RoadVitals

1997 Pontiac Grand Am Electrical Problems

Owner-reported complaints naming the electrical system, filed with NHTSA

Data refreshed

Electrical reportsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
107
Latest Jun 4, 2020
Share of all reportsThis category as a share of every owner report on file for this model year. One report can name more than one component, so the categories overlap.
28%
of 383 total
Crash or fire reportedReports in this category whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. The reporter's own answer on the NHTSA form, not a verified finding.
11
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
3

What this page shows

Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 1997 Pontiac Grand Am submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 107 reports on file name it.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

Owner reports naming electrical

The 25 most recent of 107, in the owner's own words

Electrical
Filed Jun 4, 2020

THE THEFT WARNING SYSTEM KEEPS THE IGNITION SWITCH FROM ENGAGING. THE CAR WILL NOT START UNLESS THE KEY IS IN THE "ON" POSITION FOR FIFTEEN MINUTES AND RESETS THE SYSTEM. *TR

NHTSA ID
11327228
Incident
May 20, 2020
Mileage
178,000 mi
Electrical
Filed Jul 28, 2014

THE IGNITION ON THIS COLLEGE STUDENTS 97 PONTIAC GRAND AM RANDOMLY DEFAULTS. IT WILL GET STUCK IN ON OR OFF POSITION. CAR SOMETIMES CONTINUES RUNNING. KEYES WILL LOCK IN THE IGNITION AND CAN NOT BE REMOVED. LIGHTS REMAIN ON WHILE KEYS ARE STUCK IN IGNITION. IGNITION GETS WARM. *JS

NHTSA ID
10616869
Incident
Nov 14, 2011
Mileage
165,000 mi
Electrical
Filed Mar 18, 2014

I CANNOT DRIVE CAR WITH OUT SPEEDOMETER. THERE WAS A SERVICE BULLETIN #66-83-04A I FEEL THE DEALER SHOULD REPAIR THIS AT THERE COST. IT IS NOT SAFE DRIVING IT WITHOUT BEING ABLE TO SEE SPEED. THE DEALER SAYS IT COST 450.00 THE VSS IS WORKING FINE. I BUY A LOT OF CARS. *TR

NHTSA ID
10573161
Incident
Dec 12, 2010
Mileage
90,000 mi
Electrical
Filed Jan 12, 2010

THE PASSLOCK ANTI-THEFT SYSTEM IN MY 1997 PONTIAC GRAND AM GT IS A FAILED PIECE OF JUNK THAT NEVER SHOULD HAVE BEEN PUT INTO ANY VEHICLE. GM SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR CORRECTING THIS SITUATION AS MANY, MANY INDIVIDUALS ARE SPENDING TOO MUCH MONEY NOT HAVING THIS SITUATION FIXED. MOST MECHANICS ARE AT A LOSS. *TR

NHTSA ID
10299128
Incident
Dec 25, 2007
Mileage
132,000 mi
ElectricalEngineOther / unspecified
Filed Oct 23, 2008

COOLING SYSTEM IS FAILING ALL THE TIME ON ALL PONTIACS HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM INTAKE MANIFOLD BLOW 5 TIMES AT 50.00 MILES OIL MIXES WITH THE COOLANT AND ALL THE SMOKE FROM THAT GOES IN THE AIR IT IS A MAJOR PROBLEM AND THAN THE CARS ARE JUNK SO THAN EVERYBODY WHO BUYS PONTIAC THEY ARE BUYING A LEMON CARS EVEN IF IT BRAND NEW FROM THE SHOP. *TR

NHTSA ID
10246500
Incident
May 23, 2007
Mileage
50 mi
Electrical
Filed Aug 6, 2008

I HAVE HAD SEVERAL PROBLEMS WITH MY 1997 GRAND AM GT SINCE PURCHASING IT. I HAVE REPLACED THE IGNITION SWITCH THREE TIMES IN ONE YEAR, THE SERVICE COSTS ARE $900.00 IN TOTAL. I CAN'T UNDERSTAND HOW THE SAME THING KEEPS BREAKING EVERY 3 MONTHS. MY WINDOWS GET STUCK AND DON'T WANT TO ROLL UP, IT HAS POWER WINDOWS. I WAS REAR ENDED IN 2003, BUT OTHER THAN THAT, NO DAMAGE DONE TO MY CAR. WHAT CAN I DO? JUST KEEP REPLACING IGNITION SWITCHES EVERY 3 MONTHS? I HAVE GOTTEN WRITTEN UP AT WORK FOR MY CAR NOT STARTING. I DO NOT HAVE TRIPLE A. *TR

