2001 Pontiac Grand Prix complaints

AFTER DRIVING THE VEHICLE FOR LESS THAN 30 MINUTES I PARKED AND SHUT OFF THE VEHICLE. WITHIN 5 MINUTES MY ENGINE WAS ON FIRE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT CAME AND PUT THE FIRE OUT BUT THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT AND EVERYTHING IN IT IS A COMPLETE LOSS. *JS

I HAD DRIVEN MY CAR A SHORT DISTANCE AND CAME BACK HOME, WITHIN 30 MINUTES IT WAS IN FLAMES. THE NEIGHBORS WERE OUTSIDE WHEN IT HAPPENED AND CALLED THE FIRE DEPT. IT BURNED UP THE WHOLE FRONT END, STATE FARM ISN'T COMING TO INVESTIGATE BECAUSE I DON'T HAVE ENOUGH COVERAGE. GM/PONTIAC DOESN'T SEEM TO BE TOO INTERESTED, BUT I AM VERY UPSET. THEY MADE THIS CAR, THEY SHOULD HAVE TO ANSWER FOR THIS. CARS DON'T JUST BURST INTO FLAMES FOR NO REASON. *TR

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING. *TR

MY FATHER HELPED ME PURCHASE A 2001 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX JUST OVER A MONTH AGO. ORIGINALLY I NOTICED A HESITATION THAT WOULD HAPPEN TWICE JUST FOR FRACTIONS OF A SECOND. AFTER THE SECOND TIME THIS HAPPENED I NOTICED THAT MY TAC WOULD DROP TO 0 THEN THE "TRAC OFF" LIGHT WOULD COME ON. ON MARCH 9TH I WAS DRIVING THROUGH AN INTERSECTION WHEN THE CAR STARTED HESITATION. I WAS SURPRISED WHEN THE CAR DID NOT PICK BACK UP, I AM NOT SURE IF THE ENGINE HAD COMPLETELY STOPPED BUT MY POWER STEERING WAS GONE AND PUSHING THE GAS PEDAL DID NOTHING. I HAD TO MILK THE CAR UP TO A SPOT WHERE I HAD TO FORCE THE CAR TO TURN. I TURNED THE IGNITION OFF FOR MAYBE A MINUTE THEN STARTED IT BACK UP. MY 3 YEAR OLD WAS IN THE BACK SEAT CRYING THAT SHE HAD TO POTTY SO I TURNED AROUND IN HOPES THAT THE CAR WOULD MAKE IT UP TO A GAS STATION. WHEN I PULLED OUT THE "TRAC OFF' LIGHT CAME ON AND THE TAC DROPPED BUT THE CAR RAN FINE. I HAVE DROVE THE CAR ANOTHER 60MILES SINCE AND HAVE NOT EVEN THE TRAC AND TAC ISSUES SINCE RIGHT AFTER THE INCIDENT. I BOUGHT THIS CAR BECAUSE I WAS SCARED TO HAVE MY DAUGHTER RIDING IN MY OLD ONE BUT NOW I AM MORE WORRIED ABOUT THIS CAR. I HAVE SPENT A LOT OF TIME AND HAVE FOUND HUNDREDS UPON HUNDREDS OF POST ABOUT PEOPLE HAVING THIS SAME ISSUE. *TR *JS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE CONTACT SMELLED A BURNING ODOR. THE CONTACT PULLED OVER INTO A PARKING LOT. THE CONTACT INSPECTED UNDER THE HOOD AND NOTICED FLAMES. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CALLED AND EXTINGUISHED THE FLAMES, WHICH WAS DETERMINED TO HAVE ORIGINATED FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AND TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED PRIOR TO THE FIRE UNDER A RECALL ASSOCIATED WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 08V118000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE REPAIR REMEDY AS MENTIONED IN THE RECALL WAS NOT PERFORMED DUE TO THE LEFT ROCKET COVER GASKET AVAILABILITY HOWEVER, THE WIRE LOOM AND SPARK PLUGS WERE REPLACED. THE CONTACT EXPERIENCED THE CONSEQUENCE OF A FIRE AS INDICATED IN THE RECALL DEFECT, AS A RESULT OF THE INSUFFICIENT REMEDY PREVIOUSLY PERFORMED ON THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 145,000.

CAR, WHILE DRIVING, EXPERIENCED LOSS OF ENGINE POWER AND BEGAN TO STALL. SMALL FIRE YIELDING SMOKE BEGAN IN ENGINE COMPARTMENT WHILE PARKED AND ENGINE OFF. WITHIN 10 MINUTES ENTIRE ENGINE COMPARTMENT WAS ENGULFED IN FLAMES REQUIRING FIRE DEPARTMENT TO EXTINGUISH. *TR

