1998 Pontiac Grand Prix
This year had more than double the complaints of 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.
COMPLAINTS PER YEAR
View as data table
| Year | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 1980 | 0 |
| 1981 | 0 |
| 1982 | 0 |
| 1983 | 2 |
| 1984 | 3 |
| 1985 | 3 |
| 1986 | 2 |
| 1987 | 2 |
| 1988 | 92 |
| 1989 | 143 |
| 1990 | 177 |
| 1991 | 173 |
| 1992 | 117 |
| 1993 | 132 |
| 1994 | 217 |
| 1995 | 169 |
| 1996 | 79 |
| 1997 | 810 |
| 1998 | 499 |
| 1999 | 412 |
| 2000 | 461 |
| 2001 | 308 |
| 2002 | 330 |
| 2003 | 106 |
| 2004 | 454 |
| 2005 | 148 |
| 2006 | 239 |
| 2007 | 220 |
| 2008 | 142 |
KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS
Percentages can add to more than 100% -- a complaint can name more than one system.
19% of complaints: steering — 94 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing rack and pinion and rack.
CRASH FIRE DEATHShow complaint excerpts
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED, THE VEHICLE OVERHEATED, AND THERE WAS A BURNING ODOR. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON VARIOUS OCCASIONS.
NHTSA ODI report, 20150306
RACK AND PINION STEERING FAILED, VEHICLE LOST CONTROL, RESULTING IN A COLLISION. *AK
NHTSA ODI report, 20030203
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX. UPON PURCHASING THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT REPLACED THE POWER STEERING PUMP DUE TO A STEERING FAILURE. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED.
NHTSA ODI report, 20190724
19% of complaints: exterior lighting — 93 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing headlights and concealment devices.
CRASH18% of complaints: engine and engine cooling — 92 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing gasoline and engine.
FIRE INJURYShow complaint excerpts
1998 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO VEHICLE ENGINE RECALL NOTICE. *SMD THE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE.
NHTSA ODI report, 20130416
WHILE ADDING OIL IN ENGINE OIL DROPS FELL ON THE MANIFOLD CAUSING FIRE.
NHTSA ODI report, 19980610
11% of complaints: electrical system — 53 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing 12v/24v/48v battery and ignition.
FIRE INJURYShow complaint excerpts
THE 1998 GRAND PRIX GT WAS SITTING IN THE DRIVEWAY, THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN DRIVEN FOR OVER 24 HOURS , A FIRE STARTED IN THE DASH OF THE CAR
NHTSA ODI report, 20030106
WHILE DRIVING COMING OFF AN EXIT AT 15 MPH VEHICLE BURST INTO FLAMES. FIRE DEPARTMENT INDICATED PROBLEM WAS ELECTRICAL. *AK
NHTSA ODI report, 19980723
10% of complaints: visibility — 51 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing power window devices and controls and windshield wiper/washer.
