8.1

pretty bad
Typical Repair Cost:
$1,070
Average Mileage:
99,350 miles
Total Complaints:
27 complaints

Most common solutions:

  1. repair gaskets and check for additional engine damage (8 reports)
  2. replace intake gaskets, water pump, thermostat & hoses (5 reports)
  3. replace lower intake gasket (5 reports)
  4. replaced gaskets and changed back to green antifreeze from r (5 reports)
  5. not sure (3 reports)
  6. replace engine (1 reports)
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problem #27

Oct 152014

Grand Prix V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 50,000 miles

This is the only recall that I did receive. Again, no idea of the mileage, why they ask that I have no idea. But engine compartment fire is a little bit more than I can handle. I don't think I want to burn up in my car. I do not understand why this is the only recall notice I've received when I have every single problem noted on this site. This is ridiculous!

Update from Sep 7, 2015: Car keeps stalling out at least 3 times a day check engine light remains on checked water everything is full of oil as reported earlier still nothing from Pontiac

- lbarton, Ormond Beach, FL, US

problem #26

Feb 032015

Grand Prix

  • Automatic transmission
  • 120,000 miles

This is the second time I have had to replace the intake manifold gasket. First time at 85,000 and now again at 150,000. I heard there is a bulletin on these but never a recall. Otherwise it is a great car! I have a 2002 Grand Prix GTP 40th Anniversary Edition and it is in excellent condition. It has been my baby for years now, but I will be selling her off within the next year.

- dawnlp, Fremont, NH, US

problem #25

Oct 012012

Grand Prix

  • Automatic transmission
  • 168,850 miles

Spent the 550; head gasket leaking too. End of the line, dear old friend of mine.

- freedom020406, Clearfield, KY, US

problem #24

Feb 012012

Grand Prix GT 3800

  • Automatic transmission
  • 113,400 miles

HI.I HAVE A 2002 GRAND PRIX.WHEN I FIRST GOT IT, THE ENGINE WAS CLEAN AS A WHITE SHEET.THAT WAS IN 2010.2011 I STARTED HAVING PROBLEMS WITH MY WHEELS.I TOOK IT TO THE SHOP THEY STATED THAT I NEED WHEEL BARRENS.I GOT THOSE BOTH SIDES.I STILL HEARD NOISE.NEXT I GOT TWO AXLE.NOISE STILL THERE.NEXT COOLING LIGHT STARTED TO POP ON.I TOOK IT BACK THEY SAY NOW MY INTAKE VALVES AND INTAKE GASKET WAS GOING OUT.IT WILL STOP ON ME ANY TIME OF DAY OR NIGHT.THEY STATED IT BEST TO GET ANOTHER ENGINE.ABOUT $1500 .WHAT CAUSE THIS.I WAS TOLD THAT THE GASKETS WEAR OUT,AND THE COOLING LEAK IN TO THE MOTOR .MIXING WITH THE OIL.IF YOU KNOW BETTER LET ME KNOW.I WILL NEVER BUY ANOTHER ONE.ALSO MY HEAT WENT.$250 BLOWER.THANK YOU

- Norma W., D, MI, US

problem #23

Aug 262011

Grand Prix GT 3.8L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 148,000 miles

Had intake fixed 2 months later coolant leaking again the two new plasic rings that were replaced on the huge repair fell appart due to the poor design of GM took it back to my mechanic to repair again. I will never buy another grand prix nor a GM vehicle. GM knew about this cheep design and didnt fix the problem for the comsumer. Going to sell vehicle looking at Ford vehicle to purchase.

- Lisa B., New Prauge, MN, US

problem #22

Jul 012010

Grand Prix GT 3.8L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 124,000 miles

Yeah...intake manifold gaskets should not fail at 130k miles. Especially when this engine was well taken care of.

- Richard D., Lynbrook, NY, US

problem #21

Mar 292011

Grand Prix SE 3.1L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 50,000 miles

Sucks, seems to be a problem with gm vehicles, no help from gm. i too have the cracked intake manifold gasket.

- wags4u2002, Clinton, IA, US

problem #20

May 022011

Grand Prix GT 3.8L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 137,000 miles

MY CAR BROKE DOWN! I was on my way to south dakota and it started to run hot pulled off the road turned off the car and it would not start again. found out it is a leaking intake gasket that is common in the grand prix. my car is a mess. default part on GM. should be recalled in all models.I have had the vehicle for just about 4 years now and other things are also going hay wire. lemon!!!

- Lisa B., New Prauge, MN, US

problem #19

May 052011

Grand Prix GT 3.8L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 178,985 miles

It sucked it leaked coolant into the engine and they had to replace it twice to fix the issue, GM uses too many flippin plastic parts and crap they need to get their heads out of their asses and use different materials. This should have a recall after hearing how many people had this same issue.

- Michael S., St. Clair Shores, MI, US

problem #18

Apr 012011

Grand Prix

  • Automatic transmission
  • 103,000 miles

Well.. Now I know where my coolant is going.

Im a DIY type of gal so I am not about to go to the dealership so they can kick me in the ass and then tell me to have a nice day. I noticed the small leak mostly when running the car but could not pin point it. I figured I would find it when I changed my oil in the next few hundred miles. Doesn't sound like a great idea. Someone, anyone please give me the DIY instructions I need to get the job done. ASAP would be great. I'll be back to let you know how the repair went and what you can do to save a little cash. Thanks!

