FaultScore

1998 Pontiac Grand Prix brake problems

40 of the 618 complaints about the 1998 Pontiac Grand Prix are about the braking system — 6% of everything reported for this model year. Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before 77,734 miles.

A

40

Complaints

1

Crashes

0

Fires

1

Injuries

Exactly what failed

Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip 22 55.0%
Foundation Components 6 15.0%
Service Brakes, Hydraulic 3 7.5%
Pedals AND Linkages 2 5.0%
Disc 2 5.0%
Master Cylinder 1 2.5%
Pads 1 2.5%
Hoses, Lines/Piping, AND Fittings 1 2.5%
Controls 1 2.5%
Service Brakes 1 2.5%

Brakes across every Pontiac Grand Prix year

1988 64 7.0%
1989 85 9.2%
1990 121 13.2%
1991 94 10.2%
1992 48 5.2%
1993 73 7.9%
1994 53 5.8%
1995 51 5.5%
1996 19 2.1%
1997 61 6.6%
1998 40 4.4%
1999 19 2.1%
2000 33 3.6%
2001 13 1.4%
2002 28 3.0%
2004 55 6.0%
2005 16 1.7%
2006 24 2.6%
2007 10 1.1%
2008 12 1.3%

What owners said

Filed with NHTSA, in their own words.

at 95,000 miles Eldersburg, MD

SERVICE BRAKES

TRAVELING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH DOWN A DUAL LANE (EACH WAY) HEAVILY TRAVELED ROAD WHEN I ATTEMPTED TO STOP THE CAR & THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR. AFTER I WAS ABLE TO STOP, I DISCOVERED BRAKE FLUID WAS DRIPPING FROM THE UNDERSIDE OF THE AUTOMOBILE WHERE THE BRAKE LINE HAD APPARENTLY RUPTURED. FRONT BRAKE LINE CONNECTORS & REAR LINE WAS REPLACED AT A COST OF $900 BY A PROFESSIONAL MECHANIC AT A LOCAL GARAGE.

NHTSA complaint #10639899 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 77,734 miles West Chester, PA

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:POWER ASSIST:HYDRAULIC:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS

STEEL BRAKE LINE CORROSION RESULTED IN ROTTED THROUGH STEEL BRAKE LINE AND LOSS OF FLUID RESULTING IN LOST OF BRAKE FUNCTION. THE ULTIMATE SAFETY IN STOPPING A VEHICLE DEPENDS ON HYDRAULIC BRAKE LINES THAT WILL LAST.

NHTSA complaint #10198805 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Bascom, OH

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP

CONSUMER WAS TRAVELING 65 MPH APPLIED THE BRAKES AND THE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR. THEN, VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED UNCONTROLLABLY. VEHICLE CONTINUED TO SPEED. CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE BY PULLING THE EMERGENCY BRAKE IN ORDER TO STOP. TOOK VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION, AND MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE PROBLEM COULD NOT BE DUPLICATED.

NHTSA complaint #10100003 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Irving, TX

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS

WHILE DRIVING CONSUMER HEARD A LOUD CLANKING NOISE. BRAKES DROPPED AN INCH. THE SHAFT THAT WENT FROM THE PEDAL TO THE BOOSTER BROKE IN HALF. THE STEEL SLEEVE THAT ENCASED THE BOOSTER WAS SHATTERED.

NHTSA complaint #10092661 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Staten Island, NY

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

BACK IN MAY OF 2003 I NOTICED WATER IN THE PASSENGER SIDE OF CAR IN THE WELL. I THOUGHT IT WAS A LEAK IN THE WINSHIELD BECAUSE I HAD ANOTHER CAR THAT HAD A LEAK AND IT WAS THE WINSHIELD. THE AUTOGLASS DEALER TOLD ME IT WAS THE VENT SYSTEM AND NOT THE WINSHIELD. SINCE THEN, THE AIR CONDITIONING HAS JUST STOPPED WORKING. I AM ABOUT TO TAKE THE CAR TO THE DEALER BUT I DON'T KNOW IF IT IS WORTH THE COST OF FIXING, DO YOU HAVE ANY ADVICE?

