NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Electrical System complaints
47 reportsClear category filterMileage unknown · Mar 1, 2017
Electrical System
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE KEY HAD BECOME LOOSELY CONNECTED FROM THE IGNITION AND FELL OUT OF THE IGNITION SEVERAL TIMES. IN ADDITION, THE VEHICLE STALLED SEVERAL TIMES WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT NOTICED THE FAILURE AFTER THE DEALER REPLACED A HARMONIC SENSOR. THE VEHICLE WAS TO…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE KEY HAD BECOME LOOSELY CONNECTED FROM THE IGNITION AND FELL OUT OF THE IGNITION SEVERAL TIMES. IN ADDITION, THE VEHICLE STALLED SEVERAL TIMES WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT NOTICED THE FAILURE AFTER THE DEALER REPLACED A HARMONIC SENSOR. THE VEHICLE WAS TO BE TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR FURTHER DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
NHTSA ODI #10957880
Mileage unknown · Jan 11, 2017
Electrical SystemEngineUnknown Or OtherFire
THE CARS HEADLIGHTS WILL RANDOMLY SHUT OFF OR ONLY HIGH BEAMS WILL WORK, THE 3800 MOTOR HAS MANY ISSUES WITH PARTS MALFUNCTIONING OVER AND OVER NO MATTER WHAT MANUFACTURER THAT'S USED TO SUPPLY THE PARTS OEM OR AFTERMARKET, I'VE REPLACED MANY MAF, TPS, IAC, CPS SENSORS OVER THE BRIEF AMOUNT OF TIME OWNING PRETTY MUCH ANY VEHICLE…
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THE CARS HEADLIGHTS WILL RANDOMLY SHUT OFF OR ONLY HIGH BEAMS WILL WORK, THE 3800 MOTOR HAS MANY ISSUES WITH PARTS MALFUNCTIONING OVER AND OVER NO MATTER WHAT MANUFACTURER THAT'S USED TO SUPPLY THE PARTS OEM OR AFTERMARKET, I'VE REPLACED MANY MAF, TPS, IAC, CPS SENSORS OVER THE BRIEF AMOUNT OF TIME OWNING PRETTY MUCH ANY VEHICLE EQUIPPED WITH THE 3800 SERIES II V6, GAUGE CLUSTERS RANDOMLY STOP WORKING BUT THAT A KNOWN GM ISSUE FOR MULTIPLE VEHICLES FOR SEVERAL YEARS, COOLANT COROSSIAN AND INTERNAL RUST FROM DEX COOL COOLANT
NHTSA ODI #10944406
160,000 miles · Oct 4, 2016
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine CoolingFire
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 1999 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, IT CAUGHT FIRE. THE WITNESS STATED THAT THE FIRE STARTED UNDERNEATH THE HOOD OF THE VEHICLE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE AND A FIRE REPORT WAS FILED. THERE WERE NO INJURIES AND A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 1999 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, IT CAUGHT FIRE. THE WITNESS STATED THAT THE FIRE STARTED UNDERNEATH THE HOOD OF THE VEHICLE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE AND A FIRE REPORT WAS FILED. THERE WERE NO INJURIES AND A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS NO POLICE OR INJURY REPORT. THE VEHICLE WAS COMPLETELY DESTROYED AND WAS TOWED TO A TOW YARD. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 09V116000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING) AFTER THE FAILURE OCCURRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 160,000. UPDATED 01/06/17*LJ
NHTSA ODI #10913684
160,000 miles · Feb 23, 2016
Electrical SystemEngineFire
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 1999 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX. WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, THE CONTACT NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD WHERE IT CAUGHT FIRE. THE CONTACT EXITED THE VEHICLE AND THE FIRE DEPARTMENT ARRIVED TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED AND THERE WERE NO INJ…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 1999 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX. WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, THE CONTACT NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD WHERE IT CAUGHT FIRE. THE CONTACT EXITED THE VEHICLE AND THE FIRE DEPARTMENT ARRIVED TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED AND THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AND TOWED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 160,000. UPDATED 04/13/16*LJ CONSUMER STATED SHE HAS BEEN WITHOUT A CAR SINCE THE INCIDENT. DEALERSHIP DID NOT FIX RECALL PARTS ON THE CAR. UPDATED 06/05/18*JB
