Model year record

1998 Pontiac Grand AM

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

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.

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.