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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 →

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

Suspension complaints

14 reports
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40,300 miles · Dec 28, 2005
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine CoolingSteering

GENERAL MOTORS NEED TO RECALL THEIR VEHICLES TO DIAGNOSIS THIS MAJOR ISSUE. MY CASE NUMBER WITH GM 1382341310 HOWEVER, THEY WONT ASSIST ME AND SAID THEY ARE CLOSING MY CASE. I INFORMED THEM NOT TO I AM NOT DONE WITH THIS ISSUE WITH THEM... THIS IS A VERY SERIOUS PROBLEM OR DEFECT WITH MY GENERAL MOTORS PONTIAC GRAND AM SE 3.1L…

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GENERAL MOTORS NEED TO RECALL THEIR VEHICLES TO DIAGNOSIS THIS MAJOR ISSUE. MY CASE NUMBER WITH GM 1382341310 HOWEVER, THEY WONT ASSIST ME AND SAID THEY ARE CLOSING MY CASE. I INFORMED THEM NOT TO I AM NOT DONE WITH THIS ISSUE WITH THEM... THIS IS A VERY SERIOUS PROBLEM OR DEFECT WITH MY GENERAL MOTORS PONTIAC GRAND AM SE 3.1L V6 ENGINE IN THIS VEHICLE. I HAVE HAD, 3 INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET FAILURES IN LESS THAN 40,000 MILES, THE FIRST OCCURRING AT APPROX 24,000 MILES THE SECOND AT APPROX 27,000 MILES AND NOW AGAIN AT 40,000 MILES BUT I HAVE SUSPECTED THE ANTI-FREEZE I HAVE BEEN SMELLING IN THE CAB WHEN I TURN THE HEATER BLOWER ON, IS SOMEHOW CONNECTED TO THIS LEAK. WHICH MEANS ITS BEEN LEAKING FOR SOME TIME JUST NOT BAD ENOUGH TO DRIP ONTO THE GROUND BRINGING MY ATTENTION TO IT. I AM ONLY ONE OF THOUSANDS OF VICTIMS THAT GENERAL MOTORS HAS RAPED FINANCIAL OVER THE YEARS. THE REPEATED FAILURES OF THE INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET STARTED LONG AGO AND DUE TO THE NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS TO THE BBB AND GM YOU WOULD THINK THAT WOULD BE ENOUGH TO ALARM GENERAL MOTORS THAT THEY ARE HAVING A MAJOR ISSUE, AND THEY SHOULD OF BEGAN A RECALL OF THEIR VEHICLES LONG AGO. IN THE YEAR 2002 THEY COULDN'T SUPPLY ENOUGH INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKETS TO KEEP UP WITH THE GM VEHICLES THAT NEEDED REPAIR EITHER UNDER WARRANTY OR OUT OF WARRANTY. I HAVE HAD OTHER MAJOR NON-RELATED REPAIRS TO MY VEHICLE AS WELL, 19,693 MILES THE SWAY BAR BUSHINGS HAD TO BE REPLACED, ALTERNATOR WAS REPLACED, HEATER CORE REPLACED, THE RACK AND PINION STEERING ROD REPLACED. NOW MY CAR AND MANY THOUSANDS OF OTHER GM OWNERS VEHICLES ARE OUT OF WARRANTY AND GM WON'T STAND BEHIND THEIR OWN VEHICLES, EVEN THOUGH WORK WAS DONE REPEATEDLY UNDER WARRANTY ON MY VEHICLE. I AM CURRENTLY 3 YEARS OUT OF WARRANTY BUT ONLY 12,900 APPROX MILES SINCE THEY DID THE LAST REPAIR ON MY INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKETS. I BELIEVE A CLASS ACTION SUIT IS THE ONLY THING GENERAL MOTORS CORPORATION WILL RESPOND TO. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10146314

67,609 miles · May 7, 2005
Suspension

NOISE HEARD IN FRONT END GOING OVER BUMPS. FAILURE= LOWER CONTROL ARM REAR BUSHINGS SEPARATING FROM CONTROL ARM.LEFT AND RIGHT SIDES. CORRECTION+ REPLACEMENT OF LOWER CONTROL ARMS

NHTSA ODI #10120165

Mileage unknown · Nov 10, 2004
Suspension

I WAS INFORMED THAT THE PROBLEMS RELATED TO THE DIFFICULTY DRIVING MY GRAND AM AND THE LOUND CLUNKING NOISE AND THE INTENSE "SHIMMY" WAS BECAUSE MY RIGHT LOWER CONTROL ARM HAD SNAPPED AND MY LEFT LOWER CONTROL ARM WAS CRACKED ABOUT TO SEPARATE AS WELL. I DO KNOW A LITTLE ABOUT CARS AND THIS DOESN'T SEEM TO BE A NORMAL MAINTENANC…

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I WAS INFORMED THAT THE PROBLEMS RELATED TO THE DIFFICULTY DRIVING MY GRAND AM AND THE LOUND CLUNKING NOISE AND THE INTENSE "SHIMMY" WAS BECAUSE MY RIGHT LOWER CONTROL ARM HAD SNAPPED AND MY LEFT LOWER CONTROL ARM WAS CRACKED ABOUT TO SEPARATE AS WELL. I DO KNOW A LITTLE ABOUT CARS AND THIS DOESN'T SEEM TO BE A NORMAL MAINTENANCE PROBLEM. THIS IS COSTING ME WELL OVER 600.00 TO REPAIR.

