Model year record

1997 Pontiac Grand AM

2 recall campaigns on file for this model year. 600 owner complaints on file.

Pontiac Grand AM, 1992–1998 generation
Pictured: the 1992–1998 generation. Cutlass, CC0 · Wikimedia Commons

Recalls

Recall campaignNHTSA 02V070000

Electrical system: ignition: switch

Component
Electrical system: ignition: switch
Manufacturer
GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
Vehicles affected
1,589,948
Reported to NHTSA
2002-03-06
Owners notified
2002-03-27

Defect description

ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES. IF THE ENGINE FAILS TO START AND THE DRIVER HOLDS THE KEY IN THE "START" POSITION FOR AN EXTENDED PERIOD, HIGH CURRENT FLOWS THROUGH THE IGNITION SWITCH, AND SOMETIMES PRODUCES ENOUGH HEAT TO MELT INTERNAL SWITCH PARTS.

Safety risk

IF THE SWITCH IS DAMAGED, A FIRE COULD OCCUR IN THE STEERING COLUMN, EVEN WITH THE ENGINE OFF AND THE KEY REMOVED.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL INSTALL A RELAY KIT IN THESE VEHICLES TO PREVENT HIGH CURRENT FROM FLOWING THROUGH THE IGNITION SWITCH. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN MARCH 27, 2002. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-222-1020, PONTIAC AT 1-800-762-2737, BUICK AT 1-800-521-7300, OR OLDSMOBILE AT 1-800-442-6537.

Recall campaignNHTSA 97V059000

Electrical system: wiring: front underhood

Component
Electrical system: wiring: front underhood
Manufacturer
GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
Vehicles affected
3,464
Reported to NHTSA
1997-04-08
Owners notified
1997-04-30

Defect description

THE PROTECTIVE COVER FOR THE UNDERHOOD FUSE CENTER WAS OMITTED. WITHOUT THIS COVER, THE POSITIVE TERMINAL BOLT ON THE FUSE BLOCK IS EXPOSED AND CAN CONTACT THE INSULATED NEGATIVE BATTERY CABLE. IF THE INSULATION ON THE NEGATIVE CABLE BECOMES SUFFICIENTLY WORN, AN ELECTRICAL SHORT CIRCUIT CAN OCCUR BETWEEN THE POSITIVE TERMINAL AND NEGATIVE CABLE RESULTING IN EXTREMELY HIGH CURRENT FLOW.

Safety risk

THIS HIGH CURRENT FLOW CAN CAUSE ARCING AND RESULT IN AN UNDERHOOD FIRE.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL INSPECT THESE VEHICLES FOR THE PRESENCE OF THE PROTECTIVE COVER AND, IF NECESSARY, INSTALL A PROTECTIVE COVER TO THE UNDERHOOD FUSE CENTER.

Owner complaints

A complaint is one person's report to a federal agency. It is not a finding.

