1999 Pontiac Grand Prix complaints

I PARKED MY CAR IN THE PARKING LOT AT WORK, I WENT INTO THE BUILDING AND WAS THERE MAYBE 10 MINUTE AND RECEIVED A PHONE CALL FROM THE SWITCHBOARD THAT MY CAR WAS ON FIRE. A WITNESS STATED THAT IT HAPPENED IN A MATTER OF SECONDS. FIRST THERE WAS A GUST OF SMOKE AND THEN FLAMES STARTING SHOOTING FROM UNDER MY HOOD. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT SAID THAT THE WAS GAS SPRAYING EVERYWHERE. THE FIRE STARTED IN MY ENGINE COMPARTMENT. IT DAMAGED MY HOOD, FRONT END OF MY CAR AND THE ENGINE IS A COMPLETE LOSS. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX GT 3800. THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN PARKED FOR TEN MINUTES WHEN THE CONTACT NOTICED THE FIRE DEPARTMENT EXTINGUISHING A FIRE IN HIS VEHICLE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT SMASHED THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE WINDOW, OPENED THE HOOD LATCH, AND HOSED DOWN THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE FIRE WAS CONFINED TO THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THE FIRE DAMAGED THE UPPER PORTION OF THE ENGINE, WIRING AND CABLES, FUSE BOX, AND BELTS. THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE ON THE HOOD HAD AN 8- INCH BURN MARK. THE PURCHASE DATE WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 139,000. UPDATED 01/11/08. *LJ THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED THE PROBLEM MAY HAVE BEEN WITH THE FUEL PRESSURE REGULATOR. UPDATED *JB

A/C LEAKS ON PASSENGER SIDE FLOOR. ALSO A/C BLOWER MOTOR DOES NOT WORK. WHEEL RIMS ARE CORRODED AND PITTED. AIR BAG LIGHT IS ON AND STAYS ON. *JB

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX. WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH, THE VEHICLE SHUT OFF. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD OVERHEAT AND THE ENGINE REMAINED RUNNING WHEN THE AIR CONDITIONER WAS ACTIVATED. THE FAILURE HINDERS THE WHEELS ON THE VEHICLE FROM TURNING PROPERLY WHILE DRIVING. WHEN THE VEHICLE SHUTS OFF, IT USUALLY TAKES AT LEAST EIGHT HOURS FOR IT TO RESTART. SHE STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS ALSO LEAKING ENGINE COOLANT. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN TAKEN TO SEVERAL MECHANICS AND THE RADIATOR HAS BEEN FLUSHED AND THE WATER PUMP, THERMOSTAT, AND RELAY SWITCH HAVE BEEN REPLACED. THE MOST RECENT ASSESSMENT WAS THAT THE INTAKE GASKET WAS FAULTY AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE POWERTRAIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 128,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 121,099.

I HAVE OR SHOULD I SAY HAD A 1999 GRAND PRIX GTP SUPERCHARGE. WELL MY WIFE WENT TO THE MALL ON 9/16/07 PARKED THE CAR AND WENT SHOPPING WITH 2 OF MY CHILDREN WHEN SHE RECEIVED A PAGE IN THE MALL TO GO TO THE PARKING LOT. WHEN SHE ARRIVED THERE SHE REALIZED THAT THE CAR WAS ON FIRE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT HAD BROKE OUT THE DRIVER SIDE WINDOW TO OPEN THE HOOD WELL THEY COULDN'T OPEN IT SO THEY USED A CROW BAR TO GET IN. THE CAR ENGINE IS NOW TOAST THANK GOD MY FAMILY IS OK. *JB

WHILE MAKING A TURN, HEARD LOUD CLUNKING NOISE. TOOK CAR TO MECHANIC, DISCOVERED OUTER END OF SWAY BAR ON PASSENGER SIDE BROKE CLEAN THROUGH, JUST BEFORE BOLT. CAR ONLY HAD 45,500 MILES. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX. HE STATED THAT THE FRONT OF HIS VEHICLE, INCLUDING THE ENGINE CAUGHT FIRE WITHOUT WARNING. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 168,000. UPDATED 02-01-08 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED TOTAL REPAIR DAMAGES WERE IN THE AMOUNT OF $700. UPDATED 02/01/08 *TR

I WAS HEADING HOME AND WHILE I WAS DRIVING MY 1999 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX GT CAUGHT FIRE. WHEN I PULLED OVER, AND SHUT THE CAR OFF, NONE OF THE LOCKS UNLOCKED AND NONE OF THE WINDOWS ROLLED DOWN, BY THE TIME I FOUND THE LOCKS ON THE DOOR, THERE WAS SO MUCH SMOKE INSIDE THE CAR I COULD NOT SEE THE STEERING WHEEL.

