Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (service brakes, ABS, rotors and pads, parking brake).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 1998 Pontiac Grand Prix owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
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. …
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.
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.
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?
At approx. 9200 miles a sudden increase in the braking distance and the pedal effort required to stp. When taking the vehicle in for scheduled maintenance at 9510 miles a noise in the front end was noticed that increased when turning. The noise was traced to the left front hub which was replaced. The brakes were said to be in specification although no quantifiable measurements were taken. The issue remains unresolved.
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.
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)
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.
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.
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.
Brake complaints in other Grand Prix years
Frequently asked questions
How common are brake problems on the 1998 Pontiac Grand Prix?
NHTSA has 36 complaints about the brakes of the 1998 Pontiac Grand Prix, 7% of the model year's 499 complaints. The component named most often is antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip (22 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1998 Pontiac Grand Prix brake problems?
No. NHTSA lists no brakes recall for the 1998 Pontiac Grand Prix, though it has 4 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 1998 Pontiac Grand Prix brake problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 78,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 0 fires and 1 injury to brakes problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.