Bad engine had while driving almost caused an accident bad knocking noise within the motor do to faulty parts mechanic says a part failed while driving car starts but has bad noise within the engine and now vehicle is rendered useless.
Pontiac Grand Prix knocking problems
28 of the 5,184 owner complaints about the Pontiac Grand Prix describe engine knocking or ticking, most of them for the 1997 model year.
- owner complaints
- 28
- worst model year
- 1997
- typical mileage
- 95,000
Is there a fix? There are 4 recalls for this area of the car. See below
By model year
Often reported together
Steering noise 2Overheating 2Stalling 1Power steering loss 1Misfire 1Jerking 1Headlights 1Harsh shifting 1
What owners say
Driving down my familiar road of dutch hills off of dr. 50. I turned my wheel at 27mph. Slid off toward the edge of the road. Fishtailed, maintained composure. Then , began a fishtail to a 180-360 into a concreted steel beamed mailbox. Knocking out my drivers light assembly, front fender, bumper, disabling thehoodof my car, tilting my radiator. Nothing ofthenight should of skinny tires,nor mademefail to maintain my vehicle.
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 pontiac grand prix. When the vehicle was started, a knocking sound was heard from the rear of the vehicle. There was no warning indicator illuminated. The contact called chuck nicholson gmc inc at 330‑735‑6049 (located at 135 w broadway st, dover, oh 44622) and was informed that there was no recall. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was 199,000.
Car shuts off t times unexpectedly a ticking sound power steering issues I don't feel safe for me and my kids driving but not all can afford a new car these cars are high risk and I would like to be compensated for this paid off vehicle please consider our safety and take these dangerous recall vehicles off our streets. And set forth etc. Thanks
The driver received a (the federal safety agency) recall notice (02-v-286-000) power steering wheel. The dealer's mechanic replaced the bearing not the rack and pinion. One month later the driver complained that the steering wheel was hard to turn and there was a knocking noise heard coming from underneath the vehicle. The consumer took the vehicle back to the dealer for inspection. The dealer's mechanic would not replace the part.
Tl*the contact owns a 1998 pontiac grand prix. While driving approximately 40 MPH, the contact heard a ticking sound from the engine. The vehicle suddenly stalled. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic. The technician stated the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 143,900.
2006 pontiac grand prix 34,200 miles on it. Brake system light on, antilock brake system (ABS) light on. Traction control light on, service brake/ABS/traction/stability message displayed. This happened all at once this morning, car felt like it didn't want to stop. No warning! I only commute 10 miles to work each day with this vehicle. This shouldn't be happening with a fairly new car right? Traded my camry for this car. Tried to stay american!!! I would also like to state that I had trouble stopping, when trying to turn a corner and apply brake. (just two days ago) felt like a knocking under brake pedal. Looking back I wonder if this could be related. I bought this car brand new, from in york, pa. I am afraid to drive this car, and I don't see how this problem is related to everyday use. I feel cheated and unsafe.
I purchased a 2005 grand prix gt, on april 28, 2009. It was a used vehicle and had 28,000 when purchased from used car dealer. When I test drove the vehicle I noticed a knock with the steering system. They told me that it was a problem and the dealers were aware of. They said they would fix it once the knock or the system got worst. I am going to the dealer that I purchased the car from as the steering system is getting more pronounced. I called our local pontiac dealer that was still in business and he said that there was no recall on the power steering set up. I have found information on the web site that states that there is a problem with the steering. There was a recall id 09e005000 steering, it was related to the dorman company recalling 979 steering knuckles supplied by them. There were also service bulletins referring to the steering problem. There were odi complaints filled concerning the problem. I can reference the numbers if you need them. I have talked to another pontiac dealer who has lost his franchise but stated to me that it was a problem and that he would fix it for me. I told him that where I purchased the car they would fix it. This is a major safety problem and there should be a recall. I am sure you have received complaints on this subject. The system has not failed but until I get this corrected I will not let anyone drive the vehicle but me. Can you help me with this problem, can we get a recall on this. Gm has taken stimulus dollars and they will not stand by there product. Thanks for any thing that you can provide me in this safety issue. I did not incur an accident but the steering is acting up and I will get it fixed.
I have a general motors 2005 grand prix. It has developed a 'knocking' sound when driving. The same noise corresponds with bumps you can feel in the steering wheel. I took the car to a goodyear service center. They put the car on the lift, removed the front tires and did a complete examination of the "front end". They reported that there was a problem in the steering column. I called pontiac's customer hot-line out of the back of the owners manual. They would not acknowledge the problem. They did state that they would not cover the cost of the repair to the steering column. I asked for that information in writing. The phone operator said he would not provide that to me. I asked for his supervisor. He promptly hung up on me. I called back. I opened a new case #71-663-678745. The operator informed me that they would have to verify the information via an "authorized dealer". We conference called with bob brown chevy. They said they knew of this problem, but would charge me $89 to diagnose it...even though it is a known problem. According to the goodyear service center - thousands of vehicles are affected..and gm won't acknowledge it. They don't want to recall the product. Bob brown chevy gave an 'off the cuff' estimate of $300 to replace the lower steering column extension. If it has a knocking sound and can be felt in the steering wheel, I feel that the car is now unsafe. I am afraid to drive the car and will not buy another gm car until I am satisfied that the steering column won't become unattached and allow the car to veer to the side at will. I don't know how many cars are affected, or if any crashes have been attributed to loss of steering due to a design flaw in the steering column. In 30 years of driving, I have never experienced this problem in dozens of cars from all types of manufacturers - either owned or rented. *tr the repair includes replacement of the lower column extension arm. Updated 11/07/08.
2000 pontiac grand prix 3.8l v6 december 10, 2007 observed low coolant during routine oil/filter change. Filled coolant reservoir and performed oil/filter change. December 12 callaremi, 385 rt. 46 east hackettstown nj 0784 pontiac: took car for repair of coolant leak. Dealer failed to diagnose issue and was told the car was fine. March 15th 2008, low coolant light indicator came on. Proceeded to performed routine oil/filter change and added coolant. March 21st 2008, experienced rough start and ticking noise. The noise was constant during cold start and remained after engine reached operating temperature. March 24th 2008, took car back to callaremi for service of engine ticking noise. Was told noise was due to a # 3 cylinder intake lifer collapsed and bent push rod. I proceeded to argue that failure to service car according to tsb 03-06-01-016 'loss of coolant, milky colored oil caused either excessive wear of the lifter or created hydroloc condition'. Tsb clearly indicates problems with intake gaskets and recommends replacement if coolant loss is not found to be caused by an external link (I.e. Probable cause internal coolant leak). Repairs for single lifter/rod/rocker arm was $1010.00.
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 knocking
Which Pontiac Grand Prix years have engine knocking or ticking problems?
The model years with the most reports are 1997 (8 complaints), 2004 (5 complaints) and 2000 (4 complaints).
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