ON MAY 30TH, 2007 I RETURNED HOME FROM WORK AT AROUND 3:30 PM EASTERN. TIME AND PARKED MY 1999 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX GTP IN THE GARAGE AND WENT IN THE HOUSE. PRIOR TO PARKING AND TURNING OFF THE CAR IT HAD BEEN DRIVEN APPROXIMATELY 25 MILES IN AROUND 35 MINUTES. AFTER ABOUT 20 MINUTES MY WIFE AND I BEGAN TO SMELL SMOKE AND FOUND IT COMING FROM THE GARAGE. WE COULD SEE SMOKE BILLOWING OUT FROM UNDER THE HOOD. WE TRIED TO PUT IT OUT WITH A FIRE EXTINGUISHER, BUT THE FIRE WAS TOO BIG. MY WIFE CALLED 911 AND THE FIRE DEPARTMENT HAD TO COME AND PUT OUT THE FIRE. AFTER SOME RESEARCH I FOUND NHTSA ACTION NUMBER PE07006. THERE WAS DAMAGE TO OUR GARAGE AND SMOKE DAMAGE AND SOME MINOR PHYSICAL DAMAGE INSIDE. THE CAR WAS TOTALED OUT BY THE INSURANCE COMPANY. *TR

WE LEFT HOME AND DROVE ABOUT 8 MILES TO MEET SOME RELATIVES FOR DINNER. WHEN WE ARRIVED AT OUR DESTINATION, THERE WAS NO SMOKE, NOISE OR EVEN A SMELL COMING FROM THE CAR. ABOUT 15 MINUTES LATER, A MAN CAME RUNNING INTO THE RESTAURANT YELLING "SOMEBODY'S CAR IS ON FIRE!" ONE OF THE RESTAURANT EMPLOYEES PUT OUT THE FIRE. THE ONLY DAMAGE WAS TO THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT SO WE DID A BUY BACK FROM OUR INSURANCE COMPANY THINKING WE WOULD BE ABLE TO BUY SOME SALVAGE PARTS TO PUT THE CAR BACK TOGETHER. IT HAS BEEN 13 MONTHS NOW AND WE STILL HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO FIND ALL THE PARTS IN SALVAGE. MY ASSUMPTION IS THAT THERE ARE SO MANY OF THESE FIRES NATIONWIDE THAT WHEN A SALVAGE YARD GETS GOOD ENGINE COMPARTMENT PARTS FOR THESE CARS, THAT THEY ARE SOLD VERY QUICKLY! *JB

AUTOMOBILE CAUGHT ON FIRE AT WORK. NOTHING WAS WRONG WITH IT. TOTALED VEHICLE ALONG WITH DAMAGE TO TWO OTHERS SITTING NEXT TO IT. *JB

DATE OF INCIDENT: 03/22/2006 I DROVE MY 1999 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX GTP TO A DEPARTMENT STORE OVER MY LUNCH HOUR. I PARKED THE CAR AND WENT INSIDE. I CAME OUTSIDE LESS THAN 10 MINUTES LATER AND MY VEHICLE WAS IN FLAMES. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT ARRIVED AND PUT THE FIRE OUT AND MY VEHICLE WAS TOWED. AFTER MY INSURANCE COMPANY VIEWED THE VEHICLE THE DETERMINED THE FIRE STARTED IN THE ENGINE AND IT WAS TOTALLED. I HAVE RECENTLY DONE SOME THOROUGH INVESTIGATING TO FIND OUT THAT THIS HAS HAPPENED TO SEVERAL VEHICLES.

I OWNED A 1999 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX GTP AND I WAS DRIVING APPROX. 80MPH DOWN A INTERSTATE AND SHORTLY AFTER I EXITED THE INTERSTATE AND PARKED MY VEHICLE, APPROX. 5 - 10 MINITUES, MY VEHICLE WAS ON FIRE UNDERHOOD THE ONLY. THE VEHICLE HAD REGULAR MAINTANCE DONE ON IT AND WAS VERY WELL MAINTAINTED. *JB

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 GRAND PRIX GT. THE CONTACT PARKED THE VEHICLE AND AFTER 10 MINUTES, THE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE IN THE PARKING LOT. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 132,000. PRIOR TO THE FIRE THERE WERE NO INDICATIONS OF ANY ENGINE PROBLEMS. THE FIRE WAS PRESENT UNDERNEATH THE HOOD OF THE VEHICLE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE, AND STATED THAT THE CAUSE WAS AN ELECTRICAL FAILURE. THE CONTACT HAS PICTURES AND THE FIRE DEPARTMENT REPORT.*AK

MY 1999 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX GTP HAD BEEN PARKED ON MY MOTHER'S CARPORT APPROX. 10 MINUTES WHEN I LOOKED OUT TO SEE SMOKE. RUSHING OUTSIDE THE ENTIRE HOOD AREA OF THE CAR WAS ENGULFED IN FLAMES. HAD THE LOCAL VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT NOT HAVE RESPONDED WITHIN 10 MINUTES, HER HOME WOULD HAVE BEEN DESTROYED. DAMAGE TO THE CAR WAS A TOTAL LOSS, DAMAGE TO MY ELDERLY MOTHER'S HOME IN EXCESS OF $6,000. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE EXACT CAUSE, BUT SAID IT APPEARED TO BE FAULTY WIRING. NO PREVIOUS PROBLEMS WITH ANYTHING ON THE CAR TO INDICATE A FIRE WAS ABOUT TO OCCUR. *JB

