NHTSA — Air Bags Problems

1997 Pontiac Grand Prix (Page 1 of 2)

10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
4 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
4 / 0
Average Mileage:
18,477 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 seat belts / air bags problems

seat belts / air bags problem

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1997 Pontiac Grand Prix Owner Comments (Page 1 of 2)

problem #33

Feb 062015

Grand Prix

  • miles

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

The contact owned a 1997 Pontiac Grand Prix. While driving at approximately 40 mph, another vehicle made an illegal left turn. As a result, the contact crashed into the vehicle. The air bags failed to deploy. The contact sustained head, neck, and back injuries that required medical attention. A police report was filed. The vehicle was destroyed. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.

- Hampton, VA, USA

problem #32

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 #31

Jan 122013

Grand Prix 6-cyl

  • 86,000 miles
I was driving on rt 110 in amesbury and the driver side airbag deployed out of the blue. It burned my hand and was the scariest thing making me feel unconscious for a little while when I realized there was smoke in the vehicle I got out as fast as I could not knowing what happened. There was no reason for this to happen. There was no crash with other vehicles. I had the vehicle inspected and the alarm system was disconnected to stop a loud horn from blowing at Chevrolet dealership. The next day on the way to work it happened again shattering the window in the front. The passenger airbag deployed on the highway.

- Hampton, NH, USA

problem #30

Jan 012002

Grand Prix 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 50,000 miles

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

Air bag problem light has been on for years and now I find there has been a recall for my car but only for newer cars like 2006 if I remember what I was told a few years ago.

- Delray Beach, FL, USA

problem #29

Jan 202004

Grand Prix 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 124,000 miles
While driving 25 mph another vehicle T-boned the consumer's vehicle on the driver's side and then a second time the vehicle was hit head on by the same motorist. Upon impact, both air bags did not deploy. The driver sustained back and neck injuries. The vehicle was totaled.

- Iron Mountain, MI, USA

problem #28

Dec 292003

(reported on)

Grand Prix

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
While traveling at 30 mph going across a bridge, driver lost control of vehicle. It fishtailed, and rear bumper hit the guard rail. Finally, coming to a stop by hitting the guard rail. Upon impact, none of the air bags deployed.

- Berry Creek, CA, USA

problem #27

Aug 012001

Grand Prix 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 48,000 miles

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

Dash board airbag light stays on. This happened once under warranty and was fixed by the dealer at no charge, but then failed again approximately 8 months after the warranty expired. Dealer says the wiring is faulty and will cost a few hundred to fix. I have noticed a lot of complaints about the airbag light. Is there going to be a recall regarding this issue.

- San Diego, CA, USA

problem #26

Jan 032003

Grand Prix 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 90,000 miles
1997 Grand Prix has short in passenger side air bag wiring, warning light stays on, service bulletin 98839010 issued June 01, 1998. Cost to repair over $700. Should this be a recall item ?

- Simi Valley, CA, USA

problem #25

Aug 152003

(reported on)

Grand Prix 6-cyl

  • miles
The air bag light illuminated on the vehicle. The failure was caused by a wiring malfunction in the passenger side air bag. The consumer requested a refund.

- Forest, VA, USA

problem #24

Jun 012002

Grand Prix 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 40,000 miles
SRS air bag light stays on. I assume that is the passenger side harness failure which I see so much investigations on. I have seen many other investigations, with the same problem, so I am reporting this in an attempt to get a recall campaign started.

- North Ridgeville, OH, USA

problem #23

Jun 042002

(reported on)

Grand Prix

  • miles

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

SRS light stays illuminated while driving due to a wire defect.