I HAVE READ NUMEROUS REPORTS OF PONTIAC GRAND PRIX'S FROM 1997-2003 CATCHING FIRE. THE REMEDY OFFERED BY GENERAL MOTORS WAS TO REPLACE THE FAILED VALVE COVER GASKET IN THE FRONT OF THE ENGINE (RADIATOR SIDE). THE PROBLEM IS THAT THE FAILURE IT IS NOT UNIQUE TO THE FRONT GASKET, AS THE FRONT AND REAR VALVE COVER GASKETS ARE IDENTICAL, AND THE REAR ONE FAILS AND LEAKS JUST AS MUCH AS THE FRONT. THE REASON GENERAL MOTORS REPAIRS ONLY THE FRONT GASKET IS THAT IT IS FAIRLY EASY TO REPLACE AND IS EASILY ACCESSIBLE. THE REAR VALVE COVER GASKET, HOWEVER, HAS A MYRIAD OF COMPONENTS IN THE WAY THAT HAVE TO BE REMOVED AND DISCONNECTED FOR ACCESS TO THE VALVE COVER AND GASKET, WHICH IS A MUCH MORE TIME CONSUMING AND COSTLY REPAIR. GM DENIES THIS FACT AND FORCES US TO BELIEVE THAT IT IS ONLY THE FRONT GASKET THAT IS TROUBLESOME. I OWN THREE GRAND PRIX GTP MODELS (1999,2001,2002) AND EVERY ONE HAS LEAKING VALVE COVER GASKETS, WITH SOMETIMES THE REAR ONE LEAKING MORE THAN THE FRONT DUE TO ITS CLOSE PROXIMITY TO THE FIREWALL, RESULTING IS LESS COOLING AND AIRFLOW, MAKING IT MORE SUSCEPTIBLE TO DAMAGE FROM HEAT, ESPECIALLY FOR A POORLY DESIGNED OR MADE OF INFERIOR MATERIAL GASKET IN THE FIRST PLACE. NOW I AGREE THAT THE AGE OF THE VEHICLE MAY BE AN ISSUE AS GASKETS DRY UP AND PERHAPS CRACK DUE TO THE MANY HEATING AND COOLING CYCLES OVER THE LIFE OF A VEHICLE, BUT SINCE GM HAS ACKNOWLEDGED A GASKET PROBLEM AND HAS REDESIGNED THE GASKET, BOTH SHOULD BE REPLACED AS A MEASURE OF RESPONSIBILITY ON

I HAVE HAD NOTHING BUT TROUBLE WITH THIS PONTIC GRAND PRIX GT WINDOW MOTORS THREE ABS BRAKE BRAIN LEAKING COOLANT I HAVE SPENT OVER 3000 DOLLARS REPAIRING THIS CAR AND NOW I HAVE COOLANT LEAKING IN MY MOTOR. BY FAR THE WORST CAR I EVER HAD SHAME ON YOU GM YOU HAD TO KNOW. *TR

DRIVING TO WORK DECEMBER 1, 2011, I NOTICED A BURNING SMELL AND THEN A FIRE THROUGH THE DASH. I IMMEDIATELY PULLED OVER AND REMOVED DASH PANEL AND THREW SNOW INTO DASH TRYING TO PUT OUT THE FIRE. WITHIN A NUMBER OF MINUTES THE ENGINE FIRE WAS OUT OF CONTROL AND THE CAR WAS COMPLETELY ENGULFED IN FLAMES. THIS RESULTED IN A COMPLETE LOSS OF THE VEHICLE. IT IS BELIEVED THE UNDERHOOD FIRE WAS A RESULT OF THE ISSUE OF GM SAFETY RECALL #09047. THE SAFETY RECALL WORK WAS PERFORMED BY A DEALERSHIP ON MAY 18,2009. I DO NOT BELIEVE THIS "FIX" HAS PREVENTED THE UNDERHOOD FIRES ON MANY OF THESE RECALLED VEHICLES. *TR

I WAS DRIVING MY CAR IN A SUBURBAN AREA AT APPROX 20 MPH WHEN I NOTICED SMOKE COMING OUT FROM UNDER THE HOOD. I IMMEDIATELY TURNED ONTO A SIDE STREET AND WITHIN 15 SECONDS OF NOTICING THE SMOKE THERE WERE FLAMES SHOOTING OUT FROM UNDER MY HOOD AND THE DRIVERS SIDE WHEEL WELL. I THREW THE CAR INTO PARK AND GOT OUT. A PASSERBY WAS ALREADY CALLING 911 AND WITHIN LESS THAN A MINUTE OF MY EXITING THE VEHICLE THE ENTIRE FRONT END WAS ON FIRE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT ARRIVED AND PUT OUT THE FIRE AND STATED THAT THERE WAS SO MUCH DAMAGE TO THE FRONT END OF THE CAR THAT THEY WERE UNABLE TO GIVE A DEFINITE CAUSE, BUT SUSPECTED ELECTRICAL. THE ENTIRE CAR IS TOTALED, THE FIRE WAS SO HOT IT MELTED THE DRIVER WINDOW AND THE WINDSHIELD AND DESTROYED IT WITHIN MINUTES. NO ELECTRICAL ISSUES WERE NOTICED IMMEDIATELY PRIOR TO THIS INCIDENT, ONLY CHANGE NOTED WAS THAT THE PASSENGER WINDOW ROLLED UP A BIT MORE SLOWLY THAN NORMAL. *TR

OUR CAR GAS GAUGE MOVES UP AND DOWN. I CAN FILL IT UP , THEN THE NEXT IT GOES TO E AND THE FUEL LIGHT COMES ON WARNING YOU TO GET GAS. THE NEEDLE GOES TO FULL TO EMPTY MOVES BACK AND FORTH. I SAW THIS IS HAPPENING ON GM MODELS. THIS IS A GM. IS THERE A RECALL YET. *KB

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX. WHILE PARKED, THE UNOCCUPIED VEHICLE UNEXPECTEDLY IGNITED INTO FLAMES. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT EXTINGUISHED THE FLAMES AND ADVISED THAT THE FIRE ORIGINATED IN THE ENGINE AREA. THE FAILURE RECURRED THREE MONTHS AFTER THE RECALL REMEDY REPAIR WAS PERFORMED ON THE VEHICLE UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 08V118000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE VEHICLE WAS DECLARED DESTROYED AND TOWED TO A SAVAGE FACILITY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 200,000.