NHTSA ODI #10837817
123,057 miles · Jan 29, 2015
Electrical System
STARTED TO MAKING STRANGE NOISES, SO I WENT TO GET CHECKED OUT. AND IT HAD AT FIVE THINGS WRONG.. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10679706
Mileage unknown · Jan 20, 2015
Electrical SystemEngineSteering
I'VE HAD THE CAR FOR ABOUT A YEAR AND WITHIN A YEAR I'VE HAD NUMEROUS PROBLEMS WITH A SUCH AS POWER STEERING THE KEYS AND THE SHIFTER LOCKING UP RIGHT NOW UNLESS I HIT THE SAFETY THING FOR THE SHIFTER IT WON'T GO INTO GEAR IN MY KEY IS STUCK IN THE IGNITION IN THE POSITION I CANNOT TAKE IT OUT THE PERSON I BOUGHT IT OFF OF HAVIN…
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I'VE HAD THE CAR FOR ABOUT A YEAR AND WITHIN A YEAR I'VE HAD NUMEROUS PROBLEMS WITH A SUCH AS POWER STEERING THE KEYS AND THE SHIFTER LOCKING UP RIGHT NOW UNLESS I HIT THE SAFETY THING FOR THE SHIFTER IT WON'T GO INTO GEAR IN MY KEY IS STUCK IN THE IGNITION IN THE POSITION I CANNOT TAKE IT OUT THE PERSON I BOUGHT IT OFF OF HAVING PROBLEMS I DIDN'T REALLY THINK ANYTHING OF THE PROBLEMS NOW I JUST WANT TO KNOW WHAT TO DO IT'S NEVER WENT FOR ANY RECALLS. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10676707
240,000 miles · Jan 3, 2015
Electrical SystemEngineWheelsFire
CAR WAS PARKED IN DRIVEWAY AFTER DRIVING TO TOWN AND BACK. ABOUT 20 MINUTES LATER MY BOYFRIEND HEARD A POP SOUND FROM INSIDE THE HOUSE. WHEN HE LOOKED OUTSIDE THE CAR WAS ON FIRE UNDER THE HOOD. FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CALLED TO HELP PUT OUT THE FIRE. CAR WAS COMPLETELY BURNED UNDER THE HOOD, TIRES/FRONT PART OF CAR WERE ALSO BU…
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CAR WAS PARKED IN DRIVEWAY AFTER DRIVING TO TOWN AND BACK. ABOUT 20 MINUTES LATER MY BOYFRIEND HEARD A POP SOUND FROM INSIDE THE HOUSE. WHEN HE LOOKED OUTSIDE THE CAR WAS ON FIRE UNDER THE HOOD. FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CALLED TO HELP PUT OUT THE FIRE. CAR WAS COMPLETELY BURNED UNDER THE HOOD, TIRES/FRONT PART OF CAR WERE ALSO BURNED. DAMAGE WAS A TOTAL LOSS, ENGINE WAS BURNING SO HOT IT WAS WHITE. NEARLY CAUSED A HOUSE FIRE AND LUCKILY NO ONE WAS INJURED. CAR HAD SOME OIL LEAKAGE IN ENGINE/MANIFOLD AREA BUT RECALL WAS FIXED ABOUT 5 YEARS AGO FOR THIS ISSUE. CAR WAS IN GOOD CONDITION AND NO SERIOUS PROBLEMS BEFORE THIS FIRE OCCURRED. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10669833
110,000 miles · Aug 21, 2014
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine Cooling
SINCE THE BEGINNING OF JUNE, THE CAR HAS SHUT OFF WHILE MY SON HAS BEEN DRIVING IT SIX TIMES. HE HAS BEEN ON THE INTERSTATE, ON OUR LOCAL ROADS, ETC. THE CAR WILL START RIGHT BACK UP. IT IS SCARY FOR A NEWER DRIVER OR ANYONE FOR THAT MATTER TO BE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AND THE CAR JUST SHUT OFF. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10627156
95,000 miles · Jun 29, 2014
Air BagsElectrical SystemSteeringCrash
ACCORDING TO WITNESSES CAR WENT STRAIGHT WHEN HIGHWAY CURVED. AIR BAGS NEVER WENT OFF, HAD TWO FOBS AND MULTIPLE KEYS. THERE WAS DIP IN ROAD JUST BEFORE CURVE. IGNITION SWITCH? THE CONSUMER'S SON WAS KILLED IN AN ACCIDENT. THE ACCIDENT WAS CLASSIFIED AS AN UNKNOWN CAUSE. UPDATED 10/27/14. *JB...UPDATED 11/03/14 *BF UPDATED…
