1997 Pontiac Grand Am: engine failure

Filed Aug 2, 2005 · Airbags, Brakes · 74,000 miles · MI · 1 injury

This is the worst car (lemon) I have ever had. I bought this car from a used car dealer ship called new car alternative in livonia mi. I am now on my third engine in the car. The first 2 failed due to the head gaskets blowing and anti-freeze was mixing with oil in the engine causing engine failure. All car window motors have be replaced 4 or 5 times each and still don't work. Back two doors are broke one wont open the other wont close. The sunroof wont close the dealer told me 1500 to replace motor and put back on tracks. Lol I have the brakes replaced 3 times in 5 years. I bought the car dec of 99 and have had all these problems since. I don't recommend anyone to buy a grand am or a car from this dealership they were no help at all. The first engine was covered by warranty second one was at my cost of 3500. Then another 1500 for new radiator and heater core. Then alternator needed to be replaced. After that I needed a new transmission hose. This is such bull crap. What a lemon! Plus I was pulling out of a gas station one day and my air bag decided to come out on it own no accident occurred and hit me in the face resulting in injuries and I had to go to the hospital.

Filed Mar 10, 2005 · Engine · 96,997 miles · IN

I was driving to work one day and the engine started to make a funny noise, and when I shut it off. Took it to the mechanic , they told me it was the connecting rod. I will have to replace the engine because it is cheaper to put an engine in rather then rebuild the one I have. The engine is still in the car because I haven't got enough money to replace it.

Filed Mar 27, 2004 · Engine · TX

1st. My recall (the federal safety agency#02v070/gm #02008) started march 2002 and we just now received the letter in march 2004. And my vehicle did everything the letter said it would do except, they're was not a fire but trying to start it caused it to jump time --causung a hole in the piston and broke valve!!much bigger and costlier outcome//in other words I need a new engine since having the piston and valve fixed is costing around $2500.00!!!!!!!!!!!!

Filed Jan 2, 2004 · Engine · 58,250 miles · IL

Engine failed.his car has 58250 miles. My daughter called me at work to inform me that something is making noise in the front of the car, but it goes away once you exceed 20mph. After dinner I pup the hood open and try to start the car. I discover that noise during startup was not normal, and car has great difficulties to start. When it finally stars, I hear knocking noise coming from the left side of the engine. The noise was concentrated on the cylinder next to timing chain. I stopped the engine and check the oil level, it was ok. I contacted local auto repair shop. He instructed me to bring the car to the shop, but to drive slowly and try not to accelerate rapidly. When I got there and parked the car I also noted that my check engine light and oil level light came on during idle. My mechanic determines immediately that my engine completely failed. He also make says that he is not surprised at all once he saw that this is 4 cylinder 2.4l engine. He estimated that the repair cost will be over $3000.00. This is only slightly less then the blue book value. Im driving my friends spare car 1988 mazda mx6 and my daughter drives my other pontiac 1996 bonneville sse, (which by the way just have water pump failure after 48000mi) I search many bulletin boards on the net and found out that this is not isolated incident. Many other people experienced exactly the some problem between 50000 and 80000 mi. Having engine failure @ less then 60000mi should be investigated further. Based on my research this particular engine should be investigated by cpa for recall. By the way I purchased my first car in 1974 it was the buick electra, since then my family owned 9 different cars (all gm) but Im 100% positive that this grand am was my last gm car. My next car will be japanese. My friend just clock 250000mi on his honda accord, the only major component that failed was the alternator @ 165000mi. Sorry gm, but there is no more gas in your thank for me.

Filed May 14, 2000 · Engine · TX · fire

Christmas eve 1999 while driving down the highway access road a loud boom was heard and the car began to lose to power. Luckily, we were about 200 feet from a gas station. We managed to get the car into the gas station. At this time I saw an immense amount of smoke coming from under the hood. My husband opened the hood and found the engine was on fire. As he ran into the store to get a fire extinguisher, a man from the fireworks stand next to the gas station arrived with an extinguisher and put the fire out. He had seen us coming down the access road with big ball of fire under the car. Our insurance company says that a piston gave out and as the engine began failing oil began to drip onto the catalytic converter or some other componant causing the fire. This is not covered by my insurance company because the fire was due to mechanical failure. We need to have a new engine. The dealer estimate is $6500.00. This is just the latest mechanical failure on this vehicle. We have had numerous problems with this vehicle and have spent over $4,000.00 in repairs prior to this incident.