2002 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX Engine And Engine Cooling Problems

The contact owns a 2002 Pontiac Grand Prix. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V701000 (Engine and Engine Cooling). The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where the contact was informed that the vehicle could not be serviced because it was an older vehicle, and the dealer informed the contact that the recall part had been discontinued. The contact was referred to the manufacturer for assistance. The vehicle was then taken to Christian Brothers Automotive, where it was serviced, and the contact was informed that engine oil was leaking onto the exhaust manifold. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 38,500.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 PONTIAC GRAD PRIX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS SERVICED BY AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR A TUNE-UP, OIL CHANGE AND NO FAILURE CODES FOUND. THE CONTACT STATED AFTER RETRIEVING THE VEHICLE FROM THE MECHANIC, SHE WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH WHEN SMOKE WAS SEEN COMING THROUGH THE GEAR SHIFT ASSEMBLY AND A BURNING ODOR WAS DETECTED IN THE CABIN OF THE VEHICLE. SHE PULLED OVER AND UPON EXITING THE VEHICLE, LOOKED UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE AND SAW FLAMES. THE CONTACT STATED SHE EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE BY USING WATER AND GATORADE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FIRE WAS IN THE EXHAUST AREA OF THE VEHICLE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WAS CONTACTED AND INFORMED HER THAT THE VEHICLE WAS SAFE TO DRIVE HOME HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN STALLING AFTER THE FIRE. THE VEHICLE STALLS AFTER...

2002 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO ENGINE OIL DEPOSITS ONTO EXHAUST MANIFOLD RECALL NOTICE AND SEEKS REFUND FOR ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE DAMAGES. *SMD

2002 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO VEHICLE ENGINE FIRE, CONSUMER SEEKS REIMBURSEMENT FOR REPAIRS AFTER RECEIVING ENGINE OIL DEPOSITS ONTO EXHAUST MANIFOLD RECALL NOTICE. *SMD THE UPPER INTAKE GASKET, VAPOR TUBES, ENGINE COVER AND MAP SENSOR WERE REPLACED. *JB

2002 GRAND PRIX PONTIAC. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO OIL LEAK RECALL NOTICE ISSUES. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED SHE SPENT $600.00 TO GET THE VEHICLE FIXED AND IT STILL DID NOT CORRECT THE PROBLEM. *JB

2002 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO EXHAUST MANIFOLD ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE RECALL NOTICE. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE IN 2013. IN DECEMBER 2015, THE CONSUMER RECEIVED A RECALL LETTER REGARDING THE ISSUE. *JB UPDATED 03/29/16.*JB

2002 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO PARTS NOT AVAILABLE TO COMPLETE RECALL NOTICE 15V701. *SMD

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, SHE NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT PULLED OVER AND DISCOVERED THAT THE COOLANT AND ENGINE OIL WAS LOW. THE CONTACT REFILLED THE FLUIDS AND THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED, SMOKE EMITTED FROM THE VEHICLE INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS LEAKING COOLANT AND ENGINE OIL AND THE VALVE COVER GASKET NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT ALSO MENTIONED THAT THE IGNITION LOCKED AND THE IGNITION KEY FAILED TO BE REMOVED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND THE VIN WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V701000 (ENGINE AND...

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, SMOKE APPEARED UNDER THE HOOD OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT OPENED THE HOOD AND DISCOVERED FLAMES. NO INJURIES WERE REPORTED AND A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS ABLE TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 09V116000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 111,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THERE WAS SMOKE COMING FROM THE HOOD. THE CONTACT OPENED THE HOOD AND DISCOVERED THAT THERE WAS A FIRE. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED AND NO INJURIES WERE REPORTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 09V116000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING) BUT DID NOT CONFIRM IF THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN THE RECALL CAMPAIGN. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE CAUSE OF THE FIRE WAS NOT DETERMINED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 95,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH WHEN THE HOOD CAUGHT ON FIRE. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO STOP THE VEHICLE AND EXIT WITHOUT HARM. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CONTACTED AND ARRIVED TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE FIRE ORIGINATED FROM THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 150,000.

