1998 Pontiac Grand AM Problems

What owners report

Owners of this model year most often report brake problems — a pedal that sinks to the floor and needs pumping, warped or short-lived rotors, and ABS that engages when it is not needed — along with repeated ignition and anti-theft starting faults and coolant leaks from the intake manifold gasket on the V6. Many of these complaints arrive at low mileage for the age of the car, while the ignition and anti-theft reports tend to appear at higher mileage. Complaints also describe power window regulators failing on both front doors.

1. 1
   Brakes

   Brake pedal goes to the floor / hard braking

   • 19 complaints (11%)
   • median 40,000 mi at 5.7 yrs old (3 state mileage, few)
   • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 1998–2004

   Complaints describe the brake pedal sinking to the floor during normal driving, forcing the driver to pump the pedal to stop, and some mention the ABS or brake warning light coming on. Owners also report rotors warping and needing resurfacing or replacement within months, and shudder through the steering wheel under braking. A service bulletin for this model year describes an ABS pump that runs when it is not needed. Mostly reported between roughly 30,000 and 80,000 miles, with some cases at lower mileage and in wet or damp weather.

   1 related service bulletin

   What to check: Drive the car and press the pedal firmly at a standstill and while rolling; a pedal that sinks or feels long is worth investigating. Ask for brake and ABS service records and have the rotors and lines inspected.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “The anti lock brake function prevents me from being able to brake my car on wet, snowy or slushy days, both my daughter and I have had to shift down and pull on the emergency brake to pull over, we live on a long steep hill. This resets theabs but only temporarily. Also, the auto locks malfunction and the front windows don't roll up and down, I am afraid we'll be trapped in an out of control car. Also the adjustment knob for the exterior rear view mirrors fell into the door so I can't adjust them without stopping as the windows don't open.”

   NHTSA complaint #10050916, filed 2003-12, 16,000 miles

   “After turning my vehicle on, I noticed that my vehicle brake and ABS lights were illuminated. It was determined after taking the car to the mechanic that the motor pack was in need of replacement. My mechanic suggested that I file a report since this is a rare problem.”

   NHTSA complaint #765192, filed 2002-08
2. 2
   Electrical system

   Ignition switch and key cylinder problems

   • 16 complaints (9%)
   • median 63,231 mi at 5.7 yrs old (4 state mileage, few)
   • 2 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 1999–2014

   Complaints describe keys that stick in the ignition, keys that cannot be turned, and instances where the key would not return to the off position so electrical accessories stayed live. Some owners report the ignition cylinder or switch was replaced and the problem returned, and some mention the recall repair being done without replacing the original switch. A recall for this model year covers the ignition switch overheating when the key is held in start. Reported from very low mileage up to about 160,000 miles, with several cases under 100,000.

   Recall 04V0360001 related service bulletin

   What to check: Confirm with a dealer whether the ignition switch recall work was performed and what exactly was replaced. Try starting and shutting off several times, and check that the key turns freely and comes out cleanly.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “When attempting to turn off my vehicle the key would not go to the off position to release my key. All electrical devices (head lights, dash lights,etc...) would stay on. I disconnected the battery and then brought it to a dealer the next morning. They stated there was a failure in the shift interlock solenoiv and the ingnition lock cylinder also needed to be replaced. My car has 33,000 miles and has maintanance regularly(oil change,etc...). The dealer wants to charge $520 to fix a failed part. They also stated it could happen again. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10021405, filed 2003-06, 33,000 miles

   “Brake pads and rotors needed to be replaced after 20,000 miles. Have had to replace 5 yr batteries 3 times now at my own expense. Last time resulted in car needing to be towed and key not being able to be taken out of ignition. Tried jump starting and electrical system over heated. My complaint is this I just received a safety recall stating that if the car is hard to start it could start on fire if jump started more then 3 times and if the key is on the on potion to long. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10060533, filed 2004-03
3. 3
   Engine cooling

   Coolant leak from intake manifold gasket

   • 11 complaints (6%)
   • median 77,250 mi at 6.3 yrs old (6 state mileage, few)
   • filed 1998–2008

   Complaints describe a slow coolant leak traced to the intake manifold gasket on the V6, with repair shops calling it a common job on these engines. Some owners report the gasket was replaced more than once within a short mileage span, and others note a coolant or fuel smell, or the car running hot and stalling. One complaint reports engine damage after coolant entered the engine. Reported from roughly 24,000 to 100,000 miles, sometimes recurring within 15,000 miles of a repair.

