RecallRepo

1997 Pontiac Grand Prix Recalls

Recalls on record Updated July 2026

The 1997 Pontiac Grand Prix has 5 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting an estimated 4,022,919 vehicles. Recall repairs are always free at any authorized dealer. Owners have filed 1,064 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the exterior lighting. Last updated July 5, 2026.

Recall campaigns

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 15V701000 2015-10-26 1,003,556 affected
Defect

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 1998-1999 Chevrolet Lumina and Oldsmobile Intrigue, 1997-2004 Buick Regal and Pontiac Grand Prix, 2000-2004 Chevrolet Impala, and 1998-2004 Chevrolet Monte Carlo vehicles. The affected vehicles were previously repaired under recalls 08V-118, 09V-116, and…

Consequence

Engine oil that drips onto the hot surface of the exhaust manifold may result in a fire.

Remedy

The remedy applied under recalls 08V-118, 09V-116, and 15V-201 did not adequately remove the safety risk. Under the improved remedy, dealers will replace the engineÂ’s front valve cover and gasket. Vehicles that are covered by recalls 08V-118, 09V-116, or 15V-201 that have not yet received the original remedy will…

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 09V116000 2009-04-08 1,497,516 affected
Defect

GENERAL MOTORS IS RECALLING 1,497,516 MY 1997-2003 BUICK REGAL, MY 1998-2003 CHEVROLET LUMINA, MONTE CARLO AND IMPALA, MY 1998-1999 OLDSMOBILE INTRIGUE, MY 1997-2003 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH A 3.8L V6 NATURALLY ASPIRATED ENGINE. SOME OF THESE VEHICLES HAVE A CONDITION IN WHICH DROPS OF ENGINE OIL…

Consequence

IF THE MANIFOLD IS HOT ENOUGH AND THE OIL RUNS BELOW THE HEAT SHIELD, IT MAY IGNITE INTO A SMALL FLAME AND MAY SPREAD TO THE PLASTIC SPARK PLUG WIRE CHANNEL AND BEYOND INCREASING THE RISK OF AN ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE ENGINEÂ’S FRONT VALVE COVER AND FRONT-VALVE-COVER GASKET WITH NEW PARTS OF AN IMPROVED DESIGN AND REMOVE THE ENGINEÂ’S PLASTIC COVER AND PLASTIC OIL-FILL-TUBE EXTENSION, FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING MAY 2016. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438,…

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 08V118000 2008-03-12 207,542 affected
Defect

GM IS RECALLING 207,542 MY 1997-2003 BUICK REGAL AND PONTIAC GRAND PRIX VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH A 3.8L SUPERCHARGED V-6 ENGINE. THESE VEHICLES HAVE HIGHER FRONT ROCKER COVER GASKET TEMPERATURES, CREATING THE POTENTIAL FOR EARLIER DEGRADATION OF THE FRONT ROCKER COVER GASKET AND EVENTUAL OIL SEEPAGE.

Consequence

CERTAIN UNDERHOOD FIRES MAY BE CAUSED BY DROPS OF ENGINE OIL, FROM SEEPAGE OR SPILLAGE, BEING DEPOSITED ON THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD THROUGH HARD BRAKING. IF THE MANIFOLD IS HOT ENOUGH AND THE OIL RUNS BELOW THE HEAT SHIELD, IT MAY IGNITE INTO A SMALL FLAME AND, IN SOME INSTANCES, THE FIRE MAY SPREAD TO THE PLASTIC SPARK…

Remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE ENGINEÂ’S FRONT VALVE COVER AND FRONT-VALVE-COVER GASKET WITH NEW PARTS OF AN IMPROVED DESIGN AND REMOVE THE ENGINEÂ’S PLASTIC COVER AND PLASTIC OIL-FILL-TUBE EXTENSION, ALONG WITH THE 1-3-5 SPARK PLUG WIRE RETAINERS, FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING MAY 2016. , FREE OF…

STEERING 02V286000 2002-11-04 1,159,156 affected
Defect

CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES AND MINI VANS HAVE LOWER PINION BEARINGS IN THE POWER RACK AND PINION ASSEMBLY IN WHICH THE RETAINER TABS WERE NOT CRIMPED PROPERLY. THESE AND SOME OTHER RETAINERS USED IN VEHICLES ASSEMBLED BETWEEN JANUARY 1, 1996 AND OCTOBER 31, 1997, COULD FAIL AND PERMIT THE BALL BEARINGS TO ESCAPE.

