Tl*the contact owns a 1997 pontiac grand prix. While the vehicle was parked, the contact turned on the windshield wipers and noticed that the driver side and passenger side did not function. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who stated that the motor crank needed to be replaced. The contact referenced recall 99v348000 (visibility: windshield wiper/washer: linkages) but was informed that the vehicle was not included. The current and failure mileages were unknown.
1997 Pontiac Grand Prix visibility problems
78 complaints (10% of all complaints for this car). Typical mileage when it fails: 95,000. 1 crash reported.
- owner complaints
- 78
- of this car's complaints
- 10%
- typical mileage
- 95,000
- crashes
- 1
- recalls
- 1
Which part fails
- Windshield wiper/washer33
- Power window devices and controls17
- Windshield wiper/washer: linkages8
- Windshield7
- Windshield wiper/washer: motor5
- Defroster/defogger/HVAC system3
- Glass, side/rear2
- Sun/moon roof assembly1
At what mileage
Complaints by mileage at the time of the problem.
0k-25k
25k-50k
50k-75k
75k-100k
100k-125k
125k-150k
150k-175k
175k-200k
200k+
Pontiac Grand Prix visibility problems in other years
Specific symptoms reported on the 1997 Pontiac Grand Prix visibility
Phrases found in the owners' own descriptions, so one complaint can mention several symptoms.
Related recalls
Visibility: windshield wiper/washer: linkages
- What is wrong
- 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.
- Risk
- Driver visibility could be reduced, increasing the risk of a crash.
- 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 replacement crank arm and new water deflector, dealers will also apply additional sealing material to improve water deflection away from the crank arm assembly and will install a reinforcement to improve the performance of the wiper park mechanism.
Recall number 99V348000 · Recall details
Related investigations
Windshield wiper
By letter dated december 12, 1999, gm notified the federal safety agency of its plans to conduct a safety related defect campaign to remedy 155,149 of the subject vehicles.the vehicle population for the campaign includes the 1997 buick regal/century and pontiac gran prix models built during the period from the start of production through may 1, 1997.gm determined that the wipers installed prior to this date could stop working, usually during heavy load conditions, due to separation between the drive pin and the crescent in the wiper crank arm assembly.effective may 1, 1997,gm corrected this problem in production by modifying the drive pin and strengthening the crescent.these same improved parts will be installed in the vehicles to be recalled.the scope of the campaign will include all vehicles produced prior to the may 1, 1997 correction (the oldsmobile intrique production did not start until after may 1, 1997, and is therefore not included).vehicles with the scope of this investigation and produced after may 1, 1997, contain the more robust crescent and improved pin design and are not included in the recall campaign.odi will continue to monitor complaint reports on the vehicles produced after may 1, 1997 and reserves the right to take further action if warranted by the circumstances.based on gm's recall action (odi 99v‑348) this investigation is closed.
EA99024
Windshield wiper
Incidents of wiper failure (owner reports and warranty) are very high, and many of the reports indicate that the failures are still occurring in 1999.
PE99028
What 1997 Pontiac Grand Prix owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
I have a 1997 pontiac grand prix and I just researched the recalls for those models. I see that there was a recall on the windshield wipers and it is for what mine have recently done. The windshield wipers have stopped working and I haven't had my car over 2 years. I just got the car in 2008 and I wanted to know if the recall was on that car and was it ever done. I don't want to get into an accident and they started to not work after we had a big snow storm here in virginia.
When using wipers, wiper would stop working and would stop in the middle of the windshield making it difficult to see when driving in the rain, had to pull over and push wipers down manually because wipers would not go back down to normal position I had to drive with no wipers, almost causing an accident. This was happening for about 7 months now wipers don't want to work at all. Called gm recall number and explained what happened and was told my 1997 grand prix was not on the recall list.
Tl*the contact owns a 1997 pontiac grand prix. The contact stated that when the windshield wipers are turned off they remain directly in the middle of the windshield. The wipers fail to rest at the bottom of the windshield. An independent mechanic installed a new windshield wiper motor, which only temporarily remedied the issue. The failure recurred because the defect was in the linkage, which was attached to the motor. The dealer and manufacturer stated that his VIN was excluded from the federal safety agency campaign id number 99v348000 (visibility:windshield wiper/washer:linkages). The contact would be responsible for the repair costs. The vehicle was not been sufficiently repaired. The current mileage was approximately 158,000 and failure mileage was approximately 157,900.
Tl* - the contact called regarding a 1997 oldsmobile cutlass. The contact stated on february 3, 2007 when she attempted to put the vehicle in reverse she noticed there was no power steering, there were no warning indicators. The current and failure mileage were 99,000. The contact put power steering fluid in the vehicle, and it all leaked out. The vehicle was towed to a mechanic. The contact did not understand what the mechanic said needed to be replaced. The blower for the heater only blew cold air. This has been happening since february2006. She had it repaired. However, in may 2006 it failed again.
Contact states: has a 1997 grand prix, the headlights would flash on/off intermittently; the blower fans would almost always go off, and had no heat or defroster. Had electrical problem fixed. Stated that it turned out it was the ignition switch.
Wiper motor crank arm failed. The dealer informed the consumer the vehicle was not covered under the recall. *bf the consumer learned of a recall notice regarding the windshield wipers, but was never informed. The consumer requested reimbursement after paying for the failed windshield wipers which stopped while driving in heavy rain. *jb the consumer received reimbursement october 13,2004. *nm
When driving in a rain storm windshield wipers failed.
Power windows were replaced on several occasions, and they still fell down. The regulators were replaced. They fell down inside the door. Manufacturer was contacted, there was nothing they could do.
The paint on the rear wheel wells as well as the pain on the running boards all the way back to the rear quarter pannels is rusting out. I found your website and thought that I migh be covered, but apparently I am not and gm said they have changed their plant to oshawa, canada. They also said that they have changed their paint. When I asked what I should do they said that it is pretty much tough luck. And that is about it. Also the coolent return hose in the engine goes every 2 yrs. And at canadian tire it costs. About 375$ to replace.
Questions about the 1997 Pontiac Grand Prix visibility
Does the 1997 Pontiac Grand Prix have visibility problems?
Owners have filed 78 complaints about the visibility of the 1997 Pontiac Grand Prix, 10% of all its complaints.
At what mileage do 1997 Pontiac Grand Prix visibility problems start?
The typical (median) mileage in owner complaints is 95,000 miles.
Was there a recall on the 1997 Pontiac Grand Prix visibility?
Yes, 1 recall: 99V348000. Check your VIN to see if your car still needs the free repair.
What year does the Pontiac Grand Prix have the most visibility problems?
The Pontiac Grand Prix model years with the most visibility complaints are 1997 (78 complaints), 1994 (65 complaints) and 1998 (48 complaints).
Other 1997 Pontiac Grand Prix problems
Steering 216Engine 180Lights 152Electrical 88Airbags 56Brakes 52Transmission 32Suspension 26Body 19Fuel system 18Acceleration 16Seat belts 11Seats 11Locks 9Tires 4
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