THE CAR HAD BEEN SETTING FOR 10 DAYS OR SO, WHEN I TRIED TO START IT I HEARD A LOUD BANG AND I SAW SMOKE. THE INTAKE MANIFOLD EXPLODED AND CAUGHT THE ENGINE ON FIRE. MY WIFE CALLED 911 BUT I GOT THE FIRE PUT OUT BEFORE THE FIREMEN GOT HERE. *JB

VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE AFTER PARKED. INVESTIGATION DETERMINED ORIGIN B/T FUEL LINES AND SUPERCHARGER. *JB

I HAVE A 1999 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX GTP SUPER CHARGED V6 THAT CAUGHT FIRE ON SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 9TH, 2006. AFTER DRIVING BACK TO WORK ON A SATURDAY EVENING, I PARKED THE CAR JUST OUTSIDE OUR ENTRANCE. MY FIANCE AND I SAT DOWN TO EAT DINNER NEAR THE ENTRANCE, AND WITHIN 10 MINUTES NOTICED A FOG DRIFTING BY THE ENTRANCE DOORS. WHEN WE TOOK A CLOSER LOOK AT THE WHITE FOG, WE REALIZED IT WAS SMOKE AND CALLED THE ANN ARBOR FIRE DEPARTMENT. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT SAID THEY WE'RE ON THE WAY. AFTER HANGING UP THE PHONE, A BURST OF FLAMES EXITED OUT THE FRONT WHEEL WELL. I IMMEDIATELY GRABBED A DRY-CHEM FIRE EXTINGUISHER AND RAN OUTSIDE TO SPRAY UNDER THE WHEEL WELL. IT PUSHED THE FLAMES BACK, BUT THE FLAMES RETURNED ALMOST INSTANTLY EVEN STRONGER. I SPRAYED ANOTHER FIRE EXTINGUISHER, BUT IT HAD LITTLE EFFECT. AT THAT POINT I DECIDED TO GET AWAY FROM THE VEHICLE AND WAIT FOR THE FIRE DEPARTMENT. THE FIRST TO ARRIVE WAS A POLICE OFFICER WHO STOOD BY AS WE WAITED FOR THE FIREFIGHTERS. WHILE WAITING, THE HOOD POPPED THE LATCH FROM THE PRESSURE BUILD-UP. ONCE THE FIRE TRUCK ARRIVED, THE FIREFIGHTERS USED AN AXE TO OPEN THE HOOD, AND TWO OTHER FIREFIGHTERS STOOD OVER THE FLAMES WITH THE HOSE TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE. AFTER THEY WERE FINISHED, THE FIRE INSPECTOR TOOK A LOOK AT THE ENGINE TO DETERMINE THE ORIGIN OF THE FIRE AND TOOK A FEW PICTURES. MUCH OF THE FRONT END OF THE CAR MELTED, AND THE BLACK MELTED PLASTIC WAS CLEANED UP BY A TOW TRUCK DRIVER. THANKFULLY, I STILL HAVE THE CAR INTACT AND

ON THE EVENING OF 10-16-06 MY 1999 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX GT CAUGHT FIRE IN MY GARAGE. THE ENGINE HAD BEEN TURNED OFF FOR ABOUT 3 1/2 TO 4 MINUTES BEFORE THE FIRE STARTED. THERE WAS NO INDICATION THAT THERE WAS A PROBLEM. NO INFO CAME ON THE DRIVERS PANEL THERE WAS NO UNUSUAL SMELL OR SOUND FROM THE VEHICLE.*JB

I WAS THE OWNER OF A 1999 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX GT. ON THE EVENING OF 10-16-06 AFTER PARKING THE CAR IN MY GARAGE IT CAUGHT FIRE ABOUT 4 MINUTES AFTER TURNING THE IGNITION OFF. THE FIRE STARTED UNDER THE HOOD. THE CAR WAS TOTALED AS A RESULT. I WAS THE ORIGINAL OWNER OF THE VEHICLE. THIS VEHICLE WAS ONLY MAINTAINED BY CERTIFIED GM DEALERSHIPS. ON THAT EVENING NO THERE WAS NO INDICATION THAT THERE WAS A PROBLEM. NO UNUSUAL LIGHTS ON THE DRIVER CONTROL PANEL OR UNUSUAL SMELLS. I AM SENDING THIS AGAIN BECAUSE AFTER REVIEWING THE INFO THAT WAS ORIGINALLY GIVEN THE YEAR OF THE CAR IS A 1999 NOT 1996. SORRY FOR THE ERROR. *JB

