I received a letter today informing me of a GM recall for my 1997 Pontiac Grand Prix 3.8L V6 w/supercharger concerning engine fires because of a leaky gasket. I had a similar oil leak onto the exhaust manifold which caused much smoke and smell. I had to replace both rocker arm gaskets to resolve the problem. My concern is that GM is recalling my car to fix the front gasket leak and not the rear gasket leak. I can assure you that my rear gasket leak was much worse than the front leak and was dripping directly onto the exhaust manifold. I had no idea this could ever catch fire. I saw documented pictures of another burned Grand Prix on the internet today as I researched this issue today. I was utterly shocked. And when I heard GM is only going to fix the front gasket, I knew I had to open up a complaint. I could have easily been the next victim of GM's inaction. My problem was fixed on 4/24/07 but prior I drove the car and would put up with this smell until I saw the smoke arising while I was at a drive-thru restaurant. GM also implies it was related to heavy braking. Well that may be true initially, but once it started leaking it never stopped. You must force them to fix both gaskets before someone dies in a fire because of their design flaw. I paid $44.47 for both gaskets and that wasn't with GM's volume purchasing discount. So the difference is $20 dollars. I cannot believe GM is only fixing half of the problem, but you need to get involved and force them. Any of your engineers should be able to argue this point with them. If you need me to get on a conference call with the engineers and product managers, I would be happy to. This was the url with the burned Grand Prix: www.gminsidenews.com/forums/F33/upcoming-recall-07035-97-03-gp-regal-3800-S-C-VIN-1-A-61961/index3.html the fire was horrible!

- Hazleton, PA, USA

The car, a '97 Grand Prix with a V-6 engine, had just been parked in the drive way and someone came in about five minutes later and said "your car is on fire" the person was already on the phone with 911. When the fire department arrived 10 minutes later, the car along with all of my cds and other items were a total loss and I only had liability insurance so it was a total loss. The fire department took my blood pressure and it was 210 over 130 and tried to get me to go to the hospital. The car is still in the drive way covered with a tarp and the garage still has the siding hanging down where it melted from the heat. There was no police report even though a deputy sheriff was passing by and stopped as the windows and tires exploded.

- Kevil, KY, USA

I purchased my vehicle, 1997 Pontiac Grand Prix on 5/5/01 with 50,768 miles. I took my car to the dealer for a recall on the front steering pinion. I had asked them to replace the coolant since the manual called to replace at 5 years or 150,000 miles. I was informed that the intake manifold was leaking and was turning my antifreeze into mud. I asked the service manager what caused the manifold to leak. He told me that it was warped and would have to be replaced. The cost to replace it would be $400. My car has approximately 13,000 miles on it since I bought it. It is mainly used locally with the longest round trip driven to date at approximately 100 miles. I have my oil changed at regular intervals with the dealer, and maintain all other fluids, wipers etc. I asked the manager how long it would tatle to replace it. He said that they have replaced 12 of these just in January of 2003. I asked him how many he replaced last year, and he said more than he could count. He said it would probably take longer to find one, get it ordered, than it will to replace it. He said this part is a common failure on the 3.8 liter engine. If you don't replace it, water builds up in the manifold, and runs down into the engine. This will take the bearings out of the motor. Why would the manufacturer continue to make this piece knowing that it could cause a major engine failure. I can only guess to replace the engine in my car would be at least $5000 or more. Why hasn't this part been recalled or corrected" is there a potential for me to have an engine compartment fire? please email me with confirmation that you have received my complaint. Where do I go from here"