NHTSA ID
10237169
Incident
Apr 18, 2008
Mileage
160,000 mi
Electrical
Filed Mar 13, 2008

THE ANTI-THEFT DEVICES ARE MALFUNCTIONING. THEY ARE OFTEN LEAVING CODES AND POPPING ON MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT. *TR

NHTSA ID
10220992
Incident
Mar 12, 2008
Mileage
90,000 mi
ElectricalExterior lightingVisibility
Filed Feb 12, 2008
Fire reported

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 PONTIAC GRAND AM. WHILE DRIVING 30-35 MPH, THE VEHICLE SHUT OFF AND ON THREE DIFFERENT TIMES. THE WINDOWS WOULD NOT ROLL UP AND DOWN PROPERLY UNLESS CONTROLLED BY THE DRIVER'S SIDE CONTROL SWTICH. THE FOG LIGHTS DO NOT WORK AS WELL AND THE FUSES ARE CHARRED. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT YET BEEN TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 128,728.

NHTSA ID
10217821
Incident
Feb 8, 2008
Mileage
128,728 mi
ElectricalEngine
Filed Oct 15, 2007

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 PONTIAC GRAND AM. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE SHUT OFF AT A STOP WITHOUT WARNING. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM CAUSED THE FAILURE. AS OF OCTOBER 15, 2007, THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER HAD NOT REPAIRED THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT HER VIN WAS EXCLUDED FROM NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 02V070000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: IGNITION: SWITCH). THE CONTACT FELT THAT HER VEHICLE SHOULD BE INCLUDED AS PART OF THE RECALL. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 150,000. UPDATED 01/11/08. *LJ THE DEALER STATED ENGINE REPLACED IN JUNE. UPDATED 12/12/07 *TR

NHTSA ID
10205727
Incident
Jul 15, 2007
Mileage
150,000 mi
Electrical
Filed Aug 1, 2007

THE IGNITION KEY CONTINUES TO GET LOCK OR STUCK IN THE IGNITION. THIS REPRESENTS A SECONDARY SAFETY ISSUE IN THAT CAR HAS KEY IN THE IGNITION AT ALL TIMES. BATTERY COULD DRAIN LEAVING PASSENGERS AND DRIVERS STRANDED IN UNSAFE OR UNABLE TO REACT TO UNSAFE SITUATIONS (CRIMINAL PURSUERS, ASSAILANTS, ETC). BECAUSE YOUR CAR HAS BEEN DRAIN DUE TO AN IGNITION DEFECT THAT LOCKS YOUR KEY IN THE IGNITION. *JB

NHTSA ID
10198228
Incident
Aug 1, 2007
Electrical
Filed Jul 9, 2007
Fire reported

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 PONTIAC GRAND AM. THE CONTACT NOTICED SMOKE INSIDE THE VEHICLE AND SPARKS UNDERNEATH THE HOOD WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE WIRE HARNESS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED, BUT DID NOT MAKE THE REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE IS EXCLUDED FROM RECALL # 97V059000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD). THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 102,715.

NHTSA ID
10195603
Incident
Dec 15, 2006
Mileage
102,715 mi
Electrical
Filed Mar 3, 2007

PASSLOCK SECURITY SYSTEM ON 1997 PONTIAC GRAND AM DISABLES CAR'S ABILITY TO START. I HAVE HAD IGNITION SWITCH FIXED 2 TIMES ALREADY- THE LAST TIME BEING 2 YEARS AGO. AND THEY WANT ME TO REPLACE IT AGAIN! *JB

NHTSA ID
10184092
Incident
Mar 3, 2007
Body & structureHeating & air conditioningElectrical+4 more
Filed Sep 25, 2006