TL*- THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER DRIVING THE 1999 88 OLDSMOBILE GTP AT 15 MPH THE CONTACT WENT INTO THE STORE FOR NOT MORE THAT 5 MINUTES WHEN SHE NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT CAME, OPENED THE HOOD, AND THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE BECAME ENGULFED IN FLAMES. THE FIRE WAS EXTINGUISHED, AND THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO ART MORAN PONTIAC COLLISION SHOP. THE CAUSE OF FIRE WAS NOT DETERMINED. *AK

1999 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX GTP DESTROYED BY ENGINE FIRE 10 MINUTES AFTER IT WAS PARKED. *NM

MY 1999 GRAND PRIX GTP ENGINE COMPARTMENT CAUGHT FIRE AFTER IT WAS PARKED IN MY GARAGE FOR APPROXIMATELY 5-7 MINUTES. THE FIRE TOTALED THE CAR, AND CAUSED A GREAT DEAL OF DAMAGE TO THE GARAGE. *JB

THE CAR CAUGHT ON FIRE WHILE MY DAUGHTER WAS BUYING BOOKS FOR SCHOOL. THE FIRE DEPT WAS CALLED AND NOW THE CAR IS TOTALED. *NM

THE EVENT LEADING UP THE FAILURE WAS I DROVE IT. THERE IS SOMETHING WRONG HERE. WHEN 25+ CARS BURN DOWN FOR NO REASON. WHAT DOES IT TAKE FOR PONTIAC / GM / GOVERNMENT AGENCIES TO ACKNOWLEDGE A PROBLEM AND REIMBURSE PEOPLE FOR THEIR LOSS? DEATH? THERE HAVE BEEN TOO MANY PONTIAC - GRAND PRIX -GM 3800 SERIES ENGINE FIRES. ALL I DID WAS PARK MY CAR AFTER DRIVING AND WITHIN 5 MINUTES OF PARKING MY CAR IN FEB OF 2003 IT BURNED TO THE GROUND. THERE WERE NO MALFUNCTION INDICATIONS, NOT OVER HEATED AND IGNITED WHILE I WALKED AWAY. FIRE MARSHAL AND INDEPENDENT INVESTIGATOR SAID THE FIRE ORIGINATED IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT, NEAR THE DRIVERS HEAD LAMP AREA. IT HAD A BUMPER TO BUMPER GM POLICY IN EFFECT AS WELL AS FULL INSURANCE. PONTIAC LAUGHED WHEN I CALLED. THE GM INSURANCE UNDERWRITER CALLED ME AN IDIOT AND HUNG-UP. THEN MY INSURANCE COMPANY TRIED TO HAVE ME ACCUSED OF ARSON. EVEN THOUGH THEIR INVESTIGATOR COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING....WHY? TAKE THE PUBLICS MONEY AND AT THE FIRST SIGN OF TROUBLE HIDE BILLION DOLLAR COMPANIES BEHIND POLITICIANS AND THE LAWS AND AGENCIES DESIGNED TO PROTECT US? *NM

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THERE WAS A CLUNKING NOISE COMING FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. A WARNING LIGHT ON THE DASHBOARD ILLUMINATED CONSTANTLY. THERE WAS GREY SMOKE EMANATING FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A PRIVATE REPAIR SHOP, WHERE THE ENGINE STALLED. THE MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE UPPER INTAKE MANIFOLD HAD CRACKED. THE INTAKE MANIFOLD CASKET KIT, AS WELL AS SIX SPARK PLUGS WERE REPLACED. THE MANIFOLD WAS ALSO FLUSHED REPEATEDLY TO REMOVE SEALANT THAT HAD BEEN IN THE MANIFOLD SYSTEM PRIOR TO THE INCIDENT. THE REPAIRS CORRECTED THE PROBLEM. UPDATED 10/18/2006 - *NM

THE FOLLOWING OCCURRED ON A 1999 GRAND PRIX THAT HAS 52,300 +/- MILES ON IT, LOCATED IN SOUTHEASTERN PA AND NOT GARAGED. I WENT TO START MY CAR AFTER A MEETING AND THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR. SUBSEQUENT INVESTIGATION IN THE MEETING LOCATION PARKING LOT SHOWED THAT BRAKE FLUID WAS PUMPING OUT OF THE BRAKE LINE SYSTEM. I HAD THE CAR FLAT-BED TOWED TO THE LOCAL PONTIAC DEALER. A BRAKE LINE HAD RUSTED THROUGH IN THE ENGINE AREA. THE OTHER BRAKE LINES UP UNDER THE CHASSIS WERE ALSO RUSTED. THE PONTIAC DEALER IS REPLACING ALL OF THE BRAKE LINES WITH NEW LINES THAT HAVE TO BE BENT TO SHAPE. ONLY TWO SMALL LINES WERE AVAILABLE PRE-BENT FROM GENERAL MOTORS. *NM

