IllustrationELECTRICAL DEFECT KEEPS SHORTENING OUT ALTERNATOR / POWER MIRROR MOTORS AND HEADLIGHTS. CONSUMER HAS REPLACED 5 ALTERNATORS WITHIN 5 YEARS AND 9 MONTHS. CAUSE IS UNKNOWN. *AK
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
Visibility complaints
34 reportsWHILE UNDER WARRANTY SWAYBAR BUSHINGS WERE REPLACED 4 TIMES. THE REAR WINDSHIELD LEAKED WATER INTO THE TRUNK WHICH CAUSED MOLDY CARPET THAT THE DEALERSHIP REFUSED TO REPLACE EVEN THOUGH THE CAR WAS STILL UNDER WARRANTY. THE PLASTIC COVER ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL RATTLES AS WELL AS THE PLASTIC COVER WHERE THE RADIO AND CLIMATE C…
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WHILE UNDER WARRANTY SWAYBAR BUSHINGS WERE REPLACED 4 TIMES. THE REAR WINDSHIELD LEAKED WATER INTO THE TRUNK WHICH CAUSED MOLDY CARPET THAT THE DEALERSHIP REFUSED TO REPLACE EVEN THOUGH THE CAR WAS STILL UNDER WARRANTY. THE PLASTIC COVER ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL RATTLES AS WELL AS THE PLASTIC COVER WHERE THE RADIO AND CLIMATE CONTROL KNOBS ARE LOCATED. DEALER HAS SAID THAT THERE IS NOTHING THAT CAN BE DONE ABOUT THIS. THE SIDEWALLS ON THE TWO FRONT TIRES WERE DEFECTIVE AND HAD TO BE REPLACED. THE LEFT REAR TIRE HAD A PATCH IN IT BEFORE I EVEN RECEIVED THE CAR. THE FUSE FOR THE LIGHTS ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL KEEPS BLOWING AND WHEN THE DEALERSHIP WAS QUESTIONED ABOUT THIS THEY SAID THAT IT WAS NOTHING. IT HAS NOW BLOWN 15 TIMES. THE WATER PUMP "SHREDDED" AT 37,000 MILES. THE CAR ACCELERATES ON ITS OWN AFTER BEING TAKEN OUT OF PARK AND PUT IN DRIVE. THE BRAKES "PULSE" AT 10 MILES AN HOUR. THE RADIO CONTROLS WORK OPPOSITE OF WHAT THEY'RE SUPPOSED TO (IE TURN UP AND IT DOES NOTHING, TURN DOWN AND IT GETS LOUDER). BATTERY WENT DEAD AT 40,000 MILES. REARVIEW MIRROR LEVER "FELL OFF" INSIDE DOOR FOR NO APPARENT REASON. SEVERE PAINT CHIPPING ON FRONT OF CAR.
