klepZ OwnerReports
Pontiac / Grand AM / 1997

1997 Pontiac Grand AM problems

Owners have filed 600 complaints about the 1997 Pontiac Grand AM with NHTSA. Electrical system accounts for 20.5% of them — narrowly the most common, ahead of engine and engine cooling at 15.2%.

Complaints600
Crashes43
Fires14
Injuries49
Deaths3

What owners report breaking

Electrical system 20.5% · 123
Engine and engine cooling 15.2% · 91
Service brakes, hydraulic 13.5% · 81
Air bags 6.8% · 41
Vehicle speed control 6.2% · 37
Visibility 6.0% · 36
Suspension 4.7% · 28
Power train 3.8% · 23
Severity

Of those complaints, 43 describe a crash, 14 describe a fire, 49 report an injury and 3 report a death.

Reading the numbers

Across the 15 model years of the Pontiac Grand AM in this data, 1997 sits 5th by complaint volume. 1999 draws the most.

Filings are rising — 5 in the last three years against 4 in the three before. For a vehicle this age that usually points to a wear-related failure owners are hitting now.

The median odometer reading at the time of complaint was 90,000 miles.

In owners' own words

The contact owns a 1997 Pontiac Grand AM. The contact noticed smoke inside the vehicle and sparks underneath the hood while the vehicle was parked. The mechanic stated that the wire harness needed to be replaced, but did not make the repair. The manufacturer stated that the vehicle is excluded from recall # 97v059000 (electrical system:wiring:front underhood). The current and failure mileages were 102,715. Electrical system · reported at 102,715 miles
The ignition key continues to get lock or stuck in the ignition. This represents a secondary safety issue in that car has key in the ignition at all times. Battery could drain leaving passengers and drivers stranded in unsafe or unable to react to unsafe situations (criminal pursuers, assailants, etc). Because your car has been drain due to an ignition defect that locks your key in the ignition. Electrical system
The consumer's vehicle experienced the same problem as mentioned in nhtsa recall 02v70000. If the engine fails to start and the driver holds the key in the star position for an extended period, high current flows through the ignition switch, and sometimes produces enough heat to melt internal switch parts. This vehicle was not included in the recall due to vin. *Ak the ignition locked. Electrical system

Verbatim from NHTSA filings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Safety recalls

Checking NHTSA for open recalls…

Other Pontiac Grand AM years

1994 515 complaints · 16.1% electrical system 1995 587 complaints · 25.2% electrical system 1996 672 complaints · 21.4% electrical system 1998 236 complaints · 18.2% service brakes, hydraulic 1999 1,318 complaints · 19.0% service brakes, hydraulic 2000 939 complaints · 19.4% exterior lighting

Compare all 15 model years →