NHTSA — Unknown Or Other Problems

10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
1 / 2
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
25,710 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 miscellaneous problems

miscellaneous problem

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1997 Pontiac Grand Prix Owner Comments

problem #18

Mar 282006

Grand Prix 6-cyl

  • miles

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

1997 Pontiac Grand Prix. Consumer writes in regards to vehicle catching fire.

- Cincinnati, OH, USA

problem #17

Aug 082009

Grand Prix

  • miles
I was driving down the road and my car started bringing in smoke from the air vents. I went to pull over and lost all power. As I pulled to the side of the road the hood was in flames. My car was a total loss.

- Circleville, OH, USA

problem #16

Aug 012008

Grand Prix

  • 109,000 miles
Driving from the highway to the city as normal like every weekend in my only vehicle a 97 Grand Prix gtp, pull into a drive through and get to the window and place my car in park. Wait for my change and order then try to put my car in drive from the park position- and it won't move! I got a first hand experience of "road rage" from other people yelling at me and calling me names to get out of the way when I can't! my shifter is stuck in park (and yes my foot is on the brake.) luckily 15 minutes later still stuck in the drive through I notice a button to the right of the gear shifter called a shift lock release so I stick a pen down it and finally I can leave. Get home, put the car in park, and it won't release my key! so now the key is stuck in the ignition and won't go to the off position. Try to leave again and the only way my car will shift from park is if I stick something down in the hole for the shift lock release button. Seeing the key doesn't come out I'm constantly paranoid about someone seeing the key in the ignition and steeling my vehicle! every time I use my car I have to use the release button and leave my key in the ignition! I'm told by the repair shop it's going to cost almost $400 to fix the ignition lock solenoid (to be able to remove my key) and to fix the shift lock solenoid (to be able to shift with out shoving a '!@#$% pen in a hole!) mind you- the $400 does not include labor!!!!!! the sad thing is- I researched this problem on the internet and literally hundreds of people have the same problem with this car!! why hasn't there been a recall when there are so many incidents! I don't see why I should pay for a defect that's so common- too common! I'm waiting to correct the problem to see if your able to help my situation first.

- Grand Forks Air Force Base, ND, USA

problem #15

Jun 152003

Grand Prix

  • Automatic transmission
  • 180,000 miles

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

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.

- Ottawa, UN, USA

problem #14

Mar 152003

Grand Prix

  • Automatic transmission
  • 86 miles
Sub frame broke apart where lower control arm attaches (due to improper weld at factory) causing cv axel to break and lose of steering occurred plus both front wheels were loosened. Auto was never involved in a crash nor had run over any object to have caused frame to break. Serious injury could have occurred if the frame had come apart while driving under normal speed conditions. Thankfully, it came apart while driving down driveway of home.

- Duluth, GA, USA

problem #13

Feb 152003

Grand Prix

  • Automatic transmission
  • 115,000 miles
The reason for complaint is a fire under the hood. The insurance company has said it is totaled. No offer has came in for a clain as of today. The car was parked and had been off for approx. 15 min. When smoke was noticed coming from hood area.fire dept. Was called and fire was exstingished. No injury occurred. This fire could have burned our home had it been in our garage.

- Fennville, MI, USA

problem #12

Apr 152003

Grand Prix

  • Automatic transmission
  • 58,700 miles

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

Noticed several areas where the paint seems to be pealing on the car

- Scottsdale, AZ, USA

problem #11

Jul 152002

Grand Prix

  • Automatic transmission
  • 0 miles
Currently, the clearcoat is peeling off the car. Last summer, the window motors died. Reoccuring, is the air conditioner problem. -it doesn't work.

- Pana, IL, USA

problem #10

Jan 152003

Grand Prix

  • miles
Head lights keep falling off the vehicle. Dealer notified.

- Waldorf, MD, USA

problem #9

Aug 252000

Grand Prix

  • miles
Consumer was traveling about25mph on a highway and another vehicle had jumped in front of her. Consumer went to apply brakes, four dash light came on the dashboard. Consumer turned vehicle off. These are four lights that were showing on the dashboard. Airbag light/ABS brakes system/ checked tire pressure/.low tire. Dealership mechanic told consumer that brake pads needed to be replaced. Also, SRS light needed to be replaced.

- Longwood, NC, USA

problem #8

Jun 222000

(reported on)

Grand Prix

  • miles

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

The change oil light keeps on coming on and that makes the service engine check light come on and when I got it fixed it came back on in a few days.

- Graceville, FL, USA

problem #7

Aug 281999

Grand Prix

  • miles
Vehicle windshield wiper arm (drivers) creaking noise (I believe a recall is underway). Loose trim throughout. Rearview mirror replaced, battery died (car was towed), power window failed (dealer replaced), headlights admit moisture, ashtray opens by itself, seat squeaks, dash rattles, rattle also comes from rear of car, vehicle vibration at highway speeds, seatbelts do not retract, leather on seats is cracking, key knob has too short a range, stiching is coming off the leather wrapped steering wheel, also the club lock burns inprints into wheel if left on in the summer sun, headlights turn on in the middle of the day, brakes stop working in heavy rain or when coming out of the car wash, the power door lock swithch on the passengers door fell into the door, various retaining clips have broken off trim, etc.

- Bethpage, NY, USA

problem #6

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

problem #5

Sep 191999

(reported on)

Grand Prix

  • miles
No summary

- Glendale, AZ, USA

problem #4

Feb 011998

Grand Prix

  • miles
This is a very problematic car - I don't recommend it. No safety defec tmentioned.

- Ponce, PR, USA

problem #3

Jan 011998

Grand Prix

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Odometer reads incorrectly.

- Jackson, MS, USA

problem #2

Sep 161997

(reported on)

Grand Prix

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Driver's side dash has a gap and is loose

- Yorba Linda, CA, USA

problem #1

Mar 251997

(reported on)

Grand Prix

  • miles
Low oil light comes on.

- Tracy, CA, USA

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