1997 Pontiac Grand AM problems
NHTSA has received 600 complaints about the 1997 Pontiac Grand AM, and 20% of them involve electrical system. After that come brakes (14%) and engine (12%).
At a glance
- Complaints
- 600 filed with NHTSA
- Most reported
- Electrical system 21% of complaints
- Crashes and fires
- 43 and 14
- Injuries and deaths
- 49 and 3
- Typical mileage
- 90,000 miles 124 complaints with mileage
Source: NHTSA owner complaints
Where the complaints are
Share of this model year's complaints by the part of the car involved. One complaint can name more than one part, so the shares can add up to more than 100%.
When problems show up
View the numbers
| Mileage | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 0k to 20k miles | 11 |
| 20k to 40k miles | 9 |
| 40k to 60k miles | 13 |
| 60k to 80k miles | 13 |
| 80k to 100k miles | 29 |
| 100k to 120k miles | 17 |
| 120k to 140k miles | 13 |
| 140k to 160k miles | 7 |
| 160k to 180k miles | 6 |
| 180k to 200k miles | 5 |
| 200k+ miles | 1 |
What the data shows
Among the 124 complaints that report mileage, the typical (median) problem appeared at about 90,000 miles. For electrical system specifically, the median reported mileage is about 96,000 miles (24 complaints with mileage).
Safety-related details: 43 complaints mention a crash; 14 complaints mention a fire; 49 injuries reported; 3 deaths reported.
Looking only at complaints filed within five years of the model year (so older and newer years are comparable), the 1997 ranks 5th most-complained-about out of 16 model years of the Pontiac Grand AM with enough data (338 complaints in that window). It is also covered by 2 safety recall campaigns.
What owners wrote
A few complaints as filed, shortened and with personal details removed. The first ones are among the most serious reports for this model year; the rest are typical.
Air bags deployed after there was a crash on july 28, 2000 and the air bags deployed 18 hours after the crash on july 29 2000
Pontiac grand am 1997, fatal accident, air bag did not deploy, on either side. The driver was killed and the passenger was seriously injured.
While starting vehicle, would continue to restart by itself until consumer switched ignition switch to accessories. Started to stop, but sparks and smoke were coming from the steering column, the back of consumers pants were on fire. Dealer and manufacturer were notified.. Consumer stated the igniton was recalled, and consumer suffered 2nd degree burns.
Purchased car new at end of 97 model year. Within first six months returned car six times due to defective sway bar bushings. Problem has never been corrected. Car clunks as it is either turned to the right or left or travels (slowly) over speed bumps. Also have experienced paint peeling from outside mirrors, radio volume control problems, radio/clock display works only part of the time, right front passenger seat mounting broke and slid passenger into dashboard, 2 door sport coupe-both power windows motors have…