1998 Pontiac Grand AM Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 13about this part
- Share
- 8%of 172 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 20,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 13 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 1998 Pontiac Grand AM, 8% of the 172 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 20,000 miles. 2 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.
“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 complaint #732277, filed 2000-09“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. They want to install a relay device to prevent fires but why is the electrical ignition problem not being fixed. …”
NHTSA complaint #10060533, filed 2004-03“The contact stated while exiting a vehicle parked in a driveway on a slight incline with the keys out of the ignition, the vehicle rolled backwards without warning. The vehicle rolled onto the foot of the contact, which left the contact trapped for 18 hours. Minor bruising injuries were sustained. A passerby assisted, and pushed the vehicle off of the contact. The vehicle continued rolling, and collided with a nearby tree. Moderate damage was sustained to the rear of the vehicle. Upon inspection, the vehicle gear shift indicator was in park. The police were alerted, and a report was taken. …”
NHTSA complaint #10175457, filed 2006-12, 20,000 miles“Transmission failure. Second time. Request information whether this is a common failure problem. Garage states that it is. Is manufacturer extending waranty for this failure past waranty period.”
NHTSA complaint #746093, filed 2001-05“I bought the car in may 1998 with 6000 miles on it. Replaced transmission 3 times in last year (9-99, 2-00, 8-00). First transmission replacement not on car history, not sure why.”
NHTSA complaint #730215, filed 2000-09Related service bulletins
- 10017096Oct 24, 2005Vehicle will not move in either direction. Transmission may show over full. P90 4t40e 4t45e no movement drive or reverse. Converter may be empty of fluid.
- 10017086Oct 24, 20054t40e or 4t45e will not shift no diagnostic trouble codes.
Transmission and drivetrain: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2005 | 2 | 2% |
| 2004 | 11 | 4% |
| 2003 | 6 | 2% |
| 2002 | 13 | 3% |
| 2001 | 12 | 2% |
| 2000 | 17 | 3% |
| 1999 | 32 | 4% |
| 1998 | 13 | 8% |
| 1997 | 22 | 6% |
| 1996 | 33 | 7% |
| 1995 | 33 | 8% |
| 1994 | 22 | 6% |
| 1993 | 19 | 9% |
| 1992 | 16 | 10% |
| 1991 | 5 | 6% |
| 1990 | 7 | 18% |
| 1989 | 2 | 5% |
| 1988 | 1 | 3% |
| 1987 | 3 | 11% |
| 1986 | 1 | 9% |
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 complaintsAir bags
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 31, 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