RoadVitals

1997 Pontiac Grand Am Fuel system Problems

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

Data refreshed

Fuel system 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.
19
Latest Jan 13, 2012
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.
5%
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.
0
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
1

What this page shows

Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks. 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. 19 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 fuel system

Shown in the owner’s own words, exactly as filed

Fuel system
Filed Jan 13, 2012

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 PONTIAC GRAND AM. THE CONTACT STARTED THE IGNITION BUT THE VEHICLE IMMEDIATELY STALLED. THE SAME FAILURE OCCURRED ON A SEPARATE OCCASION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO STATED TO THE CONTACT THAT THE FUEL TANK PRESSURE RELIEF DEVICE WOULD REQUIRE REPLACEMENT. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 07E021000 (FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER: STORAGE: TANK ASSEMBLY: PRESSURE RELIEF DEVICES) BUT THE CONTACT'S VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 76,000.

NHTSA ID
10443692
Incident
Jul 11, 2011
Mileage
76,000 mi
Fuel system
Filed Jun 20, 2011

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 PONTIAC GRAND AM GT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE EXHIBITED A STRONG FUEL ODOR. THE FUEL CAP WAS REPLACED BUT THE ODOR PERSISTED WITH THE ILLUMINATION OF THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED AN EVAPORATION LEAK CODE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND WOULD NOT ASSIST WITH THE REPAIR DUE TO THE AGE OF THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 95,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 126,000.

NHTSA ID
10407554
Incident
May 1, 2008
Mileage
95,000 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
Fuel system
Filed Aug 27, 2004

WHILE DRIVING ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. DEALERSHIP INFORMED THE CONSUMER THAT THE PROBLEM PERTAINED TO THE LEAKAGE IN THE FUEL TANK. THE PROBLEM WAS NOT RESOLVED. *AK

NHTSA ID
10089903
Incident
Jul 18, 2004
Mileage
122,000 mi
BrakesElectricalEngine+2 more
Filed Jan 15, 2004

WHEN YOU RUN THE AIR, THE CAR STALLS AND WON'T START ANYWHERE FROM ONE HOUR TO THREE OR FOUR POSSIBLY THE NEXT DAY. THE HORN WORKS SOMETIMES, THE RAIDIO WORKS SOMETIMES AS DOES THE DISPAY, THE VOLUME GOES UP AND DOWN. THE FUEL SYSTEMS SHUTS DOWN ALONG WITH THE CAR WHEN THE AIR IS RUNNING. THE POWER WINDOW QUIT WORKING IN APRIL, I REPLACED THE ONE OF THE PASSENGER SIDE ONLY TO HAVE THE ONE ON THE DRIVER SIDE TO STOP WORKING. THE BRAKES WENT OUT WITH NO WARNING. ANYTIME THE CAR HAS ANY PROBLEMS NO LIGHTS COME ON TO WARN YOU IT WILL JUST STOP WORKING. THE SHOP THAT PUT THE USED ENGINE IN STILL CAN'T TELL ME WHY IT STARED KNOCKING. THE ETS SYSTEM COMES ON AND OFF ALL THE TIME WITHOUT PRESSING THE BUTTON, I HAVE HAD NOTHING BUT PROBLEMS WITH THE 1997 PONITAC GRAND AM GT.

NHTSA ID
10070666
Incident
Jul 15, 2003
Mileage
85,000 mi
Driver assistanceElectricalEngine+5 more
Filed Sep 2, 2003

WHEN A TURN WAS MADE, THE STEERING WHEEL PRODUCED A LOUD RUBBING NOISE. DEALER NOTIFIED. *AK THERE WERE HIGH IDLE PROBLEMS. THE INTERIOR LIGHTS AND THE POWER LOCKS WERE REPLACED. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT HAD COME ON AND THE VEHICLE HAD STARTED TO RUN ROUGH, THE ALTERNATOR LIGHT HAD COME ON AND THE ALTERNATOR WAS REPLACED. THE DRIVERS SIDE SEAT BELT DID NOT RETRACT AND WAS REPLACED, THE LOWER FRONT CONTROL ARM WAS REPLACED, THE BLOWER MOTOR WAS REPLACED, THE COMPRESSOR WAS REPLACED, WHEN STARTING THE ENGINE COLD, THERE WAS A KNOCKING SOUND ON THE RIGHT SIDE UNTIL THE VEHICLE WAS WARM ,THEN THE NOISE WOULD GO AWAY, SURGING WOULD ALSO OCCUR AND WOULD WORSEN WHEN THE ENGINE WAS WARMED, THE VOLUME ON THE RADIO WAS ERRATIC(HAD GONE UP WHEN TRYING TO TURN DOWN), THE SENSOR THROTTLE POSITION SHORTED AND WAS INTERMITTENT, THE VALVE AIR CONTROL WAS REPLACED, AND THE FUEL FILTER WAS REPLACED. *SCC *JB

NHTSA ID
10031249
Incident
Jul 2, 2003
Mileage
113,000 mi
Fuel system
Filed Apr 22, 2002

