1997 Pontiac Grand AM Electrical Problems

Which parts fail

• Ignition › Switch
  32
• Ignition
  23
• Alternator/generator/regulator
  15
• Ignition › Module
  8
• 12V/24V/48V battery
  8
• Wiring › Fuses and circuit breakers
  6

Components named in complaints (battery, alternator, wiring, ignition, instrument cluster, infotainment).

Mileage when the problem started

• Under 25k
  29%
• 25k–50k
  15%
• 50k–75k
  314%
• 75k–100k
  418%
• 100k–150k
  732%
• 150k+
  523%

Owner reports

Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 1997 Pontiac Grand AM owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).

Tl contact owns a 1997 Pontiac Grand AM. The contact noticed smoke inside the vehicle and sparks underneath the hood while the vehicle was parked. The mechanic stated that the wire harness needed to be replaced, but did not make the repair. The manufacturer stated that the vehicle is excluded from recall # 97V059000 (electrical system:wiring:front underhood). The current and failure mileages were 102,715.

Tl contact owns a 1997 Pontiac Grand AM. While driving 30-35 MPH, the vehicle shut off and on three different times. The windows would not roll up and down properly unless controlled by the driver's side control swtich. The fog lights do not work as well and the fuses are charred. The vehicle has not yet been taken to the dealer. The current and failure mileages were 128,728.

Ignition fire--inserted key into ignition slot and there was a terrible smell of insulation & something like gunpowder--the car's electric system was affected---recently watched tv & heard that Pontiac recalls Grand AM '97 because of problems w/ ignition switch and related fire. Consumer had the vehicle repaired and because of the recall expects reimbursement in full.

I have an electical problem in my car that no one seems to know what is if the fuse continues to blow constantly then they will be abble to trace the problem until then I have the birnden of worrying about my car catch on fire from this short.they told me to possibly try a headlight swich at an 85.00 price and labor on top of that on a maybe yes maybe no fix. At this point I just don't know what else to do. I'm hopeing that you night be able to help me cure this problem I've only had this vehicle since October of last year I hate to trade it in bscaus of this problem I dont have the funds avaible to me to purchase another vehicle for the taxes that I will have to pay out again for another vehicle. I just don't know what else to do at this point . I have blown apoxametly 25 -30 fuses since the accident . There is no certain time or ocurrence that this fuse blows . …

97 Grand AM 4cyl pur new 5/97 series of problems.gt version but driven cautiously by 40 year olds.at 2 years and 39,000 miles water pump fails.is under car and is 600.00 dol to replace!nobody should buy the 4 cylinder when an item prone to failure like a water pump cant be accessed without removing the manifolds on the car.at 50,000 key comes out of ignition while car running.ignition switch fails,has to be re keyed and cost is 500.00 by local mechanic serv stat.at 55,000 miles at interlocks up,car stuck towed at this time a alternator check shows that is not charging.replace both cost 800.00 plus battery.dec 2000 front left tire on alum wheel is flat-take to sev stat,they refill drive car after x-mas it deflates causes car to spin hit light pole mostly on tire area at 40 MPH ,no air bag deployment but a high snowbank decelerates car.alum wheel leak again?ever since w.pump replaced a …

Purchased car new at end of 97 model year. Within first six months returned car six times due to defective sway bar bushings. Problem has never been corrected. Car clunks as it is either turned to the right or left or travels (slowly) over speed bumps. Also have experienced paint peeling from outside mirrors, radio volume control problems, radio/clock display works only part of the time, right front passenger seat mounting broke and slid passenger into dashboard, 2 door sport coupe-both power windows motors have broken and been replaced. The driver's side window just broke for the second time in two years. Passenger window has also started to act sluggish. Discovered leaky intake manifold gasket. Another expensive repair. Rain leaks into car around window gaskets which also make a hissing sound at speeds over 45 MPH. …

This is the worst car (lemon) I have ever had. I bought this car from a used car dealer ship called new car alternative in livonia mi. I AM now on my third engine in the car. The first 2 failed due to the head gaskets blowing and anti-freeze was mixing with oil in the engine causing engine failure. All car window motors have be replaced 4 or 5 times each and still don't work. Back two doors are broke one wont open the other wont close. The sunroof wont close the dealer told me 1500 to replace motor and put back on tracks. Lol I have the brakes replaced 3 times in 5 years. I bought the car dec of 99 and have had all these problems since. I don't recommend anyone to buy a Grand AM or a car from this dealership they were no help at all. The first engine was covered by warranty second one was at my cost of 3500. Then another 1500 for new radiator and heater core. …

When a turn was made, the steering wheel produced a loud rubbing noise. Dealer notified. 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.

Pontiac Grand AM 1997, on 5/2/00 car would not start after being driven during the day, it turned over once, then nothing saw smoke trail coming from turn signal arm cut ignition switch off, got out of vechile, went into the house, about 3minutes heard the horn of the vehicle sounding, went outside to check , car was on fire at the drivers side, opened up drivers side door, flames were in the steering unit, and on the drivers seat , and steering wheel and top sun visor, ran and got a fire extinquisher, put out the fire, horn still going off, popped hood release and disconnected the hot cable from the battery. Car is now at dealership pending investigation, concerned that this might have happened when driving the vechile, was just lucky it did not happen during use.

While attempting to start the car a "clicking" sound occurred and the car would not start. The battery was replaced, and all was well for a week. Then, the ABS light came on while driving. Also, all the warning lights came on, the gauges flashed back and forth ,and the car stopped. Would not restart unless was set for several minutes. When it started the same incidents repeated. Warning lights would often come on and off without there being anything wrong with the system that the lights were indicating. Once the car was pulled to a stopping location it would not turn completely off , and the key would get stuck in the ignition. These problems persisted for 2 days until it completely stopped.

Related recalls

Electrical complaints in other Grand AM years