Tl* the contact owns a 2004 pontiac grand prix. The contact stated while driving 24 MPH, a clicking sound was heard in the steering wheel. The contact stated that the steering wheel seized with the check engine warning light illuminated. The contact drove to a business parking lot and parked the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the serpentine belt needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired however, the failure recurred. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 200,000.
Pontiac Grand Prix engine failure problems
77 of the 5,184 owner complaints about the Pontiac Grand Prix describe engine failure, most of them for the 1999 model year.
- owner complaints
- 77
- worst model year
- 1999
- typical repair cost reported
- $3,000
- typical mileage
- 94,370
Is there a fix? There are 4 recalls for this area of the car. See below
By model year
Often reported together
Steering lock-up 15Stalling 14Fire or smoke 9Overheating 6Loss of power 6Brake failure 4Power steering loss 3Check engine light 3
What owners say
Tl* the contact owns a 2007 pontiac grand prix. While approaching an intersection, the vehicle seized without warning. The contact managed to move the vehicle to the shoulder of the road with the help of a bystander. The contact believes the key fell out of the ignition. The power steering and brakes went out, place the gear into park. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who was unable to duplicate the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer and manufacturer were not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 52,000. *bf
Tl* the contact owns a 2007 pontiac grand prix. The contact stated that the ignition would shut down while driving. The failure occurred at any speed without warning. While the contact's son was entering a freeway ramp, the vehicle decelerated and lost power. The vehicle had to be placed in neutral before the power steering seized. When the vehicle was turned off and restarted, it was able to be driven home safely. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer and dealer were not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 206,000.
Tl* the contact owned a 1997 pontiac grand prix. While driving over a bridge, smoke appeared on the interior and exterior of the vehicle without warning. The contact was able to quickly coast the vehicle over to the side of the road and exit the vehicle. A fire erupted under the hood and caused catastrophic engine failure. The fire department was able to extinguish the flames. A fire report was not filed. The vehicle was towed to a yard and destroyed. The insurance company was unable to determine the cause of the failure. The contact later received notification of the federal safety agency campaign number: 08v118000 (engine and engine cooling) several months after the fire. The failure mileage was not available. Parts distribution disconnect.
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
2000 pontiac grand prix. Consumer writes in regards to engine seized due to loss of oil pressure and rotating assembly came through engine block causing engine fire. Consumer requests reimbursement for engine exhaust manifold recall repairs. *smd gm denied the consumers request, because they claimed the repair that was performed, was not the repair covered by the recall. The consumer stated the replacement engine caught on fire two months after it was replaced, due to oil deposited on the exhaust manifold.
Tl* the contact owns a 2007 pontiac grand prix. The contact stated that while driving at 20 MPH, the steering wheel seized and the vehicle accelerated independently. The contact crashed into a cement barrier and a parked vehicle. There was no police report filed. The contact had not sustained any injuries. The vehicle was taken to the dealer but was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 100,000. Updated 04/22/16*lj car was in driving mode then stop at light after passing gas to move off car just went out of control would not stop after passing on brakes so consumer had to bank it on side of road which clip another car. Updated 05/31/18
Got in car and turned ignition key. Heard a loud kaboom and smoke started pouring out from under the hood. No warning lights activated. Flames shooting out from under hood. Vehicle was stationary. Sitting in my car port.. Fire company called. Fire extinguished. Engine blown up.
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 pontiac grand prix. While driving approximately 75 MPH, there was an abnormal noise and the steering wheel seized. In addition, the brake pedal was depressed but was stiff and failed to respond. As a result, the vehicle flipped twice and landed into a ditch. When the contact exited the vehicle, it was discovered that the engine was off. The vehicle failed to restart. The air bags did not deploy. The contact stated that the driver sustained a hand injury that required medical attention. A police report was filed. The vehicle was destroyed. The vine was included in the federal safety agency campaign number: 14v4000000 (electrical system). The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 pontiac grand prix. While driving approximately 40 MPH, the steering wheel seized and the vehicle stalled without warning. As a result, the vehicle rolled into the curb. After attempting to restart the vehicle, the front of the vehicle caught fire. The contact was able to extinguish the fire. A fire report was not filed and no injuries were reported. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 100,000.
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: engine
- What is wrong
- General Motors LLC (GM) notified the agency on April 2, 2015, that they are is recalling certain model year 2004 Buick Regal vehicles manufactured April 9, 2003, to June 1, 2003, 2004 Chevrolet Impala vehicles manufactured April 8, 2003, to June 23, 2003, and 2004 Chevrolet Monte Carlo vehicles manufactured April 7, 2003, to June 23, 2003. On May 18, 2015, GM expanded the recall to cover an additional 49,751 2004 Pontiac Grand Prix vehicles manufactured January 6, 2003, to June 25, 2004. In the affected vehicles, the valve cover gasket may leak.
- Risk
- The leaking engine oil can drip onto the hot surface of the exhaust manifold, increasing the risk of a fire.
- Remedy
- GM will notify owners, and dealers will remove the plastic cover and plastic oil fill tube extension and replace the front valve cover and gasket. These repairs will be done free of charge. The recall began on April 24, 2015. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1‑800‑521‑7300, Pontiac customer service at 1‑800‑762‑2737 or Chevrolet customer service at 1‑800‑222‑1020. GM's number for this recall is 14574.
Recall number 15V201000 · 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 Pontiac Grand Prix engine failure
Which Pontiac Grand Prix years have engine failure problems?
The model years with the most reports are 1999 (13 complaints), 1997 (11 complaints) and 1998 (8 complaints).
How much does it cost to fix engine failure on the Pontiac Grand Prix?
Owners who mentioned a price put the repair at about $3,000 (median of 11 complaints that include a dollar amount). Costs vary with mileage, warranty and where the work is done.
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