NHTSA — Electrical System: Alternator/Generator/Regulator Problems

10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
2 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
1 / 0
Average Mileage:
3,235 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

1997 Pontiac Grand Prix electrical problems

electrical problem

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1997 Pontiac Grand Prix Owner Comments

problem #17

Jan 052004

Grand Prix 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Most recent complaint is, heated driver seat gets too hot and makes it hard to stay seated. Heater blower quit working. Have had to replace the alternator every 3rd year (3 times). Have had oil pan gasket and valve cover leakage. Power steering failed to make left hand turns. Headlights continue to have poor range and visibility even with bulb replacement. Car lurches forward when starting up engine. Outside temperature display keeps wrong temperature. A.M. radio would not work. Water pump had to be replaced. ABS light stayed on. Air bag light came on when going over bumps in road.

- Bend, OR, USA

problem #16

Jul 152000

Grand Prix 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 55,000 miles
The alternator failed.

- Appleton, WI, USA

problem #15

May 091997

Grand Prix

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Recall 99V348000 repairs on windshield wipers were done in July of 2000, vehicle has been taken back to dealer numerous times. Windshield wipers stopped working intermittently. Map lamp assembly, door lights, rear door lens, gasket lamp and headlamp assembly were all replaced, ABS light illuminated, dealer adjusted brake light switch. Both outer tie rods were replaced. Windshield cowl panel leaked and was replaced. Steering column was replaced. Serpentine belt has been replaced 3 times, valve cover gasket has been replaced 2 times, vehicle has experienced 3 oil leaks, oil pan and water pump were replaced, a belt snapped and has not yet been repaired. Alternator has been replaced 3 times. The supercharger gasket was replaced. The automatic shift mechanism was replaced. The radio skips and the radio module to the steering column broke. 2 front wheel speed sensor jumper wiring was replaced.

- Cumberland, RI, USA

problem #14

Jan 282002

Grand Prix

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Engine completely shut off while driving, steering column locks, brakes barely functioned. Alternator replaced twice. Diagnosed with same problem. Once in July 2001, again in August 2001. Service engine light comes on again. Drives ok now, but worried it will continue to give me problems. In and out of shop 4 times in past year for same problem. Back in shop today for who knows what.

- Sherman Oaks, CA, USA

problem #13

Apr 052001

Grand Prix

  • miles
Steering - rack & pinion failed while making a left turn - it was very hard to turn the wheel so that we could clear the intersection. It was also difficult to park the vehicle. Steering to the right was normal. Replaced rack & pinion $780.54. Headlights: Moisture buildup in front headlamps. Dealer replaced seals 1/98 under warranty. Another moisture problem developed 3/99 -dealer replace both headlamps. Air conditioner: System failed ON7/01 - unable to adjust air flow and air could barely be felt coming from the vents. Dealer found that vac line was split at pump - $42.23 to repair. Air system failed again 6/99 - loose vacuum hose repaired $21.59. Air bag indicator comes on and goes off at random. Dealer ran a diagnostic and found an error code, which they cleared, but no problem - issue unresolved. Rear power windows failed - dealer replace regulator on both rear windows - covered under warranty. Alternator failed 10/01 - replaced $314.54

- Charlotte, NC, USA

problem #12

Apr 052001

Grand Prix

  • miles
Steering - rack & pinion failed while making a left turn - it was very hard to turn the wheel so that we could clear the intersection. It was also difficult to park the vehicle. Steering to the right was normal. Replaced rack & pinion $780.54. Headlights: Moisture buildup in front headlamps. Dealer replaced seals 1/98 under warranty. Another moisture problem developed 3/99 -dealer replace both headlamps. Air conditioner: System failed ON7/01 - unable to adjust air flow and air could barely be felt coming from the vents. Dealer found that vac line was split at pump - $42.23 to repair. Air system failed again 6/99 - loose vacuum hose repaired $21.59. Air bag indicator comes on and goes off at random. Dealer ran a diagnostic and found an error code, which they cleared, but no problem - issue unresolved. Rear power windows failed - dealer replace regulator on both rear windows - covered under warranty. Alternator failed 10/01 - replaced $314.54

- Charlotte, NC, USA

problem #11

Nov 302001

Grand Prix

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

When making a left turn power steering wheel becomes extremely hard to maneuver due to a malfunction within rack and pinion sttering. Consumer stated the fuel pump and alternator was also replaced.

- Farmington Hills, MI, USA

problem #10

Feb 062001

Grand Prix

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
While traveling at about 35-40 mph, consumer ran into another vehicle head-on. Upon impact, driver and passenger air bags did not deploy. Contacted dealer and they are not willing to do anything. Consumer stated there was an injury in the accident. Two weeks after purchase, water pump failed. Alternator failed. Windows quit going up and down.

