NHTSA — Electrical System Problems

10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 10
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
65,505 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

1998 Pontiac Grand Prix electrical problems

electrical problem

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1998 Pontiac Grand Prix Owner Comments

problem #18

Dec 212014

Grand Prix 6-cyl

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

1998 Pontiac Grand Prix. Consumer writes in regards to vehicle fire and recall notice repairs. The consumer stated since the fire, the ABS and temperature light illuminated, the traction light and electrical components stopped working.

- Wessington Springs, SD, USA

problem #17

Oct 142014

Grand Prix

  • miles
Takata recall I have several recalls that pertain to my vehicle. I was notified that it should not be driven until I receive notice when the service parts become available. I am wonder what my next step should be in resolving this matter since there are several recalls that apply. My vehicle is constantly leaking engine oil, fluids causing it to over heat. I was informed that it is part of GM recall 15757 among various others.

- Manhattan, KS, USA

problem #16

Apr 162014

Grand Prix

  • 107,000 miles
The contact owns a 1998 Pontiac Grand Prix. The contact stated that the key would remain stuck in the ignition switch without warning. The failure recurred multiple times. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed but not repaired. The details of the diagnostic testing results were not available. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 107,000.

- Pontiac, MI, USA

problem #15

Jan 092010

Grand Prix

  • 163,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Turned heater on and headlights went off. Not repaired yet

- Oelwein, IA, USA

problem #14

Sep 142003

Grand Prix

  • 26,000 miles
Reimbursement for taking care of the problem before the defect was conducted. 1998 Pontiac Grand Prix.

- Phillips Ranch, CA, USA

problem #13

Mar 022007

Grand Prix

  • 80,000 miles
My car burned up due to wires under hood.

- Clinton, LA, USA

problem #12

Nov 162008

Grand Prix

  • 129,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Drove to the store and home, parked my car and walked inside. Within 5 minutes neighbors reported my car was on fire. Fire dept. Came and put it out. Everything under the hood is burnt. I took the vehicle to the dealer in April for a recall repair, but it still caught fire. I have receipts.

- Phoenix, AZ, USA

problem #11

Feb 142007

Grand Prix 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 135,000 miles
- the contact owns a 1998 Pontiac Grand Prix. While backing the vehicle out of the driveway it became stuck in the snow. The contact left the vehicle, and 20 minutes later he heard a loud noise and saw flames coming from the engine. The contact stated he did not leave the vehicle running. The fire department came and extinguished the fire. The fire was contained to the engine compartment. The vehicle was destroyed. The failure and current mileage were 135,000. Updated 04/12/07.

- Sanbornville, NH, USA

problem #10

Sep 082006

Grand Prix 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 118,000 miles
Drove 15 minutes and parked the car and went inside the doctor's office. Within 10 minutes after shutting my car off engine compartment burst into flames. Fire near front top of the engine. Fire department deemed an electrical fire. Car is a total loss within 15 minutes.

- Lake In The Hills, IL, USA

problem #9

Jun 242006

Grand Prix 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 94,339 miles
: the contact stated while at a gas station the vehicle caught on fire without warning. The fire department extinguished the fire and determined the fire was confined to the engine area. A report was filed by the fire department. The vehicle was deemed totaled and towed to an independent repair shop where it remains. The manufacturer has been alerted.

- Winter Haven, FL, USA

problem #8

Sep 012004

Grand Prix 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

An electrical issue caused the vehicle to catch on fire.

- Royal Oak, MI, USA

problem #7

Mar 042004

Grand Prix

  • Automatic transmission
  • 87,000 miles
Engine failed suddenly on I-55 near Chicago at rush hour.I was able to pull off and get the car towed 160 miles to champaign. We were told of an electrical circuit failure by the dealer, who has always been helpful. The car has been regularly maintained but the dealer said such problems "just happen". this suggests a design flaw. If we had not been able to pull over there would have been a multiple car accident and probably several fatalities. A part that controls such critical functions should have a warning signal and a backup. I contacted GM and had an extended email exchange but they were quite unresponsive.

- Champaign, IL, USA

problem #6

Mar 302004

Grand Prix 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 68,500 miles
Vehicle stalled and would not start without warning on rainy night. Vehicle had to be towed away. Problem diagnosed as cracked fuel pump resistor located on frame rail. Part replaced with kit relocating resistor from frame to under hood. Extensive labor charges involved.

- Rocky Point, NY, USA

problem #5

Jan 142004

Grand Prix

  • Automatic transmission
  • 90,000 miles
Within seconds of parking the vehicle, the engine compartment caught of fire. The dealership indicated it was due to a short in the electrical system.

- Tulsa, OK, USA

problem #4

Jul 012003

Grand Prix

  • Automatic transmission
  • 69,244 miles
When shutting the car off the key gets stuck in the ignition. When I put the car in park if I don't hear a click, I know the key is going to be stuck in the ignition. I have to back up and down the driveway and pop the steering wheel up and down several times and then the key will come out. And if it chooses to not come out no matter what I do it locks the whole car up and the remote keyless entry will not work and it drains the battery. Also the driver side window switch has shorted out causing a slight shock. I have had to replace the alternator, and have had problems with the traction control light coming on for no reason. Passenger side headlight lens popped out and made the bulb burst. Very costly to have replaced. I have called 2 Pontiac dealers about the ignition and all the tell me is that it's going to run me around $800 to have a new ignition installed. And another $600 to have the wiring repaired or replaced for the window switch. The alternator was $500. Head lamp was $75. And I have had to have 3 complete brake jobs done on the car in 2 years.

- Maumee, OH, USA

problem #3

Dec 302002

Grand Prix 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 12,000 miles
The 1998 Grand Prix GT was sitting in the driveway, the vehicle had not been driven for over 24 hours, a fire started in the dash of the car

- Hamburg, NY, USA

problem #2

Apr 012002

Grand Prix

  • miles
Consumer states that when turning on the air conditioner the headlights and other lights in the vehicle have gone out. Nlm

- Vero Beach, FL, USA

problem #1

Jul 141998

Grand Prix

  • miles
While driving coming off an exit at 15 mph vehicle burst into flames. Fire department indicated problem was electrical.

- Chicago, IL, USA

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