Consequence

IF THIS OCCURS, THE PINION SHAFT CAN BE FORCED UPWARD DURING LEFT TURNS AND BACK DOWN AS THE STEERING WHEEL IS MOVED BACK AND TO THE RIGHT. IF THE PINION SHAFT MOVES FURTHER, THE DRIVER WILL NEED TO EXERT MORE EFFORT TO TURN THE STEERING WHEEL, SIMILAR TO A VEHICLE WITHOUT POWER ASSISTED STEERING. IF THE PINION…

Remedy

DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NEW LOWER PINION BEARING UNLESS INSPECT OF THE EXISTING BEARING INDICATES THAT REPLACEMENT OF THE GEAR ASSEMBLY IS NECESSARY. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN JANUARY 24, 2003. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY…

VISIBILITY 99V348000 1999-12-16 155,149 affected
Defect

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS MAY STOP WORKING DUE TO A SEPARATION BETWEEN THE DRIVE PIN AND CRESCENT IN THE CRANK ARM ASSEMBLY.

Consequence

DRIVER VISIBILITY COULD BE REDUCED, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL INSPECT THESE VEHICLES FOR THE PRESENCE OF A PLASTIC WATER DEFLECTOR AND, IF NECESSARY, REPLACE THE WIPER MOTOR CRANK ARM AND INSTALL A WATER DEFLECTOR. ON VEHICLES RECEIVING A REPLACEMENT CRANK ARM AND NEW WATER DEFLECTOR, DEALERS WILL ALSO APPLY ADDITIONAL SEALING MATERIAL TO IMPROVE WATER DEFLECTION…

Complaints by component

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
135
STEERING:RACK AND PINION
130
7crashes4injuries2deaths
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
56
35fires1injuries
ENGINE
45
27fires1injuries
AIR BAGS
33
4crashes4injuries
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER
33
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
32
5crashes1injuries
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
31
1crashes15fires2injuries
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
29
14fires
STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM
29
2crashes3injuries
Total complaints1,064

What owners report

Verbatim reports filed with NHTSA, lightly edited for readability and with personal information removed.

“Note: I have filed a safely complaint before with the nhtsa about this safety issue on nov 9, 2020 reference number: 11373799. And now due to safety negligence from the investigation department of the nhtsa ..excessive heat coming from the extremely hot oil that's dripping off the extremely hot…”

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM · reported 2021-02-07

“Note: I have filed a safely complaint before with the nhtsa about this safety issue on nov 9, 2020 reference number: 11373799. And now due to safety negligence from the investigation department of the nhtsa ..excessive heat coming from the extremely hot oil that's dripping off the extremely hot…”

ENGINE · reported 2021-02-07

“Note: I have filed a safely complaint before with the nhtsa about this safety issue on nov 9, 2020 reference number: 11373799. And now due to safety negligence from the investigation department of the nhtsa ..excessive heat coming from the extremely hot oil that's dripping off the extremely hot…”

STEERING · reported 2021-02-07

“The engine leaks oil on the manifold which started a fire and electrical some of my sensor connectors and not working.. The fire started after I pulled in to drive way and I can feel from the inside of the car that the engine was getting real hot so I popped the hood and there was a small fire on…”

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM · reported 2020-05-15

“The engine leaks oil on the manifold which started a fire and electrical some of my sensor connectors and not working.. The fire started after I pulled in to drive way and I can feel from the inside of the car that the engine was getting real hot so I popped the hood and there was a small fire on…”

ENGINE · reported 2020-05-15

“Tl* the contact owns a 1997 pontiac grand prix. The contact stated that the vehicle engine oil was leaking on top of the exhaust manifold and caused smoke to emit from under the vehicle hood. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic to have a diagnostic performed that located the failure…”

ENGINE · reported 2020-01-02

“Tl* the contact owned a 1997 pontiac grand prix. While the vehicle was parked in a parking lot, the driver attempted to start the vehicle and heard a clicking noise. Afterwards, thick smoke appeared under the hood. Within seconds, the vehicle was engulfed in flames. There were no warning…”

ENGINE · reported 2019-01-10

“While driving my 1997 pontiac grand prix to the tire shop it burst into flames. The fire started under the hood and totally damaged the vehicle.”

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM · reported 2018-07-07

Defect investigations

Investigation EA02003 Opened 2002-04-04 · closed 2002-12-10

POWER RACK AND PINION STEERING FAILURE

THE LOWER PINION BEARING IN THE RACK AND PINION STEERING ASSEMBLY MAY FAIL.GM WILL RECALL 1997-98 GRAND PRIX BUILT BETWEEN 1-MAR-96 AND 31-OCT-97; AND 1996-98 U-VANS/J-CARS BUILT BETWEEN 1-JAN-96 AND 31-OCT-97.SEE ATTACHED SUMMARY.

