VehicleVerdict

1997 Pontiac Grand Prix visibility & wipers problems

The 1997 Pontiac Grand Prix has 87 visibility & wipers complaints filed with NHTSA — 8% of the year's total, and up sharply from the prior model year.

87

Visibility & Wipers complaints

8%

Share of year

1

Crash-involved

1

Related recalls

Visibility & Wipers complaints by year

Related recalls

99V348000Visibility & WipersDecember 16, 1999 · 155,149 units

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 AWAY FROM THE CRANK ARM ASSEMBLY AND WILL INSTALL A REINFORCEMENT TO IMPROVE THE PERFORMANCE OF THE WIPER PARK MECHANISM.

What owners report

WHILE TRAVELING AT ABOUT 35-40 MPH, CONSUMER RAN INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE HEAD-ON. UPON IMPACT, DRIVER AND PASSENGER AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. CONTACTED DEALER AND THEY ARE NOT WILLING TO DO ANYTHING. *AK CONSUMER STATED THERE WAS AN INJURY IN THE ACCIDENT. TWO WEEKS AFTER PURCHASE, WATER PUMP FAILED.…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Visibility & Wipers · February 6, 2001 · crash

Common questions

How many visibility & wipers complaints does the 1997 Pontiac Grand Prix have?

NHTSA has 87 complaints about the 1997 Pontiac Grand Prix visibility & wipers — 8% of all complaints filed for that model year.

Are there recalls for the 1997 Pontiac Grand Prix visibility & wipers?

Yes — 1 NHTSA recall campaign for this model year is tied to the visibility & wipers: 99V348000.

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.