IllustrationI BOUGHT THE CAR IN MAY 1998 WITH 6000 MILES ON IT. REPLACED TRANSMISSION 3 TIMES IN LAST YEAR (9-99, 2-00, 8-00). FIRST TRANSMISSION REPLACEMENT NOT ON CAR HISTORY, NOT SURE WHY.
1998 Pontiac Grand Am
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
More warning signs than most Grand Am years
Owner complaints for the 1998 Pontiac Grand Am are substantially higher than the model-year median of 82.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Grand Am years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
Limited mileage data: 42 of 172 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
- Service Brakes, Hydraulic. Review the 36 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Electrical System. Review the 33 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 23 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
12 crash reports5 fire reports10 injury reports
What owners actually said
172 reportsCONTROL ARM BUSHING KEPT PULLING OUT OF BRACKET. PROBLEM REOCCURRING EVERY FIVE MONTHS. ALSO, SWAY BAR EXCESSIVE WEAR, CAUSED BOUNCE/LOSS OF CONTROLAND WANDERING. VEHICLE BEEN IN DEALER SHOP ON FIVE S,AND PROBLEM STILL RECCURRING. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS. *AK
THE ABS MOTOR KIT (91172172) FAILED AND SHORTED OUT WHICH CAUSED THE HYDRAULIC MODULATOR VALVE SHORTED OUT AND REQUIRED REPLACEMENT AS WELL. *MJS
THERE ARE MANY MORE PROBLEMS WITH THIS VEHICLE. THE CAR IS BROKEN DOWN DOWN. ITS TOO MUCH OF A DANGER TO DRIVE. IT ALMOST STARTED ON FIRE. I NEED FOR PONTIAC TO COME AND GET THERE PIECE OF JUNK. ITS NOT WORTH FIXING. IF YOU FIX THE PROBLEM, I CAN ASSURE YOU THAT IT WILL BREAK DOWN THE FOLLOWING WEEK. *AK
THIS IS APPLICABLE TO BOTH FRONT POWER WINDOWS: POWER WINDOWS FAIL TO OPERATE RANDOMLY, UP OR DOWN. GMC IS RELUNCTANT TO REPLACE THE UNITS UNLESS THEY SEE THE DEFECT OCCUR. THIS COULD BE A SERIOUS PROBLEM IF THE WINDOW WERE TO FAIL TO CLOSE IN THE RAIN OR SANDY SITUATIONS WHILE THE CAR IS BEING DRIVEN, DAMAGE TO THE INTERIOR …
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THIS IS APPLICABLE TO BOTH FRONT POWER WINDOWS: POWER WINDOWS FAIL TO OPERATE RANDOMLY, UP OR DOWN. GMC IS RELUNCTANT TO REPLACE THE UNITS UNLESS THEY SEE THE DEFECT OCCUR. THIS COULD BE A SERIOUS PROBLEM IF THE WINDOW WERE TO FAIL TO CLOSE IN THE RAIN OR SANDY SITUATIONS WHILE THE CAR IS BEING DRIVEN, DAMAGE TO THE INTERIOR OR THEFT. BEING UNABLE TO OPEN A WINDOW COULD BLOCK AND ESCAPE PATH IN AN ACCIDENT. NOT TO MENTION DAILY PROBLEMS, LIKE TOLL BOTHS, DRIVE THRU'S ETC. *AK
NON-METALLIC FUEL LINE HAD RUPTURED 1/2 INCH FROM THE METALLIC LINE. THIS CAUSED GASOLINE TO SPRAY OVER ENTIRE ENGINE. VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO DEALER FOR REPAIRS.*AK
WHILE DRIVING THE THROTTLE REMAINED STUCK IN THE OPEN POSITION WHEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS RELEASED. DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED.*AK
I HAVE HAD A NEW TRANSMISSION, CALIPERS, GEAR SHIFT MECHANISM,2 LIGHTERS, ALTERNATOR,2 SETS OF WINDOW MOTORS, 1 BROKEN MOTOR MOUNT,STRUT TORQUE WASNT BOLTED TO THE CAR WHEN LEASED, A RADIAL PULL IN 1 TIRE IN WHICH I HAD TO PAY TO HAVE REPLACED, TIRE SCRAPING ON FENDER RIGHT AFTER LEASING, 2 NEW HEADLAMPS,FUEL CAP, BATTERY, AND H…
