My 1997 Pontiac Grand Prix gtp over heated last month and it had an engine fire. Previously, there were several occasions when it had an odd oily/electrical smell but nothing appeared to be wrong. I was stuck in some snow and while I was getting it out it apparently overheated. I made it out on to the main road and less than thirty yards later, it caught fire. It took a while for the fire department to get there, and after the fire was put out there was nothing left salvageable of my car. The engine compartment was demolished and the interior had standing water from being extinguished. Basically, there was nothing I could do at that point, I had no car and the insurance did not cover what had happened.

- Midland, MI, USA

My son was driving my 1997 Grand Prix when it started to knock and killed on the way into the walmart parking lot. Shortly after coming to a stop he noticed smoke and that the engine compartment on fire. The fire department was called and after breaking into the engine compartment, put the fire out. Amount of damages unknown.

- New Richmond, WI, USA

Brought car to dealer for regular oil change and was told the oil was full of coolant. Was told by mechanic that this was a common" problem, and he had changed several upper intake manifold gaskets on Pontiac Grand Prix 3.8 V6 engines severe cases, included changing upper as well as lower gaskets, and head gaskets due to coolant leaks. On a few of the cars the damage was beyond repair, and needed new engines due to severe coolant leaks. The upper intake plenum had melted, resulting in a coolant leak, coolant in the oil, and vice versa. Had to have another oil change a week later to get the rest of the gunk out, and will have to bring it in again next week to check for anymore traces of coolant in the oil. If found will have to possibly change the lower intake gasket, and possibly head gaskets. If damage was really bad, new engine. If this is such a "common" problem GM putting a plastic part would be installed. Why was there no recall on it? I have checked message board after message board and this problem was wide spread.. lots of complaints, but the consumer was stuck fitting the bill for their defective part.

- Chicago, IL, USA

While driving my car, the light on dash began to flash as I slowed to read it, the car shut off. I was just going to try to restart it when I noticed smoke coming out from under hood. I got out of the car and was going to go get my husband who was a little over a half mile away. I reached inside the drivers door to put on the flashers as I did this I heard a sizzling noise and the flashers did not engage. I started running to get help and when I looked back I saw embers drop from the front of the engine by the plug wires. I got to a phone and the fire department was called just as visible flames could be seen from the engine compartment. Updated 3/20/08

- Clearlake Oaks, CA, USA

I have a 1997 Grand Prix with a 3.8 liter V6 that has a leaking intake manifold which I have been told is a common problem. The car leaks about a quart of coolant a month and I have been told that it is going to get worse quickly if I don't have it repaired. It is my understanding that loss of coolant could lead to complete engine failure. Doing some research, I see there are numerous complaints on this issue. It is a very expensive repair that is required due to a design flaw rather than what I would consider wear.

- Bel Aire, KS, USA

While driving, the consumer smelled smoke coming from the vents. The consumer pulled over, lifted up the hood and discovered the engine was on fire. The consumer extinguished the fire. The consumer had the vehicle towed to the dealer for inspection. The mechanic informed the driver that the cause could not be determined. Please fill in additional information.

- Glasgow, KY, USA

The paint on the rear wheel wells as well as the pain on the running boards all the way back to the rear quarter pannels is rusting out. I found your website and thought that I migh be covered, but apparently I am not and GM said they have changed their plant to oshawa, Canada. They also said that they have changed their paint. When I asked what I should do they said that it is pretty much tough luck. And that is about it. Also the coolent return hose in the engine goes every 2 yrs. And at Canadian tire it costs. About 375$ to replace.

- Ottawa, UN, USA

This is the worst automobile I have ever owned. It is nickel and diming me to death. Both back windows are being held up in place by sticks that I have proped under them. The front passenger window I paid $300 to have repaired. The steering locked up on me and I had to dish out $500 to get that repaired, GM recalled it a couple of weeks after that, thank god I got some of my money back for that repair. The passengers side head light lens cover fell off $75 to replace that. I am presently working on the brake transmission shift indicator which I just called the dealer for a price on the part and am told it will be $224.07 for the part and probably $115 for the labor. The engine leaks oil I had my wife take it to the shop for them to take a look at and they told her that no leaks were evident. Well the oil in my driveway is coming from somewhere. I will never own another GM product in my life again. Not even if it is given to me and 10,000 to use toward the repairs of it.

