1999 Pontiac Grand Prix: engine failure

Filed Aug 10, 2016 · Engine · 125,000 miles · VA · fire

Tl* the contact owns a 1999 pontiac grand prix. While driving approximately 35 MPH, black smoke appeared from the front passenger side of the vehicle. The contact shut off the vehicle to stop the smoke. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where the cause of the failure was undetermined; however, the technician stated that the engine seized. The vehicle was not repaired. The VIN was included in the federal safety agency campaign number: 15v701000 (engine and engine cooling). The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 125,000. Updated 10/21/16*lj

Filed Aug 20, 2015 · Steering · 197,000 miles · IL

Tl* the contact owns a 1999 pontiac grand prix. The contact stated that the steering wheel seized and required excessive force when attempting to make a left turn. The contact noticed that the alignment of the front passenger tire was off. The contact then discovered that the rack and pinion housing was detached from of the vehicle. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 197,000.

Filed Oct 25, 2011 · Engine, Steering · 188,000 miles · IL · fire

Vehicle began to run rough. Then immediately lost power steering and stalled. The engine died followed by flames from under both sides of the hood. No smoke was seen before the fire began. No lights came on to indicate a problem. In no time, the entire vehicle was engulfed in flames. The car was a total loss.

Filed Sep 4, 2008 · Engine · 94,370 miles · GA · fire

I brought the car brand new . I had no problems with my car except my check engine light came on. I had an ase certified mechanic check the car. He checked over my car and everything was fine. He used a computer. And the code came back clogged catalytic converter. I called gm twice and they said that my car was not under a recall I saw. I never got a recall letter. Another mechanic used a computer and laser light and it came back again clogged catalytic converter. The catalytic converter was replaced. After that I went to a gas station and got gas. Started my car up and it didn't want to start. After 3 times it started. Then I noticed that the temperature shot to 260 degrees. Engine overheated for the first time since I had the car. I parked the car in a grocery store parking lot and let the engine cool for about 2 hours before driving home. In less then 1 mile the engine overheated again. Finally made it to the house. Pulled into garage. Then black smoke started coming from under the hood. I turned the car off and it really started smoking and popping. I got scared and put the car in neutral and let the car roll out the garage. Black smoke was coming from under the hood and I turned the car off. It was popping, cracking and smoking. It took a while for the smoke to clear. The next day an ase certified mechanic came by the house and checked the car and said the engine burned and was seized. My engine never overheated before this.

Filed Aug 9, 2004 · Engine · 80,104 miles · NC

Vehicle's intake manifold cracked and engine coolant leaked into the engine. *mr the upper intake manifold cracked and coolant leaked into the cylinders and seized the bearings. On another occasion the vehicle overheated. The consumer was told that the engine was damaged beyond repair. *sc

Filed Apr 13, 2004 · Engine · 72,000 miles · WV

In september 2003, intake plenium failed causing vehicle not to run; there is no preventative maintenance to keep this situation from happening; I was informed that since a pontiac dealership did not inspect/repair the damage they would not be able to assist in this situation even though during my initial telelphone conversation with pontiac they could not even give me any idea of the potential for this to be covered; (fyi the mechanic who did the repairs is ace certified) the dealership has indicated they are keeping these parts in stock because they are doing about 5 of these types of repairs per week (that's one dealership in one county in one state) when an appeal letter was sent to pontiac, it was routed to the same customer service representative who all but stated there was nothing going to be done; I was informed that I should expect problems with my vehicle because it has what some consider high mileage; most recently on april 7, 2004 I was driving on the interstate, my engine blew up--the vehicle has 82k miles if pontiac vehicles are only good for 70k miles, pontiac should disclose this fact so that I can make an informed decision before I purchase if the intake plenium assembly is being kept in stock at a dealership, there is a true issue. Dealerships generally only keep parts that are going to be used regularly normally dealerships do not want to keep the higher priced/not so commonly used parts in stock simply because they don't want expensive overhead nor have a large are for storing unused parts. This tells me this is a common problem which needs immediate attention. Is gm doing this for the sole purpose of getting people to buy parts or even a new vehicle from them? If the dealership and even pontiac won't say they are going to pay for the repairs and know there is an issue that should be investigated, it seems that gm/pontia are knowingly keeping information from consumers which could potentially be deadly.

