Car, while driving, experienced loss of engine power and began to stall. Small fire yielding smoke began in engine compartment while parked and engine off. Within 10 minutes entire engine compartment was engulfed in flames requiring fire department to extinguish.
2001 Pontiac Grand Prix: sudden loss of power
6 of the 308 complaints about the 2001 Pontiac Grand Prix describe sudden loss of power.
- owner complaints
- 6
- of this car's complaints
- 2%
- typical mileage
- 90,000
- recalls
- 3
Is there a fix? There are 3 recalls and 90 service bulletins for this area of the car. See below
Sudden loss of power by model year
What owners say
At approx. 65 miles per hour the catalytic converter collapsed causing me to lose all power on the interstate and nearly causing an accident when it died.
I had a letter sent through the mail that said that I could have a problem with my catalytic converter but when I took it to the dealer to have it fixed they said my check engine light had to be on so they said they wouldn't fix it but on the paper said nothing about the check engine having to be on. It only said that the catalytic converter might be bad if I had power loss but they said they wouldn't fix it until the light came on .
Mileage/date complaint resolution 24736-10/29/01 rt ft power window replaced motor regulator 59454-12/5/02 error code 20 on cd replaced cd player ($537.59) 62469-1/30/03 rt rr power window regulator cables worn gears stripped 62469 tach intermittent replace crankshaft sensor 62469 trans slipping computer said no problem ($1,050) 64406-2/25/03 won't go into reverse replaced transmission 70758-5/23/03 key won't come out replace shifter assy ($510) 70758 rt rr power window intermittent - could find no problem 83769-10/24/03 engine coolant recall perform recall 83769 rt rr power window replaces cables worn gears 83769 engine oil leak replace upper intake manifold gasket 83769 loss of power replace catalytic converter
The wiring harness under the hood is routed next to the engine, which causes the wires to melt and then the car cuts out/stalls. These stalls happen both at stops and while going down the highway. If not corrected the car may stall causing lose of power to the steering and brakes and then a crash. This first happened at about 36000 and then again at about 70000 miles. I believe that it takes about 30000+ mile before the harness is melted enough to cause the issue. It happened just outside of the manufactures warranty. I called gm twice and asked that they recall it but they informed me that it was not recalled and that I had no way to get it reviewed for recall. The dealers have a service advisor on this issue and I am sure they are seeing several (1000) of these issues a year. Also, at about 70000 miles, the positive lead on the battery began leaking acid. Gm states there is not recall, but I have found that this is a common is on pontiac grand prix. *ak *sc
Catalytic converter car lost power was not running rough. Took vehicle to mechanic told catalytic converter was bad. Took to dealer told not covered because car was misfiring. Asked if bad converter could cause misfire since car was not running rough at first. Told no.asked what was causing misfire,told could be anything. Charged $75 because converter was not covered due to misfireconverter warrenty for 80000 miles.
Service bulletins that may apply
- This technical bulletin advises of a new fuel injection cleaner kit used for decarbonizing the intake...
- This service bulletin provides service information to technicians on guidelines to replace Oil Cooler, Oil...
- This PI bulletin advises the technician on the proper way to install the pistons in an engine.
- This service bulletin provides graphics, information and guidelines for engine component wear to assist...
- Engine
- This service bulletin provides service information on new torque specification and installation procedure...
- Engine and engine cooling: engine: oil/lubrication: pressure/temperature sensor
- This informational bulletin provides guidelines and diagnostic/repair information to technicians regarding...
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 2001 Pontiac Grand Prix loss of power
Is sudden loss of power a common problem on the 2001 Pontiac Grand Prix?
6 of 308 owner complaints about the 2001 Pontiac Grand Prix (2%) 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 2001 Pontiac Grand Prix?
There are 3 recalls and 90 service bulletins for the same area of the car. Check them below with your VIN.
Other symptoms on the 2001 Pontiac Grand Prix
Fire or smoke 96Stalling 14Check engine light 10ABS 9Headlights 9Overheating 9No deployment 8Transmission failure 7
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