CONSUMER IS HAVING TROUBLE WITH THE VEHICLES INTAKE MAINFOLD GASKET. *JG

NHTSA ID
785958
Incident
Apr 18, 2002
Fuel system
Filed Apr 27, 2001

CONSUMER SMELLED FUEL INSIDE VEHICLE. DEALER STATED FUEL DRIPPED ON ALTERNATOR, REPLACED FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM TWICE, SECOND TIME IN AUGUST 2000. CONSUMER FELT THIS COULD CAUSE A FIRE. *AK

NHTSA ID
886988
Incident
Nov 1, 1999
Fuel system
Filed Oct 27, 2000

INTERMITTENTLY VEHICLE WOULD STALL WHILE DRIVING, VEHICLE WOULD RESTART AFTER 15-20 MINUTES. VEHICLE HAS BEEN IN DEALER'S SHOP ON TWO OCCASIONS AND PROBLEM IS STILL OCCURRING, CONSUMER STATES THAT IT FEELS AS IF THE ENGINE IS NOT RECEIVING FUEL AND A HOT BURNING ODOR IS COMING FROM THE FUEL TANK AREA, POSSIBLE FUEL SYSTEM FAILURE. *SLC

NHTSA ID
874018
Incident
May 15, 2000
Fuel systemInterior & seatsVisibility
Filed Jun 19, 2000

THERE ARE MORE PROBLEMS THEN LISTED. EVERY TIME I HAVE SPOKEN WITH THE DEALER IT HAS BEEN A WASTE OF TIME. PHONE CALLS NEVER RETURNED. I GET BLOWN OFF BY THEM. I WAS IN ROYAL OAK,MI WITH MY FRIENDS WHEN THE CAR FROZE IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD. EVERY DASH LIGHT WAS BLINKING, AND WE COULDN'T GET THE CAR OUT OF DRIVE TO PUSH IT. ONCE WE FINALLY GOT THE CAR MOVED TO A SIDE STREET, MY FRIENDS WENT TO LOOK FOR HELP, AND I GOT JUMPED AND MASED WHILE I STOOD BY MY CAR WAITING FOR THEM TO RETURN. THE DRIVERS SIDE KEY DOESN'T WORK, DEALER SAYS IT'S CAUSE OF KEYLESS ENTRY, AIR CONDITIONER KILLS BATTERY, CRUSE CONTROL KICKS OUT, HEAD LIGHTS ALWAYS ARE ON, AND IT'S NOT THE DAY TIME RUNNING LIGHTS. WHEN STEPPING ON THE GAS TO PASS SOMEONE, NOTHING HAPPENS, ABOUT 5 OR MORE SECONDS LATER, IT WILL KICK IN UNEXPECTIDLY. THIS IS THE SECOND CAR I HAVE BOUGHT FROM THIS DEALER, THE FIRST WAS A 91 PONTIAC SUNBIRD, WHICH TURNED OUT TO BE A 90 WHEN I TRAIDED IT IN AT ANOTHER DEALER. SO I ENDED UP PAYING WAY TO MUCH FOR THE CAR, AND LOST ON IT WHEN I TRADED IT IN. I LIVE 1 HOUR AND 45MINS. AWAY FROM THE DEALER NOW WHEN I TOOK IT IN FOR SERVICE I FOUND OUT THAT THEY GAVE ME ONLY MECHANICAL ON THE EXTENDED SERVICE CONTRACT, NO ELECTRICAL, SO EVERYTHING COMES OUT OF MY POCKET. THEN TO FIND OUT I HAVE TO LEAVE MY CAR THERE FOR DAYS UP TO WEEKS, WITH NO LOANER, AND NO WAY TO GET BACK HOME, AND THE SERVICE MANAGER, AND DEALER BOTH SAID "NOTHING WE CAN DO FOR YOU."*AK

NHTSA ID
724237
Fuel system
Filed Jun 5, 2000
1 injury reported

FUEL INJECTORS FAILED RESULTING IN ACCIDENT. NLM

NHTSA ID
784682
Incident
Jun 4, 1999
Fuel system
Filed Jun 5, 2000

FUEL INJECTORS FAILED CAUSING THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT TO ILLUMINATE. NLM

NHTSA ID
784681
Incident
Jul 4, 1999
Fuel system
Filed May 25, 2000

CAR ENGINE STARTED TO SHAKE UNCONTROLLABLE, FUEL SYSTEM WAS DAMAGE, NEW SYSTEM NEEDED.

