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 reports
100,000 miles · Mar 20, 2008
Engine And Engine Cooling
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 PONTIAC GRAND AM. THE CONTACT INSTALLED A FLUSH AND SEAL TUBE IN THE VEHICLE THAT ALLOWS ANTIFREEZE TO PENETRATE FASTER. SINCE THAT TIME, THE ENGINE HAS FAILED TWICE. THE ENGINE STALLED DURING THE SECOND FAILURE WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH. THE CONTACT PULLED OVER AND THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE MECHANIC…
Read full complaint
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 PONTIAC GRAND AM. THE CONTACT INSTALLED A FLUSH AND SEAL TUBE IN THE VEHICLE THAT ALLOWS ANTIFREEZE TO PENETRATE FASTER. SINCE THAT TIME, THE ENGINE HAS FAILED TWICE. THE ENGINE STALLED DURING THE SECOND FAILURE WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH. THE CONTACT PULLED OVER AND THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE MECHANIC. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE FLUSH AND SEAL TUBE CRACKED AND ANTIFREEZE LEAKED INTO THE ENGINE. THE ENGINE WAS REPLACED FOR THE SECOND TIME. THE CONTACT NOTIFIED THE MANUFACTURER OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 180,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000. UPDATED 04/16/08 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED THERE IS A PART NAMED FLUSH AND FILL SOLD WITH NO WARNING LABELS. UPDATED 04/16/08 *TR
NHTSA ODI #10221897
Mileage unknown · Dec 26, 2007
Electrical System
MY PASSLOCK SYSTEM KEEPS ON ACTING UP. I CAN'T SAY ANYTHING ABOUT THE DESIGN OF IT, BUT I WILL SAY THAT THE IMPLEMENTATION IS ABSOLUTELY HORRID AND SHOULD BE RECALLED. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10212743
99,000 miles · Jun 20, 2007
Air Bags
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 PONTIAC GRAND AM GT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. A FEW MONTHS LATER, SHE RETURNED TO THE DEALER BECAUSE THE LIGHT WOULD NOT DIM. THE MECHANIC PERFORMED A DIAGNOSTIC AND STATED THAT THE AIR BAG SENSOR FAILED, WHICH COULD PREVENT THE A…
Read full complaint
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 PONTIAC GRAND AM GT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. A FEW MONTHS LATER, SHE RETURNED TO THE DEALER BECAUSE THE LIGHT WOULD NOT DIM. THE MECHANIC PERFORMED A DIAGNOSTIC AND STATED THAT THE AIR BAG SENSOR FAILED, WHICH COULD PREVENT THE AIR BAGS FROM DEPLOYING. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 100,300 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 99,000.
NHTSA ODI #10193795
40,000 miles · Jun 13, 2007
SteeringVisibility
FLUID WAS LEAKING BY PASSENGER SIDE FRONT TIRE. ALSO, NOTICED A WHINING NOISE WHEN TURNING. CAR HAS 40,000 MILES ON IT. REPAIR SHOP HAD TO REPLACE THE RACK & PINION AND HEATER CORE. COST FOR REPAIRS: $700.00. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10193293
20,000 miles · Dec 7, 2006
Power TrainCrashInjury
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE EXITING A VEHICLE PARKED IN A DRIVEWAY ON A SLIGHT INCLINE WITH THE KEYS OUT OF THE IGNITION, THE VEHICLE ROLLED BACKWARDS WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE ROLLED ONTO THE FOOT OF THE CONTACT, WHICH LEFT THE CONTACT TRAPPED FOR 18 HOURS. MINOR BRUISING INJURIES WERE SUSTAINED. A PASSERBY ASSISTED, AN…
Read full complaint
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE EXITING A VEHICLE PARKED IN A DRIVEWAY ON A SLIGHT INCLINE WITH THE KEYS OUT OF THE IGNITION, THE VEHICLE ROLLED BACKWARDS WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE ROLLED ONTO THE FOOT OF THE CONTACT, WHICH LEFT THE CONTACT TRAPPED FOR 18 HOURS. MINOR BRUISING INJURIES WERE SUSTAINED. A PASSERBY ASSISTED, AND PUSHED THE VEHICLE OFF OF THE CONTACT. THE VEHICLE CONTINUED ROLLING, AND COLLIDED WITH A NEARBY TREE. MODERATE DAMAGE WAS SUSTAINED TO THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. UPON INSPECTION, THE VEHICLE GEAR SHIFT INDICATOR WAS IN PARK. THE POLICE WERE ALERTED, AND A REPORT WAS TAKEN. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP TO AWAIT FURTHER INSPECTION BY AN INSURANCE ADJUSTOR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS ALSO ALERTED.*AK UPDATED 12/28/06. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10175457
107,000 miles · May 23, 2006
Engine And Engine Cooling
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START AFTER BEING PARKED IN THE DRIVEWAY FOR A FEW HOURS. THE BATTERY CRANKED, BUT THE ENGINE FAILED TO TURN OVER. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS PRIOR TO THE FAILURE. THE DEALER CAME TO THE HOUSE AND INDICATED SOMETHING WAS WRONG WITH THE ENGINE, BUT GAVE NO CLEAR REASON FOR T…
Read full complaint
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START AFTER BEING PARKED IN THE DRIVEWAY FOR A FEW HOURS. THE BATTERY CRANKED, BUT THE ENGINE FAILED TO TURN OVER. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS PRIOR TO THE FAILURE. THE DEALER CAME TO THE HOUSE AND INDICATED SOMETHING WAS WRONG WITH THE ENGINE, BUT GAVE NO CLEAR REASON FOR THE FAILURE. THE DEALER INDICATED THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED.
NHTSA ODI #10158068
69,700 miles · May 1, 2006
Equipment
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS THE ANTI THEFT LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE DEALERSHIP HAS REPLACED THE ANTI THEFT SENSOR TWICE. THE VEHICLE IS HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM AGAIN. THE MANUFACTURER WAS ALERTED. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10156552
Mileage unknown · Mar 4, 2006
Fuel System, Gasoline
THE GAS TANK SEAL IS LEAKING. I HAVE NOT DID ANYTHING ABOUT IT YET. *NM
NHTSA ODI #10151788
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…
Read full complaint
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
Mileage unknown · Nov 19, 2005
EquipmentVisibility
WINDOW REGULATORS, BOTH DRIVER AND PASSENGER REGULATORS HAVE GONE BAD TWO TIMES. ONCE AT 40,000 AND AGAIN AT 80,000. *JB
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.
1998 Pontiac Grand Am Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year
Illustration