1997 Pontiac Grand Prix

■ Significantly worse — known issue year
1997 Pontiac Grand Prix
BUILT 2026-08-02

This year had more than double the complaints of 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.

How is this computed?

COMPLAINTS PER YEAR

Complaints per year, Pontiac Grand Prix Bar chart of distinct NHTSA complaints filed per model year, 1997 highlighted. 1980: 0 complaints 1980 1981: 0 complaints 1982: 0 complaints 1983: 2 complaints 1984: 3 complaints 1984 1985: 3 complaints 1986: 2 complaints 1987: 2 complaints 1988: 88 complaints 1988 1989: 139 complaints 1990: 176 complaints 1991: 172 complaints 1992: 114 complaints 1992 1993: 131 complaints 1994: 213 complaints 1995: 169 complaints 1996: 79 complaints 1996 1997: 810 complaints 1997 1998: 499 complaints 1999: 412 complaints 2000: 461 complaints 2000 2001: 308 complaints 2002: 330 complaints 2003: 106 complaints 2004: 454 complaints 2004 2005: 148 complaints 2006: 239 complaints 2007: 220 complaints 2008: 142 complaints 2008
1997: 810 complaints
View as data table
YearComplaints
19800
19810
19820
19832
19843
19853
19862
19872
198888
1989139
1990176
1991172
1992114
1993131
1994213
1995169
199679
1997810
1998499
1999412
2000461
2001308
2002330
2003106
2004454
2005148
2006239
2007220
2008142

KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS

EXTERIOR LIGHTING 16%

16% of complaints: exterior lighting — 131 distinct reports on file.

STEERING 16%

16% of complaints: steering — 127 distinct reports on file.

CRASH INJURY DEATH
Show complaint excerpts

I HAVE LOCATED THE VEHICLE IN QUESTION. I HADN'T REPORTED ANYTHING BECAUSE THEIR WAS NO RECALL UNTIL 11/06/02. DT

NHTSA ODI report, 20021125

CONSUMER STATES WHILE DRIVING STEERING WHEEL BECAME TIGHT, THEN W/O WARNING THE STEERING WHEEL SNAPPED AND TURNED SHARPLY TO THE LEFT. CONSUMER LOST CONTROL AND RAN OFF THE ROAD. *TS *NLM *DT

NHTSA ODI report, 20021017

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 7%

7% of complaints: engine and engine cooling — 56 distinct reports on file.

FIRE INJURY
Show complaint excerpts

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX. THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN THE DRIVEWAY WHEN IT EXPLODED AND CAUGHT FIRE. THE FIRE WAS UNDERNEATH THE HOOD AND IN THE ENGINE.

NHTSA ODI report, 20120503

MY ENGINE CAUGHT ON FIRE, THE CAR HAD A RECALL 2 YEARS AGO WHICH I OBEYED, THE RECALL WAS TO PREVENT FIRE ON THE ENGINE, BUT EVEN AFTER I ATTENDED THAT RECALL 2 YEARS AGO, MY ENGINE STILL CAUGHT ON FIRE.

NHTSA ODI report, 20120403

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, SMOKE WAS SEEN COMING FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THE TEMPERATURE GAUGES INCREASED AS WELL.

NHTSA ODI report, 20120319

ENGINE 6%

6% of complaints: engine — 45 distinct reports on file.

FIRE INJURY
Show complaint excerpts

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 1997 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN A PARKING LOT, THE DRIVER ATTEMPTED TO START THE VEHICLE AND HEARD A CLICKING NOISE. AFTERWARDS, THICK SMOKE APPEARED UNDER THE HOOD.

NHTSA ODI report, 20190110

WHILE DRIVING MY 1997 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX TO THE TIRE SHOP IT BURST INTO FLAMES. THE FIRE STARTED UNDER THE HOOD AND TOTALLY DAMAGED THE VEHICLE.

NHTSA ODI report, 20180807

VISIBILITY 4%

4% of complaints: visibility — 33 distinct reports on file.

SAFETY TIMELINE

1997 — complaint volume: 810
I 19980826 — RQ (open)

OVERSENSITIVE AIR BAG DEPLOYMENTS

I 19990416 — PE (closed 19990820)

WINDSHIELD WIPER

I 19990820 — EA (closed 20000113)

WINDSHIELD WIPER

R 20000525 — visibility

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS MAY STOP WORKING DUE TO A SEPARATION BETWEEN THE DRIVE PIN AND CRESCENT IN THE CRANK ARM ASSEMBLY.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THESE VEHICLES FOR THE PRESENCE OF A PLASTIC WATER DEFLECTOR AND, IF NECESSARY, REPLACE THE WIPER MOTOR CRANK ARM AND INSTALL A WATER DEFLECTOR. ON VEHICLES RECEIVING A REPLACEME

Campaign 99V348000 — check if this car was fixed

I 20011114 — PE (closed 20020404)

STEERING RACK AND PINION

I 20020404 — EA (closed 20021210)