NHTSA complaint #10070638 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Staten Island, NY

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:PEDALS AND LINKAGES

IGNITION KEY OCCASIONALLY (SOMETIMES FOR FEW MINUTES,SOMETIMES FOR DAYS) GETS STUCK IN THE IGNITION LOCK IN A SLIGHTLY TURNED POSITION. I'VE HAD THIS PROBLEM SINCE 2002. ONE REPAIR SHOP SUGGESTED THAT THERE MAY BE A PROBLEM WITH SHIFTER - BRAKE PEDAL - IGNITION LOCK, BUT DECIDED NOT TO TOUCH IT.

NHTSA complaint #10045679 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 69,244 miles Maumee, OH

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

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 $800.00 TO HAVE A NEW IGNITION INSTALLED. AND ANOTHER $600.00 TO HAVE THE WIRING REPAIRED OR REPLACED FOR THE WINDOW SWITCH. THE ALTERNATOR WAS $500.00. HEAD LAMP WAS $75.00. AND I HAVE HAD TO HAVE 3 COMPLETE BRAKE JOBS DONE ON THE CAR IN 2 YEARS.

NHTSA complaint #10028760 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Santa ANA, CA

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS

THE BRAKES ARE EMMITTING A SQUEAKING NOISE.

NHTSA complaint #568045 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Canton, OH

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC

WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE AT ANY SPEED APPLIED BRAKES AND WITHOUT WARNING VEHICLE WOULD VIBRATE VIOLENTLY.*AK THE FRONT BRAKES FAILED CAUSING THE STEERING WHEEL TO SHUDDER. THE FRONT PADS WERE WARPED AND WERE GRIPPING UNEVENLY, ALSO THE RIGHT AND LEFT ROTORS HAD METAL FLAKE.

NHTSA complaint #8012613 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Schnecksville, PA

SERVICE BRAKES, AIR:CONTROLS

A CHECK FOR TRANSMISSION FLUID LEAK, BOLTS LOOSE ON PAN TIGHTEN AND TOP OFF, PAN AND/OR GASKET TRANSAXLE OIL REPLACED. POPPING NOICE WHEN BRAKING NOW CRUNCHING NOISE. BRAKE PEDAL BUSHING NOISEY, BLOWER MOTOR NOISEY. R&R OR REPLACE PEDAL AND/OR BUSHING, BRAKE, MOTOR AND/OR FAN. VEHICLE WILL NOT START AND BATTERY IS LEAKING, DUE TO CRACKING, REPLACE. PASS HEADLAMP FILLS WITH WATER, IMPROPERLY SEALED.

NHTSA complaint #9002803 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Allen Park, MI

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP

CONSUMER ACCELERATED TO PASS A CAR AND THROTTLE STUCK OPEN, CONSUMER WAS UNABLE TO GET IT TO RELEASE, THE BRAKES WERE BURNED WHILE ATTEMPTING TO STOP VEHICLE, PONTIAC WOULD NOT FIX VEHICLE UNTIL A SATISFACTORY REASON FOR THE THROTTLE STICKING WAS FOUND. *SLC

NHTSA complaint #883283 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Schnecksvi, PA

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:PEDALS AND LINKAGES

THE BRAKE PEDAL BUSHING MADE A POPPING NOISE UPON BRAKE APPLICATION. NLM

NHTSA complaint #559881 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Richmond, KY

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC

WHILE DRIVING ON INTERSTATE AT 70MPH STEERING WHEEL STARTED SHAKING FROM SIDE TO SIDE, THEN IT WOULD STOP. TOOK TO MECHANIC, AND THEY HAD TO REPLACE BRAKING SYSTEM.

NHTSA complaint #876732 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Stedman, NC

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP

PULLING OUT OF DRY CONCRETE DRIVEWAY AT APPROXIMATELY 8-10 MPH ,APPLIED BRAKES TO MAKE A STOP AT A MERGING HIGHWAY, AND VEHICLE MADE GRINDING NOISE AND DID NOT STOP.

NHTSA complaint #867735 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Spring, TX

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP

BRAKES FAIL TO WORK EFFECTIVELY IN RAINY WEATHER. YOU HAVE TO "STAND" ON THE BRAKES TO GET THE VEHICLE TO STOP. YOU HAVE TO ANTICIPATE YOUR STOP SO YOU CAN BEGIN BRAKING VERY EARLY. CAN CAUSE A PROBLEM AT INTERSECTIONS.

