Vehicle leaking coolant from lower intake manifold gasket. Leak was both interior and exterior.

- Springfield, MO, USA

While driving and turning to the left there was no steering. Also, brake failed, and vehicle intermittently stalled.

- Dayton, OH, USA

The check oil light appeared on the dashboard intermittently. Vehicle stalled and shut down. Dealer was aware of the problem. The driver requested the dealership mechanic to look at vehicle because it was on recall a year ago.

- Woolwich, ME, USA

I have a 1996 Pontiac Grand Am with a quad 4 engine in it. The engine has 100,050 miles on it, I took very good care of it, oil changes on time did all of the maintenance on it required in the book, etc, etc. I started the car the other day and the whole thing jerked forward, made a loud bang then would not do any thing but turn over really fast. I had it towed in to my mechanic and found out that my engine needs to be replaced because the exhaust valves smashed into the pistons and did a lot of damage. From what I was told by three different mechanics is that the quad 4 engine made by GM is the worst engine ever designed and should not have been put out on the market. I was also told that on this type of car over 100,000 miles was lucky and that kind of miles on this engine is considered high mileage. I was told one of two things could have caused this and that both problems are common in this car. The first cause could have been the hydraulic fluid that causes the manifold gasket to open when the car is shut off sludged up and this caused the timing to mis align at start up and caused the valves and pistons to smash together. The second common cause for this in this type of engine is the pin in the cam shaft snapped off at start up and caused the timing to jump and crash the pistons and valves together. Both problems are known by GM, yet the consumer is not alerted so they can go in and get the cam pin checked or have the fluid checked for sludging.

- Mosinee, WI, USA

I own a 1996 Pontiac Grand Am, I noticed sb #020601014 regarding the manifold intake gasket - I had to replace two on my Grand Am. I was told it is typical every 50,000 miles, yet I previously owned a Grand Am and know plenty of people who do and have not experienced this problem. What makes matters worse is that it is a $900 job, and I had to do it twice! I am listing the most recent date - the second occurrence.

- Levittown, PA, USA

Engine failure --piston or rod and only 30K miles on used engine

- Acampo, CA, USA

We have had coolant loss three times with no visible leakage. We were informed that the car was "sucking the coolant in" rather than leaking out. We have had to have the intake manifold gasket replaced 3 times. The 1st time, the dealer replaced intake manifold gasket & oil pump drive ring and valve cover gasket leaking. The 2nd time, the dealer simple resealed the intake gasket but did not replace. The 3rd time, the dealer replaced the upper and lower intake gaskets and rechecked for leaks. All of these repairs were covered under either the original warranty or the extended warranty (good thru 72,000 mi). We now have almost 70,000 mi on this car and the engine is shot! the main throttle bearing gaulded and the extended warranty company is denying our claim (even though we have 2,000 mi left on extended warranty) because they say the oil is "contaminated". I have maintained regular oil changes and am due for an oil change in approx 200 mi. The dealership did not inform me that I should have had the oil changed after any of the coolant leak repairs. Also, we had to have the alternator replaced when then car was just 2 yrs old. Plus we had to have the R&R shaft seal & bearing kit replaced 3 times due to squeaking noise coming from steering column. Also had to have shifter assemply replaced because the key was sticking in the ignition.

- St Louis, MO, USA

Consumer states he experienced head gasket failure and the radiator fluid mixed with the engine oil which also caused the engine to be ruined, consumer was advised by two independent mechanics that the engine needs to be replaced, consumer was also advised by both mechanics that this is most likely a manufacturer defect.

- Cuyahoga Falls, OH, USA

The car has been given a lot of electrical problems and now one of the pulleys that holds the engine's belt broke, also my horn does not work properly.

- San Diego, CA, USA

Vehicle kept stalling out intermittently, causing loss of power. About 15 minutes later, vehicle would restart. Eventually, vehicle stalled out for dealer, which was then hooked up to a tackometer 2 machine, and codes indicted defect was due to ignition module sensor and crankshaft sensor.

- Shirley, WY, USA

Coolant detected in oil, svc advisor said that 3 vehicles w/same engine have same problem--blown head gasket.-caught before total engine failure.

- Stafford, VA, USA

A rod failed in the engine causing damage to crankshaft. General Motors acknowledges the fact that the 2.4 liter engine has experienced many failures. But, General Motors advised that the failures have taken place on the upper portion of the engine. General Motors refuses to assist me with repairing the engine. The estimated cost of repairing the engine is $3,600. I want General Motors to repair the engine because the company acknowledges the fact that the engine has a record for failures. I requested to have a General Motors area mangager to call me two weeks ago. I was told by a customer service representative that my request would be forwarded on, but the representative went on to say that I should not expect the manager to call me.

- North Newton, KS, USA

Engine head gasket failed, causing anti-freeze coolant to leak onto engine. Cause is unknown. Gasket leaked anti-freeze into the engine causing clicking noise and the engine has to be replaced. There was no warning to this problem and due to the faulty gasket the engine was ruined.

- Mayfield Heights, OH, USA

Had to have the engine replaced after only 69,000 miles due to a piston gone bad! GM would give no assistance, even though I have had the car worked on at 15 different times, so I had to pay almost $4,000! dealership, where taken, was no help either, they said that it was due to having the oil changed at "jiffylube" or "Q-lube" or "wal-mart". they said those places use "refined oil" and not new oil like the dealership does. This sounds like an excuse and not a contributing factor to me! like I mentioned, since buying the car I have taken it to the "shop" on 15 different occasions for warranty & non-warranty work. Indiana does not have a lemon law so I am not sure what else to do to get some help in this matter! the dealership even mentioned they have had similar problems with these engines! looking for some help! I now have to keep the car for atleast 3 more years to get my money back from the new engine!

- Indianapolis, IN, USA

Engine head gasket failed causing oil and antifreeze to leak in the engine. Nlm

- Philadelph, PA, USA

Owner states that steering arm bolts were faulty. Also, there were other defective items, such as faulty motor mounts and faulty transsmission mounting bolts.

- Chicago, IL, USA