repaired · 2017 Q3
Engine and engine cooling: engine
Risk. Engine oil that drips onto the hot surface of the exhaust manifold may result in a fire.
1997 Pontiac Grand PrixProblems, recalls & complaints
NHTSA has logged 810 owner complaints about the 1997 Pontiac Grand Prix, most often about the steering. It is covered by 5 safety recalls, and for recall 15V-701 the manufacturer reports only 26% of affected cars repaired.
Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through February 10, 2021. Updated daily.
Complaints by system
Where the 1997 Pontiac Grand Prix has problems
810 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.
216Steering19 crash/fire/injury
149Exterior lighting2 crash/fire/injury
136Engine and engine cooling59 crash/fire/injury
88Electrical system28 crash/fire/injury
78Visibility2 crash/fire/injury
56Air bags
45Engine
42Service brakes, hydraulic
32Power train
14216 other systems12 crash/fire/injury
| System | Complaints | Crash, fire or injury |
|---|---|---|
| Steering | 216 | 19 |
| Exterior lighting | 149 | 2 |
| Engine and engine cooling | 136 | 59 |
| Electrical system | 88 | 28 |
| Visibility | 78 | 2 |
| Air bags | 56 | 17 |
| Engine | 45 | 27 |
| Service brakes, hydraulic | 42 | 6 |
| Power train | 32 | 3 |
| 16 other systems | 142 | 12 |
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.
5 recalls
1997 Pontiac Grand Prix 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
Engine and engine cooling
Risk. IF THE MANIFOLD IS HOT ENOUGH AND THE OIL RUNS BELOW THE HEAT SHIELD, IT MAY IGNITE INTO A SMALL FLAME AND MAY SPREAD TO THE PLASTIC SPARK PLUG WIRE CHANNEL…
no report yet
Engine and engine cooling
Risk. CERTAIN UNDERHOOD FIRES MAY BE CAUSED BY DROPS OF ENGINE OIL, FROM SEEPAGE OR SPILLAGE, BEING DEPOSITED ON THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD THROUGH HARD BRAKING.
no report yet
Steering: rack and pinion
Risk. IF THIS OCCURS, THE PINION SHAFT CAN BE FORCED UPWARD DURING LEFT TURNS AND BACK DOWN AS THE STEERING WHEEL IS MOVED BACK AND TO THE RIGHT.
Show 1 more recall
no report yet
Windshield wiper/washer: linkages
Risk. DRIVER VISIBILITY COULD BE REDUCED, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
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 steering problems start?
86kmiles, median
Based on the odometer reading in 46 steering complaints. 72% were reported before 100,000 miles.
Only 25% of complaints for this model year include a mileage.
3under 30k miles33under 100k miles13100k 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.
Exterior lighting
13 owners mentioned a cost$190median
Middle half: $130 – $226
Steering
13 owners mentioned a cost$1,200median
Middle half: $1,000 – $1,258
If a problem is covered by a recall, the dealer fixes it for free. Some manufacturers also reimburse owners who paid for a repair before a recall was announced.
Best & worst years
1997 vs. every other Grand Prix year
Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the Grand Prix median. How we score
'65'66'70'72'73'74'76'77'78'79'80'81'82'83'84'85'86'87'88'89'90'91'92'93'94'95'96'97'98'99'00'01'02'03'04'05'06'07'08
- Avoid
- Caution
- Solid
- Best
- Not rated
NHTSA crash tests
1997 Pontiac Grand Prix safety ratings
1997 Pontiac Grand Prix 4-DR. in NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program. Photos are from NHTSA's crash tests.
Frontal crashNot rated
- Stability control: No
- Forward collision warning: No
- Lane departure warning: No
7 investigations
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal investigations that included the 1997 Pontiac Grand Prix, and the recalls they led to.
- POWER RACK AND PINION STEERING FAILURELed to recall 02V-286
- ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRESLed to recall 04V-090
- WINDSHIELD WIPERNo recall
- STEERING RACK AND PINIONNo recall
- ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRESNo recall
- WINDSHIELD WIPERNo recall
- OVERSENSITIVE AIR BAG DEPLOYMENTSLed to recall 98V-146
In owners' words
What Grand Prix owners report
Recent steering complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.
NOTE: I HAVE FILED A SAFELY COMPLAINT BEFORE WITH THE NHTSA ABOUT THIS SAFETY ISSUE ON NOV 9, 2020 REFERENCE NUMBER: 11373799. AND NOW DUE TO SAFETY NEGLIGENCE FROM THE INVESTIGATION DEPARTMENT OF THE NHTSA..EXCESSIVE HEAT COMING FROM THE EXTREMELY HOT OIL THAT'S DRIPPING OFF THE EXTREMELY HOT…
FUEL GAGE DOESNT WORK ALWAYS READS FULL- SHOWS OVER FULL WHEN ITS HOT OUT-OIL AND RADIATOR LEAK- FOLLOWED LAST ENGINE RECALL-NEW RADIATOR HOSES ETC 1250$-AIR BAG? I GOT RECALL WORK DONE LAST YEAR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ENGINE RPMS INCREASED EXCESSIVELY ONCE THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED. IN ADDITION, COOLANT WAS LEAKING FROM THE TAIL PIPE AND THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT ENGINE OIL WAS ALSO LEAKING FROM THE VEHICLE. THE…
Own a 1997 Grand Prix?
Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.