Note: I have filed a safely complaint before with the federal safety agency about this safety issue on nov 9, 2020 reference number: 11373799. And now due to safety negligence from the investigation department of the federal safety agency ..excessive heat coming from the extremely hot oil that's dripping off the extremely hot exhaust manifold that's leaking from the valve cover started a fire under the hood and also leaked into the cylinder causing the piston to slit into numerous pieces then violently being shot back and forth striking the cylinder walls violently then breaking through the engine block and oil pan, then spilling hot oil on the I-105 highway at high way speed coming up on a fork, lost oil compression and stalling out with heavy thick can't see in more then 5 feet in front of you grey/black smoke coming from both ends of the vehicle. Almost costed me my life
1997 Pontiac Grand Prix engine problems
180 complaints (22% of all complaints for this car). Typical mileage when it fails: 150,000. 2 crashes reported.
- owner complaints
- 180
- of this car's complaints
- 22%
- typical mileage
- 150,000
- crashes
- 2
- recalls
- 3
Which part fails
- Engine31
- Engine: gasoline26
- Exhaust system: manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe10
- Cooling system9
- Engine: gasoline: belts and associated pulleys4
- Engine: other fuel types: turbo/supercharger1
- Cooling system: fan1
At what mileage
Complaints by mileage at the time of the problem.
Pontiac Grand Prix engine problems in other years
Specific symptoms reported on the 1997 Pontiac Grand Prix engine
Phrases found in the owners' own descriptions, so one complaint can mention several symptoms.
Stalling 17Loss of power 16Engine failure 11Overheating 11Knocking 8Check engine light 5
Related recalls
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe
- What is wrong
- General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 1998-1999 Chevrolet Lumina and Oldsmobile Intrigue, 1997-2004 Buick Regal and Pontiac Grand Prix, 2000-2004 Chevrolet Impala, and 1998-2004 Chevrolet Monte Carlo vehicles. The affected vehicles were previously repaired under recalls 08V‑118, 09V‑116, and 15V‑201 to address the possibility that engine oil may drip onto the hot exhaust manifold.
- Risk
- Engine oil that drips onto the hot surface of the exhaust manifold may result in a fire.
- Remedy
- The remedy applied under recalls 08V‑118, 09V‑116, and 15V‑201 did not adequately remove the safety risk. Under the improved remedy, dealers will replace the engines front valve cover and gasket. Vehicles that are covered by recalls 08V‑118, 09V‑116, or 15V‑201 that have not yet received the original remedy will instead receive the improved remedy under the original recall number. The recall began on February 19, 2016. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1‑800‑222‑1020, Buick customer service at 1‑800‑521‑7300, Oldsmobile customer service at 1‑800‑442‑6537 and Pontiac customer service at 1‑800‑458‑8006. GM's number for this recall is 15757. Note: Until the improved remedy has been applied, owners are advised to park their vehicle outside since the fire risk exists even when the vehicle is unattended.
Recall number 15V701000 · Recall details
Engine and engine cooling
- What is wrong
- General motors is recalling 1,497,516 my 1997-2003 buick regal, my 1998-2003 chevrolet lumina, monte carlo and impala, my 1998-1999 oldsmobile intrigue, my 1997-2003 pontiac grand prix vehicles equipped with a 3.8l v6 naturally aspirated engine. Some of these vehicles have a condition in which drops of engine oil may be deposited on the exhaust manifold through hard braking.
- Risk
- If the manifold is hot enough and the oil runs below the heat shield, it may ignite into a small flame and may spread to the plastic spark plug wire channel and beyond increasing the risk of an engine compartment fire.
- Remedy
- Dealers will replace the engines front valve cover and front-valve-cover gasket with new parts of an improved design and remove the engines plastic cover and plastic oil-fill-tube extension, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin during may 2016. Owners may contact chevrolet at 1‑800‑630‑2438, oldsmobile at 1‑800‑630‑6537, and pontiac at 1‑800‑620‑7668 or http://www.pontiac.com or http:www.gmownercenter.com.
Recall number 09V116000 · Recall details
Engine and engine cooling
- What is wrong
- Gm is recalling 207,542 my 1997-2003 buick regal and pontiac grand prix vehicles equipped with a 3.8l supercharged v-6 engine. These vehicles have higher front rocker cover gasket temperatures, creating the potential for earlier degradation of the front rocker cover gasket and eventual oil seepage.
- Risk
- Certain underhood fires may be caused by drops of engine oil, from seepage or spillage, being deposited on the exhaust manifold through hard braking. If the manifold is hot enough and the oil runs below the heat shield, it may ignite into a small flame and, in some instances, the fire may spread to the plastic spark plug wire channel and beyond.