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ACCORDING TO WITNESSES CAR WENT STRAIGHT WHEN HIGHWAY CURVED. AIR BAGS NEVER WENT OFF, HAD TWO FOBS AND MULTIPLE KEYS. THERE WAS DIP IN ROAD JUST BEFORE CURVE. IGNITION SWITCH? THE CONSUMER'S SON WAS KILLED IN AN ACCIDENT. THE ACCIDENT WAS CLASSIFIED AS AN UNKNOWN CAUSE. UPDATED 10/27/14. *JB...UPDATED 11/03/14 *BF UPDATED 4/28/2015 *JS
NHTSA ODI #10606761
102,000 miles · Jun 4, 2014
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine CoolingFuel System, GasolineFire
THERE WAS A LOUD BOOM AND FLAMES CAME TO THE WINDSHIELD FROM UNDER THE HOOD. I PULLED THE CAR OVER AND JUMPED OUT TO SAFETY. THE ENGINE BURNED AND THE FRONT OF THE CAR WAS DESTROYED. EVERYTHING UNDER THE HOOD WAS DESTROYED. THE BRAKES WERE ALSO DESTROYED. THE IGNITION DIDN'T WORK BUT I WAS ABLE TO GET THE KEY OUT. THERE WAS NO P…
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THERE WAS A LOUD BOOM AND FLAMES CAME TO THE WINDSHIELD FROM UNDER THE HOOD. I PULLED THE CAR OVER AND JUMPED OUT TO SAFETY. THE ENGINE BURNED AND THE FRONT OF THE CAR WAS DESTROYED. EVERYTHING UNDER THE HOOD WAS DESTROYED. THE BRAKES WERE ALSO DESTROYED. THE IGNITION DIDN'T WORK BUT I WAS ABLE TO GET THE KEY OUT. THERE WAS NO POWER THE CAR.
NHTSA ODI #10597155
Official recalls
4Oct 26, 2015
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 1998-1999 Chevrolet Lumina and Oldsmobile Intrigue, 1997-2004 Buick Regal and Pontiac Grand Prix, 2000-2004 Chevrolet Impala, and 1998-2004 Chevrolet Monte Carlo vehicles. The affected vehicles were previously repaired under recalls 08V-118, 09V-116, and 15V-201 to address the possibility that engine oil may drip onto the hot exhaust manifold.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: Engine oil that drips onto the hot surface of the exhaust manifold may result in a fire.
Remedy: The remedy applied under recalls 08V-118, 09V-116, and 15V-201 did not adequately remove the safety risk. Under the improved remedy, dealers will replace the engines front valve cover and gasket. Vehicles that are covered by recalls 08V-118, 09V-116, or 15V-201 that have not yet received the original remedy will instead receive the improved remedy under the original recall number. The recall began on February 19, 2016. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300, Oldsmobile customer service at 1-800-442-6537 and Pontiac customer service at 1-800-458-8006. GM's number for this recall is 15757. Note: Until the improved remedy has been applied, owners are advised to park their vehicle outside since the fire risk exists even when the vehicle is unattended.
Additional source detail variants (2)
Engine And Engine Cooling:exhaust System:manifold/header/muffler/tail Pipe
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 1998-1999 Chevrolet Lumina and Oldsmobile Intrigue, 1997-2004 Buick Regal and Pontiac Grand Prix, 2000-2004 Chevrolet Impala, and 1998-2004 Chevrolet Monte Carlo vehicles. The affected vehicles were previously repaired under recalls 08V-118, 09V-116, and 15V-201 to address the possibility that engine oil may drip onto the hot exhaust manifold.
Consequence: Engine oil that drips onto the hot surface of the exhaust manifold may result in a fire.
Remedy: The remedy applied under recalls 08V-118, 09V-116, and 15V-201 did not adequately remove the safety risk. Under the improved remedy, dealers will replace the engines front valve cover and gasket. Vehicles that are covered by recalls 08V-118, 09V-116, or 15V-201 that have not yet received the original remedy will instead receive the improved remedy under the original recall number. The recall began on February 19, 2016. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300, Oldsmobile customer service at 1-800-442-6537 and Pontiac customer service at 1-800-458-8006. GM's number for this recall is 15757. Note: Until the improved remedy has been applied, owners are advised to park their vehicle outside since the fire risk exists even when the vehicle is unattended.