NHTSA ID
9000833
Fuel system
Filed Apr 9, 2000

OUR CAR DECELERATES FROM 65 MPH DOWN TO 45 MPH ON THE FREEWAY. THIS HAS OCCURRED NINE DIFFERENT TIMES AND WE ARE FORTUNATE THAT WE HAVE NOT BEEN KILLED. THE DEALERSHIP HAS NO IDEA WHAT IS CAUSING THIS AND THEY DON'T SEEM OVERLY CONCERNED THAT WE MAY DIE IF THIS OCCURS AGAIN. ALL WE ARE ASKING IS FOR THE LEASE TO BE TERMINATED BECUASE OF THIS PROBLEM. PLEASE HELP US BEFORE SOMETHING HAPPENS. THANK YOU. *AK

NHTSA ID
721232
Incident
Jan 11, 2000
Fuel systemExterior lightingTransmission+1 more
Filed Dec 21, 1999

HAD THE SUNROOF MOTOR REPLACED 2 TIMES, LEFT FRONT WHEEL NOISE, DEALER SAID THERE IS NO PROBLEM ALWAYS MAKES GRINDING NOISE LEFT FRONT AFTER CAR SITS ALL NIGHT , WHEN YOU FIRST PUT CAR IN REVERSE THE NOISE IS NOTICEABLE, HAD TOO HAVE LEFT REAR TAILLGHT REPLACED WHEN NEW,CAR TRUNCK GETS DUST INTO AT RIGHT SIDE OF REAR SEAT WHERE IT FOLDS DOWN , DEALER SAYS THERE IS NO PROBLE, STILL NOT REPAIRED ,CAR IS NOW OUT OF WARRANTY.HAS COOLANT LEAK AT THE INTAKE MANIFOLD ,HAS BEEN LEAKING FOR APROX 15,000 MILES AGAIN OUT OF WARRANTY THIS WAS MY FIRST NEW CAR I HAVE EVER BOUGHT AND WILL NEVER BUY ANOTHER GENERAL MOTORS CAR AGAIN, AND I WORK FOR GENERALMOTORS. I HAVE HAD NOTHING BUT PROBLEMS WITH THIS CAR. I HAD A SALVAGE BUICK CENTRY I SOLD TOO PURCHASE THIS NEW ONE AND IT WAS A VERY NICE CAR NEVER HAD THE PROBLEMS WITH THAT CAR AND IT WAS WRECKED. NO MORE GENERAL MOTORS FOR ME . *AK

NHTSA ID
716332
Incident
Jun 15, 1999
ElectricalEngineFuel system
Filed Dec 19, 1999

THIS IS THE LETTER I SUBMITTED TO THEM: I'M WRITING YOU THIS LETTER TO LET YOU KNOW HOW DISATISFIED I AM WITH YOUR PRODUCT. I BOUGHT MY 97 PONTIAC GRAND AM NEW. I AM A STRONG BELIEVER YOU GET WHAT YOU PAY FOR. THAT IS WHY I BOUGHT NEW VERSUS A USED VEHICLE. I BELIEVE THAT I SHOULD GET MORE FOR MY MONEY THAN WHAT I HAVE GOT FROM YOUR PRODUCT. I'M VERY DISSATISFIED!!!! I AM IN THE U.S.M.C. MY FAMILY AND I DO ALOT OF TRAVELING TO AND FROM OUR HOME STATE. MY WIFE WAS BROKE DOWN ON THE HIGHWAY WITH THIS VEHICLE. WE AS CAR OWNERS HAVE NEVER BROKE DOWN ON THE HIGHWAY IN MY 18 YEARS OF BEING IN THE MILITARY. I AM VERY PICKY ABOUT MY VEHICLES AND ALWAYS HAVE MY CAR SERVICED AS REQUIRED. I NEVER MISS MY OIL CHANGES. I AM A MIDDLE CLASS CITIZEN JUST TRYING TO MAKE A LIVING AND MAKE SURE MY FAMILY IS SAFE ON THE ROADS. I HAVE HAD NO PROBLEMS WITH THE CAR DEALERSHIP. I BELIEVE THEM TO BE THE BEST IN TOWN. I BELIEVE I JUST PICKED THE LEMON ON THE LOT. I HAVE LISTED MY EXPENSES THAT I HAVE PAID OUT OF MY POCKET AND ALSO WHAT WAS COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. PLEASE FELL FREE TO GIVE ME A CALL IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS. I FEEL THAT I SHOULD BE REIMBURSE FOR REPAIRS AND EXPENSES. OF $1257.65 *AK

NHTSA ID
716234
Incident
Aug 20, 1999
Heating & air conditioningElectricalFuel system
Filed Dec 8, 1999

FUEL FILTER AND FUEL SENSOR FAILED. YH

NHTSA ID
549888
Incident
Oct 1, 1999
BrakesDriver assistanceEngine+1 more
Filed Apr 27, 1999

WHEN DRIVING AND DRIVER PRESSES THE ACCELERATOR, VEHICLE WILL STALL AND THEN ALL OF A SUDDEN ACCELERATE AND TAKE OFF. VEHICLE WAS AT DEALERSHIP, AND THEY REPLACED FUEL PUMP/OIL PUMP AND COMPUTER ANALYSIS WERE DONE. RECENTLY BRAKES SEEMED TO BE PERFORMING POORLY. UPON BRAKING, STOPPING DISTANCE EXCEEDED APPROXIMATELY HALF CAR LENGTH. PLEASE ADD VIN.#. *AK

NHTSA ID
837147
Fuel system
Filed Jun 13, 1998

LOUD KNOCKING NOISE COMES FROM ENGINE WHEN STARTING POSSIBLY CAUSED BY THE LIFTERS.

NHTSA ID
536853

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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Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .