IllustrationCONSUMER'S VEHICLE WAS WAS INVOLVED IN A CRASH, FRONTAL AIR BAGS DEPLOYED APPROXIMATELY ONE MINUTE AFTER THE CRASH. CONSUMER SUSTAINED BRUISES SINCE THE AIR BAGS WERE LATE DEPLOYING.*AK
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 reportsNON-METALLIC FUEL LINE HAD RUPTURED FROM THE METALLIC LINE. THIS CAUSED GASOLINE TO SPRAY OVER ENTIRE ENGINE. VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO DEALER FOR REPAIRS. *AK
PROBLEMS WITH IGNITION SWITCH ON 1998 PONTIAC GRAND AM. *MR CONSUMER STILL HAVING PROBLEMS AFTER RECALL REPAIR ON IGNITION SWITCH. *LA
CONSUMER'S VEHICLE EXPERIENCED THE SAME FAILURE AS DESCRIBED IN THE IGNITION SWITCH RECALL 04V036000. BUT THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO VIN. *AK
WHEN TURNING THE IGNITION VEHICLE WOULD NOT START RIGHT AWAY. DEALER HAD BEEN CONTACTED. *AK AFTER REPAIR ON IGNITION, RECALL FROM MANUFACTURER WAS RELEASED. CONSUMER IS SEEKING REIMBURSEMENT FOR THE REPAIR. *LA
CONSUMER HEARD A LOUD NOISE, THEN THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME VERY LOOSE WITH A LOT OF PLAY. THE MECHANIC STATED THE STEERING MECHANISM BROKE FROM THE FIREWALL. THE DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED. PLEASE DESCRIBE FURTHER. *JB
I THINK GRANDAM HAS THE WORST BRAKING SYSTEM ON THEIR CARS. I SPEND SO MUCH MONEY ALONE ON BRAKES. I'VE ASKED SEVERAL PEOPLE WHO ALSO OWN A GRANDAM AND THEY SAY THE SAME THING I CHANGE MY BRAKES AT LEAST 3-4 TIMES A YEAR. I OWN A 98 PONTIAC GRANDAM AND AS SOON AS I FINISH PAYING ON IT I AM GETTING RID OF IT.*AK
WHEN DRIVING AT AN UNDETERMINED SPEED ENGINE CHECK LIGHT APPEARED ON THE DASHBOARD,THEN THE ENGINE VIBRATED. CONSUMER HAD INFORMED THE DEALER ABOUT THIS ISSUE. HOWEVER, THEN MECHANIC WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. *AK
I OWN A 1998 PONTIAC GRAND AM ,AND THERE HAS BEEN A RECALL ON THIS VEHICLE. I WANT TO TAKE IT IN TO GET FIXED -BUT PONTIAC/GMAC WILL NOT PROVIDE A LOANER CAR FOR ME TO USE WHILE THEY FIX MY CAR-THEY SAID IT WOULD TAKE 5-6 HOURS TO FIX-THEIR LETTER TO ME SAID IT WOULD ONLY TAKE AN HOUR TO AN HOUR AND A HALF. I CANNOT BE WITHOUT …
Read full complaint
I OWN A 1998 PONTIAC GRAND AM ,AND THERE HAS BEEN A RECALL ON THIS VEHICLE. I WANT TO TAKE IT IN TO GET FIXED -BUT PONTIAC/GMAC WILL NOT PROVIDE A LOANER CAR FOR ME TO USE WHILE THEY FIX MY CAR-THEY SAID IT WOULD TAKE 5-6 HOURS TO FIX-THEIR LETTER TO ME SAID IT WOULD ONLY TAKE AN HOUR TO AN HOUR AND A HALF. I CANNOT BE WITHOUT A VEHICLE FOR OVER 6 HOURS! I NEED TO GET TO WORK!! I AM STUCK WITHOUT ANY OPTIONS, OTHER THAN HAVING TO INCONVENIENCE MYSELF AND HAVE TO PAY FOR A RENTAL CAR. THIS IS THEIR MISTAKE NOT MINE AND NOW I HAVE TO PAY?!!! THIS IS NOT GOOD CUSTOMER SERVICE , GMAC SHOULD PROVIDE A LOANER FOR THESE TYPES OF INSTANCES. *NM
ENGINE CHECK LIGHT CAME ON AND WILL NOT GO OFF. CONSUMER RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR AN ENGINE PROBLEM. *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.