1997 Pontiac Grand Prix Engine cooling Problems
- Complaints
- 136about this part
- Share
- 17%of 810 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 137,000miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 136 complaints about the engine cooling of the 1997 Pontiac Grand Prix, 17% of the 810 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 137,000 miles. 2 of these say a crash was involved and 56 a fire, according to the filers. 3 recall campaigns on record are filed under a similar system.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“1997 Pontiac Grand Prix. Jan. 31 2007 engine fire , vehicle burned in parking lot where I work . Total loss. Now GM has a recall for eng compartment fires on this vehicle . Gm's esis division sent me a letter saying that ohios property damage statute of limitations is 2 years . How can this apply when the recall was just issued?”
NHTSA complaint #10269796, filed 2009-05, 160,000 miles“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“My son was driving my 1997 Grand Prix when it started to knock and killed on the way into the walmart parking lot. Shortly after coming to a stop he noticed smoke and that the engine compartment on fire. The fire department was called and after breaking into the engine compartment, put the fire out. Amount of damages unknown.”
NHTSA complaint #10220744, filed 2008-03, 229,253 miles“This engine failure took me by surprise. I can't say there was a single event that gave a glimpse of what was in store for me. Luckily, for me, thank god, that I had just parked the vehicle at my job site and gone into my work building;also, my co-workers that parked their vehicles next to mine had made it safely to their jobs. Within only approximately 11 minutes the time bomb burst into flames.”
NHTSA complaint #10223319, filed 2008-04, 167,523 miles“My 1997 Grand Prix randomly started on fire in the engine. 911 was called and fire put out. I salvaged car but now I wonder if it was manufacturing fault. Now I have to replace my car and feel I should be compensated for that.”
NHTSA complaint #10445219, filed 2012-01, 193,000 milesRelated recalls
- 15V701000Oct 26, 2015General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 1998-1999 Chevrolet Lumina and Oldsmobile Intrigue, 1997-2004 Buick Regal and Pontiac Grand Prix…Covers: Pontiac Grand Prix 1997–2004, Buick Regal 1997–2004, Chevrolet Monte Carlo 1998–2004 +3 more
- 09V116000Apr 8, 2009General motors is recalling 1,497,516 my 1997-2003 buick regal, my 1998-2003 chevrolet lumina, monte carlo and impala, my 1998-1999 oldsmobile intrigue, my…Covers: Pontiac Grand Prix 1997–2003, Buick Regal 1997–2003, Chevrolet Monte Carlo 1998–2003 +3 more
- 08V118000Mar 12, 2008Gm is recalling 207,542 my 1997-2003 buick regal and pontiac grand prix vehicles equipped with a 3.8l supercharged v-6 engine. These vehicles have higher…Covers: Pontiac Grand Prix 1997–2003, Buick Regal 1997–2003
Related service bulletins
- 10246631Sep 1, 2013Expanded Availability for Remanufacture and Return (R&R) Electronic Control Modules
- 10024787Apr 1, 2008L67 engine oil smell or odor, leak at left or front valve cover (replace valve cover gasket, gromments and spark plug wire retainers for cylinders 1-3-5). *nj updated 7/25/2008
- 10012148Jun 1, 2004New rear main seal and special tool for installation.
Engine cooling: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 5 | 4% |
| 2007 | 4 | 2% |
| 2006 | 6 | 3% |
| 2005 | 6 | 4% |
| 2004 | 41 | 9% |
| 2003 | 16 | 15% |
| 2002 | 62 | 19% |
| 2001 | 102 | 33% |
| 2000 | 151 | 33% |
| 1999 | 152 | 37% |
| 1998 | 90 | 18% |
| 1997 | 136 | 17% |
| 1996 | 13 | 16% |
| 1995 | 11 | 7% |
| 1994 | 22 | 10% |
| 1993 | 10 | 8% |
| 1992 | 14 | 12% |
| 1991 | 19 | 11% |
| 1990 | 16 | 9% |
| 1989 | 14 | 10% |
| 1988 | 4 | 5% |
Other parts of the 1997 Pontiac Grand Prix
216 complaintsExterior lighting
149 complaintsElectrical system
88 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
78 complaintsAir bags
56 complaintsBrakes
52 complaintsEngine
45 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
32 complaintsSuspension
26 complaintsOther or unknown
19 complaintsBody and structure
19 complaintsFuel system
18 complaints
← All problems reported for the 1997 Pontiac Grand Prix
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 29, 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