Filed Jan 14, 2004 · Electrical, Engine · TN

Multiple repair problems--air plate was repaired--new engine installed after having only 54,000 miles with regular oil changes--electrical problem with radio display--now back passenger tire/possible axle, strut; sounds like back tire is about to fall off upon hitting bumps in the road/driveways or turning. I have not had this checked out-am now unable to drive vehicle .

Filed Nov 14, 2003 · Engine · OH

Engine runs rough, loss of power, engine seizes up - this occurred approximately sept 2002. Initial diagnosis: blown head gasket or headers. Initial estimates to fix: approximately $4000-4500. Initial calls to pontiac/gm were fruitless. Result: replaced engine oct 2003 (approximately $3500 w/warranty). Incident occurs a second time approximately 3 weeks after new engine installed. Diagnosis: intake manifold coolant leak, broken piston rod. Calls to pontiac/gm fruitless once again. Result: awaiting another engine and manifold repairs. To make a long and arduous 14 months short - after a considerate number of calls to pontiac, I was eventually able to speak with a pontiac engineer (pe) who specializes in fuel and exhaust systems. Pe explained the cause of my problem, worse case scenario and the solution: the problem lies within the lower (aluminum) intake manifold. Within is a tube that houses the egr valve and carries exhaust gases. This tube was made relatively large and runs either through or close to the upper (plastic) intake manifold. Over time, the extremely high temperatures of these exhaust gases causes the upper manifold to melt and creates a coolant leak into the fuel system. As this leak increases in size, increased amounts of coolant make its way into the piston chambers. Eventually, compression is lost and the piston rods can either bend or break. Both the lower and upper manifolds need to be replaced. The lower has been redesigned with a smaller tube that houses the egr valve, therefore, it does not lie as close to the upper manifold. Pe even faxed me a copy of the official bulletin in referencing this problem for 1998 and older pontiacs. Recalls: 2000-2003 manifolds. What happened to the 99's? There were no design changes on the manifolds for the 98's, 99's and 00's. Most dealership mechanics won't know about this problem. Pontiac is aware of the initial design defect. Their official bulletins prove this. Why should the consumer have to pay for their design defect?

Filed Nov 14, 2003 · Engine · 57,400 miles · NE

Faulty intake and/or intake gasket caused anti-freeze to leak into the engine resulting in engine failure. Repair bill was $1600. Gm has issued recalls on 2000 and 2001 pontiac grand prix models with the same issue, but will not admit to same problem with 1999 model.

Filed Jun 20, 2003 · Engine · 82,174 miles · AZ

Grand prix engine got hot, recovered, got hot, then lost engine power on the freeway (I also experienced heat exhaustion due to being broke down in 110-degree f heat.) oily sheen and orange crud noticed in radiator, discovered creamy colored motor oil. Intake manifold gasket failure has caused extensive damage to engine. This vehicle had no previous history of engine problems and was a dream to drive. $4100 for labor and engine replacement; gm service writer and mechanics acknowledge they've seen this problem many times before and that gm has re-designed both the intake manifold gasket and the manifold because of known failures in bi-metal engines; however there has been no recall.

Filed Jun 20, 2003 · Engine · DE

Dealer replaced the engine on september 2002. Vehicle was driven for two weeks again, engine was replaced. On january 2003, engine was replaced for the third time. Consumer stated the engine needed to be replace again.

Filed Jan 18, 2001 · Engine · NH

Sudden engine failure while merging on highway nearly caused major accident dealer detected failed egr valve and replaced.