IllustrationWHILE PUTTING STEERING IN DOWN POSITION STEERING WHEEL WOULD NOT MOVE UP OR DOWN. *AK THE STEERING WHEEL WAS IN THE TOP POSITION AND COULD NOT BE MOVED. WHEN CONSUMER TOOK THE KEY OUT OF THE IGNITION THE STEERING WHEEL DID NOT LOCK IN POSITION. *JG
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 reportsWHEN STOPPING VEHICLE CONSUMER CANNOT GET KEY OUT OF IGNITION. WHEN KEY DOES NOT COME OUT IT IS SET ON ALTERNATOR.SHE CANNOT LEAVE KEY THERE BECAUSE IT WILL RUN THE ALTERNATOR DOWN. JUST HAD AN ALTERNATOR PUT ON. SHE TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER, AND PAID FOR IT TO GO ON DIANOSTIC MACHIN., YET, DEALER COULD NOT FIND OUT WHY…
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WHEN STOPPING VEHICLE CONSUMER CANNOT GET KEY OUT OF IGNITION. WHEN KEY DOES NOT COME OUT IT IS SET ON ALTERNATOR.SHE CANNOT LEAVE KEY THERE BECAUSE IT WILL RUN THE ALTERNATOR DOWN. JUST HAD AN ALTERNATOR PUT ON. SHE TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER, AND PAID FOR IT TO GO ON DIANOSTIC MACHIN., YET, DEALER COULD NOT FIND OUT WHY IT WAS HARD TO REMOVE KEY FROM IGNITION SWITCH.*AK
WHILE TURNING ON THE HEATER THERE IS SOME STRONG SMELL THAT COMES FROM THE VENTS, IT WILL FOG UP WINDSHIELD. *AK *JB
CONSUMER STATES SEATBELTS DO NOT LOCK UP WHEN BRAKE IS APPLIED IN AN EMERGENCY SITUATION. DEALER STATED THAT SEATBELTS WERE WORKING AS DESIGNED.*AK *SCC
VEHCLE WAS LEAKING WATER. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT WATER PUMP NEEDED REPLACING. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK
POWER WINDOWS ON BOTH PASSENGER AND DRIVER SIDES HAVE FAILED. THE MOTOR STILL WORKS, BUT IF YOU ROLL WINDOW DOWN YOU MUST MANUALLY KEEP WINDOW STRAIGHT WHEN ROLLING UP. I HAVE CHECKED REPAIR COSTS AND IT'S ABOUT $500/WINDOW. MY CAR WAS LESS THAN 3 YEARS OLD WHEN THE PROBLEM OCCURRED, SO UNLESS PONTIAC MAKES AN IMPROVEMENT TO …
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POWER WINDOWS ON BOTH PASSENGER AND DRIVER SIDES HAVE FAILED. THE MOTOR STILL WORKS, BUT IF YOU ROLL WINDOW DOWN YOU MUST MANUALLY KEEP WINDOW STRAIGHT WHEN ROLLING UP. I HAVE CHECKED REPAIR COSTS AND IT'S ABOUT $500/WINDOW. MY CAR WAS LESS THAN 3 YEARS OLD WHEN THE PROBLEM OCCURRED, SO UNLESS PONTIAC MAKES AN IMPROVEMENT TO THE WINDOW SYSTEM IT WILL CONTINUE TO HAPPEN. I HAVE BEEN TOLD THE PART THAT IS MALFUNTIONING IS CALLED A REGULATOR. I HAVE TAKEN MY DOOR PANEL OFF TO LOOK AT IT AND IT IS JUST NOT MADE STRONG ENOUGH FOR THE WEIGHT OF THE WINDOWS.*AK
NO COOLANT LIGHT WILL COME ON AND STAY ON VEHICLE . ALSO, LEAKING ANTI FREEZE.*AK *SLC
WHILE DRIVING ABS LIGHT WILL POP UP. CONSUMER HAS TO TURN OFF THE ENGINE, AND LIGHT WILL GO OFF. THEN, WILL POP UP AGAIN. DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED. PLEASE PROVIDE MORE INFORMATION. *AK
THIS COOLANT SYSTEM HAS FLUID THAT DOES NOT NEED TO BE REPLACED FOR OVER 100,000 MILES. HOWEVER, THE WATER PUMP MAY HAVE TO BE REPLACED AT ONLY 50,000. PONTIAC CALLED THIS NORMAL. IT SEEMS A LITTLE DECEPTIVE TO ADVERTISE A FLUID THAT LASTS SO LONG WHEN THE MECHNICAL PARTS MAY NOT. PONTIAC AND GM WOULD NOT OFFER REPAIR ASSIST…
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THIS COOLANT SYSTEM HAS FLUID THAT DOES NOT NEED TO BE REPLACED FOR OVER 100,000 MILES. HOWEVER, THE WATER PUMP MAY HAVE TO BE REPLACED AT ONLY 50,000. PONTIAC CALLED THIS NORMAL. IT SEEMS A LITTLE DECEPTIVE TO ADVERTISE A FLUID THAT LASTS SO LONG WHEN THE MECHNICAL PARTS MAY NOT. PONTIAC AND GM WOULD NOT OFFER REPAIR ASSISTANCE. THE REPAIR COST OVER $800.00. MANY LOCAL MECHANICS, SOME PONTIAC, SAID THIS WAS NOT NORMAL FOR THIS PART, BUT GM AND PONTIAC STILL REFUSED TO OFFER ANY WARRANTY ASSISTANCE.*AK
BOTH DRIVER & PASSENGER WINDOW COMPONENTS...LEVERS THAT RAISE & LOWER THE WINDOWS HAVE FAILED....THE LEVER, CA;;ED THE "WINDOW REGULATORS" HAVE BASICALLY RIPPED APART...ON BOTH DOORS.... THIS SEEMS RATHER DIFFICULT TO BELIVE THAT SUCH A THING COULD TAKE PLACE ON A THREE YEAR OLD CAR...I CAN FIND NO PRIOR REPORTS..I ASSUME OWNERS…
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BOTH DRIVER & PASSENGER WINDOW COMPONENTS...LEVERS THAT RAISE & LOWER THE WINDOWS HAVE FAILED....THE LEVER, CA;;ED THE "WINDOW REGULATORS" HAVE BASICALLY RIPPED APART...ON BOTH DOORS.... THIS SEEMS RATHER DIFFICULT TO BELIVE THAT SUCH A THING COULD TAKE PLACE ON A THREE YEAR OLD CAR...I CAN FIND NO PRIOR REPORTS..I ASSUME OWNERS JUST HAVE THEM REPAIRED, WHEN IT APPEARS TO ME THAT THERE IS AN OBVIOUS "DEFECT" IN THE MANUFACTURING OF THESE COMPONENTS. THESE COMPONENETS APPEAR TO BE TOO WEAKLY CONSTRCUTED TO STAND UP TO THE STRESS INVOLVED IN THESE ELECTRIC WINDOWS.
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.