BOTH FRONT WINDOWS HAVE FALLEN OUT OF THEIR ORIGINAL TRACKS AND HAVE TO BE REALIGNED BY HAND WHENEVER THEY ARE ROLLED DOWN. NLM
DRIVER SIDE POWER WINDOW GOES UP AND DOWN AND GETS STUCK BY IT'S SELF.*AK
THERE ARE MORE PROBLEMS THEN LISTED. EVERY TIME I HAVE SPOKEN WITH THE DEALER IT HAS BEEN A WASTE OF TIME. PHONE CALLS NEVER RETURNED. I GET BLOWN OFF BY THEM. I WAS IN ROYAL OAK,MI WITH MY FRIENDS WHEN THE CAR FROZE IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD. EVERY DASH LIGHT WAS BLINKING, AND WE COULDN'T GET THE CAR OUT OF DRIVE TO PUSH I…
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THERE ARE MORE PROBLEMS THEN LISTED. EVERY TIME I HAVE SPOKEN WITH THE DEALER IT HAS BEEN A WASTE OF TIME. PHONE CALLS NEVER RETURNED. I GET BLOWN OFF BY THEM. I WAS IN ROYAL OAK,MI WITH MY FRIENDS WHEN THE CAR FROZE IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD. EVERY DASH LIGHT WAS BLINKING, AND WE COULDN'T GET THE CAR OUT OF DRIVE TO PUSH IT. ONCE WE FINALLY GOT THE CAR MOVED TO A SIDE STREET, MY FRIENDS WENT TO LOOK FOR HELP, AND I GOT JUMPED AND MASED WHILE I STOOD BY MY CAR WAITING FOR THEM TO RETURN. THE DRIVERS SIDE KEY DOESN'T WORK, DEALER SAYS IT'S CAUSE OF KEYLESS ENTRY, AIR CONDITIONER KILLS BATTERY, CRUSE CONTROL KICKS OUT, HEAD LIGHTS ALWAYS ARE ON, AND IT'S NOT THE DAY TIME RUNNING LIGHTS. WHEN STEPPING ON THE GAS TO PASS SOMEONE, NOTHING HAPPENS, ABOUT 5 OR MORE SECONDS LATER, IT WILL KICK IN UNEXPECTIDLY. THIS IS THE SECOND CAR I HAVE BOUGHT FROM THIS DEALER, THE FIRST WAS A 91 PONTIAC SUNBIRD, WHICH TURNED OUT TO BE A 90 WHEN I TRAIDED IT IN AT ANOTHER DEALER. SO I ENDED UP PAYING WAY TO MUCH FOR THE CAR, AND LOST ON IT WHEN I TRADED IT IN. I LIVE 1 HOUR AND 45MINS. AWAY FROM THE DEALER NOW WHEN I TOOK IT IN FOR SERVICE I FOUND OUT THAT THEY GAVE ME ONLY MECHANICAL ON THE EXTENDED SERVICE CONTRACT, NO ELECTRICAL, SO EVERYTHING COMES OUT OF MY POCKET. THEN TO FIND OUT I HAVE TO LEAVE MY CAR THERE FOR DAYS UP TO WEEKS, WITH NO LOANER, AND NO WAY TO GET BACK HOME, AND THE SERVICE MANAGER, AND DEALER BOTH SAID "NOTHING WE CAN DO FOR YOU."*AK
POWER WINDOW MOTOR WAS NOT OPERABLE. CONSUMER WOULD HAVE TO TURN OFF THE CAR AND LET IT COOLDOWN, AND THEN THEY WOULD PULL THE WINDOW ON TRACK MANUALLY, PUSHING THE SWITCH. 3 MOTORS HAVE FAILED AND BEEN REPLACED BY DEALER. *AK *ML
WHILE DRIVING DRIVER COULD TURN ON THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS, BUT THEY WON'T WORK.DRIVER MUST KEEP ON TRYING UNTIL THEY WILL WORK. *AK
HAD THE SUNROOF MOTOR REPLACED 2 TIMES, LEFT FRONT WHEEL NOISE, DEALER SAID THERE IS NO PROBLEM ALWAYS MAKES GRINDING NOISE LEFT FRONT AFTER CAR SITS ALL NIGHT , WHEN YOU FIRST PUT CAR IN REVERSE THE NOISE IS NOTICEABLE, HAD TOO HAVE LEFT REAR TAILLGHT REPLACED WHEN NEW,CAR TRUNCK GETS DUST INTO AT RIGHT SIDE OF REAR SEAT WHERE …