Engine And Engine Cooling:engine
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 1998-1999 Chevrolet Lumina and Oldsmobile Intrigue, 1997-2004 Buick Regal and Pontiac Grand Prix, 2000-2004 Chevrolet Impala, and 1998-2004 Chevrolet Monte Carlo vehicles. The affected vehicles were previously repaired under recalls 08V-118, 09V-116, and 15V-201 to address the possibility that engine oil may drip onto the hot exhaust manifold.
Consequence: Engine oil that drips onto the hot surface of the exhaust manifold may result in a fire.
Remedy: The remedy applied under recalls 08V-118, 09V-116, and 15V-201 did not adequately remove the safety risk. Under the improved remedy, dealers will replace the engines front valve cover and gasket. Vehicles that are covered by recalls 08V-118, 09V-116, or 15V-201 that have not yet received the original remedy will instead receive the improved remedy under the original recall number. The recall began on February 19, 2016. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300, Oldsmobile customer service at 1-800-442-6537 and Pontiac customer service at 1-800-458-8006. GM's number for this recall is 15757. Note: Until the improved remedy has been applied, owners are advised to park their vehicle outside since the fire risk exists even when the vehicle is unattended.
Apr 8, 2009
GENERAL MOTORS IS RECALLING 1,497,516 MY 1997-2003 BUICK REGAL, MY 1998-2003 CHEVROLET LUMINA, MONTE CARLO AND IMPALA, MY 1998-1999 OLDSMOBILE INTRIGUE, MY 1997-2003 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH A 3.8L V6 NATURALLY ASPIRATED ENGINE. SOME OF THESE VEHICLES HAVE A CONDITION IN WHICH DROPS OF ENGINE OIL MAY BE DEPOSITED ON THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD THROUGH HARD BRAKING.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IF THE MANIFOLD IS HOT ENOUGH AND THE OIL RUNS BELOW THE HEAT SHIELD, IT MAY IGNITE INTO A SMALL FLAME AND MAY SPREAD TO THE PLASTIC SPARK PLUG WIRE CHANNEL AND BEYOND INCREASING THE RISK OF AN ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE ENGINES FRONT VALVE COVER AND FRONT-VALVE-COVER GASKET WITH NEW PARTS OF AN IMPROVED DESIGN AND REMOVE THE ENGINES PLASTIC COVER AND PLASTIC OIL-FILL-TUBE EXTENSION, FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING MAY 2016. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438, OLDSMOBILE AT 1-800-630-6537, AND PONTIAC AT 1-800-620-7668 OR HTTP://WWW.PONTIAC.COM OR HTTP:WWW.GMOWNERCENTER.COM.
Mar 12, 2008
GM IS RECALLING 207,542 MY 1997-2003 BUICK REGAL AND PONTIAC GRAND PRIX VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH A 3.8L SUPERCHARGED V-6 ENGINE. THESE VEHICLES HAVE HIGHER FRONT ROCKER COVER GASKET TEMPERATURES, CREATING THE POTENTIAL FOR EARLIER DEGRADATION OF THE FRONT ROCKER COVER GASKET AND EVENTUAL OIL SEEPAGE.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: CERTAIN UNDERHOOD FIRES MAY BE CAUSED BY DROPS OF ENGINE OIL, FROM SEEPAGE OR SPILLAGE, BEING DEPOSITED ON THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD THROUGH HARD BRAKING. IF THE MANIFOLD IS HOT ENOUGH AND THE OIL RUNS BELOW THE HEAT SHIELD, IT MAY IGNITE INTO A SMALL FLAME AND, IN SOME INSTANCES, THE FIRE MAY SPREAD TO THE PLASTIC SPARK PLUG WIRE CHANNEL AND BEYOND.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE ENGINES FRONT VALVE COVER AND FRONT-VALVE-COVER GASKET WITH NEW PARTS OF AN IMPROVED DESIGN AND REMOVE THE ENGINES PLASTIC COVER AND PLASTIC OIL-FILL-TUBE EXTENSION, ALONG WITH THE 1-3-5 SPARK PLUG WIRE RETAINERS, FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING MAY 2016. , FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING MAY 2016. UNTIL THE REMEDY IS COMPLETED, GM STRONGLY RECOMMENDS THAT OWNERS OBSERVE THE FOLLOWING IMPORTANT PRECAUTIONS (1) THAT OWNERS DO NOT PARK THEIR VEHICLE IN A GARAGE, CAR PORT, OR OTHER STRUCTURE; (2) IF OWNERS NOTICE A BURNING ODOR, THEY SHOULD HAVE THEIR DEALER INSPECT THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER WILL INSPECT THE VEHICLE WITHOUT CHARGE; (3) USE PREMIUM FUEL (91 OCTANE OR HIGHER) IN THE VEHICLE AS RECOMMENDED IN THE VEHICLE'S OWNER MANUAL. OWNERS MAY CONTACT BUICK AT 1-866-608-8080 OR PONTIAC AT 1-800-620-7668, OR THROUGH THEIR WEBSITE AT <A HREF=HTTP://WWW.GMOWNERCENTER.COM>HTTP://WWW.GMOWNERCENTER.COM</A> .