MY FORMER VEHICLE, A 2002 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX, HAD A SAFETY RECALL TO PREVENT "ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE." I HAD THAT RECALL FIXED ON SEPTEMBER 22, 2011. ON OCTOBER 23, 2011, I DROVE IT FROM WORK TO HOME, APPROXIMATELY THREE MILES. MYSELF AND PASSENGER PARKED, AND TOOK A FEW THINGS INSIDE. WE NOTICED A BURNING SMELL, LIKE PLASTIC AND A FAINT ELECTRICAL SMELL, AND THOUGHT SOMEONE WAS BURNING TRASH, AS I HAD NEVER SMELLED THAT FROM MY VEHICLE BEFORE. I WENT RIGHT BACK OUT TO GET SOMETHING, AND SAW SMOKE BILLOWING OUT FROM UNDER THE HOOD. I POPPED THE HOOD, AND SAW THE GLOW OF FIRE; WE GRABBED FIRE EXTINGUISHERS, AND PUT OUT THE FIRE, WHICH WAS LOCATED IN PART ON THE PLASTIC HOOD COVER OVER THE ENGINE. THE CAR WAS DECLARED A TOTAL LOSS AFTER ABOUT A WEEK OF SHUFFLING IT AROUND AND CALLING FOR PARTS. UPON FURTHER RESEARCH, IT...

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS ENGULFED IN FLAMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER AND THEY ADVISED HIM THAT THE FAILURE WAS CAUSED BY AN OPEN RECALL ON THE VEHICLE UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 08V118000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND THEY OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE IN REPAIRING THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 102,000.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 70 MPH AND NOTICED SMOKE UNDERNEATH THE HOOD. THE CONTACT STATED THE TEMPERATURE GAUGE ALSO BEGAN TO INCREASE. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO DRIVE ONTO THE EMERGENCY BEFORE THE VEHICLE IGNITED. THE POLICE AND FIRE DEPARTMENT WERE NOTIFIED TO ASSIST WITH THE FIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A SALVAGE AND DECLARED DESTROYED. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2002 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER PARKING THE VEHICLE, THE FRONT END WAS ON FIRE WITHIN MINUTES. THE CONTACT STATED THERE WAS NO PRIOR WARNING OF ANY FAILURE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CALLED TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE AND A FIRE REPORT WAS FILED. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT CONCLUDED THAT THE FIRE ORIGINATED FROM THE ENGINE AND THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 09V116000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING) AND STATED THAT THE RECALL REPAIR WAS PREVIOUSLY PERFORMED ON THE VEHICLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 112,000. UPDATED 5/2/11 *CN UPDATED 05/11/11

SMOKE COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD, FOLLOWED BY THICK DARK SMOKE COMING FROM THE GEAR SHIFT INSIDE THE VEHICLE. LOSS OF STEERING FOLLOWED BY A LOSS OF BRAKES. COASTED TO A STOP AT AN INTERSECTION. UPON EXITING THE CAR THE RIGHT FRONT TIRE HAD BEGUN TO MELT. FLAMES WHERE COMING FROM UNDER THE FRONT PASSENGER FENDER WELL. WITHIN 5 MINUTES THE ENTIRE ENGINE COMPARTMENT WAS ON FIRE. *TR

CAR WAS NOT ACCELERATING ON HIGH WAY THEN ALL POWER WAS LAST IN CAR INCLUDING THE BREAKS. I WAS ABLE TO GET THE CAR TO THE SIDE OF THE HIGHWAY. DARK SMOKE BEGAN COMING THOUGH THE CAR'S VENT AND OUT THE HOOD. I EXITED THE CAR AND THEN SAW FLAMES COMING OUT THE ENGINE. I RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE IN MAY 2009 FOR A PROBLEM WITH POSSIBLE ENGINE FIRES. CAR WAS SERVICED AT THE DEALERSHIP IT WAS PURCHASED FROM TO FIX THE RECALLED ITEM. *TR

THERE WAS A RECALL #ID#08V118000 CONCERNING THE FRONT ROCKER COVER GASKET AND EVENTUAL OIL SEEPAGE. I WAS TOLD BY THE DEALER THAT THE RECALL WAS ADDRESSED AND PARTS WERE REPLACED. SHORTLY AFTER THE RECALL I WAS TOLD BY THE DEALER THAT THE VALVE COVER GASKETS WERE LEAKING AND LATER VERIFIED THAT THE ROCKER COVER WAS THE SAME AS THE VALVE COVER. AFTER 3 OIL CHANGES (SCHEDULED) I WAS TOLD IT SHOULD BE TAKEN CARE OF AND THE COST WOULD BE 1,300.00. I ASKED THEM ABOUT THE RECALL AND WAS TOLD MY VEHICLE WAS NOT PART OF THE RECALL 2002 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX. I CALLED PONTIAC AND THEY TOLD ME IT WAS PART OF THE REVISION RECALL 09047 THAT ONLY COVERED THE SPARK PLUGS. I'M CONFUSED, I DON'T KNOW WHY MY VEHICLE WAS NOT PART OF THE ORIGINAL RECALL, HOWEVER, WAS PART OF THE REVISION. IT APPEARS THAT THE PROBLEM I...

