Page 2 of 10 · complaints 51–100 of 499

1998 Pontiac Grand Prix complaints

Owner reports filed with NHTSA about this vehicle, newest first and reproduced as filed. They are unverified accounts: one proves nothing, and a pattern across many is the thing worth reading. Back to the full 1998 record →

Engine and Engine CoolingFire
Filed Dec 15, 2011MI

1998 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO SAFETY RECALL *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE AS A RESULT OF A RECALL. *JB

Engine and Engine Cooling › EngineFire
Filed Aug 23, 2011145,316 milesMI

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING, THE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE FROM THE ENGINE. THE CONTACT MERGED ONTO THE SHOULDER WHERE THE FIRE WAS EXTINGUISHED. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED NOR WAS THE DEALER CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER DENIED ANY ASSISTANCE WITH REPAIRS TO THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 145,316.

Suspension › Front
Filed May 17, 2011180,000 milesNE

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 ARISING. *TR

Engine and Engine Cooling
Filed Jan 24, 2011143,900 milesGA

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD A TICKING SOUND FROM THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 143,900.

Steering › Rack and Pinion
Filed Nov 27, 2010147,000 milesAL

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. *TR

Steering › Rack and Pinion
Filed Aug 30, 201095,000 milesWI

98 GRAND PRIX LOSES POWER STEERING WHEN TURNING LEFT AT LOW SPEED. THIS IS EXACTLY LIKE THE PROBLEM DESCRIBED IN RECALL#02V286000. THIS CAR WAS BROUGHT IN FOR THAT SERVICE RECALL BACK IN 2003 AT 39,000 MILES. THE CAR NOW HAS 95,000 MILES AND THE PROBLEM IS BACK. IT WOULD APPEAR THAT THE RECALL FIX WAS ONLY TEMPORARY. THE CARS ARE STILL POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS TO DRIVE AFTER THE RECALL FIX HAS BEEN PERFORMED. GM WILL NOT REPAIR THE CAR AGAIN SINCE THEY CLAIM THEY ONLY HAVE TO FIX IT ONCE. THE PROBLEM HAS RETURNED, AND IF IT WAS NOT SAFE THE 1ST TIME AND HAD TO BE RECALLED, IT SHOULD BE RECALLED AGAIN UNTIL THEY GET IT RIGHT. *TR

Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine
Filed Aug 7, 2010NY

WHILE DRIVING ON THE PARKWAY, THE STEERING SUDDENLY TIGHTENED UP, MAKING TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL DIFFICULT. THEN THE BATTERY/ALTERNATOR INDICATOR LIGHT TURNED ON ALONG WITH OTHER INDICATOR LIGHTS. SUDDENLY, THE ENGINE STALLED & THE CAR COASTED TO A STOP. OPENING THE HOOD, I NOTICED THE ACCESSORY BELT WAS MISSING (ACTUALLY, IT HAD COME OFF & WAS SITTING ON THE FRONT SUSPENSION). CHECKING THE BELT PULLEYS, I FOUND THAT THE ACCESSORY BELT IDLER PULLEY BEARING HAD SEIZED, CAUSING THE BELT TO COME OFF. I WAS TOWED TO A SERVICE STATION, WHERE THEY REPLACED THE ACCESSORY BELT IDLER PULLEY BEARING. THE OLD PART IS NOT AVAILABLE. *TR

Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine
Filed Aug 7, 2010NY

DURING A SNOW STORM, MY CAR GOT STUCK ON MY DRIVEWAY. IN TRYING TO START THE CAR, IT WOULDN'T TURN-OVER. THE NEXT DAY, IT HAD TO BE TOWED TO A SERVICE STATION. THE STARTER HAD RUPTURED & WAS REPLACED. DURING THE DIAGNOSTICS TO VERIFY THE REPAIR, THE COOLANT DISAPPEARED FROM THE RADIATOR. DIAGNOSING THIS PROBLEM, THE MECHANIC DISCOVERED THAT THE PLASTIC INTAKE MANIFOLD HAD CRACKED, CAUSING THE COOLANT TO LEAK OUT. (THIS REMINDED ME THAT IN JAN 2005, I HAD A PROBLEM WITH SUDDEN COOLANT & OIL LOSS. I NEVER FOUND THE REASON FOR THAT OCCURRENCE, BUT NOW KNOW IT WAS RELATED TO THE CRACKED MANIFOLD.) THE PLASTIC MANIFOLD WAS REPLACED WITH ANOTHER PLASTIC MANIFOLD. PARTS ARE NOT AVAILABLE. *TR

