1998 Pontiac Grand AM problems
NHTSA has received 236 complaints about the 1998 Pontiac Grand AM, and 19% of them involve brakes. After that come electrical system (16%) and engine (8%).
At a glance
- Complaints
- 236 filed with NHTSA
- Most reported
- Brakes 19% of complaints
- Crashes and fires
- 16 and 5
- Injuries and deaths
- 15 and 2
- Typical mileage
- 80,000 miles 57 complaints with mileage
Source: NHTSA owner complaints
Where the complaints are
Share of this model year's complaints by the part of the car involved. One complaint can name more than one part, so the shares can add up to more than 100%.
When problems show up
View the numbers
| Mileage | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 0k to 20k miles | 4 |
| 20k to 40k miles | 6 |
| 40k to 60k miles | 11 |
| 60k to 80k miles | 7 |
| 80k to 100k miles | 9 |
| 100k to 120k miles | 5 |
| 120k to 140k miles | 5 |
| 140k to 160k miles | 4 |
| 160k to 180k miles | 4 |
| 180k to 200k miles | 1 |
| 200k+ miles | 1 |
What the data shows
Among the 57 complaints that report mileage, the typical (median) problem appeared at about 80,000 miles.
Safety-related details: 16 complaints mention a crash; 5 complaints mention a fire; 15 injuries reported; 2 deaths reported.
Looking only at complaints filed within five years of the model year (so older and newer years are comparable), the 1998 ranks 13th most-complained-about out of 16 model years of the Pontiac Grand AM with enough data (135 complaints in that window). It is also covered by 1 safety recall campaign.
What owners wrote
A few complaints as filed, shortened and with personal details removed. The first ones are among the most serious reports for this model year; the rest are typical.
Tl* the contact owns a 1998 pontiac grand am. The contact stated that the driver was traveling at an unknown speed when the vehicle stalled and crashed into a tree. The driver was killed and the vehicle was destroyed. A police report was filed of the incident. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown. Updated 10/22/14 updated 05/19/2015
While putting steering in down position steering wheel would not move up or down. 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.
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.
Tl*the contact owns a 1998 pontiac grand am. The contact installed a flush and seal tube in the vehicle that allows antifreeze to penetrate faster. Since that time, the engine has failed twice. The engine stalled during the second failure while driving 65 MPH. The contact pulled over and the vehicle was towed to the mechanic. The mechanic stated that the flush and seal tube cracked and antifreeze leaked into the engine. The engine was replaced for the second time.
I was driving my 1998 gt pontiac grand am from peoria illinois on highway at 65 MPH. She completely shut down no power no nothing...pulled over waited approximately 5minutes and she started right up...please help!!! [xxx]