OUR 2001 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX, WHICH HAS ROUGHLY 125,000 MILES ON IT, STALLS AND DIES AT VARIOUS SPEEDS. IT IS NOT SUPERCHARGED, BUT IT DOES HAVE THE 3.8 LITER SERIES II ENGINE. THE VEHICLE WILL SHUDDER MOMENTARILY AND, IF THE CAR'S GOING FAST ENOUGH, THE MOMENTUM OF THE TORQUE CONVERT SPINNING MANAGES TO RESTART THE ENGINE IN DEFAULT, ALLOWING IT TO KEEP RUNNING. HOWEVER, THE TCS "TRAC OFF" LIGHT COMES ON AND THE TACHOMETER DROPS TO 0 UNTIL THE CAR IS SHUT OFF AND RESTARTED. SOMETIMES, THE CAR WILL STALL AT LOW SPEED AND, MINUS THE SHUDDER, EVERYTHING ELSE OCCURS AS DESCRIBED ABOVE, EXCEPT THAT THE CAR SIMPLY DIES. THE SES LIGHT HAS LIT UP A FEW TIMES, BUT THERE IS NO CLEAR REASON FOR IT TO DO SO, SINCE, ONCE RESTARTED, THE ENGINE RUNS JUST FINE. OCCASIONALLY, HOWEVER, IDLE IS A LITTLE ROUGH; THE ENGINE SOMETIMES DROPS TO ALMOST 400 RPM WHEN SITTING WITH THE ENGINE RUNNING, THEN SLOWLY CLIMBS BACK UP TO ABOUT 600-750 RPM. MORE ALARMING PERSONALLY, HOWEVER, IS THE FACT THAT ROUGHLY 11 DAYS AGO, THE CAR COMPLETELY DIED TWICE ON THE SAME DAY, IN A 15-SECOND PERIOD. WHILE COMING HOME FROM WORK ON THE FREEWAY, THE CAR COMPLETELY DIED (THE OIL PRESSURE LIGHT CAME ON AND EVERYTHING). HAVING PULLED ONTO THE SHOULDER AND RESTARTED, I DID NOT TRAVEL MORE THAN 100 FEET BEFORE IT HAPPENED AGAIN, THIS TIME ON THE FREEWAY OFF-RAMP. I RESTARTED AGAIN, AND IT DROVE HOME NORMALLY. LATELY, THE CAR IS SOMETIMES NEXT TO IMPOSSIBLE TO START. DEPENDING ON THE CIRCUMSTANCES, ONE OF TWO THINGS WILL H

I DROVE MY 2001 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX TO WORK , WITHIN A FEW MINS AFTER I ARRIVED WORK , PARKED MY CAR, WENT INTO THE BUILDING MY CAR JUST WENT UP IN SMOKE. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER RECEIVING REPAIRS UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 08V118000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING), THE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CONTACTED AND NO ONE WAS INJURED. THE VEHICLE WAS DECLARED DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE WHO DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE SINCE THE STATUE OF LIMITATIONS HAD EXPIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 140,000.

I WAS PULLED OVER BY POLICE FOR NO REAR LIGHTS. UPON INVESTIGATION, FOUND MULTI-FUNCTION SWITCH BAD/JAMMED. HAZARD LIGHT BUTTON STUCK IN UP POSITION. IF PUSHED TO THE SIDE AND HELD, LIGHTS OPERATE AS ADVERTISED FOR SOME PERIOD OF TIME, BUT WILL AT SOME POINT STOP WORKING WITHOUT MY KNOWLEDGE. MULTI-FUNCTION SWITCH IS DEALER ONLY PART. PRICE IS $500 + LABOR FOR INSTALLATION.

I HAVE A PONTIAC GRAND PRIX, 2001 WHICH HAD A RECALL FOR ENGINE COMPARTMENTED FIRES, I FIRST LEARNED OF THE RECALL AFTER THE FIRST FIRE THAT HAPPENED IN JULY, 2010, WHICH I PUT OUT MYSELF, I THEN RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE ON MY CAR. I HAD THE RECALL WORK DONE IN NOV OR DEC OF 2010. TODAY, MY WIFE WAS DRIVING MY DAUGHTER TO SCHOOL THIS MORNING 1/26/2011, AND THE CAR CAUGHT FIRE AGAIN IN FRONT OF THE SCHOOL AND CAUSED SIGNIFICANT DAMAGE TO THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT & ENGINE. THE CAR IS NO LONGER DRIVABLE, EVERYTHING IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT IS DESTROYED. *TR

I HAVE A PONTIAC GRAND PRIX, 2001 WHICH HAD A RECALL FOR ENGINE COMPARTMENTED FIRES, I FIRST LEARNED OF THE RECALL AFTER THE FIRST FIRE THAT HAPPENED IN JULY, 2010, WHICH I PUT OUT MYSELF, I THEN RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE ON MY CAR. I HAD THE RECALL WORK DONE IN NOV OR DEC OF 2010. TODAY, MY WIFE WAS DRIVING MY DAUGHTER TO SCHOOL THIS MORNING 1/26/2011, AND THE CAR CAUGHT FIRE AGAIN IN FRONT OF THE SCHOOL AND CAUSED SIGNIFICANT DAMAGE TO THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT & ENGINE. THE CAR IS NO LONGER DRIVABLE, EVERYTHING IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT IS DESTROYED. *TR

