10.0
really awful- Crashes / Fires:
- 0 / 14
- Injuries / Deaths:
- 0 / 0
- Average Mileage:
- 72,626 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.
The engine leaks oil on the manifold which started a fire and electrical some of my sensor connectors and not working.. the fire started after I pulled in to drive way and I can feel from the inside of the car that the engine was getting real hot so I popped the hood and there was a small fire on the manifold.
- Los Angeles, CA, USA
While driving my 1997 Pontiac Grand Prix to the tire shop it burst into flames. The fire started under the hood and totally damaged the vehicle.
- Detroit, MI, USA
On the 10th of June in 2016 driving down the freeway at 65 mph with the cruise control engaged, I noticed a white colored smoke coming from the car. In the process of pulling over to the shoulder of the freeway the engine stopped and the smoke continued. Popped the hood and saw a fire on the middle/ frontfront of the motor. The fore was coming from the cover on the top of motor.
- Graham, WA, USA
The contact owns a 1997 Pontiac Grand Prix. The contact stated that the ignition switch failed and the vehicle would not start. The contact had to wiggle the key in the ignition in order to start the vehicle. The failure recurred when attempting to start the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where the ignition switch was replaced; however, the failure recurred. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The VIN was unknown. The approximate failure mileage was 155,800.
- Birmingham, AL, USA
The contact owns a 1997 Pontiac Grand Prix. The contact stated that while driving 70 mph, when the heating system was activated, the contact noticed that the head lights failed without warning. The contact also noticed that the information system in the dashboard would fail when the heat was activated. In addition, the contact stated that the ABS warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic but was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact stated that the failure recurred. It was unknown if the manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 52,300. Updated 04/08/16 the consumer stated the brake module needs to be replaced. Updated 05/16/16.
- Grand Blanc, MI, USA
The contact owned a 1997 Pontiac Grand Prix. The contact stated that the vehicle caught on fire. The vehicle was destroyed. No further details was available. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 136,000. The VIN was not available.
- Henderson, NC, USA
While driving, the car stopped with no code. I was able to restart the car. The next week, the car stopped again without any code. Based on other complaints, the car is unsafe to drive because you never know when the car will stop again without warning.
- Columbus, GA, USA
At 4:06 pm on Nov. 04,2013, my wife parked in a local walmart parking lot. She immediately noticed smoke coming from underneath the hood. Bystanders started yelling for her to exit the car. One bystander called the fire department, located 1.25 miles away. My wife exited the car called the fire department and then called me with her mobile phone by the time the fire engine arrived, the plastic parts on top of and around the engine had been destroyed. The fire department immediately extinguished the fire. I arrived from four miles away, and after surveying the damage, I considered the damage to exceed the value of the car. I called a local towing service and they towed the car to my home. The car had been well maintained and was in excellent condition before the fire. I am 77 years old and my wife is 74 and our memories are failing. I think we received a post card notification of a recall, but I think it was for a steering problem: Nothing related to any danger of an engine fire. I do not understand why General Motors chose to not notify us by registered mail of the imminent danger of a fire..
- Mustang, OK, USA
After leaving work on Friday May 17, 2013 I went to complete several errands before driving to the nearest gym. Upon my arrival I noticed a scent which I believe was coming from my car then proceeded to pull into the parking lot of the gym, park the car, turn the engine off and open the hood of the car. After doing so, I was shocked to discover that my engine was on fire along with all the other components under the hood such as my electrical wiring and spark plugs. I had a safety recall act (repair) performed on my car in February 2013 by a GM dealership, which I thought was completely safe and would give my car longevity actually did the opposite. I filed a case with GM regarding this matter but have been given the run-A-round as of May 20,2013. I'm very unhappy with their customer service thus far and need assistance in addressing this dangerous matter.
- Richmond, VA, USA
Automatic headlights extinguish when heater fan switch selected to positions 2,3, or 4.
- Frankfort, IL, USA
I have a 1997 Grand Prix gtp super charger and it caught on fire today, with my daughter and grandson in the car! its a good thing that we all got out of the car before it totally went up. Fire department came and put out the fire and stated it was from something like the wiring, and then I found out you guys have a recall on it because of this reason! im very upset!
- East Moline, IL, USA
My vehicle began to experience electrical outages a month ago which included the headlights, blower motor, and gas sensor. My headlights would shutoff by themselves as would my blower motor, periodically. I noticed that it corresponded to what level my blower was put on. Level 5 would keep the system on but levels 1-4 would promote the outages. I have had the blower motor and blower switch repaired on my car not more than a year ago but yet I am experiencing this problem. I have read many other blogs where people have posted problems with their Pontiac which are identical to mine. I should note that this problem has gotten progressively worse over the past month.
- Leicester, MA, USA
The contact owns a 1997 Pontiac Grand Prix. While parked in the driveway, the vehicle's hood ignited into flames. The contact observed smoke coming from the hood prior to the fire, but there were no warning lights illuminated on the instrument panel. The fire department was called to the scene and a report was filed. There was minor property damage. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic and has not been repaired. The failure and current mileages were 130,000.
- Goodlettsville, TN, USA
My car caught on fire from a recall and GM is not taking action for it.
- Lakewood, CA, USA
Vehicle parked 10 minutes when fire detected, reported and extinguished by local fd, entire engine compartment destroyed.
- Winston Salem, NC, USA
1997 Pontiac Grand Prix engine compartment caught on fire approximately 10 minutes after parking. Called fire department which stated cause was electrical. Engine compartment total loss. Hood damaged by fire departtment. To gain entry., paint melted. Car is available for inspection. No repairs or changes made.
- Hillsboro, IL, USA
Service engine light is on most of the time. Goes off occasionally, then comes back on. Problem started a few months ago. Had computer diagnostics done several times on this car, but they can find nothing wrong. Oil changes are made every 3,000 miles, radiator fluid is changed when needed, sensors are checked and replaced when needed. Engine is kept in excellant condition. Any ideas would be appreciated.
- Saxonburg, PA, USA
I own a 1997 Pontiac Grand Prix, have been having trouble with the windshield wiper blade getting stuck and also the gear shifter not coming out of park.
- Cape Girardeau, MO, USA
Problems with power steering pump, alternator, rack and pinion, power windows, and head gaskets. The power steering pump had suddenly gone out in traffic, the vehicle stopped abruptly in the middle of traffic(the alternator was replaced), the consumer discovered that the windshield wipers were inoperative upon start due to the failure of the wiper linkage under the cowl, the steering skipped as the consumer made right hand turns(the rack and pinion was replaced along with the power steering pump), the headlight lens had fallen off, the ceramic headgasket had to be replaced, the was a hesitation and alternator had to be replaced for a second time, the air bag warning light had come on due to a short in the wiring harness, the transmission grabbed along with hesitation(a tune up was performed and work was done to the transmission), the vehicle couldn't be taken out of the park position(the shifter was replaced), the power window(s) failed, the tire pressure light had illuminated, and the windshield wiper pump leaked and would not hold fluid.
- Auburn Hills, MI, USA
- Los Angeles, CA, USA