1996 Pontiac Grand Am: engine failure

Filed Aug 7, 2003 · Electrical · 89,310 miles · NH

The federal safety agency recall 02-v-070-000: on certain passenger vehicles. If the engine failed to start and the driver held the key in the "start" position for an extended period, high current flew through the ignition switch, and sometimes produced enough heat to melt internal switch parts. This recall failed and the vehicle caught on fire.*ak consumer had backed up approx. Five feet in an parking lot when the engine died and smoke emitted from the steering column. At first the consumer couldn't get the keys out and the vehicle was in "park". After while the consumer was able to remove the keys the smoke stopped. When the tow truck driver arrived, he couldn't get the vehicle out of the "park" position. The tow truck driver had to disconnect the linkages. *ph

Filed Jun 11, 2003 · Engine · 100,050 miles · WI

I have a 1996 pontiac grand am with a quad 4 engine in it. The engine has 100,050 miles on it, I took very good care of it, oil changes on time did all of the maintenance on it required in the book, etc, etc. I started the car the other day and the whole thing jerked forward, made a loud bang then would not do any thing but turn over really fast. I had it towed in to my mechanic and found out that my engine needs to be replaced because the exhaust valves smashed into the pistons and did a lot of damage. From what I was told by three different mechanics is that the quad 4 engine made by gm is the worst engine ever designed and should not have been put out on the market. I was also told that on this type of car over 100,000 miles was lucky and that kind of miles on this engine is considered high mileage. I was told one of two things could have caused this and that both problems are common in this car. The first cause could have been the hydraulic fluid that causes the manifold gasket to open when the car is shut off sludged up and this caused the timing to mis align at start up and caused the valves and pistons to smash together. The second common cause for this in this type of engine is the pin in the cam shaft snapped off at start up and caused the timing to jump and crash the pistons and valves together. Both problems are known by gm, yet the consumer is not alerted so they can go in and get the cam pin checked or have the fluid checked for sludging.

Filed Feb 5, 2003 · Engine · 30,000 miles · CA

Engine failure --piston or rod and only 30k miles on used engine

Filed Nov 24, 2002 · Electrical, Engine · TN

Coolant leaking into crankcase, engine needs replaced. Also I have replaced 3 alternators since I owned this vehicle. The first one at 40000 miles. This car by my book is crap. Dt

Filed Feb 26, 2002 · Engine, Fuel system · UT

Vehicle lost power then engine quit. Dealer mechanic indicated intake manifold gasket failure to let cooling fluid into crankcase oil. Gasket replaced, engine flushed 5 times ($480) suggested engine overhaul. Two weeks, engine failed with knock due to previous problem. Received letter from dealership warning of possible intake gasket failure resulting in engine replacement. No satisfaction from gm, found 5 identical complaints on the federal safety agency web site, attorney contacted, we will both investigate. My situation is, "no car, still paying payment." observation: gross diregard for obvious engineering flaw, smaks of firestone without the deaths.

Filed Jun 27, 2001 · Engine · OH

Consumer states he experienced head gasket failure and the radiator fluid mixed with the engine oil which also caused the engine to be ruined, consumer was advised by two independent mechanics that the engine needs to be replaced, consumer was also advised by both mechanics that this is most likely a manufacturer defect.

Filed Jan 10, 2001 · Engine · VA

Coolant detected in oil, svc advisor said that 3 vehicles w/same engine have same problem--blown head gasket.-caught before total engine failure.

Filed Apr 13, 2000 · Engine · PA

Sensor failed and temperature gauge did not indicate that the engine was overheating. The engine seized up and was sold for salvage value or $1,500. There is documented oil changes every three thousand miles with simultaneous coolant checks.

Filed Sep 24, 1999 · Engine · IN

Had to have the engine replaced after only 69,000 miles due to a piston gone bad! Gm would give no assistance, even though I have had the car worked on at 15 different times, so I had to pay almost $4,000! Dealership, where taken, was no help either, they said that it was due to having the oil changed at "jiffylube" or "q-lube" or "wal-mart". They said those places use "refined oil" and not new oil like the dealership does. This sounds like an excuse and not a contributing factor to me! Like I mentioned, since buying the car I have taken it to the "shop" on 15 different occasions for warranty & non-warranty work. Indiana does not have a lemon law so I am not sure what else to do to get some help in this matter! The dealership even mentioned they have had similar problems with these engines! Looking for some help! I now have to keep the car for atleast 3 more years to get my money back from the new engine!

Filed Oct 18, 1998 · Fuel system · FL

Engine failed due to internal lower intake manifold gasket failure on rear engine cylinder bank, causing internal leakage of engine coolant into internal engine parts.