I HAVE A 2001 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX THAT HAD A RECALL FOR AN OIL LEAK. THEY DID THE RECALL ON 6-6-2009. YESTERDAY ABOUT 20 TO 30 MINUTES AFTER DRIVING IT THE CAR ERUPTED INTO FLAME PRIMARILY ON THE RIGHT DRIVERS SIDE OF THE ENGINE. LOOKING AT THE INTERNET IT LOOKS TO BE IDENTICAL TO OTHERS WHO HAD THIS PROBLEM. WHAT SHOULD I DO? *TR

I BOUGHT THE CAR IN DECEMBER 2006 FROM LAFONTAINE 4399 HIGHLAND RD, WATERFORD, MI. SOME TIME IN FEBRUARY/MARCH I TOOK THE CAR BACK TO THEM DO TO THE SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT ON. I NEVER WAS TOLD WHAT WAS WRONG BECAUSE THEY SAID THAT DID NOT FALL UNDER MY WARRANT AND PLUS MY WARRANT SUPPOSEDLY EXPIRED. WITH IN THE NEXT MONTH MY CAR STARTED TO LEAK OIL REALLY BAD, I HAVE TO PUT AT LEAST 2 QUARTS IN IT WITH IN ABOUT A WEEK TIME. COME TO FIND OUT WHEN I WENT TO GET MY OIL CHANGED I WAS TOLD THAT MY OIL PAN LOOKS LIKE IT IS RUSTED THROUGH. I SPOKE WITH A GM EMPLOYER AND WAS TOLD THAT THE ONLY WAY AN OIL PAN WOULD DO THAT IS IF THE METAL/MATERIAL USED TO MAKE THE PAN IS DEFECTED, OTHER THAN THAT, AN OIL PAN SHOULD LAST IT S LIFE TIME. ON TOP OF THE THEM TELLING ME THIS, I WAS ALSO ADVISED THAT IT LOOKED LIKE SOMEONE HAD TRIED TO USE SOMETHING TO STOP THE LEAK, LIKE SOME SORT OF WELD. NOT SURE WHAT THEY MEANT BY THAT. NEXT IS THE WIPERS, MY WIPERS TURN ON WHEN YOU START UP THE CAR AND THEN STOP AT AN UPRIGHT POSITION. I AM BEING TOLD THAT THE WIPER MOTOR IS GOING. COME TO FIND OUT EVERY TIME I SEE SOMEONE WITH MY TYPE OF CAR, I JUST HAVE TO ASK IF THEY HAVE ANY PROBLEMS AND THEY DO ESPECIALLY WITH THE WIPERS. I CALLED PONITAC ON THIS AND FOR THEM TO CONSIDER FIXING IT, I HAVE TO GO PAY FOR THE DEALER TO INSPECT IT, THEN FAX IT IN, AND THEY MAY COVER THE FIX, BUT IT IS NOT A GUARANTEE. I PRICED WHAT IT WOULD COST AND IT IS A LOT OF MONEY OVER 1300.00 FOR ALL TO BE FIXED. I DO NOT HAVE TH

I BOUGHT MY PONTIAC GRAND PRIX GT (3.8L) IN LATE '01, I MOSTLY SERVICED EVERYTHING WITH MY ORIGINAL DEALERSHIP WHERE I BOUGHT THE VEHICLE. AFTER ABOUT 3 YEARS (UNDER THE MFG WARRANTY) THE CAR BEGAN HESITATING WHEN ACCELERATING UPHILL & UNDER LOAD AT ABOUT 50-60 MPH, I BROUGHT THE CAR TO THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT (AT THE DEALERSHIP) THE TOOK ME FOR A ROAD TEST WHERE THE PROBLEM WAS DUPLICATED THEN THEY DID SOME DIAGNOSTICS (CHARGED ME FOR IT) BUT THEY COULD NOT FIND ANY SPECIFIC PROBLEM (NO CODES EITHER). MY FATHER HAS A CHEVY IMPALA LS '00 AND HE HAS THE EXACT SAME ISSUE, SO I DECIDED THERE MUST BE SOME KIND OF ISSUE WITH THESE CARS THAT GM SERVICE PEOPLE SHOULD KNOW ABOUT. SO I CALLED THE GM SERVICE CENTER, LEFT A MESSAGE & A TECHNICIAN CALLED ME BACK ONLY TO TELL ME THAT THERE'S ABSOLUTELY "NOTHING" HE CAN TELL ME MORE ABOUT IT AND THERE'S NO KNOW ISSUE / HE HAS NO IDEA WHY BOTH OF OUR CARS (SIMILAR MAKES) HAVE DEVELOPED THE SAME ISSUE. I WENT ALL OVER THE PLACE TO MANY DIFFERENT & INDEPENDENT MECHANIC SHOPS TO NO AVAILABILITY. I FINALLY WAS TOLD THAT THERE'S A KNOWN (& CONFIRMED) ISSUE WITH THESE VEHICLES (THIS WAS AN ISSUE FROM '99 TO '01) AND THAT THE PROBLEM WAS A FAULTY PCM (POWERTRAIN CONTROL MODULE). SO I CALLED UP MY LOCAL DEALERSHIP TO FIND OUT THE PRICE, WHICH THEY TOLD ME WOULD BE OVER "$900.00" FOR THE PART PLUS LABOR CHARGES... I THOUGHT THAT IT WOULD BE NICE OF GM TO OFFER ME SOME REPAIR FOR THIS FAULTY PART THAT HAS DRIVEN ME NUTS FOR YEARS, BUT THEY REFUSED TO

