1998 Pontiac Grand Prix Problems

What owners report

Owners of this model year most often describe steering that becomes hard to turn to the left, headlight lenses that come loose or fall off, and engine oil leaks near the exhaust that produce a burning smell. Many complaints come in at higher mileage, though the lighting and some steering reports appear well under 100,000 miles; several accounts describe problems that build up over time rather than failing suddenly.

1. 1
   Steering

   Steering hard to turn left (rack and pinion)

   • 82 complaints (16%)
   • median 97,000 mi at 7.6 yrs old (43 state mileage)
   • 4 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 1999–2019

   Owners describe the steering wheel becoming very hard to turn to the left, sometimes with a jerking or clunking motion, while turning right stays normal. Several say the difficulty comes and goes and worsens at low speed or in parking maneuvers. Shops and dealers in the complaints diagnosed the rack and pinion unit or pinion bearing, and many owners were told their vehicle was not covered by the rack and pinion recall because of its build date. Mostly reported between roughly 40,000 and 170,000 miles, with many between 60,000 and 130,000 miles.

   Recall 02V2860001 related service bulletin

   What to check: Drive the car through slow left turns in a parking lot and feel for stiffness, jerking or clunking; ask whether the rack and pinion or power steering pump has been replaced, and whether this vehicle was included in the rack and pinion recall.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “1998 Pontiac Grand Prix, 147,000 miles. Signs and symptoms of steering failure are consistent with GM recall #02049 and NHTSA campaign id 02v28600. Failure of the rack and pinion steering system. Can barely turn the car left anymore due to the failure of the rack & pinion system. Several calls to GM and Pontiac ended with them saying my VIN # is not in the recall. When the car causes a crash and kills someone, I plan to sue both Pontiac and GM.”

   NHTSA complaint #10367943, filed 2010-11, 147,000 miles

   “I have a problem that is exhibiting the exact behavior as outlined in GM recall no. 02049, NHTSA campaign id 02v286000. My steering is very difficult when making left hand turns only. The problem is intermittent. I found out about this recall through the internet - I didn't actually receive a recall notice in the mail. I went to somerset Pontiac in troy, michigan, to discuss the issue and they told me I missed the recall campaign because my car was actually built on november 23rd, 1997. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10192121, filed 2007-05, 120,000 miles
2. 2
   Engine

   Oil leaks at the valve cover and oil smell or smoke

   • 47 complaints (9%)
   • median 119,212 mi at 10.6 yrs old (31 state mileage)
   • 16 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 1998–2023

   Owners describe oil spotting under the car or seeping from the valve cover gasket, and some report a strong burning-oil smell or smoke from the engine bay after parking. In several accounts the oil was traced to the exhaust manifold side, which is the concern named in the valve cover gasket recalls. Complaints also mention the rear valve cover, oil pan gasket and rear main seal as leak points. Typically reported from about 70,000 to 170,000 miles, often noticed while parked or just after a drive.

   Recall 08V118000Recall 09V116000Recall 15V7010002 related service bulletins

   What to check: Check for oil residue around the valve covers and on the exhaust manifold side, look for drops under the car after it sits, and ask whether the valve cover gasket recalls were completed and whether parts were available.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “I am aware of the recall on valve cover gaskets but my car the oil pan gasket is also leaking and was told this is another common problem . Leaks a quart per month. Was told on first recall about oil pan gasket.”

   NHTSA complaint #10786734, filed 2015-10, 70,000 miles

   “There was a fire under the hood of my car. After a about 6 months they recalled my car and the front rocker cover gasket needed replacing, after call GM and talking to 10 different people and 2 months later they had someone come to look at my car and at this point they offered me only 3000. For it. My problem is that I kept this car up I only drove it in the snow once a year, changed the oil when due, just had new struts on it new tires and it is in new condition. I looked up the blue book value of the car and it was 5,600. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10233614, filed 2008-07, 130,000 miles
3. 3
   Exterior lighting

   Headlight lens covers coming loose or falling off

   • 84 complaints (17%)
   • median 58,000 mi at 5.8 yrs old (17 state mileage)
   • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 1998–2010

   Owners report the plastic cover over the headlight separating from the housing and, in some cases, coming off entirely while driving; a few describe moisture or a bulb breaking once the cover was gone. Complaints say the whole headlight assembly had to be replaced rather than just the cover. Dealers, according to the accounts, pointed to corrosion or sealant trouble and in some cases said the cover alone was not available. Reported from roughly 40,000 to 95,000 miles, with several between 55,000 and 60,000 miles.

   What to check: Inspect both headlight lenses for looseness, gaps at the seal, moisture inside or corrosion on the chrome trim, and confirm the bulbs work on low and high beam.

   An excerpt from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “I have lost both lens cover to headlights, causing the bulbs to go out. Had to pay $70.00 for replacement of entire light component. Dealer said lens cover was not available????”

   NHTSA complaint #10029262, filed 2003-07, 95,000 miles

Buying note. If you are considering this model year, test the steering through slow left turns, inspect both headlights for loose or missing covers, and look for oil and coolant leaks before buying. Ask for records showing whether the rack and pinion and valve cover gasket recalls were completed and when the wipers and cooling system were last serviced.

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.