   1 related service bulletin

   What to check: Check the coolant level and look for residue around the intake manifold and under the car, and ask for receipts showing whether the intake gaskets were replaced and when.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “1998 grandam, intake manifold gasket and fuel pressure regulator gasket needs to be replaced at 75,000 miles. When pricing out repairs I was told that this is a common problem with the GM v-6 engine by the repair shops. The inside of the car would smell like gas while driving on very cold days. (north dakota) just south of alaska.”

   NHTSA complaint #10056693, filed 2004-02, 74,500 miles

   “Noticed a cooling leak in engine. Mechanic found intake manifold gasket leaking and said he had repaired over a dozen this year on general motors small v6 engines. Apparently the plastic/rubber combination used for the gasket fails after a period of time. It is very complicated to replace which is why it was so expensive. Dt”

   NHTSA complaint #770743, filed 2002-12
4. 4
   Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)

   Power windows stick or fail to roll up

   • 9 complaints (5%)
   • median 30,000 mi at 6.2 yrs old (3 state mileage, few)
   • filed 2000–2005

   Owners describe front power windows that move sporadically, roll down but fail to come back up, or get stuck down for days; several say the window regulator was the failed part and had to be replaced on both doors. One complaint notes the windows had to be guided by hand to close. Complaints also mention repeat regulator failures at intervals of tens of thousands of miles. Appears from low mileage up to around 80,000 miles, sometimes on cars only a few years old at the time.

   What to check: Cycle each power window several times, including the driver and passenger front windows, and listen for grinding or slow travel. Ask whether either regulator has already been replaced.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Both front power windows operate sporadically. They will roll down (not consistently) and fail to roll up. They can be stuck in the down position for days. This matter happened on a windy, snowy january day on the highway after paying a toll. I could barely drive while going the minimum, 45 MPH, on the highway because of the cold air and snow blowing into my face. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10049656, filed 2003-12, 30,000 miles

   “Power windows on both passenger and driver sides have failed. The motor still works, but if you roll window down you must manually keep window straight when rolling up. I have checked repair costs and it's about $500/window. My car was less than 3 years old when the problem occurred, so unless Pontiac makes an improvement to the window system it will continue to happen. I have been told the part that is malfuntioning is called a regulator. …”

   NHTSA complaint #760488, filed 2002-04
5. 5
   Electrical system

   Anti-theft system shuts the car down

   • 6 complaints (3%)
   • median 129,754 mi at 12.7 yrs old (4 state mileage, few)
   • filed 2000–2016

   Owners report the theft-deterrent light coming on and the car starting and then shutting down, or refusing to restart until it is towed. Some say the anti-theft sensor or instrument cluster module was replaced, sometimes more than once, without a lasting fix. Complaints also describe the system cutting out while the car was moving, leaving no power steering or power brakes. Mostly reported at higher mileage, from around 70,000 miles upward, including cases past 150,000 miles.

   1 related service bulletin

   What to check: Ask whether the anti-theft or Passlock system has ever left the car unable to start, and whether the cluster or sensor has been replaced. Check that the security light behaves normally when starting.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “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.”

   NHTSA complaint #10415047, filed 2011-07, 115,786 miles

   “Theft system activates on car w/o warning when trying to start car. Car thinks it's being stolen. It starts and then shuts down with theft system light blinking. Can only move by towing it away. Have had it to dealer on 5 different occasions. Last time replace instrument cluster module, the next day hit a bump and thft system light came on. Did this on 4 occasions but car started after cutting it off. Last time about 5 weeks after last repair, it gave me no warning when I tried to start it. The theft system activated and it shut the car down. …”

   NHTSA complaint #733867, filed 2000-10

Summary written with AI from a sample of 60 NHTSA complaints for this model year (picked at random, with complaints that state a mileage and recent ones taken first), then checked automatically against the source records. Where a problem shows a complaint count, every complaint for this model year was matched with fixed keyword rules (written with AI and tested against the sample), and the mileage, age and repair figures are calculated from those complaints; owners' figures are as stated, not verified. Other counts refer to the sample. The excerpts come from NHTSA's public complaint records and are unverified; capitalisation is normalised, NHTSA staff notes are removed, and shortened text ends with “…”. Something wrong? Request a correction.