NHTSA — Power Train Problems

10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 1
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
69,251 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 Prix drivetrain problems

drivetrain problem

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1997 Pontiac Grand Prix Owner Comments

problem #6

Jun 102016

Grand Prix

  • miles

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

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.

- Graham, WA, USA

problem #5

Oct 092013

Grand Prix 6-cyl

  • 171,750 miles
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.

- Spring Hill, KS, USA

problem #4

Jul 152003

Grand Prix

  • Automatic transmission
  • 80,000 miles
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 will never own another GM product in my life again. Not even if it is given to me and 10,000 to use toward the repairs of it.

- Bloomingdale, GA, USA

problem #3

May 152003

Grand Prix

  • Automatic transmission
  • 140,758 miles

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

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

- Marietta, NC, USA

problem #2

Aug 072003

(reported on)

Grand Prix 6-cyl

  • 23,000 miles
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 position(the shifter was replaced), the power window(s) failed, the tire pressure light had illuminated, and the windshield wiper pump leaked and would not hold fluid.

- Auburn Hills, MI, USA

problem #1

Jun 131998

(reported on)

Grand Prix

  • miles
Odometer measured in kilometers.

- Jackson, MS, USA

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