IllustrationHAVE TURNED VEHICLE IN AND REPORTED THIS INSTANCE TWICE, AND BOTH TIMES THEY SAY THERE IS NOTHING WRONG. YET VEHICLE LOSSES SOME TRACTION AND BOUNCES CONSTANTLY.
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 reportsI HAVE HAD MY ROTORS REPLACED THREE TIMES NOW. EVEN THOUGH MY MILAGE IS RATHER HIGH FOR THE TIME OWNED, MOST OF MY DRIVING IS FREEWAY DRIVING. I HAVE ALSO HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE BREAKS FAILING, ESPECIALLY WHEN THE WEATHER IS DAMP OR WET. I HAVE ALSO HAD THE ANTILOCK BREAKS KICK IN WHEN I WAS DOING NORMAL BREAKING. THIS CAUSED…
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I HAVE HAD MY ROTORS REPLACED THREE TIMES NOW. EVEN THOUGH MY MILAGE IS RATHER HIGH FOR THE TIME OWNED, MOST OF MY DRIVING IS FREEWAY DRIVING. I HAVE ALSO HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE BREAKS FAILING, ESPECIALLY WHEN THE WEATHER IS DAMP OR WET. I HAVE ALSO HAD THE ANTILOCK BREAKS KICK IN WHEN I WAS DOING NORMAL BREAKING. THIS CAUSED ME TO ALMOST HAVE AN ACCIDENT, BECAUSE IT INCREASED MY STOPPING DISTANCE. I WAS GOING ONLY APPROXIMATELY 5-25MPH IN EACH OF THE SEVERAL INCIDENTS. WHEN THE BREAKS FAILED IT FEELS LIKE SOMEOPNE PUT VASELINE ON THE ROTORS. I STEP ON THE BREAK PEDAL, AND GET NO RESPONSE. I USUALLY HAVE TO PUMP THE BREAKS IN ORDER FOR THEM TO WORK. THIS PARTICULAR CAR ALSO HAD A BEDSPRING, CREAKING, CRACKING NOISE THAT SEEMS TO APPEAR WHEN I GO OVER BUMPS AND WHEN THE BODY FLEXES. NUMEROUS PEOPLE HAVE ASKED ME WHAT THE NOISE IS, BUT MY DEALER CAN'T SEEM TO FIX THE PROBLEM. THEY DID PUT SOME TAPE AROUND SOMETHING AT ONE POINT THAT HELPED SOME, BUT THE NOISE IS VERY DISTRACTING AND CONTINUES. THE DEALER ACTUALLY TOLD ME THAT I SHOULDN'T BRING THAT CAR BACK TO THEM FOR THAT PROBLEM. ON MY LAST TRIP TO THE DEALER, THEY DID SEEM TO FIX THE PROBLEM TEMPORARILY, BUT WHEN I WAS ON THE ON RAMP TO THE FREEWAY, SOMETHING "CRACKED" AGAIN, AND THE NOISES ARE HEARD DAILY NOW. I ALSO HAD ONE OF MY FROMT TIRES FAIL. THE SIDEWALL BUBBLED OUT. THE MANUFACTURER DID NOTHING FOR ME. I WAS MORE OR LESS TOLD THAT I WOULD HAVE TO PROVE THAT THERE WAS A DEFECT IN THE TIRE. I STILL HAD ALMOST ALL OF THE ORIGIANL TREAD. THE NOISES IN THE SUSPENSION/BODY ARE IRRITATING, AND THE CAR SOUNDS LIKE IT IS GOING TO FALL APART ON THE ROAD SOMEDAY, BUT MY BIGGEST CONCERN IS THE BREAKS. I AM A VERY SAFE DRIVER, BUT FIND THE BREAKING SYSTEM THAT IS IN MY CAR VERY UNRELIABLE. I HONESTLY FEEL THAT I WOULD BE BETTER OFF WITHOUT THE ABS, AS I DON'T NEED THEM KICKING IN WHEN I AM DOING NORMAL SLOW STOPPING, SUCH AS PULLING OUT OF A DRIVEWAY OR JUST SLOW DOWN. VERY SCARY WHEN I DON'T STOP.
POWER STEERING FAILS WHEN ON WET ROAD. LOSS OF POWER STEERING CAUSED LOSS OF CONTROL INTO DEEP PUDDLE AND SUBSEQUENT WATER DAMAGE TO ENGINE
FALSE DEPLOYMENT OF THE DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG WHILE DRIVING FOR NO APPARENT REASON, PASSENGER SIDE DID NOT ACTIVATE. MJS
NO SUMMARY
CAR WILL NOT ACCELERATE PROPERLY FROM A STOP (USUALLY WHEN HUMID)
WHILE ACCELERATING CAR HAS NO POWER. CAR IS VERY SLUGGISH. TOOK CAR TO DAELER, DEALER COULD NOT CORRECT THE PROBLEM. *AK
THE KEY KEPT GETTING STUCK IN THE IGNITION. TOOK IT TO A PONTIAC SERVICE DEPT. THEY SAID IT NEEDED LUBING. A COUPLE OF DAYS LATER THE KEY STARTIED TO STICK AGAIN. TOOK IT BACK AND THE ORDERED A NEW FLOOR SHIFT.. A MONTH LATER MY WIFE STOPPED ON TOP OF A HILL AT OUR MAIL BOX AND SHE COULDN'T GET THE CAR TO GO IN PARK, THE CAR CUT…
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THE KEY KEPT GETTING STUCK IN THE IGNITION. TOOK IT TO A PONTIAC SERVICE DEPT. THEY SAID IT NEEDED LUBING. A COUPLE OF DAYS LATER THE KEY STARTIED TO STICK AGAIN. TOOK IT BACK AND THE ORDERED A NEW FLOOR SHIFT.. A MONTH LATER MY WIFE STOPPED ON TOP OF A HILL AT OUR MAIL BOX AND SHE COULDN'T GET THE CAR TO GO IN PARK, THE CAR CUT OFF AND BEGAN ROLLING DOWN HILL BARELY MISSING CHILDREN PLAYING IN OUR DRIVEWAY. SERVICE DEPT. PICKED UP THE CAR AND THEY COULDN'T GET IT INTO REVERSE. THEY ORDERED A NEW GEARSHIFT LEVER. THREE TIMES FOR SIMILAR DEFECTS SHOWS THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH OUR VEHICLE THAT HAS MY WIFE REFUSING TO DRIVE IT.
TIRES GOING BALD FROM INSIDE TO OUTSIDE. VEHICLE OUT OF ALIGNMENT. FRONT TIRE BLEW OUT DUE TO CRACKS. DEALER WANTS OWNER PAY FOR ALIGNMENT & FRAME CHECK. WILLING TO PAY FOR 1/2 TIRES. (THEY CHECKED FRAME ONLY AND BOUGHT TWO TIRES, WILL NOT DO ALIGNMENT, WHICH CONSUMER FEELS IS NECESSARY). *MJS
WHEN SHIFTING FROM 3RD TO 4TH GEAR VEHICLE WOULD JERK A LOT. DEALER REPAIRED. VEHICLE IS STILL HAVING GEAR SHIFT PROBLEMS. DEALER SAYS CONSUMER NEEDS NEW TRANSMISSION. *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.