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Comments: 1-15, 16-30, 31-45, 46-55
Before the warranty ran out the alternator along with the driver's side window motor and switch needed replaced.
After the warranty: both motors needed replaced, the alternator again and the battery.
The water pump went at 25,000 miles and the very expensive heater hose between the heater core and the block. I have had to replace the heater core (that was manufactured with the plastic lines) once.
The carpet and the seats are worn out now at 78,000 miles.
At 62,000 miles the connecting rod broke at the base of the piston and shoved the rod through the block and broke the starter in half. I called the Pontiac/GM hot line to see if there was anything they could do for me or any recalls on the rods for the 97 year. They said not on the 97's but on the 99's. They refused any help since I did not buy the extended warranty over 60,000 miles. Now before I can sell or off load this car I have to replace both motors again and the window extending arms because they bent when the motors fell off the frame.
The cost of this car has not been worth the monies in repair of the replacement of a motor and window parts. The design stinks. Every time I spend $100. For a part for this Grand Am I laugh at the lyric GM came up with: Driving Excitement Pontiac...
I agree with this comment. I have a 97 Grand Am and hate it. The brakes are awful, my seats are getting worn, and mine makes a thumping noise nobody has been able to figure out.
I also have a 97 Grand Am with only 47,000 miles on it, replaced the front brakes and rotors, and the same needs to be done with the back sometime soon.
My driver's side window is also stuck in the half up position. I have been told it could cost a hundred just trying to diagnose what could be wrong.
Paint is also chipping off the edge of the door. Not too happy about the car!
Brakes fixed twice within first 18 months... rotors warp easily... paint chips easily... radio volume knob almost inoperative... fabric sucks... dash rattles that I can't locate or stop... water heater out at 45,000... ALTHOUGH, it still runs great... 21MPG city; 30 highway... no leaks of any kind... A/C is still cold... it's paid off!!
You think that's bad, I've replaced every window motor in my car once, and I'm about to replace the drives side window motor again. I've also replaced the alternator twice (once under warranty) and the carpeting had worn bare in some spots before the warranty was up (luckily that was covered). The air conditioning also quits working about every 3 months apparently there is a leak because every time I take it in they put a pound of freon in and can't find any leaks, I don't belive in gremlins it has to go somewhere. My radio also went bad, the volume knob would randomly decide to increase or decrease, I was going to replace it anyway, but geez. Currently the car barely has 60,000 miles on it. Not counting anything else, I've probably spent 2,000 dollars in window motor replacements and air-conditioning refils alone. I only paid 10,000 for this car to begin with. as far as driving goes, I think it's great I love how my car drives. The engine is only a 4-cylinder, but it is peppey and maneuverable. if I could only strip the accessories off the drive train and replace them with something else, I might buy a Pontiac again. Next time I'm thinking German, mabey a Sabb or a Volkswagon...
I own a 1997 Pontiac Grand Am, and I have spent over $3K on it since the week I paid it off. I have replaced the motor in the drivers side window only once, but my radio has a mind of its own. It has been known to change stations randomly. I have had a hesitation problem with the car which apparently turned out to be a misfire in the master cylinder. This was only determined by my brother (a GM technician who lives 5 states away) who felt bad that I had taken it to my dealership 3 different times just to come home with the car in the same condition and having spent many pretty pennies. The car now has 84,000 miles on it. I have driven almost every one and as much as I hate to admit, the technical difficulties were forgotten the day that I was broad sided by a Dodge Stratus. The drivers side door took the entire impact with no interior damage to me or the inside of the car. The door has seen better days, but thanks to my steel enforced door, I am uninjured and cannot only work, but still walk. Since my car then had to go into the shop, I was stuck with a rental, the Hyundai Accent. Although the car did its duty, taking me faithfully back and forth until the Pontiac was fixed. Everyday, I thought about the fact that not only did my Pontiac handle better, but if I were ever hit in the little Hyundai, I would surely be injured. SO, as with everything and everyone, we all get old, and defective, and cost money, but I will continue to be a Pontiac customer. To me the money is worth it!
I also have a 97 Grand Am it's my first car and the rear drivers side window doesn't work and the CD player volume knob and LED were messed up which resulted in me having to get another CD player. But all in all I am happy with the over all production of my car except its minor "disabilities."
I have all of the same problems that you are describing. My rear windows stick, my radio has a mind of it's own, and I recently found out that the Camshaft is bad. My mechanic contacted GM, and they have had numerous reports of these problems and have yet to put a recall for the problems into effect. I think that something has to be done about the problems with our vehicles. If they will not take responsibility for their vehicles than we need to take actions.
I was almost glad to see we weren't the only ones having these problems. The driver side window motor goes in and out, water pump went out ($600), starter locked up and caught on fire ($400) and now the motor has a cracked head ($1200).
We did find out of a recall on the starter and I got a refund on this, but I had to worry the dealer and dealership to get it. This is the second Grand AM we've had to get a cracked head. I'll never buy another car from Pontiac again.
