MYRModel Year Report

1998 Pontiac Grand AM

▲ Better than typical
1998 Pontiac Grand AM
RENDERED 2026-09-17T03:40:18.823Z

This year had at least 30% fewer complaints than this model's typical year.

This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.

How is this computed?

COMPLAINTS PER YEAR

Complaints per year, Pontiac Grand AM Bar chart of distinct NHTSA complaints filed per model year, 1998 highlighted. 1983: 1 complaints 1983 1984: 0 complaints 1985: 4 complaints 1986: 11 complaints 1986 1987: 28 complaints 1988: 33 complaints 1989: 44 complaints 1989 1990: 39 complaints 1991: 82 complaints 1992: 168 complaints 1992 1993: 206 complaints 1994: 384 complaints 1995: 409 complaints 1995 1996: 450 complaints 1997: 383 complaints 1998: 172 complaints 1998 1999: 849 complaints 2000: 675 complaints 2001: 538 complaints 2001 2002: 395 complaints 2003: 325 complaints 2004: 293 complaints 2004 2005: 102 complaints 2005
1998: 172 complaints
View as data table
YearComplaints
19800
19810
19831
19840
19854
198611
198728
198833
198944
199039
199182
1992168
1993206
1994384
1995409
1996450
1997383
1998172
1999849
2000675
2001538
2002395
2003325
2004293
2005102

KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS

Percentages can add to more than 100% -- a complaint can name more than one system.

SERVICE BRAKES 26%

26% of complaints: service brakes — 45 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing hydraulic and air.

CRASH INJURY
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 21%

21% of complaints: electrical system — 36 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing switch and ignition.

CRASH FIRE
Show complaint excerpts

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.

NHTSA ODI report, 20140619

Also filed under ENGINE

WHILE DRIVING DRIVER STARTED TO SMELL SOMETHING BURNING, PULLED OVER, POPPED HOOD, AND DRIVER NOTICED THE ALTERNATER WIRE WAS BURNING. *AK

NHTSA ODI report, 20031008

IGNITION STARTED SMOKING WHILE TRYING TO TURN KEY IN IGNITION. MR

NHTSA ODI report, 20021015

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 13%

13% of complaints: engine and engine cooling — 23 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing gasoline and engine.

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL 9%

9% of complaints: vehicle speed control — 16 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing cruise control and accelerator pedal.

CRASH INJURY
Show complaint excerpts

WHILE DRIVING AT A REGULAR SPEED CAR ACCELERATED ON ITS OWN, HITTING ANOTHER VEHICLE.MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED, AND STATED THEY COULD RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. *AK

NHTSA ODI report, 19990823

VISIBILITY 9%

9% of complaints: visibility — 15 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing power window devices and controls and exterior.

SAFETY TIMELINE

I 20030102 — RQ (closed 20030915)

POWER RACK AND PINION STEERING FAILURE

R 20040301 — electrical system

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 P

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 NECESSAR

Campaign 04V036000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20070320 — fuel system, gasoline

CERTAIN DELPHI AFTERMARKET FUEL PUMP MODULES / MODULE RESERVOIR ASSEMBLIES (MRA) THAT WERE SOLD FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LISTED VEHICLES. DURING PRODUCTION THE MRAS VENT AND FUEL RETURN TUBES WERE REVERS

Remedy: DELPHI WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE DEFECTIVE MRAS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MARCH 20, 2007. OWNERS CAN CONTACT DELPHI AT 1-877-335-7443.

Campaign 07E015000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20070427 — fuel system, other

CERTAIN DELPHI FUEL PRESSURE REGULATORS, P/NOS. FP10020-11B1, FP10026-11B1, AND FP10027-11B1, SOLD AFTER JANUARY 9, 2007, AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. THE UNI

Remedy: DELPHI WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE UPR FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 23, 2007. OWNERS CAN CONTACT DELPHI AT 877-411-8770.

Campaign 07E021000 — check if this car was fixed

BUY-SMART CHECKLIST

1998 Pontiac Grand AM — pre-purchase inspection

  • Test/inspect for service brakes issues (45 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for electrical system issues (36 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for engine and engine cooling issues (23 reports on file for this year).
  • Verify recall 04V036000 (electrical system) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 07E015000 (fuel system, gasoline) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 07E021000 (fuel system, other) has been completed.
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL

BEST YEARS

▲ 1988 ▲ 1990 ▲ 1989

WORST YEARS

■ 1999 ■ 2000 ◆ 2001

See all years ranked →

FAQ

Is the 1998 Pontiac Grand AM reliable?

Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 1998 Pontiac Grand AM is rated "better than typical".

What are the most common problems with the 1998 Pontiac Grand AM?

The most-reported component is service brakes, accounting for 26% of complaints on file.

How many recalls does the 1998 Pontiac Grand AM have?

3 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-09-16 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.