1998 Pontiac Grand AM Air bags Problems
- Complaints
- 13about this part
- Share
- 8%of 172 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 135,678miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 13 complaints about the air bags of the 1998 Pontiac Grand AM, 8% of the 172 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 135,678 miles. 4 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“After starting the vehicle passenger's air bag inadvertently deployed. Dealership was notified, but did not resolve the problem. Air bag deployed it cracked the dash board as well as windshield. Replaced airbag, windshield and dash board. General motors refused to reimburse consumer because vehicle wasn't taken to dealer.”
NHTSA complaint #10113202, filed 2005-03, 61,000 miles“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 the passengers eyes.”
NHTSA complaint #10089196, filed 2004-08, 135,678 miles“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.”
NHTSA complaint #10747908, filed 2015-08, 208,000 miles“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.”
NHTSA complaint #10223678, filed 2008-04, 154,000 miles“The contact owns a 1998 Pontiac Grand Am gt. The contact stated that the air bag light illuminated and the vehicle was taken to the dealer. A few months later, she returned to the dealer because the light would not dim. The mechanic performed a diagnostic and stated that the air bag sensor failed, which could prevent the air bags from deploying. The current mileage is 100,300 and failure mileage was 99,000.”
NHTSA complaint #10193795, filed 2007-06, 99,000 milesAir bags: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2005 | 10 | 10% |
| 2004 | 21 | 7% |
| 2003 | 20 | 6% |
| 2002 | 19 | 5% |
| 2001 | 14 | 3% |
| 2000 | 31 | 5% |
| 1999 | 76 | 9% |
| 1998 | 13 | 8% |
| 1997 | 41 | 11% |
| 1996 | 104 | 23% |
| 1995 | 46 | 11% |
| 1994 | 38 | 10% |
| 1993 | 1 | 0% |
| 1992 | 1 | 1% |
Other parts of the 1998 Pontiac Grand AM
38 complaintsElectrical system
33 complaintsEngine cooling
23 complaintsVehicle speed control
16 complaintsSteering
14 complaintsSuspension
14 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
14 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
13 complaintsFuel system
9 complaintsSeat belts
7 complaintsEquipment
4 complaintsOther or unknown
4 complaints
← All problems reported for the 1998 Pontiac Grand AM
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Nov 1, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology