1998 Pontiac Grand Prix Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 21about this part
- Share
- 4%of 499 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 124,500miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 21 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 1998 Pontiac Grand Prix, 4% of the 499 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 124,500 miles. 3 a fire, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“Battery blew-up and started small fire after I noticed the positive termanal leeking as I diconected the battery it blew acid all over the car and myself causing a small fire after replacing the factery AC delco battery the transmision slips when switching from 2nd gear to 3rd gear.”
NHTSA complaint #10029229, filed 2003-07, 82,307 miles“I purchased a 1998 Pontiac Grand Prix gtp from a friend of mine with about 97,000 miles on it. He said it was in good shape and running good. About 4 months after I bought it, it had around 102,000 miles on it and the transmission started to go. It suddenly wouldn't shift from park into gear sometimes. I had very little power in reverse, I had to rev the engine to 3500 rpms to get the car to budge in reverse. Then the check engine light came on. I took it to a mechanic and he said the transmission had to be replace. …”
NHTSA complaint #10252915, filed 2008-12, 100,000 miles“This is the second transmission that I have had to put into my wife's 1998 Pontiac Grand Prix. The first one died at 3600 miles and GM installed that one under warranty. Now with just 57,700 miles on the car I am having the same exact problem and the car is technically out of its 5 year/50,000 mile warranty. The car is in no way abused and I religiously change the transmission fluid every 20,000 to 25,000 miles. I am an engineer and I know what quality is. …”
NHTSA complaint #10060093, filed 2004-03, 57,700 miles“The gas tank is not sealed in the middle allowing gas and fuel vapor to leak from car! All the sway bar on the driver side has separated due to the rack and pinion, car has no sound when turning to the right but if you try and turn the car to the left it is as if the power steering is going out and make a loud grinding noise and is getting very difficult to turn left, also the windshield wiper do not work proper and cause problems in the rain, the key get stuck in the ignition all the time,feel as if motor is twisting or moving forward, will be contacting Pontiac due to recalls and problems…”
NHTSA complaint #10401196, filed 2011-05, 180,000 miles“Transmission sometimes will start to make a loud whining noise and start to shift hard and sudden. Doesn't do it all the time,usually after I have been driving a while. Also sometimes feels like it is surging. I heard the 3800 transmissions were a good transmission, I don't know.”
NHTSA complaint #10020977, filed 2003-06Related service bulletins
- 10135203Apr 15, 2014This preliminary bulletin provides a way to aid the technician in diagnosing transmission fluid leaking from the trans breather vent.
Transmission and drivetrain: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 18 | 13% |
| 2007 | 29 | 13% |
| 2006 | 61 | 26% |
| 2005 | 40 | 27% |
| 2004 | 19 | 4% |
| 2003 | 4 | 4% |
| 2002 | 18 | 5% |
| 2001 | 22 | 7% |
| 2000 | 43 | 9% |
| 1999 | 24 | 6% |
| 1998 | 21 | 4% |
| 1997 | 32 | 4% |
| 1996 | 5 | 6% |
| 1995 | 31 | 18% |
| 1994 | 10 | 5% |
| 1993 | 7 | 5% |
| 1992 | 9 | 8% |
| 1991 | 2 | 1% |
| 1990 | 5 | 3% |
| 1989 | 4 | 3% |
| 1988 | 3 | 3% |
Other parts of the 1998 Pontiac Grand Prix
90 complaintsExterior lighting
90 complaintsSteering
89 complaintsElectrical system
51 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
49 complaintsBrakes
36 complaintsEngine
33 complaintsAir bags
24 complaintsFuel system
20 complaintsOther or unknown
14 complaintsSeat belts
14 complaintsSuspension
13 complaints
← All problems reported for the 1998 Pontiac Grand Prix
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