no report yet
Ignition: switch
Risk. IF THE SWITCH IS DAMAGED, A FIRE COULD OCCUR IN THE STEERING COLUMN, EVEN WITH THE ENGINE OFF AND THE KEY REMOVED.
1998 Pontiac Grand AMProblems, recalls & complaints
NHTSA has logged 172 owner complaints about the 1998 Pontiac Grand AM, most often about the service brakes, hydraulic. It is covered by 1 safety recall.
Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through September 15, 2016. Updated daily.
Complaints by system
Where the 1998 Pontiac Grand AM has problems
172 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.
36Service brakes, hydraulic1 crash/fire/injury
33Electrical system6 crash/fire/injury
23Engine and engine cooling
16Vehicle speed control4 crash/fire/injury
14Visibility
14Suspension1 crash/fire/injury
14Steering2 crash/fire/injury
13Air bags6 crash/fire/injury
13Power train2 crash/fire/injury
3712 other systems4 crash/fire/injury
| System | Complaints | Crash, fire or injury |
|---|---|---|
| Service brakes, hydraulic | 36 | 1 |
| Electrical system | 33 | 6 |
| Engine and engine cooling | 23 | 0 |
| Vehicle speed control | 16 | 4 |
| Visibility | 14 | 0 |
| Suspension | 14 | 1 |
| Steering | 14 | 2 |
| Air bags | 13 | 6 |
| Power train | 13 | 2 |
| 12 other systems | 37 | 4 |
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.
1 recall
1998 Pontiac Grand AM recalls and how many were fixed
Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with Pontiac.
Best & worst years
1998 vs. every other Grand AM year
Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the Grand AM median. How we score
'73'75'78'83'85'86'87'88'89'90'91'92'93'94'95'96'97'98'99'00'01'02'03'04'05
- Avoid
- Caution
- Solid
- Best
- Not rated
NHTSA crash tests
1998 Pontiac Grand AM safety ratings
1998 Pontiac Grand Am 4-DR. in NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program. Photos are from NHTSA's crash tests.
- Stability control: No
- Forward collision warning: No
- Lane departure warning: No
1 investigation
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal investigations that included the 1998 Pontiac Grand AM, and the recalls they led to.
- POWER RACK AND PINION STEERING FAILURENo recall
In owners' words
What Grand AM owners report
Recent service brakes, hydraulic complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.
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…
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…
WHEN BRAKING VEHICLE DIDN'T STOP AT THE DESIRED STOPPING POINT. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, WHO INDICATED THAT ANTILOCK BRAKING SYSTEM MALFUNCTIONED AND THERE WAS NO REMEDY TO SOLVE THE PROBLEM. MECHANIC RECOMMENDS DISCONNECTING THE ANTILOCK BRAKING SYSTEM BECAUSE IT WAS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE THE…
Own a 1998 Grand AM?
Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.