1997 Pontiac Grand AM Problems

What owners report

Owners of this model year most often describe electrical trouble centered on the ignition switch, the anti-theft (Passlock) system and wiring, along with coolant loss and overheating traced to the intake manifold gasket and water pump. Power window motors, unexpected airbag deployments and transmission shifting problems also appear repeatedly, and most reports arrive well past 80,000 miles, though cooling and window complaints show up much earlier.

1. 1
   Electrical system

   Ignition switch and Passlock starting/run problems

   • 57 complaints (15%)
   • median 110,000 mi at 9.6 yrs old (17 state mileage)
   • 8 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 1998–2020

   Complaints describe keys that stick in the ignition, will not turn to the off position, or a car that keeps running after shutoff; some report the key coming out while driving. Others describe the Passlock anti-theft system cutting the engine or blocking a restart, sometimes requiring the key to sit in the on position before the car will crank. Several owners mention melted or burned ignition switch wiring, smoke from the steering column, and repeat switch replacements; dealers often declined free repair because the VIN was not covered by the ignition switch campaign. Mostly reported between roughly 60,000 and 180,000 miles, often after the car had been in use for several years.

   Recall 02V070000Recall 97V059000

   What to check: Ask whether the ignition switch campaign work was ever performed and whether the car qualifies by VIN, and test the key through all positions with the engine running. Check the switch and column area for melted plastic, scorching or a burning smell.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “I have had several problems with my 1997 Grand Am gt since purchasing it. I have replaced the ignition switch three times in one year, the service costs are $900.00 in total. I can't understand how the same thing keeps breaking every 3 months. My windows get stuck and don't want to roll up, it has power windows. I was rear ended in 2003, but other than that, no damage done to my car. What can I do? Just keep replacing ignition switches every 3 months? I have gotten written up at work for my car not starting. I do not have triple a.”

   NHTSA complaint #10237169, filed 2008-08, 160,000 miles

   “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.”

   NHTSA complaint #10551164, filed 2013-11, 223,027 miles
2. 2
   Engine cooling

   Coolant loss and overheating (intake gasket, water pump)

   • 36 complaints (9%)
   • median 69,500 mi at 7.6 yrs old (16 state mileage)
   • 3 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • owner-quoted repair $2,500 (median of 5 quotes)
   • filed 1998–2009

   Complaints describe coolant that keeps disappearing from the reservoir, a sweet antifreeze smell, and green fluid pooling on the floors or under the carpets from a leaking heater core. Owners report the intake manifold gasket being replaced, sometimes more than once, and coolant mixing with the oil. Others describe overheating with the temperature gauge in the red, followed by engine damage, and several mention water pump replacement as well. Reported from about 35,000 miles upward, with many cases between 50,000 and 130,000 miles.

   1 related service bulletin

   What to check: Check the coolant level and its condition before and after a test drive, look for residue around the intake manifold and water pump, and inspect the oil for a milky tint or coolant smell. Check the passenger floor area and carpets for dampness.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “I was driving to work one day and the engine started to make a funny noise, and when I shut it off. Took it to the mechanic , they told me it was the connecting rod. I will have to replace the engine because it is cheaper to put an engine in rather then rebuild the one I have. The engine is still in the car because I haven't got enough money to replace it.”

   NHTSA complaint #10113919, filed 2005-03, 96,997 miles

   “My 1997 Pontiac Grand Am is leaking coolant into the oil. I first noticed this problem at around 40000 miles. I would periodically have to add coolant to the vehicle because it was low. I thought it was normal. Now the problem is really bad, to the point that I do not drive the car now with 80000 miles.”

   NHTSA complaint #10010197, filed 2003-03, 40,000 miles
3. 3
   Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)

   Power windows slow or not moving (window motors)

   • 27 complaints (7%)
   • median 85,000 mi at 7.0 yrs old (11 state mileage)
   • 2 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 1998–2008

   Owners describe front windows that move slowly or need repeated short presses to close, and rear windows that stop working entirely. Complaints repeatedly attribute this to failed window motors, with several owners replacing motors more than once on the same car. Some report the dealer was notified but the problem was not resolved. Reported from about 32,000 miles upward, with many cases between 45,000 and 100,000 miles.

