The engine exploded when the driver attempted to start the vehicle. The top of the engine and the intake manifold were replaced.
1997 Pontiac Grand Prix engine complaints
Page 6 of 7: complaints 131 to 160 of 180, newest first, as owners wrote them.
The consumer had the power steering rack replaced prior to receiving a recall notice for the rack and pinion steering gear assembly. The customer service management informed the consumer his vehicle didn't qualify and did not have symptoms of the recall. The consumer was refused reimbursement and still wishes to receive. Other problems are as followed: oil pan leaked-replaced gasket assembly, and the end seals of the rack and pinion leaked, which were replaced. Mr scc
I bought this car brand new. In january of 2003 the car started dying while driving it at slow speeds. This usually happens when I am slowing down for a stop sign or red light. It also has twice stopped when I am going slow on a large looping entrance ramp to the interstate. Each time the car will start right up again and run fine. There is no prior warning the car is going to die. I first noticed it died when I wa no longer able to steer the car, because the power steering is gone. In february 2003 I took the car to the dealer I bought it from to have the problem checked out. I was charged $36.25 for a diagnostic on the vehicle and was told they could find nothing wrong with it. I asked what I should do since the car keeps stalling and I believe it is very dangerous to drive. I was told to trade it in.
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?
I purchased my vehicle, 1997 pontiac grand prix on 5/5/01 with 50,768 miles. I took my car to the local 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 mile. 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 take to replace the intake manifold. He said it would take longer to find one than replace it. He said that they have replaced a lot of these on this engine, and they are in short supply. I have checked your web site for any type of recall and have found none. I did find one complaint report that a fire had occured because of a cracked intake manifold. Do I run the risk of a fire with my vehicle before they replace the manifold? Also, if this piece is so prone to failure, what is causing it? Could someone please respond back to me with some answers?
Engine has shut down while driving at various speeds while on a straightaway or turns. Very hazardous situation as all power assist is lost. Engine will restart immediately but never know when power loss will occur. Have noticed many other similar complaints on this web site. Ts
The vehicle hesitate while starting up and back fired. Please furnish additional information dealer is aware of the problem. Mr
Consumer states the vehicle's front head light lenses dropped and the dealer replaced both lamp assemblies.
Recall 99v348000 repairs on windshield wipers were done in july of 2000, vehicle has been taken back to dealer numerous times. Windshield wipers stopped working intermittently.*ak map lamp assembly, door lights, rear door lens, gasket lamp and headlamp assembly were all replaced, ABS light illuminated, dealer adjusted brake light switch. Both outer tie rods were replaced. Windshield cowl panel leaked and was replaced. Steering column was replaced. Serpentine belt has been replaced 3 times, valve cover gasket has been replaced 2 times, vehicle has experienced 3 oil leaks, oil pan and water pump were replaced, a belt snapped and has not yet been repaired. Alternator has been replaced 3 times. The supercharger gasket was replaced. The automatic shift mechanism was replaced. The radio skips and the radio module to the steering column broke. 2 front wheel speed sensor jumper wiring was replaced.
The fan to radiator does not work and it might cause a fire if the car gets to hot.
When making a left turn vehicle locks up and then shutsdown. Was caused by filter being clogged. Replaced part, problem still occurring.
Dealer's sevice man stated there is leakage from the lower and upper intake manifold gaskets and recommends replacing gasket and upper manifold. I don't believe a car with only 33,000 miles on it should have a serious problem like this. Thank you for your time. Nlm
Serpentine belt had to be replaced at dealer. Please provide more information.
Engine completely shut off while driving, steering column locks, brakes barely functioned. Alternator replaced twice. Diagnosed with same problem. Once in july 2001, again in august 2001. Service engine light comes on again. Drives ok now, but worried it will continue to give me problems. In and out of shop 4 times in past year for same problem. Back in shop today for who knows what.
Belts on water pump began squealing around 40,000 miles. At 72,000 pump was leaking badly and seizing. The belt was very loud. Serpentine belt also had to be replaced.
Pe-01038; steering wheel becomes difficult to steer. Power assist fells like it's missing. Problem is intermittent. *ak the consumer stated that the power steering was difficult especially in low speed and cold morning. The engine makes a rattling noise.
Engine shuts off upon acceleration from a stop. Lights and radio still work. This has happened four times, vehicle has always started right back up. The tachometer also drops while driving very frequently.
