Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (automatic and manual transmissions, CVT, axles, driveshaft, 4WD/AWD).
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).
On the 10th of June in 2016 driving down the freeway at 65 MPH with the cruise control engaged, I noticed a white colored smoke coming from the car. In the process of pulling over to the shoulder of the freeway the engine stopped and the smoke continued. Popped the hood and saw a fire on the middle/ frontfront of the motor. The fore was coming from the cover on the top of motor.
Problems with power steering pump, alternator, rack and pinion, power windows, and head gaskets. The power steering pump had suddenly gone out in traffic, the vehicle stopped abruptly in the middle of traffic(the alternator was replaced), the consumer discovered that the windshield wipers were inoperative upon start due to the failure of the wiper linkage under the cowl, the steering skipped as the consumer made right hand turns(the rack and pinion was replaced along with the power steering pump), the headlight lens had fallen off, the ceramic headgasket had to be replaced, the was a hesitation and alternator had to be replaced for a second time, the air bag warning light had come on due to a short in the wiring harness, the transmission grabbed along with hesitation(a tune up was performed and work was done to the transmission), the vehicle couldn't be taken out of the park …
This is the worst automobile I have ever owned. It is nickel and diming me to death. Both back windows are being held up in place by sticks that I have proped under them. The front passenger window I paid $300 to have repaired. The steering locked up on me and I had to dish out $500 to get that repaired, GM recalled it a couple of weeks after that, thank god I got some of my money back for that repair. The passengers side head light lens cover fell off $75 to replace that. I am presently working on the brake transmission shift indicator which I just called the dealer for a price on the part and am told it will be $224.07 for the part and probably $115 for the labor. The engine leaks oil I had my wife take it to the shop for them to take a look at and they told her that no leaks were evident. Well the oil in my driveway is coming from somewhere. …
I pulled into a car wash stall and shut my car off to wash it. After washing it I got back in my car and tried to put it in gear, but the shifter would not move. Thank god I had my cell phone, I had to call my husband out of work to come check out the car. He concluded that I have to stick a ink pen in the shift release hole to put it in gear. I had our three month old with me and it was cold that day, it would not have been nice if I would have had to walk with the baby. Anyway I have put it in the shop to get it checked and they do not know the problem. I was told it May cost me a lot of money to get it fixed by the time they find the problem. This is a severe safety problem to me. What if this happens to someone else with small children and they do have to walk. …
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.
97 Grand Prix, 3.8l high output engine,4t65e 4 speed automatic transmission, se model 4 door. Transmission was at first hesitant to go into reverse at 100,000 miles. Around 125,000 miles the transmission has no reverse or neutral movement while pushing the car in reverse. In other words you cannot move the car in reverse at all, even with the engine off and in neutral. Shop told me I had a broken reverse shift fork. Transmission service center advised that the car's used value does not warrant the repair cost or purchase of new equipment.
While driving 35-40 MPH ABS/traction control light came on, slowed down vehicle to 10 MPH. At that time vehicle sped up, wheels screeching. With foot on brake, and vehicle spun around and landed in ditch. Consumer tried to get out of ditch, vehicle accelerated again opposite way. Consumer realized he had a flat tire, drove 100-150 feet to find a flat spot to change tire. Vehicle lurched forward, and landed in ditch, had to be towed. Reported this to Pontiac, no response.
I put a $1,000 on a car the tranmisson is defected they claim the fixed it but did not and the air do not work/ today the car cut off on me and did not start so I left it beside the road so the dealership can pick it up this is a used car
Submitted to www.Pontiac.com: my '97 3.0l Grand Prix (80,000+ miles) has ran dry on the (auto) transmission. The dealer is telling me that he found no leakage around the trans. But that this model has in some way connected the fuel line to the transmission and that something failed with the fuel solenoid (or vacuum something-or-another) and that somehow this has created a vacuum in the transmission sucking the trans fluid out and into the fuel injectors for "bypass combustion". I'm sorry if I'm not translating/relating this properly, I am fairly literate about cars and internal combustion engines, but feel totally lost trying to explain or understand this. Does this sound logical to you? The mech. Said that this was fairly common with this model. …
Recall 99V348000 repairs on windshield wipers were done in July of 2000, vehicle has been taken back to dealer numerous times. Windshield wipers stopped working intermittently. Map lamp assembly, door lights, rear door lens, gasket lamp and headlamp assembly were all replaced, ABS light illuminated, dealer adjusted brake light switch. Both outer tie rods were replaced. Windshield cowl panel leaked and was replaced. Steering column was replaced. Serpentine belt has been replaced 3 times, valve cover gasket has been replaced 2 times, vehicle has experienced 3 oil leaks, oil pan and water pump were replaced, a belt snapped and has not yet been repaired. Alternator has been replaced 3 times. The supercharger gasket was replaced. The automatic shift mechanism was replaced. The radio skips and the radio module to the steering column broke. 2 front wheel speed sensor jumper wiring was replaced.
Transmission complaints in other Grand Prix years
Frequently asked questions
How common are transmission problems on the 1997 Pontiac Grand Prix?
NHTSA has 32 complaints about the transmission & drivetrain of the 1997 Pontiac Grand Prix, 4% of the model year's 810 complaints. The component named most often is automatic transmission (20 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1997 Pontiac Grand Prix transmission problems?
No. NHTSA lists no transmission & drivetrain 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 transmission problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 100,000 miles, and 14% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 1 fire and 1 injury to transmission & drivetrain 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.