- Wilber, NE, USA

problem #22

Apr 052001

Grand Prix

  • miles
Steering - rack & pinion failed while making a left turn - it was very hard to turn the wheel so that we could clear the intersection. It was also difficult to park the vehicle. Steering to the right was normal. Replaced rack & pinion $780.54. Headlights: Moisture buildup in front headlamps. Dealer replaced seals 1/98 under warranty. Another moisture problem developed 3/99 -dealer replace both headlamps. Air conditioner: System failed ON7/01 - unable to adjust air flow and air could barely be felt coming from the vents. Dealer found that vac line was split at pump - $42.23 to repair. Air system failed again 6/99 - loose vacuum hose repaired $21.59. Air bag indicator comes on and goes off at random. Dealer ran a diagnostic and found an error code, which they cleared, but no problem - issue unresolved. Rear power windows failed - dealer replace regulator on both rear windows - covered under warranty. Alternator failed 10/01 - replaced $314.54

- Charlotte, NC, USA

problem #21

Apr 052001

Grand Prix

  • miles
Steering - rack & pinion failed while making a left turn - it was very hard to turn the wheel so that we could clear the intersection. It was also difficult to park the vehicle. Steering to the right was normal. Replaced rack & pinion $780.54. Headlights: Moisture buildup in front headlamps. Dealer replaced seals 1/98 under warranty. Another moisture problem developed 3/99 -dealer replace both headlamps. Air conditioner: System failed ON7/01 - unable to adjust air flow and air could barely be felt coming from the vents. Dealer found that vac line was split at pump - $42.23 to repair. Air system failed again 6/99 - loose vacuum hose repaired $21.59. Air bag indicator comes on and goes off at random. Dealer ran a diagnostic and found an error code, which they cleared, but no problem - issue unresolved. Rear power windows failed - dealer replace regulator on both rear windows - covered under warranty. Alternator failed 10/01 - replaced $314.54

- Charlotte, NC, USA

problem #20

Jul 122001

Grand Prix

  • miles
Air bag light stayed on. Dealer in moreno valley ca said the inflator failed. Replaced and charged me $1065. 1 week later, light on again. Dealer said air bag defective. Replaced again, no cost. Should they have charged me the first time?

- Riverside, CA, USA

problem #19

Jan 312001

Grand Prix

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
The passenger air bag wiring harness failed. Nlm

- Grand Rapids, MI, USA

problem #18

Mar 012001

Grand Prix

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Consumer's stopped vehicle was hit from behind by another vehicle traveling about 45 mph, air bags deployed and consumer got knocked out from inhaling an irritant that is in the air bag, consumer continues to have breathing problems.

- Naple, FL, USA

problem #17

Jun 202001

(reported on)

Grand Prix

  • miles
The airbag warning light comes on. The dealer states they have had 7 or 8 others in with the same problem. The cost to repair is $250. They state it is some type of clip on the right side of the system. They also state the system will not deploy while the airbag warning light is on. My concern is this is a known problem with a safety system that was not recalled. Any assistance or guidance would be appreciated. Thanks.

- Indianapolis, IN, USA

problem #16

Apr 092001

Grand Prix

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Airbag light came on. Took vehicle to dealer, who stated that a faulty wiring harness had disabled both airbags.

- Ft Wayne, IN, USA

problem #15

Dec 212000

Grand Prix

  • miles
I purchased my car in Feb of 2000. It only has aprrox 43000 miles and I have had numerous trips to the dealer and other mechanics. In June of 2000 I had to take the car in because the headlight covers fell off. I had noticed condensation when I purchased the car and was told by the salesman that this was normal. Luckily I found the covers and did not have to replace them. In Sept of 2000 I had to replace the alternator when it failed while I was going to work. Then in Dec of 2000 I took my car to have the tires rotated and the mechanic noticed that the antifreeze in the radiator was just about completely solidified. I had to pay for radiator flushes and was told by the dealer that it was normal "wear and tear". they also noticed that one of the main engine belts was needed to be replaced and I have replaced it. Now it is March of 2001 and my car is now again at the dealership with antifreeze leaking from the water pump and an airbag light that will not go off. I have also noticed on numerous occasions that I will get in the car and the windows will not go down. I know that cars need repairs but I feel that I am definetly having lots of problems when the mileage on the car is not excessive.the owner of the dealership told my husband that he thought we would continue to have problems with the car and that if he were in our shoes, he would trade the car.

- Knoxville, TN, USA

problem #14

Jan 012000

Grand Prix

  • miles
Airbag warning light comes on intermittently and dealer refuses to fix.

- Flat Rock, NC, USA

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