While starting the vehicle, the anti-theft circuitry cuts out the ignition system and prohibits re-starting the vehicle. A 'pass code' light appears on the dashboard. In one instance, the anti-theft circuitry cut out while the vehicle was in motion and could not be re-started. The vehicle could be steered (no power steering) and coasted off the roadway (no power brakes).
The worst 1998 Pontiac Grand Am problems
Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.
Problems by type
Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.
- Brakes38
- Electrical33
- Engine26
- Acceleration16
- Steering14
- Suspension14
- Visibility14
- Airbags13
- Transmission13
- Fuel system9
- Seat belts7
- Body3
- Tires3
- Lights2
- Wheels1
Specific symptoms reported on the 1998 Pontiac Grand Am
ABS 9Brake failure 7Fire or smoke 7Ball joint 6Power windows 5Premature wear 5
Recalls 1
Electrical system: ignition: switch
- What is wrong
- 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.
- Risk
- 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.
Recall number 04V036000 · Recall details
See all 1 recalls for the 1998 Pontiac Grand Am
Defect investigations
Power rack and pinion steering failure
Gm conducted a safety recall (the federal safety agency # 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.
RQ03001
Technical service bulletins for the 1998 Pontiac Grand Am 62
Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.
- Fuel system, gasoline
- This informational bulletin provides information for dealers/technicians on Procedures to Unlock Delco...
- Equipment: electrical: anti-theft devices
- This warranty administration bulletin provides information regarding the field action courtesy...
- Equipment
- This warranty administration bulletin provides policy information with the field action courtesy...
- This technical bulletin provides a procedure to reprogram the media disc player with the latest...
- Equipment: electrical: anti-theft devices
- Vehicle Recalls
- This informational bulletin provides the technician with information on what E85 fuel may due to a non E85...
1998 Pontiac Grand Am fuel economy
Official EPA estimates in miles per gallon (MPGe for electric). Ranges cover trims that share the same engine.
| Engine | Drive | City | Highway | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.4L 4‑cyl | FWD | 19-20 | 30 | 23-24 |
| 3.1L 6‑cyl | FWD | 18 | 27 | 21 |
What 1998 Pontiac Grand Am owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
Tl* the contact owns a 1998 pontiac grand am. After the vehicle was started, the passenger side air bag deployed inadvertently. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 208,000.
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*cn updated 05/19/2015
Was driving on interstate 287 in new jersey when engine cut off causing loss of brakes, power steering. Caused accident when ran off road due to lack of power steering and inability to effectively brake. Took to dealer who replaced crankshaft sensor that did not repair problem. After car was repaired incident continued to occur without any trouble codes. Now that issue has developed with ignition switches, it seems to me that this may be a longer term problem than currently thought. Finally sold the vehicle due to continuing problem that no one could solve.
1998 pontiac grand am. Consumer writes in regards to vehicle engine made an unusual noise, when she started it. *smd the consumer stated she turned the ignition off, thinking the noise would stop, but it did not. She took the keys out of the ignition and it continued to make the sound. The vehicle was taken to a local repair shop. They made a temporary fix. However, there was a campaign on the vehicle. Either the dealer did not fix the recall on the ignition switch or it was not fixed properly. The local repair shop advised the consumer, to take the vehicle to the dealer. Once at the dealer, they stated there was nothing wrong with the ignition switch and it was a computer problem.
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] information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6).
1999 engine installed a 1998 car...faulty wires, car leaks when it rains, looks to have been in a fire. Knock sensor bad,egr valve bad...numerous things wrong with the car and leslie reed's auto knew it was a lemon car. It has a salvaged title and leslie reed's auto never got the car repaired before they sold the car.
My 1998 pontiac grand am theft system was engaged and the vehicle will not start I was told by the dealer that it was the dash cluster and key switch replaced both vehicle still will not start.
I have a 1998 pontiac grand am that will not start due to anti theft keep from starting.
Tl*the contact owns a 1998 pontiac grand am. While the contact was seated in the parked vehicle, the air bags suddenly deployed and struck her in the face. She was badly bruised. A police report was filed. She took the vehicle to the dealer for inspection and they stated that the air bag module was corroded. The powertrain was unknown. The current mileage was 160,000 and failure mileage was 154,000.
Compare the 1998 Pontiac Grand Am
Other model years
1990199119921993199419951996199719981999200020012002200320042005
Questions about the 1998 Pontiac Grand Am
Is the 1998 Pontiac Grand Am reliable?
Owners have filed 172 complaints about the 1998 Pontiac Grand Am, fewer than a typical Grand Am model year.
What is the most common problem with the 1998 Pontiac Grand Am?
Brakes, with 38 complaints. Next is electrical (33).
How many recalls does the 1998 Pontiac Grand Am have?
1 recall, covering electrical system.
What year does the Pontiac Grand Am have bad brakes?
The Pontiac Grand Am model years with the most brakes complaints are 1999 (219 complaints), 2000 (129 complaints) and 1995 (77 complaints).
What gas mileage does the 1998 Pontiac Grand Am get?
Official estimates for the 1998 Pontiac Grand Am range from 21 to 24 mpg combined. The most efficient version (2.4L 4-cyl, FWD) gets 19-20 city and 30 highway.
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