Model year record

1997 Pontiac Grand AM

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

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

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.