Faults:

Windshield leaked after the dealer prepared the car for us to drive it off.

Electric switches on windows intermittently worked, even when the child button was not activated.

Rear strut broke in half.

Heads up display stopped working.

Airbag light indicates bad airbag.

Transmission stays stuck in 3rd gear, won't stay in overdrive, keeps shifting down into drive or 3rd.

CD player keeps giving errors, and has been pampered all of its life by cleaning Cd's before inserting.

Glove box light won't go off, due to poor engineering tolerances. Switch isn't making, because of obvious reasons, poor quality.

Love the engine, and the power it offers, but not worth the problems off the lot. Good luck.

General Comments:

I think that a little more effort by the manufacturer would resolve these problems. However I heard the same complains from a new Impala owner.

Faults:

Replaced the alternator 6 times.

The headlight lens covers have been replaced twice.

Blower motor on A/C needed replaced.

Door panels have fallen off.

Continuous electrical problems:

Stereo has been replaced twice, speakers have been switched out, trunk light and glove box light were disconnected after coming on when braking.

Loud crackle through speakers when braking.

Power window motors have been replaced.

Dealer "fixed" the electrical problem by disconnecting the third brake light.

The windshield wipers broke in driving rain on a busy highway.

General Comments:

It's too bad the poor mechanical soundness and poorly designed cosmetics of the 1997 Pontiac Grand Prix have left this car behind in the consumers' eyes.

This car looks and handles like a dream. I needed a mid size four door for my growing family, but I wasn't ready to give up my sporty lifestyle. I thought the Grand Prix was my answer. After all the problems I have had with this car and my Gran Am before it, I am ready to hang up my loyalty to this American car builder. I need a vehicle that will keep me off the side of the road and out of the shop. I have been window shopping on foreign dealer lots with pangs of guilt. When US car makers get it together, I'll be the first one back.

Faults:

After about 50,000, we had to replace the tires and tie rods.

I also have a problem with the heater blower. It constantly chirps.

The major problem I had with my car was the wire that connected the rear brake lights to gear shifter. I could not shift out of park without sticking a pen into the shift lock release button. Which lead to the key getting stuck into the ignition. I had to use a pen into the release button underneath the steering wheel. This was the worst thing about the car. Nobody could figure it out. I went to four different mechanics. Finally the fourth mechanic decided to take ALL of the wires and found a kink in one which caused both of the release issues.

General Comments:

I would definitely by another Grand Prix again. I love the performance and reliability of it.