I DROVE TO THE GROCERY STORE, PARKED,WENT INSIDE. FIVE MINUTES LATER I WALK OUT TO THE FIRE DEPARTMENT PUTTING OUT A FIRE UNDER THE HOOD OF MY 2001 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX. THE CAR IS COMPLETELY TOTALED AND WAS TOLD BY THE FIRE DEPARTMENT AND NUMEROUS PEOPLE THAT THERE IS A RECALL ON THIS VEHICLE FOR DOING THAT. AS OF NOW NOTHING HAS BEEN DONE TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE HAD RECURRING FAILURE WITH HER ANTI-LOCK BRAKES. WHILE BRAKING, THE ABS AND TRACTION SERVICE LIGHTS ILLUMINATED ON THE DASHBOARD AND A "GRUMBLING" SOUND CAN BE HEARD COMING FROM THE BRAKES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE HUBS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED INDEPENDENTLY. THE FAILURE CONTINUED TO OCCUR. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 67,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 72,200. UPDATED 12/21/10*BF UPDATED 12/23/10*JB

2001 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX WITH POWER STEERING ISSUE. CONSUMER STATES THAT THE POWER STEERING IN HER VEHICLE HAS BEEN FIXED THREE TIMES AND THE PROBLEM KEEPS OCCURRING. *KB

WHILE MY MECHANIC WAS CHECKING TIE RODS ON THE CAR THEY NOTICED SEEPAGE FROM THE INTAKE MANIFOLD. LUCKILY IT WAS CAUGHT VERY EARLY-NO MIXING OF OIL AND COOLANT. INTAKE MANIFOLD, ELBOW AND ASSEMBLY REPLACED; ORIGINAL GM GASKET DESIGN AND MATERIALS WERE INFERIOR HOWEVER THE GASKET REDESIGN TAKES CARE OF THE ISSUE. PLENUM WAS ALSO WEAK; SOMETHING HE SAID HE COMMONLY SEES ON MY SERIES OF 3.8L GM ENGINES BECAUSE OF FAULTY DESIGN AND MATERIALS. $943 JOB WHEN ALL WAS SAID AND DONE. *TR

OIL LEAKAGE FROM VALVE COVERS, TRANSMISSION FAILURE, HUB ASSEMBLY FAILURE,TRACTION SYSTEM FAILURE. PROBLEMS WITH ONLY 60,000 MILES GM WILL NOT ACKNOWLEDGE RESPONSIBILITY OR ASSIST IN PAYING FOR REPAIRS. FOUND MANY SIMILAR COMPLAINTS. SHOULD NOT HAVE THESE PROBLEMS WITH LOW MILEAGE ON THIS VEHICLE WHICH WAS PURCHASED NEW AND WELL MAINTAINED. TOLD BY CERTIFIED MECHANICS THAT THESE PROBLEMS SHOULD NOT HAVE HAPPENED. *TR

VEHICLE INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET FAILURE. CHEAP AND DEFECTIVE PLASTIC MANIFOLD GASKET BROKEN CAUSING ANTIFREEZE TO LEAK INTO ENGINE AND MIX WITH OIL OF VEHICLE. CAUGHT BEFORE MAJOR DAMAGE OCCURRED LIKE ENGINE FAILURE. *TR

PONTIAC GRAND PRIX 2001: WAS HIT BY ANOTHER CAR IN THE LEFT REAR WHILE CAR WAS AT RED STOP LIGHT WAITING FOR GREEN LIGHT, SPINNED, WENT ON TO "AUTOMATIC" DRIVE AND HIT FIRE HYDRANT ON THE RIGHT SIDE FENDER. THE IMPACT MAY HAVE BEEN TOO GREAT TO CAUSE THE VEHICLE TO MOVE PASSED MEDIAN AND STILL HIT A FIRE HYDRANT AND STOP SIGN AT THE INTERSECTION. MY WIFE SUFFERED MULTIPLE INJURIES, I.E., BROKEN RIBS, NECK WOUNDS, ORGAN BURST, ETC., THAT KILLED HER AT THE SCENE. I HAVE SEEN A CAR THAT WENT ON "CRAZY SPIN" AFTER RUNNING OVER A PIECE OF TIRE ON THE ROAD. I HAVE BEEN BOTHERED BY THAT INCIDENT WHICH HAPPENED JUST A MONTH AFTER MY WIFE'S DEATH AND BEGAN TO QUESTION THE DESIGN OF FRONT WHEEL DRIVEN CARS THAT GO ON TO "AUTOMATIC" DRIVE AFTER ANY DISTURBANCE. THE OTHER CAR THAT HIT MY WIFE'S CAR IS SMALLER AND IT MUST HAVE BEEN MOVING OVER THE SPEED LIMIT OF 35 MPH TO HAVE TO CAUSE THE GRAND PRIX TO DEVELOP THAT MUCH MOTION AND MOVE AT RANDOM.. AND IT MUST BE THE MECHANISM OR TRANSMISSION THAT TRIGGERED IT TO MOVE. THEORIZE THAT THE GRAND PRIX WAS AT STOP AND BRAKES APPLIED, CAR WOULD NOT MOVE THE DISTANCE IT HAD IF NOT UNDERGONE "AUTOMATIC". THERE WERE PREVIOUS REPORTS ABOUT FRONT WHEEL CARS/ENGINES BEFORE THEY BECAME COMMON. THE GRAND PRIX'S ON-STAR DID NOT ACTIVATE OR FUNCTION, ALSO THE AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY. IT WAS NOT PHYSICALLY POSSIBLE FOR THE GRAND PRIX TO MOVE THAT MUCH DISTANCES IF ATTRIBUTED ONLY TO OTHER VEHICLE HITTING IT. THE GRAND PRIX PRO-PERFORMANCE CLAIM WAS SOMETHI