Engine and Engine CoolingFire
Filed Jun 3, 2010TN

1998 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX. CONSUMER STATES VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE AND MELTED THE MOTOR *TGW THE CONSUMER RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE AFTER THE FIRE. *JB

Engine and Engine CoolingFire
Filed Apr 22, 2010198,000 milesMO

I RECEIVED A NOTICE IN THE MAIL FROM GM ON 5/14/2009 THAT MY VEHICLE HAD BEEN RECALLED OVER AN ISSUE INVOLVING A SAFETY RECALL 09047. THIS WAS ON THURSDAY AND THAT FOLLOWING SATURDAY MY CAR CAUGHT FIRE. I HAD NOT HAD TIME TO SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT WITH A DEALERSHIP. MY CAR RAN FINE AND HAD NO PROBLEMS PRIOR TO THE FIRE. THE FIRE HAPPENED UNDER THE HOOD. I HAD TO CALL THE FIRE DEPARTMENT TO HAVE THE FIRE PUT OUT. *TR

Engine and Engine CoolingFire
Filed Apr 1, 2010PR

1998 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE*CW THE CONSUMER RECEIVED A LETTER REGARDING A RECALL, HOWEVER WHEN HE CONTACTED GM, HE WAS INFORMED THAT WAS A GENERAL LETTER THAT WAS SENT OUT TO ALL OWNERS, BUT WITHIN THE NEXT MONTH, ANOTHER LETTER WOULD GO OUT TO THOSE OWNERS AFFECTED BY THE RECALL. THE CONSUMER STATED HE STILL HAS NOT RECEIVED A LETTER. *JB

Engine and Engine CoolingFire
Filed Mar 26, 2010ID

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX. THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY CAUGHT FIRE SOON AFTER BEING PARKED. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CALLED AND THE FIRE WAS EXTINGUISHED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AND TOWED TO THE DRIVER'S HOME. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WERE UNKNOWN. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN.

Exterior Lighting
Filed Mar 23, 2010163,000 milesIA

TURNED HEATER ON AND HEADLIGHTS WENT OFF. NOT REPAIRED YET

Engine and Engine CoolingFire
Filed Dec 10, 200959,000 milesWI

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX. AFTER HER SON DROPPED A SMALL AMOUNT OF OIL UNDER THE HOOD OF THE VEHICLE, THE INTAKE MANIFOLD AREA BURST INTO FLAMES. HE WAS ABLE TO PUT THE FIRE OUT WITH AN EXTINGUISHER. A TECHNICIAN FROM AN AUTHORIZED DEALERSHIP STATED THAT THE VEHICLE REPAIR WOULD BE COVERED UNDER RECALL 09V116000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). HOWEVER, AFTER SPEAKING WITH REPRESENTATIVE FROM THE MANUFACTURER, SHE WAS TOLD THAT IT WOULD NOT BE COVERED BECAUSE THE FIRE RESULTED FROM ENGINE OIL BEING POURED BY HER SON AND NOT ACTUALLY SPILLING FROM THE ENGINE ONTO THE MANIFOLD BY HARD BRAKING. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED AT THE OWNERS EXPENSE. HOWEVER, SHE EXPERIENCED OTHER FAILURES INCLUDING : THE DIPSTICK, AND THE FRONT COIL FRACTURED. SHE BELIEVED THAT THE FAILURES WERE SUBSEQUENCES OF THE FIRE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 59,500. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 59,000.

Steering
Filed Dec 10, 2009100,000 milesMO

CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES AND MINI VANS HAVE LOWER PINION BEARINGS IN THE POWER RACK AND PINION ASSEMBLY IN WHICH THE RETAINER TABS WERE NOT CRIMPED PROPERLY. THESE AND SOME OTHER RETAINERS USED IN VEHICLES ASSEMBLED BETWEEN JANUARY 1, 1996 AND OCTOBER 31, 1997, COULD FAIL AND PERMIT THE BALL BEARINGS TO ESCAPE. *TR

Engine and Engine Cooling › Cooling System › Radiator Assembly
Filed Nov 10, 2009131,000 milesMI

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX. DURING AN OIL CHANGE, A MECHANIC STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS LEAKING RADIATOR FLUID. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE, BUT NO ASSISTANCE WAS PROVIDED BECAUSE THERE WERE NO RECALLS ON HIS VEHICLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 131000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 132000.

