NHTSA — Power Train: Automatic Transmission Problems

10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
1 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
1 / 0
Average Mileage:
27,753 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 transmission problems

transmission problem

Find something helpful? Spread the word.
Get notified about new defects, investigations, recalls & lawsuits for the 1997 Pontiac Grand Am:

Unsubscribe any time. We don't sell/share your email.

1997 Pontiac Grand Am Owner Comments

problem #16

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 #15

Jun 081999

Grand Am

  • 45,000 miles
While driving at 50 mph vehicle began to overheat. Consumer heard sounds as if some one had dropped marbles in the engine. Soon after the vehicle stalled. A mechanic examined the vehicle, and found that the timing chain was defective. Also, consumer had to get a new transmission, and ABS system needed to be replaced.

- Bolingbrook, IL, USA

problem #14

Mar 052004

Grand Am 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 39,000 miles
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 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 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 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 tapping comes from cam area.at 75,000 miles auto dr lock in driv side fails and is replaced.cam noise cont. As serv. People say it is a lifter, finally in 2002 Dec. Car runs rough, is put on comp. And found to have bad cam timing.chain is inspected as it is steel and for life of car.a tiny cheap bracket keeps the chain in place and it had cracked and slowly broken at 80,000 miles.engine got by with new chain and labor for $800 dol.85,000 new battery,95,000 new battery.108,000 4 speed autotrans starts slipping into neutral.car stops on highway wont move.hw patrol tows, charged $129 to repair shop.say tranny is bad.and water pump is leaking again.bill would be thousands due to premature failure of these parts and car will be sold as parts car.too bad, looks good.-March 06,2004.

- Mpls, MN, USA

problem #13

Sep 292003

Grand Am 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 82,500 miles

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

I had to replace transmission due to severe slippage 2nd to 3rd gear. 82000 miles on it. Drivers power window system needed repaired. Pass front inop. Radio know is screwed up.

- Geneva, OH, USA

problem #12

Apr 012002

Grand Am

  • Automatic transmission
  • 108,000 miles
Sensor in transmission failed. Driver's window had previously been replaced/electrical problem. Now, having problems in the other windows/and the one replaced.**** dims 11 IVOQ entry posted after 12/12/02 cut-over to artemis****760764.

- Nashville, TN, USA

problem #11

Jul 052002

Grand Am 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 95,550 miles
Transmission shifts out of drive to neutral gear. I found a technical service bulletin #677164 which the dealer said was not a recall notice and would not honor it. The notice states to repair the control valve body assembly. The power loss resulted in a reeve of the engine at 70 miles per hour on interstate 10 in Arizona and also while driving locally off highway 101 at 65 miles per hour. The car gears shifted out of drive into neutral gear. This needs to be recalled before it causes injury.

- San Luis Obispo, CA, USA

problem #10

May 202002

(reported on)

Grand Am

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles

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

When applying brakes there would be a popping noise present, and brakes would lock up. This would cause the vehicle to drift to the right into another lane. Also left rear and right front window was inopartive, also the transmission was slipping.

- San Angelo, TX, USA

problem #9

Oct 292000

(reported on)

Grand Am

  • miles
Transmission shuts down engine when put in gear, engine shuts off like transmission is locked

- Linden, NC, USA

problem #8

Aug 282000

Grand Am

  • miles
No summary

- Garden City, MI, USA

problem #7

Mar 151999

Grand Am

  • miles
Rear brakes bind during normal stop and go traffic. Upon accelleration the rear of the vehicle squeals and 1 or 2 loud bangs are heard as the brakes release. Dealer was unable to duplicate and unable to detect any brake problems. Vehicles alternator failed without any teltale warning signs, stranding the consumer. 60 days later the battery dies. Engine used to rev to about 1500 RPM while vehicle was stopped and in gear. Replacement of 02 sensor cured problem. Other minor problems include power door lock bumper failure (repaired) and poor design of the driver's sun visor. (it moves the rear-view mirror) when moving visor from windshield to side window. Consumer has already replaced visor once due to cracks at mounting screws.

- San Jose, CA, USA

problem #6

Jun 151999

Grand Am

  • miles

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

Had the sunroof motor replaced 2 times, left front wheel noise, dealer said there is no problem always makes grinding noise left front after car sits all night, when you first put car in reverse the noise is noticeable, had too have left rear taillght replaced when new, car trunck gets dust into at right side of rear seat where it folds down, dealer says there is no proble, still not repaired, car is now out of warranty.has coolant leak at the intake manifold, has been leaking for aprox 15,000 miles again out of warranty this was my first new car I have ever bought and will never buy another General Motors car again, and I work for generalmotors. I have had nothing but problems with this car. I had a salvage Buick centry I sold too purchase this new one and it was a very nice car never had the problems with that car and it was wrecked. No more General Motors for me.

- Clare, MI, USA

problem #5

Jun 051997

Grand Am

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Transmission valve body failed. Nlm

- Riverside, CA, USA

problem #4

Jul 131998

Grand Am

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

- Gilroy, CA, USA

problem #3

Jul 151998

(reported on)

Grand Am

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
While driving the automatic transmission shifts out of drive into the neutral gear.

- Wisconsin Dells, WI, USA

problem #2

Aug 221997

Grand Am

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Transmission failed.

- South Jordan, UT, USA

problem #1

Jul 011997

Grand Am

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
When car reaches a certain speed it has a problem shifting into the next gear.

- Marion, OH, USA

Not what you are looking for?