1997 Pontiac Grand Prix Problems

What owners report

Complaints on this model year concentrate on two themes: steering that loses power assist, often around low-speed turns, and engine-compartment oil leaks that owners describe as producing smoke or fire. Mileage at the time of a complaint varies widely, from under 50,000 to well past 200,000 miles, and several reports describe the leak being noticed only after a fire. Body, lighting and cooling complaints make up the rest, mostly at higher mileage.

1. 1
   Engine

   Engine oil leak onto hot exhaust, smoke or fire

   • 91 complaints (11%)
   • median 162,000 mi at 12.2 yrs old (64 state mileage)
   • 80 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • owner-quoted repair $500 (median of 5 quotes)
   • filed 1998–2021

   Owners describe oil collecting on top of the engine or dripping onto the exhaust manifold, then smoke and, in many reports, flames under the hood — sometimes while parked with the engine off, sometimes minutes after shutting it down. Some say a mechanic traced the leak to the valve cover gaskets or intake gasket; others say the cause was never determined. Several complaints mention that the vehicle had not been repaired, or that a dealer or manufacturer review was pending. Reported from roughly 30,000 miles into the 200,000-mile range, in parked, idling and driving situations alike.

   Recall 09V116000Recall 08V118000Recall 15V7010001 related service bulletin

   What to check: Open the hood cold and look for oil residue in the valley between the cylinder heads and around the valve covers, and check for a burning-oil smell after a drive. Ask whether the applicable recalls for the rocker cover gasket were completed on this specific vehicle.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “I have a 1997 Grand Prix gt n/a 3800 engine with engine oil leaking from the front rocker panel gasket however the recall only covers the s/c'd version of this vehicle there is engine oil sitting on the top of the motor, also there is oil built up all the way down the one side of the engine coming from this location I am concerned that there will be an engine fire with this leaking oil.”

   NHTSA complaint #10265667, filed 2009-04, 129,000 miles

   “The engine leaks oil on the manifold which started a fire and electrical some of my sensor connectors and not working.. The fire started after I pulled in to drive way and I can feel from the inside of the car that the engine was getting real hot so I popped the hood and there was a small fire on the manifold.”

   NHTSA complaint #11325035, filed 2020-05, 200,000 miles
2. 2
   Steering

   Power steering assist lost, hard to turn left

   • 195 complaints (24%)
   • median 85,400 mi at 7.3 yrs old (43 state mileage)
   • 14 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • owner-quoted repair $1,033 (median of 19 quotes)
   • filed 1997–2013

   Owners report the steering wheel becoming stiff or impossible to turn, most often to the left and at low speed such as backing out of a driveway or turning into a lot, sometimes accompanied by a knocking or popping noise. Many say a shop replaced the rack and pinion assembly; others say a bearing was replaced under a recall but the hard-to-turn condition returned afterward. Some describe being told the vehicle's VIN was not covered by the recall, or that a repair had already been recorded. Spread from about 30,000 to over 160,000 miles, most often noticed during low-speed turns.

   Recall 02V2860001 related service bulletin

   What to check: With the engine running, turn the wheel lock to lock at a standstill and at walking pace and listen for knocking or binding. Ask whether recall 02V286000 was performed and whether the rack was replaced or only the bearing.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “The rack and pinion in my 1997 Pontiac Grand Prix is not allowing me to turn left with the assistance of power steering. There was a recall on a lower pinion bearing, which I had replaced. The problem still exists after all of the recall repairs were finished. I believe that when the lower pinion bearing went out it caused more damage to the steering rack.”

   NHTSA complaint #10007662, filed 2003-02, 47,995 miles

   “My 97 pont Grand Prix was recalled in jan 2003 for the rack and pinion sterring,it was repaired . In july I lost controll of the car because of the steerring ,no injuries.I had to get it fix at the local garage.when I made the complaint to Pontiac they told me so sorry but they would not honor any repairs on thier poor fix.”

   NHTSA complaint #10072522, filed 2004-05, 86,000 miles
3. 3
   Electrical system

   Underhood fire of undetermined cause

   Mentioned in 6 of 60 sampled complaints

   Several owners report the engine compartment catching fire with no prior warning light, in some cases roughly ten minutes after the car was parked and in others with the ignition off at a service station. Fire departments are variously reported as finding the origin in the engine compartment or being unable to determine a cause. These reports do not name a specific leaking part, which distinguishes them from the oil-leak complaints. Reported from about 58,000 to over 160,000 miles, including while parked and unattended.

