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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

What owners actually said

172 reports
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

114,000 miles · Nov 4, 2004
Steering

CONSUMER WAS UNABLE TO TURN LEFT. DEALER STATED THAT RACK AND PINION FAILED. A RECALL FOR THE STEERING RACK AND PINION WAS ISSUED, HOWEVER, THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO VIN. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10099421

74,899 miles · Nov 3, 2004
Electrical System

WHILE DRIVING. THE DASH ILLUMINATED AND THEN SHUT DOWN. THE BATTERY CABLE CAME UNDONE. SHUTTING THE VEHICLES ELECTRICAL SYSTEM COMPLETELY DOWN. THE CONSUMER HIS WIFE, AND DOG WERE TRAPPED INSIDE THE VEHICLE. THE WINDOWS WOULD NOT COME DOWN THE DOORS WOULD NOT OPEN, THE BRAKES BECAME INOPERABLE. THEY COASTED TO THE SIDE OF THE RO…

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WHILE DRIVING. THE DASH ILLUMINATED AND THEN SHUT DOWN. THE BATTERY CABLE CAME UNDONE. SHUTTING THE VEHICLES ELECTRICAL SYSTEM COMPLETELY DOWN. THE CONSUMER HIS WIFE, AND DOG WERE TRAPPED INSIDE THE VEHICLE. THE WINDOWS WOULD NOT COME DOWN THE DOORS WOULD NOT OPEN, THE BRAKES BECAME INOPERABLE. THEY COASTED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE AUTOMATIC KEY BUTTON WOULD NOT WORK. ALSO THE BRAKES WENT OUT. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION. DOOR HANDLES WOULD NOT OPEN DOOR. BREATHING BECAME DIFFICULT WHILE THE CONSUMER AND FAMILY HAD NO WAY TO EXIT THE VEHICLE. *TC

NHTSA ODI #10096941

100,400 miles · Oct 26, 2004
Vehicle Speed Control

SEVERE ACCELERATION WHEN AUTO IS MOVING AT SLOW OR IDLE SPEED WHEN MOVING FROM A COLD START OR NEARLY COLD START. MOST NOTICEABLE WHEN AUTO IS MAKING A TURN AFTER A COLD START OR NEARLY COLD START. THE PROBLEM OCCUR 100% OF THE TIME WHEN DESCENDING FROM A PARKING DECK AND REACHING THE LOWER LEVEL OR LOWEST LEVEL OF THE PARKING D…

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SEVERE ACCELERATION WHEN AUTO IS MOVING AT SLOW OR IDLE SPEED WHEN MOVING FROM A COLD START OR NEARLY COLD START. MOST NOTICEABLE WHEN AUTO IS MAKING A TURN AFTER A COLD START OR NEARLY COLD START. THE PROBLEM OCCUR 100% OF THE TIME WHEN DESCENDING FROM A PARKING DECK AND REACHING THE LOWER LEVEL OR LOWEST LEVEL OF THE PARKING DECK. MY ACTION IS TO PUT THE CAR IN NEUTRAL UNTIL IT DROP BACK TO A NORMAL IDLING SPEED, WHICH NORMALLY TAKE( AS A GUEST), ABOUT 45 TO 60 SECONDS. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10096408

Mileage unknown · Sep 28, 2004
Steering

WHILE BACKING OUT IN REVERSE OR DRIVING VEHICLE HAD A RATTLING SOUND. CONSUMER NOTICED THAT WHILE SHIFTING THE STEERING WHEEL JERKED. CONSUMER DROVE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION, AND MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE RACK AND PINION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10094563

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

95,000 miles · Sep 2, 2004
Electrical System

1998 PONTIAC GM RECALL IGNITION SWITCH HIGH CURRENT FLOW, THE DEALER RED MCCOMBS SUPIRIOR PONTIAC ADDED A RELAY SWITCH, AND NEVER REPLACED THE ORIGINAL IGNITION SWITCH THAT HAD BEEN SUBJECTED TO THE HIGH CURRENCY FLOW, NOW THE VEHICALE IS BACK IN THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT NEEDING THE IGNITION CYLINDER AND THE IGNITION SWITCH REPLA…

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1998 PONTIAC GM RECALL IGNITION SWITCH HIGH CURRENT FLOW, THE DEALER RED MCCOMBS SUPIRIOR PONTIAC ADDED A RELAY SWITCH, AND NEVER REPLACED THE ORIGINAL IGNITION SWITCH THAT HAD BEEN SUBJECTED TO THE HIGH CURRENCY FLOW, NOW THE VEHICALE IS BACK IN THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT NEEDING THE IGNITION CYLINDER AND THE IGNITION SWITCH REPLACED IF THE ORIGINAL DEFECT RECALL WOULD HAVE BEEN SOUGHT OUT CORRECTLY BY THE DEALER THE VEHICLE WOULD HAVE BEEN SAFE. THE DEALER BILLED THE MANUFACURE FOR A INSTALLATION WIRE HARVEST, AND ON MY WORK ORDER FROM THE DEALER I SHOW ONLY THE RELAY KIT TO BE REPAIRED, THE DEALER TOLD ME THAT THEY HAD THE OPTION OF REPLACING THE IGNITION SWITCH BUT THE CHOSE NOT TO THIS WAS AN INCOMPLETE RECALL WORK . *AK

NHTSA ODI #10089036

135,678 miles · Aug 18, 2004
Air BagsVehicle Speed ControlCrashInjury

CONSUMER WAS DRIVING THROUGH A SCHOOL ZONE GOING LESS THAN 25 MPH AND CRUISE CONTROL KICKED IN. THE VEHICLE CROSSED INTO ONCOMING TRAFFIC AND WENT DOWN AN EMBANKMENT. THE VEHICLE HIT A TREE AND IT WASN'T UNTIL THE VEHICLE STOPPED THAT THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. WHEN THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED THEY BLACKED THE PASSENGERS EYES. *AK *…

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CONSUMER WAS DRIVING THROUGH A SCHOOL ZONE GOING LESS THAN 25 MPH AND CRUISE CONTROL KICKED IN. THE VEHICLE CROSSED INTO ONCOMING TRAFFIC AND WENT DOWN AN EMBANKMENT. THE VEHICLE HIT A TREE AND IT WASN'T UNTIL THE VEHICLE STOPPED THAT THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. WHEN THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED THEY BLACKED THE PASSENGERS EYES. *AK *NM

NHTSA ODI #10089196

Mileage unknown · Aug 12, 2004
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

WHILE APPLYING THE BRAKES, THE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR. THE DRIVER WAS ABLE TO STOP. THE CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND DROVE IT TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE MECHANIC INFORMED THE DRIVER THAT THE BRAKE PADS AND FRONT ROTOR NEEDED REPLACE DUE TO CORROSION. PLEASE FILL IN ADDITIONAL INFORMATION.…

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WHILE APPLYING THE BRAKES, THE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR. THE DRIVER WAS ABLE TO STOP. THE CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND DROVE IT TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE MECHANIC INFORMED THE DRIVER THAT THE BRAKE PADS AND FRONT ROTOR NEEDED REPLACE DUE TO CORROSION. PLEASE FILL IN ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10087826

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.