ELECTRICAL FIRE IN THE DASH OF A 1999 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX. IT APPEARS TO BE CAUSED BY AN OVERHEATED SENSOR INDICATOR. *JB

CAR SUDDENLY STARTED RUNNING VERY POOR. SKIPPING, NO POWER. TOOK TO DEALER AND THEY REPLACED THE PLASTIC INTAKE MANIFOLD. COST ME $1200. APPROXIMATELY 75,000 MILES. IN SEARCHING THE WEB FOR OTHERS HAVING THIS PROBLEM, I CONCLUDE THAT THERE IS A DESIGN PROBLEM AND GM SHOULD STAND BEHIND IT. I REALLY LIKE THIS CAR BUT I WON'T BUY ANOTHER GM. *JB

1999 GRAND PRIX RIGHT FRONT TIRE CAME TO REST ON THE UNDERCARRIAGE AND SUSPENSION. *TS 5 LUG STUDS SNAPPED OFF. *JB

THE STEERING GETS EXTREMELY DIFFICULT WHEN TURNING TO THE LEFT. IT'S AS IF THERE IS NO POWER STEERING. IT IS INTERMITTENT, WHICH MAKES IT VERY UNSAFE TO TURN THE CAR, NOT KNOWING WHEN IT'S GOING TO HAPPEN. I HAVE NOT TAKEN STEPS TO CORRECT THE FAILURE YET, WAITING FOR GM TO REPAIR UNDER A RECALL SIMILAR TO 1997 AND 1998'S. *NM

1999 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX. POWER STEERING FAILURE LEFT TURN ONLY AND IS INTERMITTENT. INCIDENTS STARTED DECEMBER OF LAST YEAR. SEVERAL TIMES IT HAS PUT ME IN THE POINT OF DANGER MAKING LEFT TURNS AND NOT KNOWING WHEN IT WILL BE EXTREMELY HARD TO TURN AND WHEN IT WILL BE NORMAL. SEVERAL TIMES DURING A HARD TURN THE NORMAL STEERING WILL RETURN IN THE MIDDLE OF THE TURN JERKING MY CAR VIOLENTLY FURTHER TO THE LEFT. NO ACCIDENTS TO DATE. I RESEARCHED THE FAILURE TO FIND OUT THAT THERE IS A CURRENT RECALL FOR RACK AND PINION BEARING FAILURE (RECALL # 02V286000) FOR 1997 AND 1998 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX'S ONLY. I HAVE CALLED SEVERAL DEALERSHIPS IN MY AREA AND THEY ALL SAY IT IS THE SAME PARTS BUT CANNOT FIX IT UNDER THE RECALL AS MY CAR IS A 1999 MODEL. IF IT IS THE SAME PARTS AND THE SAME FAILURE, WHY WILL GENERAL MOTORS HONOR THE CLAIM? *JB

MY 1999 GM PONTIAC GRAND PRIX GTP WENT UP IN FLAMES ON ITS OWN IN OUR GARAGE, AT NIGHT. IT WAS TERRIFYING, SCARY AND WE'RE LUCKY THAT WE DIDN'T LOSE THE HOUSE. MY HUSBAND AND FATHER IN LAW WERE ABLE TO DRAG THE CAR OUT OF THE GARAGE BEFORE THE HOUSE WENT UP. FIRE DEPARTMENT ARRIVED ON SCENE AT THAT MOMENT AND ASSISTED IN PUTTING OUT THE FIRE. WE HAD ARRIVED HOME FROM MY DAUGHTER'S BALLET PERFORMANCE AND ALL WENT INTO THE HOUSE AND WITHIN 20 MINUTES THE GARAGE WAS ENGULFED IN HEAVY SMOKE AND FLAMES WERE COMING FROM THE ENGINE. CAR HAD BEEN TURNED OFF FOR APPROX. 20 MINUTES. NO WARNING OR INDICATION THAT ANYTHING WAS WRONG AT ALL. LATER AFTER SURVIVING THIS SHOCKING EVENT, I LOOKED ON THE INTERNET AND ON THE EDMUNDS.COM WEBSITE, I FOUND OVER 10 OTHER INSTANCES FOR GRAND PRIX OWNERS THAT THIS EXACT SAME SCENARIO HAD HAPPENED. SOME OF THE MODELS WERE EVEN NEWER THAN MINE. 2000, 2001, ETC. WE REPORTED IT TO GM, AND THEY HAVE NOT CALLED US BACK OR MAILED US ANYTHING. OUR INSURANCE INVESTIGATORS DID DETERMINE POINT OF ORIGIN OF FIRE AND THEY FIRMLY BELIEVE IT IS A MANUFACTURER ERROR IN DESIGN. THEY ARE PURSUING GM THROUGH SUBROGATION. WHAT DOES IT TAKE FOR A CAR TO BE RECALLED? SOMEONE TO DIE? I JUST WANT OTHER OWNERS TO KNOW HOW DANGEROUS THIS CAR CAN BE. MY CAR WAS ONLY 5 YEARS OLD, SHOULD NOT HAVE DONE THAT. *NM