I PARKED MY CAR OUTSIDE OF BABYSITTER'S HOUSE TO PICK UP MY DAUGHTER. WAS INSIDE ABOUT 10-15 MIN WHEN SMOKE STARTED BILLOWING OUT FROM UNDER THE HOOD! THE ENGINE HAD CAUGHT FIRE! LUCKILY, MYSELF AND MY DAUGHTER WERE NOT INSIDE AT THE TIME. COME TO FIND OUT, LATER, THERE IS A RECALL ON MY VEHICLE FOR 'ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRES'....NICE TO FIND OUT AFTERWARDS! I BOUGHT THE CAR FROM AN AUTHORIZED PONTIAC DEALER....THANKS FOR THE WARNING JERKS!! GUESS EVERYONE IS GREEDY...NO MATTER AT WHAT COST TO INNOCENT BUYERS. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH ON THE FREEWAY, THE CONTACT HEARD A POPPING NOISE AND PULLED THE VEHICLE TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. HE NOTICED SMOKE UNDERNEATH THE HOOD. THE CONTACT OPENED THE HOOD AND NOTICED FLAMES. HE GRABBED WATER FROM A DITCH AND USED IT TO EXTINGUISH THE FLAMES. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO HIS RESIDENCE. THE INSURANCE COMPANY WAS NOTIFIED AND THE DEALER WILL BE INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 09V116000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING) WAS REFERENCED. THE CHEVROLET DEALER CAME TO INSPECT THE VEHICLE. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED, IT CAUGHT FIRE AGAIN. A FIRE EXTINGUISHER TO DOUSE THE FLAMES. THE FLAMES REAPPEARED AND HE HAD TO REPEATEDLY EXTINGUISH THEM WITH THE FIRE EXTINGUISHER. THE FIRE WOULD NOT CEASE UNTIL THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED AWAY. THE ENTIRE ENGINE BURNED AND...

PARKED INTO A PARKING LOT, TURNED VEHICLE OFF. EVERYTHING SEEMED FINE, NO SMOKE, NO WARNING LIGHTS. WENT INTO STORE TO PAY A BILL, WALKED OUT A FEW MINUTES LATER AND MY CAR WAS ON FIRE AND SMOKING UNDER THE HOOD. THE CAR PROCEEDED TO BURN AS WE WAITED FOR THE FIRE DEPARTMENT. THE CAR WAS A LOSS. *TR

I HAVE A 2002 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX SE. IT IS A 4 DOOR. I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE THE MANIFOLD GASKETS TWICE WITH IN 9 MONTHS. I STARTED TO NOTICE THAT I DID NOT HAVE ANY HEAT. I TOOK IT TO A MECHANIC AND THEY SAID THAT MY GASKETS WERE LEAKING. I WAS TOLD IT WOULD RUN ME AROUND $900. THE PARTS WERE ABOUT $76. THE LABOR WAS THE MAJORITY OF IT. I WAS THEN TOLD I HAD TO HAVE MY OIL CHANGED AND THERMOSTAT. THIS HAD CAUSED MY THERMOSTAT TO GO OUT. I HAD IT REPLACED. ABOUT 9 MONTHS LATER THE SAME THING HAPPENED. NO HEAT AND ECT. TOOK IT TO THE SAME MECHANIC AND HE SAID IT SHOULD'VE LASTED LONGER. HE CHECKED TO SEE IF IT WOULD STILL BE UNDER WARRANTY AND IT WAS NOT. GM ONLY GUARANTEED THIS JOB FOR 6 MONTHS. I AGAIN HAD TO REPLACE...