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I HAVE HAD A NEW TRANSMISSION, CALIPERS, GEAR SHIFT MECHANISM,2 LIGHTERS, ALTERNATOR,2 SETS OF WINDOW MOTORS, 1 BROKEN MOTOR MOUNT,STRUT TORQUE WASNT BOLTED TO THE CAR WHEN LEASED, A RADIAL PULL IN 1 TIRE IN WHICH I HAD TO PAY TO HAVE REPLACED, TIRE SCRAPING ON FENDER RIGHT AFTER LEASING, 2 NEW HEADLAMPS,FUEL CAP, BATTERY, AND HAVE HAD A SHORT SOMEWHERE AND DEALER REFUSED TO LOCATE. DEALER AND PONTIAC CUSTOMER DIVISION REFUSE A BUY BACK OR TRADE IN. SENT PACKAGE TO GENERAL MOTORS TO MAKE THEM AWARE OF THE SITUATION AND THEY REFUSED THE PACKAGE ALL TOGETHER. PONTIAC TELLS ME THEIR FIELD REP WENT TO TALK TO JOHN MOORE AND HE REFUSED A BUY BACK SO IN TURN, SO DID PONTIAC. I JUST WOULD LIKE A CAR THAT RUNS. THIS IS MY SECOND PONTIAC THAT HAS BEEN A LEMON. I HAVE ALL DOCUMENTAION TO PROVE IT. HOW DOES A SINGLE MOM WORKING TWO JOBS GET HELP? ITS COSTED ME A FORTUNE IN MISSED WORK.( DOT NUMBER: TIRE SIZE: P195/65R15 )
BODY VALVE IN THE TRANSMISSION STICKS INTERMITTENTLY CAUSING THE ENGINE TO REVE AND NOT PULL THE VEHICLE. YH
VEHICLE'S ELECTRICAL SYSTEM IS DEFECTIVE, CAUSING HEADLIGHTS AND POWER STEERING TO FAIL. *AK
Official recalls
104V036000 · Electrical System:ignition:switch
Jan 27, 2004
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES. IF THE ENGINE FAILS TO START AND THE DRIVER HOLDS THE KEY IN THE "START" POSITION FOR AN EXTENDED PERIOD, HIGH CURRENT FLOWS THROUGH THE IGNITION SWITCH, AND SOMETIMES PRODUCES ENOUGH HEAT TO MELT INTERNAL SWITCH PARTS.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IF THE SWITCH IS DAMAGED, A FIRE COULD OCCUR IN THE STEERING COLUMN, EVEN WITH THE ENGINE OFF AND THE KEY REMOVED. THE FIRE COULD SPREAD TO THE INTERIOR OF THE CAR, WHICH COULD INJURE OCCUPANTS OR CAUSE DAMAGE TO ADJOINING STRUCTURES.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A RELAY KIT IN THESE VEHICLES TO PREVENT HIGH CURRENT FROM FLOWING THROUGH THE IGNITION SWITCH, AND CHECK THAT YOUR CAR WILL START WITH A PROPERLY CHARGED BATTERY AND, IF NECESSARY, REPLACE THE IGNITION SWITCH. OWNER NOTIFICATION WILL BEGIN ON MARCH 1, 2004. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438, PONTIAC AT 1-800-620-7668, BUICK AT 1-866-608-8080, OR OLDSMOBILE AT 1-800-630-6537. CUSTOMERS CAN ALSO CHECK THEIR VEHICLE ONLINE BY GOING TO WWW.MYGMLINK.COM AND ENTERING THE VEHICLE'S IDENTIFICATION NUMBER.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
1RQ03001 · Power Rack And Pinion Steering Failure
Opened Jan 2, 2003 · Closed Sep 15, 2003
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Steering; Steering:rack And Pinion
GM CONDUCTED A SAFETY RECALL (NHTSA # 02V286) TO ADDRESS A STEERING DEFECT PERTAINING TO A LOWER PINION BEARING (LPB) WITHIN THE RACK AND PINION STEERING GEAR (R&P). THE RECALL COVERED 1,159,156 MODEL YEAR 1997-1998 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX VEHICLES BUILT BETWEEN MARCH 1, 1996 AND OCTOBER 31, 1997, 1996-1998 PONTIAC TRANS SPORT, CHEVROLET LUMINA APV, CHEVROLET VENTURE, OLDSMOBILE SILHOUETTE MINIVANS, AND CHEVROLET CAVALIER AND PONTIAC SUNFIRE SEDANS BUILT BETWEEN JANUARY 1, 1996 AND OCTOBER 31, 1997.ODI OPENED THIS RQ AFTER RECEIVING REPORTS THAT OTHER VEHICLES WERE EXHIBITING THE SAME SYMPTOMS AS THE RECALLED VEHICLES.BASED ON ODI'S REVIEW OF TECHNICAL AND COMPLAINT DATA COLLECTED DURING THE RQ, THE W-CARS ARE ASSOCIATED WITH EITHER A HIGHER STEERING COMPLAINT RATE OR A HIGHER LPB FAILURE RATE THAN THE OTHER VEHICLES INVESTIGATED UNDER THE RQ AND ARE ABOVE OR NEAR THE RATES FOR THE RECALLED VEHICLES.THUS, ODI WILL FURTHER EXAMINE THE W-CARS (1996-1997 OLDSMOBILE CUTLASS SUPREME, 1996-1998 BUICK REGAL, CHEVROLET LUMINA, CHEVROLET MONTE CARLO, 1997-1998 BUICK CENTURY, AND 1998 OLDSMOBILE INTRIGUE) UNDER A NEW INVESTIGATION, ENGINEERING ANALYSIS (EA)03-019.
