RecallRepo

1997 Pontiac Grand Am Recalls

Recalls on record Updated July 2026

The 1997 Pontiac Grand Am has 2 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting an estimated 1,593,412 vehicles. Recall repairs are always free at any authorized dealer. Owners have filed 600 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the service brakes, hydraulic. Last updated July 5, 2026.

Recall campaigns

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 02V070000 2002-03-06 1,589,948 affected
Defect

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.

Consequence

IF THE SWITCH IS DAMAGED, A FIRE COULD OCCUR IN THE STEERING COLUMN, EVEN WITH THE ENGINE OFF AND THE KEY REMOVED.

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 AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD…

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 97V059000 1997-04-08 3,464 affected
Defect

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…

Consequence

THIS HIGH CURRENT FLOW CAN CAUSE ARCING AND RESULT IN AN UNDERHOOD FIRE.

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.

Complaints by component

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
37
3crashes1fires1injuries
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
32
1crashes2fires1injuries
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
28
13crashes18injuries1deaths
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
26
1crashes1fires
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
24
1injuries
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
23
3fires
VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS
20
1fires1injuries
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
16
1crashes1injuries
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ALTERNATOR/GENERATOR/REGULATOR
15
1crashes1injuries
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
15
1injuries
Total complaints600

What owners report

Verbatim reports filed with NHTSA, lightly edited for readability and with personal information removed.

“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”

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM · reported 2020-05-20

“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 first car so no sure how long it has been like this doing this as we purchased from a friend and…”

STEERING · reported 2016-04-14

“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 first car so no sure how long it has been like this doing this as we purchased from a friend and…”

UNKNOWN OR OTHER · reported 2016-04-14

“The most recent of problems is my steering went out on me while turning in to a parking lot. Had my mechanic look at it and he said it was the rack and pinion seal that caused it to pour out the fluid. I have also had many other problems such as gas leaking even though all lines were replaced.…”

STEERING · reported 2013-10-04

“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”

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM · reported 2011-11-14

“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…”

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE · reported 2011-07-11

“I have brought a set of four tire from firestone dot number is h y c 6 38b 3896 dur3m365182 p195/65r15 so the tires start what do I do about this to come a part the frist time this happen I brought to tires. *tr”

TIRES · reported 2011-06-18

“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”

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL · reported 2010-12-12

Defect investigations

Investigation RQ03001 Opened 2003-01-02 · closed 2003-09-15

POWER RACK AND PINION STEERING FAILURE

GM CONDUCTED A SAFETY RECALL (NHTSA # 02V286) TO ADDRESS A STEERING DEFECT PERTAINING TO A LOWER PINION BEARING (LPB) WITHIN THE RACK AND PINION STEERING GEAR (R&P). THE RECALL COVERED 1,159,156 MODEL YEAR 1997-1998 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX VEHICLES BUILT BETWEEN MARCH 1, 1996 AND OCTOBER 31, 1997, 1996-1998 PONTIAC TRANS…

Investigation RQ03001 Opened 2003-01-02 · closed 2003-09-15

POWER RACK AND PINION STEERING FAILURE

GM CONDUCTED A SAFETY RECALL (NHTSA # 02V286) TO ADDRESS A STEERING DEFECT PERTAINING TO A LOWER PINION BEARING (LPB) WITHIN THE RACK AND PINION STEERING GEAR (R&P). THE RECALL COVERED 1,159,156 MODEL YEAR 1997-1998 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX VEHICLES BUILT BETWEEN MARCH 1, 1996 AND OCTOBER 31, 1997, 1996-1998 PONTIAC TRANS…

Investigation RQ98013 Opened 1998-08-26 · open

OVERSENSITIVE AIR BAG DEPLOYMENTS

ON JUNE 26, 1998, GENERAL MOTORS BEGAIN A SAFETY RECALL, 98V-146, TO RECALIBRATE THE AIR BAG SENSING AND DIAGNOSTIC MODULE (SDM) IN THE 1996 AND SOME 1997 J BODY CARS, CAVALIER AND SUNFIRE.DUE TO CERTAIN CALIBRATIONS IN THE AIR BAG SDM, THERE IS AN INCREASED RISK OF INADVERTENT AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT IN A LOW SPEED CRASH…

Sources & methodology

Recall, complaint, and investigation records from official NHTSA datasets (FLAT_RCL, FLAT_CMPL, FLAT_INV), synced weekly. Counts reflect NHTSA records for the 1997 Pontiac Grand Am as of July 5, 2026. Complaint narratives are consumer-submitted and unverified. This page contains ads and affiliate links. Full methodology.