THERE IS A RECALL NOTICE SENT OUT BY GM REGARDING THE POSSIBILITY OF AN ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE FOR THE 2001 GRAND PRIX (AMONG OTHER DATE FOR THE SAME MODEL). TONIGHT WHEN I STARTED THE CAR THERE WAS AN EXPLOSION AND THE ENGINE BURST INTO FLAMES. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CALLED AND THEY CAME TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE AFTER THE CAR WAS ENGULFED IN FLAMES. THE ASSISTANT FIRE MARSHALL ARRIVED AND BEFORE HE SAID ANYTHING ELSE HE SAID "THIS WAS CAUSED BY AN ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE." I THE N ADVISED HIM THAT PONTIAC HAS JUST SENT A RECALL NOTICE FOR THE SAME ISSUE. THERE ARE HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE ONLINE WHO HAVE FILED A COMPLAINT WITH GM. YET, THEY INSIST THEY ARE NOT RESPONSIBLE. WHY DID THEY ISSUE A RECALL THEN IF THEY ARE NOT RESPONSIBLE? UNFORTUNATELY FOR THEM, OUR ATTORNEY GENERAL IS GOING TO TAKE ACTION. I'M NOT THE TYPE OF PERSON TO SIT BACK AND WATCH WHEN AN INJUSTICE WAS DONE. I HAD TO DRAG MY HANDICAPPED SON FROM THE VEHICLE. THIS, AS WELL AS ALL OF THE COMPLAINTS POINTS TO DISASTER. SOMETHING MUST BE DONE NOW. MY SON COULD HAVE BEEN KILLED IF I WAS UNABLE TO ACT QUICKLY ENOUGH TO SAVE HIM. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX GT. THE VEHICLE BURNT WHILE IT WAS PARKED AT HER PLACE OF EMPLOYMENT. THE FIRE AND POLICE DEPARTMENT WERE PRESENT. THE POLICE REPORT NUMBER WAS 20094185. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT REPORT WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FIRE INITIATED IN THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE DIDN'T HAVE ANY PRIOR FAILURES AND WAS ALWAYS SERVICED AS REQUIRED. THE VEHICLE DIDN'T HAVE FULL COVERAGE; THEREFORE, THE INSURANCE COMPANY WILL NOT INVESTIGATE THE CAUSE OF FAILURE. SHE WILL NOTIFY THE MANUFACTURER. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 88,000.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER RECEIVING RECALL NUMBER 09V116000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING) SHE MADE TWO ATTEMPTS TO HAVE THE VEHICLE REPAIRED AND WAS UNSUCCESSFUL. ONE DEALER ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT SHE WOULD NEED TO HAVE THE ENGINE CLEANED TO HAVE THE RECALL PERFORMED WHICH SHE REFUSED TO DO. THREE MONTHS AFTER THE CONTACT WAS DENIED THE RECALL REPAIR, THE VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED FOR APPROXIMATELY 5 MINUTES AND AS SHE PROCEEDED TO HER VEHICLE IT WAS IN FLAMES. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS NOTIFIED AND EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT STATED THE A COMPONENT IN THE ENGINE CAUSED THE FIRE. A REPORT WAS FILED AND IS AVAILABLE. THE INSURANCE COMPANY WAS NOTIFIED AND PAID FOR SOME OF THE EXPENSES. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE CONTACT FILED A CLAIM WITH THE MANUFACTURER. AFTER A COUPLE OF MONTHS THE CONTACT RECEIVED A LETTER STATING THAT NO COMPENSATION WOULD BE OFFERED. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN. UPDATED 11/06/09. *LJ UPDATED 11/10/09

CATALYTIC CONVERTER FAILURE , DRIVE SHIFT FAILURE AND O2 SENSOR FAILURE WHILE DRIVING..COMPLETE LOSS OF VEHICULAR POWER , CAR LOCKED UP. *TR

MY 2001 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX GT HAS HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE CAR STALLING AND DYING WITHOUT WARNING. IT IS VERY RANDOM. TYPICALLY, THE CAR HESITATES/STALLS THEN THE "TCS OFF" LIGHT COMES ON AND THE RPM METER HITS 0. I HAVE TWICE CHANGED THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER BECAUSE OF THIS PROBLEM AT THE PONTIAC DEALER'S SUGGESTION.THE PROBLEM STILL EXIST. WHAT CAN BE DONE AS MY CAR WILL SHUT OFF AT ANY SPEED AND WILL NOT RESTART IMMEDIATELY. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE THAT NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED. WHAT CAN I DO TO GET THIS DEFECTIVE CONDITION FIXED OR REPAIRED PROPERLY? DOES ANY OTHER 2001 MODELS HAVE THIS PROBLEM? *TR

MY 2001 GRAND PRIX WAS HAVING A COOLING AND ENGINE MALFUNCTION..CAUSE THE ENGINE TO OVERHEAT CAUSING A POTENTIAL FIRE HAZARD..MY GRAND PRIX IS NOT SUPERCHARGED HOWEVER, THE SAME PROBLEM DESCRIBED WITH THE SUPERCHARGED HAPPENED TO THIS VEHICLE... *TR