Additional source detail variants (2)
Steering
GM CONDUCTED A SAFETY RECALL (NHTSA # 02V286) TO ADDRESS A STEERING DEFECT PERTAINING TO A LOWER PINION BEARING (LPB) WITHIN THE RACK AND PINION STEERING GEAR (R&P). THE RECALL COVERED 1,159,156 MODEL YEAR 1997-1998 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX VEHICLES BUILT BETWEEN MARCH 1, 1996 AND OCTOBER 31, 1997, 1996-1998 PONTIAC TRANS SPORT, CHEVROLET LUMINA APV, CHEVROLET VENTURE, OLDSMOBILE SILHOUETTE MINIVANS, AND CHEVROLET CAVALIER AND PONTIAC SUNFIRE SEDANS BUILT BETWEEN JANUARY 1, 1996 AND OCTOBER 31, 1997.ODI OPENED THIS RQ AFTER RECEIVING REPORTS THAT OTHER VEHICLES WERE EXHIBITING THE SAME SYMPTOMS AS THE RECALLED VEHICLES.BASED ON ODI'S REVIEW OF TECHNICAL AND COMPLAINT DATA COLLECTED DURING THE RQ, THE W-CARS ARE ASSOCIATED WITH EITHER A HIGHER STEERING COMPLAINT RATE OR A HIGHER LPB FAILURE RATE THAN THE OTHER VEHICLES INVESTIGATED UNDER THE RQ AND ARE ABOVE OR NEAR THE RATES FOR THE RECALLED VEHICLES.THUS, ODI WILL FURTHER EXAMINE THE W-CARS (1996-1997 OLDSMOBILE CUTLASS SUPREME, 1996-1998 BUICK REGAL, CHEVROLET LUMINA, CHEVROLET MONTE CARLO, 1997-1998 BUICK CENTURY, AND 1998 OLDSMOBILE INTRIGUE) UNDER A NEW INVESTIGATION, ENGINEERING ANALYSIS (EA)03-019.
Steering:rack And Pinion
GM CONDUCTED A SAFETY RECALL (NHTSA # 02V286) TO ADDRESS A STEERING DEFECT PERTAINING TO A LOWER PINION BEARING (LPB) WITHIN THE RACK AND PINION STEERING GEAR (R&P). THE RECALL COVERED 1,159,156 MODEL YEAR 1997-1998 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX VEHICLES BUILT BETWEEN MARCH 1, 1996 AND OCTOBER 31, 1997, 1996-1998 PONTIAC TRANS SPORT, CHEVROLET LUMINA APV, CHEVROLET VENTURE, OLDSMOBILE SILHOUETTE MINIVANS, AND CHEVROLET CAVALIER AND PONTIAC SUNFIRE SEDANS BUILT BETWEEN JANUARY 1, 1996 AND OCTOBER 31, 1997.ODI OPENED THIS RQ AFTER RECEIVING REPORTS THAT OTHER VEHICLES WERE EXHIBITING THE SAME SYMPTOMS AS THE RECALLED VEHICLES.BASED ON ODI'S REVIEW OF TECHNICAL AND COMPLAINT DATA COLLECTED DURING THE RQ, THE W-CARS ARE ASSOCIATED WITH EITHER A HIGHER STEERING COMPLAINT RATE OR A HIGHER LPB FAILURE RATE THAN THE OTHER VEHICLES INVESTIGATED UNDER THE RQ AND ARE ABOVE OR NEAR THE RATES FOR THE RECALLED VEHICLES.THUS, ODI WILL FURTHER EXAMINE THE W-CARS (1996-1997 OLDSMOBILE CUTLASS SUPREME, 1996-1998 BUICK REGAL, CHEVROLET LUMINA, CHEVROLET MONTE CARLO, 1997-1998 BUICK CENTURY, AND 1998 OLDSMOBILE INTRIGUE) UNDER A NEW INVESTIGATION, ENGINEERING ANALYSIS (EA)03-019.