PURCHASED CAR NEW AT END OF 97 MODEL YEAR. WITHIN FIRST SIX MONTHS RETURNED CAR SIX TIMES DUE TO DEFECTIVE SWAY BAR BUSHINGS. PROBLEM HAS NEVER BEEN CORRECTED. CAR CLUNKS AS IT IS EITHER TURNED TO THE RIGHT OR LEFT OR TRAVELS (SLOWLY) OVER SPEED BUMPS. ALSO HAVE EXPERIENCED PAINT PEELING FROM OUTSIDE MIRRORS, RADIO VOLUME CONTROL PROBLEMS, RADIO/CLOCK DISPLAY WORKS ONLY PART OF THE TIME, RIGHT FRONT PASSENGER SEAT MOUNTING BROKE AND SLID PASSENGER INTO DASHBOARD, 2 DOOR SPORT COUPE-BOTH POWER WINDOWS MOTORS HAVE BROKEN AND BEEN REPLACED. THE DRIVER'S SIDE WINDOW JUST BROKE FOR THE SECOND TIME IN TWO YEARS. PASSENGER WINDOW HAS ALSO STARTED TO ACT SLUGGISH. DISCOVERED LEAKY INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET. ANOTHER EXPENSIVE REPAIR. RAIN LEAKS INTO CAR AROUND WINDOW GASKETS WHICH ALSO MAKE A HISSING SOUND AT SPEEDS OVER 45 MPH. CAR HAS BEEN DRIVEN WITH CARE FOR NINE YEARS(ODOMETER=80,000 MILES) AND HAS HAD OIL CHANGES, TIRE ROTATIONS, ETC. COMPLETED ACCORDING TO SCHEDULE. OWNER CANNOT AFFORD ADDITIONAL COSTLY REPAIRS ESPECIALLY SINCE IT SEEMS TO BE GOING DOWNHILL FROM HERE. DISGUSTED WITH PROBLEMS AS WELL AS WITH LACK OF SERVICE FROM SEVERAL DIFFERENT PONTIAC DEALERS. OWNER CANNOT AFFORD TO BUY A [DECENT] NEW CAR AND WILL HAVE TO PURCHASE SOMETHING USED. MAKE NO MISTAKE- IT WON'T BE A GM PRODUCT! *NM

NHTSA ID
10169247
Incident
Sep 25, 2006
Mileage
2,000 mi
ElectricalEngineFuel system
Filed Aug 31, 2006

TOOK VEHICLE TO MURPHY MOTORS, DEALERSHIP HERE IN MY HOME TOWN. TOOK TO THEM DUE TO FACT MY HEAT GAUGE KEPT RISING AND I DIDN'T WANT TO RUN CAR HOT ;WENT TO FIND OUT WHAT WAS WRONG. TECHNICIAN STATED THAT HE PUT THE CAR ON THE CODE MACHINE AND RAN IT. SAID CODE POPPED UP TRANSMISSION. I DIDN'T TAKE CAR IN FOR TRANSMISSION. THEY REFUSED TO FIX OVERHEAT PROBLEM. SAID WOULD HAVE TO PAY $2,500.00 TO REPLACE TRANSMISSION. PICKED UP CAR TOOK TO CLIFFORD VINE GARAGE. HE LOOKED AT CAR AND IMMEDIATELY TOLD ME THE RADIATOR WAS POURING WATER OUT OF IT. HE REPLACED RADIATOR AND COOLING FAN. HE PUT CAR ON CODE MACHINE AFTER REPAIRING THOSE TWO ITEMS AND DID NOT SEE A CODE FOR TRANSMISSION. AFTER THAT ALTERNATOR WENT OUT, AND TWO DAYS LATER, MY COMPUTER AND FUEL INJECTORS WENT OUT. MURPHY MOTORS RAN CAR CHECKING TRANSMISSION NO TELLING HOW LONG AND PROBABLY RAN WITHOUT WATER SINCE RADIATOR WAS POURING IT OUT. THEY DIDN'T MENTION PROBLEM WITH RADIATOR AT ALL, JUST TRANSMISSION CODES. I FEEL THEY DAMAGED CAR WHILE RUNNING IT IN THEIR SHOP LOOKING FOR MORE MONEY TO GET OFF ME, LIKE $2,500.00 FOR A TRANSMISSION THAT HAS NOTHING WRONG WITH IT. THIS CAR WAS A LEMON FROM THE FIRST DAY I GOT IT. I'VE HAD COIL HOUSING REPLACED NUMEROUS TIMES BY MURPHY MOTORS AND BY JOHN HAYS PONTIAC-HOPE AR 71801 WHEN I BROKE DOWN. CAR HAS BEEN TOWED IN MORE TIMES FOR COIL HOUSING. GM NEEDS THIS CAR DROVE RIGHT UP THEIR BACKSIDE FOR THE PROBLEMS IT HAS CAUSED AND CONTINUES TO CAUSE ME. I CURRENTLY HAVE A $750.00 OUTSTANDING SHOP BILL TO CLIFFORD VINES GARAGE IN EL DORADO, AR 71730 FOR THE LAST 3 TIMES IT WAS TOWED TO HIS SHOP FOR THE RADIATOR, COOLING FAN, ALTERNATOR, FUEL INJECTORS, AND COMPUTER. I'LL NEVER BUY ANOTHER PONTIAC AGAIN, THAT'S FOR SURE. *NM