AT APPROX. 65 MILES PER HOUR THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER COLLAPSED CAUSING ME TO LOSE ALL POWER ON THE INTERSTATE AND NEARLY CAUSING AN ACCIDENT WHEN IT DIED. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 09V116000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER AND THE RECALL REPAIR WAS PERFORMED. THE FOLLOWING DAY, THE VEHICLE ERUPTED INTO FLAMES WHILE PARKED IN A PARKING LOT. THE FIRE AND POLICE DEPARTMENTS WERE CALLED TO THE SCENE AND A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THERE WERE NO PRIOR WARNINGS OR INJURIES. THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT WAS COMPLETELY DESTROYED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE CONTACT IS IN THE PROCESS OF NOTIFYING THE MANUFACTURER. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 121,000.

RECALL. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNED A 2001 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT WHEEL HUBS KEPT DETACHING FROM THE VEHICLE AND HAD TO BE REPLACED SEVERAL TIMES. IN JUNE OF 2006, THE VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE AND HAD TO BE TOWED FROM THE SCENE. A FIRE REPORT WAS FILED. IN JANUARY OF 2008, THE VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE AGAIN AT A REST STOP. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED FOR THIS INCIDENT. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS UNABLE TO BE DRIVEN AFTER THE SECOND FIRE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 40,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 140,000.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PAINT ON THE HOOD OF HER VEHICLE ABNORMALLY CHIPS. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, SHE NOTICED FLAMES ON THE PANEL OF THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE WINDOW. SHE USED A SMALL BOTTLE OF WATER TO DOUSE THE FLAMES AND SMOKE. CURRENTLY, ALL OF THE POWER WINDOWS ARE INOPERATIVE. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN INSPECTED TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURES. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 70,000. UPDATED 06/09/09 *BF UPDATED 06/09/09.*JB

2001 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX CAUGHT FIRE IN 2006 AT ELLENSBURG, WA AND BURNED TO THE GROUND IN 2008. PONTIAC NOW SAYS THEY ARE NOT RESPONSIBLE BECAUSE THE CAR WAS ORIGINALLY BOUGHT AS A FLEET VEHICLE. WHAT? DOES THAT MAKE THEM FIRE PROOF?? *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT OIL DRIPS ONTO THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD AND CAUSES IT TO SMOKE. HE RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 09V116000 AND GM RECALL NUMBER 90047 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE), BUT WAS INFORMED THAT THE REMEDY WOULD NOT CORRECT THE FAILURE WITH HIS VEHICLE. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE PLASTIC WAS WARPED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REPAIR COST WAS TOO EXPENSIVE AND THE VEHICLE COULD STILL POSSIBLY CATCH FIRE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT CONDENSATION ACCUMULATES IN THE TAIL LIGHTS AND THE SAFETY FLASHERS CAUSE THEM TO BLOW OUT. THE FAILURE OCCURRED THREE TIMES SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED. THIS ISSUE HAS CAUSED THE CONTACT TO RECEIVE A WARNING FROM THE LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT DUE TO THE TAIL LIGHT FAILURE. THE CONTACT BELIEVES THAT A RECALL SHOULD BE ISSUED BECAUSE THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 111,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 103,000.

SEPTEMBER 2007: 2001 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX GTP BURST INTO FLAMES WHILE PARKED IN DRIVEWAY, ABOUT 10 MINUTES AFTER IT HAD BEEN DRIVEN ON A TRIP FOR ABOUT 40 MILES. NEIGHBORS NOTICED FIRE AND CALL FIRE DEPARTMENT, WHO PUT OUT FIRE. ENGINE COMPARTMENT DESTROYED, PASSENGER COMPARTMENT NOT AFFECTED, BUT CAR WAS DEEMED TOTAL LOSS BY INSURANCE COMPANY. SIX MONTHS PREVIOUS CAR HAD BEEN SERVICED FOR RUNNING ROUGH, MECHANIC REPLACED MASS AIR FLOW SENSOR, BUT ALSO NOTED SMOKE FROM THE VALVE COVER GASKETS LEAKING OIL ONTO THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD, WITH "A LITTLE BIT OF OIL WETNESS AROUND THE INTAKE MANIFOLD". UNFORTUNATELY WE DIDN'T GET THIS REPAIRED BECAUSE OF COST AT THE TIME. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNED A 2001 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX. AFTER DRIVING THE VEHICLE FOR ONE AND HALF MILES, IT BEGAN SMOKING AND CAUGHT FIRE TEN MINUTES LATER WHILE PARKED. THE FIRE ORIGINATED FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT AND THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. A FEW DAYS PRIOR TO THE FIRE, THE CONTACT NOTICED A BURNING ODOR COMING FROM THE VEHICLE WHILE IT WAS PARKED. IN NOVEMBER OF 2008, GM INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 08V118000. AT THAT TIME, THE DEALER STATED THAT IT WOULD COST APPROXIMATELY $400 TO REPAIR THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT COULD NOT REMEMBER WHAT THE DEALER STATED CAUSED THE FAILURE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 95,000.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX. ON MARCH 26, 2009, THE CONTACT DROVE THE VEHICLE OUT OF THE GARAGE TO HAVE IT WASHED. TEN MINUTES AFTER THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN DRIVEN BACK IN THE GARAGE, IT CAUGHT FIRE. THE GARAGE WAS DAMAGED. A REPORT WAS FILED WITH THE MANUFACTURER AND THEY HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO INVESTIGATE THE FAILURE. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED AS WELL AS THE FIRE DEPARTMENT'S INCIDENT NUMBER 09-0000788. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 90,000.