Since reading all the other entries I couldn't resist to tell you about my 1997 Pontiac Grand Am GT 3.1L V6. It all began when the glove box handle fell off, a for-shadowing of things to come. Then, along with every one else, my driver's side window motor went out, along with the passenger side window motor. My starter and alternator have been replaced three times each. My radio volume knob is almost inoperative, and the CD player always ejects the cd's once before it will play them. My radiator, and water pump were both replaced a year ago. My A/C works fine at night, if its cold outside. But living in California I have to keep my windows down during the daytime, which was a problem when the window motors died and the windows were stuck up. And I used to have refrigerant added weekly because the system didn't leak, but the refrigerant magically disappeared. My transmission was replaced not too long after the radiator. Unfortunately I didn't get to use the new transmission for more than a month before my engine made a terrible clacking sound when my number one cylinder's piston rod broke, which also broke the camshaft. After having a new engine installed, and then sensors started going out. First O2 sensors, then the throttle position sensor, then EVAP system. The "Check Engine" light comes on so often I bought my own OBDII diagnostic tool to check them. At any speed over 60mph the ABS light comes on, and the ETS shuts off. My anti-theft system is more of an anti-owner system, cause it has a mind of it's own. I noticed the other day that my exhaust system is shot, because water drips out of holes that rusted through my mufflers, yes that's plural, both mufflers. The side moldings on the door panels are coming loose so the doors make a popping sound when they are opened and closed.
What else could there be you ask? Well, the steering column has a lot of play in it now, along with my suspension that can't stay in alignment for more that two weeks at a time.
But wait there's more! My engine surges at idle, even after new vacuum lines were installed. And to top it off, my trunk light only works sometimes, when the trunk is closed.
I try to sell it in between the work done to it, but it's in the shop so much they call it the nightmare. I don't even tell them my name when I call, I just say,"I have the black Pontiac," and they know which one it is. They probably have my number on speed-dial for their phone.
I know you're probably thinking this all can't be true, but I've got all the receipts to prove it. Oh, and there's 51000 miles on the odometer, and my seats and carpet haven't worn out, but that's probably because I can't drive it enough to wear out the seats. "Driving Excitement" for me is how excited I am when I finally arrive at a destination without having to pay a tow truck driver when I get there.
I have a 1997 Pontiac Grand AM SE 2.4 Twin Cam (4 cylinder)
In the past two year that I have owned the car I have replaced both window motors, e-brake, water pump, alternator, head gasket, had a complete valve job, ignition switch, both coil packs, spark plugs I don't know how many times, belts, radiator, front and back brakes twice. I am sick and tired of it always having a problem. Now I again have a cylinder 2 misfire and we have no idea what the problem is this time. Here goes another $1000.00. I wish I could stop putting money into my car and actually appreciate it and DRIVE IT for once.
If you Pontiac mechanics can help me or give me some advice I would greatly appreciate it. Is there something that I don't know about my car that needs to be fixed to stop the misfires every 3 to 6 months. Please e-mail me at sarah_womg@hotmail.com
Thank you,
Sarah.
I am surprised at how accurate some of these posts are. I bought a 1997 SE early that year and I have had numerous problems with it since about it's 2nd birthday. First, my horn broke. I took it to the dealer (Indianapolis) and they fixed it for free as it was covered under warranty. My brakes had to be replaced at about 25k, and again around 47k, though I do mostly city driving. The front rotors had to be replaced each time as well due to warping and bent pins. I had to have the water pump replaced sometime right after my warranty ran out. Just last weak, my heater core broke. My radio volume will only work if I pull the knob while turning. I will never buy a Pontiac again.
I have a 1997 Grand Am GT, it has been a problem from day 1. It is in the shop right now, I have had 2 water-pumps, 3 alternators, intake gaskets, now head gaskets, the glove box is broke, motor in passengers window has been replaced, interior panels falling off, brakes rotors have been replaced so many times. Fuel pump went bad and was replaced. I will never buy a Pontiac in my life time. I can only hope they will see that the trouble these cars are and correct the problems.
I too had a 98 pontiac and I would not own another. Now the lady that I am married too has a pontiac, and it too is nothing but trouble. The system theft light will blink and the car won't start. Pontiac will not help you with the problem. That is why I or my wife will never own another pontiac.
We bought a 97 Grand Am SE brand new. It now has 86,000 miles on it and we have already replaced the heating coil, alternator, water pump, rear and front brakes numerous times, relay switch - there was a recall on this, the ignition switch and most recently the neutral safety switch. We are also having problems with the driver's side window. It won't roll up or down anymore. As of this moment it is sitting in our yard not working. When it cranks it drives good. The problem is getting it cranked. We thought it was the neutral safety switch because we could sometimes get it to start in neutral and after replacing that it ran for a week fine and then did it again. It will sometimes start and when you cut it off it won't crank again. We took it to the Pontiac Dealership (South Carolina) and they don't have a clue. Two other mechanics have looked at it and are puzzled also. We are now going with the starter. Has anyone else had problems like this? It's almost like when the car is hot from sitting in the sun it won't start.
I can only laugh when I read these comments, because I have been having the EXACT same problems with my 1997 Pontiac Grand AM. In fact, my car is at the shop as we speak because of a leak in the head gasket ($500.00 to fix). I just had the heater core replaced last month ($175.00). None of my power windows work, and two are stuck open. My radio knob has to be pulled out in order to adjust the volume. My carpet is VERY worn. My dad bought the car from a rental company, so I assumed that the carpet was cheap, because it was a rental. My car is also making a knocking noise when I back up. I have also had to replace my brakes on numerous occasions. I owned a 1990 Mazda 626, and I never had any of the problems I am having with this car. It has been very dependable, as far as not leaving me stranded on the side of the road, but I am finding that I am putting too much money into the car. I was debating as to whether or not to spend the $500.00 to get the head gaskets fixed, but after reading these emails, I am convinced that I don't need to put any more money into this car.