Known Recalls

Model year record

1998 Pontiac Grand Prix

4 recall campaigns on file for this model year. 618 owner complaints on file.

Recalls

Recall campaignNHTSA 15V701000

Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe

Component
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe
Manufacturer
General Motors LLC
Vehicles affected
1,003,556
Reported to NHTSA
2015-10-26
Owners notified
2016-02-19

Defect description

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 1998-1999 Chevrolet Lumina and Oldsmobile Intrigue, 1997-2004 Buick Regal and Pontiac Grand Prix, 2000-2004 Chevrolet Impala, and 1998-2004 Chevrolet Monte Carlo vehicles. The affected vehicles were previously repaired under recalls 08V-118, 09V-116, and 15V-201 to address the possibility that engine oil may drip onto the hot exhaust manifold.

Safety risk

Engine oil that drips onto the hot surface of the exhaust manifold may result in a fire.

Manufacturer remedy

The remedy applied under recalls 08V-118, 09V-116, and 15V-201 did not adequately remove the safety risk. Under the improved remedy, dealers will replace the engine’s front valve cover and gasket. Vehicles that are covered by recalls 08V-118, 09V-116, or 15V-201 that have not yet received the original remedy will instead receive the improved remedy under the original recall number. The recall began on February 19, 2016. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300, Oldsmobile customer service at 1-800-442-6537 and Pontiac customer service at 1-800-458-8006. GM's number for this recall is 15757. Note: Until the improved remedy has been applied, owners are advised to park their vehicle outside since the fire risk exists even when the vehicle is unattended.

Recall campaignNHTSA 09V116000

Engine and engine cooling

Component
Engine and engine cooling
Manufacturer
GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
Vehicles affected
1,497,516
Reported to NHTSA
2009-04-08
Owners notified
2009-04-09

Defect description

GENERAL MOTORS IS RECALLING 1,497,516 MY 1997-2003 BUICK REGAL, MY 1998-2003 CHEVROLET LUMINA, MONTE CARLO AND IMPALA, MY 1998-1999 OLDSMOBILE INTRIGUE, MY 1997-2003 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH A 3.8L V6 NATURALLY ASPIRATED ENGINE. SOME OF THESE VEHICLES HAVE A CONDITION IN WHICH DROPS OF ENGINE OIL MAY BE DEPOSITED ON THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD THROUGH HARD BRAKING.

Safety risk

IF THE MANIFOLD IS HOT ENOUGH AND THE OIL RUNS BELOW THE HEAT SHIELD, IT MAY IGNITE INTO A SMALL FLAME AND MAY SPREAD TO THE PLASTIC SPARK PLUG WIRE CHANNEL AND BEYOND INCREASING THE RISK OF AN ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE ENGINE’S FRONT VALVE COVER AND FRONT-VALVE-COVER GASKET WITH NEW PARTS OF AN IMPROVED DESIGN AND REMOVE THE ENGINE’S PLASTIC COVER AND PLASTIC OIL-FILL-TUBE EXTENSION, FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING MAY 2016. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438, OLDSMOBILE AT 1-800-630-6537, AND PONTIAC AT 1-800-620-7668 OR HTTP://WWW.PONTIAC.COM OR HTTP:WWW.GMOWNERCENTER.COM.

Recall campaignNHTSA 08V118000

Engine and engine cooling

Component
Engine and engine cooling
Manufacturer
GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
Vehicles affected
207,542
Reported to NHTSA
2008-03-12
Owners notified
2008-04-28

Defect description

GM IS RECALLING 207,542 MY 1997-2003 BUICK REGAL AND PONTIAC GRAND PRIX VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH A 3.8L SUPERCHARGED V-6 ENGINE. THESE VEHICLES HAVE HIGHER FRONT ROCKER COVER GASKET TEMPERATURES, CREATING THE POTENTIAL FOR EARLIER DEGRADATION OF THE FRONT ROCKER COVER GASKET AND EVENTUAL OIL SEEPAGE.