I PURCHASED TWO NEW FIRESTONE AFFINITY TOURING BL TIRES FOR A 2001 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX (FRONT). LESS THAN ONE MONTH LATER, ONE OF THE TIRES DEVELOPED A BULGE IN THE SIDEWALL. IT WAS REPLACED WITH THE SAME MODEL TIRE. ABOUT ONE WEEK LATER, THAT TIRE HAD A SIDEWALL BLOWOUT. IN BOTH INSTANCES, THE TIRE SHOP TRIED TO SAY THAT WE HAD HIT SOMETHING. IN BOTH INSTANCES, WE HAD NOT. THERE WAS NO DAMAGE TO THE CAR OR RIM. I BELIEVE THAT THERE COULD BE SERIOUS SIDEWALL DEFECTS WITH THESE TIRES. I FELT THAT I SHOULD REGISTER THIS COMPLAINT IN CASE THIS IS AN EARLY SIGN OF A SERIOUS PROBLEM. *TR

2001 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX RECALL FOR FRONT ROCKER ARM GASKET. CONSUMER IS HAVING A PROBLEM WITH GETTING THE RECALL PERFORMED. *NJ THE CONSUMER WENT TO THE DEALER 2 TIMES TO TRY AND GET THE RECALL FIXED. THE FIRST TIME SHE WAS TOLD THE REPLACEMENT WAS NOT NEEDED AND IF SHE PAID $75.00 THE DEALER WOULD STEAM CLEAN THE ENGINE TO VERIFY A POSSIBLE OIL LEAK. THE SECOND TIME SHE VISITED THE DEALER, SHE WAS TOLD SHE NEEDED TO PAY $400.00 TO REPLACE A SEAT BELT TENSIONER SO THE TECHNICIAN COULD REPLACE THE VALVE COVER GASKET. THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE. *JB

I HAVE THREE COMPLAINTS. 1. WINDOW ISSUES: I HAVE HAD TO HAVE REPAIR WORK DONE ON TWO WINDOWS. THE FIRST ONE FELL DOWN AND WAS REPAIRED WITHOUT HAVING TO REPLACE THE MOTOR OR ANYTHING, BUT IT STILL COST ABOUT $150 IN LABOR. THE SECOND TIME I HAD A WINDOW NOT WORKING, IT WAS THE SWITCH IN THE DOOR. MY PARENTS HAVE A CAR LIKE MINE AND HAVE HAD TO HAVE EXPENSIVE WINDOW MECHANICS REPLACEMENT DONE AS WELL. 2. ANOTHER PROBLEM I AM HAVING NOW IS WITH THE SWITCH FOR THE REAR LIGHTS. IT HAS QUIT WORKING AND THE PART ALONE WILL COST ABOUT $350. THE MECHANIC SAYS THAT HE HAS HAD TO REPLACE SEVERAL OF THESE HIMSELF, AND HE IS A PRIVATE BUSINESSMAN. THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL ON THIS PROBLEM THAT RECURS WITH THE GRAND PRIX BECAUSE IT IS DEFINITELY A SAFETY ISSUE. 3. IN CHECKING AFTER MY MECHANIC SAID THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL ABOUT THE REAR LIGHT SWITCH, I HAVE FOUND 5 RECALLS FOR WHICH I HAVE NEVER RECEIVED ANY NOTIFICATION. I DO NOT KNOW WHERE TO BEGIN TO GET THESE CORRECTED. *TR

A FEW DAYS AGO, I'VE HAD A THIRD WINDOW MALFUNCTION. THREE MY WINDOWS DROPPED DOWN INSIDE OF THE DOOR. THE FIRST WINDOW DID THIS THE FIRST WEEK I BOUGH THE CAR(7/06) AND WAS NOT COVERED BY MY WARRANTY. THE SECOND WINDOW STOPPED WORKING OVER 6 MOS AGO AND NOW THE THIRD ONE. I KNOW SOMEONE ELSE WHO HAS THE SAME PROBLEM AND STARTED WITH HER BACK WINDOWS. THE WINTER MONTHS ARE HERE AND I HAVE KIDS THAT ARE ASTHMATIC. I WAS GIVEN A QUOTE OF $ 300 TO REPLACE MECHANISM OF EACH WINDOW! HOW TERRIBLE FOR SOMETHING THAT WAS NOT CAUSED ON MY PART. *TR

LOWER AND/OR UPPER MANIFOLD CRACKED/ GASKET 4 TIMES. 2003, 2005, 2007, 2008- LEAKING ENGINE COOLANT. THE FIRST 2 TIMES THE REPAIRS WERE COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. IN JULY 2007, HAD IT REPAIRED AGAIN AT THE PONTIAC DEALER FOR $1000. DISCOVERED PROBLEM HAS RE-OCCURRED AND COOLANT IS LEAKING AGAIN AS OF DEC. 2008. CANNOT AFFORD ANOTHER REPAIR OUT OF POCKET. JUST TRYING TO KEEP COOLANT LEVELS UP BY RE-FILLING AND KEEPING IT PARKED AWAY FROM THE HOUSE AND OTHER VEHICLES FOR FEAR OF FIRE. *TR