Cincinnati, OH
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
1997 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO VEHICLE CATCHING FIRE. *LD
NHTSA complaint #11024492 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
1997 Pontiac Grand Prix other reported problems
19 of the 1,064 complaints about the 1997 Pontiac Grand Prix are about the other systems — 2% of everything reported for this model year. Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before 109,000 miles.
19
Complaints
1
Crashes
2
Fires
0
Injuries
Exactly what failed
Unknown OR Other
18
94.7%
Other & Unspecified across every Pontiac Grand Prix year
What owners said
Filed with NHTSA, in their own words.
Circleville, OH
Fire
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
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.
NHTSA complaint #10281855 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 109,000 miles
Grand Forks AIR Force Base, ND
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
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.
NHTSA complaint #10239251 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Pana, IL
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
CURRENTLY, THE CLEARCOAT IS PEELING OFF THE CAR. LAST SUMMER, THE WINDOW MOTORS DIED. REOCCURING, IS THE AIR CONDITIONER PROBLEM. -IT DOESN'T WORK.
NHTSA complaint #10068878 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 58,700 miles
Scottsdale, AZ
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
NOTICED SEVERAL AREAS WHERE THE PAINT SEEMS TO BE PEALING ON THE CAR
NHTSA complaint #10069307 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 115,000 miles
Fennville, MI
Fire
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
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.
NHTSA complaint #10069498 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 86 miles
Duluth, GA
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
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.
NHTSA complaint #10070174 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 180,000 miles
Ottawa, UN
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
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.
NHTSA complaint #10071319 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Pflugerville, TX
ON 7/19/02, I WAS IN AN ACCIDENT AND TOTALED MY VEHICLE. SINCE THEN, I HAVE BEEN DRIVING MY 1997 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX THAT I PURCHASED FROM MY GRANDPARENTS. LESS THAN A MONTH LATER, 2ND AND THRIRD GEAR MELTED TOGETHER IN THE TRANSMISSION. THE ABS LIGHT HAS COME ON, AND THE CAR HAS LOST TRACTION. SINCE THAT DATE, MY FRONT SEAL STARTED LEAKING, I HAVE REPLACED MY BRAKES WHICH ARE QUICKLY WEARING OUT, I HAVE BEEN THROUGH 3 SETS OF TIRES, AND REPLACED THE FRONT BEARING ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE. I HAVE ALSO HAD TO HAVE A FRONT END ALIGNMENT DOE AND AM AGAIN IN DESPERATE NEED OF ANOTHER ONE. DUE TO THIS BEING MY ONLY VEHICLE, MY OPTIONS ARE LIMITED. I OFTEN FEEL SHAKING IN THE STEERING WHEEL AND THE CAR TENDS TO PULL. IT HAS BEEN LESS THAN A MONTH SINCE WE REPLACED THE BEARING AND WE ALREADY HEAR THE SAME RUBBING NOISE WE HEARD BEFORE. FINANCES LIMIT WHAT REPAIRS I CAN AND CAN'T HAVE ON THIS CAR. I HAVE ALREADY SPENT ABOUT $3500.00 ON THIS CAR, PLUS THE $5000 I BOUGHT IT FOR. WHEN YOU BRING HOME $1200.00 A MONTH, HAVE A HOUSE PAYMENT, TWO CAR PAYMENTS, AND ONLY ONE VEHICLE RUNNING(NOT A SAFE OR RELIABLE ONE AT THAT) IT MAKES MATTERS WORSE. MY MAIN REASON FOR WRITING THIS LETTER IS BECAUSE I HAVE LOST CONTROL OF MY CAR TWICE, WITH NO EXPLANATION. I AM SCARED TO DRIVE TO WORK, BUT I CAN NOT AFFORD ANOTHER VEHICLE OR PAY SOMEONE ELSE TO DRIVE ME 80 MILES ROUND TRIP TO GET TO WORK. ANY ASSISTANCE ANYONE CAN PROVIDE WOULD BE APPRECIATED.
NHTSA complaint #10007675 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Waldorf, MD
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
HEAD LIGHTS KEEP FALLING OFF THE VEHICLE. DEALER NOTIFIED. PH
NHTSA complaint #10006325 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Longwood, NC
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
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.
NHTSA complaint #868748 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Graceville, FL
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
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.
NHTSA complaint #724368 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Bethpage, NY
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
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.
NHTSA complaint #719842 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Richmond, VA
Crash
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
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.
NHTSA complaint #711931 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Glendale, AZ
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
NO SUMMARY
NHTSA complaint #711553 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Ponce, PR
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
THIS IS A VERY PROBLEMATIC CAR - I DON'T RECOMMEND IT. NO SAFETY DEFEC TMENTIONED.
NHTSA complaint #706584 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Jackson, MS
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
ODOMETER READS INCORRECTLY.
NHTSA complaint #533231 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Yorba Linda, CA
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
DRIVER'S SIDE DASH HAS A GAP AND IS LOOSE
NHTSA complaint #522133 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Tracy, CA
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
LOW OIL LIGHT COMES ON.
NHTSA complaint #515937 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.