Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (headlights, tail lights, turn signals, interior lights).
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).
Service engine problems from the beginning. Almost every exhaust-related component was replaced before a new computer cut down on the problem. I still had an episode or two after that installation, but have had no episodes in two years now. Airbag light came on shortly after warranty expired, but I knew about the technical service bulletin on that one and it was fixed for free. Driver side window button died a few months after purchase, but it was replaced free under warranty. More recently two windows have stopped working when the weather is warm. I am living with my power window problems because I don't want to pay to have two motors replaced. No winter problems in the winter. Most recently my lens cover on the right headlight fell off. It cost me over $100 for an aftermarket replacement and home installation, but GM was going to charge me $250 plus labor.
The exterior lighting lenses of the headlight have fallen out and have broken from the headlight. He states that the vehicle produces projectiles as well. He states that he has contacted the manufacturer and filed a complaint and they have not offered any assistance to him (71532337325-GM complaint case number).he states that there about 20 people that have reported this issue to general motors. He states that when he took the vehicle to the dealer, they stated that there is corrosion on the chrome of the seal of the headlight. According to the contact, the service manager stated that this was a cosmetic concern and that there is nothing that they could do. The failure mileage is 58,000 and the current mileage is 103,000.--ds updated 09/18/07
My 1998 Pontiac Grand Prix has the same windshield wiper parking problems as the 1997 were recalled for. They park in the middle of the windshield, causing restricted vision when driving. GM acknowledges that the 1997's were recalled for the same problem, but they will not fix the 1998's, and we have had to have them fixed twice. Also two headlight lenses have popped out, causing the headlights to burn out, leaving us unexpectedly with no lights at night.
Headlights on 98 Grand Prix gt are fogging up and getting moisture inside the protective cover and reducing the light the headlight is sending out. This is making night time driving very difficult and dangerous. Noone has been injuried yet and the number of failures is daily because the lamps never clear up. Happened after warranty expired and should not be placed on the owner to fix, because this is a fault caused by the failure of parts.
Right side headlight lens separation. Left side lens has water inside of it. This is a known problem by GM, but GM refuses to address it. They have even mfg'd a new part that, in theory, does not have this problem. This should be recalled, as the expense in repairing it is roughly 150$ in parts alone. In addition, this problem can (and did in my case) cause the halogen bulb to explode from water impacting it.
Consumer walked out to start vehicle and noticed the drivers side lense that covers headlight had fallen off vehicle. Consumer stated when water would get inside head light, it would short out, which would cause vehicle to have no lights, the headlight assembly was replaced at owners expense.ts
Plastic headlamp cover keeps falling off,there is a waiting list for the part through junk yards and body shops. The cover fell off while in traffic causing a flat tire, vehicle began to spin and ended up in a ditch, front bumper and tire had to be replaced.
1998 Pontiac Grand Prix headlamp failures caused by defective covers. Bad glue - dealer playing dumb, but the web has hundreds of complaints. GM's daylight running lamps and headlamps are part of the car's critical safety system. NHTSA should issue a safety recall.
Pontiac Grand Prix's and Buick regals have a problem with the headlamp capsules falling apart and moisture getting inside and condensing on the inside of the front cover. I know of several owners affected, in fact at the time of this submission the list was up to 45 people long from just the club Grand Prix message board. Since this list has continued to grow since I asked for those with this problem, you can check out an updated list at: http://newforum.clubgp.com/ubb/clubgp/forum1/html/010969.html. GM/Pontiac has known about this problem and have even changed the design/sealant on the new headlight to prevent this from occurring. Yet, they refuse to issue a recall and fix the potential problem on the majority of the cars out there. …
I was driving on a highway when the driver's side headlight cover flew off. I was lucky to have been driving during daylight hours because if the headlights had gone out at night I would have been driving on an unlit country highway with no way to see. When I contacted two auto body shops in the area, I was told they had had 2-3 complaints of the same problem hapening with Pontiac vehicles. There appears to be a problem the sealant not sealing properly and the cover flies off with no warning. The passenger side headlight has condensation in the inside and I fear the same thing will happen again and I May not be so lucky to be driving during the day. I contatced GM and they refuse to pay for headlamp-stating they are not aware of problem. I explained I have heard of 2-3 incidents in less than month in a town with a population of 8,000. …
Headlight complaints in other Grand Prix years
Frequently asked questions
How common are headlight problems on the 1998 Pontiac Grand Prix?
NHTSA has 92 complaints about the lights of the 1998 Pontiac Grand Prix, 18% of the model year's 499 complaints. The component named most often is headlights (74 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1998 Pontiac Grand Prix headlight problems?
No. NHTSA lists no lights 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 headlight problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 58,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 0 fires and 0 injuries to lights 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.