ComponentComplaintsMedian mileage
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip3752,124 mi
Electrical system: ignition: switch3260,746 mi
Air bags: frontal2890,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline26—
Vehicle speed control24113,000 mi
Electrical system: ignition23121,000 mi
Visibility: power window devices and controls2085,000 mi
Power train: automatic transmission1674,000 mi
Electrical system: alternator/generator/regulator1574,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine1587,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling1495,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system1439,000 mi
Unknown or other132,000 mi
Electrical system12128,728 mi
Air bags1149,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components10—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: rotor9—
Suspension: front9—
Electrical system: 12V/24V/48V battery887,000 mi
Electrical system: ignition: module8—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc8—
Equipment: appliance: air conditioner72,000 mi
Exterior lighting: headlights7—
Electrical system: wiring: fuses and circuit breakers6—
Electrical system: wiring: interior/under dash6—
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system: radiator assembly697,000 mi
Equipment: electrical: radio/tape deck/CD etc.6113,000 mi
Fuel system, gasoline: fuel injection system6—
Tires6118,653 mi
Electrical system: ignition: anti-theft: control module590,000 mi
Fuel system, gasoline585,000 mi
Steering595,000 mi
Structure: body556,000 mi
Structure: body: door52,000 mi
Suspension: front: control arm: lower arm5113,000 mi
Suspension: rear5—
Vehicle speed control: linkages5—
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system4114,124 mi
Seats42,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic485,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: pads4180,000 mi
Steering: rack and pinion4—
Vehicle speed control: cruise control4—
Electrical system: wiring: front underhood3—
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: emission control: catalytic convertor3—
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe32,000 mi
Fuel system, gasoline: carburetor system3—
Latches/locks/linkages: doors: latch374,000 mi
Seat belts: front: retractor3113,000 mi
Seats: front assembly: recliner3—
Steering: column locking: anti-theft device3194,544 mi
Steering: hydraulic power assist: hose, piping, and connections3—
Suspension3—
Vehicle speed control: accelerator pedal356,000 mi
Visibility: glass, side/rear3—
Visibility: windshield3—
Wheels339,000 mi
Wheels: lugs/nuts/bolts/studs3—
Electrical system: wiring2102,715 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline: belts and associated pulleys245,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: emission control2113,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: emission control: gas recirculation valve (EGR valve)2—
Equipment250 mi
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery2113,000 mi
Fuel system, gasoline: fuel injection system: injectors2170,498 mi
Seat belts2—
Seat belts: front: buckle assembly2—
Service brakes, air: antilock2—
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip: ABS warning light2180,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: drum2—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings2180,000 mi
Steering: steering wheel/handle bar2—
Steering: gear box (other than rack and pinion)2100,000 mi
Suspension: front: control arm22,000 mi
Tires: tread/belt2—
Visibility: sun/moon roof assembly2—
Visibility: windshield wiper/washer: motor2—
Air bags: frontal: sensor/control module1150,000 mi
Air bags: side/window1—
Electrical system: instrument cluster/panel190,000 mi
Electrical system: horn1—
Electrical system: starter assembly1—
Equipment: electrical185,000 mi
Exterior lighting1—
Exterior lighting: fog lights1128,728 mi
Exterior lighting: hazard flashing warning lights: switch1—
Exterior lighting: headlights: switch1—
Exterior lighting: tail lights1—
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: fuel pump1—
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings1—
Fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly1122,000 mi
Interior lighting1—
Latches/locks/linkages: hood: latch1—
Parking brake: conventional1—
Power train1—
Power train: automatic transmission: control module (TCM/PCM/TECM)1—
Power train: automatic transmission: gear position indication (PRNDL)1—
Power train: automatic transmission: park/neutral start interlock switch139,000 mi
Power train: automatic transmission: torque converter196,498 mi
Power train: clutch assembly: pedal/hand lever(motorcycle)1—
Power train: manual transmission1—
Seat belts: front: anchorage1—
Seat belts: front: warning light/devices1—
Seat belts: front: webbing1—
Seats: mid/rear assembly1—
Service brakes, air: disc: pads1121,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: drum: shoes/linings1—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: master cylinder1—
Service brakes, hydraulic: pedals and linkages1—
Steering: hydraulic power assist system1—
Steering: hydraulic power assist: pump1—
Steering: linkages: tie rod assembly1—
Structure185,000 mi
Structure: frame and members1—
Suspension: front: shock absorber1—
Suspension: front: springs: leaf spring assembly: hanger,bracket150,000 mi
Suspension: front: stabilizer bar1—
Suspension: front: wheel bearing1—
Tires: sidewall1—
Tires: valve1—
Vehicle speed control: cables1—
Visibility12,000 mi
Visibility: defroster/defogger/hvac system1—
Visibility: defroster/defogger/hvac system: fan/motor1113,000 mi
Visibility: defroster/defogger/hvac system: heater core1—
Visibility: rear window wiper/washer1—
Visibility: rearview mirrors/devices1—
Wheels: rim1—

The 1996 model has roughly the same number of complaints as this one. The 1998 model has 3 times as many complaints as this one. These figures reflect raw complaint counts, not failure rates. Higher-selling model years naturally receive more complaints.

Open investigations

An investigation is not a recall. It indicates that NHTSA is currently evaluating an alleged defect but has not reached a final determination.

RQ98013OVERSENSITIVE AIR BAG DEPLOYMENTS

Air bags

Other Pontiac Grand AM model years

All Pontiac Grand AM recalls by year

Safety recall repairs are provided free of charge by franchised dealers, regardless of vehicle age or mileage. This page displays aggregated data for the model year. To check recall status for a specific vehicle, search its VIN at nhtsa.gov.