Engine and Engine CoolingFire
Filed Nov 2, 2009DC

1998 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX HAD AN ENGINE FIRE AND VEHICLE WAS TOTALED. CONSUMER STATES THAT GM DENIED THE CLAIM FOR THE RECALL NOTICE FOR THE ENGINE FIRE. *NJ THE CONSUMER STATED HER SON DIDN'T RECEIVE THE RECALL, BECAUSE HE MOVED SEVERAL TIMES SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED. GM DENIED THE CLAIM BECAUSE IT WAS THEIR UNDERSTANDING THAT THE CONTROLLING OF LIABILITY AGAINST GM WOULD BE BREACH OF WARRANTY. THE BREACH OF WARRANTY STATUTE OF LIMITATIONS IN WISCONSIN WAS SIX YEARS FROM THE DATE OF THE ORIGINAL PURCHASE DATE. THE ORIGINAL OWNER PURCHASED THE VEHICLE IN APRIL 1998, SO GM CLAIMED THEIR LIABILITY EXPIRED IN APRIL 2004. *JB

Engine and Engine Cooling
Filed Sep 16, 200997,500 milesAZ

I HAD MY 1998 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX WITH THE L67 SUPERCHARGED ENGINE SERVICED UNDER THE RECALL NOTICE LAST YEAR (NHTSA ID NUMBER 08V118000), BUT IT IS NOW LEAKING THE SAME WAY FROM THE REAR VALVE COVER, WITH THE SAME ATTENDANT SMOKE ON SHUTDOWN, AND I PRESUME, THE SAME FIRE HAZARD.. GM INFORMS ME THE RECALL ONLY EXTENDED TO THE FRONT VALVE COVER LEAKAGE, BUT ISN'T THIS THE SAME OR A RELATED ISSUE? SHOULD I EXPECT AN AMERICAN CAR TO BE AT RISK FROM BURSTING INTO FLAME THROUGH NORMAL USE? *TR

Electrical System
Filed Sep 10, 200926,000 milesCA

REIMBURSEMENT FOR TAKING CARE OF THE PROBLEM BEFORE THE DEFECT WAS CONDUCTED. 1998 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX. *TR

Fuel System, Other
Filed Jul 20, 2009114,900 milesSD

THE FUEL PUMP RESISTOR WENT OUT ON MY 1998 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX GTP. AFTER RESEARCHING THE ISSUE, THIS SEEMS TO BE A COMMON OCCURRENCE ON 1997-98 GRAND PRIXS AND BUICK REGALS WITH THE L67 SUPERCHARGED MOTOR. THE RESISTOR GOES OUT WITHOUT WARNING, CAUSING THE ENGINE TO KILL SECONDS AFTER STARTING. THIS PART WAS RECALLED IN AREAS OF CANADA PER GM CUSTOMER SATISFACTION CAMPAIGN #01033. *TR

Engine and Engine CoolingFire
Filed Jun 16, 2009120,000 milesOK

1998 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX GPT, SITTING IN MY DRIVE WAY, CAUGHT FIRE AND UNDER THE HOOD IS BASICALLY TOAST. WE HAVE TO TOTALLY REPLACE EVERYTHING...CARS THAT ARE NOT STARTED, SHOULD NOT CATCH FIRE. *TR

Electrical SystemFire
Filed Jun 11, 200980,000 milesLA

MY CAR BURNED UP DUE TO WIRES UNDER HOOD. *TR

Engine and Engine CoolingFire
Filed May 27, 2009WI

CONSUMER'S 1998 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX WAS DAMAGED DUE TO A FIRE . *NJ A RECALL LETTER WAS ATTACHED TO THE COMPLAINT. THE CONSUMER'S INSURANCE COMPANY IS SEEKING REIMBURSEMENT DUE TO THE RECALL.(INSURANCE COMPANY ON BEHALF OF CONSUMER) *JB

Engine and Engine CoolingFire
Filed Apr 20, 2009AR

CONSUMER STATES THAT HIS 1998 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX CAUGHT A FIRE SEVERAL YEARS AGO AND PONTIAC DENIED ANY RESPONSIBILITY BUT NOW THEY ARE BEING RECALLED. *NJ THE CONSUMER REFERENCED RECALL # 09V116000. *JB

Steering
Filed Apr 20, 2009145,000 milesMI

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX. WHILE DRIVING 5 MPH AND ATTEMPTING TO PARK THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL WAS DIFFICULT TO TURN LEFT. THE WHEEL FELT AS IF THERE WAS NO POWER STEERING AND IT WAS NEARLY IMPOSSIBLE TO MANEUVER THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 02V286000 (STEERING:RACK AND PINION). HE CALLED PONTIAC DIRECTLY AND THEY STATED THAT THEY WERE NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR THE REPAIRS SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS EXCLUDED FROM THE RECALL. CURRENTLY, THE VEHICLE IS PARKED AT THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE AND HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 145,000.

