2001 Pontiac Grand Prix Engine Problems

Which parts fail

• Engine
  15
• Cooling system
  14
• Exhaust system
  6
• Exhaust system › Emission control › Catalytic convertor
  5
• Exhaust system › Manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe
  4
• Engine › Gasoline
  2

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

Mileage when the problem started

• Under 25k
  11%
• 25k–50k
  76%
• 50k–75k
  1210%
• 75k–100k
  2622%
• 100k–150k
  3026%
• 150k+
  4135%

Owner reports

Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2001 Pontiac Grand Prix owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).

Not sure if the problem is in the engine or engine or the fuel but I but I smell Exhaust or gas when the engine is running. With the headlights I can barely see at night. Having my brights on Is like having your regular lights on.

I purchased this car in the beginning of November 2016. The first time I started the car after bring it home, it exploded and the motor started burning. The car was parked at 38059 judd rd, belleville, mi 48111 when I turned the key over it exploded. I found out that there was a recall on the vehicle motor leaking oil onto the exhaust manifold that could catch on fire. I called GM on the recall. I sent pictures just as they asked me to. They responded to me that they found the incident was not from the recall, however I could take the vehicle to the dealership and get $650.00. How can they determine the recall from pictures? I have over $2200.00 invested into this car that I purchased less then two weeks before the car exploded. I didn't even drive the car one time after brining it home. I believe that I am getting cheated. …

Tl* the contact owns a 2001 Pontiac Grand Prix. The contact stated that the oil cap o ring for the valve cover leaked onto the exhaust pipes. The failure created a possible fire hazard when near a hot area. The contact noticed smoke coming from underneath the front of the vehicle. The contact noticed an issue with the vehicle prior to the o ring leak. The vehicle was taken to an unknown dealer for an unknown recall repair before the original leak and the dealer replaced the valve cover gasket and valve cover. The dealer and the contact did not agree on everything that was covered under the recall repair. The contact made further repairs on his own before the o ring leak occurred. The contact spoke with the manufacturer and was informed that there was no warranty coverage for the recalls. The failure mileage was 189,000.

Tl* the contact owned a 2001 Pontiac Grand Prix. While parked, the vehicle suddenly caught fire under the hood. The fire department extinguished the fire. A police report was not filed. The vehicle was destroyed and towed to a salvage yard. There were no injuries. The contact stated that the fire damaged nearby vehicles. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 15V701000 (engine and engine cooling), which stated that the consequence related to this recall could result in a fire. The contact stated that the failure experienced directly related to the recall. The vehicle did not receive the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 152,000.

My vehicle caught on fire while in motion. This happened during a trip to nuevo laredo, tamaulipas Mexico. It was reported to GM in detail and extensively, a copy of the title, an affidavit and the invoice where the remaining were sold to a junk yard were all mailed to an address provided. I never received a response from GM. Every phone number that has been provided to me leads nowhere. I emailed mr. Jeffrey m boyer vice president of global vehicle safety at GM this afternoon with cc to mr. Anthony foxx the secretary of the department of transportation. See the attached notice. Date that I am providing is estimated since it happened a long time ago and I don't have my notes with me.

Tl* the contact owns a 2001 Pontiac Grand Prix. The contact stated that while parked, a strong odor of burning oil was noticed and fumes of smoke were seen coming from under the hood. The contact further observed the vehicle by looking into the engine and noticed excessive oil. The contact received a notification of NHTSA campaign number: 15V701000 (engine and engine cooling) however, the parts for the recall were not available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 150,000. Parts distribution disconnect.

Tl* the contact owned a 2001 Pontiac Grand Prix. While driving 25 MPH flames emitted from the front end of the vehicle. The vehicle caught fire without warning the fire department extinguished the fire. A police report was not filed and there were no injuries. The vehicle was towed and deemed destroyed. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 09V116000 (engine and engine cooling) after the failure occurred. The manufacturer was not notified. The failure mileage was 189,000. Updated 02/23/17 consumer stated airbags did not deploy updated 7/6/18

Tl* the contact owns a 2001 Pontiac Grand Prix. The contact stated that while driving approximately 30 MPH, there was smoke emitting from between the hood and the windshield which resulted into flames. The vehicle was merged to the shoulder of the road and the contact extinguished the fire. The contact drove the vehicle home and called the dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 09V116000 (engine and engine cooling). The failure mileage was 175,000.

It was driving fine and I pulled into a parking lot and noticed that the steering became really hard then smelled something burning so I parked then started seeing smoke come from underneath the hood so I opened it and saw a small flame toward the back of the engine luckily I had a jug of water in the trunk and put it out and there was power steering fluid sparyed all over I'm assuming the fire melted a hose. The car still start but it doesn't sound good probably melted the spark plugs wires I'm sure . * (recall related incident) ts

Tl* the contact owned 2001 Pontiac Grand Prix. The contact stated that while parked, the vehicle began to smoke. The contact noticed that the hood of the vehicle had caught on fire. The fire department extinguished the fire. A fire report was filed and no injuries were reported. The vehicle was destroyed. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 15V701000 (engine and engine cooling) after the failure occurred. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 156,000.

Related recalls

NHTSA investigations

Engine complaints in other Grand Prix years