- Angela V., Tucson, AZ, US

problem #17

Apr 012011

Grand Prix GTP 3.8L

  • Manual transmission
  • 122,000 miles

have heard from many people about this gasket that gm used being made of plastic or partly plastic if it does not function properly is that my fault or gm's apparently its just another case of the consumer being screwed again!

- Rodger W., Brunswick, GA, US

problem #16

Jun 012010

Grand Prix GT 3.8L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 121,167 miles

I just finished doing the intake gasket set on my grand prix and i must say it went awesome! The job took me no more than two hours and was so simple to do with no instruction from anyone. The gasket set was 60.00 at partssource and only hand tools were nescessary for the task anyone could do it on there own with minimal experience gotta love domestics and especially the 3.8. This motor has been around since before i was born and it is too bad they discontinued it this year but for all those who are encountering this mahem message me and i will write a message with step by step instructions for you to do it yourself at home. Did i mention i did this in my driveway no garage and still had time to get the kids from school dont let a mechanic charge you out the ass for something i know you can do yourself, i mean my 8 year old could do it lol. PEACE-

SPUDGTA

- spudgta, Red Deer, AB, Canada

problem #15

Feb 092010

Grand Prix GT 3.8L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 121,000 miles

This is the 3rd GM vehicle that I have had to deal with this problem on. And they wonder why this country is going down the toilet, they make American cars disposable. I just bought this car used for my daughter about 2 weeks ago. The motor and transmission seemed to run very smoothly, but I started smelling a very strong coolant odor, even from a couple feet away from the car. Was told the intake gasket is leaking coolant on top of the motor, which is why the smell is so strong. If not taken care of, it could eventually leak into the oil, or visa versa. It is in the shop today, with an initial price quote of $700 dollars. What a bite in the ass!

- hanes, Columbia, MO, US

problem #14

Dec 012008

Grand Prix

  • Automatic transmission
  • 160,000 miles

I had this same problem and luckily i let somebody from the hood look at my car, and it had the same problems as some of the other complaints such as the antifreeze leaking out and it was smoking because it was dripping on some other sh*t, and my car was running hot..if u call auto zone the gasket you need to fix it is only like $12 or something like that, no more than $20. the reason it cost me sixty dollars is because that's what the dude charged me to put it on, hell he had to take all that stuff out and he had to put it all back in..took one night and i haven't had a problem since. thank lord for the mechanics in the hood!!!

- Amanda M., Anniston, AL, US

problem #13

Jul 152008

Grand Prix 3.2L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 92,000 miles

Apparently we caught the problem early enough that it didn't ruin our engine. It is very expensive keeping this car up and running!! It is a pain to get fixed and the mechanic said it would be an all day job to fix.

- Mandi H., Seattle, WA, US

problem #12

Aug 082007

Grand Prix

  • Automatic transmission
  • 75,000 miles

I was CONSTANTLY having to add coolant, and it appeared to have oil in it. My heater wouldn't work during this time, my car would run hot, and it smelt HORRIBLE... I took it to the shop ASAP to get it fixed. I had to take it twice. The second time was free considering that they didn't fix it correctly the first time.

- shannonoakley, Greenwood, SC, US

problem #11

Jun 302008

Grand Prix V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 52,000 miles

I just got my car paid off last summer, and this is the 4th time since Jan that there has been problems. 1st problem: ignition switch replacement, 2nd problem: busted hub, 3rd problem: air intake sensor, 4th problem: gasket leak. It only has 52,000 miles and already having all these problems. The Pontiac dealer where I take it to get fixed said that almost all 2002 models have the gasket leak with the coolant, and that they are not even sure why Pontiac hasn't corrected it with a recall. I thought this car would last a long time, however with all of these problems, I am not sure.

- Sarah D., Morgantown, WV, US

problem #10

Mar 212008

Grand Prix SE 3.1L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 78,000 miles

Yet another complaint and Pontiac hasn't stepped forward to stand behind their vehicles. I found about this issue of the intake manifold gasket when I took my car in for inspection at the dealer. They told me that it would need to be replaced as there was a small leak. They quoted around $1100 to do this. The dealer also stated that this is a common problem with this make and model. I found another reliable mechanic who could do this for around $800.00. He replaced the gaskets, the water pump and changed the oil. I don't have the ticket right here to know if additional items were also done. Today, my car quit while in a drive thru and wouldn't start. It appears that it was overheating due to the initial problem. After cooling down, I checked the coolant and found sludge on the inside of my radiator cap. It appears that the problem had spread farther than originally expected. Now I am looking at possibly a new radiator, definitely a flush of the system, hoses, etc. and perhaps a fix of the cooling fan. If Pontiac would have stepped forward, this wouldn't be an issue.

- Martha H., Webster, NY, US

problem #9

Jun 202008

Grand Prix Coupe 3.8L V6 Series 2

  • Automatic transmission
  • 64,290 miles

I have read alot on the internet about this problem and it seems to be widespread.I don't know of a recall but would like to see one soon, if just to cover the cost of the repair. It is a good car and I hope to keep it for a long time. Currently my daughter is driving it to college and I don't need her to have a breakdown with this serious problem.

- Jesse S., Laurel Bloomery, TN, US

problem #8

Feb 192008

Grand Prix 3.1L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 67,963 miles

I can't understand why if 7 other people have had this complaint why hasn't Pontiac

recalled the lower intake manifold.

- Althea P., Baltimore, MD, US

Read the next 7 complaints »