Safety risk

CERTAIN UNDERHOOD FIRES MAY BE CAUSED BY DROPS OF ENGINE OIL, FROM SEEPAGE OR SPILLAGE, BEING DEPOSITED ON THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD THROUGH HARD BRAKING. IF THE MANIFOLD IS HOT ENOUGH AND THE OIL RUNS BELOW THE HEAT SHIELD, IT MAY IGNITE INTO A SMALL FLAME AND, IN SOME INSTANCES, THE FIRE MAY SPREAD TO THE PLASTIC SPARK PLUG WIRE CHANNEL AND BEYOND.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE ENGINE’S FRONT VALVE COVER AND FRONT-VALVE-COVER GASKET WITH NEW PARTS OF AN IMPROVED DESIGN AND REMOVE THE ENGINE’S PLASTIC COVER AND PLASTIC OIL-FILL-TUBE EXTENSION, ALONG WITH THE 1-3-5 SPARK PLUG WIRE RETAINERS, FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING MAY 2016. , FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING MAY 2016. UNTIL THE REMEDY IS COMPLETED, GM STRONGLY RECOMMENDS THAT OWNERS OBSERVE THE FOLLOWING IMPORTANT PRECAUTIONS (1) THAT OWNERS DO NOT PARK THEIR VEHICLE IN A GARAGE, CAR PORT, OR OTHER STRUCTURE; (2) IF OWNERS NOTICE A BURNING ODOR, THEY SHOULD HAVE THEIR DEALER INSPECT THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER WILL INSPECT THE VEHICLE WITHOUT CHARGE; (3) USE PREMIUM FUEL (91 OCTANE OR HIGHER) IN THE VEHICLE AS RECOMMENDED IN THE VEHICLE'S OWNER MANUAL. OWNERS MAY CONTACT BUICK AT 1-866-608-8080 OR PONTIAC AT 1-800-620-7668, OR THROUGH THEIR WEBSITE AT <A HREF=HTTP://WWW.GMOWNERCENTER.COM>HTTP://WWW.GMOWNERCENTER.COM</A> .

Recall campaignNHTSA 02V286000

Steering: rack and pinion

Component
Steering: rack and pinion
Manufacturer
GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
Vehicles affected
1,159,156
Reported to NHTSA
2002-11-04
Owners notified
2003-01-24

Defect description

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.

Safety risk

IF THIS OCCURS, THE PINION SHAFT CAN BE FORCED UPWARD DURING LEFT TURNS AND BACK DOWN AS THE STEERING WHEEL IS MOVED BACK AND TO THE RIGHT. IF THE PINION SHAFT MOVES FURTHER, THE DRIVER WILL NEED TO EXERT MORE EFFORT TO TURN THE STEERING WHEEL, SIMILAR TO A VEHICLE WITHOUT POWER ASSISTED STEERING. IF THE PINION SHAFT MOVES EVEN FURTHER, THE DRIVER WILL REQUIRE MUCH HIGHER EFFORT TO TURN LEFT AND MAY NOT BE ABLE TO TURN THE WHEEL AS MUCH AS INTENDED. WITH THE MAXIMUM PINION SHAFT MOVEMENT, WHICH REQUIRES INTERNAL GEAR COMPONENT DAMAGE, THE DRIVER CAN ENCOUNTER HIGH RESISTANCE TO TURNING LEFT, FOLLOWED BY UNINTENDED POWER ASSIST TO THE RIGHT. IN ANY OF THESE CONDITIONS, A CRASH COULD OCCUR.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NEW LOWER PINION BEARING UNLESS INSPECT OF THE EXISTING BEARING INDICATES THAT REPLACEMENT OF THE GEAR ASSEMBLY IS NECESSARY. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN JANUARY 24, 2003. 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 1-800-222-1020, PONTIAC AT 1-800-762-2737, OR OLDSMOBILE AT 1-800-442-6537.