- Kittanning, PA, USA

I purchased my vehicle, 1997 Pontiac Grand Prix on 5/5/01 with 50,768 miles. I took my car to the local dealer for a recall on the front steering pinion. I had asked them to replace the coolant since the manual called to replace at 5 years or 150,000 mile. I was informed that the intake manifold was leaking and was turning my antifreeze into mud. I asked the service manager what caused the manifold to leak. He told me that it was warped and would have to be replaced. The cost to replace it would be $400. My car has approximately 13,000 miles on it since I bought it. It is mainly used locally with the longest round trip driven to date at approximately 100 miles. I have my oil changed at regular intervals with the dealer, and maintain all other fluids, wipers etc. I asked the manager how long it would take to replace the intake manifold. He said it would take longer to find one than replace it. He said that they have replaced a lot of these on this engine, and they are in short supply. I have checked your web site for any type of recall and have found none. I did find one complaint report that a fire had occured because of a cracked intake manifold. Do I run the risk of a fire with my vehicle before they replace the manifold" also, if this piece is so prone to failure, what is causing it? could someone please respond back to me with some answers"

- Kittanning, PA, USA

Engine has shut down while driving at various speeds while on a straightaway or turns. Very hazardous situation as all power assist is lost. Engine will restart immediately but never know when power loss will occur. Have noticed many other similar complaints on this web site.

- Waterford, WI, USA

The vehicle hesitate while starting up and back fired. Please furnish additional information dealer is aware of the problem.

- Chester, VT, USA

Engine completely shut off while driving, steering column locks, brakes barely functioned. Alternator replaced twice. Diagnosed with same problem. Once in July 2001, again in August 2001. Service engine light comes on again. Drives ok now, but worried it will continue to give me problems. In and out of shop 4 times in past year for same problem. Back in shop today for who knows what.

- Sherman Oaks, CA, USA

Engine shuts off upon acceleration from a stop. Lights and radio still work. This has happened four times, vehicle has always started right back up. The tachometer also drops while driving very frequently.

- Waldorf, MD, USA

PE-01038; steering wheel becomes difficult to steer. Power assist fells like it's missing. Problem is intermittent. The consumer stated that the power steering was difficult especially in low speed and cold morning. The engine makes a rattling noise.

- Springfield, VA, USA

Engine will "shut-down" for no apparent reason at various times, without warning; this occurs as though the key was moved to the "off" position. Manufacturer's dealers are unable to detect the problem and find nothing "wrong" with the vehicle. The problem has occured several times at highway speeds and poses an extremely unsafe risk.

- Tinley Park, IL, USA

Engine shuts off without notice at any and all speeds. Able to restart immediately. 3 times at dealership cannot duplicate experience proble at least a dozen times.

- Shelby Township, MI, USA

Engine shuts off without notice at any and all speeds. Able to restart immediately. 3 times at dealership cannot duplicate experience proble at least a dozen times.

- Shelby Township, MI, USA

Went to start engine in the morning and it made a large bang (which I thought was a backfire). I tried to start again and the engine burst into flames, which ended up totalling car, and caused smoke damage throughout my house (the garage is located under the house).

- Ellington, CT, USA

Engine replaced approx 12000 miles, now on 3rd alternator, 4th battery. Gas gauge replaced, wipers replaced 3 times before recall.

- Indianapolis, IN, USA

Car was off at the time of the fire my friends and I had been out of the car only a few minutes.

- Otterville, MO, USA

Vehicle experiencing problem with engine stalling from a stop postion at highway speed of 50 mph or more or while making turn. Vehicle been in dealer shop and condition still reoccurring.

- Milford, MI, USA

Engine's main rear seal leaked oil. Also, oil pan was leaking. Took vehicle to dealer & the mechanic repaired the problem. Each time it would fail to work. Has happened 3 different times around 8 months later. Each time the mechanic indicated the problem has been corrected.

- Royal Oak, MI, USA

Enginer died; will start, but chokes and stalls after a few seconds.

- Chelmsford, MA, USA

Engine has loud unsettling intermittant knocking noise; engine looses drive which has resulted in loss of control; dealer refuses to address problems and denys their existance; GM has been contacted but refuses to provide any further assistance

- Worth, IL, USA

Driving at approxmately 65 mph, was changing lanes, experienced loss of engine power/complete shut down which caused loss brakes and steering, almost resulting in an accident. Dealer replaced transmission control module. Defect is still occurring. Dealer cannot determine problem.

- Woodbridge Ontario, CD, USA