Tl* the contact owns a 1998 pontiac grand prix. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the steering wheel seized, the vehicle overheated, and there was a burning odor. The failure recurred on various occasions. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 149,000.
1998 Pontiac Grand Prix: engine failure
8 of the 498 complaints about the 1998 Pontiac Grand Prix describe engine failure.
- owner complaints
- 8
- of this car's complaints
- 2%
- recalls
- 3
Is there a fix? There are 3 recalls and 15 service bulletins for this area of the car. See below
Engine failure by model year
What owners say
Tl* the contact owns a 1998 pontiac grand prix. The contact was driving 40 MPH when the smell of burned oil emitted inside of the vehicle. The contact confirmed there was oil leaking from exhaust manifold. The failure recurred after the factory engine was replaced by a private mechanic. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer. The manufacturer was contacted. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 171,900 and the current mileage was 172,008.
While driving on the parkway, the steering suddenly tightened up, making turning the steering wheel difficult. Then the battery/alternator indicator light turned on along with other indicator lights. Suddenly, the engine stalled & the car coasted to a stop. Opening the hood, I noticed the accessory belt was missing (actually, it had come off & was sitting on the front suspension). Checking the belt pulleys, I found that the accessory belt idler pulley bearing had seized, causing the belt to come off. I was towed to a service station, where they replaced the accessory belt idler pulley bearing. The old part is not available.
There are multiple problems with the coolant (dexcool) used in gm vehicles such as the 1998 pontiac grand prix gt. That is the car I have. The coolant used iin the vehicle deteriorates the gaskets and allows for coolant to leak into the cylinders which cause engine failure and possibly a fatal crash? Gm is aware of this issue and issued fixes for it, but will not take responsibility for their act. The procedure to fix it costs upwards of $800 and isn't covered by warranty, unless its new. I'm sure this isn't the first complaint you received for this problem, just search the grand prix club websites and see all the similar problems in the country, it's in the millions.
Engine failed suddenly on I-55 near chicago at rush hour.I was able to pull off and get the car towed 160 miles to champaign. We were told of an electrical circuit failure by the dealer, who has always been helpful. The car has been regularly maintained but the dealer said such problems "just happen". This suggests a design flaw. If we had not been able to pull over there would have been a multiple car accident and probably several fatalities. A part that controls such critical functions should have a warning signal and a backup. I contacted gm and had an extended email exchange but they were quite unresponsive.
When crosing hwy 278 engine failed due to alternator. The car gave no warning that anything was wrong leaving car stranded in middle of highway.I was unable to move car out of oncoming traffic as the key could not be removed from ignition. Nowhere in ownwers manual did it say that I needed ignition key to unlock gear shift column to move into nuetral from park. I was only able to move car after we tried to jump start car where ti allowed me to remove key from ignition and insert key into slot to shift car into neutral. This was a very dangerous intersection at 5:00 pm and could have resulted in serious injury had a highwy patrol officer not been at the scene. I feel that this is a very unsafe defect in the car design that needs repaired.
Trans. Upshifted while accelerating, engine stalled on onramp. Occurred 5x. Original complaint documented @ dealer, happened numerous times since then and now out of warranty. $3000 to fix an obvious (and commonly reported) transmission problem on this car. Narrowly avoided 2 accidents after engine died. Dangerous safety issue that needs attention by the federal safety agency and pontiac.
Intermittent stalling; engine died 5 times.
Service bulletins that may apply
- Expanded Availability for Remanufacture and Return (R&R) Electronic Control Modules
- L67 engine oil smell or odor, leak at left or front valve cover (replace valve cover gasket, gromments and...
- Engine coolant consumption or coolant leak (inspect for material degradation/replace intake manifolds) tt...
- New upper intake manifold and gasket kits
- New rear main seal and special tool for installation
- Revised piston pin removal / installation procedure
- Some owners may comment on a repeat engine oil pan leak
- Subject regarding revised lower intake manifold installation
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
Questions about the 1998 Pontiac Grand Prix engine failure
Is engine failure a common problem on the 1998 Pontiac Grand Prix?
8 of 498 owner complaints about the 1998 Pontiac Grand Prix (2%) mention engine failure. The model year with the most reports is 1999.
Is there a recall or service bulletin for this on the 1998 Pontiac Grand Prix?
There are 3 recalls and 15 service bulletins for the same area of the car. Check them below with your VIN.
Other symptoms on the 1998 Pontiac Grand Prix
Headlights 87Fire or smoke 42Stalling 23Power windows 12Wipers 12Airbag light 11Overheating 9Power steering loss 9Steering lock-up 9Loss of power 7Seat belt 7ABS 6Grinding brakes 6Fuel pump 5
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