1997 Pontiac Grand Am body problems

Filed Oct 16, 2008 · Airbags, Body · 150,000 miles · NY

1) firewall body seam leaks water into passenger compartment due to rust through. Fills floors beneath carpets with water. Causes air bag control module (sdm) under passenger's seat to fail due to moisture. Activates "air bar" dash light. Gm has issued a letter related to "flood" cars. It goes beyond floods!!!! This is a defective design & build problem. 2) water enters every time it rains. The air bag control module (sdm) located under the passenger seat (stupid design) has failed due to moisture under the carpeting. "air bag" light is triggered and gm warns that air bag(s) could deploy without warning!!! 3) I have removed the 10a air bag fuse and disconnected both air bags by unplugging wires to the inflators. Gm says the air bag control module (sdm) needs to be replaced at my expense. No thank-you, gm should cover replacement and firewall repairs to prevent recurrence, period. This is the 2nd case of firewall water leakage I have seen on the gm "n" bodied cars. The other was an olds achieva with the exact same problem. I have pictures of the rust out areas from both vehicles. Gm should be made to recall & repair these cars - free of charge to the owners.

Filed Sep 25, 2006 · Body, Electrical · 2,000 miles · PA

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 broken and been replaced. The driver's side window just broke for the second time in two years. Passenger window has also started to act sluggish. Discovered leaky intake manifold gasket. Another expensive repair. Rain leaks into car around window gaskets which also make a hissing sound at speeds over 45 MPH. Car has been driven with care for nine years(odometer=80,000 miles) and has had oil changes, tire rotations, etc. Completed according to schedule. Owner cannot afford additional costly repairs especially since it seems to be going downhill from here. Disgusted with problems as well as with lack of service from several different pontiac dealers. Owner cannot afford to buy a [decent] new car and will have to purchase something used. Make no mistake- it won't be a gm product!

Filed Mar 31, 2006 · Body, Visibility · 85,000 miles · NC

In 2001, driver side window motor does not operate anymore. Replaced it. ($150). In 2003, driver window motor and passenger and rear passenger motor dies once again. Replaced all motors, now they are dead again. Especially when my AC does not work either. In 2004, heater core and water pump broken. Repaired. Now I have a water leak in the driver's floor area which ruined my carpet and that has to be replaced! Another $200. It seems it all evolves around electrical problems.

Filed Dec 12, 2003 · Body · 56,000 miles · VA

Car has been garage kept, waxed at least twice a year. When waxing found paint was peeling on engine hood along the side that goes down into the engine.

Filed Sep 24, 2003 · Airbags, Body · MN

Air bag equipment inadvertently deployed.*mr while driving down the highway, both of passenger side air bags exploded with no apparent reason. As result the dash was completely torn apart, the plastic molding of the cd player had blown off, the driver side door appeared to be sprung, but there was no accident to have cause this explosion and damage. The dealership agreed to fix the air bags and sensors, but nothing more. The consumer is requesting that the vehicle be returned to him in the same state it was before the air bag explosion occured. Please assist in resolving matters.

Filed Dec 30, 1999 · Acceleration, Body · CA

Rear brakes bind during normal stop and go traffic. Upon accelleration the rear of the vehicle squeals and 1 or 2 loud bangs are heard as the brakes release. Dealer was unable to duplicate and unable to detect any brake problems. Vehicles alternator failed without any teltale warning signs, stranding the consumer. 60 days later the battery dies. Engine used to rev to about 1500 RPM while vehicle was stopped and in gear. Replacement of 02 sensor cured problem. Other minor problems include power door lock bumper failure (repaired) and poor design of the driver's sun visor. (it moves the rear-view mirror) when moving visor from windshield to side window. Consumer has already replaced visor once due to cracks at mounting screws.

Filed May 10, 1999 · Acceleration, Body · CA

Vehicle continaully experience high RPM's and acceleration on its own without throttle, replacement of o2 sensors and PCM did not rectify acceleration problems. Mjs

Filed Oct 27, 1998 · Body, Suspension · OK

Driving at 20 MPH the radius arm disconnected from the axel,and tires fell to the right. The front dropped, pushing the fender back. Also, driver's side door ajar.

Filed Oct 20, 1998 · Body, Engine · CA · 1 injury

Passenger seat track/adjuster rod failed, after repair work completed the unit failed again causing passenger to hit windshield during emergency stopping.

Filed May 9, 1998 · Body · NJ

Air conditioner/rear floor leaked.