Looking at a Specific 1998 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX SE?
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Safety and Reliability Ratings > 1998 > Pontiac > GRAND PRIX

1998 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX SE
Sedan 4 DR
Front wheel drive


CARFAX has collected the industry's leading used car safety and reliability ratings into one, convenient report. With this report, you'll know the safety and reliability of your next used car. All information presented in this report is specific to the 1998 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX SE. Please view the CARFAX Vehicle History Report for the detailed history of a specific used PONTIAC.

 

CARFAX Safety Section One  Safety:

This information will help you select a vehicle model that meets your expectations for safety and security.

CARFAX Safety Section Two  Reliability:

Use this information to check how reliable a vehicle model is before you buy.


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NHTSA Crash Test Results National Highway Traffic and Safety Administration
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The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) did not test this vehicle model.

Frontal Crash: Rating:   NHTSA Five Star Legend
Driver Not tested by NHTSA
Passenger Not tested by NHTSA
Side Crash: Rating:
Front Seat Not tested by NHTSA
Rear Seat Not tested by NHTSA
Rollover Resistance: Rating:
Rollover Resistance Not tested by NHTSA

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) provides 3 different ratings - full-width frontal crash test , side impact crash test , and rollover resistance . The frontal crash test indicates how well the safety features and restraints will protect an occupant in a head-on collision. The side-impact test conveys the chance of a severe chest injury, while the rollover resistance rating estimates the risk of rolling over in a single vehicle crash.


IIHS Crash Test Results Highway Loss Data Institute
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IIHS Crash Test Results for the 1998 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX SE are not available in CARFAX Safety & Reliability Ratings.




Low-Speed Damage Repair Highway Loss Data Institute
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Front Crash Description: Front Crash Cost:
Front into flat barrier   Not tested by IIHS
Front into angle barrier   Not tested by IIHS
Rear Crash Description: Rear Crash Cost:
Rear into flat barrier   Not tested by IIHS
Rear into pole   Not tested by IIHS
Average Damage Per Test   Not tested by IIHS

Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) conducts four 5 mph crash tests to assess bumper performance. These results convey how well this 1998 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX SE bumpers will protect the car body from damage in low-speed collisions. Low-speed damage repair costs are obtained from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, Highway Loss Data Institute.


Injury, Collision, & Theft Indicators Highway Loss Data Institute
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Index: Score: Rating:
Injury Index 71 Better than average
Collision Index 77 Better than average
Theft Index 65 Average


These scores are stated in relative terms, with 100 being the average for all cars in each category. Scores greater than 100 represent higher risk in each category. For example, an injury indicator score of 122 means that a passenger in this model is 22% more likely to be injured in an accident. The injury, collision, and theft indicators for this 1998 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX SE are provided by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, Highway Loss Data Institute. Learn more about these results.



Safety Recalls
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NHTSA Safety Recalls:
Important: The following recalls were issued for the 1998 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX SE by the National Highway Traffic and Safety Administration (NHTSA). To find out if a specific 1998 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX SE still has open recalls that require repair, CARFAX recommends contacting an authorized dealership for more information.

Recall date: Not reported
Units potentially affected: 1,159,156
NHTSA campaign number: 02V286000
Defective part or component: STEERING:GEAR:RACK AND PINION
Description: 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. If this occurs, the pinion shaft can be forced upward during left turns and back down as the steering wheel is moved back and to the right. If the pinion shaft moves further, the driver will need to exert more effort to turn the steering wheel, similar to a vehicle without power assisted steering. If the pinion shaft moves even further, the driver will require much higher effort to turn left and may not be able to turn the wheel as much as intended. With the maximum pinion shaft movement, which requires internal gear component damage, the driver can encounter high resistance to turning left, followed by unintended power assist to the right. In either of these conditions, a crash could occur. 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 is expected to begin during January 2003. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact Chevrolet at 1-800-222-1020, Pontiac at 1-800-762-2737, or Oldsmobile at 1-800-442-6537.


This 1998 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX SE safety recall information was provided by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, Highway Data Loss Institute and is derived from the National Highway Traffic and Safety Administration list of safety recalls. Please call the National Highway Traffic and Safety Administration Auto Safety Hotline at 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236) to report safety defects or to obtain information on cars, trucks, child seats, and highway or traffic safety. CARFAX does not review, validate or edit the information and statements provided by the National Highway Traffic and Saftey Administration, which do not represent the opinion of CARFAX.