HAD 1999 GRAND PRIX FOR SEVEN MONTHS ALREADY HAD PROBLEMS WITH DRIVERS WINDOW NOT WINDING DOWN. A PART OF THE PASSENGER DOOR PANEL STARTED TO COME OFF. NOW DRIVERS SEAT BELT WON'T LATCH, AND IS CURRENTLY IN THE SHOP FOR BROKEN VALVE SPRING AND DAMAGE TO THE HEAD GASKET AS A RESULT FROM THE BROKEN VALVE SPRING. CAR ONLY HAD 1 OTHER OWNER AND WAS RUNNING PERFECT ALSO HAD PERFECT SERVICE RECORDS. *NM

DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY MY 1999 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX DEVELOPED A LOW HUM IN THE FRONT END WHICH FAIRLY QUICKLY - WITHIN 30 MILES - ESCALATED TO A SUBSTANTIAL RUMBLE/ROAR. I THEN EXPERIENCED A SUDDEN AND PRONOUNCED WOBBLE. I PULLED INTO THE BREAKDOWN AND EVENTUALLY FOUND THAT 4 OF THE 5 STUDS HOLDING THE RIGHT FRONT WHEEL ON WERE GONE. THE STUDS WERE SHEARED OFF DOWN TO THE ROTOR. THERE WAS LITTLE IN THE WAY OF WARNING. NO CHANGE IN DRIVING CHARACTERISTICS IN DAYS PRIOR TO THE INCIDENT. ON THE DAY OF THE INCIDENT, I DID NOTE A ROTATIONAL 'TICKING' SOUND, WHICH I THOUGHT MIGHT BE A STONE CAUGHT IN MY TREADS. AFTER DRIVING FOR APPROXIMATELY 60 MILES, I STOPPED FOR GAS AND CHECKED: NO STONE. LEAVING THE STATION, I NOTED A FAINT THUMP, BOTH HEARD AND FELT IN THE PEDAL, WHEN BRAKING BUT IT DID NOT SEEM LIKE AN ACUTE SITUATION. IT WAS APPROXIMATELY 20 MILES LATER THAT THE FAILURE MANIFESTED. I SUSPECT THIS 'THUMPING' WAS BECAUSE ONE OR MORE STUDS HAD ALREADY FAILED AND THE WHEEL WAS NOW NOT SECURED PROPERLY. A REPAIR SHOP SAID IF THE LUGS HAD BEEN LOOSE, THERE WOULD BE A CHARACTERISTIC WEAR ON THE WHEEL. THIS WAS NOT PRESENT. THIS SHOP REPLACED THE 4 SHEARED STUDS. CARTALK RADIO SHOW HOSTS SUGGESTED OVER-TORQUE AS A POSSIBLE CAUSE, AND SUGGESTED I GET OTHER LUGS INSPECTED IMMEDIATELY. I TOOK THE CAR TO A TIRE SHOP. THEY INSPECTED THE REMNANTS OF THE STUDS I HAD THE OTHER SHOP SAVE. THEY INDICATED THAT IN THEIR EXPERIENCE, FAILURE DUE TO OVER TORQUE LEAVES A CHARACTERISTIC PATTERN ON

DT: THE CONTACT STATED ALL OF THE POWER WINDOWS EXCEPT THE FRONT DRIVER'S WINDOW FAILED TO OPERATE. THE WINDOWS WERE NOT USED OFTEN. THE POWER WINDOWS WERE STUCK IN THE UP POSITION AND WOULD NOT MOVE. WHEN PRESSING THE BUTTONS THERE WAS NO NOISE COMING FROM THE POWER WINDOW MOTORS. THE INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP REPLACED THE THREE WINDOW MOTORS THAT FAILED ON JANUARY 6, 2006. *AK

DT: THE CONTACT STATED THE POWER WINDOW ON THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE WOULD NOT OPERATE. THIS WINDOW WAS NOT USED OFTEN. THE WINDOW WAS STUCK IN THE UPWARD POSITION AND WOULD NOT MOVE. WHEN PRESSING THE BUTTON. THERE WAS NO NOISE COMING FROM THE POWER WINDOW MOTOR. THE MOTOR HAS NOT BEEN REPLACED. *AK

AT 54,000 MILES, THE STEERING RACK ON MY 1999 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX HAD TO BE REPLACED BECAUSE IT BECAME VERY DIFFICULT TO MAKE A LEFT TURN AS THE STEERING WHEEL REQUIRED HIGH FORCE TO MOVE TO THE LEFT. *NM

