10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 15
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
89,379 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

The NHTSA is the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints can be spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem. See the Back button — blue bar at the very top of the page — to explore more.

Get notified about new defects, investigations, recalls & lawsuits for the 1999 Pontiac Grand Prix:

Unsubscribe any time. We don't sell/share your email.

problem #34

Dec 082010

Grand Prix

  • 98,000 miles
This is the same car as on this report filed earlier and I am the same complainant and still have not gotten any relief. Had upper manifold plenum and gasket replaced, along with new plugs and wires. Car ran ok for approx. 6 months and had problems again. Took car to a mechanic and was told that the same problem would happen again, as the so-called better plastic plenums and gaskets dissolves again. Car started running rough, replaced plug wires per mechanic, which would take roughness away. Drove about 1 week and no good results. Finally took car to another mechanic and found out that the upper intake manifold was not the problem as previous GM mechanic stated, but the lower manifold and gaskets were the problem and should have been checked, this problem caused the engine to take in air and water, the plug were burned off as if eaten away by acid and water was escaping through the engine valves. I was shown the damaged plugs and the disintegrated gasket and warped manifold cover. Now my engine is gone because not only are the head gasket blown, but the engine has a cracked block due to the heat. I will hopefully never buy another GM auto. That is why people support the foreign car markets. They seem to make better autos, even the recalled ones. I have to replace at my own engine, if I do, at my own cost, due to their faulty and inferior materials. This is clearly a rip-off and unfair to the american consumers. This car was bought new in 12/1999 with 26 miles on it and has been upkept inside and outside and currently have only 98,000 miles on the damaged engine. Now I have the same problem, only worse. I have also replace the motor driver front window 2 times and also other components on the same window and it still does not work so it is up position permanently. If it goes down, the door have to be taken apart to get it back up.

- Suwanee, GA, USA

problem #33

Oct 032010

Grand Prix

  • 130,000 miles
The contact owned a 1999 Pontiac Grand Prix. The contact stated that she heard an abnormal popping noise from inside her residence and discovered that the vehicle was on fire. The fire department was called to extinguish the fire. It was determined that the fire originated from the engine. A fire report was available. The vehicle was destroyed. The contact referenced recall 09V116000, engine and engine cooling and stated she did not receive a recall letter. The vehicle was purchased used in 2008 and the contact did not confirm if the recall applied to her VIN or if the previous owner has satisfied the recall repair requirements. The approximate failure mileage was 130,000.

- Savanna, IL, USA

problem #32

Oct 212009

Grand Prix 6-cyl

  • 177,000 miles
On 10/21/2009 as I was on my way home from picking my son up from school, my 1999 Pontiac Grand Prix GT caught on fire. I was driving down the road the check engine light came on the car started to hesitate like a spark plug had fouled out and the smoke started coming through the vents inside the car and the car cut off. I coasted the car off the road into a mans yard just in time for us to get out when flames became visible. We grabbed our things and ran, I called 911 and some man stopped and got the hood raised he had a fire extinguisher but it wasn't doing much good. The fire department arrived put the fire out and I explained to them that the car was in great shape and we had had no problems with it before that I had smelled something that smelled like burning oil and my husband was going to look at it when he got home from work because he is a mechanic but I had not ever had any issues like this before. A couple of days later I saw my neighbor and saw the car he asked what had happened and I explained and he asked if there had been any recalls on the car and I told him I had not received any notices. That is when I checked for recalls and sure enough there was a recall for fires in the engine compartment. Well I called GM and they were shocked that my car had caught on fire. They had me contact a department called the esis department they told me the "time barred from a claim with General Motors" and there was nothing that could be done. So I have gone from having a perfectly good car to not having a car at all. I did however receive a recall notice from GM on Feb 5, 2010. Alot of good that did me seeing that my car is totally ruined. Oh yes and the woman I spoke to at GM esis departments name was debbie roach. So if anyone knows how I can get help with this please post something.