- San Jose, CA, USA

problem #9

Dec 012000

Grand Prix

  • miles
Radio failure display randomly changes, cd will not eject wty replaced; water pump failed at 39000 miles cost to repair not covered under wty, GM comp $200 of $350 repair bill;battery and alternator failed no indication of failure until battery was dead and alternator not chargeing then the battery light and ABS light stayed on and as the battery became weaker the other idiot lights on the dash came on until the car eventually quit running.

- Hillsboro, OR, USA

problem #8

Dec 212000

Grand Prix

  • miles
I purchased my car in Feb of 2000. It only has aprrox 43000 miles and I have had numerous trips to the dealer and other mechanics. In June of 2000 I had to take the car in because the headlight covers fell off. I had noticed condensation when I purchased the car and was told by the salesman that this was normal. Luckily I found the covers and did not have to replace them. In Sept of 2000 I had to replace the alternator when it failed while I was going to work. Then in Dec of 2000 I took my car to have the tires rotated and the mechanic noticed that the antifreeze in the radiator was just about completely solidified. I had to pay for radiator flushes and was told by the dealer that it was normal "wear and tear". they also noticed that one of the main engine belts was needed to be replaced and I have replaced it. Now it is March of 2001 and my car is now again at the dealership with antifreeze leaking from the water pump and an airbag light that will not go off. I have also noticed on numerous occasions that I will get in the car and the windows will not go down. I know that cars need repairs but I feel that I am definetly having lots of problems when the mileage on the car is not excessive.the owner of the dealership told my husband that he thought we would continue to have problems with the car and that if he were in our shoes, he would trade the car.

- Knoxville, TN, USA

problem #7

Nov 222000

(reported on)

Grand Prix

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

This car has a significant # of safety problems that the dealer/manufacturer have refused to address w/out significant cost to consumer. Until I sustain a significant injury &/or injure someone due to these product defects, I can not afford a legal challenge to have GM address problems, nor can I bear cost. My car is available as a sample of their junk! (signed;claims adjuster). No safety defect listed in summary.

- Edmond, OK, USA

problem #6

Aug 142000

(reported on)

Grand Prix

  • miles
Alternator had internal failure which caused the consumer to notice a whistling noise coming from the engine. Nlm

- San Jose, CA, USA

problem #5

Aug 282000

Grand Prix

  • miles
No summary

- Pleasanton, CA, USA

problem #4

Jul 122000

(reported on)

Grand Prix

  • miles
Engine replaced approx 12000 miles, now on 3rd alternator, 4th battery. Gas gauge replaced, wipers replaced 3 times before recall.

- Indianapolis, IN, USA

problem #3

Jul 092000

Grand Prix

  • miles
No summary listed for above vehicle.

- Indianapolis, IN, USA

problem #2

Mar 282000

Grand Prix

  • miles
The car was taken in for a defective alternater and was replaced. The service tech noticed the air bag light on and asked if I had seen it on. I said yes it had been on before and gone off from time to time. He then said it was a problem in the wiring harness that they had repaired on other Grand Prix and it would cost around $200 to fix it. He also said with the airbag light on the system would not deploy in the event of a accident. But my question was why should I pay for fixing the problem that they designed. There is a sbn # 98839010 on record seq 228, dated 9806 NHTSA SB602269 for this same problem. What recourse do I have? thank you

- Crown Point, IN, USA

problem #1

Mar 041998

Grand Prix

  • miles
When this car was purchased, it had 30,000 miles on it, it now has 58,000 miles, this car has been in the shop every month or every two months, I have tried everything in my power to correct this problem with the dealership, they in no way want to help me, I have taken the car up there numerous times for the same things until they finally found a problem with my electrical components, they have replaced all of the wheel bearing on this car, the wheel sensors, block assembly, fuel sending unit, power steering pressure hose, body control module, I've even replaced the battery, alternator, water pump, tentionser, they even attempted to fix the interior, which was not torn due to abuse, rotors, they found a shortage underhood, and they replaced the underhood electrical center, wheel bearing assembly, tie rod ends, wheel speed sensor....after all of these problems that I have had with this car, I have had to come up with money to repair this car, and they finally agreed to help me into another car, but my car is valued at $14,995 and they only want to give me $9,000 for my car when they know that I owe $14,300, these problems with this car has caused me much hardship and I'm trying to save my credit, this is an attempt to get some help, if you could please lead me in the correct direction will greatly appreciate it.

- Richmond, VA, USA

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