NHTSA — Engine Problems

1997 Pontiac Grand Prix (Page 3 of 3)

10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 27
Injuries / Deaths:
1 / 0
Average Mileage:
100,686 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

1997 Pontiac Grand Prix engine problems

engine problem

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1997 Pontiac Grand Prix Owner Comments (Page 3 of 3)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #5

Oct 092013

Grand Prix 6-cyl

  • 171,750 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The engine shuts off while driving down the road. When the engine quit running, the oil light and alternator light didn't come on just the anti-lock brake light, also the tachometer stayed at 2000 RPM. I put the car in neutral and tried, but couldn't get the engine to start. Pulled over to the side of the road and tried several times before finally starting. I had to put transmission in the park position, and the key all the way off, then start the engine. I had the crankshaft sensor replaced, but made no difference. Its happened 6 times in the last 5 months and 300 miles. I quit driving it until I can get another car.

- Spring Hill, KS, USA

problem #4

Nov 042013

Grand Prix 6-cyl

  • 141,407 miles
At 4:06 pm on Nov. 04,2013, my wife parked in a local walmart parking lot. She immediately noticed smoke coming from underneath the hood. Bystanders started yelling for her to exit the car. One bystander called the fire department, located 1.25 miles away. My wife exited the car called the fire department and then called me with her mobile phone by the time the fire engine arrived, the plastic parts on top of and around the engine had been destroyed. The fire department immediately extinguished the fire. I arrived from four miles away, and after surveying the damage, I considered the damage to exceed the value of the car. I called a local towing service and they towed the car to my home. The car had been well maintained and was in excellent condition before the fire. I am 77 years old and my wife is 74 and our memories are failing. I think we received a post card notification of a recall, but I think it was for a steering problem: Nothing related to any danger of an engine fire. I do not understand why General Motors chose to not notify us by registered mail of the imminent danger of a fire..

- Mustang, OK, USA

problem #3

May 172013

Grand Prix 6-cyl

  • miles
After leaving work on Friday May 17, 2013 I went to complete several errands before driving to the nearest gym. Upon my arrival I noticed a scent which I believe was coming from my car then proceeded to pull into the parking lot of the gym, park the car, turn the engine off and open the hood of the car. After doing so, I was shocked to discover that my engine was on fire along with all the other components under the hood such as my electrical wiring and spark plugs. I had a safety recall act (repair) performed on my car in February 2013 by a GM dealership, which I thought was completely safe and would give my car longevity actually did the opposite. I filed a case with GM regarding this matter but have been given the run-A-round as of May 20,2013. I'm very unhappy with their customer service thus far and need assistance in addressing this dangerous matter.

- Richmond, VA, USA

problem #2

Jun 012012

Grand Prix

  • 130,000 miles
The contact owns a 1997 Pontiac Grand Prix. The contact stated that the engine rpms increased excessively once the vehicle was started. In addition, coolant was leaking from the tail pipe and the front end of the vehicle. The contact stated that engine oil was also leaking from the vehicle. The steering wheel would also seize sporadically and would often shake when driving at various speeds. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who inspected the vehicle and advised the contact that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and advised that the VIN was not included in NHTSA campaign id number: 09V116000 (engine and engine cooling), and NHTSA campaign id number: 09E005000 (steering). The approximate failure and current mileage was 130,000. The VIN was not available.

- Lenexa, KS, USA

problem #1

Jul 292011

Grand Prix 6-cyl

  • 183,000 miles
Car caught on fire while sitting at a stop light. Always did regular maintenance and kept records. Vehicle was well taken care of and caught fire without warning.

- Stockton, CA, USA

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