Verdict · NHTSA data
One of the years to avoid
With 236 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 2.3 times the median Grand AM year — the 1998 model ranks #13 of 29 Grand AM years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list. Reports tied to this model year include 2 deaths and 15 injuries, per the complaint records themselves.
No single system dominates the record — complaints spread across brakes (45), electrical system (39), and engine (26), which usually points to general build quality rather than one defect.
236
NHTSA complaints
3
Recalls
1
Investigations
16
Crash-involved
5
Fires reported
15
Injuries
2
Deaths
—
NCAP overall
| Component | Complaints | Share | vs prior year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brakes | 45 | 19% | ▼ down |
| Electrical System | 39 | 17% | ▼ down |
| Engine | 26 | 11% | ▼ down |
| Speed Control | 16 | 7% | ▼ down |
| Transmission | 16 | 7% | ▼ down |
| Airbags | 15 | 6% | ▼ down |
| Suspension | 15 | 6% | ▼ down |
| Visibility & Wipers | 15 | 6% | ▼ down |
| Steering | 14 | 6% | ▼ down |
| Fuel System | 11 | 5% | ▼ down |
| Seat Belts | 8 | 3% | — flat |
| Other | 5 | 2% | ▼ down |
| Tires & Wheels | 4 | 2% | ▼ down |
| Lighting | 3 | 1% | ▼ down |
| Body & Structure | 3 | 1% | ▼ down |
| Child Seat | 1 | 0% | — flat |
3 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Defect
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 UNIVERSAL PRESSURE REGULATORS (UPR) WERE PRODUCED WITHOUT AN O'RING AND RETAINER.
Consequence
FUEL MAY LEAK, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A FIRE.
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.
Defect
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 REVERSED. THIS CONDITION CAN RESULT IN THE VEHICLE NOT RUNNING CORRECTLY (IDLE ROUGH AND/OR STALL) DUE TO AN OVERLY RICH FUEL BLEND OR THE VEHICLE'S EVAPORATIVE EMISSION CARBON CANISTER MAY LEAK FUEL.
Consequence
A STALLED VEHICLE CAN INCREASE THE RISK OF A VEHICLE CRASH. A FUEL LEAK CAN RESULT IN A FIRE.
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.
Defect
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.
Consequence
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.
Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.
“HAD PROBLEMS WITH CAR SINCE BEGINNING. ACCELERATES ON ITS OWN AND LUNGES FORWARD WHEN STOPPING. ALSO THE BRAKES FAILED,CAUSING AN ACCIDENT. ROTORS HAVE WARPED ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS. DEALER CONTACTED 10-15 TIMES WITH NO PROBLEM FOUND. CAR IS A MAJOR SAFETY HAZARD. *AK”
“WHEN ATTEMPTING TO START THE VEHICLE, EARLY MORNING START AND VEHICLE FAILED TO START. CONSUMER MADE A SECOND ATTEMPT TO START AND VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE, FIRE STARTED IN THE STEERING WHEEL COLUMN. FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CALLED ,AND EXTINGUISHED FIRE BEFORE ANYMORE DAMAGE WAS DONE TO VEHICLE.…”
“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…”
“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…”
“THIS ALMOST KILLED MY WIFE THE CARS SPEDOMITOR IS STILL STUCK ON 70, AND PONTIAC AND THE DEALER ARE NOT INTERESTED AT ALL, I WILL NEVER BUY AMERICAN AGAIN! MEAN WHILE WE ARE PAYING FOR A CAR WE CANNOT AND WILL NOT DRIVE AGAIN.”
NHTSA data argues against it: 236 complaints put the 1998 model at #13 of 29 Grand AM years. It is one of the Grand AM years to avoid.
According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are brakes (45 complaints), electrical system (39 complaints), engine (26 complaints).
Yes — NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns affecting the 1998 Pontiac Grand AM. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.
NHTSA opened one investigation into this model year; all are now closed.
Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Grand AM years to avoid are 1999, 2000, 2001, 1996, 1997, 1995, 2002, 1994, 2003, 2004, 1992, 1993, 1998. The cleanest record among Grand AM years belongs to 1984.
Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.
Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.