1998 Pontiac Grand Prix problems
NHTSA has received 618 complaints about the 1998 Pontiac Grand Prix, and 19% of them involve engine. Next are lighting (15%) and steering (15%).
At a glance
- Complaints
- 618 filed with NHTSA
- Most reported
- Engine 19% of complaints
- Crashes and fires
- 25 and 76
- Injuries and deaths
- 27 and 1
- Typical mileage
- 95,000 miles 198 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 | 5 |
| 20k to 40k miles | 13 |
| 40k to 60k miles | 25 |
| 60k to 80k miles | 27 |
| 80k to 100k miles | 39 |
| 100k to 120k miles | 23 |
| 120k to 140k miles | 23 |
| 140k to 160k miles | 16 |
| 160k to 180k miles | 9 |
| 180k to 200k miles | 8 |
| 200k+ miles | 10 |
What the data shows
Of the 198 complaints that include odometer readings, half describe a problem before roughly 95,000 miles. For engine specifically, the median reported mileage is about 115,000 miles (51 complaints with mileage).
Safety-related details: 25 complaints mention a crash; 76 complaints mention a fire; 27 injuries reported; 1 death reported.
Looking only at complaints filed within five years of the model year (so older and newer years are comparable), the 1998 ranks 2nd most-complained-about out of 19 model years of the Pontiac Grand Prix with enough data (313 complaints in that window). It is also covered by 4 safety recall campaigns.
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.
My pontiac grand prix was taken to jiffy lube for an oil change and engine flush. After the work was completed, the employee drove the car out to the parking lot. While he was driving it, the engine compartment caught fire. The employee escaped with minor injuries. The engine was totaled and the car was no longer drivable.
While driving at 70 MPH on wet pavement vehicle slid off the road and hit a tree on the side. All four of the passengers were wearing seat belts, and the seat belt locks released on their own. One consumer was trapped in the vehicle. 2 sustained injuries.
Updated information. Above. Sent 2 I was driving on an intrastate road. Traffic was moving at @60MPH. After passing a curve I suddenly came upon a car completely stopped in the left lane. I reacted quickly and came to a full stop. I left @9 ft. In front of me. I was unable to change lanes. Within seconds I was hit from behind. I woke up with a brain injury as well as other physical injuries. Tbi as a result,I lost all but 2 in family and friends. I endured more than anyone can imagine. I am still waiting for help.
Tl*the contact owns a 1998 pontiac grand prix. On december 17, 2006 the serpentine belt broke and was repaired. While driving 35 MPH on 1/9/07 the vehicle shut off. However, the contact was able to drive it home. The engine locked, and she was unable to restart it. No warning lights illuminated on the dashboard. The vehicle has not been diagnosed by a mechanic. The current and failure mileage were 83,712.
Traveling approximately 35 MPH down a dual lane (each way) heavily traveled road when I attempted to stop the car & the brake pedal went to the floor. After I was able to stop, I discovered brake fluid was dripping from the underside of the automobile where the brake line had apparently ruptured. Front brake line connectors & rear line was replaced at a cost of $900 by a professional mechanic at a local garage.