Model year record

1997 Pontiac Grand AM recalls & problems

The 1997 Pontiac Grand AM has 4 safety recalls and 383 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is electrical system (123 complaints).

Recalls4safety recalls

Complaints383filed by owners

Crashes · fires32 · 12reported in complaints

Injuries · deaths36 · 3reported in complaints

1997 Pontiac Grand AM in an NHTSA crash test — NHTSA crash test

Safety recalls

Fuel system, otherMar 12, 2007

Storage › Tank assembly › Pressure relief devices

Recall 07E021000742 vehicles

Problem: 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.
Risk: FUEL MAY LEAK, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A FIRE.
Fix: 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.

Fuel system, gasolineFeb 26, 2007

Delivery › Fuel pump

Recall 07E0150003,124 vehicles

Problem: 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.
Risk: A STALLED VEHICLE CAN INCREASE THE RISK OF A VEHICLE CRASH. A FUEL LEAK CAN RESULT IN A FIRE.
Fix: 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.

Electrical systemMar 6, 2002

Ignition › Switch

Recall 02V0700001,589,948 vehiclesopened after NHTSA action (ODI)

Problem: 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.
Risk: IF THE SWITCH IS DAMAGED, A FIRE COULD OCCUR IN THE STEERING COLUMN, EVEN WITH THE ENGINE OFF AND THE KEY REMOVED.
Fix: 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.

Electrical systemApr 8, 1997

Wiring › Front underhood

Recall 97V0590003,464 vehicles

Problem: 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.
Risk: THIS HIGH CURRENT FLOW CAN CAUSE ARCING AND RESULT IN AN UNDERHOOD FIRE.
Fix: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THESE VEHICLES FOR THE PRESENCE OF THE PROTECTIVE COVER AND, IF NECESSARY, INSTALL A PROTECTIVE COVER TO THE UNDERHOOD FUSE CENTER.

Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. A recall listed here may already have been fixed on a particular car: enter its 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls.

Crash test ratings

1997 Pontiac Grand Am 4-DR.

OverallNot Rated

Frontal crash	Not Rated
Side crash	Not Rated
Rollover	Not Rated

1997 Pontiac Grand Am 2-DR.

OverallNot Rated

Frontal crash	Not Rated
Side crash	Not Rated
Rollover	Not Rated

1997 Pontiac Grand AM NHTSA side crash test — NHTSA side barrier crash test

1997 Pontiac Grand AM NHTSA side pole crash test — NHTSA side pole crash test

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (New Car Assessment Program). Ratings are comparable only between vehicles of similar size and weight, and ratings from 2011 on use tougher tests than earlier years. Photos: NHTSA.

Fuel economy

Grand Am

23mpg combined

City / highway	19 / 29 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

2.4 L · 4 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $2,900/year to fuel

Grand Am

23mpg combined

City / highway	20 / 30 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

2.4 L · 4 cyl · Manual 5-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $2,900/year to fuel

Grand Am

21mpg combined

City / highway	18 / 27 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

3.1 L · 6 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $3,200/year to fuel

EPA estimates from fueleconomy.gov for each engine and transmission sold. Annual cost is the EPA's estimate for 15,000 miles a year at its current fuel and electricity price assumptions. Your results will vary.

What owners report

Problem area	Complaints	Crashes	Fires	Injuries	Typical mileage*
Electrical systemIgnition › Switch; Ignition	123	3	8	2	96,357 mi
Engine and engine coolingEngine › Gasoline; Engine	91	2	1	1	92,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulicAntilock/traction control/electronic limited slip; Foundation components	81	3	2	4	95,000 mi
Air bagsFrontal; Side/window	41	19	0	23	111,876 mi
Vehicle speed controlLinkages; Cruise control	37	0	0	1	—
VisibilityPower window devices and controls; Glass, side/rear	36	0	1	2	85,000 mi
SuspensionFront; Rear	28	3	0	2	50,000 mi
Power trainAutomatic transmission; Clutch assembly › Pedal/hand lever(motorcycle)	23	2	0	1	78,250 mi
SteeringRack and pinion; Column locking › Anti-theft device	22	2	0	0	113,000 mi
Fuel system, gasolineFuel injection system; Carburetor system	21	0	0	1	104,000 mi
EquipmentAppliance › Air conditioner; Electrical › Radio/tape deck/cd etc.	16	0	1	1	79,500 mi
Unknown or other	13	2	0	3	—

*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.

Recent owner complaints

Electrical system
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
May 20, 2020 · 178,000 miles
Steering
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.
Apr 14, 2016
Electrical system
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
Nov 14, 2011 · 165,000 miles
Electrical system › Instrument cluster/panel
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
Dec 12, 2010 · 90,000 miles
Steering
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
Oct 4, 2013 · 223,027 miles
Fuel system, gasoline
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.
Jul 11, 2011 · 76,000 miles
Tires
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
Jun 18, 2011 · 118,653 miles
Fuel system, gasoline
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 PONTIAC GRAND AM GT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE EXHIBITED A STRONG FUEL ODOR. THE FUEL CAP WAS REPLACED BUT THE ODOR PERSISTED WITH THE ILLUMINATION OF THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED AN EVAPORATION LEAK CODE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND WOULD NOT ASSIST WITH THE REPAIR DUE TO THE AGE OF THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 95,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 126,000.
May 1, 2008 · 95,000 miles

Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.

NHTSA defect investigations

POWER RACK AND PINION STEERING FAILUREClosed
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…
RQ03001 · opened Jan 2, 2003 · closed Sep 15, 2003
OVERSENSITIVE AIR BAG DEPLOYMENTSOpenLed to recall 98V146000
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…
RQ98013 · opened Aug 26, 1998