NHTSA — Engine And Engine Cooling: Engine Problems

10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
1 / 0
Average Mileage:
26,600 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

1997 Pontiac Grand Am engine problems

engine problem

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1997 Pontiac Grand Am Owner Comments

problem #15

Jul 012001

Grand Am 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 74,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

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. Then alternator needed to be replaced. After that I needed a new transmission hose. This is such bull crap. What a lemon! plus I was pulling out of a gas station one day and my air bag decided to come out on it own no accident occurred and hit me in the face resulting in injuries and I had to go to the hospital.

- South Lyon, MI, USA

problem #14

Sep 292004

Grand Am 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 96,997 miles
I was driving to work one day and the engine started to make a funny noise, and when I shut it off. Took it to the mechanic, they told me it was the connecting rod. I will have to replace the engine because it is cheaper to put an engine in rather then rebuild the one I have. The engine is still in the car because I haven't got enough money to replace it.

- Cayuga, IN, USA

problem #13

Jul 022003

Grand Am 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 113,000 miles
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.

- Cleveland, OH, USA

problem #12

Jul 182003

Grand Am 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 87,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

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.

- Aurora, CO, USA

problem #11

Jul 011998

Grand Am 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 28,000 miles
If car does not run for 10 minutes or so, it stalls when driven. When restarted, it bogs very badly for a few minutes, then is able to be driven. This occurs in any weather conditions and has been occurring since I bought the car in 1998. It is a 1997.

- Nanticoke, PA, USA

problem #10

Feb 252003

(reported on)

Grand Am

  • miles
Oil leaked onto the engine, which caused the vehicle to smoke.

- Rochester, NY, USA

problem #9

Apr 282002

Grand Am

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

While driving 80mph driver heard a grinding noise in front end. Then, oil light came on, and black smoke started coming from tailpipe. Fuel entered the engine and bearings failed which caused the oil to become black and the bearing to grind.

- Owosso, MI, USA

problem #8

Feb 122000

Grand Am

  • miles
Th next year after I purchased my car, I began to lose compression. The car would also accelerate on its own, I noticed that my "check engine lights were on." I immediately took the car back to the dealers and they gave a diagnosis of "using the wrong gas". I am a women, and I don't know much about cars, therefore, at the time, I did not dispute this ridiculous diagnosis. A year later, I had to replace the brakes/disc pads twice. There was loud squelching noises. I also bought new tires after one year. Major problems have developed since 1999, which are: I had to have the thermostat replaced (air condition and heat stopped working), I had to have a new waterpump installed (car was pouring anti-freeze and smoking), and as of February 6, 2000, the car just completely stopped running. I received two qoutes from area repair shops estimating between $3K to $4,500 to rebuild and engine! I have exhausted myself contacting fred jones (spoke to him personally) of fred jones Pontiac, and their customer care center. Please help me! also, I read on your site that there was a recall on this vehicle for underhood fires - I never received a recall letter and my car was never taken in! I am very concerned that besides this make of car being a lemon, this may have also contributed to my problems. Please help me!!!

- Brookfield, WI, USA

problem #7

Sep 151999

(reported on)

Grand Am

  • miles
Vehicle would travel 40 mph without applying gas.

- Jacksonville, AR, USA

problem #6

Jul 131998

Grand Am

  • miles
Transmission not shifting, replacement of the valve body and oil pump necessary. Mjs

- Gilroy, CA, USA

problem #5

Apr 271999

(reported on)

Grand Am

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

When driving and driver presses the accelerator, vehicle will stall and then all of a sudden accelerate and take off. Vehicle was at dealership, and they replaced fuel pump/oil pump and computer analysis were done. Recently brakes seemed to be performing poorly. Upon braking, stopping distance exceeded approximately half car length. Please add VIN.#.

- Raleigh, NC, USA

problem #4

Apr 271998

(reported on)

Grand Am

  • miles
Oil pan failed resulting in leaking.

- Acnorth, GA, USA

problem #3

Apr 141998

Grand Am

  • miles
Intake manifold gaskets failed resulting in engine leaking.

- Lynwood, CA, USA

problem #2

Jun 011997

Grand Am

  • miles
Vehicle has intermittent noise in right rear, also in the right front of car, cluncking noise when starting the car up, sometimes while driving, continues to increase, dealer cannot duplicate the problem.

- Manasas, VA, USA

problem #1

May 021997

(reported on)

Grand Am

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Engine cylinder head cover failed, causing oil to leak.

- Bristol, CT, USA

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