Total Complaints
1064 filings
PONTIAC GRAND PRIX · model year
1064 NHTSA complaints, 52 crash reports for this specific cohort.
NHTSA overall rating
Not crash-tested
New Car Assessment Program
The 1997PONTIACGRAND PRIX carries 1064 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 52 crashes, 123 fires, 42 injuries, and 2 fatalities. No NCAP 5-star crash-test rating is available for this model year in the federal database.
Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 1997 GRAND PRIX is exterior lighting:headlights with 135 filings, followed by steering:rack and pinion (130) and engine and engine cooling (56). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability.
NHTSA currently has 5 investigation files overlapping the 1997 GRAND PRIX. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page — a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.
Total Complaints
1064 filings
Crashes Reported
52 reports
Source
NHTSA ODI
Federal complaints database
Above median complaint volume — review patterns below.
| Component | Count |
|---|---|
| EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS | 135 |
| STEERING:RACK AND PINION | 130 |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING | 56 |
| ENGINE | 45 |
| VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER | 33 |
| AIR BAGS | 33 |
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP | 32 |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE | 31 |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 29 |
| STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM | 29 |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE | 27 |
| STEERING | 24 |
| POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION | 20 |
| UNKNOWN OR OTHER | 18 |
| AIR BAGS:FRONTAL | 17 |
NOTE: I HAVE FILED A SAFELY COMPLAINT BEFORE WITH THE NHTSA ABOUT THIS SAFETY ISSUE ON NOV 9, 2020 REFERENCE NUMBER: 11373799. AND NOW DUE TO SAFETY NEGLIGENCE FROM THE INVESTIGATION DEPARTMENT OF THE NHTSA ..EXCESSIVE HEAT COMING FROM THE EXTREMELY HOT OIL THAT'S DRIPPING OFF THE EXTREMELY HOT EXHAUST MANIFOLD THAT'S LEAKING FROM THE VALVE COVER STARTED A FIRE UNDER THE HOOD AND ALSO LEAKED INTO THE CYLINDER CAUSING THE PISTON TO SLIT INTO NUMEROUS PIECES THEN VIOLENTLY BEING SHOT BACK AND FORTH STRIKING THE CYLINDER WALLS VIOLENTLY THEN BREAKING THROUGH THE ENGINE BLOCK AND OIL PAN, THEN SPILLING HOT OIL ON THE I-105 HIGHWAY AT HIGH WAY SPEED COMING UP ON A FORK, LOST OIL COMPRESSION AND STALLING OUT WITH HEAVY THICK CAN'T SEE IN MORE THEN 5 FEET IN FRONT OF YOU GREY/BLACK SMOKE COMING FROM BOTH ENDS OF THE VEHICLE. ALMOST COSTED ME MY LIFE
Mileage: 210,500
NOTE: I HAVE FILED A SAFELY COMPLAINT BEFORE WITH THE NHTSA ABOUT THIS SAFETY ISSUE ON NOV 9, 2020 REFERENCE NUMBER: 11373799. AND NOW DUE TO SAFETY NEGLIGENCE FROM THE INVESTIGATION DEPARTMENT OF THE NHTSA ..EXCESSIVE HEAT COMING FROM THE EXTREMELY HOT OIL THAT'S DRIPPING OFF THE EXTREMELY HOT EXHAUST MANIFOLD THAT'S LEAKING FROM THE VALVE COVER STARTED A FIRE UNDER THE HOOD AND ALSO LEAKED INTO THE CYLINDER CAUSING THE PISTON TO SLIT INTO NUMEROUS PIECES THEN VIOLENTLY BEING SHOT BACK AND FORTH STRIKING THE CYLINDER WALLS VIOLENTLY THEN BREAKING THROUGH THE ENGINE BLOCK AND OIL PAN, THEN SPILLING HOT OIL ON THE I-105 HIGHWAY AT HIGH WAY SPEED COMING UP ON A FORK, LOST OIL COMPRESSION AND STALLING OUT WITH HEAVY THICK CAN'T SEE IN MORE THEN 5 FEET IN FRONT OF YOU GREY/BLACK SMOKE COMING FROM BOTH ENDS OF THE VEHICLE. ALMOST COSTED ME MY LIFE
Mileage: 210,500