NHTSA ODI #10098598

65,000 miles · Sep 23, 2004
Suspension

I HAVE HAD LOWER CONTROL ARM FAILURES ON BOTH SIDES OF MY 1998 PONTIAC GRAND AM. THE REAR BUSHING PULLS APART CAUSING A SEVERE SHIMMY WHEN BRAKING AT HIGH SPEEDS AND CLANKING WHEN GOING OVER BUMPS. IT IS EITHER A DESIGN OR MANUFACTURING DEFECT. THE DEALER HAS REFUSED TO PAY COSTS. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10093122

142,572 miles · Sep 20, 2004
SteeringSuspensionCrash

WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH ON A WET ROAD SURFACE VEHICLE SWERVED. CONSUMER LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, AN DIT WAS WAS FORCED OFF THE ROAD INTO A WOODED AREA, WHERE VEHICLE SPINNED SEVERAL TIMES AND HIT SEVERAL SMALL TREES. VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A BODY SHOP. MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE RIGHT TIE ROD WORE OUT AND THE LEFT TIE ROD WAS…

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WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH ON A WET ROAD SURFACE VEHICLE SWERVED. CONSUMER LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, AN DIT WAS WAS FORCED OFF THE ROAD INTO A WOODED AREA, WHERE VEHICLE SPINNED SEVERAL TIMES AND HIT SEVERAL SMALL TREES. VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A BODY SHOP. MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE RIGHT TIE ROD WORE OUT AND THE LEFT TIE ROD WAS GETTING WORN OUT. CONSUMER STATED, THAT FRONT WHEEL BEARING WAS REPAIRED UNDER A RECALL ON MAY 5, 2004 AT A DEALER. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10092725

Mileage unknown · Jul 25, 2003
Suspension

WHILE TRAVELING ON THE HIGHWAY AND WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING STEERING WHEEL VEERED LEFT TO RIGHT. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10030176

Mileage unknown · Sep 7, 2002
Suspension

CONTROL ARM BUSHING SEPARATED. SOUNDED FROM DEALER LIKE THEY HAD DELT WITH THIS PROBLEM IN OTHER VEHICLES, BUT SINCE IN WAS OUT OF WARRANTY, THEY MADE ME PAY. SEEMS LIKE A SAFETY ISSUE.*AK

NHTSA ODI #766830

Mileage unknown · Nov 28, 2000
Service Brakes, HydraulicSuspension

WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE WOULD START TO SHAKE WHEN BRAKES WERE APPLIED. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALERSHIP & MECHANIC INDICATED THAT BRAKES WERE WARPED & NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. AFTER HAVING ROTORS REPLACED, PROBLEM HAS REAPPEARED AGAIN.*AK

NHTSA ODI #875630

Mileage unknown · Aug 15, 2000
Suspension

CONTROL 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

NHTSA ODI #867809

Mileage unknown · Jan 5, 2000
Electrical SystemExterior LightingInterior Lighting

PURCHASED VEHICLE 6/98. THREE DAYS AFTER PURCHASE CAR IGNITION SWITCH FAILED. VEHICLE TOWED 3 TIMES FOR SAME PROBLEM. FOUND WIRES IN HARNESS BAD CAUSING PROBLEM. BRAKE PROBLEMS SINCE OWNING WHEEL CYLINDERS LEAKING BRAKE SHOES SOAKED WITH OIL. ROTORS MACHINED @ 10,462. EXCESSIVE BRAKE DUST. BRAKE PADS WORN AT 10,465 MIL…

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PURCHASED VEHICLE 6/98. THREE DAYS AFTER PURCHASE CAR IGNITION SWITCH FAILED. VEHICLE TOWED 3 TIMES FOR SAME PROBLEM. FOUND WIRES IN HARNESS BAD CAUSING PROBLEM. BRAKE PROBLEMS SINCE OWNING WHEEL CYLINDERS LEAKING BRAKE SHOES SOAKED WITH OIL. ROTORS MACHINED @ 10,462. EXCESSIVE BRAKE DUST. BRAKE PADS WORN AT 10,465 MILES. REAR SHOES OUT OF ADJUSTMENT @ 10,465. 13,985 MILES ABS LIGHT FAILED. WHILE LIGHTS AND AC OR HEAT ON WHEN APPLYING BRAKES INTERIOR AND HEADLIGHTS DIM. CAN'T FIND PROBLEM! WHEN HEATER IS ON SMELL OF ANTIFREEZE. CAN'T FIND PROBLEM. FRONT SUSPENSION NOISE. STABILIZER BUSHINGS BAD CAN'T FIND PROBLEM. NO BRAKE PEDAL AT TIMES. WHEN ROAD SURFACE IS WET AND BRAKES APPLIED CAR WILL NOT STOP.

NHTSA ODI #716931

Official recalls

1

04V036000 · 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

1

RQ03001 · 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.