- Thomasville, NC, USA

problem #31

Dec 192009

Grand Prix

  • 150,000 miles
The contact owns a 1999 Pontiac Grand Prix GT purchased in 2001. While parked in a store parking lot, the vehicle began smoking under the hood. The entire front end of the vehicle caught on fire. The fire department extinguished the fire. However the flames resurfaced. The vehicle was completely destroyed. A police and fire report was filed. Prior to the fire, she received a recall letter pertaining to the failure and notified the closest dealer which stated the part needed for the recall repair was not yet available. She was put on a waiting list because they could not make an appointment for her at that time. The current and failure mileages were under 150,000.

- Fargo, ND, USA

problem #30

Sep 232009

Grand Prix

  • miles
I purchased this vehicle used about three months ago and last week my daughter was driving the car when it overheated and damaged my entire motor I took it to a auto place to have it looked at and they informed me that the car overheated causing the motor to lock up. This was due to the recall that every number I called that had the recall number 09047. Which is a engine and engine cooling.

- Berrien Springs, MI, USA

problem #29

Aug 012009

Grand Prix

  • 68,800 miles
Two manifold gasket failures on 1999 Pontiac Grand Prix. Car has less than 70,000 miles on it. First gasket replaced while still under factory warranty. Took vehicle in for oil change and decreased fuel efficiency. I was notified that gasket was failing again. Gasket apparently not able to last 5 years even under very low mileage.

- Little Rock, AR, USA

problem #28

Mar 132009

Grand Prix

  • 122,000 miles
The contact owns a 1999 Pontiac Grand Prix purchased in 2007. Twenty minutes after the vehicle was parked it caught fire. There was heavy black smoke under the hood of the vehicle. After opening the hood, the vehicle was engulfed in flames. The fire department was able to extinguish the fire. The harness', alternators, battery and other components under the hood were completely melted. NHTSA campaign id number 09V116000 was initiated after the fire occurred which indicated that the fire could occur. The manufacturer stated they were not going to reimburse him for the damages since they were filing for bankruptcy. The vehicle was destroyed. The failure and current mileages were approximately 122,000.

- Johnsons City, NY, USA

problem #27

Mar 012009

Grand Prix

  • 127,254 miles
I experienced an engine compartment fire in my 1999 Grand Prix GT.

- Longmont, CO, USA

problem #26

Jan 202005

Grand Prix

  • 200,000 miles
The contact owns a 1999 Pontiac Grand Prix. While the vehicle was parked in the contact's driveway, he noticed smoke and flames under the hood. The fire department extinguished the fire and stated that the wiring harness in the engine caused the failure. A police report was filed. The incident was reported to the manufacturer and they collected all of the information from the contact. There were no injuries. The failure mileage was 200,000.

- Chesapeke, VA, USA

problem #25

May 112009

Grand Prix

  • 143,500 miles
The contact owns a 1999 Pontiac Grand Prix. The contact stated that oil was leaking onto the exhaust manifold on his vehicle. The failure was caused by a faulty gasket and cover. The dealer will repair the vehicle according to NHTSA campaign id number 09V116000 and GM recall number 90047 (engine and engine cooling: Engine); however, the contact stated that the vehicle would still catch fire. The failure mileage was 143,500.

- North Vernon, IN, USA

problem #24

Feb 172009

Grand Prix

  • 131,000 miles
I received a safety recall #09047 from GM yesterday on my 1999 Pontiac Grand Prix GT. I thought you might be interested to know that my car already caught fire on February 17 this year and the insurance company deemed it a complete loss. In addition, it caused nearly $7000 in damage to my home which was limited only by the fact that I was home and saw the fire early enough to begin containing it until the fire dept. Arrived. I thought you might want to add my car to the list of defective vehicles already destroyed by this problem.