   What to check: Run every window up and down from both the driver's master switch and each door switch, and time how slowly they move. Ask whether any window motors or regulators have already been replaced.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “The motors on the windows go out around 97k miles. My drivers window went out a month ago. My right, front window is about to go out, and my back right window went out today. Obviously, there is a problem with faulty window motors with this model. The total cost out of my pocket for this incident is about $1000 included with a lot of frustration!”

   NHTSA complaint #10069089, filed 2004-01, 97,000 miles

   “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.”

   NHTSA complaint #10154312, filed 2006-03, 85,000 miles
4. 4
   Air bags

   Airbags deploying unexpectedly or module water damage

   • 42 complaints (11%)
   • median 111,876 mi at 7.3 yrs old (12 state mileage)
   • 30 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 1997–2010

   Complaints describe front airbags deploying with no collision, sometimes while the car was moving slowly, parked, or after hitting a pothole, with injuries and airbag powder reported in some cases. Several owners link trouble to water reaching the airbag control module under the passenger seat, either from a body seam leak or flooding, which sets the airbag light and in some accounts precedes deployment. A separate report describes airbags that did not deploy in a collision with a deer. Reported from about 49,000 to 190,000 miles, and in some accounts after water had entered the cabin.

   What to check: Check that the airbag warning light comes on with the key and then goes out, inspect the floors and carpets for water staining or rust, and ask whether the airbag control module has ever been replaced.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Air bag control module became saturated by water causing it to fail. I replaced it at my own expense but I now understand this problem is known by GM.”

   NHTSA complaint #10043040, filed 2003-10, 150,000 miles

   “Both front airbags deployed approximately ten minutes apart. There was no accident or any warning of possible car problems before or after airbags deployed. Passenger side deployed around 7:30 while car was in motion and drivers side deployed around 7:40 while pulling out of a business parking lot.”

   NHTSA complaint #10050882, filed 2003-12, 47,113 miles
5. 5
   Transmission and drivetrain

   Transmission slipping or dropping out of gear

   • 16 complaints (4%)
   • median 95,550 mi at 5.8 yrs old (7 state mileage, few)
   • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 1997–2006

   Owners describe the transmission slipping badly between second and third gear, a hard 1-2 shift, and in some cases the car shifting out of drive into neutral while at highway speed. Complaints reference control valve body wear and diagnostic codes tied to the transmission, and describe quotes for replacement or valve body repair. One owner reported a dealer declining to honor a service bulletin notice. Mostly reported between roughly 80,000 and 97,000 miles, with one account of a hard shift present for many thousands of miles.

   What to check: Drive the car through all gears and feel for slipping, delayed or harsh shifts, and check the transmission fluid level and color. Ask whether the valve body or transmission has been serviced or replaced and whether any transmission codes were stored.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “The car has a hard start between 1st and 2nd gear that has happened for the past 60k and no one able to diagnose problem. The car is now at 96k and the check engine light came on indicating a p1870 code which triggers the light and is caused by a worn tcc apply valve on the 4t60e GM transmissions. Have heard from several other individuals that they are experiencing the same problems on their 1997 4t60e transmissions. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10000315, filed 2002-12, 96,498 miles

   “Transmission shifts out of drive to neutral gear. I found a technical service bulletin #677164 which the dealer said was not a recall notice and would not honor it. The notice states to repair the control valve body assembly. The power loss resulted in a reeve of the engine at 70 miles per hour on interstate 10 in arizona and also while driving locally off highway 101 at 65 miles per hour. The car gears shifted out of drive into neutral gear. This needs to be recalled before it causes injury. Ts”

   NHTSA complaint #10000318, filed 2002-12, 95,550 miles

Buying note. Because the reported problems concentrate in the ignition and anti-theft electrical system, the cooling system and the transmission, a pre-purchase inspection that checks these three areas is worth the cost. Confirm by VIN whether the ignition switch campaign was completed, and check coolant, oil and floor areas for leaks before agreeing on a price.

Summary written with AI from a sample of 60 NHTSA complaints for this model year (picked at random, with complaints that state a mileage and recent ones taken first), then checked automatically against the source records. Where a problem shows a complaint count, every complaint for this model year was matched with fixed keyword rules (written with AI and tested against the sample), and the mileage, age and repair figures are calculated from those complaints; owners' figures are as stated, not verified. Other counts refer to the sample. The excerpts come from NHTSA's public complaint records and are unverified; capitalisation is normalised, NHTSA staff notes are removed, and shortened text ends with “…”. Something wrong? Request a correction.