NHTSA — Structure: Body Problems

3.3

definitely annoying
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
41,200 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 body / paint problems

body / paint problem

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1997 Pontiac Grand Am Owner Comments

problem #5

May 012008

Grand Am

  • 150,000 miles

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

1) firewall body seam leaks water into passenger compartment due to rust through. Fills floors beneath carpets with water. Causes air bag control module (SDM) under passenger's seat to fail due to moisture. Activates "air bar" dash light. GM has issued a letter related to "flood" cars. It goes beyond floods!!!! this is a defective design & build problem. 2) water enters every time it rains. The air bag control module (SDM) located under the passenger seat (stupid design) has failed due to moisture under the carpeting. "air bag" light is triggered and GM warns that air bag(s) could deploy without warning!!! 3) I have removed the 10A air bag fuse and disconnected both air bags by unplugging wires to the inflators. GM says the air bag control module (SDM) needs to be replaced at my expense. No thank-you, GM should cover replacement and firewall repairs to prevent recurrence, period. This is the 2nd case of firewall water leakage I have seen on the GM "N" bodied cars. The other was an olds achieva with the exact same problem. I have pictures of the rust out areas from both vehicles. GM should be made to recall & repair these cars - free of charge to the owners.

- Ithaca, NY, USA

problem #4

Dec 072003

Grand Am 6-cyl

  • Manual transmission
  • 56,000 miles
Car has been garage kept, waxed at least twice a year. When waxing found paint was peeling on engine hood along the side that goes down into the engine.

- Virginia Beach, VA, USA

problem #3

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 #2

Jun 081998

Grand Am

  • miles
Dashboard vibration and making noise. Mjs

- Gilroy, CA, USA

problem #1

May 091997

Grand Am

  • miles
Air conditioner/rear floor leaked.

- Teaneck, NJ, USA

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