I have a 1998 pontiac grand prix gtp that caught fire while driving yesterday, 12/6/07. I had noticed nothing odd other than on the evening of 12/5/07, my cruise control cut-out on me twice while driving home, which I just thought of as odd. 12 hours later, I was driving to work and the car started stuttering. I then lost all power and pulled to the side of the road, as I looked up after popping the hood, I noticed flames on the passenger side of the car. After a few minutes, local fire crews were onsite to put the fire out. The whole engine compartment melted and the car is a total loss. I don't know what caused this, but am reading reports of 1999-2002 supercharged gtp's having this same problem, but wanted the federal safety agency to be aware of this occurring in a 1998 vehicle. The car is totaled and I am quite frustrated. I never thought this would occur in a million years.
1998 Pontiac Grand Prix: sudden loss of power
7 of the 498 complaints about the 1998 Pontiac Grand Prix describe sudden loss of power.
- owner complaints
- 7
- of this car's complaints
- 1%
- recalls
- 3
Sudden loss of power by model year
What owners say
. I was making a left hand turn into a parking space and my power steering lost power steering. I was able to narrowly avoid both the car next to the parking space and a pedestrian. I looked up symptoms online and came across the recall for the rack and pinion steering for gm vehicles but my VIN wasnt in the recall list. Im in the midst of pricing the steering replacement and feel my car should be covered under this recall. Im also hoping I dont crash before I get it fixed.
Steering rack slipped causing loss of power assist when taking left turns. Rack was replaced. There was a recall for this on some 1998 pontiac grand prixs but evidently they didn't check far enough so as to include my vehicle in the recall.thus I was told I am not going to be reimbursed for repairs.
While driving consumer made a left turn. While turning consumer heard a loud noise from the front of the vehicle. Within seconds of consumer hearing the noise they lost power steering. Consumer had vehicle towed. Dealership replaced the serpentine belt and other parts. Please provide more details. Ts
While driving on the ohio turnpike, in heavy traffic, the car suddenly lost all power. I managed to maneuver the car to the side of the highway. When I attempted to restart the vehicle, it would turnover, but then immediately lose all power. We had the car towed to a garage. The problem was a failed fuel pump resistor, which was corroded due to its location as designed (in the passenger-side wheel well). Apparently, in canada, owners have been contacted by gm and offered a free retrofit to the firewall. I believe it is a regional recall. Shouldn't gm do the same in the states, I.e. At least states that exhibit similar weather patterns? The loss of power at high speeds seems to be a safety concern. Less experienced drivers may not be able to avoid accidents at higher speeds..
I am experiencing intermittent stalling condition. When completely stopped at a light and then you would press the accelerator to go through the light my car would move 10 feet and then stall out. It would also stall when slowing down to make a turn applying the brake and when you would take your foot off the brake and press the accelerator again the car would stall. The warning lights on the dashboard will come on and there would be loss of power steering. I have also experienced sluggishness when needing to accelerate. I press the accelerator and a few second later you can feel the transmisson jump into gear.
Vehicle stalled while going 20 MPH. Pulled over and restarted engine but lost all power and control of vehicle.
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 loss of power
Is sudden loss of power a common problem on the 1998 Pontiac Grand Prix?
7 of 498 owner complaints about the 1998 Pontiac Grand Prix (1%) mention sudden loss of power. The model year with the most reports is 1997.
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 9Engine failure 8Seat belt 7ABS 6Grinding brakes 6Fuel pump 5
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