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J.D. Power Ratings
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Ownership: Rating:
Initial Ratings (up to 1 year)  
Overall Quality No data from source
  Mechanical Quality Rating 3 of 5
  Feature and Accessory Quality Rating 4 of 5
  Body and Interior Quality Rating 2 of 5
Overall Appeal No data from source
  Performance Rating 4 of 5
  Comfort Rating 4 of 5
  Feature and Instrument Panel No data from source
  Style Rating 4 of 5
Midterm Ratings (1-3 Years)  
  Mechanical Reliability No data from source
  Feature and Accessory Reliability No data from source
  Body and Interior Reliability No data from source
Long Term Ratings (3-5 Years)  
Overall Dependability No data from source
  Mechanical Dependability No data from source
  Feature and Accessory Dependability No data from source
  Body and Interior Dependability No data from source

J.D. Power and Associates uses selected highlights from the firm's quality and customer satisfaction syndicated studies to create the Power Ratings at the model-level. These ratings and awards are based on model rankings within each vehicle segment, whereas Power Circle Ratings compare all models across segments.

All information provided by J.D. Power and Associates is proprietary information owned by J.D. Power and Associates and is protected by U.S. and international copyright law and conventions. Reproduction of this information, in whole or in part, by any means is prohibited without the express written consent of J.D. Power and Associates, other than printing copies of the JDPA content by site visitors for their personal use. J.D. Power and Associates® is a registered trademark of J.D. Power and Associates.



Identifix Reliability Ratings
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Category: Comments: Rating:
Engine No data from source
Transmission & Driveline No data from source
Steering & Suspension No data from source
Brakes No data from source
Heating & Air Conditioning No data from source
Starting & Charging No data from source
Accessories No data from source
Identifix Legend


This 1998 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX reliability information was provided by Identifix. Identifix is the nation's largest technical support service for the aftermarket auto repair industry. CARFAX does not review, validate or edit the information and statements provided by Identifix, which do not represent the opinion of CARFAX.



Original Manufacturer Warranty
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Coverage: Years/Mileage:
Basic 3 years or 36,000 miles  
Drivetrain 3 years or 36,000 miles  
Emissions 2 years or 24,000 miles  
Corrosion 6 years or 100,000 miles  
Transferable Transferable: not cost, unlimited owners covered.  
Roadside Assistance Roadside assistance is covered for 3 years or 36,000 miles.  
Safety Belt & Inflatable Restraint No data from source  
Specific Components 8 years or 80,000 miles  
Notes: Manufacturer covers emissions components under basic warranty. Emissions coverage may vary by state. Refer to owners manual for specific details. Transferable: not cost, unlimited owners covered. Alignment and wheel balancing are considered maintenance after 7,500 miles. Basic warranty includes surface corrosion, batteries, adjustments, alternate transportation, roadside assistance, and tires. Roadside assistance is covered for 3 years or 36,000 miles.  

This 1998 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX SE warranty information has been provided by J&L Warranty Pros.


New Car Test Drive Review
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Category: Review:
Summary:

Red-white-and-blue star-spangled sports sedan.
By Don Fuller, NewCarTestDrive.com

Pontiac's new Grand Prix offers an attractive alternative to buyers who want a four-door sedan, but want leading edge coupe-like styling. It's an eye-catching car among a relatively conservative-looking crowd of sedans. It's roomy and comfortable inside and boasts an excellent instrument panel. The GT model delivers a strong performance with its powerful 3800 Series II V6 and sports suspension. It offers an excellent value, particularly in terms of performance. Pontiac's Wide Track is back and we're glad to see it.

Overview:

The Pontiac Grand Prix seems to satisfy all the check points on the list of what an American sports sedan should be: Performance, roominess, comfort, handling, features and a certain swagger to its stance. Best of all, the Grand Prix won't hammer a budget to smithereens.

In many ways, the Grand Prix rises above the mainstream. It has a muscular, competent and aggressive look that attracts assertive personalities without intimidating others. It's an eye-catcher from front to rear. The Grand Prix was originally designed as a coupe, then the sedan was derived from that. So the coupe and sedan share the roof panel and rear window. This design gives the coupe the room of a sedan, and the sedan the grace of a coupe.

The latest-generation Grand Prix marked a return to that old, familiar Pontiac "Wide Track" theme. Compared to most other sedans, the Grand Prix has a significantly wider track width and the fenders have been noticeably flared to cover the tires. That wide track contributes to superior handling, and the flared fenders add to the aggressive look. Overall, the Grand Prix offers sedan buyers a stylish alternative to conservative-looking sedans.

Read the complete 1998 Pontiac Grand Prix review

© 2002 NewCarTestDrive.com

CARFAX does not review, validate or edit the information and statements provided by NewCarTestDrive.com, which do not represent the opinion of CARFAX.



Awards
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View awardees recognized by Kelley Blue Book, Edmunds.com, Polk Automotive, and J.D. Power and Associates.



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