I was driving the 2002 pontiac grand prix gtp on a highway with 45-55 MPH speed limit for approx. 45 min. The car shut off 15 sec. After I heard the engine backfire. The speedometer went from 0 all the way up, and back to 0. I pulled into the nearest parking lot and popped the hood. I discovered a fire near the intake and the lower right side of the valve cover. The car was towed to a pontiac dealer. They replaced the fuel injectors, the lower intake, valve cover, spark plug wires, electrical harness and much motor the cost was approx. $5000. After saying it would take 2 weeks, it took the shop 6 or 7 weeks to fix, so my car rental bill was thousands more than insurance would cover the car wasn't nearly as responsive and had trouble going up even the smallest inclines. Also, the shift-park interlink stopped working so the car would not shift out of park after the fire. And my sunroof hasn't worked since. And my fan for the A/C and heater only works with the fan on 5. Also I have noticed a weird sound coming from the speakers on occasion. About a week or two later the car was in the shop because they had not replaced the spark plugs; one of them was cracked and was most likely cracked when I got the car back. The car had about 90,000 miles when it had caught fire. Then on june 3, 2006-after less than 2000 miles, the engine locked up. The dealer said the only option they can do to fix it is put a new engine in--the initial estimate is $5200. Also, I'm going to be out of a car again and will have the burden of rental car costs again. From what I have read, there have been numerous fires involving the gm 3.8. Something needs to be done.
2002 Pontiac Grand Prix transmission complaints
Page 2 of 2: complaints 11 to 18 of 18, newest first, as owners wrote them.
Shudder from torque converter when shifting between 1st and 2nd gear. Torque converter will have to be replaced. Was told by dealer this is a common problem with this model.
Sudden wheel hub bearing failure. Roaring noise became increasingly louder. Passenger side. Dealer replaced at cost of $439.00. Driver side starting to go out now. 63,000 miles.
Dealership inspection revealed worn/failed parts. Both front hub bearings and driver side drive axle inboard cv boot torn/grease escaping. Brakes observed worn front both sides. Parts replaced with new/remanufactured parts. Other parts on front not effected by worn components. Old hubs available for inspection, drive axles returned to reman. Facility for core return. Front hub bearings built "sealed for life" showed signs of both grease seal failure (both sides) and wear in the vertical plane with no motion detected horizontally, some slight wear inward and outward on bearing. While removing old parts, detected same wear pattern on both hub bearings both sides front, and detected signs of burnished/blued surface on mating spline of drive axle assembly (drivers side only). Detected both drive axles cv boots rubber losing their pliability and becoming very brittle. Vehicle has approximately 76,000 miles on it and was used primarily highway miles city driving. Majority of miles on vehicle on straight level pavement. Noticed on occasion some stalling conditions on hard left turns (max. Radius) which have sometimes caused a complete shutdown of engine. Since replacement of said parts, engine/drive train seems to be mechanically "fluid" with less hesitation/shifting demands on the trans axle assembly. Fluid/filter replacement in trans axle revealed higher than average wear indicated by soft form metals in the pan and filter causing a near complete clogging condition. Heavy formations.
Shifting solenoid b circuit.
Suspension - wheel bearing failure - replaced wheel hub transmission - car trying to go into reverse and drive at same time. Gear in transmission failure. Replaced transmission paint - several areas on car paint coming off and rusting. Wet sanded some areas and brush touched up leaving globs of paint in these areas. Efforts to remove etching residue on trunk resulted in dealer paint dept. Scratching trunk and spoiler. I notified manager. Attempts to remove scratches were unsuccessful car was returned to me with scratches. Paint on hood coming off and rust starting. Were supposed to repair but failed to do so. Informed paint manager I was dissatisfied but his hands are tied because of used car manager. I informed them I would be contacting gm. The reply was do what you gotta do. Dealership is twin city in port arthur, tx
While traveling on the highway and without prior warning transmission will not pull over.
260 miles on odometer - severe sloshing noise in fuel tank - not noticeable on other grand prix's - at 233 miles, fitting on transmission cooler failed, causing loss of transmission fluid and function. Vehicle towed to dealer. Diagnosis - improper installation of fitting.
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