1997 Pontiac Grand AM Recalls, Complaints & Specs

2 safety recalls list the 1997 Pontiac Grand AM, and owners have filed 383 complaints with NHTSA. Check your own VIN below.

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2 safety recalls for the 1997 Pontiac Grand AM

Most recent first. Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. Click a recall for the full defect, consequence and remedy text.

1. Switch (electrical system)

   NHTSA 02V070000 Reported March 6, 2002 1,589,948 vehicles potentially affected GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

   On certain passenger vehicles. If the engine fails to start and the driver holds the key in the "start" position for an extended period, high current flows through the ignition switch, and sometimes produces enough heat to melt internal switch parts.

   Remedy: Dealers will install a relay kit in these vehicles to prevent high current from flowing through the ignition switch. Owner notification began march 27, 2002. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an…

2. Electrical system: front underhood

   NHTSA 97V059000 Reported April 8, 1997 3,464 vehicles potentially affected GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

   The protective cover for the underhood fuse center was omitted. Without this cover, the positive terminal bolt on the fuse block is exposed and can contact the insulated negative battery cable. If the insulation on the negative cable becomes sufficiently worn, an electrical short circuit can occur between the positive terminal and…

   Remedy: Dealers will inspect these vehicles for the presence of the protective cover and, if necessary, install a protective cover to the underhood fuse center.

383 owner complaints filed with NHTSA

Owners of the 1997 Pontiac Grand AM have filed 383 complaints with NHTSA; 32 describe a crash and 12 describe a fire. Reports cite 36 injuries and 3 deaths. The average mileage at failure in those reports is 99,152 miles. Complaints peaked in 2002 with 68 filed that year.

Most-reported components

• Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip37
• Electrical system: switch32
• Air bags: frontal28
• Engine and engine cooling: gasoline26
• Vehicle speed control24
• Electrical system: ignition23
• Visibility: power window devices and controls20
• Power train: automatic transmission16

What owners are reporting

“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”

Owner complaint to NHTSA, June 4, 2020 · Electrical system

“When trying to start the car the steering locks up and you have to move the steering wheel back and forth for it to catch and finally will start like it keeps locking up. My son bought this car as his”

Owner complaint to NHTSA, April 26, 2016 · Steering

Fuel economy and specs

EPA ratings for the 1997 Pontiac Grand Am. Ranges cover every tested configuration.

Compare Pontiac Grand AM model years

Recall and complaint counts for every Pontiac Grand AM model year in NHTSA's database.

Checking a specific 1997 Pontiac Grand AM

Other Pontiac models

• G65,889 complaints
• Grand Prix5,426 complaints
• Bonneville1,979 complaints
• Vibe1,865 complaints
• Sunfire1,144 complaints
• Montana1,054 complaints
• Trans Sport973 complaints
• Solstice728 complaints

Source: NHTSA recall and complaint databases and EPA fuel economy data, October 2026. Complaint counts are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. Recall counts are safety campaigns that list this model year; whether a particular car was already repaired depends on its VIN. How this data is compiled.