- Remedy
- Dealers will replace the engines front valve cover and front-valve-cover gasket with new parts of an improved design and remove the engines plastic cover and plastic oil-fill-tube extension, along with the 1-3-5 spark plug wire retainers, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin during may 2016. , free of charge. The recall is expected to begin during may 2016. Until the remedy is completed, gm strongly recommends that owners observe the following important precautions (1) that owners do not park their vehicle in a garage, car port, or other structure; (2) if owners notice a burning odor, they should have their dealer inspect the vehicle. The dealer will inspect the vehicle without charge; (3) use premium fuel (91 octane or higher) in the vehicle as recommended in the vehicle's owner manual. Owners may contact buick at 1‑866‑608‑8080 or pontiac at 1‑800‑620‑7668, or through their website at http://www.gmownercenter.com .
Recall number 08V118000 · Recall details
Related investigations
Engine compartment fires
PE02050
What 1997 Pontiac Grand Prix owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
Tl* the contact owns a 1997 pontiac grand prix. The contact stated that the vehicle engine oil was leaking on top of the exhaust manifold and caused smoke to emit from under the vehicle hood. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic to have a diagnostic performed that located the failure code at the valve cover and informed that the vehicle could catch on fire as a result of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted. The failure mileage was 200,000. Invalid VIN. *dt *dt *tr*dt*dt
The engine leaks oil on the manifold which started a fire and electrical some of my sensor connectors and not working.. The fire started after I pulled in to drive way and I can feel from the inside of the car that the engine was getting real hot so I popped the hood and there was a small fire on the manifold.
Tl* the contact owned a 1997 pontiac grand prix. While the vehicle was parked in a parking lot, the driver attempted to start the vehicle and heard a clicking noise. Afterwards, thick smoke appeared under the hood. Within seconds, the vehicle was engulfed in flames. There were no warning indicators illuminated. The fire department was called to the scene and extinguished the fire. A fire report was filed. There were no injuries. The vehicle was totaled and towed. The dealer and manufacturer were not made aware of the failure. The cause of the failure was not determined. The failure mileage was unknown.
While driving my 1997 pontiac grand prix to the tire shop it burst into flames. The fire started under the hood and totally damaged the vehicle.
Rear valve cover leaking. As in recall 09047 for front valve cover.
I have received a notice once a year about a recall on the engine and called a dealership last year and was told there was no recall for my car. I let them know I had a notice and was told they would look into it and call me back. Well I never received a call back and I also did not follow through. I just received another notice and not even sure where to start to call. I would like to get this fixed and be able to get my car smoged.
Fuel gage doesnt work always reads full- shows over full when its hot out-oil and radiator leak- followed last engine recall-new radiator hoses etc 1250$-air bag? I got recall work done last year
Tl* the contact owns a 1997 pontiac grand prix. While driving 20 MPH, the accelerator pedal was depressed, but the vehicle failed to accelerate and a strong burning odor was present inside the vehicle. The contact pulled the vehicle off the roadway and it filled up with smoke. The contact exited the vehicle and no flames were evident. The fire department arrived, but the smoke had already cleared from the vehicle. The contact stated that the fire department advised her not to drive or attempt to start the vehicle. The contact signed a form from the fire department and was unsure if a report was filed. The vehicle was towed to the contact's home. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The contact received a recall notification for the federal safety agency campaign number: 09v116000 (engine and engine cooling) two months after the failure occurred. The failure mileage was unknown.
Tl* the contact owns a 1997 pontiac grand prix. After stopping at a stop sign from 20 MPH, the vehicle failed to accelerate when the accelerator pedal was depressed. The vehicle accelerated without warning, but then failed. In addition, when the vehicle was in park, smoke began to emit inside and outside of the vehicle. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The VIN was included in the federal safety agency campaign number: 09v116000 (engine and engine cooling). The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.
Questions about the 1997 Pontiac Grand Prix engine
Does the 1997 Pontiac Grand Prix have engine problems?
Owners have filed 180 complaints about the engine of the 1997 Pontiac Grand Prix, 22% of all its complaints.
At what mileage do 1997 Pontiac Grand Prix engine problems start?
The typical (median) mileage in owner complaints is 150,000 miles.
Was there a recall on the 1997 Pontiac Grand Prix engine?
Yes, 3 recalls: 15V701000, 09V116000, 08V118000. Check your VIN to see if your car still needs the free repair.
What year does the Pontiac Grand Prix have bad engine?
The Pontiac Grand Prix model years with the most engine complaints are 2000 (223 complaints), 1999 (201 complaints) and 1997 (180 complaints).
Other 1997 Pontiac Grand Prix problems
Steering 216Lights 152Electrical 88Visibility 78Airbags 56Brakes 52Transmission 32Suspension 26Body 19Fuel system 18Acceleration 16Seat belts 11Seats 11Locks 9Tires 4
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