1997 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX Electrical System Problems

NOTE: I HAVE FILED A SAFELY COMPLAINT BEFORE WITH THE NHTSA ABOUT THIS SAFETY ISSUE ON NOV 9, 2020 REFERENCE NUMBER: 11373799. AND NOW DUE TO SAFETY NEGLIGENCE FROM THE INVESTIGATION DEPARTMENT OF THE NHTSA ..EXCESSIVE HEAT COMING FROM THE EXTREMELY HOT OIL THAT'S DRIPPING OFF THE EXTREMELY HOT EXHAUST MANIFOLD THAT'S LEAKING FROM THE VALVE COVER STARTED A FIRE UNDER THE HOOD AND ALSO LEAKED INTO THE CYLINDER CAUSING THE PISTON TO SLIT INTO NUMEROUS PIECES THEN VIOLENTLY BEING SHOT BACK AND FORTH STRIKING THE CYLINDER WALLS VIOLENTLY THEN BREAKING THROUGH THE ENGINE BLOCK AND OIL PAN, THEN SPILLING HOT OIL ON THE I-105 HIGHWAY AT HIGH WAY SPEED COMING UP ON A FORK, LOST OIL COMPRESSION AND STALLING OUT WITH HEAVY THICK CAN'T SEE IN MORE THEN 5 FEET IN FRONT OF YOU GREY/BLACK SMOKE COMING FROM BOTH ENDS OF THE VEHICLE. ALMOST COSTED ME MY LIFE

THE ENGINE LEAKS OIL ON THE MANIFOLD WHICH STARTED A FIRE AND ELECTRICAL SOME OF MY SENSOR CONNECTORS AND NOT WORKING.. THE FIRE STARTED AFTER I PULLED IN TO DRIVE WAY AND I CAN FEEL FROM THE INSIDE OF THE CAR THAT THE ENGINE WAS GETTING REAL HOT SO I POPPED THE HOOD AND THERE WAS A SMALL FIRE ON THE MANIFOLD. *TR

WHILE DRIVING MY 1997 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX TO THE TIRE SHOP IT BURST INTO FLAMES. THE FIRE STARTED UNDER THE HOOD AND TOTALLY DAMAGED THE VEHICLE.

ON THE 10TH OF JUNE IN 2016 DRIVING DOWN THE FREEWAY AT 65 MPH WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL ENGAGED, I NOTICED A WHITE COLORED SMOKE COMING FROM THE CAR. IN THE PROCESS OF PULLING OVER TO THE SHOULDER OF THE FREEWAY THE ENGINE STOPPED AND THE SMOKE CONTINUED. POPPED THE HOOD AND SAW A FIRE ON THE MIDDLE/ FRONTFRONT OF THE MOTOR. THE FORE WAS COMING FROM THE COVER ON THE TOP OF MOTOR.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE IGNITION SWITCH FAILED AND THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START. THE CONTACT HAD TO WIGGLE THE KEY IN THE IGNITION IN ORDER TO START THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE RECURRED WHEN ATTEMPTING TO START THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE IGNITION SWITCH WAS REPLACED; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 155,800.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH, WHEN THE HEATING SYSTEM WAS ACTIVATED, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE HEAD LIGHTS FAILED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT ALSO NOTICED THAT THE INFORMATION SYSTEM IN THE DASHBOARD WOULD FAIL WHEN THE HEAT WAS ACTIVATED. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ABS WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE RECURRED. IT WAS UNKNOWN IF THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 52,300. UPDATED 04/08/16*LJ THE CONSUMER STATED THE BRAKE MODULE NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. UPDATED 05/16/16.*JB

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 1997 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. NO FURTHER DETAILS WAS AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 136,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

WHILE DRIVING, THE CAR STOPPED WITH NO CODE. I WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE CAR. THE NEXT WEEK, THE CAR STOPPED AGAIN WITHOUT ANY CODE. BASED ON OTHER COMPLAINTS, THE CAR IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE BECAUSE YOU NEVER KNOW WHEN THE CAR WILL STOP AGAIN WITHOUT WARNING. *TR

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...

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...

AUTOMATIC HEADLIGHTS EXTINGUISH WHEN HEATER FAN SWITCH SELECTED TO POSITIONS 2,3, OR 4. *TR

I HAVE A 1997 GRAND PRIX GTP SUPER CHARGER AND IT CAUGHT ON FIRE TODAY,WITH MY DAUGHTER AND GRANDSON IN THE CAR! ITS A GOOD THING THAT WE ALL GOT OUT OF THE CAR BEFORE IT TOTALLY WENT UP. FIRE DEPARTMENT CAME AND PUT OUT THE FIRE AND STATED IT WAS FROM SOMETHING LIKE THE WIRING, AND THEN I FOUND OUT YOU GUYS HAVE A RECALL ON IT BECAUSE OF THIS REASON! IM VERY UPSET! *TR

MY VEHICLE BEGAN TO EXPERIENCE ELECTRICAL OUTAGES A MONTH AGO WHICH INCLUDED THE HEADLIGHTS, BLOWER MOTOR, AND GAS SENSOR. MY HEADLIGHTS WOULD SHUTOFF BY THEMSELVES AS WOULD MY BLOWER MOTOR, PERIODICALLY. I NOTICED THAT IT CORRESPONDED TO WHAT LEVEL MY BLOWER WAS PUT ON. LEVEL 5 WOULD KEEP THE SYSTEM ON BUT LEVELS 1-4 WOULD PROMOTE THE OUTAGES. I HAVE HAD THE BLOWER MOTOR AND BLOWER SWITCH REPAIRED ON MY CAR NOT MORE THAN A YEAR AGO BUT YET I AM EXPERIENCING THIS PROBLEM. I HAVE READ MANY OTHER BLOGS WHERE PEOPLE HAVE POSTED PROBLEMS WITH THEIR PONTIAC WHICH ARE IDENTICAL TO MINE. I SHOULD NOTE THAT THIS PROBLEM HAS GOTTEN PROGRESSIVELY WORSE OVER THE PAST MONTH. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX. WHILE PARKED IN THE DRIVEWAY, THE VEHICLE'S HOOD IGNITED INTO FLAMES. THE CONTACT OBSERVED SMOKE COMING FROM THE HOOD PRIOR TO THE FIRE, BUT THERE WERE NO WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CALLED TO THE SCENE AND A REPORT WAS FILED. THERE WAS MINOR PROPERTY DAMAGE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 130,000.