NHTSA ID
10167121
Incident
Aug 15, 2006
Mileage
170,498 mi
Driver assistanceElectricalSuspension+1 more
Filed Aug 28, 2006

NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS REGARDING A 1997 PONTIAC GRAND AM FOR REPAIRS/ REPLACEMENTS OF PARTS. DOOR WINDOWS DO NOT FUNCTION, MOTOR HAS HAD TO BE REPLACED BY FORMER OWNER, WE HAVE REPAIRED MOTORS ON DOOR WINDOWS SEVERAL TIMES ON OUR OWN, WINDOWS WOULD NOT GO UP AND DOWN AT ALL, COST TO REPAIR AT MECHANICS WAS OVER 400 AND WAS DONE BY FIRST OWNER AT LEAST ONCE. CAR SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON, HAD TO REPLACE ENTIRE COMPUTER SYSTEM AND NOW SAME PROBLEM IS HAPPENING AGAIN, CAR IDLES HORRIBLY, SOUNDS LIKE IT WILL BE BLOWING UP, AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON. PRIOR TO THE REPLACEMENT OF THE COMPUTER CAR FREQUENTLY STALLED OUT WHILE DRIVING IN MID TURN OR WHILE GOING FORWARD, AND CAR FREQUENTLY WAS DIFFICULT TO START, EVENTUALLY NEEDING TO BE TOWED TO A REPAIR FACILITY WHO HAD TO REPLACE ENTIRE COMPUTER. CAR HAS WHEEL BEARINGS THAT MAKE A LOT OF NOISE, SOUNDS LIKE WHEEL IS GOING TO FALL OFF. CAR HAS ACCELERATED ALL ON ITS OWN WITHOUT THE DRIVER STEPPING ON GAS PEDAL OR DOING ANYTHING AT ALL WITH ACCELERATOR, CAR RANDOMLY DECIDES BY ITSELF TO LUNGE FORWARD AND TRY TO DRIVE ITSELF. THIS STOPPED BRIEFLY AFTER THE COMPUTER WAS REPLACED AND IS NOW HAPPENING AGAIN. *JB

