Menu

1998 Pontiac Grand PrixProblems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 499 owner complaints about the 1998 Pontiac Grand Prix, most often about the exterior lighting. It is covered by 4 safety recalls, and for recall 15V-701 the manufacturer reports only 26% of affected cars repaired.

27
CarFlaw IndexYear to avoid2.7× the Grand Prix median · #5 of 21 years by complaints
Safety recalls4Lowest repair rate 26%Owner complaints49995 with a crash, fire or injuryTypical failure mileage58kExterior lighting, median miles

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through May 26, 2023. Updated daily.

Complaints by system

Where the 1998 Pontiac Grand Prix has problems

499 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.

Box size = number of complaints naming that system. Darker = larger share. One complaint can name more than one system.
Complaints by system
SystemComplaintsCrash, fire or injury
Exterior lighting901
Engine and engine cooling9033
Steering895
Electrical system5117
Visibility480
Service brakes, hydraulic342
Engine3311
Air bags2410
Power train213
16 other systems9418

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.

4 recalls

1998 Pontiac Grand Prix 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.

26%repaired · 2017 Q3

Engine and engine cooling: engine

Recall 15V-701 · Oct 26, 2015 · 1,003,556 vehicles · 265,197 repaired

Risk. Engine oil that drips onto the hot surface of the exhaust manifold may result in a fire.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

–no report yet

Engine and engine cooling

Recall 09V-116 · Apr 8, 2009 · 1,497,516 vehicles

Risk. IF THE MANIFOLD IS HOT ENOUGH AND THE OIL RUNS BELOW THE HEAT SHIELD, IT MAY IGNITE INTO A SMALL FLAME AND MAY SPREAD TO THE PLASTIC SPARK PLUG WIRE CHANNEL…

Problem, fix and repair progress →

–no report yet

Engine and engine cooling

Recall 08V-118 · Mar 12, 2008 · 207,542 vehicles

Risk. CERTAIN UNDERHOOD FIRES MAY BE CAUSED BY DROPS OF ENGINE OIL, FROM SEEPAGE OR SPILLAGE, BEING DEPOSITED ON THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD THROUGH HARD BRAKING.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

–no report yet

Steering: rack and pinion

Recall 02V-286 · Nov 4, 2002 · 1,159,156 vehicles

Risk. IF THIS OCCURS, THE PINION SHAFT CAN BE FORCED UPWARD DURING LEFT TURNS AND BACK DOWN AS THE STEERING WHEEL IS MOVED BACK AND TO THE RIGHT.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

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 Prix 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 Prix median. How we score

'65'66'70'72'73'74'76'77'78'79'80'81'82'83'84'85'86'87'88'89'90'91'92'93'94'95'96'97'98'99'00'01'02'03'04'05'06'07'08
  • Avoid
  • Caution
  • Solid
  • Best
  • Not rated
5 investigations

NHTSA defect investigations

Federal investigations that included the 1998 Pontiac Grand Prix, and the recalls they led to.

  1. AIR BAG INFLATOREA01014 · closed Aug 26, 2002
    Led to recall 02V-027
  2. ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRESEA02030 · closed Mar 9, 2004
    Led to recall 04V-090
  3. WINDSHIELD WIPEREA99024 · closed Jan 13, 2000
    No recall
  4. ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRESPE02050 · closed Oct 22, 2002
    No recall
  5. WINDSHIELD WIPERPE99028 · closed Aug 20, 1999
    No recall
In owners' words

What Grand Prix owners report

Recent exterior lighting complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.

THE EXTERIOR LIGHTING LENSES OF THE HEADLIGHT HAVE FALLEN OUT AND HAVE BROKEN FROM THE HEADLIGHT. HE STATES THAT THE VEHICLE PRODUCES PROJECTILES AS WELL. HE STATES THAT HE HAS CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER AND FILED A COMPLAINT AND THEY HAVE NOT OFFERED ANY ASSISTANCE TO HIM (71532337325-GM COMPLAINT…
Complaint 10200365 · Aug 21, 2007 · 58,000 miles
ON TWO SEPARATE OCCASIONS THE HEADLIGHT LENS CAME OFF. HOW THEY CAME WAS UNDETERMINED? DEALER WAS NOTIFIED. THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONSUMER THAT PART WAS NOT COVERED UNDER A RECALL.*AK
Complaint 10107010 · Jan 7, 2005 · 120,000 miles
HEADLIGHTS ON 98 GRAND PRIX GT ARE FOGGING UP AND GETTING MOISTURE INSIDE THE PROTECTIVE COVER AND REDUCING THE LIGHT THE HEADLIGHT IS SENDING OUT. THIS IS MAKING NIGHT TIME DRIVING VERY DIFFICULT AND DANGEROUS. NOONE HAS BEEN INJURIED YET AND THE NUMBER OF FAILURES IS DAILY BECAUSE THE LAMPS NEVER…
Complaint 10098606 · Nov 10, 2004 · 77,000 miles

Own a 1998 Grand Prix?

Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.