Engine and Engine Cooling › EngineFire
Filed Apr 16, 2009176,000 milesOH

MY 1998 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX 3.8 LITRE V6 CAUGHT ON FIRE ON APRIL 6 2009 AND THEN A COUPLE DAYS LATER THE RECALL CAME OUT. MY CAR IS A TOTAL LOSS. I HAVE CONTACTED PONTIAC AS OF 4-16-2009 AND I AM WAITING TO HEAR FROM THEM! THERE IS NO POLICE REPORT, BUT THERE IS A FIRE REPORT DUE TO THE FIRE DEPT COMING TO EXTINGUISH THE FLAMES. *TR

Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine
Filed Mar 4, 200951,449 milesCA

AFTER TAKING MY CAR IN FOR A RECALL (NHTSA ID NUMBER 08V118000) I NOTICE THAT THE OIL LEAK THAT I WAS EXPERIENCING WOULD BE FIXED. WHEN THE OIL LEAK RETURNED, I TOOK IT BACK TO THE DEALER TO SEE IF THE REPAIR WAS NOT FIXED CORRECTLY. I WAS INFORMED THAT THE BACK VALVE COVER AND MANIFOLD WAS NOW LEAKING AND THE RECALL ONLY FIXED THE FRONT VALVE COVER. I WAS ALSO INFORMED THAT THE LEAK COULD CAUSE A FIRE SIMILAR TO THE ONE THAT WAS THE RECALL WAS SUPPOSE TO CORRECT. I INFORMED GM SUPPORT OF THE PROBLEM AND THEY STATED THAT UNLESS A RECALL WAS ISSUED, I WOULD HAVE TO PAY THE COST OF THE REPAIR ($1300). SINCE THE PROBLEM SEEMS TO BE RELATED TO OIL LEAKS SIMILAR TO RECALL, I THINK IT SHOULD BE COVERED UNDER THE RECALL CAMPAIGN. THANK YOU. *TR

Visibility
Filed Feb 16, 2009TN

THE DRIVER SIDE POWER WINDOW WILL NOT WORK. I PUT IT DOWN ONE DAY AND WHEN I TRIED TO PUT IT BACK UP, IT WENT HALF WAY AND STOPPED. I WAS PARKING AT A HOCKEY GAME AND HAD TO GET MY WINDOW UP! MY HUSBAND HAD TO PUSH IT UP BUT WHEN WE CAME OUT FROM THE GAME, IT WAS BACK DOWN. LUCKILY NOTHING WAS BOTHERED IN THE CAR. NOW IT IS UP WITH SMALL WOOD SHIMS STUCK DOWN IN THE DOOR SO THE WINDOW WON'T FALL DOWN. I HAVE BEEN SEARCHING EVERY WHERE FOR THE MOTOR AND REGULATOR BUT JUST LIKE EVERYONE ELSE, THE PART IS GONE BEFORE I CAN GET IT. THIS SHOULD BE A RECALL. IT SEEMS TO BE AN ONGOING PROBLEM AND PONTIAC SHOULD FIX IT. IT IS A 1998 GRAND PRIX DAYTONA PACE CAR WITH ONLY 93,000 MILES ON IT. *TR

Steering › Rack and Pinion
Filed Feb 6, 2009105,000 milesIN

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO MAKE A LEFT TURN AT 40 MPH, THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO DRIVE FORWARD. UPON FURTHER INVESTIGATION, THE CONTACT DETERMINED THAT THE RACK AND PINION WAS THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 02V286000 (STEERING:RACK AND PINION). THE CONTACT IS IN THE PROCESS OF TAKING THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER. THERE WILL BE NO COMPENSATION PROVIDED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 105,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 107,000. UPDATED 03-06-09 *BF UPDATED 03/09/09*JB

Engine and Engine Cooling
Filed Jan 6, 200959,000 milesMI

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 08V441000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE WAS LEAKING OIL. HE NOTICED OIL SPOTS ON HIS GARAGE FLOOR. THERE WERE NO PERFORMANCE ISSUES WITH THE VEHICLE; HOWEVER, THE CONTACT SMELLED OIL INSIDE THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT. HE TOOK THE VEHICLE IN FOR THE RECALL REPAIR AND INFORMED THE DEALER THAT THE REAR GASKET WAS LEAKING. THE DEALER LATER CONFIRMED THE FAILURE, BUT STATED THAT THE RECALL ONLY PERTAINED TO THE FRONT ROCKER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 61,500 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 59,000.