NHTSA complaint #722479 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Cumberland, RI

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP

TRANSMISSION AND BRAKING PROBLEMS COULD CAUSE ACCIDENT & SHOULD BE RECALLED.

NHTSA complaint #719810 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Houston, TX

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP

IN WET CONDITIONS VEHICLE IS HARD TO STOP. BRAKES FEEL OKAY, AND SHOW NO SIGN OF A PROBLEM WHEN APPLYING THEM. CONSUMER WILL BE TAKING VEHICLETO THE DEALER TO HAVE IT LOOKED AT.

NHTSA complaint #855265 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Jackson, GA

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP

PUSHING ON BRAKES AS HARD AS I COULD SLOWED THE CAR VERY LITTLE DURING RAIN, UNTIL I GOT DOWN TO A LOW RATE OF SPEED, THEN THEY SUDDENLY GRABBED HARD. PAINT HAS COME OFF OR THE TOP COAT SPIDERED IN 4 LOCATIONS, DEALER SAYS IT IS ENVIROMENTAL. I KNOW SOMONE WITH THE SAME CAR AND COLOR IN MY AREA WITH NO PROBLEMS. I THINK I HAVE A CAR WITH DEFECTIVE PAINT. (DARK GREEN)

NHTSA complaint #715588 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Grafton, WI

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP

WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES THE VEHICLE MAKES A LOUD GRINDING/HOWLING NOISE. DEALER SAYS IT'S A PROBLEM WITH THE BRAKE PADS. PROBLEM STILL EXISTS.

NHTSA complaint #849130 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Grafton, WI

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:PADS

WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES THE VEHICLE MAKES A LOUD GRINDING/HOWLING NOISE. DEALER SAYS IT'S A PROBLEM WITH THE BRAKE PADS. PROBLEM STILL EXISTS.

NHTSA complaint #849130 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Kulpsville, PA

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP

UNDER WET CONDITIONS WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS APPLIED THE PEDAL FELT NORMAL, BUT THE BRAKES DID NOT REACT. VEHICLE JUST KEPT ROLLING THROUGH AN INTERSECTION. TO STOP THE VEHICLE HAD TO BE SLOWED DOWN BY LETTING THE VEHICLE CRUISE. THIS CONDITION IS PRESENT ONLY IN WET RAINY CONDITIONS. DEALER HAD BEEN CONTACTED.

NHTSA complaint #846936 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Unknown, UN

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS

BRAKES NOISY WHEN STOPPING.

NHTSA complaint #546144 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Perry, MI 1 injured

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP

ANTI-LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM FAILED ON THREE OCCASIONS, ON ONE INCIDENT VEHICLE EXPERIENCED BRAKE FAILURE WHICH CAUSED A COLLISION DAMAGING THE REAR BUMPER, RESULTING IN INJURY.

NHTSA complaint #547302 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Richmond, VA Crash

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP

NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE.

NHTSA complaint #708804 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Morristown, IN

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS

UNDER WET CONDITIONS, BRAKES FAIL TO RESPOND FOR SEVERAL SECONDS.

NHTSA complaint #708426 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Morristown, IN

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS

UNDER WET CONDITIONS, BRAKES FAIL TO RESPOND FOR SEVERAL SECONDS.

NHTSA complaint #708426 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Morristown, IN

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS

UNDER WET CONDITIONS, BRAKES FAIL TO RESPOND FOR SEVERAL SECONDS.

NHTSA complaint #708426 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Chapmanville, WV

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP

BRAKE FAIL AT ANY SPEED WHILE DRIVING IN RAINY CONDITIONS. PEDAL IS VERY HARD. VEHICLE SLOWS VERY SLOWLY. HAVE ENTERED SEVERAL INTERSECTIONS, AND HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO STO, DUE TO BRAKE PROBLEMS.

NHTSA complaint #705421 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Florham Park, NJ

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP

BRAKES DO NOT OPERATE PROPERLY WHEN IT RAINS. EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE OCCURS AT ANY SPEED. DEALER NOT AWARE OF PROBLEM. PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION.

NHTSA complaint #836589 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Budd Lake, NJ

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP

BRAKES DO NOT WORK ON WET ROADS OR WHILE IT IS RAINING.

NHTSA complaint #702971 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Other 1998 Pontiac Grand Prix problems

← Full 1998 Pontiac Grand Prix report