NHTSA lists 8 safety recalls and 499 owner complaints for the 1998 Pontiac Grand Prix. Most complaints involve steering (88) and engine and engine cooling (87). The EPA rates it 19–21 mpg combined.
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.
DOPE, INC. IS RECALLING 42,540 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.
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.
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.
Complaints for each Grand Prix model year we’ve synced.
| Model year | NHTSA complaints |
|---|---|
| 1996 | 79 |
| 1997 | 820 |
| 1998 | 499 |
| 1999 | 412 |
| 2000 | 461 |
| 2001 | 319 |
| 2002 | 340 |
| 2003 | 119 |
| 2004 | 454 |
| 2005 | 148 |
| 2006 | 239 |
| 2007 | 220 |
| 2008 | 143 |
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX. UPON PURCHASING THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT REPLACED THE POWER STEERING PUMP DUE TO A STEERING FAILURE. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC DIAGNOSED THE VEHICLE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE RACK AND PINION NEEDED REPLACEMENT. THE MANUFACTURER AND DEALER WERE NOT INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 168,000. *TR *TR”
“1998 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO VEHICLE FIRE AND RECALL NOTICE REPAIRS. *LD THE CONSUMER STATED SINCE THE FIRE, THE ABS AND TEMPERATURE LIGHT ILLUMINATED, THE TRACTION LIGHT AND ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS STOPPED WORKING.”
“THE EXTERIOR LIGHTING LENSES OF THE HEADLIGHT HAVE FALLEN OUT AND HAVE BROKEN FROM THE HEADLIGHT. HE STATES THAT THE VEHICLE PRODUCES PROJECTILES AS WELL. HE STATES THAT HE HAS CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER AND FILED A COMPLAINT AND THEY HAVE NOT OFFERED ANY ASSISTANCE TO HIM (71532337325-GM COMPLAINT CASE NUMBER).HE STATES THAT THERE ABOUT 20 PEOPLE THAT HAVE REPORTED THIS ISSUE TO GENERAL MOTORS. HE STATES THAT WHEN HE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER, THEY STATED THAT THERE IS CORROSION ON THE CHROME OF THE SEAL OF THE HEADLIGHT. ACCORDING TO THE CONTACT, THE SERVICE MANAGER STATED THAT THIS WAS A COSMETIC CONCERN AND THAT THERE IS NOTHING THAT THEY COULD DO. THE FAILURE MILEAGE IS 58,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 103,000.--DS UPDATED 09/18/07 *TR”
Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.
| Version | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Grand Prix Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 3.1 L · Front-Wheel Drive | 17 | 27 | 21 | $2,950 | 423 |
| Grand Prix Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 3.8 L · Front-Wheel Drive | 17 | 27 | 21 | $2,950 | 423 |
| Grand Prix Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 3.8 L, Turbo, Sup Charg · Front-Wheel Drive | 16 | 25 | 19 | $3,300 | 468 |
| Item | Miles | Time | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine oil & filter | 5,000–10,000 mi | 6–12 months | Follow the oil-life monitor if fitted |
| Tire rotation | 5,000–7,500 mi | Every oil change | Check pressure monthly |
| Engine air filter | 15,000–30,000 mi | 1–2 years | Sooner in dusty areas |
| Cabin air filter | 15,000–25,000 mi | 1–2 years | |
| Brake fluid | — | 2–3 years | Absorbs moisture over time |
| Coolant | 60,000–100,000 mi | 5–10 years | Long-life coolants last longer |
| Spark plugs | 60,000–100,000 mi | — | Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end |
| 12V battery | — | 3–5 years | Heat shortens battery life |
8 safety recalls as of Nov 9, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.
Owners filed 499 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are steering (88), engine and engine cooling (87), exterior lighting (87). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.
The EPA rates the 1998 Pontiac Grand Prix at 19–21 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (3 versions rated).