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HAD THE SUNROOF MOTOR REPLACED 2 TIMES, LEFT FRONT WHEEL NOISE, DEALER SAID THERE IS NO PROBLEM ALWAYS MAKES GRINDING NOISE LEFT FRONT AFTER CAR SITS ALL NIGHT , WHEN YOU FIRST PUT CAR IN REVERSE THE NOISE IS NOTICEABLE, HAD TOO HAVE LEFT REAR TAILLGHT REPLACED WHEN NEW,CAR TRUNCK GETS DUST INTO AT RIGHT SIDE OF REAR SEAT WHERE IT FOLDS DOWN , DEALER SAYS THERE IS NO PROBLE, STILL NOT REPAIRED ,CAR IS NOW OUT OF WARRANTY.HAS COOLANT LEAK AT THE INTAKE MANIFOLD ,HAS BEEN LEAKING FOR APROX 15,000 MILES AGAIN OUT OF WARRANTY THIS WAS MY FIRST NEW CAR I HAVE EVER BOUGHT AND WILL NEVER BUY ANOTHER GENERAL MOTORS CAR AGAIN, AND I WORK FOR GENERALMOTORS. I HAVE HAD NOTHING BUT PROBLEMS WITH THIS CAR. I HAD A SALVAGE BUICK CENTRY I SOLD TOO PURCHASE THIS NEW ONE AND IT WAS A VERY NICE CAR NEVER HAD THE PROBLEMS WITH THAT CAR AND IT WAS WRECKED. NO MORE GENERAL MOTORS FOR ME . *AK
THIS IS THE THIRD TIME THE POWER SUNROOF HAS FAILED, EACH TIME IT FAILS IN THE EXACT SAME MANNER, THE WINDOW IS OPENED SLIGHTLY TO VENT AND THEN THE UNIT FAILS, AND IT WON'T OPEN OR CLOSE. THE SECOND TIME, THE CAR WAS IN THE SHOP FOR OVER A WEEK, THEN I HAD TO WAIT A MONTH FOR A PART TO COME IN. IN THE MEANWHILE, I COULD NOT U…
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THIS IS THE THIRD TIME THE POWER SUNROOF HAS FAILED, EACH TIME IT FAILS IN THE EXACT SAME MANNER, THE WINDOW IS OPENED SLIGHTLY TO VENT AND THEN THE UNIT FAILS, AND IT WON'T OPEN OR CLOSE. THE SECOND TIME, THE CAR WAS IN THE SHOP FOR OVER A WEEK, THEN I HAD TO WAIT A MONTH FOR A PART TO COME IN. IN THE MEANWHILE, I COULD NOT USE THE SUNROOF EITHER. THE HEADLIGHTS STAY ON MOST OF THE TIME WHEN THE CAR IS ON. THE SENSOR SEEMS TO WORK INTERMITTENTLY. ON BRIGHT, SUNNY DAYS, THE HEADLIGHTS COME ON. ON CLOUDY, RAINY DAYS, WHEN THE LIGHTS SHOULD BE ON, THEY DON'T COME ON. THE DEALER COULDN'T FIND ANYTHING WRONG WITH IT.
DEFECT WITHIN WINDSHIELD WIPER IS CAUSING THE WINDSHIELD WIPER TO ACT IN AN ERRATIC MANNER, AND AT TIMES BECOMING INOPERATIVE. DEALER HAS REPLACED WIPER SWITCH AND MOTOR TWICE AND COMPUTER CHIP WITHIN BOARD, BUT DEFECT IS STILL OCCURRING. THIS IS AN INTERMITTENT PROBLEM. *AK LEFT REAR WINDOW MOTOR FAILED, 1150 MILES LATER TH…
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DEFECT WITHIN WINDSHIELD WIPER IS CAUSING THE WINDSHIELD WIPER TO ACT IN AN ERRATIC MANNER, AND AT TIMES BECOMING INOPERATIVE. DEALER HAS REPLACED WIPER SWITCH AND MOTOR TWICE AND COMPUTER CHIP WITHIN BOARD, BUT DEFECT IS STILL OCCURRING. THIS IS AN INTERMITTENT PROBLEM. *AK LEFT REAR WINDOW MOTOR FAILED, 1150 MILES LATER THE WINDOW SWITCH FAILED. RADIO AND CLOCK LIGHT FAIL, DEALER CHECKED WIRING AND FUSES. LEFT FRONT SHOULDER BELT/RETRACTOR BELT BUTTON DAMAGED, DEALER REPLACED SEATBELT. *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.