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 · Sep 9, 2002
Service Brakes, HydraulicSuspension
FRONT DRIVERS SIDE WHEEL AREA. WHEN BRAKES WERE APPLIED, MADE A THUMPING NOISE. REPLACED DRIVER SIDE LOWER CONTROLL ARM, WAS TOLD IT WAS BAD. 3 OR 4 DAYS AFTER I PICKED UP MY CAR, I NOW HAVE A SINGLE THUMP WHEN I BRAKE AND RELEASE THE BRAKE. THIS NOISE IS SO LOUD AND SCARY SOUNDING THAT I AM ABSOLUTELY AFRAID TO DRIVE THE CAR.…
Read full complaint
FRONT DRIVERS SIDE WHEEL AREA. WHEN BRAKES WERE APPLIED, MADE A THUMPING NOISE. REPLACED DRIVER SIDE LOWER CONTROLL ARM, WAS TOLD IT WAS BAD. 3 OR 4 DAYS AFTER I PICKED UP MY CAR, I NOW HAVE A SINGLE THUMP WHEN I BRAKE AND RELEASE THE BRAKE. THIS NOISE IS SO LOUD AND SCARY SOUNDING THAT I AM ABSOLUTELY AFRAID TO DRIVE THE CAR. IT SOUNDS LIKE MY WHEEL IS READY TO FALL OFF. TAKING THE CAR BACK TO THE SHOP AGAIN TOMORROW. I READ SEVERAL REPORTS ON YOUR WEBSITE REGARDING THIS SAME ISSUE.*AK
NHTSA ODI #766911
Mileage unknown · Aug 21, 2002
Air BagsInjury
CONSUMER STATES AIR BAGS DEPLOYED WITHOUT A CRASH OR COLLISION. CONSUMER'S INSURANCE COMPANY WILL NOT PAY FOR THE DAMAGES INCURRED TO VEHICLE BECAUSE THIS IS A FACTORY DEFECT. CONSUMER HAS A POLICE REPORT AND PHOTOS TAKEN ON THE DAMAGED VEHICLE AND THE MINOR SCRAPES AND BURNS SUSTAINED. CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALERSHIP WHO…
Read full complaint
CONSUMER STATES AIR BAGS DEPLOYED WITHOUT A CRASH OR COLLISION. CONSUMER'S INSURANCE COMPANY WILL NOT PAY FOR THE DAMAGES INCURRED TO VEHICLE BECAUSE THIS IS A FACTORY DEFECT. CONSUMER HAS A POLICE REPORT AND PHOTOS TAKEN ON THE DAMAGED VEHICLE AND THE MINOR SCRAPES AND BURNS SUSTAINED. CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALERSHIP WHO REFUSED TO INSPECT THE VEHICLE AND ADVISED TO CONTACT MANUFACTURER. AFTER FAILING TO INSPECT DAMAGED VEHICLE, MANUFACTURER CONCLUDED THAT DUE TO THE YEAR, MODEL AND MILEAGE OF THE VEHCLE, THAT IT WAS NOT THE MANUFACTURER'S RESPONSIBILITY TO FIX THE DAMAGES. CONSUMER FEELS THIS IS UNJUST AND UNFAIR BECAUSE THERE IS NO RELEVANCE AS TO HOW OLD OR HOW MANY MILES IT HAD ON THE VEHICLE. *TT
NHTSA ODI #567172
Mileage unknown · Aug 19, 2002
Service Brakes, HydraulicFire
WHILE DRIVING DOWN HILL, BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR. CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO PONTIAC AND THEY REPLACED THE FRONT BRAKES PADS. WHILE DRIVING DOWN A HILL, CONSUMER COULD SMELL RUBBER BURNING, IT WAS DIFFICULT TO MAKE A STOP. CONSUMER SAW FIRE NEAR FRONT BRAKES. *AK THIS PROBLEM WAS ASSOCIATED WITH GM'S ORIGINAL PONTIAC FRON…
Read full complaint