Air Bags › FrontalCrash1 injured
Filed Dec 29, 2008179,786 milesMO

MY 17 YEAR OLD SON WAS DRIVING ON ICE AND STARTED TO SLIDE AND HE SLID INTO A DITCH. NO DAMAGE WAS DONE TO THE OUTSIDE OF THE CAR, HE WAS DRIVING APPROX. 15 MPH AND ONCE THE CAR WAS PULLED OUT OF THE DITCH IT WAS DRIVEN THE REST OF THE WAY HOME. BOTH AIRBAGS DEPLOYED, THE PASSENGER SIDE DEPLOYED W/ SUCH FORCE THAT IT SHATTERED THE WINDSHIELD AND THE DRIVERS SIDE HAD ENOUGH FORCE THAT IT HIT MY SON IN THE FACE HARD ENOUGH TO SHOVE HIS HEAD INTO THE HEADREST. *TR

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Dec 27, 2008100,000 milesPA

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. HE REFERRED ME TO A SHOP THAT ONLY WORKS ON TRANSMISSIONS AND THEY CONFIRMED THAT IT HAD TO BE REBUILT. IT COST AROUND 2,000$ DOLLARS AND I HAVE SINCE READ THAT THIS MODEL CAR HAS A KNOWN PROBLEM FOR TRANSMISSION FAILURE AROUND 100,000 MILES. *TR

Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine
Filed Dec 10, 2008129,650 milesCA

INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET NEEDED TO BE REPLACED BECAUSE OF USE OF ORANGE COOLANT--ALSO SERPENTINE BELT REPLACED BECAUSE OF ORANGE COOLANT SPRAY ALL OVER IT. WATER PUMP HAD TO BE REPLACED 3 MONTHS LATER. *TR

Electrical SystemFire
Filed Nov 16, 2008129,000 milesAZ

DROVE TO THE STORE AND HOME, PARKED MY CAR AND WALKED INSIDE. WITHIN 5 MINUTES NEIGHBORS REPORTED MY CAR WAS ON FIRE. FIRE DEPT. CAME AND PUT IT OUT. EVERYTHING UNDER THE HOOD IS BURNT. I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER IN APRIL FOR A RECALL REPAIR, BUT IT STILL CAUGHT FIRE. I HAVE RECEIPTS. *TR

Electrical System › Instrument Cluster/Panel
Filed Oct 20, 2008GA

I PURCHASED A VEHICLE. WITHIN 10 MINUTES, STILL IN THE SAME SPOT WHERE I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE I NOTICED THAT THE DASHBOARD AND THE MILES SEEM TO HAVE BEEN TAMPERED WITH. THERE IS ALSO A STICKER ON THE WINDOW THAT SAYS GET YOUR NEXT OIL CHANGE AT 245K. I DID NOT PAY ATTENTION TO THE FACT THAT HE ADVERTISED THE CAR AS HAVING 122K BUT THE ODOMETER READ 116K. HE HAD LEFT HIS HOME AND I HAD TO KEEP CALLING HIM ON HIS CELL PHONE. AFTER FINALLY REACHING HIM, BECAUSE HIS WIFE TOLD HIM THAT THE POLICE WAS AT HIS HOME, I ASKED HIM FOR A REFUND AND HE SAID NO, I DON'T DO REFUNDS FOR NOBODY. THE POLICE AGREED THAT THE DASH AND THE MILES SEEM TO HAVE BEEN TAMPERED WITH BUT IT WOULD BE A CIVIL MATTER AND THAT I WOULD HAVE TO TAKE HIM TO COURT IF I WANTED A REFUND. HE SAID THAT I CAN SWITCH THE CAR OUT FOR ANOTHER CAR THAT HE OWNED BUT I WOULD HAVE TO PAY MORE AND THAT CAR DID NOT HAVE THE RIGHT MILES ON IT EITHER. I DID SOME RESEARCH AND FOUND OUT THAT HE HAS MANY CASES IN CLAYTON COUNTY THAT HAVE BEEN BROUGHT AGAINST HIM ABOUT CARS. I CALLED AND LEFT MESSAGES ABOUT THE CAR NOT HAVING AND FAILING THE EMISSIONS THAT I PAID FOR AND HE HAS NOT RETURNED ANY OF MY CALLS. I TRIED TO GET AN EMISSION TEST ON OCTOBER 18, 2008 AND IT FAILED. I CALLED HIM AND AGAIN MY CALLS WENT UNRETURNED. *TR

Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine2 injured
Filed Sep 8, 2008NC

1998 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX GTP -- REAR VALVE COVER GASKET DESIGN IS EXTREMELY POOR -- IT IS ONLY THE SIZE OF A SPAGHETTI NOODLE. IT CAN NOT CONTAIN THE OIL PRESSURE FLOW, THUS LEAKS ENGINE OIL DOWN THE REAR SIDE OF THE ENGINE ONTO DANGEROUSLY HOT COMPONENTS -- THIS RESULTS IN: 1)A HIGH CONCENTRATION OF TOXIC BURNT ENGINE OIL FUMES ENTERING THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT, 2) ENGINE OIL LEAKING/SPRAYING BACK ONTO THE EXTREMELY HOT CATALYTIC CONVERTER, EXHAUST MANIFOLD HEADER, EXHAUST PIPE AND 3) A VERY HIGH RISK OF FIRE IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT AND UNDER THE CAR. *TR

Steering › Rack and Pinion
Filed Jul 18, 2008CT

1998 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX WILL NOT TURN LEFT. CONSUMER STATES THAT THE VEHICLE HAD SOME TROUBLE AND EVENTUALLY ESCALATED TO NOT TURNING LEFT AT ALL. HE STATES HE HAD TO TURN THE WHEEL ALL THE WAY TO THE RIGHT THEN BACK IN ORDER TO TURN LEFT. *KB THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONSUMER THAT THE STEERING RACK WAS BINDING WHICH REQUIRED A COMPLETE REPLACEMENT. THE CONSUMER PAID FOR THE REPAIRS, HOWEVER YEARS LATER, THE CONSUMER DISCOVERED A RECALL REGARDING THE STEERING RACK AND PINION. *JB

Engine and Engine CoolingFire
Filed Jul 9, 2008130,000 milesNH

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. I FELL AS THOUGH I SHOULD GET 5,000. FOR MY CAR. *TR

Engine and Engine Cooling
Filed Jun 23, 2008209,315 milesGA

I'VE OWNED A 1998 GRAND PRIX GT FOR 7YRS AND I HAVE OFTEN HAD PROBLEMS WITH OVERHEATING. ESPECIALLY WHEN THE TEMPERATURE WAS 90 DEGREES OR ABOVE. ON THE 30TH OF MAY, I WAS DRIVING HOME AND THE ENGINE TEMPERATURE SPIKED AND SMOKE BEGAN POURING OUT OF THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. I STOPPED THE CAR QUICKLY AND DISCOVERED THAT THE INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET WAS BLOWN AND IT WAS SPEWING WATER INTO THE OIL RESERVOIR AND THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. I HAVE SEEN MULTIPLE COMPLAINTS ON OTHER SITE ABOUT THE PLASTIC INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET THAT'S INCLUDED WITH THE 1998 GRAND PRIX AND I THOUGHT I SHOULD POST A COMPLAINT. THE BEST ESTIMATE I'VE HAD FOR REPAIRING MY CAR IS $1000.00... I THINK THAT GENERAL MOTORS SHOULD ISSUE A RECALL FOR THIS ERROR AND PAY FOR MY REPAIRS. *TR

Engine and Engine CoolingFire
Filed Jun 9, 200890,000 milesTX

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HIS VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE WHILE PARKED. SMOKE APPEARED FROM THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE AND THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT CALLED PONTIAC AND INFORMED THEM ABOUT THE SAFETY ISSUE WITH THE VEHICLE, BUT WAS OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. HE RECENTLY RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE AFTER THE FIRE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 08V118000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000.

Engine and Engine Cooling › Exhaust System › Emission Control › Catalytic ConvertorFire
Filed Jun 2, 2008120,439 milesNC

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX. WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE WOULD HESITATE, MISFIRE, AND THEN COMPLETELY SHUT OFF. THE VEHICLE FINALLY RESTARTED AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS AND THEN BEGAN SMOKING INSIDE THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT. THE CONTACT OPENED THE HOOD AND NOTICED THAT THE CONVERTER WAS FIERY RED. SHE PERFORMED A DIAGNOSTIC ON THE VEHICLE, WHICH PRODUCED CODE NUMBER 1374. THE CRANKSHAFT POSITION SENSOR WAS REPLACED TWICE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 122,749 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,439.