NOTE: I HAVE FILED A SAFELY COMPLAINT BEFORE WITH THE NHTSA ABOUT THIS SAFETY ISSUE ON NOV 9, 2020 REFERENCE NUMBER: 11373799. AND NOW DUE TO SAFETY NEGLIGENCE FROM THE INVESTIGATION DEPARTMENT OF THE NHTSA ..EXCESSIVE HEAT COMING FROM THE EXTREMELY HOT OIL THAT'S DRIPPING OFF THE EXTREMELY HOT EXHAUST MANIFOLD THAT'S LEAKING FROM THE VALVE COVER STARTED A FIRE UNDER THE HOOD AND ALSO LEAKED INTO THE CYLINDER CAUSING THE PISTON TO SLIT INTO NUMEROUS PIECES THEN VIOLENTLY BEING SHOT BACK AND FORTH STRIKING THE CYLINDER WALLS VIOLENTLY THEN BREAKING THROUGH THE ENGINE BLOCK AND OIL PAN, THEN SPILLING HOT OIL ON THE I-105 HIGHWAY AT HIGH WAY SPEED COMING UP ON A FORK, LOST OIL COMPRESSION AND STALLING OUT WITH HEAVY THICK CAN'T SEE IN MORE THEN 5 FEET IN FRONT OF YOU GREY/BLACK SMOKE COMING FROM BOTH ENDS OF THE VEHICLE. ALMOST COSTED ME MY LIFE
Mileage: 210,500
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE ENGINE OIL WAS LEAKING ON TOP OF THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD AND CAUSED SMOKE TO EMIT FROM UNDER THE VEHICLE HOOD. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC TO HAVE A DIAGNOSTIC PERFORMED THAT LOCATED THE FAILURE CODE AT THE VALVE COVER AND INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE COULD CATCH ON FIRE AS A RESULT OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 200,000. INVALID VIN. *DT *DT *TR*DT*DT*JB
Mileage: 200,000
THE ENGINE LEAKS OIL ON THE MANIFOLD WHICH STARTED A FIRE AND ELECTRICAL SOME OF MY SENSOR CONNECTORS AND NOT WORKING.. THE FIRE STARTED AFTER I PULLED IN TO DRIVE WAY AND I CAN FEEL FROM THE INSIDE OF THE CAR THAT THE ENGINE WAS GETTING REAL HOT SO I POPPED THE HOOD AND THERE WAS A SMALL FIRE ON THE MANIFOLD. *TR
Mileage: 200,000
THE ENGINE LEAKS OIL ON THE MANIFOLD WHICH STARTED A FIRE AND ELECTRICAL SOME OF MY SENSOR CONNECTORS AND NOT WORKING.. THE FIRE STARTED AFTER I PULLED IN TO DRIVE WAY AND I CAN FEEL FROM THE INSIDE OF THE CAR THAT THE ENGINE WAS GETTING REAL HOT SO I POPPED THE HOOD AND THERE WAS A SMALL FIRE ON THE MANIFOLD. *TR
Mileage: 200,000
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 1997 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN A PARKING LOT, THE DRIVER ATTEMPTED TO START THE VEHICLE AND HEARD A CLICKING NOISE. AFTERWARDS, THICK SMOKE APPEARED UNDER THE HOOD. WITHIN SECONDS, THE VEHICLE WAS ENGULFED IN FLAMES. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CALLED TO THE SCENE AND EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. A FIRE REPORT WAS FILED. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALED AND TOWED. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DETERMINED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.
WHILE DRIVING MY 1997 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX TO THE TIRE SHOP IT BURST INTO FLAMES. THE FIRE STARTED UNDER THE HOOD AND TOTALLY DAMAGED THE VEHICLE.
Mileage: 200,000
WHILE DRIVING MY 1997 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX TO THE TIRE SHOP IT BURST INTO FLAMES. THE FIRE STARTED UNDER THE HOOD AND TOTALLY DAMAGED THE VEHICLE.
Mileage: 200,000
1997 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO VEHICLE CATCHING FIRE. *LD *JS
REAR VALVE COVER LEAKING. AS IN RECALL 09047 FOR FRONT VALVE COVER.
I HAVE RECEIVED A NOTICE ONCE A YEAR ABOUT A RECALL ON THE ENGINE AND CALLED A DEALERSHIP LAST YEAR AND WAS TOLD THERE WAS NO RECALL FOR MY CAR. I LET THEM KNOW I HAD A NOTICE AND WAS TOLD THEY WOULD LOOK INTO IT AND CALL ME BACK. WELL I NEVER RECEIVED A CALL BACK AND I ALSO DID NOT FOLLOW THROUGH. I JUST RECEIVED ANOTHER NOTICE AND NOT EVEN SURE WHERE TO START TO CALL. I WOULD LIKE TO GET THIS FIXED AND BE ABLE TO GET MY CAR SMOGED.
