no report yet
Ignition: switch
Risk. IF THE SWITCH IS DAMAGED, A FIRE COULD OCCUR IN THE STEERING COLUMN, EVEN WITH THE ENGINE OFF AND THE KEY REMOVED.
1997 Pontiac Grand AMProblems, recalls & complaints
NHTSA has logged 383 owner complaints about the 1997 Pontiac Grand AM, most often about the electrical system. It is covered by 2 safety recalls.
Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through June 4, 2020. Updated daily.
Complaints by system
Where the 1997 Pontiac Grand AM has problems
383 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.
105Electrical system11 crash/fire/injury
83Engine and engine cooling4 crash/fire/injury
69Service brakes, hydraulic7 crash/fire/injury
41Air bags29 crash/fire/injury
36Vehicle speed control1 crash/fire/injury
34Visibility3 crash/fire/injury
26Suspension
22Power train
21Steering
9912 other systems15 crash/fire/injury
| System | Complaints | Crash, fire or injury |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical system | 105 | 11 |
| Engine and engine cooling | 83 | 4 |
| Service brakes, hydraulic | 69 | 7 |
| Air bags | 41 | 29 |
| Vehicle speed control | 36 | 1 |
| Visibility | 34 | 3 |
| Suspension | 26 | 3 |
| Power train | 22 | 2 |
| Steering | 21 | 2 |
| 12 other systems | 99 | 15 |
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.
2 recalls
1997 Pontiac Grand AM recalls and how many were fixed
Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
no report yet
Wiring: front underhood
Risk. THIS HIGH CURRENT FLOW CAN CAUSE ARCING AND RESULT IN AN UNDERHOOD FIRE.
Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with Pontiac.
Mileage at failure
When do electrical system problems start?
96kmiles, median
Based on the odometer reading in 22 electrical system complaints. 45% were reported before 100,000 miles.
Only 17% of complaints for this model year include a mileage.
2under 30k miles10under 100k miles12100k miles or more
Owner-reported costs
What owners say repairs cost
Dollar amounts owners wrote in their complaints when describing a repair or a quote. These are not price estimates; a system is shown only when at least 8 owners mentioned a cost.
Engine and engine cooling
8 owners mentioned a cost$2,500median
Middle half: $1,118 – $3,375
If a problem is covered by a recall, the dealer fixes it for free. Some manufacturers also reimburse owners who paid for a repair before a recall was announced.
Best & worst years
1997 vs. every other Grand AM year
Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the Grand AM median. How we score
'73'75'78'83'85'86'87'88'89'90'91'92'93'94'95'96'97'98'99'00'01'02'03'04'05
- Avoid
- Caution
- Solid
- Best
- Not rated
NHTSA crash tests
1997 Pontiac Grand AM safety ratings
1997 Pontiac Grand Am 4-DR. in NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program. Photos are from NHTSA's crash tests.
Frontal crashNot rated
Side barrierNot rated
- Stability control: No
- Forward collision warning: No
- Lane departure warning: No
2 investigations
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal investigations that included the 1997 Pontiac Grand AM, and the recalls they led to.
- POWER RACK AND PINION STEERING FAILURENo recall
- OVERSENSITIVE AIR BAG DEPLOYMENTSLed to recall 98V-146
In owners' words
What Grand AM owners report
Recent electrical system complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.
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
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
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
Own a 1997 Grand AM?
Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.