NHTSA investigating Pontiac Grand Prix engine fires
Drivers of 1999-2002 Pontiac Grand Prix GTPs might not want to park their GPs inside their garages after word that NHTSA is investigating those models for engine fires. Grand Prix GTPs are equipped with superchargers, which generate heat as well as HP. Could that be the main culprit? Perhaps, but there are plenty of other added components that differentiate the blown six from the normally aspirated one, too. We'll just have to see how the investigation pans out.
There have been 21 complaints and 16 engine fires since the models were introduced. The fires seem to start about 15 minutes after the car has been parked and turned off. Up to 72,000 vehicles could be affected. If your car becomes another statistic in this GTP flambé mystery, look on the bright side: you get to go car shopping really soon.
[Source: Detroit News]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
Ernest Lujan 6:18AM (2/19/2008)
I went to turn the ignition to my 98 grand prix and the engine caught on fire. I had not had any problems with it but it is now useless. Nothing turns on. Anybody know what steps I should take?
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arrow06 9:15PM (3/09/2008)
I do know that there is a wiring harness that will rub up against the condenser revealing bare wires. Its right behind the driver side head lamp and below the air box. Wondering if this could be the cause for it all?
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Crystal 4:57AM (3/29/2008)
I had a 97 GTP. Extremely well maintained and it too burst into flames in the engine compartment. The real kicker was a week after it burned I got a letter in the mail from GM saying they are aware that there is an issue with the 3800 series 2 motor in the 97-03 model GTP's that can cause a fire. Of coarse, they arent doing anything to fix the situation and lets just say I didnt get as much as the car was worth from the insurance company
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Crystal 4:57AM (3/29/2008)
Also, for all you people who think this wasn't really an issue and it was only people who modified there GTP's.....search the web. In some cases the modified GTP's may have a better chance of not catching on fire. So far GM thinks its a problem with the exhaust manifold getting to hot, catching on fire, and because it is so close to the plugs and wires and they are also so hot, it ignites them. There are sites everywhere with hundreds of people who have had the same problem. And most of them were NOT modified and some of them just weeks old. If it wasn't a manufacturing issue, GM wouldn't be getting involved. Here is just one of the many sites I have come accross.
http://townhall-talk.edmunds.com/WebX?ed_displayMakeModelRelatedDiscussions@@.ef14c39!make=Pontiac&model=Grand%20Prix
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Bonnie Zeller 10:45AM (4/08/2008)
I have found at least 250 grand prixs that have been totally consumed by fire {including mine} on different sites on the internet-hard telling how many more as I have only visited a couple. Edmonds car space forums has a lot of people on it.
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Bonnie Zeller 9:39AM (5/01/2008)
I received another recall letter that asks for all the imformation of any repairs that you had done concerning the fires. Then there is a card in there that gives you the options, my new address, never owned this vehicle, vehicle was damaged beyond repair and scrapped, {which is my case}, vehicle was stolen and not recovered, or other. This leads me to believe that if I tell them it was scrapped I am no Longer the owner and get no compensation. I didn't get the first recall until about a month after I scrapped my car. I still owe $4000.00 on the car, and have been making my monthly payments , see I only had liability trying to cut corners. Plus My son is out $4000.00 he spent to get me a car that same day. He couldn't afford this either. He lost a days pay to do this. And I am really upset about the things I lost in the fire. My friend's car seat -gone! My garage door opener-gone! My collection of cd's-gone! This might seem trivial to some but I miss my cd's more than the car. I had an extensive collection a lot of which can not be replaced. This whole experience has just made me so angry and at a loss I don't know what to do.
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Ally 3:25PM (6/24/2008)
I had/have a 1997 Pontiac Grand Prix GT. Last night, I parked it in the garage. Five minutes later I went outside to find smoke coming out of the hood. Long story short, my car went up in flames. What do I do about this now? Should I report this somewhere in a perhaps vain attempt to be compensated? And if so, where? Is there any recall on this? Any help or advice would be greatly appreciated!