POWER RACK AND PINION STEERING FAILURE

I 20020613 — PE (closed 20021022)

ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRES

I 20021022 — EA (closed 20040309)

ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRES

R 20030124 — steering

CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES AND MINI VANS HAVE LOWER PINION BEARINGS IN THE POWER RACK AND PINION ASSEMBLY IN WHICH THE RETAINER TABS WERE NOT CRIMPED PROPERLY. THESE AND SOME OTHER RETAINERS USED IN

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NEW LOWER PINION BEARING UNLESS INSPECT OF THE EXISTING BEARING INDICATES THAT REPLACEMENT OF THE GEAR ASSEMBLY IS NECESSARY. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN JANUARY 24, 2003. OWNERS

Campaign 02V286000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20070427 — fuel system, other

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

R 20080428 — engine and engine cooling

GM IS RECALLING 207,542 MY 1997-2003 BUICK REGAL AND PONTIAC GRAND PRIX VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH A 3.8L SUPERCHARGED V-6 ENGINE. THESE VEHICLES HAVE HIGHER FRONT ROCKER COVER GASKET TEMPERATURES, CREAT

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE ENGINE’S FRONT VALVE COVER AND FRONT-VALVE-COVER GASKET WITH NEW PARTS OF AN IMPROVED DESIGN AND REMOVE THE ENGINE’S PLASTIC COVER AND PLASTIC OIL-FILL-TUBE EXTENSION, ALONG

Campaign 08V118000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20090223 — steering

DORMAN IS RECALLING 979 STEERING KNUCKLES, DORMAN P/NOS. 697-902 AND 697-903, SOLD UNDER DORMAN'S "OE SOLUTIONS<SUP>TM</SUP>" BRAND NAME, AND NAPA P/NOS. 7-8502 AND 7-8503 WHICH WERE SOLD FOR REPLACEM

Remedy: DORMAN WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE DEFECTIVE STEERING KNUCKLES FREE OF CHARGE AND REIMBURSE THE REPAIR FACILITY OR OWNER FOR LABOR. THE RECALL BEGAN ON FEBRUARY 23, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT D

Campaign 09E005000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20090409 — engine and engine cooling

GENERAL MOTORS IS RECALLING 1,497,516 MY 1997-2003 BUICK REGAL, MY 1998-2003 CHEVROLET LUMINA, MONTE CARLO AND IMPALA, MY 1998-1999 OLDSMOBILE INTRIGUE, MY 1997-2003 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX VEHICLES EQUIPP

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE ENGINE’S FRONT VALVE COVER AND FRONT-VALVE-COVER GASKET WITH NEW PARTS OF AN IMPROVED DESIGN AND REMOVE THE ENGINE’S PLASTIC COVER AND PLASTIC OIL-FILL-TUBE EXTENSION, FREE

Campaign 09V116000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20090511 — exterior lighting

SABERSPORT IS RECALLING 16,270 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONF

Remedy: SABERSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 11, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SABERSPORT AT 1-909-598-7589.

Campaign 09E012000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20090728 — exterior lighting

DOPE, INC. IS RECALLING 42,540 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONF

Remedy: DOPE, INC. WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 28, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DOPE, INC. AT 1-626-272-1798.

Campaign 09E025000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20160219 — engine and engine cooling

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 1998-1999 Chevrolet Lumina and Oldsmobile Intrigue, 1997-2004 Buick Regal and Pontiac Grand Prix, 2000-2004 Chevrolet Impala, and 1998-2004 Chevrolet Monte Carlo vehicles.

Remedy: The remedy applied under recalls 08V-118, 09V-116, and 15V-201 did not adequately remove the safety risk. Under the improved remedy, dealers will replace the engine’s front valve cover and gasket.

Campaign 15V701000 — check if this car was fixed

BUY-SMART CHECKLIST

1997 Pontiac Grand Prix — pre-purchase inspection

  • Test/inspect for exterior lighting issues (131 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for steering issues (127 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for engine and engine cooling issues (56 reports on file for this year).
  • Verify recall 99V348000 (visibility) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 02V286000 (steering) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 07E021000 (fuel system, other) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 08V118000 (engine and engine cooling) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 09E005000 (steering) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 09V116000 (engine and engine cooling) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 09E012000 (exterior lighting) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 09E025000 (exterior lighting) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 15V701000 (engine and engine cooling) has been completed.

OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL

BEST YEARS

▲ 1996 ▲ 1988 ▲ 2003

WORST YEARS

■ 1998 ■ 2000 ■ 2004

See all years ranked →

FAQ

Is the 1997 Pontiac Grand Prix reliable?

Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 1997 Pontiac Grand Prix is rated "significantly worse".

What are the most common problems with the 1997 Pontiac Grand Prix?

The most-reported component is exterior lighting:headlights, accounting for 16% of complaints on file.

How many recalls does the 1997 Pontiac Grand Prix have?

9 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-07-11 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.