2002 Pontiac Grand Prix Engine Problems

Which parts fail

• Engine
  8
• Exhaust system › Manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe
  5
• Exhaust system › Emission control › Catalytic convertor
  2
• Cooling system
  2
• Exhaust system
  2
• Engine › Gasoline
  1

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

Mileage when the problem started

• Under 25k
  22%
• 25k–50k
  55%
• 50k–75k
  109%
• 75k–100k
  2019%
• 100k–150k
  3230%
• 150k+
  3735%

Owner reports

Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2002 Pontiac Grand Prix owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).

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.

I had just drove about 30 miles home and when I arrived my engine was was smoking a little more than was usual because of oil burn off. So I popped the hood and a fire started in the back of the engine where I was having problems previously with the power steering pump. Obviously when I opened the hood it helped the fire and it grew. Took 30 minutes to put out. Car is now out of commission and I don't know what to do.

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 the fire. …

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. …

I March of 2015, my 2002 Grand Prix engine compartment caught fire. An off duty fire dept. Officer was near by and able to extinguish the fire. I towed my car to my wife's uncles house. My vehicle remains there. I was unsure what to do until I received the letter alerting me of the recall. I have alerted the state once I received the first letter late December 2015. I had not heard back. I am curious what steps to take now. My car is in the same place as before. The engine did catch fire and has been unable to start since the incident. Please contact me at your earliest convenience. [redacted] when the fire occurred, the car had been recently parked after driving a short distance. It was parked in front of the local elementary school for a few minutes when the fire happened.

Tl* the contact owns a 2002 Pontiac Grand Prix. While attempting to start the vehicle, the contact heard a boom sound and saw white smoke under the hood. When the contact looked under the hood, she noticed that a piston was dislodged. The vehicle was towed to scranton Chevrolet of norwich (774 w thames st, norwich, ct 06360, [phone]) where it was stated that two unknown parts needed to be ordered to repair the failure and provided the contact with a rental vehicle. While the vehicle was at the dealer, a fire started in the engine and completely destroyed the engine. The dealer informed the contact that they could not assist and informed her to have the vehicle towed. The vehicle was included in NHTSA campaign number: 15V701000 (engine and engine cooling). The failure mileage was 166,000.

Tl* the contact owns a 2002 Pontiac Grand Prix. While driving approximately 30 MPH, a burning odor emitted from the vehicle as the front end caught fire without warning. The fire extinguished itself independently. A fire report was not filed and no injuries were reported. The vehicle was towed to the contact's residence. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 15V701000 (engine and engine cooling); however, the part to do the repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 62,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

On Sunday November 20th 2016 my 17 year old son pulled up to a gas station in Grand island ne. He went inside to pre pay for his gas and a man came inside saying there was a car in fire. My sons 17 year old girlfriend was inside vehicle sleeping and it had ignited under flames in the hood. He had driven from Lincoln,ne to aurora,ne stayed for an hour plus then drove 20 miles to truck stop. Car had a fire under the hood and blew front tires and is a total loss. It was sitting next to a gas pump with no power.had a occupant in vehicle sleeping. The front end is gone along with passenger side of vehicle. Was waiting for recall parts at local dealer had appt for next day to fix issue!!! Contact for photos

Tl* the contact owns a 2002 Pontiac Grand Prix. The vehicle was parked in the driveway when the contact noticed smoke and flames under the hood of the vehicle. The fire department extinguished the fire. The vehicle was salvaged. The contact had property damage. A police report was filed.the manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 15V701000 (engine and engine cooling). The contact stated that the recall component and consequence were directly related to the failure diagnosed by the fire department. The approximate failure mileage was 100,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available. Updated 02/05/16 updated 11/21/2017

Tl* the contact owned a 2002 Pontiac Grand Prix. Upon placing the vehicle in reverse to pull into the driveway, the contact noticed smoke near the engine compartment. The contact and passenger were able to exit the vehicle. The contact attempted to lift the hood but was unable to due to extensive flames emitting from the engine compartment. The fire department was able to extinguish the flames. The vehicle was destroyed. The vehicle was not included in NHTSA campaign numbers: 07e021000 (fuel system, other), 09V116000 (engine and engine cooling), and 08V118000 (engine and engine cooling). The manufacturer was notified of the failures. The approximate failure mileage was 250,000.

Related recalls

NHTSA investigations

Engine complaints in other Grand Prix years