATTA, CONSUMER NOTED THAT THE BLOWOUT RESULTED IN A PERPENDICULAR CUT TO THE INNER SIDEWALL FROM THE RIM, AFTER INSPECTION, THE OTHER THREE TIRES WERE FOUND TO HAVE CUTS ON…
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AFETR MARKET TIRES, P185/80R13 SIZE. RIGHT FRONT TIRE EXPLORED WITHOUT WARNING ON THE INSIDE WALL WHILE DRIVING 40-45MPH.*AK FAILED TIRE WAS A GOODYEAR REGATTA, CONSUMER NOTED THAT THE BLOWOUT RESULTED IN A PERPENDICULAR CUT TO THE INNER SIDEWALL FROM THE RIM, AFTER INSPECTION, THE OTHER THREE TIRES WERE FOUND TO HAVE CUTS ON THE INNER SIDEWALL ALONG THE RIM AREA, TIRES WERE REPLACED AT A PRORATED COST. *SLC
PE00 020 ; CONSUMER WAS TRAVELING ON THE HIGHWAY, AND SHE WAS ON HER WAY TO DEALERSHIP. MECHANIC TOLD HER THAT FRONT LEFT TIRE HAD SEPARTED. TIRE SIZE WAS P205/55R16. TIRE WAS AN EAGLE GOODYEAR. SECOND INCIDENT ON 06-JUN-99, WHILE SHE WAS TRAVELING ON THE HIGHWAY REAR LEFT TIRE SEPARATED. *AK
COMING APART AT SEAM. ANOTHER TIRE DOES NOT HAVE DOT NUMBERS. IT IS ALSO COMING APART. *AK( DOT NUMBER: MKT2E2BR29 TIRE SIZE: 205-55-R16 )
WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH THE FRONT PASSENGER'S SIDE TIRE BLEW OUT WITHOUT ANY WARNING SENDING VEHICLE INTO A DITCH. NEITHER AIRBAG DEPLOYED. DRIVER SUSTAINED HEAD INJURIES. DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. *AK
WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH ON THE INTERSTATE 75, THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE TIRE WENT FLAT RIGHT AWAY. THIS WAS DUE TO A DEFECTIVE VALVE STEM WHICH LEAKED AND CAUSED THE TIRE TO BE RUINED. NEW TIRES ON A 1997, PONTIAC. TIRE SIZE P19565R15. *AK CONSUMER STATES THE STEM LEAKED AT THE RIM WHERE THE STEM GOES THROUGH. *SLC
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.