- Bloomingdale, GA, USA

I put a $1,000 on a car the tranmisson is defected they claim the fixed it but did not and the air do not work/ today the car cut off on me and did not start so I left it beside the road so the dealership can pick it up this is a used car

- Marietta, NC, USA

Noticed several areas where the paint seems to be pealing on the car

- Scottsdale, AZ, USA

Currently, the clearcoat is peeling off the car. Last summer, the window motors died. Reoccuring, is the air conditioner problem. -it doesn't work.

- Pana, IL, USA

After significant hours of reading and talking with people, I found that my problem affects thousands of GM customers with similar engines. This is a well documented (on the interenet) complaint about the plastic intake manifold failure which causes a sizable leak of coolant which can utimately cause catostrophic engine failure as well as water pump failure due to lack of coolant lubrication. Although not listed as a safety issue, the failure of an engine in traffic could, and maybe has, a driver to inadvertently have an accident, even fatal one, due to the engine failure and lack of steering w/O use of power steering pump. Just another avenue to look into when GM says this is not a safety issue. However, thousands of people appear to have this same issue and have spent large amount of monies repairing and lots of frustration attempting to get GM to resolve this flaw that has existed, to their knowledge, for many years. This is a design flaw in GM's engineering that GM says "too bad". it is interesting to note that when people have taken them to court, GM tends to pony and pay for repairs.

- Carrollton, TX, USA

Most recent complaint is, heated driver seat gets too hot and makes it hard to stay seated. Heater blower quit working. Have had to replace the alternator every 3rd year (3 times). Have had oil pan gasket and valve cover leakage. Power steering failed to make left hand turns. Headlights continue to have poor range and visibility even with bulb replacement. Car lurches forward when starting up engine. Outside temperature display keeps wrong temperature. A.M. radio would not work. Water pump had to be replaced. ABS light stayed on. Air bag light came on when going over bumps in road.

- Bend, OR, USA

Problems with power steering pump, alternator, rack and pinion, power windows, and head gaskets. The power steering pump had suddenly gone out in traffic, the vehicle stopped abruptly in the middle of traffic(the alternator was replaced), the consumer discovered that the windshield wipers were inoperative upon start due to the failure of the wiper linkage under the cowl, the steering skipped as the consumer made right hand turns(the rack and pinion was replaced along with the power steering pump), the headlight lens had fallen off, the ceramic headgasket had to be replaced, the was a hesitation and alternator had to be replaced for a second time, the air bag warning light had come on due to a short in the wiring harness, the transmission grabbed along with hesitation(a tune up was performed and work was done to the transmission), the vehicle couldn't be taken out of the park position(the shifter was replaced), the power window(s) failed, the tire pressure light had illuminated, and the windshield wiper pump leaked and would not hold fluid.

- Auburn Hills, MI, USA

The engine exploded when the driver attempted to start the vehicle. The top of the engine and the intake manifold were replaced.

- Carson City, MI, USA

Recall 99V348000 repairs on windshield wipers were done in July of 2000, vehicle has been taken back to dealer numerous times. Windshield wipers stopped working intermittently. Map lamp assembly, door lights, rear door lens, gasket lamp and headlamp assembly were all replaced, ABS light illuminated, dealer adjusted brake light switch. Both outer tie rods were replaced. Windshield cowl panel leaked and was replaced. Steering column was replaced. Serpentine belt has been replaced 3 times, valve cover gasket has been replaced 2 times, vehicle has experienced 3 oil leaks, oil pan and water pump were replaced, a belt snapped and has not yet been repaired. Alternator has been replaced 3 times. The supercharger gasket was replaced. The automatic shift mechanism was replaced. The radio skips and the radio module to the steering column broke. 2 front wheel speed sensor jumper wiring was replaced.

- Cumberland, RI, USA