Jan 25, 2002
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES AND MINI VANS, THE DRIVER'S AIR BAG INFLATOR MODULES COULD PRODUCE EXCESSIVE INTERNAL PRESSURE. IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH THAT WOULD TRIGGER A DRIVER'S AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT, THE INCREASED INTERNAL PRESSURE CAN CAUSE THE INFLATOR MODULE TO EXPLODE.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: METAL AND PLASTIC DEBRIS COULD CAUSE SEVERE INJURY TO VEHICLE OCCUPANTS.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE DRIVER AIR BAG MODULE. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN FEBRUARY 1, 2002. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT PONTIAC AT 1-800-762-2737.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
6EA07008 · Engine Compartment Fire
Opened Jun 12, 2007 · Closed May 1, 2008
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Engine And Engine Cooling
BY LETTER DATED MARCH 12, 2008, GENERAL MOTORS CORP. (GM) HAS NOTIFIED THE AGENCY THAT IT WILL CONDUCT A SAFETY RECALL (IDENTIFIED BY NHTSA RECALL NUMBER 08V-118) TO ADDRESS A DEFECT IN APPROXIMATELY 207,542 MODEL YEAR (MY) 1997-2003 BUICK REGAL GS AND PONTIAC GRAND PRIX GTP VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH THE L67 SUPERCHARGED VERSION OF GM'S 3800 SERIES II V6 ENGINE.THE RECALLED REGAL GS VEHICLES WERE BUILT FROM AUGUST 1996 TO JUNE 2003 AND THE GRAND PRIX GTP FROM MARCH 1996 THROUGH JANUARY 2003.ACCORDING TO GM, OIL MAY ESCAPE PAST THE VALVE COVER GASKET ON THE FRONT CYLINDER BANK (CYLINDERS 1-3-5) AND DEPOSIT ONTO HOT EXHAUST SYSTEM COMPONENTS.UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS, IT IS POSSIBLE FOR THIS OIL TO IGNITE A SMALL PILOT FLAME, WHICH MAY SPREAD TO THE ADJACENT PLASTIC SPARK PLUG WIRE CHANNEL, THE SPARK PLUG WIRES THEMSELVES, THE PLASTIC ENGINE COVER, AND OTHER UNDER HOOD COMPONENTS.REPORTS INDICATE THIS MOST OFTEN OCCURS ON HIGHER-MILEAGE VEHICLES SHORTLY AFTER THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN DRIVEN AND THEN PARKED.TYPICALLY, THE FIRE WAS DISCOVERED WITHIN 5 TO 15 MINUTES AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED.DURING THIS TIME WINDOW, UNDER HOOD TEMPERATURES MAY BECOME ELEVATED.SUCH ELEVATED TEMPERATURES COMBINED WITH A LACK OF AIRFLOW THROUGH THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT MAY PERMIT A SMALL PILOT FLAME TO PROPAGATE AND IGNITE OTHER FUEL SOURCES.TO CORRECT THE SAFETY DEFECT, GM WILL INSTALL AN IMPROVED DESIGN FRONT VALVE COVER GASKET AND SPARK PLUG WIRE RETAINER.THIS REMEDY WILL BE SUPPLIEDFREE OF CHARGE FOR ALL RECALLED VEHICLES.UNTIL SUFFICIENT PARTS BECOME AVAILABLE TO REPAIR ALL OF THE AFFECTED VEHICLES, GM STRONGLY RECOMMENDS THAT OWNERS OBSERVE THE FOLLOWING IMPORTANT PRECAUTIONS: (1) THEY STRONGLY RECOMMEND THAT OWNERS DO NOT PARK THEIR VEHICLE IN A GARAGE, CARPORT, OR OTHER STRUCTURE; (2) IF OWNERS NOTICE A BURNING ODOR, THEY SHOULD HAVE THEIR DEALER INSPECT THE VEHICLE - THE DEALER WILL INSPECT THE VEHICLE WITHOUT CHARGE; AND (3) USE PREMIUM FUEL (91 OCTANE OR HIGHER) IN THE VEHICLE AS RECOMMENDED IN THE VEHICLE'S OWNER MANUAL.THE ACTION TAKEN BY GM IS SUFFICIENT TO RESOLVE THE ISSUES RAISED BY THIS INVESTIGATION.THE SUBJECT FIRE INCIDENT RATE ON THE C-, G-, AND H-PLATFORM SUBJECT VEHICLES IS LOW.THE AGENCY WILL CONTINUE TO MONITOR THIS ISSUE AND RESERVES THE RIGHT TO TAKE FURTHER ACTION IF WARRANTED BY THE CIRCUMSTANCES.ACCORDINGLY, THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.SEE DOCUMENT FILE FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION REGARDING THIS RESUME.
