Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (power steering, steering column, rack and pinion).
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).
Tl* the contact owns a 1998 Pontiac Grand Prix. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the steering wheel seized, the vehicle overheated, and there was a burning odor. The failure recurred on various occasions. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 149,000.
There are a lot of recalls on my poniac Grand Prix se. They have affected the safety of myself and my child. The steering fluid leaks from the car after something was replaced on a recall a while back. Recently while I was in traffic my car stopped going and overheated a lot. This car always runs hot. It May have something to do with the most recent recall. But this car will no longer even start up. How do I find out if the recalls are responsible for my car breaking down on me? Also in the letter I received in the mail said to park my car and not drive it. Yet the didn't have the parts in to replace and fix the issue. Is there a way to be compensated for this. I need a reliable car and really wish I hadn't purchased one with so many issues.
Tl* the contact owns a 1998 Pontiac Grand Prix. Upon purchasing the vehicle, the contact replaced the power steering pump due to a steering failure. There were no warning indicators illuminated. An independent mechanic diagnosed the vehicle and informed the contact that the rack and pinion needed replacement. The manufacturer and dealer were not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was 168,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 1998 Pontiac Grand Prix. While driving at an unknown speed, excessive force was required when attempting to make a turn. The dealer stated that the vehicle was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 02V286000 (steering). The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 127,921.
While making a left turn onto a secondary road, speed at about 10-12 MPH, the steering wheel seemed to lock-up half way through the turn, I immediately slowed to 2-3 MPH and was able, with great difficulty, to turn the steering wheel enough to complete the turn. While steering to straighten the wheels the power steering appeared to return suddenly and caused the car to lunge to the right. The problem appeared to be inconsistent as it did not always "lock-up" while making the same turn except in the case of backing up (wheels turned to the right). Every day I leave work the same way. As soon as I attempt to go forward and steer to the left the power steering appears to fail. Suspecting that the problem was just a bad part that needed to be replaced I began searching the internet for parts. I found the safety recall notice at "autobuyguide.com". …
I have a problem that is exhibiting the exact behavior as outlined in GM recall no. 02049, NHTSA campaign id 02V286000. My steering is very difficult when making left hand turns only. The problem is intermittent. I found out about this recall through the internet - I didn't actually receive a recall notice in the mail. I went to somerset Pontiac in troy, michigan, to discuss the issue and they told me I missed the recall campaign because my car was actually built on November 23rd, 1997. The recall campaign was only for vehicles built between jan. 1, 1997 to oct. 31, 1997. My vehicle was built on nov. 23, 1997 - I missed the campaign by 23 days. The dealer told me there was nothing they could do. The vehicle is currently at a local repair shop having the steering rack replaced at my expense. …
1998 Pontiac Grand Prix rack and pinion problems that are identical to the description in the recall, but my VIN # was not one that was included...I've tried to resolve this with GM and the local Pontiac dealerships and to no avail I could not get them to even look at the car to inspect it to see if it had the same problems (retainer tabs were not crimped properly) because it was something that was internal and it would have to be replaced once it was opened and explored..that's what I gathered from talking to 2 different people at the 2 local Pontiac dealerships....and after reading the recall I have now learned that it could cause serious impact if this were to break while being driven..which when I took the car in approx. …
I received a recall letter,then I moved to a new residents 2wks. Later I parked my car in the driveway went into the house maybe 2-3 min I noticed flames coming out of the hood. I ran and got the water hose and put it out. I called the dealer they weren't aware of a recall I had to show proof letter. I faxed it then they towed the car to the dealers GMC was called they called the dealer .04-25-08 I called GMC stated since the car caught on fire they need to send fire investigator out. He came to the dealers took pictures and report and fedex it to GMC mich. Then they gave me another adjuster darlene clemens. On May 2nd I called GMC again I was given another adjuster why she wouldn't tell me just gave me the persons name jemeia price since then I been playing phone tag no one can help me I am without a car no loaner or any concern since my car is paid off. …
Was driving car when it became nearly impossible to steer the car to the left. Turning the car right worked normally. My repair shop determined that the pinion bearing on my rack and pinion unit had failed and requires replacement. After researching this problem on line, I found a recall was in effect for this problem. After contacting my local dealer to resolve this problem they stated that my VIN was not included in the recall, despite the failure matching the recall posted on the NHTSA website and GM's own description of the problem. I then called the zone representative for Pontiac to solve this problem and got the same VIN number story as the dealer gave me. It seems the scope of GM's recall is inadequate and needs to be corrected. My car is in the shop now awaiting a replacement GM unit. I have taken pictures of the failed unit, and it shows the failed parts.
April 18, 2003 recall 02049 was performed on my car at golden ponitac in reading, pa - 61,518 miles. Febuary 2004 noticed steering to the left was becoming more difficult. April 2004 I took car back to golden Pontiac and complained about the steering. They could not find any problems. Steering continued to get worse and I took car to john bailey Pontiac in buford, ga - 73,135 miles. They replaced the steering pump, steering gear and outer tie rods - $ 1139.58. I think when the recall was done they should have replaced the gear assembly per the recall notice. See other odi # 10057963 and 10083428. I think I should be reimbursed the above amount due to the recall not being performed in it's entirety. I have spent a total of $1606.69 on the car this summer!!!!
Related recalls
Steering › Rack and pinion
Certain passenger vehicles and Mini vans have lower pinion bearings in the power rack and pinion assembly in which the retainer tabs were not crimped properly. These and some other retainers used in vehicles assembled between January 1, 1996 and October 31, 1997, could fail and permit the ball bearings to escape.
Remedy: Dealers will install a new lower pinion bearing unless inspect of the existing bearing indicates that replacement of the gear assembly is necessary. Owner notification began January 24, 2003.
Steering complaints in other Grand Prix years
Frequently asked questions
How common are steering problems on the 1998 Pontiac Grand Prix?
NHTSA has 89 complaints about the steering of the 1998 Pontiac Grand Prix, 18% of the model year's 499 complaints. The component named most often is rack and pinion (51 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1998 Pontiac Grand Prix steering problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 02V-286 (rack and pinion, Nov 4, 2002). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 1998 Pontiac Grand Prix steering problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 97,000 miles, and 2% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 3 crashes, 4 fires and 0 injuries and 1 death to steering 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.