WHILE DRIVING DOWN HILL, BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR. CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO PONTIAC AND THEY REPLACED THE FRONT BRAKES PADS. WHILE DRIVING DOWN A HILL, CONSUMER COULD SMELL RUBBER BURNING, IT WAS DIFFICULT TO MAKE A STOP. CONSUMER SAW FIRE NEAR FRONT BRAKES. *AK THIS PROBLEM WAS ASSOCIATED WITH GM'S ORIGINAL PONTIAC FRONT BRAKE HOSE RESTRICTION. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED AND REPAIRED. IT LEAD TO OVERHEATING OF THE BRAKES AND FINALLY BRAKE FAILURE AND FIRE. WHILE IN MOTION THIS COULD HAVE LED TO AN ACCIDENT. *JG
NHTSA ODI #8016666
Mileage unknown · Aug 19, 2002
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
WHEN DRIVING DOWN HILL BRAKE PEDAL GOES TO THE FLOOR. CAUSE UNKNOWN. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK
NHTSA ODI #8016665
Mileage unknown · Aug 16, 2002
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
CONSUMER APPLIED BRAKES AT 10 MPH, NO BRAKING ACTION, PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR. BRAKES WERE APPLIED AGAIN. THIS TIME BRAKES WERE OPERATIONAL. DEALER STATED THAT ABS COMPUTER WAS FAULTY AND HAD TO BE REPLACED.*AK
NHTSA ODI #8016541
Mileage unknown · Aug 9, 2002
Engine And Engine Cooling
CONSUMER TRIED TO START VEHICLE WHICH HAD BEEN PARKED IN THE DRIVEWAY. IT WOULD NOT START. WHEN CONSUMER TRIED TO RESTART THE VEHICLE THERE WAS SMOKE EMITTING FROM THE STEERING COLUMN. CONSUMER DISCONNECTED THE BATTERY FOR SAFETY REASONS. CONSUMER WAS INFORMED THAT THE RECALLED PART WAS INSTALLED AT NO CHARGE, BUT THE DAMAGE…
Read full complaint
CONSUMER TRIED TO START VEHICLE WHICH HAD BEEN PARKED IN THE DRIVEWAY. IT WOULD NOT START. WHEN CONSUMER TRIED TO RESTART THE VEHICLE THERE WAS SMOKE EMITTING FROM THE STEERING COLUMN. CONSUMER DISCONNECTED THE BATTERY FOR SAFETY REASONS. CONSUMER WAS INFORMED THAT THE RECALLED PART WAS INSTALLED AT NO CHARGE, BUT THE DAMAGE CAUSED DUE TO THE FAULTY PART WILL CHARGED. CONSUMER FEELS GM SHOULD REIMBURSE THE MONIES PAID. *JG
NHTSA ODI #567059
Mileage unknown · Aug 8, 2002
Electrical System
VEHICLE WOULD STALL OUT AT MULTIPLE SPEED WHILE DRIVING. VEHICLE BEEN TO DEALER ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS, AND THEY WERE UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK
NHTSA ODI #8015877
Mileage unknown · Aug 8, 2002
Air Bags
DRIVER SIDE AND PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED INCIDENTALLY. THERE WAS NO CRASH OR COLLISION.*AK
NHTSA ODI #765399
Mileage unknown · Aug 2, 2002
Vehicle Speed Control
RECENTLY MY WIFE'S 1997 PONTIAC GRAND AM GT HAS ON TWO SEPARATE OCCASIONS ENGAGED THE CRUISE CONTROL AND WOULD NOT DISENGAGE, EVEN IF YOU BRAKE OR MANUALLY SELECT THE OFF POSITION ON THE CRUISE CONTROL SELECTOR SWITCH.*AK
NHTSA ODI #765083
Mileage unknown · Jul 31, 2002
Electrical System
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM SHORTENED THE ALTERNATOR CAUSING THE LOW BATTERY TO ILLUMINATE, LIGHTS TO BECOME DIM AND VEHICLE TO STALL OUT. MANUFACTURER NOTIFIED. *TT
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
Illustration