Built from official NHTSA complaint and recall data · data through 07/12/2026
High complaint levelIts most-reported problem — Service Brakes, Hydraulic:antilock/traction Control/electronic Limited Slip — runs 2.4× the fleet median for that category across the 2075 model-years tracked on this site.
172Complaints
3Recalls
12Crashes
5Fires
11Injured
2Deaths
Source: U.S. NHTSA complaint & recall data. Complaints are unverified reports from vehicle owners — a complaint is not a confirmed defect.
Is this problem acknowledged?
The most-reported problem — Service Brakes, Hydraulic:antilock/traction Control/electronic Limited Slip (8.7% of complaints) — recall and investigation status for this vehicle is currently unavailable.
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:antilock/traction Control/electronic Limited Slip complaints here are 2.4× the median for that category across the 2075 model-years tracked on this site.
Complaint category
Reports
Official status
Reference
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:antilock/traction Control/electronic Limited Slip
15 · 8.7%
not available
—
Vehicle Speed Control
13 · 7.6%
not available
—
Electrical System:ignition:switch
10 · 5.8%
Recalled
Recall 04V036000
Electrical System:ignition
10 · 5.8%
Recalled
Recall 04V036000
Power Train:automatic Transmission
9 · 5.2%
not available
—
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:foundation Components:disc
8 · 4.7%
not available
—
Recalled = an NHTSA safety recall covers this category, so a free repair exists. Under investigation = NHTSA has an open probe but no recall yet. Investigation closed = NHTSA examined it and closed the probe — this is not a defect finding; where a closed probe led to a recall we name the campaign. Not available = recall or investigation data could not be confirmed for this vehicle — it is not a “no”. Categories are matched by NHTSA's top-level component. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Complaints by component
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP15 · 8.7%
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL13 · 7.6%
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH10 · 5.8%
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION10 · 5.8%
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION9 · 5.2%
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC8 · 4.7%
VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS8 · 4.7%
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL7 · 4.1%
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC7 · 4.1%
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE6 · 3.5%
Percentages are the share of the 172 complaints citing each component; one complaint can cite several components. “Unspecified / other” is NHTSA’s own catch-all category — we show it rather than hide it.
IF THE SWITCH IS DAMAGED, A FIRE COULD OCCUR IN THE STEERING COLUMN, EVEN WITH THE ENGINE OFF AND THE KEY REMOVED. THE FIRE COULD SPREAD TO THE INTERIOR OF THE CAR, WHICH COULD INJURE OCCUPANTS OR CAUSE DAMAGE TO ADJOINING STRUCTURES. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
Park itPark outside Specimen badges — shown on a recall card only when NHTSA sets the flag. None of the campaigns above carries either flag. Always check your own vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What owners report
“AFTER TURNING MY VEHICLE ON, I NOTICED THAT MY VEHICLE BRAKE AND ABS LIGHTS WERE ILLUMINATED. IT WAS DETERMINED AFTER TAKING THE CAR TO THE…”NHTSA complaint 765192 — filed 08/05/2002 · SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
“WHILE DRIVING ABS LIGHT WILL POP UP. CONSUMER HAS TO TURN OFF THE ENGINE, AND LIGHT WILL GO OFF. THEN, WILL POP UP AGAIN. DEALER…”NHTSA complaint 8004153 — filed 02/15/2002 · SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
“CONSUMER STATES WHEN TAKING FOOT OFF ACCELERATOR, VEHICLE STARTS TO PULSATE AND WHEN BRAKES ARE APPLIED IT TAKES APPROXIMATELY 3 TO 4 FEET TO STOP…”NHTSA complaint 561530 — filed 06/11/2001 · SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
Excerpts are shortened and scrubbed of personal details; they are individual, unverified reports.
Complaint trend by year filed
Frequently asked questions
What are the most common problems with the 1998 Pontiac Grand AM?
Service brakes, hydraulic:antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip issues are the most-reported category, cited in 15 of 172 NHTSA complaints (8.7%), followed by vehicle speed control (13), electrical system:ignition:switch (10), electrical system:ignition (10). Complaints are unverified owner reports.
How many complaints does the 1998 Pontiac Grand AM have?
172 complaints were on file with NHTSA as of 07/12/2026. Of those, 12 involved a crash, 5 involved a fire, and 11 reported injuries. 2 deaths were reported.
Does the 1998 Pontiac Grand AM have any recalls?
Yes — 3 NHTSA safety recall campaigns, including campaign 07E015000. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Has NHTSA acted on the 1998 Pontiac Grand AM's reported problems?
Recall or investigation data is partly unavailable for this vehicle right now — check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls for the authoritative answer.
Is a complaint proof of a defect?
No. Complaints are reports submitted by consumers to NHTSA. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints, and a complaint is not proof that a defect exists.
About this data — Complaint figures on this page are consumer reports submitted to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), a U.S. government agency. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints; a complaint is not proof that a defect exists, and counts reflect what owners chose to report, not confirmed failure rates. Recall information comes from official NHTSA safety recall campaigns; recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Always check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. CarModelProblems.com is an independent site and is not affiliated with NHTSA or any vehicle manufacturer. Data through 07/12/2026.
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