NHTSA — Electrical System: 12v/24v/48v Battery Problems

6.5

fairly significant
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
10,875 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 electrical problems

electrical problem

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1997 Pontiac Grand Am Owner Comments

problem #8

Aug 132003

(reported on)

Grand Am

  • miles

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

Consumer received recall 02V070000 for ignition switch. Vehicle would not start one evening. Consumer took car to dealer for recall remedy. Dealer stated that ignition cylinder and battery needed to be replaced, and problem was not with ignition switch. Consumer believesproblem was with switch, but dealer would not install relay to correct recall first. Dealer was requesting payment for replacement of cylinder and battery.

- Little Rock, AR, USA

problem #7

Jul 182003

Grand Am 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 87,000 miles
While attempting to start the car a "clicking" sound occurred and the car would not start. The battery was replaced, and all was well for a week. Then, the ABS light came on while driving. Also, all the warning lights came on, the gauges flashed back and forth, and the car stopped. Would not restart unless was set for several minutes. When it started the same incidents repeated. Warning lights would often come on and off without there being anything wrong with the system that the lights were indicating. Once the car was pulled to a stopping location it would not turn completely off, and the key would get stuck in the ignition. These problems persisted for 2 days until it completely stopped.

- Aurora, CO, USA

problem #6

Jun 082001

Grand Am

  • miles
The consumer received a recall notice for ignition lock binding. Several dealers were unable to correct the defective recall part. The consumer has spent over thousands of dollars to correct this problem. Battery indicator lamp was flashing.

- Seaside, CA, USA

problem #5

Jun 082001

Grand Am

  • miles

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

The consumer received a recall notice for ignition lock binding. Several dealers were unable to correct the defective recall part. The consumer has spent over thousands of dollars to correct this problem. Battery indicator lamp was flashing.

- Seaside, CA, USA

problem #4

Nov 172000

Grand Am

  • miles
This problem was reported accurately by another person 0diid 726109/ we just purchased a battery to correct the problem, which it did for about 100 miles, then it was ditto, but would like an email as to what the person odiid 726109 found to be the problem. My husband is a master mechanic.

- Hamilton, OH, USA

problem #3

Jul 252000

Grand Am

  • miles
When the battery and alternature failed the car suddenly accellerated at full throttle, systems began to alarm one at a time first the ABS then the ets, ect locking up the brakes kept the car from moving foward when the alternator failed the engin finaly stopped. It would appear that when the battery failed the alternator was unable to keep up with the load as the voltage dropped systems begain to become unreliable and either the computer or cruise control caused the throttle to accellerate. A voltage threshold lockout is needed so that when power falls below the level where a system can no longer operate safely the system shuts down.

- Cary, NC, USA

problem #2

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 #1

Aug 221999

Grand Am

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Ac/delco battery and alternator failed.

- La Place, LA, USA

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