- Cortlandt Manor, NY, USA

problem #23

Aug 022008

Grand Prix

  • 94,370 miles
I brought the car brand new. I had no problems with my car except my check engine light came on. I had an ase certified mechanic check the car. He checked over my car and everything was fine. He used a computer. And the code came back clogged catalytic converter. I called GM twice and they said that my car was not under a recall I saw. I never got a recall letter. Another mechanic used a computer and laser light and it came back again clogged catalytic converter. The catalytic converter was replaced. After that I went to a gas station and got gas. Started my car up and it didn't want to start. After 3 times it started. Then I noticed that the temperature shot to 260 degrees. Engine overheated for the first time since I had the car. I parked the car in a grocery store parking lot and let the engine cool for about 2 hours before driving home. In less then 1 mile the engine overheated again. Finally made it to the house. Pulled into garage. Then black smoke started coming from under the hood. I turned the car off and it really started smoking and popping. I got scared and put the car in neutral and let the car roll out the garage. Black smoke was coming from under the hood and I turned the car off. It was popping, cracking and smoking. It took a while for the smoke to clear. The next day an ase certified mechanic came by the house and checked the car and said the engine burned and was seized. My engine never overheated before this.

- Duluth, GA, USA

problem #22

Feb 192008

Grand Prix 6-cyl

  • 182,000 miles
I owned a C1999 Pontiac Grand Prix GT 2 door model, and one day the engine caught on fire. I see on here that it a recall on the Grand Prix for engine fires. How do I go about getting my car fix or replaced.

- Memphis, TN, USA

problem #21

Apr 162008

Grand Prix 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 80,000 miles
I have a 99 Pontiac Grand Prix gtp that has leaks in both valve cover gaskets and the lower and upper intake gaskets. I understand that their has been a recall on the valve covers because they were causing fires from oil leaking on the manifold from hard breaking. I also understand that there has been a safety notice issued for the upper intake leaking around the turbo charger. This has been going on for several years with this car. I have taken it to many mechanics whom say that I should wait until the complete recall has been issued. This car has had maintenance work performed by my husband who has been a mechanic for 45 years. He no longer works on vehicles but still has the knowledge of a mechanic. I would like for this recall to be issued so my car can be driven. I'm having to depend on one vehicle which puts a strain on my everyday life.

- Bernice, LA, USA

problem #20

Dec 162007

Grand Prix 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 114,500 miles
Driving on us 85 North at mile marker 82 in nc at 6:00 pm. Engine starts misfiring then within a few seconds racing and loss of brake power. Pull over to shoulder immediately and turn off car. Open hood and smoke coming from under engine cover and embers visible. Car towed for 96 miles to auto pro-to-call in chapel hill, nc. The following morning (12/17/2007) technician removed cover and found that there had been a fire under the cover with very extensive damage.

- Durham, NC, USA

problem #19

Oct 312007

Grand Prix 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 139,000 miles
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. The consumer was informed the problem may have been with the fuel pressure regulator. Updated

- Kansas City, MO, USA

problem #18

Nov 262005

Grand Prix 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 130,000 miles
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.

- South Rockwood, MI, USA

problem #17

Sep 092006

Grand Prix 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 160,159 miles
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 parked in the back lot behind my family's retail store in ann arbor, mi. I would be more than happy to offer my car to whomever is heading up this investigation or even representatives from GM as it appears to be the exact same situation as the other gtp owner's complaints. The car has been untouched, except for duct taping the bumper back on so it doesn't look bad behind our store. Please feel free to contact me at your earliest convenience.

- Plymouth, MI, USA

problem #16

Jun 152004

Grand Prix 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 55,000 miles
1999 Pontiac Grand Prix gtp destroyed by engine fire 10 minutes after it was parked.

- Hasbrouck Heights, NJ, USA

problem #15

Oct 161999

Grand Prix 4WD 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 87,000 miles
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.

- Warren, MI, USA

Read the next 14 complaints »