1997 Pontiac Grand Prix: engine failure

Filed Sep 6, 2016 · Engine · MI · fire

Tl* the contact owned a 1997 pontiac grand prix. While driving over a bridge, smoke appeared on the interior and exterior of the vehicle without warning. The contact was able to quickly coast the vehicle over to the side of the road and exit the vehicle. A fire erupted under the hood and caused catastrophic engine failure. The fire department was able to extinguish the flames. A fire report was not filed. The vehicle was towed to a yard and destroyed. The insurance company was unable to determine the cause of the failure. The contact later received notification of the federal safety agency campaign number: 08v118000 (engine and engine cooling) several months after the fire. The failure mileage was not available. Parts distribution disconnect.

Filed May 16, 2012 · Engine · 212,177 miles · LA

Tl* the contact owns a 1997 pontiac grand prix. While driving approximately 25 MPH, the engine stalled without warning. The engine failed to restart and the vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic. The vehicle was previously repaired under a recall associated with the federal safety agency campaign id number 08v118000 (engine and engine cooling); however the failure recurred two weeks after the repair. The vehicle had not been repaired a second time. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 212,177. .updated 07/13/12 *bf the consumer stated he never had any problems with the vehicle, until the dealer worked on it. The valve cover gasket and bolt gromets were replaced. Updated 07/31/12

Filed Apr 3, 2008 · Engine · 167,523 miles · TX · fire

This engine failure took me by surprise. I can't say there was a single event that gave a glimpse of what was in store for me. Luckily, for me, thank god, that I had just parked the vehicle at my job site and gone into my work building;also, my co-workers that parked their vehicles next to mine had made it safely to their jobs. Within only approximately 11 minutes the "time bomb" burst into flames.

Filed May 11, 2007 · Engine · 92,000 miles · IL

Brought car to dealer for regular oil change and was told the oil was full of coolant. Was told by mechanic that this was a common" problem ,and he had changed several upper intake manifold gaskets on pontiac grand prix 3.8 v6 engines severe cases, included changing upper as well as lower gaskets ,and head gaskets due to coolant leaks. On a few of the cars the damage was beyond repair, and needed new engines due to severe coolant leaks. The upper intake plenum had melted, resulting in a coolant leak, coolant in the oil, and vice versa. Had to have another oil change a week later to get the rest of the gunk out, and will have to bring it in again next week to check for anymore traces of coolant in the oil. If found will have to possibly change the lower intake gasket, and possibly head gaskets. If damage was really bad, new engine. If this is such a "common" problem gm putting a plastic part would be installed. Why was there no recall on it? I have checked message board after message board and this problem was wide spread.. Lots of complaints, but the consumer was stuck fitting the bill for their defective part.

Filed Mar 31, 2005 · Engine · 71,950 miles · KS · 1 injury

I have a 1997 grand prix with a 3.8 liter v6 that has a leaking intake manifold which I have been told is a common problem. The car leaks about a quart of coolant a month and I have been told that it is going to get worse quickly if I don't have it repaired. It is my understanding that loss of coolant could lead to complete engine failure. Doing some research, I see there are numerous complaints on this issue. It is a very expensive repair that is required due to a design flaw rather than what I would consider wear.

Filed Mar 25, 2004 · Engine · TX

After significant hours of reading and talking with people, I found that my problem affects thousands of gm customers with similar engines. This is a well documented (on the interenet) complaint about the plastic intake manifold failure which causes a sizable leak of coolant which can utimately cause catostrophic engine failure as well as water pump failure due to lack of coolant lubrication. Although not listed as a safety issue, the failure of an engine in traffic could, and maybe has, a driver to inadvertently have an accident, even fatal one, due to the engine failure and lack of steering w/o use of power steering pump. Just another avenue to look into when gm says this is not a safety issue. However, thousands of people appear to have this same issue and have spent large amount of monies repairing and lots of frustration attempting to get gm to resolve this flaw that has existed, to their knowledge, for many years. This is a design flaw in gm's engineering that gm says "too bad". It is interesting to note that when people have taken them to court, gm tends to pony and pay for repairs.

Filed Jan 5, 2004 · Engine · 93,000 miles · KS

Intake manifold gasket failed. As a result a coolant leak occured and an engine failure was almost a result. The heater failed in 5-20 degree weather. My mechanic informed me that this was a common problem that should be classified as a design flaw.

Filed Feb 7, 2003 · Engine · 63,800 miles · PA

I purchased my vehicle, 1997 pontiac grand prix on 5/5/01 with 50,768 miles. I took my car to the dealer for a recall on the front steering pinion. I had asked them to replace the coolant since the manual called to replace at 5 years or 150,000 miles. I was informed that the intake manifold was leaking and was turning my antifreeze into mud. I asked the service manager what caused the manifold to leak. He told me that it was warped and would have to be replaced. The cost to replace it would be $400.00. My car has approximately 13,000 miles on it since I bought it. It is mainly used locally with the longest round trip driven to date at approximately 100 miles. I have my oil changed at regular intervals with the dealer, and maintain all other fluids, wipers etc. I asked the manager how long it would tatle to replace it. He said that they have replaced 12 of these just in january of 2003. I asked him how many he replaced last year, and he said more than he could count. He said it would probably take longer to find one, get it ordered, than it will to replace it. He said this part is a common failure on the 3.8 liter engine. If you don't replace it, water builds up in the manifold, and runs down into the engine. This will take the bearings out of the motor. Why would the manufacturer continue to make this piece knowing that it could cause a major engine failure. I can only guess to replace the engine in my car would be at least $5000.00 or more. Why hasn't this part been recalled or corrected? Is there a potential for me to have an engine compartment fire? Please email me with confirmation that you have received my complaint. Where do I go from here?

Filed Apr 17, 2002 · Steering · WI

Steering seized up momentarily and lasted a few seconds. Now the steering feels a little sloppy, and I hear a pop noise when I turn left or right at slow speeds (15 MPH). Nlm

Filed Jan 4, 2002 · Steering · IL

My wife was driving our 1997 grand prix on the highway and went o make a lane change to the left. The steering went out and the car was difficult to maneuver. The slower the speed of the car, the more difficult it was to steer. Took the car to the dealer and was told that the rack and pinion seized. The cost to fix this was $1300 plus. This is an obvious design defect and leads to very dangerous situations. Something should be done by the manufacturer (reimbursement for repair?). I don't understand how the manufacturer would not inform owners of problems like this. Hopefully your agency can help.

Filed Apr 13, 1999 · Fuel system · MI

Engine died without warning while driving. Loss of power steering/brakes. Would start but would not stay running. Dealer knew exactly what was wrong. Fuel pump resistor.