Engine and Engine Cooling › Exhaust System
Filed May 21, 2008135,000 milesIL

FRONT VALVE COVER LEAKING ONTO EXHAUST MANIFOLD. SMOKE EXITING THE FROM OF THE VEHICLE AFTER A HARD STOP. *TR

Air Bags
Filed May 15, 200850,000 milesOR

WIRING HARNESS TO AIR BAG SHORTED OUT. *TR

Engine and Engine Cooling › Cooling SystemFire
Filed May 13, 2008CA

I RECEIVED A RECALL LETTER,THEN I MOVED TO A NEW RESIDENTS 2WKS. LATER I PARKED MY CAR IN THE DRIVEWAY WENT INTO THE HOUSE MAYBE 2-3 MIN I NOTICED FLAMES COMING OUT OF THE HOOD. I RAN AND GOT THE WATER HOSE AND PUT IT OUT. I CALLED THE DEALER THEY WEREN'T AWARE OF A RECALL I HAD TO SHOW PROOF LETTER. I FAXED IT THEN THEY TOWED THE CAR TO THE DEALERS GMC WAS CALLED THEY CALLED THE DEALER .04-25-08 I CALLED GMC STATED SINCE THE CAR CAUGHT ON FIRE THEY NEED TO SEND FIRE INVESTIGATOR OUT. HE CAME TO THE DEALERS TOOK PICTURES AND REPORT AND FEDEX IT TO GMC MICH. THEN THEY GAVE ME ANOTHER ADJUSTER DARLENE CLEMENS. ON MAY 2ND I CALLED GMC AGAIN I WAS GIVEN ANOTHER ADJUSTER WHY SHE WOULDN'T TELL ME JUST GAVE ME THE PERSONS NAME JEMEIA PRICE SINCE THEN I BEEN PLAYING PHONE TAG NO ONE CAN HELP ME I AM WITHOUT A CAR NO LOANER OR ANY CONCERN SINCE MY CAR IS PAID OFF. SINCE THEN I FOUND OUT ABOUT OTHER RECALL THE DEALER SAID NO NOT ON GMC LIST OR WEBSITE THE RECALL#FOR THE CAR IS #07035 AND MY OTHER CONCERNS WERE RECALL# 02V286000 OR 02049 AND#07E021000 IM WORRIED I COULD DIED OR MORE DAMAGE TO MY CAR I KEEP GO CARE OF MY CAR GMC DOESN'T CARE I NEED HELP *TR

Steering › Rack and Pinion
Filed May 6, 2008DC

1998 GRAND PRIX WITH A RECALL ON THE RACK AND PINION. CONSUMER WOULD LIKE TO KNOW IF THERE WAS A TIME LIMIT ON THIS RECALL OR CAN HE STILL HAVE IT INSPECTED. HE STATES THAT THE RETAINER MAY NOT HAVE BEEN CRIMPED PROPERLY. *KB RECALL # 02V286000. *JB

Steering › Rack and Pinion › Rack
Filed Apr 21, 2008150,000 milesMI

DRIVER NEEDS TO EXERT MORE EFFORT THAN NORMAL TO TURN THE STEERING WHEEL TO THE LEFT, SIMILAR TO A VEHICLE WITHOUT POWER ASSISTED STEERING. INCREASINGLY, THE DRIVER REQUIRES MUCH HIGHER EFFORT TO TURN LEFT AND MAY NOT BE ABLE TO TURN THE WHEEL AS MUCH AS INTENDED AND ENCOUNTERS HIGH RESISTANCE TO TURNING LEFT. ALTHOUGH 1998 PONTIAC GRAND PRIXS ARE INCLUDED IN RECALL CAMPAIGN(02V286000) AND THIS VEHICLE SUFFERS FROM THE SAME COMPONENT FAILURE AS DESCRIBED BY ODI, MANUFACTURER SAYS THAT THIS VIN IS NOT INCLUDED AND WILL NOT REPAIR VEHICLE. *TR

Visibility › Power Window Devices and Controls
Filed Mar 14, 2008PA

1998 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX. SECOND TIME IN TWO YEARS I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE THE ELECTRIC WINDOW REGULATOR ON FRONT PASSENGER SIDE DOOR. FIRST TIME OVER $380.00 TODAY, $410.00. *TR

Fuel System, Gasoline › Delivery › Hoses, Lines/Piping, and FittingsFire
Filed Feb 10, 2008260,000 miles00

