1997 Pontiac Grand AM Air bags Problems
- Complaints
- 41about this part
- Share
- 11%of 383 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 111,876miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 41 complaints about the air bags of the 1997 Pontiac Grand AM, 11% of the 383 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 111,876 miles. 19 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“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“While driving 25-35 MPH the consumer's son drove through what was thought to be a puddle, but was actually a pot hole. The drivers side air bag deployed causing abrasions on the driver's arms. The manufacturer and dealer were informed. The dealer found no cause for the air bag deployment.”
NHTSA complaint #10039799, filed 2003-10, 49,183 miles“My son's Grand Am driver's side airbag deployed after the car was driven through a puddle hiding a pot hole. He sustained burns on his right arm and had to stop the car and exit in order to stop coughing from the airbag powder. Pontiac customer service was contacted, informed about the incident, digital pictures taken by the repairing Pontiac dealer were inspected and, based on paint flaking from the underside of the bumper cover and a dent in the crossmember, they concluded this damage caused the airbag to deploy. …”
NHTSA complaint #10070896, filed 2004-01, 49,000 miles“Vehicle collided head-on with a deer while driving about 45 MPH. The deer died on impact and caused extensive front end damage to the vehicle. The driver's side air bag did not deploy.”
NHTSA complaint #10009707, filed 2003-03, 148,000 milesAir bags: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2005 | 10 | 10% |
| 2004 | 21 | 7% |
| 2003 | 20 | 6% |
| 2002 | 19 | 5% |
| 2001 | 14 | 3% |
| 2000 | 31 | 5% |
| 1999 | 76 | 9% |
| 1998 | 13 | 8% |
| 1997 | 41 | 11% |
| 1996 | 104 | 23% |
| 1995 | 46 | 11% |
| 1994 | 38 | 10% |
| 1993 | 1 | 0% |
| 1992 | 1 | 1% |
Other parts of the 1997 Pontiac Grand AM
105 complaintsEngine cooling
83 complaintsBrakes
71 complaintsVehicle speed control
36 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
34 complaintsSuspension
26 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
22 complaintsSteering
21 complaintsFuel system
19 complaintsEquipment
16 complaintsOther or unknown
13 complaintsExterior lighting
12 complaints
← All problems reported for the 1997 Pontiac Grand AM
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Nov 1, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology