1997 Pontiac Grand AM: problems, recalls and reliability
4 recalls and 383 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is electrical system (21% of complaints); the 1998 model year looks more trouble-free.
Data updated weekly · latest recall Mar 2007
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 383 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“The theft warning system keeps the ignition switch from engaging. The car will not start unless the key is in the "on" position for fifteen minutes and resets the system. *tr”Owner report · Electrical System · May 2020
“When trying to start the car the steering locks up and you have to move the steering wheel back and forth for it to catch and finally will start like it keeps locking up. My son bought this car as his first car so no sure how long it has been like this doing this as we purchased from a friend and he did say that something was up with the steering when trying to start.”Owner report · Unknown Or Other · Apr 2016
“The most recent of problems is my steering went out on me while turning in to a parking lot. Had my mechanic look at it and he said it was the rack and pinion seal that caused it to pour out the fluid. I have also had many other problems such as gas leaking even though all lines were replaced. Power steering line replaced due to pin hole leaks, multiple wheel bearings, radiator. Ignition switch, and one of the sensors in the upper back side of the motor somehow came undone and melted the connector and caused a dead short in my car. *tr”Owner report · Steering · Oct 2013
Show 7 more owner reports
“The ignition on this college students 97 pontiac grand am randomly defaults. It will get stuck in on or off position. Car sometimes continues running. Keyes will lock in the ignition and can not be removed. Lights remain on while keys are stuck in ignition. Ignition gets warm. *js”Owner report · Electrical System · Nov 2011
“Tl* the contact owns a 1997 pontiac grand am. The contact started the ignition but the vehicle immediately stalled. The same failure occurred on a separate occasion. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who stated to the contact that the fuel tank pressure relief device would require replacement. The contact referenced NHTSA campaign id number: 07e021000 (fuel system, other: storage: tank assembly: pressure relief devices) but the contact's VIN was not included in the recall. The vehicle had not been repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 76,000.”Owner report · Fuel System, Gasoline · Jul 2011
“I 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”Owner report · Tires · Jun 2011
“I cannot drive car with out speedometer. There was a service bulletin #66-83-04a I feel the dealer should repair this at there cost. It is not safe driving it without being able to see speed. The dealer says it cost 450.00 the vss is working fine. I buy a lot of cars. *tr”Owner report · Electrical System · Dec 2010
“Tl*the contact owns a 1997 pontiac grand am. While traveling 70 mph, both driver and passenger front side airbags had deployed without warning. The vehicle had not been diagnosed or repaired. The current and failure mileages were approximately 189,000. Updated 02/01/118 lj the consumer and her passenger were injured due to the deployment of the airbags. Updated 03/18/11 *jb”Owner report · Air Bags · Aug 2010
“Coolant levels in reserve tank always would drop below minimum levels, and we would continue to add coolant. Last oil change in june 2009 review no problem. November 2009, while son was driving home from college (approximately 80 miles) car began to overheat with temp gauge reading in the red. Had car towed to local shop and reported that coolant had leaked into core, engine destroyed (estimated repair - need new/remanufactured engine $2500-3000). Seems while reviewing this subject online and w/NHTSA web site that this has been a re-occurring problem with 1997 pontiacs 4 and 6 cylinder engines. *tr”Owner report · Engine And Engine Cooling · Nov 2009
“Ignition won't turn to the off position. I have to disconnect the battery so I don't drain it. I have to leave my kids in the hot car while I do this. Or pay $200 that I don't have to get it fixed. I have found many other people that have the same problem. I was told it could be the sensor on the transmission that tells the car its in park. Whatever the problem is it happens to a lot of vehicles. I understand that I have to maintain my car but I don't see why so many people have this problem. *tr”Owner report · Engine And Engine Cooling · Jun 2008
When filing, owners marked a crash in 32 of these complaints and injuries in 36 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 4 campaigns
CERTAIN DELPHI FUEL PRESSURE REGULATORS, P/NOS. FP10020-11B1, FP10026-11B1, AND FP10027-11B1, SOLD AFTER JANUARY 9, 2007, AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. THE UNIVERSAL PRESSURE REGULATORS (UPR) WERE PRODUCED WITHOUT AN O'RING AND RETAINER.
Remedy: DELPHI WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE UPR FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 23, 2007. OWNERS CAN CONTACT DELPHI AT 877-411-8770.
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.
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.
CERTAIN DELPHI AFTERMARKET FUEL PUMP MODULES / MODULE RESERVOIR ASSEMBLIES (MRA) THAT WERE SOLD FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LISTED VEHICLES. DURING PRODUCTION THE MRAS VENT AND FUEL RETURN TUBES WERE REVERSED. THIS CONDITION CAN RESULT IN THE VEHICLE NOT RUNNING CORRECTLY (IDLE ROUGH AND/OR STALL) DUE TO AN OVERLY RICH FUEL BLEND OR THE VEHICLE'S EVAPORATIVE EMISSION CARBON CANISTER MAY LEAK FUEL.
Remedy: DELPHI WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE DEFECTIVE MRAS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MARCH 20, 2007. OWNERS CAN CONTACT DELPHI AT 1-877-335-7443.
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.
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.
How other years compare
Check your exact Grand AM by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 1997 Pontiac Grand AM reliable?
NHTSA has 383 owner complaints and 4 recall campaigns on record for the 1997 Pontiac Grand AM. The most complained-about area is electrical system (21% of complaints).
At what mileage do 1997 Pontiac Grand AM problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 96,024 miles or less.
Does the 1997 Pontiac Grand AM have open recalls?
4 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning fuel system, other:storage:tank assembly:pressure relief devices. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.