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Discobrawler 12:29PM (4/23/2009)
My '00 Grand Prix caught on fire on 9/10/2008. Upon hearing about the recall due to possible engine fires, I immediately called GM. I have since had 3 phone calls with GM regarding the incident and they have been asking a lot of questions. Initially I called (800) 762-2737 which is found on the Pontiac website. After explaining what had happened the customer service representative proceeded to take my information so that he could file it with the product allegation department. They have since called twice for more information and I should be receiving a third call within 10 days. I have no clue what the outcome of this is going to be.
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doug 3:45PM (2/07/2007)
Seems like a great way to get rid of that Grand Prix you accidentally bought. Just in time to buy a G8!
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Avinash machado 7:27AM (2/05/2007)
Well I guess we will soon see a lot of GM bashing comments here.
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Nate 4:48PM (1/01/2009)
My 97 Grand Prix GT (not supercharged) just burned up a couple days ago. Shut it off went inside and within 5 min smoke alarms in my kitchen went off. Fire Dept. says it started in the engine compartment after I shut it off. It was running just fine prior to this and I havn't had any major problems with the car and ive had it for 7 years and it has 175k miles on it! It just started on fire by itself! Even worse is my garage caught fire as a result and destroyed most of the contents. Also I only had liability on it so im out a car.
The recall should include ALL 3800 series engines not just the supercharged ones.
Za 7:47AM (2/05/2007)
I had a friend call in to work saying he couldn't make it. He does this quite often. He told us he didn't have a car. We told him we would send someone out to give him a ride. He said he REALLY didn't have a car - it was on fire. We called 'bullshit' and asked for pictures. He sent us a video.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rjZPIRN2_kY
He wasn't kidding.
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CF 7:56AM (2/05/2007)
This seems strange considering that the GTP supercharged V6 was not a new engine for these model years. The '98 Riviera had this engine, too. So why are only certain models affected? Anyone have any ideas?
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Dave 8:11AM (2/05/2007)
My buddy's '97 GP 3.8 also burst into flames. It had 170k on it though - so I assumed it was poor maintenance.
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Patrick 8:34AM (2/05/2007)
You would think it was the 97-2002 models that are effected, not many changes happend between those years. Funny my old 98 had signs of a minor engine fire before I bought it new. But it looked like an electrical fire due to faulty wiring from a remote start installed.
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Tyo 9:32AM (2/05/2007)
The L67 (blown 3.8) came out as a 96 modelin the Buick Riv' but there was also a first gen in 1995. as far as i know from 96 untill the 3rd generation the motor didnt change, thats plent of affected buick regals, riv's, and gtp's
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Dm 10:27AM (2/05/2007)
I have a 98 GTP. Recently had to have the engine swapped due to a bad intake manifold gasket job.
All went well but would periodically smell gas. I finally tracked it down. The fuel rail was leaking slightly on the super charger. They were able to fix without running new line to tank. Has not leaked since. Not sure the point of running gas lines over something that gets really hot. Perhaps heating up the gas makes it more efficient?
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jscro 9:43AM (2/05/2007)
Awww, it's commiting suicide.
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BGJ 1:47PM (2/05/2007)
Let's see here, 21 complaints out of how many 10's of thousands of vehicles? Anyone know how many coupe gtp's were sold over that 4-yr span?
We are probably talking around .01% of vehicles sold showing this issue.
And since I used to own one, I know how frequently this vehicle is modded with smaller supercharger pulleys, supercharger boost modifications, fuel modifications, etc. These can all lead to higher operating temps and fatigue failure of engine components. How many of these 21 complaints were stock, NON-modified GTP's???
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Andrew Williamson 11:49PM (2/05/2007)
Most of the fires are believed to be caused by aged/worn fuel injector o-rings. It's mildly amusing because these said o-rings take less than $10 and half an hour to swap out but they can cause amazing amounts of damage if neglected. Poor maintenance habits.
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