VehicleVerdict

1997 Pontiac Grand Prix lighting problems

The 1997 Pontiac Grand Prix has 158 lighting complaints filed with NHTSA — 15% of the year's total, and up sharply from the prior model year.

158

Lighting complaints

15%

Share of year

0

Crash-involved

2

Related recalls

Lighting complaints by year

Grand Prix lighting complaints by model year158 complaints1983: 1 complaints1988: 1 complaints1989: 6 complaints1990: 11 complaints1991: 21 complaints1992: 13 complaints1993: 10 complaints1994: 22 complaints1995: 22 complaints1996: 5 complaints1997: 158 complaints1998: 95 complaints1999: 9 complaints2000: 29 complaints2001: 19 complaints2002: 35 complaints2003: 8 complaints2004: 41 complaints2005: 3 complaints2006: 48 complaints2007: 95 complaints2008: 31 complaints
Grand Prix lighting complaints by model year. Red bars are years to avoid.

Related recalls

09E025000LightingMay 11, 2009 · 42,540 units

Defect

DOPE, INC. IS RECALLING 42,540 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.

Consequence

DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy

DOPE, INC. WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 28, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DOPE, INC. AT 1-626-272-1798.

09E012000LightingApril 7, 2009 · 16,270 units

Defect

SABERSPORT IS RECALLING 16,270 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.

Consequence

DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy

SABERSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 11, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SABERSPORT AT 1-909-598-7589.

What owners report

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE EXTERIOR LIGHTING ON THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE CAUGHT FIRE FROM THE INSIDE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 137,000. ”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Lighting · November 3, 2014 · fire

Common questions

How many lighting complaints does the 1997 Pontiac Grand Prix have?

NHTSA has 158 complaints about the 1997 Pontiac Grand Prix lighting — 15% of all complaints filed for that model year.

Are there recalls for the 1997 Pontiac Grand Prix lighting?

Yes — 2 NHTSA recall campaigns for this model year are tied to the lighting: 09E012000, 09E025000.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.