1997 Pontiac Grand AM
This year had 30% to 100% more complaints than this model's typical year.
This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.
COMPLAINTS PER YEAR
View as data table
| Year | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 1980 | 0 |
| 1981 | 0 |
| 1983 | 1 |
| 1984 | 0 |
| 1985 | 4 |
| 1986 | 11 |
| 1987 | 28 |
| 1988 | 33 |
| 1989 | 44 |
| 1990 | 39 |
| 1991 | 82 |
| 1992 | 168 |
| 1993 | 206 |
| 1994 | 384 |
| 1995 | 409 |
| 1996 | 450 |
| 1997 | 383 |
| 1998 | 172 |
| 1999 | 849 |
| 2000 | 675 |
| 2001 | 538 |
| 2002 | 395 |
| 2003 | 325 |
| 2004 | 293 |
| 2005 | 102 |
KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS
Percentages can add to more than 100% -- a complaint can name more than one system.
32% of complaints: electrical system — 121 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing switch and ignition.
CRASH FIRE INJURYShow complaint excerpts
IGNITION FIRE--INSERTED KEY INTO IGNITION SLOT AND THERE WAS A TERRIBLE SMELL OF INSULATION & SOMETHING LIKE GUNPOWDER--THE CAR'S ELECTRIC SYSTEM WAS AFFECTED---RECENTLY WATCHED TV & HEARD THAT PONTIAC RECALLS GRAND AM '97 BECAUSE OF PROBLEMS W/...
NHTSA ODI report, 20021022
IN AUGUST 2002, WE RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FROM PONTIAC SAYING THE IGNITION CIRCUIT THERMAL EVENTS ON OUR PONTIAC WAS A PROBLEM WHICH COULD CAUSE SPEARKS OR A FIRE AND WE SHOULD TAKE THE VEHICLE TO OUR LOCAL DEALER.
NHTSA ODI report, 20021022
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
NHTSA ODI report, 20200604
23% of complaints: engine and engine cooling — 89 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing gasoline and engine.
CRASH FIRE INJURY21% of complaints: service brakes — 80 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing hydraulic and air.
CRASH FIRE INJURY11% of complaints: air bags — 41 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing frontal and side/window.
CRASH INJURY DEATHShow complaint excerpts
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.
NHTSA ODI report, 20020912
GOING 45-50MPH ON DRY ROAD WHEN VEHICLE HIT GRAVEL, STARTED SWERVING LEFT/RIGHT; HAD NO CONTROL; APPLIED ABS BRAKES TO STOP SWERVING; WENT DOWN AN EMBANKMENT & HIT TREE; AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. VEHICLE ROLLED 2 TIMES 7 LANDED ON ROOF.
NHTSA ODI report, 19970930
WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH AND APPLYING THE ABS BRAKES ON NORMAL ROAD CONDITIONS THE PEDAL TRAVELED TO THE FLOOR, CAUSING EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE WHICH RESULTED IN A REAR END COLLISION.
NHTSA ODI report, 19970902
Also filed under SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
10% of complaints: vehicle speed control — 37 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing linkages and cruise control.
INJURYSAFETY TIMELINE
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 T
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.
Campaign 97V059000 — check if this car was fixed
OVERSENSITIVE AIR BAG DEPLOYMENTS
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 P
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
Campaign 02V070000 — check if this car was fixed
POWER RACK AND PINION STEERING FAILURE
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 REVERS
Remedy: 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.
Campaign 07E015000 — check if this car was fixed
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 UNI
Remedy: 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.
Campaign 07E021000 — check if this car was fixed
BUY-SMART CHECKLIST
1997 Pontiac Grand AM — pre-purchase inspection
- Test/inspect for electrical system issues (121 reports on file for this year).
- Test/inspect for engine and engine cooling issues (89 reports on file for this year).
- Test/inspect for service brakes issues (80 reports on file for this year).
- Verify recall 97V059000 (electrical system) has been completed.
- Verify recall 02V070000 (electrical system) has been completed.
- Verify recall 07E015000 (fuel system, gasoline) has been completed.
- Verify recall 07E021000 (fuel system, other) has been completed.
OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL
BEST YEARS
WORST YEARS
FAQ
Is the 1997 Pontiac Grand AM reliable?
Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 1997 Pontiac Grand AM is rated "worse than typical".
What are the most common problems with the 1997 Pontiac Grand AM?
The most-reported component is electrical system, accounting for 32% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 1997 Pontiac Grand AM have?
4 recalls on file for this model year.
Data updated 2026-09-01 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.