My 1997 grand prix with a 3.1 l engine was consuming coolant for a few months. On december 6 2001 I noticed coolant in the oil.I brought my vehicle to my mechanic and he thought the head gasket had blown.he told me to go to pontiac to see if there was a recall on this vehicle for the head gaskets.when I went to my local pontiac dealer I was told there was no recall on the head gaskets.I was further informed by a representive at pontiac that it was probably not the head gasket leaking but rather the intake manifold gasket whiuch they see about 10 times a week in these engines.a obvious defect which gm is doing nothing about.my mechanic checked the intake manifold gasket and indeed it was leaking internally into the engine.the vehicle was repaired for just over 600.00 dollars. Pontiac has done nothing to try and rectify this situation as the new gaskets purchased from poniac were the same as the orginials.please look into this as it appears gm is doing nothing about a major defect.thank you.
Difficulty starting and restarting vehicle in cold weather. Vehicle will sometimes cut off 5-10 minutes after it was started. Vehicle has been at dealer's shop several times for repairs. Consumer has been told that oil pump cover may cause high oil pressure and engine to misfire.
While traveling at about 35-40 MPH, consumer ran into another vehicle head-on. Upon impact, driver and passenger air bags did not deploy. Contacted dealer and they are not willing to do anything. *ak consumer stated there was an injury in the accident. Two weeks after purchase, water pump failed. Alternator failed. Windows quit going up and down.
Engine will "shut-down" for no apparent reason at various times, without warning; this occurs as though the key was moved to the "off" position. Manufacturer's dealers are unable to detect the problem and find nothing "wrong" with the vehicle. The problem has occured several times at highway speeds and poses an extremely unsafe risk.
Engine shuts off without notice at any and all speeds. Able to restart immediately. 3 times at dealership cannot duplicate experience proble at least a dozen times.
Went to start engine in the morning and it made a large bang (which I thought was a backfire). I tried to start again and the engine burst into flames, which ended up totalling car, and caused smoke damage throughout my house (the garage is located under the house).
Consumer's stopped vehicle was hit from behind by another vehicle traveling about 45 MPH, air bags deployed and consumer got knocked out from inhaling an irritant that is in the air bag, consumer continues to have breathing problems.
In july of 2000, I was at restaurant's drive-thru window. When I turned to exit I heard a loud pop and the steering went out on my car. The car was still driveable, but there was no steering. I struggled to steer it to a parking spot, which I could not do. Luckily, a construction worker saw me and offered to help. He got in the car, and with great effort, managed to steer the car to a parking spot. He opened the hood and we saw that the serpentine belt had come off. I had it towed to pontiac in burlington, ky, where I purchased the car.
I purchased my car in feb of 2000. It only has aprrox 43000 miles and I have had numerous trips to the dealer and other mechanics. In june of 2000 I had to take the car in because the headlight covers fell off. I had noticed condensation when I purchased the car and was told by the salesman that this was normal. Luckily I found the covers and did not have to replace them. In sept of 2000 I had to replace the alternator when it failed while I was going to work. Then in dec of 2000 I took my car to have the tires rotated and the mechanic noticed that the antifreeze in the radiator was just about completely solidified. I had to pay for radiator flushes and was told by the dealer that it was normal "wear and tear". They also noticed that one of the main engine belts was needed to be replaced and I have replaced it. Now it is march of 2001 and my car is now again at the dealership with antifreeze leaking from the water pump and an airbag light that will not go off. I have also noticed on numerous occasions that I will get in the car and the windows will not go down. I know that cars need repairs but I feel that I am definetly having lots of problems when the mileage on the car is not excessive.the owner of the dealership told my husband that he thought we would continue to have problems with the car and that if he were in our shoes, he would trade the car.
Corrosion in cooling system that LED to failure in several components. I think there's been a problem with the "dexcool" coolant geling up and causing corrosion but the dealer wouldn't admit anything and said a coolant flush wasn't even necessary when there's obvious corrosion and rust floating in the coolant.
No summary listed for abov evehicle.
Engine replaced approx 12000 miles, now on 3rd alternator, 4th battery. Gas gauge replaced, wipers replaced 3 times before recall.
Car was off at the time of the fire my friends and I had been out of the car only a few minutes.
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