Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (engine, cooling system, oil leaks, timing chain, exhaust).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 1997 Pontiac Grand AM owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
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. …
Christmas eve 1999 while driving down the highway access road a loud boom was heard and the car began to lose to power. Luckily, we were about 200 feet from a gas station. We managed to get the car into the gas station. At this time I saw an immense amount of smoke coming from under the hood. My husband opened the hood and found the engine was on fire. As he ran into the store to get a fire extinguisher, a man from the fireworks stand next to the gas station arrived with an extinguisher and put the fire out. He had seen us coming down the access road with big ball of fire under the car. Our insurance company says that a piston gave out and as the engine began failing oil began to drip onto the catalytic converter or some other componant causing the fire. This is not covered by my insurance company because the fire was due to mechanical failure. We need to have a new engine. …
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.
When you run the air, the car stalls and won't start anywhere from one hour to three or four possibly the next day. The horn works sometimes, the raidio works sometimes as does the dispay, the volume goes up and down. The fuel systems shuts down along with the car when the air is running. The power window quit working in April, I replaced the one of the passenger side only to have the one on the driver side to stop working. The brakes went out with no warning. Anytime the car has any problems no lights come on to warn you it will just stop working. The shop that put the used engine in still can't tell me why it stared knocking. The ets system comes on and off all the time without pressing the button, I have had nothing but problems with the 1997 ponitac Grand AM gt.
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.
Tl contact owns a 1997 Pontiac Grand AM. The contact stated that the vehicle shut off at a stop without warning. The mechanic stated that the electrical system caused the failure. As of October 15, 2007, the dealer and manufacturer had not repaired the vehicle. The manufacturer stated that her VIN was excluded from NHTSA campaign id number 02V070000 (electrical system: ignition: switch). The contact felt that her vehicle should be included as part of the recall. The current and failure mileages were 150,000. Updated 01/11/08. The dealer stated engine replaced in June. Updated 12/12/07
Coolant levels in reserve tank always would drop below minimum levels, and we would continue to add coolant. Last oil change in June 2009 review no problem. November 2009, while son was driving home from college (approximately 80 miles) car began to overheat with temp gauge reading in the red. Had car towed to local shop and reported that coolant had leaked into core, engine destroyed (estimated repair - need new/remanufactured engine $2500-3000). Seems while reviewing this subject online and w/NHTSA web site that this has been a re-occurring problem with 1997 pontiacs 4 and 6 cylinder engines.
Intake manifold gasket warped and coolant leaked. This is the second GM 3.1 l engine which has had to have the intake manifold replaced. Also had to replace the water pump at the same time. Additionally the alternator has been replaced (again in both GM 3.1 l's I've had). The intake manifold gasket problem seems to be common with Pontiac's and malibu's (and other GM made cars). It's expensive to repair at a shop and time consuming and frustrating to do on your own. It's ridiculous that such a cheap part and cheaply made part hasn't been recalled.
Engine complaints in other Grand AM years
Frequently asked questions
How common are engine problems on the 1997 Pontiac Grand AM?
NHTSA has 83 complaints about the engine & cooling of the 1997 Pontiac Grand AM, 22% of the model year's 383 complaints. The component named most often is engine › gasoline (26 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1997 Pontiac Grand AM engine problems?
No. NHTSA lists no engine & cooling recall for the 1997 Pontiac Grand AM, though it has 2 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 1997 Pontiac Grand AM engine problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 92,000 miles, and 8% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 2 crashes, 1 fire and 1 injury to engine & cooling problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.