Equal-exposure complaint evidence and changes in the reported problem mix

1998 vs 1999 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX

NHTSA Consumer Complaints complaints · snapshot 2026-08-21

Share shifts show how a vehicle's problem mix changed. They do not measure reliability, and complaint counts are not normalized for sales volume.

First 335 months on market for each model year

Exposure window calculated through Aug 22, 2026

Age-matched reports

▼ 17.2% fewer reports in the equal exposure window

1998 493 complaints 1999 408 complaints

NHTSA Consumer Complaints complaints · snapshot 2026-08-21

Component share shift

Bars start at the neutral midpoint. Left means a smaller share; right means a larger share.

View component share data as a table
Component 1998 share 1999 share Share change
ENGINE 21.5% 44.6% ▲ 23.1 pts larger share
EXTERIOR LIGHTING 16.6% 1.7% ▼ 14.9 pts smaller share
STEERING 17.0% 12.5% ▼ 4.5 pts smaller share
SERVICE BRAKES 5.7% 3.9% ▼ 1.8 pts smaller share
AIR BAGS 4.3% 2.7% ▼ 1.6 pts smaller share
WHEELS 0.4% 2.0% ▲ 1.6 pts larger share
VISIBILITY 7.9% 6.4% ▼ 1.5 pts smaller share
SEAT BELTS 2.4% 1.0% ▼ 1.5 pts smaller share
POWER TRAIN 3.5% 4.9% ▲ 1.5 pts larger share
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 7.7% 8.8% ▲ 1.1 pts larger share
FUEL SYSTEM 3.5% 2.7% ▼ 0.8 pts smaller share
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL 1.6% 1.0% ▼ 0.6 pts smaller share
SUSPENSION 1.6% 2.2% ▲ 0.6 pts larger share
PARKING BRAKE not reported 0.3% ▲ 0.3 pts larger share
STRUCTURE 1.0% 1.0% ▼ 0.0 pts smaller share
UNKNOWN OR OTHER 70.6% 54.9% ▼ 15.7 pts smaller share

NHTSA Safety Recalls recalls · snapshot 2026-08-22

Recall campaigns

1998 8

Campaign components: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING, EXTERIOR LIGHTING, FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER, and STEERING

1999 8

Campaign components: AIR BAGS, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING, EXTERIOR LIGHTING, and FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER

NHTSA Consumer Complaints complaints · snapshot 2026-08-21

Safety signals

◆ Fires
60 → 124
◆ Injuries
21 → 9