Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (front, side and curtain air bags, sensors and inflators).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 1997 Pontiac Grand Prix owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
Tl* the contact owned a 1997 Pontiac Grand Prix. While driving at approximately 40 MPH, another vehicle made an illegal left turn. As a result, the contact crashed into the vehicle. The air bags failed to deploy. The contact sustained head, neck, and back injuries that required medical attention. A police report was filed. The vehicle was destroyed. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.
While driving 25 MPH another vehicle t-boned the consumer's vehicle on the driver's side and then a second time the vehicle was hit head on by the same motorist. Upon impact, both air bags did not deploy. The driver sustained back and neck injuries. The vehicle was totaled.
Tl* the contact owns a 1997 Pontiac Grand Prix. The contact was driving approximately 5 MPH when the passenger side air bag deployed independently. Within sixty seconds, the driver side air bag also deployed without warrant. The failure caused the front windshield to shatter and the contact sustained injuries to his arm. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to the contacts residence. The vehicle was not taken to a local mechanic or a dealer for the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The VIN was not available. The contact called the manufacturer and was advised that they could not assist since he did not have full insurance coverage. The failure and current mileage was approximately 190,000.
The engine shuts off while driving down the road. When the engine quit running, the oil light and alternator light didn't come on just the anti-lock brake light, also the tachometer stayed at 2000 RPM. I put the car in neutral and tried, but couldn't get the engine to start. Pulled over to the side of the road and tried several times before finally starting. I had to put transmission in the park position, and the key all the way off, then start the engine. I had the crankshaft sensor replaced, but made no difference. Its happened 6 times in the last 5 months and 300 miles. I quit driving it until I can get another car.
I was driving on rt 110 in amesbury and the driver side airbag deployed out of the blue. It burned my hand and was the scariest thing making me feel unconscious for a little while when I realized there was smoke in the vehicle I got out as fast as I could not knowing what happened. There was no reason for this to happen. There was no crash with other vehicles. I had the vehicle inspected and the alarm system was disconnected to stop a loud horn from blowing at Chevrolet dealership. The next day on the way to work it happened again shattering the window in the front. The passenger airbag deployed on the highway .
Tires hydroplaned even though all cars in front of me were going the same speed (45 MPH). Hydroplaning caused the car to go up embankment and rollover and crumpling drivers side front fender along with 75% of all the windows being knocked out. This crash did not deploy the drivers side nor the passenger side air bags. (tiresize: 225r 15)( dot number: tire size: 225r 15 )
Dash board airbag light stays on. This happened once under warranty and was fixed by the dealer at no charge, but then failed again approximately 8 months after the warranty expired. Dealer says the wiring is faulty and will cost a few hundred to fix. I have noticed a lot of complaints about the airbag light. Is there going to be a recall regarding this issue.
While traveling at about 35-40 MPH, consumer ran into another vehicle head-on. Upon impact, driver and passenger air bags did not deploy. Contacted dealer and they are not willing to do anything. Consumer stated there was an injury in the accident. Two weeks after purchase, water pump failed. Alternator failed. Windows quit going up and down.
Air bag sensor light stayed on. Dealer notified, and repairs were made by installing a s I r jumper wiring. Consumer think the failed product did come with vehicle. Consumer was charged for the correction that should have been a manufacturer's expense. Asking NHTSA to look into this matter.
While traveling at 30 MPH going across a bridge, driver lost control of vehicle. It fishtailed, and rear bumper hit the guard rail. Finally, coming to a stop by hitting the guard rail. Upon impact, none of the air bags deployed.
NHTSA investigations
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 or when an object strikes the floor pan.the recall population consists of 675,302 vehicles built…
Airbag complaints in other Grand Prix years
Frequently asked questions
How common are airbag problems on the 1997 Pontiac Grand Prix?
NHTSA has 56 complaints about the air bags of the 1997 Pontiac Grand Prix, 7% of the model year's 810 complaints. The component named most often is frontal (17 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1997 Pontiac Grand Prix airbag problems?
No. NHTSA lists no air bags recall for the 1997 Pontiac Grand Prix, though it has 5 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 Prix airbag problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 90,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 14 crashes, 0 fires and 12 injuries to air bags 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.