SAFETY TIMELINE
WINDSHIELD WIPER
WINDSHIELD WIPER
AIR BAG INFLATOR
ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRES
ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRES
CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES AND MINI VANS HAVE LOWER PINION BEARINGS IN THE POWER RACK AND PINION ASSEMBLY IN WHICH THE RETAINER TABS WERE NOT CRIMPED PROPERLY. THESE AND SOME OTHER RETAINERS USED IN
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NEW LOWER PINION BEARING UNLESS INSPECT OF THE EXISTING BEARING INDICATES THAT REPLACEMENT OF THE GEAR ASSEMBLY IS NECESSARY. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN JANUARY 24, 2003. OWNERS
Campaign 02V286000 — check if this car was fixed
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
GM IS RECALLING 207,542 MY 1997-2003 BUICK REGAL AND PONTIAC GRAND PRIX VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH A 3.8L SUPERCHARGED V-6 ENGINE. THESE VEHICLES HAVE HIGHER FRONT ROCKER COVER GASKET TEMPERATURES, CREAT
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE ENGINEÂS FRONT VALVE COVER AND FRONT-VALVE-COVER GASKET WITH NEW PARTS OF AN IMPROVED DESIGN AND REMOVE THE ENGINEÂS PLASTIC COVER AND PLASTIC OIL-FILL-TUBE EXTENSION, ALONG
Campaign 08V118000 — check if this car was fixed
DORMAN IS RECALLING 979 STEERING KNUCKLES, DORMAN P/NOS. 697-902 AND 697-903, SOLD UNDER DORMAN'S "OE SOLUTIONS<SUP>TM</SUP>" BRAND NAME, AND NAPA P/NOS. 7-8502 AND 7-8503 WHICH WERE SOLD FOR REPLACEM
Remedy: DORMAN WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE DEFECTIVE STEERING KNUCKLES FREE OF CHARGE AND REIMBURSE THE REPAIR FACILITY OR OWNER FOR LABOR. THE RECALL BEGAN ON FEBRUARY 23, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT D
Campaign 09E005000 — check if this car was fixed
GENERAL MOTORS IS RECALLING 1,497,516 MY 1997-2003 BUICK REGAL, MY 1998-2003 CHEVROLET LUMINA, MONTE CARLO AND IMPALA, MY 1998-1999 OLDSMOBILE INTRIGUE, MY 1997-2003 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX VEHICLES EQUIPP
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE ENGINEÂS FRONT VALVE COVER AND FRONT-VALVE-COVER GASKET WITH NEW PARTS OF AN IMPROVED DESIGN AND REMOVE THE ENGINEÂS PLASTIC COVER AND PLASTIC OIL-FILL-TUBE EXTENSION, FREE
Campaign 09V116000 — check if this car was fixed
SABERSPORT IS RECALLING 16,270 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONF
Remedy: SABERSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 11, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SABERSPORT AT 1-909-598-7589.
Campaign 09E012000 — check if this car was fixed
DOPE, INC. IS RECALLING 42,540 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONF
Remedy: DOPE, INC. WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 28, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DOPE, INC. AT 1-626-272-1798.
Campaign 09E025000 — check if this car was fixed
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 1998-1999 Chevrolet Lumina and Oldsmobile Intrigue, 1997-2004 Buick Regal and Pontiac Grand Prix, 2000-2004 Chevrolet Impala, and 1998-2004 Chevrolet Monte Carlo vehicles.
Remedy: The remedy applied under recalls 08V-118, 09V-116, and 15V-201 did not adequately remove the safety risk. Under the improved remedy, dealers will replace the engineÂs front valve cover and gasket.
Campaign 15V701000 — check if this car was fixed
BUY-SMART CHECKLIST
1998 Pontiac Grand Prix — pre-purchase inspection
- Test/inspect for steering issues (94 reports on file for this year).
- Test/inspect for exterior lighting issues (93 reports on file for this year).
- Test/inspect for engine and engine cooling issues (92 reports on file for this year).
- Verify recall 02V286000 (steering) has been completed.
- Verify recall 07E021000 (fuel system, other) has been completed.
- Verify recall 08V118000 (engine and engine cooling) has been completed.
- Verify recall 09E005000 (steering) has been completed.
- Verify recall 09V116000 (engine and engine cooling) has been completed.
- Verify recall 09E012000 (exterior lighting) has been completed.
- Verify recall 09E025000 (exterior lighting) has been completed.
- Verify recall 15V701000 (engine and engine cooling) has been completed.
OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL
BEST YEARS
WORST YEARS
FAQ
Is the 1998 Pontiac Grand Prix reliable?
Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 1998 Pontiac Grand Prix is rated "significantly worse".
What are the most common problems with the 1998 Pontiac Grand Prix?
The most-reported component is steering, accounting for 19% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 1998 Pontiac Grand Prix have?
8 recalls on file for this model year.
Data updated 2026-09-01 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.