2000 Pontiac Grand Prix Engine Problems

Which parts fail

• Engine
  43
• Engine › Gasoline
  18
• Cooling system
  10
• Exhaust system
  5
• Exhaust system › Manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe
  4
• Engine › Other fuel types › Turbo/supercharger
  2

Components named in complaints (engine, cooling system, oil leaks, timing chain, exhaust).

Mileage when the problem started

• Under 25k
  43%
• 25k–50k
  138%
• 50k–75k
  2114%
• 75k–100k
  1812%
• 100k–150k
  4932%
• 150k+
  4831%

Owner reports

Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2000 Pontiac Grand Prix owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).

The contact owns a 2000 Pontiac Grand Prix. The contact stated that the vehicle was towed to the dealer for service under NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V701000 (Engine and Engine Cooling) however after the service the vehicle started but did not idle due to an air intake hose not reinstalled on the vehicle. The contact stated that the air intake hose needs to be replaced however, the repairs have not been completed. The contact stated that before taking the vehicle into service the manufacturer was made aware of an issue with the dealer due to his interaction with the service manager. He was worried that the dealer was not going to service his vehicle correctly. The contact did not have a case number available as he stated that he had contacted the manufacturer several times. The contact stated that the vehicle had no issues before the recall service. …

Car was previously recalled for valve cover leak which could result in an engine fire. I received another notice to fix the same valve cover...the recall needs to be expanded to both valve covers. The front cover was fixed but they did not fix the rear valve cover which also leaks oil onto the manifold and the main exhaust pipe. I had the car in for a repair a few years ago and the dealer told me the rear valve cover was leaking and not to park it in the garage until I had it fixed, I asked if it was to be fixed under the recall and he said no only the front one. Well the front one is not causing the fire hazard, it is the rear one. I have had a small fire in the rear of the firewall as a result and clean this area to keep the oil from building up.how do I get this recall expanded to include "valve covers" instead of just the front one?. …

I am probably the 3rd owner of this car and was unaware of the recall. I researched and found that the recall exists because I was searching for a reason for my car to experience an engine fire this past Monday. After calling the manufacturer, it appears that the search for current owners is not in the purview of the manufacturer and all of the responsibility for the research of the car is on the purchaser. At the time of the fire, the car had been being driven to the coffee store, when returning to the car about 10 minutes later, it was discovered to be engulfed in flame. With flames coming out from the hood. My issue is with the responsibility of notification and the reasonable expectation of a consumer that the manufacturer of a licensed vehicle make attempts to communicate recall data beyond the scope of the original purchaser. …

Tl* the contact owns a 2000 Pontiac Grand Prix. While driving approximately 60 MPH, the front end of the vehicle began to smoke and the engine lost power without warning. The contact pulled to the side of the road, opened the hood, and noticed that the vehicle was on fire. The contact reached for the pile of snow nearby and used it to extinguish the fire. The fire department and the police were not called to the scene and no reports were filed. An independent mechanic diagnosed that the plastic valve cover gasket needed to be replaced. The contact restarted the vehicle, but it did not start. The vehicle was towed to a junk yard. Prior to the fire, the contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 15V701000 (engine and engine cooling). There was no answer when the contact called the manufacturer to schedule a recall repair appointment. …

We purchased this 2000 Grand Prix gt from another individual in July 2015. Engine caught fire on 10/20/2015 while parked in the driveway at our residence. Neighbors alerted us (5-10 minutes after returning home from a five mile drive to enjoy a 35 minute meal) that the car was on fire. Flames were evident below the engine. We were able to control the fire with help from our neighbor, using two home extinguishers. The troy, oh fire dept responded; ensured the fire was completely out and car was safe to leave (cut wires on battery). Discovered GM recall no. 09047 & GM recall no. 07035 as well as NHTSA recall #07e-21 indicating issues which May result in an engine fire.

Tl* the contact owned a 2000 Pontiac Grand Prix. While the vehicle was parked, it started to smoke and then burst into flames. The contact extinguished the fire. A police report was not filed. The vehicle was destroyed and towed to the contact's residence. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 15V701000 (engine and engine cooling). The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 35,000. Updated 04/22/16 consumer stated that the adjuster came and checked the car from state farm insurance. It burned on 11-11-12 - sold the car. Updated 6/7/18

Tl* the contact owns a 2000 Pontiac Grand Prix. Thirty minutes after leaving the vehicle with the independent mechanic for an intake manifold repair, the contact was informed by the mechanic that the vehicle caught on fire. In addition, the mechanic stated that all the components under the vehicle were burned. A police report was not filed. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact mentioned that the manufacturer's recall notification for the intake manifold was received after the failure occurred. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage and NHTSA campaign number were unknown.

Tl* the contact owns a 2000 Pontiac Grand Prix. The contact stated that while parked, the contact observed excessive smoke coming from under the hood of the vehicle while the low coolant warning light illuminated. A fire report was not filed and no injuries were sustained. The failure occurred once. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact also stated that she received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 15V701000 (engine and engine cooling). The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 344,000. Parts distribution disconnect.

I drovefor a short time, less than a 10 mile distance, then pulled into a friends driveway. When I put the car in park I noticed smoke coming from under the hood, so I opened the hood, and there were flames coming from the front of my engine. So I put the hood down, but did not close it while I grabbed the fire extinguisher. When I opened the hood the flames had tripled, in a matter of seconds, consuming the more than half of the front of the engine. I was able to extinguish the fire without calling the fire dept. And without causing any damage to the garage it was parked in front of.

Tl* the contact owned a 2000 Pontiac Grand Prix. After the vehicle was parked for a short period of time, it caught fire without warning. There were no issues or warning signs prior to the fire. The fire department was able to extinguish the fire, but did not determine the cause of the failure. There were no injuries and a police report was not filed. The vehicle was destroyed. 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 160,000.

Related recalls

NHTSA investigations

Engine complaints in other Grand Prix years