Problems · by component

1998 Pontiac Grand Prix engine problems

33 owner complaints to NHTSA about the 1998 Pontiac Grand Prix cite engine, 7% of all 499 complaints for this model year.

Complaints
33
7% of all complaints
Crashes
0
Reported by owners
Fires
11
Reported by owners
Injuries
0
Reported by owners
01 —Owner reports

What owners say about the engine

Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first
“I have a problem I drop my car off at the Chevy dealership to get a recall done and they only did one value cover when there are two value cover both was leaking so why only one got change that don't make any since when both value cover leaks oil too cause a fire just like the recalls says it will do so something need too get done because if my car caught fire then I'm sueing y'all for it because y'all made the recalls”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled May 26, 2023EngineODI 11523933
“The contact owns a 1998 Pontiac Grand Prix. The contact stated that he noticed oil spots on the ground underneath the vehicle. The contact then stated that upon inspection, he checked under the vehicle and noticed that oil was leaking from the valve cover gasket. No warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The dealer was not notified of the failure. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and the contact was informed that a recall for the failure had been previously performed on the vehicle. The failure mileage was approximately 61,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 15, 2022EngineODI 11484566
“CAR CAUGHT FIRE IN MY DRIVEWAY AND WAS DESTROYED ON 04/05/2016, ENGINE FIRE. MY DRIVEWAY WAS FRIED, IMPRINT OF CAR STILL THERE. I FILED A CLAIM WITH GM LAST YEAR.,HAVE NOT HEARD A THING SINCE. VEHICLE LOSS WAS $2800 DRIVEWAY REPAIR IS $3200”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled May 30, 2017Structure, Engine, Fuel/propulsion systemFire reportedODI 10992204
“RETURNED TO WORK FROM LUNCH WENT INSIDE STARTED BACK TO WORK WITH IN 10 MINUTES CO WORKERS WAS TELLING ME MY CAR WAS ON FIRE FIRE DEPARTMENT ARRIVED MINUTES LATER PUT THE FIRE OUT FIRE DEPARTMENT SAID FIRE STARTED IN FRONT PART OF ENGINE COMPARTMENT I BELIEVE IT WAS CAUSED BY THE RECALL ON MY VEHICLE THAT WAS NEVER COMPLETED.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled May 22, 2017EngineFire reportedODI 10991066
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 1998 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX. AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN 50 MILES, IT SUDDENLY CAUGHT FIRE SOON AFTER BEING PARKED. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CALLED AND THE FIRE WAS EXTINGUISHED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AND TOWED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTIFICATION AFTER THE FIRE OCCURRED FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 08V118000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jan 3, 2017EngineFire reportedODI 10939305
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 1998 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX. WHILE DRIVING 67 MPH, THE VEHICLE SHOOK VIOLENTLY. THE CONTACT COASTED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND NOTICED FLAMES UNDER THE HOOD. THE VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE, WHICH WAS EXTINGUISHED BY THE CONTACT. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AND TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THERE WERE NO INJURIES AND A REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE VIN WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 09V116000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 167,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 23, 2016EngineFire reportedODI 10909367

Showing 6 of 33 reports. Read every report on NHTSA.gov.

Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 9, 2026NHTSA vehicle page

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.