Additional source detail variants (2)
Engine And Engine Cooling
BY LETTER DATED MARCH 12, 2008, GENERAL MOTORS CORP. (GM) HAS NOTIFIED THE AGENCY THAT IT WILL CONDUCT A SAFETY RECALL (IDENTIFIED BY NHTSA RECALL NUMBER 08V-118) TO ADDRESS A DEFECT IN APPROXIMATELY 207,542 MODEL YEAR (MY) 1997-2003 BUICK REGAL GS AND PONTIAC GRAND PRIX GTP VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH THE L67 SUPERCHARGED VERSION OF GM'S 3800 SERIES II V6 ENGINE.THE RECALLED REGAL GS VEHICLES WERE BUILT FROM AUGUST 1996 TO JUNE 2003 AND THE GRAND PRIX GTP FROM MARCH 1996 THROUGH JANUARY 2003.ACCORDING TO GM, OIL MAY ESCAPE PAST THE VALVE COVER GASKET ON THE FRONT CYLINDER BANK (CYLINDERS 1-3-5) AND DEPOSIT ONTO HOT EXHAUST SYSTEM COMPONENTS.UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS, IT IS POSSIBLE FOR THIS OIL TO IGNITE A SMALL PILOT FLAME, WHICH MAY SPREAD TO THE ADJACENT PLASTIC SPARK PLUG WIRE CHANNEL, THE SPARK PLUG WIRES THEMSELVES, THE PLASTIC ENGINE COVER, AND OTHER UNDER HOOD COMPONENTS.REPORTS INDICATE THIS MOST OFTEN OCCURS ON HIGHER-MILEAGE VEHICLES SHORTLY AFTER THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN DRIVEN AND THEN PARKED.TYPICALLY, THE FIRE WAS DISCOVERED WITHIN 5 TO 15 MINUTES AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED.DURING THIS TIME WINDOW, UNDER HOOD TEMPERATURES MAY BECOME ELEVATED.SUCH ELEVATED TEMPERATURES COMBINED WITH A LACK OF AIRFLOW THROUGH THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT MAY PERMIT A SMALL PILOT FLAME TO PROPAGATE AND IGNITE OTHER FUEL SOURCES.TO CORRECT THE SAFETY DEFECT, GM WILL INSTALL AN IMPROVED DESIGN FRONT VALVE COVER GASKET AND SPARK PLUG WIRE RETAINER.THIS REMEDY WILL BE SUPPLIEDFREE OF CHARGE FOR ALL RECALLED VEHICLES.UNTIL SUFFICIENT PARTS BECOME AVAILABLE TO REPAIR ALL OF THE AFFECTED VEHICLES, GM STRONGLY RECOMMENDS THAT OWNERS OBSERVE THE FOLLOWING IMPORTANT PRECAUTIONS: (1) THEY STRONGLY RECOMMEND THAT OWNERS DO NOT PARK THEIR VEHICLE IN A GARAGE, CARPORT, OR OTHER STRUCTURE; (2) IF OWNERS NOTICE A BURNING ODOR, THEY SHOULD HAVE THEIR DEALER INSPECT THE VEHICLE - THE DEALER WILL INSPECT THE VEHICLE WITHOUT CHARGE; AND (3) USE PREMIUM FUEL (91 OCTANE OR HIGHER) IN THE VEHICLE AS RECOMMENDED IN THE VEHICLE'S OWNER MANUAL.THE ACTION TAKEN BY GM IS SUFFICIENT TO RESOLVE THE ISSUES RAISED BY THIS INVESTIGATION.THE SUBJECT FIRE INCIDENT RATE ON THE C-, G-, AND H-PLATFORM SUBJECT VEHICLES IS LOW.THE AGENCY WILL CONTINUE TO MONITOR THIS ISSUE AND RESERVES THE RIGHT TO TAKE FURTHER ACTION IF WARRANTED BY THE CIRCUMSTANCES.ACCORDINGLY, THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.SEE DOCUMENT FILE FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION REGARDING THIS RESUME.