MY CAR CAUGHT ON FIRE FROM A RECALL AND GM IS NOT TAKING ACTION FOR IT. *TR

VEHICLE PARKED 10 MINUTES WHEN FIRE DETECTED, REPORTED AND EXTINGUISHED BY LOCAL FD, ENTIRE ENGINE COMPARTMENT DESTROYED. *TR

1997 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX ENGINE COMPARTMENT CAUGHT ON FIRE APPROXIMATELY 10 MINUTES AFTER PARKING. CALLED FIRE DEPARTMENT WHICH STATED CAUSE WAS ELECTRICAL. ENGINE COMPARTMENT TOTAL LOSS. HOOD DAMAGED BY FIRE DEPARTTMENT. TO GAIN ENTRY., PAINT MELTED. CAR IS AVAILABLE FOR INSPECTION. NO REPAIRS OR CHANGES MADE.*AK

SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT IS ON MOST OF THE TIME. GOES OFF OCCASIONALLY, THEN COMES BACK ON. PROBLEM STARTED A FEW MONTHS AGO. HAD COMPUTER DIAGNOSTICS DONE SEVERAL TIMES ON THIS CAR, BUT THEY CAN FIND NOTHING WRONG. OIL CHANGES ARE MADE EVERY 3,000 MILES, RADIATOR FLUID IS CHANGED WHEN NEEDED, SENSORS ARE CHECKED AND REPLACED WHEN NEEDED. ENGINE IS KEPT IN EXCELLANT CONDITION. ANY IDEAS WOULD BE APPRECIATED. *AK

I OWN A 1997 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX, HAVE BEEN HAVING TROUBLE WITH THE WINDSHIELD WIPER BLADE GETTING STUCK AND ALSO THE GEAR SHIFTER NOT COMING OUT OF PARK.*AK

PROBLEMS WITH POWER STEERING PUMP, ALTERNATOR, RACK AND PINION, POWER WINDOWS, AND HEAD GASKETS. *MR 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...

AFTER THE ENGINE WAS TURNED OFF, THE CONSUMER WAS UNABLE TO REMOVE THE KEY FROM THE IGNITION. *AK THE CONSUMER WAS UNABLE TO REMOVE THE KEY WITHOUT PUSHING THE BUTTON IN THE STEERING COLUMN, AND COULD NOT SHIFT FROM PARK WITHOUT PUSHING THE SHIFT RELEASE BUTTON. THE DEALER DID NOT FIND WHAT WAS EXACTLY WRONG BUT SAID IT WAS AN ELECTRICAL PROBLEM. (POOR CONNECTION AT SPLICER IN THE MIDDLE OF THE DASH) *SCC *JB

WARNING LIGHTS, ABS, CHECK TIRE PRESSURE, TRAC OFF. *JB

THE STEERING WHEEL FAILED TO TURN TO THE LEFT, INSTEAD IT TURNED COMPLETELY AROUND. *JB. ALSO THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED PROBLEMS WITH THE ALTERNATOR, RACK AND PINION, BRAKES, SEATS, WINDOWS, BATTERY, BULBS, STEERING PUMP, AND THE SUN ROOF LEAKED. PH *JB

A LOAD BACK FIRED WHEN CRANKING THE CAR FOLLOWING THAT WAS A LARGE CLOUD OF THICK WHITE SMOKE OUT FROM UNDER THE HOOD. A FIRE WAS ALMOST STARTED. TS

CONSUMER STATES THAT THE DASHBOARD WARNING LIGHTS CAME ON AND STAYED ON RESULTING IN VEHICLE CONTINUOUSLY STALLING OUT. CONTACTED DEALER. *MR

DOME LIGHT WOULD COME ON AND REMAIN ON FOR APPROXIMATELY 2 MINUTES OR MORE WHILE DRIVING. DEALER NOTIFIED. *AK LOCKS, SEAT BELT INDICATOR, AND CRUISE CONTROL ACTING WEIRD, FUSE REPLACED AND AS SOON AS IT WAS STARTED, THE VEHICLE BLEW A FUSE. *YD

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM FAILS ON A REGULAR BASIS. THIS DEFECT RESULTS IN FAILURE OF ALL ELECTRICAL SYSTEMS, AND CAUSES ENGINE TO STALL WHILE VEHICLE IS IN OPERATION. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION/ATTACHMENTS.*AK

ELECTRICAL FIRE IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT.

THE OWNER HAS HAD TROUBLE WITH CD PLAYER AND CRUISE CONTROL NOT WORKING, EACH TIME THE FUSE IS PULLED OUT AND INSPECTED (NO DAMAGE) AND INSERTED BACK INTO FUSE RECEPTACLE, THE UNITS WORK AGAIN. THE CONSUMER FEELS THAT THE PROBLEM IS IN THE COMPUTER MICROPROCESSOR.