DT: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE ATTEMPTING TO MAKE A TURN THERE WAS A POPPING NOISE THAT CAME FROM UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE. HE PULLED THE VEHICLE INTO GARAGE AND INSPECTED UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE. HE DISCOVERED THE SWAY BAR BROKE. HE CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER, AND THEY OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE IN THE REPAIR OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A DEALER. THE SERVICE MECHANIC DETERMINED THE SWAY BAR BROKE BECAUSE IT WAS HOLLOW, THE PREVIOUS DESIGN ON EARLIER MODELS WAS SOLID. NO REPAIRS HAVE BEEN MADE DUE TO THE EXCESSIVE COST. *AK UPDATED 01/05/06. *JB

(1) POWER LOSS AND LOSS OF COOLANT (2) INTAKE MANIFOLD FAILURE, 3 MONTHS OUT OF WARRANTY AND ONLY 67000 MILES. HAD TO HAVE VEHICLE TOWED TO NEAREST GARAGE FOR REPAIR. (3) REPLACED INTAKE MANIFOLD,THERMOSTAT, AND HOSES. FLUSH A FILL COOLING SYSTEM. CHANGED OIL AND FILTER. *NM

DT: CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AND TURNING TO THE LEFT THE STEERING FELT LIKE IT STUCK. THE VEHICLE WAS CHECKED, AND IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE DEFECT WAS RACK AND PINION STEERING. *AK

DT: THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX. HE FOUND RECALL 02V2860000 CONCERNING RACK AND PINION STEERING ON THE 1998 GRAND PRIX. THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE WAS EXPERIENCING EXACTLY THE SAME PROBLEM AS DESCRIBED IN THE RECALL BUT THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO VIN. WHEN HE TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL TO THE LEFT IT FELT AS IF THE STEERING WAS GOING TO LOCK. AT LOW SPEEDS IT TOOK A LOT OF EFFORT TO TURN THE WHEEL. WHEN TURNING THE WHEEL TO THE LEFT IT FELT AS IF IT WANTED TO PULL BACK VERY FAST TO THE RIGHT. THE DEALER SAID THEY CANNOT DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT SINCE IT WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. ALSO, THE CONTACT TALKED TO THE MANUFACTURER, AND THEY TOLD HIM THE SAME THING. THE CONTACT NOTICED THIS PROBLEM WHEN HE BOUGHT THE CAR LAST MONTH.*AK

GRAND PRIX GTP 1999 HAS A RACK AND PINION PROBLEM THE STEERING WOULD ACT LIKE THERE WAS NO POWER TO IT WHEN TURNING LEFT- RIGHT TURN WORKED OK. THERE WAS A RECALL ON 1998 GRAND PRIX THAT DID THE EXACT SAME THING. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE FOR WOMEN DRIVERS ESPECIALLY. THEY WOULD NOT EXPECT TO SUDDENLY HAVE A PROBLEM MAKING A LEFT HAND TURN. ONCE THIS HAPPENS IT STAYS THAT WAY TILL YOU REPLACE THE RACK AND PINION. *NM

DT: 1999 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX THE INTAKE WAS DEFECTIVE AND LOCKED THE UP THE ENGINE. THE CONSUMER SPOKE WITH THE DEALERSHIP, THEY HAVE SEVERAL COMPLAINTS BUT NO RECALLS AS OF NOW. WHERE THE WATER COMES IN, THE PLASTIC HOUSING INTAKE IS CRACKING AND DETERIORATING AND WATER ENTERED THE CYLINDERS WHICH CAUSED THE ENGINE TO LOCK UP. THE CONSUMERS WIFE WAS DRIVING WHEN THIS HAPPENED. THE VEHICLE HAD TO BE TOWED AND THE MECHANIC COULD NOT TURN THE CRANK WITH A PIPE WRENCH. *JB

DT: THE CAR IS DYING WITHOUT WARNING. THERE ARE NO LIGHTS ON THE DASHBOARD THAT LIGHT UP WHEN THIS HAPPENS. AFTER THE VEHICLE DIES, THE BATTERY LIGHT IS COMING ON. THIS HAS BEEN HAPPENING FOR OVER A YEAR. THE CAR HAS BEEN IN THE SHOP OVER 15 TIMES FOR THIS SAME PROBLEM. THE CAR HAS NOT BEEN FIXED AT THIS POINT. ALSO, TRIED A DIFFERENT DEALERSHIP, AND THEY COULD FIND THE PROBLEM EITHER. THE CONSUMER SAYS HER CAR IS A DEATH TRAP, AND THIS IS HAPPENING ANYWHERE/ANYTIME. THIS PAST WEEKEND THE CAR DIED 4 TIMES ON THE FREEWAY. CONSUMER HAS TO WAIT 15-20 MINUTES BEFORE THE VEHICLE WILL START BACK UP. THE CONSUMER HAS BEEN IN CONTACT WITH GM AND HAVE REGISTERED TWO COMPLAINTS ON THIS CAR. SPEED IS NOT A FACTOR AND ALSO DIES WHILE IN PARK.*AK

FRONT DRIVER SIDE NOISE COMING FROM SUSPENSION. TOOK CAR TO MIDAS, PROBLEM FOUND LEFT FRONT SWAY BAR MOUNT HAD BROKEN AND WAS NO LONGER ATTACHED TO THE FRAME. REPLACED FRONT SWAY BAR, COST $400 PARTS AND LABOR.

