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
What owners actually said
383 reports
Mileage unknown · Jul 1, 2002
Electrical SystemFireInjury
WHILE STARTING VEHICLE, WOULD CONTINUE TO RESTART BY ITSELF UNTIL CONSUMER SWITCHED IGNITION SWITCH TO ACCESSORIES. STARTED TO STOP, BUT SPARKS AND SMOKE WERE COMING FROM THE STEERING COLUMN, THE BACK OF CONSUMERS PANTS WERE ON FIRE. DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED.*AK. CONSUMER STATED THE IGNITON WAS RECALLED, AND CONSUME…
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WHILE STARTING VEHICLE, WOULD CONTINUE TO RESTART BY ITSELF UNTIL CONSUMER SWITCHED IGNITION SWITCH TO ACCESSORIES. STARTED TO STOP, BUT SPARKS AND SMOKE WERE COMING FROM THE STEERING COLUMN, THE BACK OF CONSUMERS PANTS WERE ON FIRE. DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED.*AK. CONSUMER STATED THE IGNITON WAS RECALLED, AND CONSUMER SUFFERED 2ND DEGREE BURNS.*JB
NHTSA ODI #8013067
Mileage unknown · Jun 29, 2002
Electrical System
I HAD A TOTAL FAILURE OF THE CLUSTER THAT OPERATES ALL THE GAUGES. SPEEDOMETER, FUEL,RPM, ETS AND TEMPERATURE. I HAD TO HAVE IT REPLACED WITH A USED CLUSTER AS I COULD NOT AFFORD A NEW ONE. I JUST RECENTLY LEARNED OF A RECALL OF THE IGNITION RELAY AND I WONDERED IF THIS COULD BE ANOTHER DEFECT WORTH CHECKING INTO. I RECEIVED NO …
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I HAD A TOTAL FAILURE OF THE CLUSTER THAT OPERATES ALL THE GAUGES. SPEEDOMETER, FUEL,RPM, ETS AND TEMPERATURE. I HAD TO HAVE IT REPLACED WITH A USED CLUSTER AS I COULD NOT AFFORD A NEW ONE. I JUST RECENTLY LEARNED OF A RECALL OF THE IGNITION RELAY AND I WONDERED IF THIS COULD BE ANOTHER DEFECT WORTH CHECKING INTO. I RECEIVED NO NOTIFICATION OF THE IGNITION RECALL, I JUST HEARD ABOUT IT ON THE NEWS. SO I THOUGHT THIS COULD BE A RECALL THAT I HAD NOT HEARD ABOUT.*AK
NHTSA ODI #763630
Mileage unknown · Jun 21, 2002
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
CONSUMER HAS ABS BRAKE PROBLEMS FOR THREE MONTHS. REAR BRAKE DRUMS WERE TURNED, AND THREE SETS OF BRAKES SHOES WERE REPLACED. VEHICLE HA BEEN IN A TOTAL OF THREE TIMES. WHEELS LOCKED UP AT THE SLIGHTEST TOUCH OF BRAKE PRESSURE OR WHEN BRAKES OVERHEATED. DEALER WAS NOTIFIED. PLEASE PROVIDE MORE INFORMATION.*AK
NHTSA ODI #8012429
Mileage unknown · Jun 11, 2002
Electrical System
NHTSA ECALL 02 V 070 000/MANUFACTURER'S RECALL 02008 CONCERNING IGNITION SWITCH. DEALER: HUBERT MOTORS, LONGMONT CO; PHONE# 303/776-2650 UNABLE TO HONOR RECALL BECAUSE NO PARTS WERE AVAILABLE. PLEASE FILL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFROMATION AND PLEASE FILL IN THE VEHICLE MILEAGE.*AK
NHTSA ODI #8011455
Mileage unknown · Jun 4, 2002
Electrical SystemFire
I MAILED YOU A LETTER-NO RESPONCE. RSVP!!!!NO SAFETY DEFECT LISTED. *AK
NHTSA ODI #762644
Mileage unknown · Jun 3, 2002
Electrical System
RECALL 02 V 070 000 ELICTRICAL SYSTEM; IGNITION; SWITCH. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN IN FOR RECALL TO HAVE A RELAY SWITCH INSTALLED. AFTER SWITCH WAS INSTATLLED, QUARTER OF A MILE DOWN THE ROAD ENGINE CHECK LIGHT ILLUMINATED, INDICATING A BURNED SMELL. TOOK BACK TO DEALER. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK
NHTSA ODI #8010896
Mileage unknown · May 22, 2002
Electrical System
NHTSA RECALL 02 V 070 000/MANUFACTURER'S RECALL 02008 CONCERNING IGNITION SWITCH: DEALER: SUNRISE PONTIAC, BARTLETT, TN ; PHONE# 901//333-8000, WAS NOT ABLE TO HONOR RECALL BECAUSE NO PARTS WERE AVAILABLE. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK
NHTSA ODI #8010289
Mileage unknown · May 20, 2002
Power TrainService Brakes, HydraulicVisibility
WHEN APPLYING BRAKES THERE WOULD BE A POPPING NOISE PRESENT, AND BRAKES WOULD LOCK UP. THIS WOULD CAUSE THE VEHICLE TO DRIFT TO THE RIGHT INTO ANOTHER LANE. ALSO LEFT REAR AND RIGHT FRONT WINDOW WAS INOPARTIVE, ALSO THE TRANSMISSION WAS SLIPPING.*JB
NHTSA ODI #8010091
Mileage unknown · May 15, 2002
Electrical System
WHEN CONSUMER TURNS VEHICLE ON THERE IS SHORT WHEN SHE TAKES KEY OUT OF THE IGNITION VEHICLE IS STILL RUNNING. DEALERSHIP IS AWARE OF PROBLEM.*AK
NHTSA ODI #8009949
Mileage unknown · May 15, 2002
Electrical System
IT'S RECALL PROBLEM ,I GOT ARECALL LETTER FROM GENERAL MOTORS AND I WENT TO THE DEALER 3 TIMES; THE FIRST ONE THE SERVICE ADVISOR SAID THAT THEY ARE ALL BUSY THEY CAN'T DO IT ,THE SECOND TIME THE SAME AND HE TOLD ME TO COME EARLY SO I WENT AT 8 AM TODAY AND THEY SAID YOU SHOULD LEAVE FOR FEW DAYS AND NEXT TIME SHOULD COME E…
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IT'S RECALL PROBLEM ,I GOT ARECALL LETTER FROM GENERAL MOTORS AND I WENT TO THE DEALER 3 TIMES; THE FIRST ONE THE SERVICE ADVISOR SAID THAT THEY ARE ALL BUSY THEY CAN'T DO IT ,THE SECOND TIME THE SAME AND HE TOLD ME TO COME EARLY SO I WENT AT 8 AM TODAY AND THEY SAID YOU SHOULD LEAVE FOR FEW DAYS AND NEXT TIME SHOULD COME EARLY ,EARLY THAN 8 AM!!!!!!!!! COME ON , I CAN'T LEAVE MY CAR FOR FEW DAYS THEN I CALLED THE 1800 FOR PONTIAC BUT THEY COULD NOT , A FIRE CAN ACCUR ANY TIME IN THE STEERING COLUM ,CAN YOU HELP?*AK
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.
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
2
RQ03001 · 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.
1997 Pontiac Grand Am Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year
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