GUNK IN MY ENGINE CAUSING LIFTERS TO STICK. *TR

I HAVE A COMPLAIN ON MY 2002 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX V6, WE HAVE CHANGED THE THERMOSTAT, WATER PUMP, BELTS, HOSES, ETC, ANYTHING U CAN THINK OF WE'VE DONE IT. HOWEVER THE INTAKE MANIFOLD IS LEAKING APPARENTLY THE GASKETS ARE CRACKED, WELL I'VE READ ONLINE THAT A LOT OF THESE CARS HAVE THIS ISSUE AND ITS A VERY COSTLY PRICE TO FIX, WHY HASN'T THERE BEEN A RECALL BY PONTIAC FOR THE PROBLEM IT IS EXTREMELY RIDICULOUS. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX SE. WHILE PERFORMING AN OIL CHANGE, THE MECHANIC DISCOVERED A COOLANT LEAK AROUND THE INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET. THE VEHICLE IS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 08V118000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 30,600 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 12,000.UPDATE 09/10/08 *CW UPDATED 09/15/08. *JB

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX. AFTER PARKING THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT SMELLED BURNING MOTOR OIL. HE NOTICED OIL ON THE GROUND UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE. HE REPLACED THE FRONT ROCKER COVER GASKET, BUT STATED THAT THE REAR GASKET WAS THE ONE THAT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT RECENTLY RECEIVED A SAFETY RECALL NOTICE FOR THE FRONT GASKET. HE WOULD LIKE TO BE REIMBURSED FOR REPLACING THE FRONT GASKET AND WOULD ALSO LIKE THE MANUFACTURER TO REPLACE THE REAR GASKET. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT HE COULD PLACE HIS HAND BEHIND THE ENGINE AND FIND OIL LEAKING. NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 08V118000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING) WAS REFERENCED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 120,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000. UPDATED 07/09/08 *BF UPDATED *JB

CAR WAS PARKED IN A SLOPED DRIVE-WAY. WAS NOT DRIVIN IN A FEW HOURS. HEAVY SMOKE FROM WHEEL WELLS. ENTIRE ENGINE COMPARTMENT WAS COMPLETELY ENGULFED IN FLAMES WITHIN 8 MINUTES. FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CALLED, THEY EXTINGUISHED FIRE WITHIN MINUTES. LUCKILY MY CAR WAS NOT PARKED IN MY GARAGE. *TR

I HAVE A RANDOM AND INTERMITTENT STARTING PROBLEM THAT MY PROFESSIONAL MECHANICS CANNOT SOLVE AND FOR WHICH THERE IS NO DIAGNOSTIC CODE OR EVEN A CHECK ENGINE ALERT. SOMETIMES WHEN I TRY TO START THE CAR, IT WILL CRANK BUT NOT TURN OVER, AND EVENTUALLY, NOTHING HAPPENS. IF I WAIT 2 HOURS, THE CAR WILL START. ALSO, THE CAR HAS STALLED AND NOT RESTARTED FOR AN HOUR WHEN IT IS PUT INTO PARK. IT HAS STALLED WHEN I STARTED IT AND PULLED AWAY FROM REFUELING, AND IT SOMETIMES IDLES ROUGHLY AS IF IT IS GOING TO STALL AT ANY SECOND WHICH, AT TIMES, IT HAS DONE. I PAID PROFESSIONALLY CERTIFIED GM AND OTHER MECHANICS ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS TO INVESTIGATE THIS ISSUE WITH NO RESULTS. IN THE PAST, I HAD THE EXHAUST SYSTEM REPAIRED BY GM. I HAVE HAD FUEL LINES, THE ALTERNATOR, THE THERMOSTAT, THE STARTER, THE BATTERY, THE EXHAUST,...

HOT SMELL COMING THROUGH VENTS . I LOVE MY CAR BUT SINCE HEARING ABOUT FIRES I NO LONGER WILL DRIVE IT. I HAVE NOTICED THE HOT SMELL FOR ABOUT A YEAR ON AND OFF. *TR

CAR'S ENGINE CAUGHT FIRE WHILE CAR WAS TURNED OFF AND PARKED. THE CAR WAS DEEMED A TOTAL LOSS. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX. HE STATED THAT THE VEHICLE BEGAN DIESELING WHEN HE ATTEMPTED TO START IT. INITIALLY AFTER DIESELING, THE ENGINE WOULD START HOWEVER; HE WAS CURRENTLY UNABLE TO START THE VEHICLE. THERE IS A SAFETY RECALL FOR THE FUEL SYSTEM STORAGE TANK ASSEMBLY (NHTSA CAMPAIGN #07E021000). THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WAS 29,000. THE PURCHASE DATE WAS UNKNOWN. UPDATED 02-01-08 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED AS OF YET. UPDATED 02/01/08 *TR

