1997 Pontiac Grand Prix vs 1997 Volkswagen Passat
Complaints, recalls, TSBs, investigations and safety ratings side by side, from official federal data. Last verified Aug 8, 2026. Raw complaint counts are not adjusted for sales volume.
| Metric | 1997 Pontiac Grand Prix | 1997 Volkswagen Passat |
|---|---|---|
| NHTSA complaints | 810 | 37 |
| Recall campaigns | 4 | 0 |
| Service bulletins (TSBs) | 102 | 52 |
| Investigations | 7 | 2 |
| Crash reports | 34 | 1 |
| Fire reports | 109 | 2 |
| NCAP overall rating | — | — |
| EPA MPG (combined) | 19–21 | 18–36 |
| Median reported incident mileage | 105,000 mi | 100,300 mi |
Reported problems side by side
| Component | Pontiac Grand Prix | Volkswagen Passat |
|---|---|---|
| Steering | 216 | 0 |
| Exterior Lighting | 149 | 2 |
| Engine and Engine Cooling | 136 | 7 |
| Electrical System | 88 | 13 |
| Visibility | 78 | 16 |
| Air Bags | 56 | 1 |
| Engine | 45 | 0 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 42 | 0 |
Symptoms owners describe
| Steering problems | 34 | 0 |
| Stalling | 24 | 0 |
| Airbag warning light | 24 | 0 |
| Loss of power | 12 | 0 |
| Overheating | 11 | 0 |
| Electrical failures | 9 | 0 |
| Clunking / rattling | 9 | 0 |
| Rust / corrosion | 8 | 0 |
1997 Pontiac Grand Prix
1997 Volkswagen Passat
Compare all Pontiac Grand Prix vs Volkswagen Passat years →
Method. Complaints are unique NHTSA reports. A vehicle that sold more units will naturally accumulate more complaints — use shares and read the underlying reports before drawing conclusions.