When trying to start the car the steering locks up and you have to move the steering wheel back and forth for it to catch and finally will start like it keeps locking up. My son bought this car as his first car so no sure how long it has been like this doing this as we purchased from a friend and he did say that something was up with the steering when trying to start.

- North Rose, NY, USA

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. Car has been driven with care for nine years(odometer=80,000 miles) and has had oil changes, tire rotations, etc. Completed according to schedule. Owner cannot afford additional costly repairs especially since it seems to be going downhill from here. Disgusted with problems as well as with lack of service from several different Pontiac dealers. Owner cannot afford to buy a [decent] new car and will have to purchase something used. Make no mistake- it won't be a GM product!

- Harrisburg, PA, USA

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.

- Cincinnati, OH, USA

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

Vehicle has been taken to dealer 17 times for electrical problems. Horn would stop working, ets and engine lights came on. Radio was very hot to touch. Dealer has replaced radio 6 times, and motor of driver and front passenger power windows 6 times. Consumer felt electrical system was defective.

- Kittrell, NC, USA

While under warranty swaybar bushings were replaced 4 times. The rear windshield leaked water into the trunk which caused moldy carpet that the dealership refused to replace even though the car was still under warranty. The plastic cover on the instrument panel rattles as well as the plastic cover where the radio and climate control knobs are located. Dealer has said that there is nothing that can be done about this. The sidewalls on the two front tires were defective and had to be replaced. The left rear tire had a patch in it before I even received the car. The fuse for the lights on the instrument panel keeps blowing and when the dealership was questioned about this they said that it was nothing. It has now blown 15 times. The water pump "shredded" at 37,000 miles. The car accelerates on its own after being taken out of park and put in drive. The brakes "pulse" at 10 miles an hour. The radio controls work opposite of what they're supposed to (ie turn up and it does nothing, turn down and it gets louder). Battery went dead at 40,000 miles. Rearview mirror lever "fell off" inside door for no apparent reason. Severe paint chipping on front of car.

- Addison, TX, USA

The engine quits running while driving and will not restart. Engine check light then comes on and the clock will not show the time. The dealer has serviced the car 3 times for this and say it is something different each time, even though the car does the exact same thing every time. The warranty is almost out and we feel this is rediculous!

- Garland, TX, USA

Card runs rough, stumbles and hesitates, engine check light on. Dealer replaced catalitic converter, O2 censors, egr valve, spark plugs to no avail. Please E-mail me if you are having the same problem at alien@castles.com.

- Benicia, CA, USA

While driving in stop and go traffic a van came up behind consumer's vehicle and rear ended it. Consumers had to slam on brakes, passengers had to restrain themselves by placing hands on the dashboard. Seat belts were worn at the time, but they didin't catch. This could have caused passenger to go through the window. Took to dealer, and they are did nothing about problem.

- Concord, CA, USA

No summary listed for this vehicle.

- Chicago, IL, USA

Engine light and ABS light stays on.

- Lake Saint, MO, USA

Vehicle was involved in a frontal collision. Upon impact, the dashboard fell on the passenger, breaking her right leg and left foot. Dealer has not been notified.

- Elk Grove Village, IL, USA

Visor hangs to low, misadjusted.

- North Royalton, OH, USA