1997 Pontiac Grand AM Brakes Problems
- Complaints
- 71about this part
- Share
- 19%of 383 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 90,000miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 71 complaints about the brakes of the 1997 Pontiac Grand AM, 19% of the 383 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 90,000 miles. 3 of these say a crash was involved and 2 a fire, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“1) front ABS began to pulsate as if the vehicle were in a skid however this happened during normal driving and braking when attempting to stop. 2) ABS wiring harness was faulty due to wear and tear from turning the wheel 3) had to replace both front right and left ABS wiring harnesses this braking system is faulty and can lead to serious braking issues.”
NHTSA complaint #10210701, filed 2007-12, 180,000 miles“When you run the air, the car stalls and won't start anywhere from one hour to three or four possibly the next day. The horn works sometimes, the raidio works sometimes as does the dispay, the volume goes up and down. The fuel systems shuts down along with the car when the air is running. The power window quit working in april, I replaced the one of the passenger side only to have the one on the driver side to stop working. The brakes went out with no warning. Anytime the car has any problems no lights come on to warn you it will just stop working. …”
NHTSA complaint #10070666, filed 2004-01, 85,000 miles“The key gets stuck in the ignition and auxillary lights remain on. The locksmith attempts to fix it and I have to keep having him come out; looks like a replacement core is needed, thee is not a cheap way outof this. The bake pads wear down very quickly. It seems that a bolt on the caliper is not even with the opposite bolt, it's very slight but it's the same on both calipers and seems to cause pads to wear unevenly and often. It is probably cheaper for GM to have cosumers replace pads and rotors often than to retool the machinery to fix all those bolts.”
NHTSA complaint #10082726, filed 2004-07, 121,000 miles“Car tries to die as attempting to take off in a intersection or from a stop. I've had in the shop 3 times and never has been fixed. Parking brake doesn't engage unless pulled to last click. All of the rotors and brake pads have been replaced. Power steering pump. And oil pump repaced. Service person at bob howard told me my car wou.is car since purchase. I'm planning on taking it back for its 4th time. Please help.”
NHTSA complaint #707148, filed 1999-06“1997 Pontiac Grand Am has multiple brake problems I have replaced calipers and rotors and pads within 2 to 3 weeks the brakes start clunking and the stopping distance time is decreased.I have contacted the main Pontiac company with no positive results.”
NHTSA complaint #737666, filed 2000-12Related service bulletins
- 10208027Jan 14, 2022This Preliminary Information communicates to the dealer the process for downloading or updating operating software for the Tire Pressure Monitor, Active Fuel Injector tester…
- 10023171Oct 31, 2007Abs pump running when not needed.
Brakes: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2005 | 2 | 2% |
| 2004 | 19 | 6% |
| 2003 | 19 | 6% |
| 2002 | 40 | 10% |
| 2001 | 68 | 13% |
| 2000 | 129 | 19% |
| 1999 | 219 | 26% |
| 1998 | 38 | 22% |
| 1997 | 71 | 19% |
| 1996 | 64 | 14% |
| 1995 | 77 | 19% |
| 1994 | 65 | 17% |
| 1993 | 48 | 24% |
| 1992 | 34 | 20% |
| 1991 | 11 | 13% |
| 1990 | 3 | 8% |
| 1989 | 3 | 7% |
| 1987 | 1 | 4% |
Other parts of the 1997 Pontiac Grand AM
105 complaintsEngine cooling
83 complaintsAir bags
41 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 Oct 31, 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