2 DAYS AGO WE HAD A HUGE SNOW STORM. I WAS TRYING TO GET MY CAR UNSTUCK. THE CAR WAS IDLING AND I WAS OUTSIDE DIGGING OUT THE CAR, AND MY GIRLFRIEND WAS SITTING IN THE CAR, SHE SAID IT WAS SMOKEY INSIDE. I JUST THOUGHT IT WAS OVERHEATING, AND IT GOT WORSE AND WORSE. I FINALLY THOUGHT, OK THIS JUST ISN'T OVERHEATING, SO I SHUT THE CAR OFF AND POPPED THE HOOD. THE WHOLE REAR OF THE ENGINE WAS ON FIRE. I GOT THE FIRE OUT AND MANAGED TO SAVE THE CAR. ABOUT 6 MONTHS AGO I HAD A ENGINE LIGHT COME ON AND THE CODE SAID SMALL EVAP LEAK. HE SAID IT WAS MY COLD AIR INTAKE AND MY GAS CAP. SO I REPLACED THE GAS CAP AND DROVE AROUND WITH THE ENGINE LIGHT ON, NOT KNOWING THAT THERE WAS A ACTUAL EVAP LEAK. SO IT WAS COINCIDENTAL THAT THE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON 2 DAYS AFTER I PUT MY INTAKE ON. AND ALSO IT WAS COINCIDENTAL THAT IT HAPPENED ON THE DAY WITH ALL THE SNOW. SO MY MECHANIC SAID, THAT I DID HAVE A PINHOLE LEAK, AND THAT THE SPARKS FROM THE ALTERNATOR IGNITED THE VAPORS. ALSO THE FOAM UNDERNEATH THE ENGINE COVER ACTED LIKE A SPONGE SUCKING IN THE ALL FUMES AND THEN BOOM. *TR

Engine and Engine Cooling › EngineFire
Filed Dec 8, 2007115,000 milesWA

I HAVE A 1998 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX GTP THAT CAUGHT FIRE WHILE DRIVING YESTERDAY, 12/6/07. I HAD NOTICED NOTHING ODD OTHER THAN ON THE EVENING OF 12/5/07, MY CRUISE CONTROL CUT-OUT ON ME TWICE WHILE DRIVING HOME, WHICH I JUST THOUGHT OF AS ODD. 12 HOURS LATER, I WAS DRIVING TO WORK AND THE CAR STARTED STUTTERING. I THEN LOST ALL POWER AND PULLED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, AS I LOOKED UP AFTER POPPING THE HOOD, I NOTICED FLAMES ON THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE CAR. AFTER A FEW MINUTES, LOCAL FIRE CREWS WERE ONSITE TO PUT THE FIRE OUT. THE WHOLE ENGINE COMPARTMENT MELTED AND THE CAR IS A TOTAL LOSS. I DON'T KNOW WHAT CAUSED THIS, BUT AM READING REPORTS OF 1999-2002 SUPERCHARGED GTP'S HAVING THIS SAME PROBLEM, BUT WANTED THE NHTSA TO BE AWARE OF THIS OCCURRING IN A 1998 VEHICLE. THE CAR IS TOTALED AND I AM QUITE FRUSTRATED. I NEVER THOUGHT THIS WOULD OCCUR IN A MILLION YEARS. *TR

Engine and Engine CoolingFire
Filed Dec 8, 2007110,000 milesNJ

I DROVE FROM MY WORK LOCATION AT 2PM TO A STORE 15 MINUTES AWAY. THE CAR WAS RUNNING NORMAL. I ENTERED THE STORE FOR 10 MINUTES AND WHEN I CAME OUT, I NOTICED THAT THE CAR HAD SMOKE COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD. I ALSO NOTICED THAT THE REAR OF THE HOOD HAD BROWN DISCOLORATION MARKS. I ATTEMPTED TO PUT OUT THE FIRE WITH AN EXTINGUISHER BUT WAS NOT ABLE TO PUT OUT THE FIRE. A POLICE MAN ALSO ATTEMPTED TO PUT OUT THE FIRE WITH ANOTHER FIRE EXTINGUISHER BUT ALSO WAS NOT ABLE TO PUT OUT THE FIRE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT ARRIVED IN 9 MINUTES AND PUT OUT THE FIRE. THE COMPLETE FRONT OF THE CAR WAS DESTROYED. *TR

Reading these

NHTSA publishes every complaint as the owner wrote it and investigates only a fraction. Spelling, capitalisation and judgement are the filer’s own. What carries weight is repetition: the same component failing the same way across many filings, and whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.

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