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
80,000 miles · Nov 9, 2005
EquipmentFuel System, Gasoline
I OWN A 1998 GRNAD AM GT AND FOR THE PAST TWO YEARS I HAVE HAD FUEL INJECTOR PROBLEMS. I HAVE HAD ALL SIX INJECTORS REPLACED TWICE TOTALING OVER $600.00 EACH TIME. OTHER PEOPLE THAT I KNOW WHO ALSO OWN 1996-1999 GRAND AMS/GRAND PRIX HAVE ALSO SEEM TO HAVE THE SAME PROBLEMS. THE INJECTOR CLEANERS THAT ARE ONE THE MARKET DON'T SEE…
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I OWN A 1998 GRNAD AM GT AND FOR THE PAST TWO YEARS I HAVE HAD FUEL INJECTOR PROBLEMS. I HAVE HAD ALL SIX INJECTORS REPLACED TWICE TOTALING OVER $600.00 EACH TIME. OTHER PEOPLE THAT I KNOW WHO ALSO OWN 1996-1999 GRAND AMS/GRAND PRIX HAVE ALSO SEEM TO HAVE THE SAME PROBLEMS. THE INJECTOR CLEANERS THAT ARE ONE THE MARKET DON'T SEEM TO GET RID OF THE BUILD UP AND EVENTUALLY THEY NEED TO BE REPLACED. I BELIEVE THAT THERE IS SOME KIND OF DEFECT IN THE INJECTORS AND WOULD LIKE AN INVESTIGATION TO FIND OUT. *NM
NHTSA ODI #10142319
Mileage unknown · Jul 13, 2005
Air BagsVehicle Speed ControlInjury
PONTIAC GRAND AM AIR BAGS ARENT SAFE AT ALL MINE BUSTED OUT FOR NO REASON WHATSOEVER IT BURNED MY ARM AND LEFT A BRUISE AND COULD'VE CAUSED A WRECK!
NHTSA ODI #10128604
Mileage unknown · Jun 6, 2005
Electrical SystemFire
IN AUG. 2004 MY 1998 PONTIAC GRAND AM SE CAUGHT FIRE IN THE STEERING COLUMN AND FRIED EVERYTHING IN THE COLUMN , ALTERNATOR, AND BATTERY.THE LOCAL PONTIAC DEALER REFUSED TO WORK ON THE CAR SO I TOOK IT TO A LOCAL GARAGE.THEY FIXED WHAT THEY COULD CLEARLY SEE WAS DAMAGED AND SENT ME ON MY WAY. SINCE THEN I HAVE HAD TO HAVE THE …
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IN AUG. 2004 MY 1998 PONTIAC GRAND AM SE CAUGHT FIRE IN THE STEERING COLUMN AND FRIED EVERYTHING IN THE COLUMN , ALTERNATOR, AND BATTERY.THE LOCAL PONTIAC DEALER REFUSED TO WORK ON THE CAR SO I TOOK IT TO A LOCAL GARAGE.THEY FIXED WHAT THEY COULD CLEARLY SEE WAS DAMAGED AND SENT ME ON MY WAY. SINCE THEN I HAVE HAD TO HAVE THE ALTERNATOR REBUILT FOUR TIMES AND BATTERY REPLACED THREE TIMES .THE CAR HAS TO BE JUMPED SEVERAL TIMES A WEEK. THE ALTERNATOR KICKS IN AT 800 RPM. AND THE CAR IDLES AT 500 RPM.( COMPUTER CONTROLLED) MEANING THAT THE BATTERY IS CONSTANTLY DISCHARGING BELOW 35 MPH, OR WITH THE AIR AND EVERYTHING ON .WHEN IT GOES ABOVE 800RPM THE ALTERNATOR KICKS IN AND BOILS THE BATTERY TRYING TO PLAY CATCH UP. I RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE MAY 2005 (#04002) AND TOOK THE CAR TO THE GM DEALER IN BATESVILLE,AR.I TOLD THEM ABOUT THE FIRE AND DAMAGE .THEY CHANGED THE RELAY AND WIRE UNDER THE RECALL AND ADVISED THAT THEY COULD NOT FIX THE DAMAGE DONE BY THE FIRE,OR EVEN CHECK AND DIAGNOIS THE DAMAGE STILL EXISTING,WITHOUT APPROVAL FROM G.M. . ICONTACTED G.M. (MIKE DEMEYER) AND WAS IINFORMED THAT THEY WOULD PAY FOR THE DAMAGE THAT WAS FIXED BY THE LOCAL GARAGE ,BUT WOULD NOT PAY TO FINISH FIXING THE REST OF THE DAMAGE THAT WAS NOT FIXED.
