Model year record

1998 Pontiac Grand AM

1 recall campaign on file for this model year. 236 owner complaints on file.

Pontiac Grand AM, 1992–1998 generation
Pictured: the 1992–1998 generation. Cutlass, CC0 · Wikimedia Commons

Recalls

Recall campaignNHTSA 04V036000

Electrical system: ignition: switch

Component
Electrical system: ignition: switch
Manufacturer
GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
Vehicles affected
1,415,231
Reported to NHTSA
2004-01-27
Owners notified
2004-03-01

Defect description

ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES. IF THE ENGINE FAILS TO START AND THE DRIVER HOLDS THE KEY IN THE "START" POSITION FOR AN EXTENDED PERIOD, HIGH CURRENT FLOWS THROUGH THE IGNITION SWITCH, AND SOMETIMES PRODUCES ENOUGH HEAT TO MELT INTERNAL SWITCH PARTS.

Safety risk

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.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL INSTALL A RELAY KIT IN THESE VEHICLES TO PREVENT HIGH CURRENT FROM FLOWING THROUGH THE IGNITION SWITCH, AND CHECK THAT YOUR CAR WILL START WITH A PROPERLY CHARGED BATTERY AND, IF NECESSARY, REPLACE THE IGNITION SWITCH. OWNER NOTIFICATION WILL BEGIN ON MARCH 1, 2004. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438, PONTIAC AT 1-800-620-7668, BUICK AT 1-866-608-8080, OR OLDSMOBILE AT 1-800-630-6537. CUSTOMERS CAN ALSO CHECK THEIR VEHICLE ONLINE BY GOING TO WWW.MYGMLINK.COM AND ENTERING THE VEHICLE'S IDENTIFICATION NUMBER.

Owner complaints

A complaint is one person's report to a federal agency. It is not a finding.

ComponentComplaintsMedian mileage
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip15—
Vehicle speed control13100,400 mi
Electrical system: ignition1093,462 mi
Electrical system: ignition: switch1033,000 mi
Power train: automatic transmission920,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc8—
Visibility: power window devices and controls830,000 mi
Air bags: frontal761,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic740,000 mi
Air bags6135,678 mi
Electrical system6115,786 mi
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system6120,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine680,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline6—
Electrical system: alternator/generator/regulator440,300 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: rotor4—
Steering: steering wheel/handle bar4—
Suspension: front4—
Engine324,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe353,330 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components3—
Steering340,300 mi
Steering: rack and pinion340,000 mi
Suspension340,300 mi
Suspension: front: control arm: lower arm365,000 mi
Tires3—
Unknown or other3190,000 mi
Electrical system: 12V/24V/48V battery218,324 mi
Electrical system: ignition: anti-theft: control module2—
Engine and engine cooling2100,000 mi
Equipment280,000 mi
Exterior lighting: headlights2—
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings280,425 mi
Fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly2—
Seat belts2—
Seat belts: front: anchorage2—
Seat belts: front: retractor2—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: master cylinder245,000 mi
Steering: column locking: anti-theft device2—
Suspension: front: control arm2—
Vehicle speed control: cruise control2135,678 mi
Visibility: defroster/defogger/hvac system2—
Visibility: defroster/defogger/hvac system: heater core240,000 mi
Visibility: rearview mirrors/devices: exterior216,000 mi
Air bags: frontal: driver side: inflator module1—
Air bags: frontal: sensor/control module199,000 mi
Child seat1—
Electrical system: 12V/24V/48V battery: cables174,899 mi
Electrical system: wiring: front underhood1—
Electrical system: wiring: interior/under dash1—
Equipment: electrical1—
Equipment: electrical: anti-theft devices169,700 mi
Fuel system, gasoline: carburetor system1—
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery1—
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: fuel pump1—
Fuel system, gasoline: fuel injection system: injectors180,000 mi
Fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly: filler pipe and cap1—
Fuel system, other: delivery132,000 mi
Fuel system, other: storage: fuel gauge system1—
Interior lighting1—
Power train1—
Power train: automatic transmission: control module (TCM/PCM/TECM)1—
Power train: automatic transmission: lever and linkage: column shift1—
Power train: axle assembly1—
Power train: axle assembly: banjo housing1—
Power train: driveline: differential unit1—
Power train: driveline: driveshaft1—
Seat belts: front: buckle assembly1—
Seat belts: front: webbing1—
Service brakes, air: antilock1—
Service brakes, air: disc: rotor1—
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip: control unit/module116,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: caliper1—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: drum: shoes/linings1—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: drum: wheel cylinders1—
Steering: hydraulic power assist system1—
Steering: linkages: tie rod assembly1142,572 mi
Structure1120,000 mi
Structure: body: door1—
Structure: frame and members: underbody shields1—
Suspension: front: springs: torsion bar1—
Suspension: front: stabilizer bar1—
Suspension: front: wheel bearing1142,572 mi
Vehicle speed control: accelerator pedal1—
Visibility: windshield wiper/washer1—
Wheels: lugs/nuts/bolts/studs1—

The 1997 model has about a third as many complaints as this one. The 1999 model has about a fifth as many complaints as this one. These figures reflect raw complaint counts, not failure rates. Higher-selling model years naturally receive more complaints.

Other Pontiac Grand AM model years

All Pontiac Grand AM recalls by year

Safety recall repairs are provided free of charge by franchised dealers, regardless of vehicle age or mileage. This page displays aggregated data for the model year. To check recall status for a specific vehicle, search its VIN at nhtsa.gov.