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.
The worst 1997 Pontiac Grand Am problems
Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.
Problems by type
Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.
- Electrical105
- Engine83
- Brakes71
- Airbags41
- Acceleration36
- Visibility34
- Suspension26
- Transmission22
- Steering21
- Fuel system19
- Lights13
- Body11
- Seat belts10
- Tires10
- Seats8
- Wheels5
- Locks4
Specific symptoms reported on the 1997 Pontiac Grand Am
Stalling 19ABS 17Check engine light 16No deployment 12Brake failure 12Headlights 12Won't start 12Grinding brakes 10Overheating 10Sudden acceleration 9Power windows 8Fire or smoke 7Transmission failure 6Ball joint 5Engine failure 5Knocking 5Tire blowout 5
Recalls 2
Electrical system: ignition: switch
- What is wrong
- 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.
- 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 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.
Recall number 02V070000 · Recall details
Electrical system: wiring: front underhood
- What is wrong
- 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.
- 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.
Recall number 97V059000 · Recall details
See all 2 recalls for the 1997 Pontiac Grand Am
Defect investigations
Power rack and pinion steering failure
Gm conducted a safety recall (the federal safety agency # 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 vehicles.thus, odi will further examine the w-cars (1996-1997 oldsmobile cutlass supreme, 1996-1998 buick regal, chevrolet lumina, chevrolet monte carlo, 1997-1998 buick century, and 1998 oldsmobile intrigue) under a new investigation, engineering analysis (ea)03-019.
RQ03001
Oversensitive air bag deployments
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 available information, a safety-related defect trend has not been identified at this time and further use of agency resources does not appear to be warranted.the closing of this investigation does not constitute a finding by the federal safety agency that a safety-related defect dose not exist.the agency reserves the right to take further action if warranted by future circumstances.
RQ98013
Technical service bulletins for the 1997 Pontiac Grand Am 67
Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.
- Fuel system, gasoline
- This informational bulletin provides information for dealers/technicians on Procedures to Unlock Delco...
- Equipment: electrical: anti-theft devices
- This warranty administration bulletin provides information regarding the field action courtesy...
- Equipment
- This warranty administration bulletin provides policy information with the field action courtesy...
- This technical bulletin provides a procedure to reprogram the media disc player with the latest...
- Equipment: electrical: anti-theft devices
- Vehicle Recalls
- This informational bulletin provides the technician with information on what E85 fuel may due to a non E85...
1997 Pontiac Grand Am fuel economy
Official EPA estimates in miles per gallon (MPGe for electric). Ranges cover trims that share the same engine.
| Engine | Drive | City | Highway | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.4L 4‑cyl | FWD | 19-20 | 29-30 | 23 |
| 3.1L 6‑cyl | FWD | 18 | 27 | 21 |
What 1997 Pontiac Grand Am owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 the federal safety agency 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.
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.
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.
Tl*the contact owns a 1997 pontiac grand am. While traveling 70 MPH, both driver and passenger front side airbags had deployed without warning. The vehicle had not been diagnosed or repaired. The current and failure mileages were approximately 189,000. Updated 02/01/118 lj the consumer and her passenger were injured due to the deployment of the airbags. Updated 03/18/11
The passlock anti-theft system in my 1997 pontiac grand am gt is a failed piece of junk that never should have been put into any vehicle. Gm should be responsible for correcting this situation as many, many individuals are spending too much money not having this situation fixed. Most mechanics are at a loss.
Compare the 1997 Pontiac Grand Am
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Questions about the 1997 Pontiac Grand Am
Is the 1997 Pontiac Grand Am reliable?
Owners have filed 383 complaints about the 1997 Pontiac Grand Am, 1.2 times a typical Grand Am model year.
What is the most common problem with the 1997 Pontiac Grand Am?
Electrical system, with 105 complaints, typically around 102,715 miles. Next is engine (83).
How many recalls does the 1997 Pontiac Grand Am have?
2 recalls, covering electrical system.
Was there a recall on the 1997 Pontiac Grand Am electrical?
Yes, 2 recalls: 02V070000, 97V059000. Check your VIN to see if your car still needs the free repair.
What year does the Pontiac Grand Am have the most electrical problems?
The Pontiac Grand Am model years with the most electrical complaints are 2001 (232 complaints), 2002 (148 complaints) and 2004 (140 complaints).
What gas mileage does the 1997 Pontiac Grand Am get?
Official estimates for the 1997 Pontiac Grand Am range from 21 to 23 mpg combined. The most efficient version (2.4L 4-cyl, FWD) gets 19-20 city and 29-30 highway.
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