NHTSA ID
10166688
Incident
Aug 27, 2006
Electrical
Filed Jun 23, 2006

SEPT. 2005 MY 1997 PONTIAC GRAND AM WOULDN'T START. THE STEERING WHEEL WAS COMPLETELY LOCKED. COULDN'T GET THE KEY INTO THE SWITCH,TRIED TO SHAKE STEERING WHEEL AND TRIED BANGING ON THE SWITCH AND TRIED FORCING THE KEY IN, BUT NOTHING WORKED. HAD TO TAKE COVER OFF UNDER THE STEERING WHEEL AND PUSH A BOTTOM THAT I FOUND AND IT UNLOCKED, THEN IT STARTED. EVEN THE DASH LIGHT STOPPED WORKING. BEEN DRIVING WITH NO DASH LIGHT FOR A WHILE. IT STARTED DOING IT AGAIN, BUT HIS TIME THE BUTTON UNDER THE STEERING WHEEL WOULDN'T WORK. HAD TO PUT A TOGGLE SWITCH IN, TO EVEN START. I TURNED THE KEY ON PUSHED THE TOGGLE SWITCH AND IT STARTED. THAT LASTED TILL 6-7-06. THAT DAY I TURNED ON THE SWITCH AND IT SOUNDED LIKE THE STARTER WAS HUNG. NOW MY POWER WINDOWS WONT WORK, THE POWER DOOR LOCKS STILL WORK. FOUND RECALL ONLINE, THE CODE NUMBER IS 02008B, IT SAYS THE ENGINE FAILS TO START WHEN THE DRIVER HOLDS THE KEY IN THE START POSITION FOR A PERIOD, HIGH CURRENT FLOWS THROUGH THE IGNITION SWITCH, AND SOMETIMES PRODUCES HEAT TO MELT INTERNAL SWITCH PARTS. TOWED CAR TO PONTIAC DEALER 6-22-06 THINKING MAYBE THE RECALL WOULD FIX MY PROBLEM. I TOLD HIM TO DO A DIAGNOSTIC TEST ON IT AND IT CAME BACK THE IGNITION LOCK CYLINDER IS BAD. THEN HE TOLD ME THE PRICE AND I SAID, I CANT AFFORD THAT. HE SAID, THAT IT HAD TO BE FIXED BEFORE HE COULD FIX THE RECALL. THEY WANTED $222.86 FOR THE PART AND $275.88 FOR LABOR, $7.27 FOR MISC. $14.58 FOR TAXES THEN HE CHANGED IT $20.00 FOR MISC. TOTALING TO $533.32 TO FIX THE CYLINDER. I TOLD HIM I FOUND RECALLS ONLINE AND EVEN COPIED THEM AND BROUGHT IT TO HIM. BUT HE SAID, THAT HE'S GOT TO GO BY WHAT HE HAS ON HIS RECALL FROM GM. I SAYING IF ITS NOT ON HIS RECALL THEN IT SHOULD BE. THIS SHOULD BE A RECALL ON THE IGNITION LOCK CYLINDER. SO I HAD IT TOWED TO ANOTHER PLACE THAT WOULD PUT THE IGNITION LOCK CYLINDER IN FOR $239 INCLUDING PARTS AND LABOR. *NM

NHTSA ID
10160555
Incident
Sep 24, 2005
Electrical
Filed May 29, 2006

PASSLOCK SECURITY SYSTEM ON 1997 PONTIAC GRAND AM SE WILL NOT ALLOW ME TO START THE CAR AT ALL. *JB

NHTSA ID
10158501
Incident
May 23, 2006
Mileage
88,800 mi
Electrical
Filed Apr 6, 2006

THE KEY GETS STUCK IN THE IGNITION IN THE AUXILIARY POSITION. THE CAR HAS TO BE STARTED AND TURNED OFF MANY TIMES UNTIL THE KEY WILL FINALLY MOVE TO THE CORRECT POSITION TO BE REMOVED FROM THE IGNITION. *JB

NHTSA ID
10154678
Incident
Apr 6, 2006
Mileage
127,000 mi
AirbagsBrakesElectrical+5 more
Filed Aug 2, 2005
1 injury reported