Engine And Engine Cooling
BY LETTER DATED MARCH 12, 2008, GENERAL MOTORS CORP. (GM) HAS NOTIFIED THE AGENCY THAT IT WILL CONDUCT A SAFETY RECALL (IDENTIFIED BY NHTSA RECALL NUMBER 08V-118) TO ADDRESS A DEFECT IN APPROXIMATELY 207,542 MODEL YEAR (MY) 1997-2003 BUICK REGAL GS AND PONTIAC GRAND PRIX GTP VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH THE L67 SUPERCHARGED VERSION OF GM'S 3800 SERIES II V6 ENGINE.THE RECALLED REGAL GS VEHICLES WERE BUILT FROM AUGUST 1996 TO JUNE 2003 AND THE GRAND PRIX GTP FROM MARCH 1996 THROUGH JANUARY 2003.ACCORDING TO GM, OIL MAY ESCAPE PAST THE VALVE COVER GASKET ON THE FRONT CYLINDER BANK (CYLINDERS 1-3-5) AND DEPOSIT ONTO HOT EXHAUST SYSTEM COMPONENTS.UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS, IT IS POSSIBLE FOR THIS OIL TO IGNITE A SMALL PILOT FLAME, WHICH MAY SPREAD TO THE ADJACENT PLASTIC SPARK PLUG WIRE CHANNEL, THE SPARK PLUG WIRES THEMSELVES, THE PLASTIC ENGINE COVER, AND OTHER UNDER HOOD COMPONENTS.REPORTS INDICATE THIS MOST OFTEN OCCURS ON HIGHER-MILEAGE VEHICLES SHORTLY AFTER THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN DRIVEN AND THEN PARKED.TYPICALLY, THE FIRE WAS DISCOVERED WITHIN 5 TO 15 MINUTES AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED.DURING THIS TIME WINDOW, UNDER HOOD TEMPERATURES MAY BECOME ELEVATED.SUCH ELEVATED TEMPERATURES COMBINED WITH A LACK OF AIRFLOW THROUGH THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT MAY PERMIT A SMALL PILOT FLAME TO PROPAGATE AND IGNITE OTHER FUEL SOURCES.TO CORRECT THE SAFETY DEFECT, GM WILL INSTALL AN IMPROVED DESIGN FRONT VALVE COVER GASKET AND SPARK PLUG WIRE RETAINER.THIS REMEDY WILL BE SUPPLIEDFREE OF CHARGE FOR ALL RECALLED VEHICLES.UNTIL SUFFICIENT PARTS BECOME AVAILABLE TO REPAIR ALL OF THE AFFECTED VEHICLES, GM STRONGLY RECOMMENDS THAT OWNERS OBSERVE THE FOLLOWING IMPORTANT PRECAUTIONS: (1) THEY STRONGLY RECOMMEND THAT OWNERS DO NOT PARK THEIR VEHICLE IN A GARAGE, CARPORT, OR OTHER STRUCTURE; (2) IF OWNERS NOTICE A BURNING ODOR, THEY SHOULD HAVE THEIR DEALER INSPECT THE VEHICLE - THE DEALER WILL INSPECT THE VEHICLE WITHOUT CHARGE; AND (3) USE PREMIUM FUEL (91 OCTANE OR HIGHER) IN THE VEHICLE AS RECOMMENDED IN THE VEHICLE'S OWNER MANUAL.THE ACTION TAKEN BY GM IS SUFFICIENT TO RESOLVE THE ISSUES RAISED BY THIS INVESTIGATION.THE SUBJECT FIRE INCIDENT RATE ON THE C-, G-, AND H-PLATFORM SUBJECT VEHICLES IS LOW.THE AGENCY WILL CONTINUE TO MONITOR THIS ISSUE AND RESERVES THE RIGHT TO TAKE FURTHER ACTION IF WARRANTED BY THE CIRCUMSTANCES.ACCORDINGLY, THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.SEE DOCUMENT FILE FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION REGARDING THIS RESUME.