Owner complaints

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

ComponentComplaintsMedian mileage
Exterior lighting: headlights7458,000 mi
Steering: rack and pinion5193,991 mi
Engine and engine cooling3798,000 mi
Engine33125,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline2895,000 mi
Visibility: power window devices and controls2660,747 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip22—
Electrical system1890,000 mi
Power train: automatic transmission1782,307 mi
Steering17145,000 mi
Air bags1437,800 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine14115,000 mi
Unknown or other1438,000 mi
Air bags: frontal1165,000 mi
Electrical system: 12V/24V/48V battery1177,701 mi
Exterior lighting: headlights: concealment devices1050,000 mi
Steering: rack and pinion: rack860,000 mi
Electrical system: ignition7210,000 mi
Vehicle speed control7—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components6—
Steering: hydraulic power assist system680,000 mi
Visibility: windshield wiper/washer6100,500 mi
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system5109,581 mi
Equipment: appliance: air conditioner5—
Exterior lighting532,000 mi
Suspension546,000 mi
Electrical system: wiring4106,000 mi
Electrical system: wiring: interior/under dash4124,000 mi
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: fuel pump466,349 mi
Seat belts: front: anchorage4—
Seat belts: front: buckle assembly4—
Structure: body: door4—
Suspension: front4180,000 mi
Visibility: defroster/defogger/hvac system4—
Electrical system: ignition: switch3—
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe349,500 mi
Power train3149,000 mi
Seats: front assembly: recliner3—
Service brakes, hydraulic3—
Steering: gear box (other than rack and pinion)397,350 mi
Steering: hydraulic power assist: power steering fluid383,005 mi
Visibility393,000 mi
Visibility: windshield3—
Electrical system: ignition: module269,244 mi
Electrical system: wiring: front underhood2120,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system: fan2—
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline: turbo/supercharger255,000 mi
Equipment: electrical2—
Equipment: electrical: radio/tape deck/CD etc.2—
Exterior lighting: tail lights2—
Fuel system, gasoline2180,000 mi
Fuel system, gasoline: carburetor system2—
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings2132,727 mi
Fuel system, other2114,900 mi
Fuel/propulsion system296,000 mi
Interior lighting2—
Seat belts: front262,000 mi
Seat belts: front: retractor2—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc2—
Service brakes, hydraulic: pedals and linkages2—
Steering: column locking: anti-theft device2—
Steering: hydraulic power assist: pump284,333 mi
Structure: body296,000 mi
Structure: body: trunk lid2—
Suspension: front: springs: torsion bar2118,915 mi
Tires2—
Vehicle speed control: accelerator pedal2—
Visibility: glass, side/rear2—
Visibility: rearview mirrors/devices2—
Visibility: windshield wiper/washer: motor262,000 mi
Air bags: frontal: sensor/control module1—
Electrical system: instrument cluster/panel1—
Electrical system: alternator/generator/regulator1—
Electrical system: wiring: fuses and circuit breakers1—
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system: radiator assembly1131,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline: belts and associated pulleys183,712 mi
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system1135,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: emission control: catalytic convertor1120,439 mi
Equipment126,000 mi
Equipment: recreational vehicle/trailer1100,000 mi
Exterior lighting: hazard flashing warning lights1—
Exterior lighting: turn signal: flasher unit1—
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery1—
Fuel system, gasoline: fuel injection system1—
Fuel system, gasoline: fuel injection system: injectors1—
Fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly1—
Fuel system, other: storage: tank assembly: filling/charging1—
Fuel system, other: storage: tank assembly: pressure relief devices1—
Latches/locks/linkages: hood: latch1—
Power train: manual transmission1—
Seat belts: front: webbing1—
Seat belts: rear/other172,000 mi
Seats16,006 mi
Seats: front assembly: head restraint1—
Seats: front assembly: power adjust1—
Seats: front assembly: seat heater/cooler1—
Seats: mid/rear assembly1—
Service brakes195,000 mi
Service brakes, air: controls1—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: pads1—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: master cylinder1—
Service brakes, hydraulic: power assist: hydraulic: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings177,734 mi
Steering: steering wheel/handle bar1—
Steering: rack and pinion: pinion shaft1131,000 mi
Structure1—
Suspension: multiple axle1—
Suspension: rear1—
Vehicle speed control: cables1—
Vehicle speed control: linkages1—
Visibility/wiper1159,000 mi
Visibility: defroster/defogger/hvac system: heater core1—
Visibility: defroster/defogger/hvac system: windshield: electrical heating element1—
Visibility: rearview mirrors/devices: exterior1—
Visibility: rearview mirrors/devices: interior1—
Visibility: sun/moon roof assembly1—
Visibility: windshield wiper/washer: linkages1115,000 mi
Wheels1—
Wheels: lugs/nuts/bolts/studs1—

The 1997 model has about half as many complaints as this one. The 1999 model has roughly the same number of 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.