DT: CAR WAS PARKED AND CAUGHT ON FIRE WHILE ENGINE WAS TURNED OFF. THE CAR WAS DESTROYED, THE WHOLE ENGINE DEPARTMENT WAS CONSUMED. FIRE DEPT CAME. GM SENT ENGINEER OUT TO INSPECT DAMAGE. CONTACTED GM, AND THEY DID NOT SHARE RESULTS OF THAT REPORT, STATED NOTHING WAS WRONG,-NO DEFECT FOUND. *AK

ON MAY 24, 2005, MY CARE (1999 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX) HAD A HARD TIME STARTING. IT SEEMED AS IF THE CAR DIDN'T HAVE ENOUGH POWER. I IMMEDIATELY SUSPECTED THE BATTERY. I DROVE THE CAR AROUND TO SEE IF IT WOULD RECHARGE ITSELF. AFTER DRIVING THE CAR, I LET IT SIT FOR ABOUT AN HOUR AND TRIED IT AGAIN. THE CAR WAS COMPLETELY DEAD. I DECIDED TO PULL THE BATTERY AND HAVE IT TESTED. I DISCONNECTED THE (-) TERMINAL AND NOTICED THE THE (+) TERMINAL WAS VERY CORRODED AND THERE WAS A LOT OF CORROSION DOWN THE SIDE OF THE BATTERY AS WELL. WHEN I PULLED THE CAP OFF THE (+) TERMINAL THE ENTIRE TERMINAL PULLED OFF THE BATTERY AND BATTERY ACID SPILLED OUT ONTO THE BELTS, HOSES, AND CABLES IN THAT PART OF THE CAR. I QUICKLY PULLED THE BATTERY OUT OF THE CAR AND PUT BAKING SODA ON THE ACID TO NEUTRALIZE IT AS BEST AS POSSIBLE. I HAVE PURCHASED A NEW BATTERY BUT NOW HAVE TO REPLACE THE (+) BATTERY CABLE AS IT IS SO CORRODED, I CANNOT GET THE TERMINAL OFF. I HAVE A HUGE BATTERY ACID STAIN ON MY GARAGE FLOOR WERE THE ACID SPILLED OUT. AT THIS TIME I DO NOT KNOW IF THE OTHER BELTS, HOSES OR CABLES NEED TO BE REPLACED AS WELL. I HAD TO DISPOSE OF THE BATTERY, BUT I STILL HAVE THE CABLE. MY CAR HAS NEVER BEEN INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT NOR HAS IT BE DRIVEN OVER ROUGH ROADS. I SPOKE WITH A FRIEND WHO HAS THE SAME CAR AND HE HAD THE SAME THING HAPPEN TO HIM A YEAR AGO. AFTER FIND THIS OUT, I WENT BACK TO LOOK AT WHERE THE BATTERY SITS AND NOTICED THAT THERE IS NOTHING THERE TO REALLY HOLD THE BATTERY DOWN E

STEERING IN MY 1999 GRAND PRIX GT FAILED IN THAT IT IS EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO TURN TO THE LEFT (SUCH AS WITH NO POWER STEERING) AND APPEARS TO TURN NORMALLY OR POWER ASSISTED TO THE RIGHT. THIS PROBLEM APPEARED SUDDENELY AND HAS NOT CHANGED SINCE IT FIRST APPEARED. A TALK WITH A LOCAL PONTIAC SERVICE MANAGER SAYS THE PROBLEM SYMPTOMS ARE EXACTLY THE SAME AS IN THE 1998 GRAND PRIX WHICH WERE RECALLED FOR BEARING FAILURE IN THE RACK AND PINION. PONTIAC CUSTOMER SERVICE STATES THAT NO RECALL IS IN EFFECT AT THIS TIME FOR MY VEHICLE AND SEEMED MORE CONCERNED THAT WE HAD UNOFFICIALLY TALKED TO A SERVICE ADVISOR ABOUT THE PROBLEM RATHER THAN HAVING AN OFFICIAL SERVICE VISIT TO REPAIR/DIAGNOIS THE PROBLEM. THEY ADVISED TO TAKE THE CARE TO A DEALER AS SOON AS POSSIBLE TO HAVE THE PROBLEM DOCUMENTED BUT STATED THAT THERE WOULD BE A CHARGE FOR THE DIAGNOSIS. THE REPAIR HAS NOT BEEN COMPLETED AS YET AND THE CAR REMAINS "OFF THE ROAD" IN HOPES THAT SOMETHING CAN BE WORKED OUT WITH PONTIAC.

THE INTAKE ON MY CAR HAS CRACKED AND BEEN REPLACED TWICE IN TWO YEARS. THE CAUSE IS STILL UKNOWN.