TL* - THE CONTACT CALLED REGARDING A 2002 POINTAC GRAND PRIX. THE CONTACT STATED HE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO DEALER FOR A ROUTINE OIL CHANGE AND WAS ADVISED BY THE REPAIR SHOP THAT THERE WAS A GASKET LEAK. THE GASKET WAS REPLACED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,902. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE BELIEVED THE ANTIFREEZE CAUSED THE GASKET TO BE REPLACED THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 60,951.*AK UPDATED 04/12/07. *JB

THE INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET ON MY 3.8 LITER PONTIAC ENGINE FAILED, CAUSING ANTIFREEZE TO LEAK INTO THE CRANKCASE. THE TOP END OF THE ENGINE HAD TO BE DISASSEMBLED TO INSTALL THE NEW "IMPROVED" GASKET SET. MY MECHANIC CLAIMED THAT THIS IS A COMMON REPAIR ON THAT ENGINE AND THAT HE DOES AT LEAST 3 PER MONTH. I CALLED PONTIAC'S CUSTOMER CARE, THEY OFFERED NO FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE. *JB

I WAS DRIVING THE 2002 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX GTP ON A HIGHWAY WITH 45-55 MPH SPEED LIMIT FOR APPROX. 45 MIN. THE CAR SHUT OFF 15 SEC. AFTER I HEARD THE ENGINE BACKFIRE. THE SPEEDOMETER WENT FROM 0 ALL THE WAY UP, AND BACK TO 0. I PULLED INTO THE NEAREST PARKING LOT AND POPPED THE HOOD. I DISCOVERED A FIRE NEAR THE INTAKE AND THE LOWER RIGHT SIDE OF THE VALVE COVER. THE CAR WAS TOWED TO A PONTIAC DEALER. THEY REPLACED THE FUEL INJECTORS, THE LOWER INTAKE, VALVE COVER, SPARK PLUG WIRES, ELECTRICAL HARNESS AND MUCH MOTOR THE COST WAS APPROX. $5000. AFTER SAYING IT WOULD TAKE 2 WEEKS, IT TOOK THE SHOP 6 OR 7 WEEKS TO FIX, SO MY CAR RENTAL BILL WAS THOUSANDS MORE THAN INSURANCE WOULD COVER THE CAR WASN'T NEARLY AS RESPONSIVE AND HAD TROUBLE GOING UP EVEN THE SMALLEST INCLINES. ALSO, THE...

ON SATURDAY MARCH 11, 06 MY 40 TH ANNIVERSARY EDITION GRAND PRIX 2002 CAR'S ENGINE COMPARTMENT STARTED ON FIRE WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AND BY THE TIME THE FIRE DEPARTMENT COME TO THE SEEN THE CAR WAS A TOTAL LOSS. MY WIFE, DAUGHTER AND GRANDCHILD JUST LEFT THE CAR BEFORE IT WENT UP IN FLAMES. AFTER THE FIRE THE CAR WAS TAKEN TO AN EXPERT REPAIR MECHANIC FOR ANALYSES OF WHAT CAUSED THE FIRE. ACCORDING TO THE MECHANIC THE FIRE STARTED BY THE INTAKE MANIFOLD AND THE COOLING FAN. ALL REPAIRS WERE DONE BY GM CERTIFIED MECHANICS AND SHOPS BEFORE THE FIRE HAPPENED. FROM RESEARCH DONE ON THE CAUSE OF THE FIRE IT HAS A RELATIONSHIP TO NHTSA CASES EA02030 AND PE02050. *NM

CONSUMER 2002 PONTIAC INTAKE PLASTIC GASKET LEAKED. *TS THE CONSUMER WAS TOLD BY THE DEALER HER VEHICLE WAS LEAKING ANTI-FREEZE. *JB

FAULTY INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET LEAK LOSES COOLANT FLUID. *JB

LEAKY INTAKE GASKETS. THE CAR HAS 42,000 ON IT. LOOSES ENGINE COOLANT. MOTOR WILL BURN UP. NOTHING DONE YET. *JB

WHILE DRIVING AT 55 MPH CONSUMER HEARD A LOUD NOISE. VEHICLE SUDDENLY VEERED TO THE LEFT NEAR THE SHOULDER. THEN, VEHICLE STOPPED, CAUSING THE CONSUMER TO SUSTAIN MOUTH INJURIES. CONSUMER DISCOVERED THAT THE CRADLE FOR THE MOTOR ONLY HAD ONE BOLT HOLDING IT IN PLACE. THE MOTOR AND ALL OF THE ENGINE PARTS HAD SIMPLY FALLEN TO THE GROUND.*AK