NHTSA ODI #10124376
Mileage unknown · Jun 6, 2005
Child Seat
DT: THE HARNESS OF THE CAR SEAT LOOSENS AND POPS OUT. THE PROBLEM HAS OCCURRED SINCE THE PURCHASE OF THE CAR SEAT. HAS NOT CONTACTED MANUFACTURER TO SEE IF THERE IS A WAY OF REPAIRING THE CAR SEAT. HAS NOT CHECKED TO SEE IF THERE ARE ANY RECALLS. AFTER PLACING THE CHILD IN CAR SEAT, WHILE DRIVING, STRAP POPS OUT OF THE BRACKET …
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DT: THE HARNESS OF THE CAR SEAT LOOSENS AND POPS OUT. THE PROBLEM HAS OCCURRED SINCE THE PURCHASE OF THE CAR SEAT. HAS NOT CONTACTED MANUFACTURER TO SEE IF THERE IS A WAY OF REPAIRING THE CAR SEAT. HAS NOT CHECKED TO SEE IF THERE ARE ANY RECALLS. AFTER PLACING THE CHILD IN CAR SEAT, WHILE DRIVING, STRAP POPS OUT OF THE BRACKET IN THE BACK OF CAR SEAT. PROBLEM ONLY HAPPENS SOMETIMES.*AK
NHTSA ODI #10124271
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
61,000 miles · Mar 28, 2005
Air Bags
AFTER STARTING THE VEHICLE PASSENGER'S AIR BAG INADVERTENTLY DEPLOYED. DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. *AK AIR BAG DEPLOYED IT CRACKED THE DASH BOARD AS WELL AS WINDSHIELD. REPLACED AIRBAG, WINDSHIELD AND DASH BOARD. GENERAL MOTORS REFUSED TO REIMBURSE CONSUMER BECAUSE VEHICLE WASN'T TAKEN TO DEAL…
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AFTER STARTING THE VEHICLE PASSENGER'S AIR BAG INADVERTENTLY DEPLOYED. DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. *AK AIR BAG DEPLOYED IT CRACKED THE DASH BOARD AS WELL AS WINDSHIELD. REPLACED AIRBAG, WINDSHIELD AND DASH BOARD. GENERAL MOTORS REFUSED TO REIMBURSE CONSUMER BECAUSE VEHICLE WASN'T TAKEN TO DEALER. *BF *NM
NHTSA ODI #10113202
Mileage unknown · Mar 23, 2005
Engine And Engine Cooling
VEHICLE SMELLED OF ANTIFREEZE SHORTLY AFTER PURCHASE. THE VEHICLE WAS RETURNED TWICE TO THE DEALER FOR THE SMELL. I HAVE NOW BEEN INFORMED THAT THE INTAKE GASKET HAS BEEN LEAKING. PONTIAC HAS BEEN CONTACTED, AND I WAS INFORMED BY ONE REPRESENTATIVE THAT THERE HAD BEEN A PROBLEM, BUT THERE WAS NO RECALL ON THE PARTICULAR YEAR …
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VEHICLE SMELLED OF ANTIFREEZE SHORTLY AFTER PURCHASE. THE VEHICLE WAS RETURNED TWICE TO THE DEALER FOR THE SMELL. I HAVE NOW BEEN INFORMED THAT THE INTAKE GASKET HAS BEEN LEAKING. PONTIAC HAS BEEN CONTACTED, AND I WAS INFORMED BY ONE REPRESENTATIVE THAT THERE HAD BEEN A PROBLEM, BUT THERE WAS NO RECALL ON THE PARTICULAR YEAR OF THE VEHICLE.*AK
NHTSA ODI #10114568
Mileage unknown · Mar 10, 2005
Air Bags
PONTIAC GRAND AM 1998, PASSENGER AIR BAG DEPLOYED FOR NO REASON, SHATTERED WINDSHIELD. *BF *JB
NHTSA ODI #10115763
Mileage unknown · Mar 4, 2005
Electrical System
UPON RECEIVING A RECALL LETTER AND TAKING THE VEHICLE TO DEALER FOR RECALL REPAIRS CONSUMER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS IN VERY GOOD CONDITION UNTIL SHE TOOK IT TO DEALER. HOWEVER, THE DEALER CLAIMED THE VEHICLE NEEDED AN IGNITION SWITCH AND CHIP. ALSO, CONSUMER WAS TOLD THAT THE PROBLEM WAS THE SECURITY SYSTEM. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10113479
Mileage unknown · Jan 24, 2005
Service Brakes, HydraulicStructure
THE CONSUMER REPORTED PROBLEMS WITH THE VEHICLE'S DOOR'S, BRAKES AND OTHER COMPONENTS. *NM *SC *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
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