Investigation EA02003 Opened 2002-04-04 · closed 2002-12-10

POWER RACK AND PINION STEERING FAILURE

THE LOWER PINION BEARING IN THE RACK AND PINION STEERING ASSEMBLY MAY FAIL.GM WILL RECALL 1997-98 GRAND PRIX BUILT BETWEEN 1-MAR-96 AND 31-OCT-97; AND 1996-98 U-VANS/J-CARS BUILT BETWEEN 1-JAN-96 AND 31-OCT-97.SEE ATTACHED SUMMARY.

Investigation EA02030 Opened 2002-10-22 · closed 2004-03-09

ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRES

EA02-030 IS CLOSED WITH GMEA02-030 IS CLOSED WITH GM?S ACTIONS IN 03V-473 AND 04V-090 RECALLING APPROXIMATELY 529,000 MY 1998-99 C- AND H-BODY VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH DEFECTIVE FUEL PRESSURE REGULATORS.THESE VEHICLES WERE EQUIPPED WITH PLASTIC INTAKE MANIFOLDS THAT ARE UNABLE TO CONTAIN PRESSURES THAT OCCUR IN SOME…

Investigation EA02030 Opened 2002-10-22 · closed 2004-03-09

ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRES

EA02-030 IS CLOSED WITH GMEA02-030 IS CLOSED WITH GM?S ACTIONS IN 03V-473 AND 04V-090 RECALLING APPROXIMATELY 529,000 MY 1998-99 C- AND H-BODY VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH DEFECTIVE FUEL PRESSURE REGULATORS.THESE VEHICLES WERE EQUIPPED WITH PLASTIC INTAKE MANIFOLDS THAT ARE UNABLE TO CONTAIN PRESSURES THAT OCCUR IN SOME…

Investigation EA02030 Opened 2002-10-22 · closed 2004-03-09

ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRES

EA02-030 IS CLOSED WITH GMEA02-030 IS CLOSED WITH GM?S ACTIONS IN 03V-473 AND 04V-090 RECALLING APPROXIMATELY 529,000 MY 1998-99 C- AND H-BODY VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH DEFECTIVE FUEL PRESSURE REGULATORS.THESE VEHICLES WERE EQUIPPED WITH PLASTIC INTAKE MANIFOLDS THAT ARE UNABLE TO CONTAIN PRESSURES THAT OCCUR IN SOME…

Investigation EA99024 Opened 1999-08-20 · closed 2000-01-13

WINDSHIELD WIPER

BY LETTER DATED DECEMBER 12, 1999, GM NOTIFIED NHTSA OF ITS PLANS TO CONDUCT A SAFETY RELATED DEFECT CAMPAIGN TO REMEDY 155,149 OF THE SUBJECT VEHICLES.THE VEHICLE POPULATION FOR THE CAMPAIGN INCLUDES THE 1997 BUICK REGAL/CENTURY AND PONTIAC GRAN PRIX MODELS BUILT DURING THE PERIOD FROM THE START OF PRODUCTION…

Investigation PE01038 Opened 2001-11-14 · closed 2002-04-04

STEERING RACK AND PINION

ODI HAS RECEIVED 200 COMPLAINTS FROMT CONSUMERS AND 1,238 FROM GM ALLEGING FAILURE OR LOCKUP OF THE STEERING RACK AND PINION UNIT (R&P).THIS ALLEGED CONDITION CAN RESULT IN THE LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND A CRASH CAN RESULT.GM HAS REPORTED SIX CRASHES IN WHICH EIGHT PEOPLE HAVE SUSTAINED INJURIES…

Investigation PE02050 Opened 2002-06-13 · closed 2002-10-22

ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRES

Investigation PE99028 Opened 1999-04-16 · closed 1999-08-20

WINDSHIELD WIPER

INCIDENTS OF WIPER FAILURE (OWNER REPORTS AND WARRANTY) ARE VERY HIGH, AND MANY OF THE REPORTS INDICATE THAT THE FAILURES ARE STILL OCCURRING IN 1999.

Investigation RQ98013 Opened 1998-08-26 · open

OVERSENSITIVE AIR BAG DEPLOYMENTS

ON JUNE 26, 1998, GENERAL MOTORS BEGAIN A SAFETY RECALL, 98V-146, TO RECALIBRATE THE AIR BAG SENSING AND DIAGNOSTIC MODULE (SDM) IN THE 1996 AND SOME 1997 J BODY CARS, CAVALIER AND SUNFIRE.DUE TO CERTAIN CALIBRATIONS IN THE AIR BAG SDM, THERE IS AN INCREASED RISK OF INADVERTENT AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT IN A LOW SPEED CRASH…

Sources & methodology

Recall, complaint, and investigation records from official NHTSA datasets (FLAT_RCL, FLAT_CMPL, FLAT_INV), synced weekly. Counts reflect NHTSA records for the 1997 Pontiac Grand Prix as of July 5, 2026. Complaint narratives are consumer-submitted and unverified. This page contains ads and affiliate links. Full methodology.