   What to check: Look for scorched or melted wiring connectors and chafed harness sections near the engine, and ask whether any prior fire or electrical repair is documented; a pre-purchase inspection by an independent shop is worthwhile on these cars.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Right after the vehicle was parked and ignition turned off. A underhood fire occurred, causing substantial damage. All electrical wiring, plastic and rubber parts were totaled. The fire department put out the fire. And after their investigations, they could not fine the cause of the fire. I do not see a recall for this situation on your website. Do I have an recourses?.”

   NHTSA complaint #10100934, filed 2004-12, 86,340 miles

   “1997 Pontiac Grand Prix engine compartment caught on fire approximately 10 minutes after parking. Called fire department which stated cause was electrical. Engine compartment total loss. Hood damaged by fire departtment. To gain entry., paint melted. Car is available for inspection. No repairs or changes made.”

   NHTSA complaint #10196076, filed 2007-07, 179,000 miles
4. 4
   Engine cooling

   Coolant loss from intake manifold or hoses

   Mentioned in 6 of 60 sampled complaints

   Owners describe the coolant light coming on, low antifreeze, and a mechanic diagnosing a leaking intake manifold or intake manifold hoses that need replacing. Some reports say the coolant was turning to a muddy consistency, and one owner points to the upper intake plenum degrading near the exhaust gas passage. Complaints also mention coolant return hoses needing replacement repeatedly. Broadly spread from about 34,000 to over 200,000 miles, with several reports in the 60,000 to 145,000 range.

   1 related service bulletin

   What to check: Check the coolant level and condition for a muddy or brown appearance, and look for crusty residue around the intake manifold and hose connections before buying.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “I purchased my vehicle, 1997 Pontiac Grand Prix on 5/5/01 with 50,768 miles. I took my car to the local dealer for a recall on the front steering pinion. I had asked them to replace the coolant since the manual called to replace at 5 years or 150,000 mile. I was informed that the intake manifold was leaking and was turning my antifreeze into mud. I asked the service manager what caused the manifold to leak. He told me that it was warped and would have to be replaced. The cost to replace it would be $400.00. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10005212, filed 2003-02, 63,800 miles

   “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.”

   NHTSA complaint #10071319, filed 2004-01, 180,000 miles
5. 5
   Exterior lighting

   Headlight lens detaching or falling off

   • 107 complaints (13%)
   • median 72,000 mi at 6.9 yrs old (15 state mileage)
   • filed 1999–2009

   Complaints describe the clear lens separating from the headlight housing, sometimes with condensation or sun-damaged sealant cited, and in some cases the lens coming off entirely while driving at highway speed. Owners note that the lens could not be replaced separately and that the whole headlight assembly had to be bought. A separate but related report describes headlights failing intermittently and a wiring harness being replaced twice. Mostly reported between about 55,000 and 140,000 miles, with sealed-beam lens looseness noted on low-mileage cars too.

   What to check: Inspect each headlight for a loose or cloudy lens and dried sealant at the edge, and check that both low and high beams work steadily, not intermittently.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “While driving down the road at night, the headlamps seem to shake. Upon further inspection, it was discovered that the right headlamp lens was loose and the left headlamp lens was loose as well. The reason the shake was noticeable is because both lenses are marred by sun damage and probably age. I was able to glue the lens back in place, but that is just a temporary repair.”

   NHTSA complaint #10121877, filed 2005-05, 7,350 miles

   “While driving in a rainstorm on the interstate at 70 MPH driver side headlight lens blew off. This resulted in the headlight bulb blowing out when the rain came in contact with the bulb. Passenger side lens fell off the day after. The lens could not be replaced without replacing the entire headlight assembly. The lens fell off because the sealant around the lens dried out. It cost s87.00 to replace each headlight lens.”

   NHTSA complaint #10067156, filed 2004-04, 100,000 miles

Buying note. On this model year, treat the cooling system, engine oil leaks and power steering as the things to check before purchase, since those account for most of what owners report here. Ask for records of the steering and engine-leak recalls being completed on the specific VIN, and get an independent inspection that includes a cold-start look under the hood.

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.