FUEL GAGE DOESNT WORK ALWAYS READS FULL- SHOWS OVER FULL WHEN ITS HOT OUT-OIL AND RADIATOR LEAK- FOLLOWED LAST ENGINE RECALL-NEW RADIATOR HOSES ETC 1250$-AIR BAG? I GOT RECALL WORK DONE LAST YEAR
Mileage: 100,000
FUEL GAGE DOESNT WORK ALWAYS READS FULL- SHOWS OVER FULL WHEN ITS HOT OUT-OIL AND RADIATOR LEAK- FOLLOWED LAST ENGINE RECALL-NEW RADIATOR HOSES ETC 1250$-AIR BAG? I GOT RECALL WORK DONE LAST YEAR
Mileage: 100,000
FUEL GAGE DOESNT WORK ALWAYS READS FULL- SHOWS OVER FULL WHEN ITS HOT OUT-OIL AND RADIATOR LEAK- FOLLOWED LAST ENGINE RECALL-NEW RADIATOR HOSES ETC 1250$-AIR BAG? I GOT RECALL WORK DONE LAST YEAR
Mileage: 100,000
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX. WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED, BUT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO ACCELERATE AND A STRONG BURNING ODOR WAS PRESENT INSIDE THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT PULLED THE VEHICLE OFF THE ROADWAY AND IT FILLED UP WITH SMOKE. THE CONTACT EXITED THE VEHICLE AND NO FLAMES WERE EVIDENT. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT ARRIVED, BUT THE SMOKE HAD ALREADY CLEARED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FIRE DEPARTMENT ADVISED HER NOT TO DRIVE OR ATTEMPT TO START THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT SIGNED A FORM FROM THE FIRE DEPARTMENT AND WAS UNSURE IF A REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S HOME. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTIFICATION FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 09V116000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING) TWO MONTHS AFTER THE FAILURE OCCURRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX. AFTER STOPPING AT A STOP SIGN FROM 20 MPH, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO ACCELERATE WHEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED WITHOUT WARNING, BUT THEN FAILED. IN ADDITION, WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS IN PARK, SMOKE BEGAN TO EMIT INSIDE AND OUTSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 09V116000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX. AFTER STOPPING AT A STOP SIGN FROM 20 MPH, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO ACCELERATE WHEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED WITHOUT WARNING, BUT THEN FAILED. IN ADDITION, WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS IN PARK, SMOKE BEGAN TO EMIT INSIDE AND OUTSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 09V116000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 1997 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX. THE CONTACT NOTICED SMOKE ENTERING THE VEHICLE FROM THE DOORS AND FLAMES UNDER THE HOOD. THE POLICE AND FIRE DEPARTMENTS WERE CALLED AND THE FIRE DEPARTMENT EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED AND THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS DEEMED DESTROYED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 114,000.
Mileage: 114,000
PURCHASED A USED 1997 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX FOR MY SON IN 2003 WHEN HE TURNED 16. DURING A SHORT TRIP HOME FROM A LIVESTOCK JUDGING CONTEST IN THE SPRING OF 2005, HE HAD PULLED AWAY FROM A STOP SIGN AND IMMEDIATELY NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. HE PULLED OVER AND OPENED THE HOOD TO SEE HIS ENTIRE ENGINE ENGULFED IN FLAMES. THE CAR WAS IN A RURAL AREA AND BY THE TIME FIRE PERSONNEL GOT TO THE SCENE, THE ENTIRE CAR HAD BEEN BURNT UP IN FLAMES. APPROXIMATELY A YEAR OR TWO AFTER THE INCIDENT WE RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FROM GM IDENTIFYING THE EXACT PROBLEM WE HAD ENCOUNTERED. AFTER NUMEROUS CONTACTS WITH GM WANTING SOME SORT OF RESTITUTION THEY DENIED OUR CLAIM BECAUSE WE NO LONGER HAD THE CAR FOR THEM TO INVESTIGATE OR ANY PICTURES. WE DID HAVE THE TESTIMONY OF THE TOW TRUCK AND THE WEST BROOKLYN IL FIRE PERSONNEL BUT WOULD NOT ACCEPT THAT. OVER THE COARSE OF THE YEARS THEY KEEP SENDING US RECALL NOTICES ON THE SAME VEHICLE WANTING US TO BRING IT INTO THE DEALER FOR REPAI
Mileage: 150,000
Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.
Read our methodology — how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.