1998 Pontiac Grand AM Engine cooling Problems
- Complaints
- 23about this part
- Share
- 13%of 172 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 80,000miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 23 complaints about the engine cooling of the 1998 Pontiac Grand AM, 13% of the 172 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 80,000 miles.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“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“Vehicle smelled of antifreeze shortly after purchase. The vehicle was returned twice to the dealer for the smell. I have now been informed that the intake gasket has been leaking. Pontiac has been contacted, and I was informed by one representative that there had been a problem, but there was no recall on the particular year of the vehicle.”
NHTSA complaint #10114568, filed 2005-03“There are many more problems with this vehicle. The car is broken down down. Its too much of a danger to drive. It almost started on fire. I need for Pontiac to come and get there piece of junk. Its not worth fixing. If you fix the problem, I can assure you that it will break down the following week.”
NHTSA complaint #726956, filed 2000-08“The contact stated the vehicle failed to start after being parked in the driveway for a few hours. The battery cranked, but the engine failed to turn over. There were no warning indicators prior to the failure. The dealer came to the house and indicated something was wrong with the engine, but gave no clear reason for the failure. The dealer indicated the engine needed to be replaced.”
NHTSA complaint #10158068, filed 2006-05, 107,000 miles“I have had a new transmission, calipers, gear shift mechanism,2 lighters, alternator,2 sets of window motors, 1 broken motor mount,strut torque wasnt bolted to the car when leased, a radial pull in 1 tire in which I had to pay to have replaced, tire scraping on fender right after leasing, 2 new headlamps,fuel cap, battery, and have had a short somewhere and dealer refused to locate. Dealer and Pontiac customer division refuse a buy back or trade in. Sent package to general motors to make them aware of the situation and they refused the package all together. …”
NHTSA complaint #725050, filed 2000-07Related service bulletins
- 10246631Sep 1, 2013Expanded Availability for Remanufacture and Return (R&R) Electronic Control Modules
Engine cooling: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2005 | 2 | 2% |
| 2004 | 12 | 4% |
| 2003 | 24 | 7% |
| 2002 | 54 | 14% |
| 2001 | 75 | 14% |
| 2000 | 111 | 16% |
| 1999 | 133 | 16% |
| 1998 | 23 | 13% |
| 1997 | 83 | 22% |
| 1996 | 74 | 16% |
| 1995 | 60 | 15% |
| 1994 | 73 | 19% |
| 1993 | 54 | 26% |
| 1992 | 62 | 37% |
| 1991 | 22 | 27% |
| 1990 | 14 | 37% |
| 1989 | 23 | 52% |
| 1988 | 12 | 39% |
| 1987 | 9 | 32% |
Other parts of the 1998 Pontiac Grand AM
38 complaintsElectrical system
33 complaintsVehicle speed control
16 complaintsSteering
14 complaintsSuspension
14 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
14 complaintsAir bags
13 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 Oct 29, 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