THIS IS THE WORST CAR (LEMON) I HAVE EVER HAD. I BOUGHT THIS CAR FROM A USED CAR DEALER SHIP CALLED NEW CAR ALTERNATIVE IN LIVONIA MI. I AM NOW ON MY THIRD ENGINE IN THE CAR. THE FIRST 2 FAILED DUE TO THE HEAD GASKETS BLOWING AND ANTI-FREEZE WAS MIXING WITH OIL IN THE ENGINE CAUSING ENGINE FAILURE. ALL CAR WINDOW MOTORS HAVE BE REPLACED 4 OR 5 TIMES EACH AND STILL DON'T WORK. BACK TWO DOORS ARE BROKE ONE WONT OPEN THE OTHER WONT CLOSE. THE SUNROOF WONT CLOSE THE DEALER TOLD ME 1500 TO REPLACE MOTOR AND PUT BACK ON TRACKS. LOL I HAVE THE BRAKES REPLACED 3 TIMES IN 5 YEARS. I BOUGHT THE CAR DEC OF 99 AND HAVE HAD ALL THESE PROBLEMS SINCE. I DON'T RECOMMEND ANYONE TO BUY A GRAND AM OR A CAR FROM THIS DEALERSHIP THEY WERE NO HELP AT ALL. THE FIRST ENGINE WAS COVERED BY WARRANTY SECOND ONE WAS AT MY COST OF 3500. THEN ANOTHER 1500 FOR NEW RADIATOR AND HEATER CORE. THEN ALTERNATOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. AFTER THAT I NEEDED A NEW TRANSMISSION HOSE. THIS IS SUCH BULL CRAP. WHAT A LEMON! PLUS I WAS PULLING OUT OF A GAS STATION ONE DAY AND MY AIR BAG DECIDED TO COME OUT ON IT OWN NO ACCIDENT OCCURRED AND HIT ME IN THE FACE RESULTING IN INJURIES AND I HAD TO GO TO THE HOSPITAL. *JB

NHTSA ID
10131095
Incident
Jul 1, 2001
Mileage
74,000 mi
Electrical
Filed Apr 4, 2005

RECALL 02V070000 CONCERNING IGNITION SWITCH. IGNITION SWITCH WIRING MELTED. DEALERSHIP WOULD NOT REPAIR FREE OF CHARGE BECAUSE THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED.*AK

NHTSA ID
10117328
Incident
Feb 6, 2003
Mileage
60,094 mi
Electrical
Filed Sep 13, 2004

THE CONSUMER'S VEHICLE EXPERIENCED THE SAME PROBLEM AS MENTIONED IN NHTSA RECALL 02V70000. IF THE ENGINE FAILS TO START AND THE DRIVER HOLDS THE KEY IN THE STAR POSITION FOR AN EXTENDED PERIOD, HIGH CURRENT FLOWS THROUGH THE IGNITION SWITCH, AND SOMETIMES PRODUCES ENOUGH HEAT TO MELT INTERNAL SWITCH PARTS. THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO VIN. *AK THE IGNITION LOCKED. *SC

NHTSA ID
10087601
Incident
Aug 10, 2004
Electrical
Filed Aug 12, 2004

THE DASHBOARD COMPONENTS REMAINED ILLUMINATED EVEN THOUGH THE VEHICLE WAS TURNED OFF. THE CONSUMER ATTEMPTED TO TURN THE VEHICLE ON AND OFF BUT THE DASHBOARD LIGHTS STAYED ILLUMINATED. WITHIN SECONDS OF THIS, SMOKE STARTED COMING FORM THE STEERING COLUMN. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO DEALERSHIP. THE IGNITION SWITCH FAILED AND DAMAGED THE STEERING COLUMN AND OTHER COMPONENTS. THERE WAS A IGNITION SWITCH RECALL 02V07000 BUT THE CONSUMER WAS NEVER NOTIFIED ALTHOUGH THE VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBERS WAS COVERED BY THE RECALL. *JB

NHTSA ID
10087793
Incident
Aug 6, 2004
Mileage
110,000 mi
BrakesElectrical
Filed Jul 27, 2004

THE KEY GETS STUCK IN THE IGNITION AND AUXILLARY LIGHTS REMAIN ON. THE LOCKSMITH ATTEMPTS TO FIX IT AND I HAVE TO KEEP HAVING HIM COME OUT; LOOKS LIKE A REPLACEMENT CORE IS NEEDED, THEE IS NOT A CHEAP WAY OUTOF THIS. THE BAKE PADS WEAR DOWN VERY QUICKLY. IT SEEMS THAT A BOLT ON THE CALIPER IS NOT EVEN WITH THE OPPOSITE BOLT, IT'S VERY SLIGHT BUT IT'S THE SAME ON BOTH CALIPERS AND SEEMS TO CAUSE PADS TO WEAR UNEVENLY AND OFTEN. IT IS PROBABLY CHEAPER FOR GM TO HAVE COSUMERS REPLACE PADS AND ROTORS OFTEN THAN TO RETOOL THE MACHINERY TO FIX ALL THOSE BOLTS. *AK

NHTSA ID
10082726
Incident
Jul 27, 2004
Mileage
121,000 mi
Electrical
Filed Apr 13, 2004

CAR IS A 1997 GRAND AM SE WITH 2.4L ENGINE AN AUTOMATIC TRANS WITH 90,000 MILES. IGNITION KEY GETS STUCK IN CAR AND WON'T COME OUT UNLESS CAR IS SHIFTED FROM NUETRAL TO PARK SEVERAL TIMES AND KEY IS CYCLED IN IGNITION. BATTERY'S AND ALTERNATORS LAST ONLY 1 YEAR. WATER PUMP FAILS AT 43,OOO MILES ENTIRE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM IS VERY SKETCHY AND POWER DOOR LOCKS, WINDOWS AND LIGHTS WORK SPORADICALLY EVER SINCE PURCHASE AT 31,000 MILES.

NHTSA ID
10066030
Incident
Apr 10, 2004
AirbagsElectricalEngine+2 more
Filed Mar 13, 2004
Crash reported

97 GRAND AM 4CYL PUR NEW 5/97 SERIES OF PROBLEMS.GT VERSION BUT DRIVEN CAUTIOUSLY BY 40 YEAR OLDS.AT 2 YEARS AND 39,000 MILES WATER PUMP FAILS.IS UNDER CAR AND IS 600.00 DOL TO REPLACE!NOBODY SHOULD BUY THE 4 CYLINDER WHEN AN ITEM PRONE TO FAILURE LIKE A WATER PUMP CANT BE ACCESSED WITHOUT REMOVING THE MANIFOLDS ON THE CAR.AT 50,000 KEY COMES OUT OF IGNITION WHILE CAR RUNNING.IGNITION SWITCH FAILS,HAS TO BE RE KEYED AND COST IS 500.00 BY LOCAL MECHANIC SERV STAT.AT 55,000 MILES AT INTERLOCKS UP,CAR STUCK TOWED AT THIS TIME A ALTERNATOR CHECK SHOWS THAT IS NOT CHARGING.REPLACE BOTH COST 800.00 PLUS BATTERY.DEC 2000 FRONT LEFT TIRE ON ALUM WHEEL IS FLAT-TAKE TO SEV STAT,THEY REFILL DRIVE CAR AFTER X-MAS IT DEFLATES CAUSES CAR TO SPIN HIT LIGHT POLE MOSTLY ON TIRE AREA AT 40 MPH ,NO AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT BUT A HIGH SNOWBANK DECELERATES CAR.ALUM WHEEL LEAK AGAIN?EVER SINCE W.PUMP REPLACED A TAPPING COMES FROM CAM AREA.AT 75,000 MILES AUTO DR LOCK IN DRIV SIDE FAILS AND IS REPLACED.CAM NOISE CONT. AS SERV. PEOPLE SAY IT IS A LIFTER,FINALLY IN 2002 DEC. CAR RUNS ROUGH ,IS PUT ON COMP. AND FOUND TO HAVE BAD CAM TIMING.CHAIN IS INSPECTED AS IT IS STEEL AND FOR LIFE OF CAR.A TINY CHEAP BRACKET KEEPS THE CHAIN IN PLACE AND IT HAD CRACKED AND SLOWLY BROKEN AT 80,000 MILES.ENGINE GOT BY WITH NEW CHAIN AND LABOR FOR 800.00 DOL.85,000 NEW BATTERY,95,000 NEW BATTERY.108,000 4 SPEED AUTOTRANS STARTS SLIPPING INTO NEUTRAL.CAR STOPS ON HIGHWAY WONT MOVE.HW PATROL TOWS ,CHARGED 129.00 TO REPAIR SHOP.SAY TRANNY IS BAD.AND WATER PUMP IS LEAKING AGAIN.BILL WOULD BE THOUSANDS DUE TO PREMATURE FAILURE OF THESE PARTS AND CAR WILL BE SOLD AS PARTS CAR.TOO BAD,LOOKS GOOD.-MARCH 06,2004.*AK

NHTSA ID
10062085
Incident
Mar 5, 2004
Mileage
39,000 mi

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.

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Elsewhere on this vehicle

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Data on this page last refreshed .