PE07006 · Engine Compartment Fire
Opened Jan 29, 2007 · Closed Jun 12, 2007
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Engine And Engine Cooling
ON JANUARY 29, 2007, THE OFFICE OF DEFECTS INVESTIGATION (ODI) OPENED A PRELIMINARY EVALUATION TO INVESTIGATE ALLEGED NON-CRASH FIRES ORIGINATING IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT IN CERTAIN MODEL YEAR (MY) 1999-2002 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX GTP VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH THE ?L67? SUPERCHARGED VERSION OF THE GENERAL MOTORS (GM) 3800 SERIES II V6 ENGINE.TO DATE, ODI IS AWARE OF 121 NON-DUPLICATIVE COMPLAINTS ON THE SUBJECT VEHICLES THAT ALLEGE NON-CRASH RELATED FIRES ORIGINATING IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT WHILE DRIVING OR AFTER THE VEHICLE IS PARKED AND THE IGNITION SWITCHED OFF. WHILE NO SUBJECT COMPONENT HAS YET BEEN IDENTIFIED, ODI ANALYSIS OF AVAILABLE INFORMATION INDICATES THAT THE ALLEGED FIRE INCIDENT RATE AMONG THE SUBJECT VEHICLES IS SIGNIFICANTLY HIGHER THAN GM PEER VEHICLES THAT USE THE NON-SUPERCHARGED ?L36? VERSION OF THE GM 3800 SERIES II V6 ENGINE.IN SOME CASES, THE FIRE INCIDENT RATE IS TWICE AS HIGH IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES AND UP TO AS MUCH AS AN ORDER OF MAGNITUDE GREATER THAN IN NON-SUPERCHARGED PEER VEHICLES.FOR INSTANCE, THE SUBJECT FIRE INCIDENT RATE FOR THE SUPERCHARGED MY 2000 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX GTP IS APPROXIMATELY 236 PER 100,000 VEHICLES PRODUCED (58 FIRES / 24,509 SUBJECT VEHICLES OR 0.236%) WHILE THE FIRE INCIDENT RATE FOR MY 2000 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH THE NATURALLY ASPIRATED ?L36? ENGINE IS APPROXIMATELY 18 PER 100,000 VEHICLES PRODUCED (17 FIRES / 90,338 VEHICLES OR 0.018%). THE MANUFACTURER?S INVESTIGATION INTO ALLEGED ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRES ON THE SUBJECT VEHICLES IS ONGOING.ACCORDINGLY, THIS INVESTIGATION HAS BEEN UPGRADED TO AN ENGINEERING ANALYSIS (EA07-008) TO FURTHER STUDY THE FREQUENCY AND SCOPE OF THE ALLEGED DEFECT. BASED ON THE INFORMATION REVIEWED IN PE07-006, THE RANGE OF SUBJECT VEHICLES UNDER INVESTIGATION WILL BE EXPANDED TO INCLUDE ALL MY 1999-2002 BUICK PARK AVENUE, REGAL, AND RIVIERA, OLDSMOBILE LSS, AND PONTIAC BONNEVILLE AND GRAND PRIX VEHICLES THAT USE THE SAME OR SUBSTANTIALLY SIMILAR TRANSVERSE MOUNTED ?L67? ENGINE.
EA02030 · Engine Compartment Fires
Opened Oct 22, 2002 · Closed Mar 9, 2004
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Fuel System, Gasoline; Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery; Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:hoses, Lines/piping, And Fittings
EA02-030 IS CLOSED WITH GMEA02-030 IS CLOSED WITH GM?S ACTIONS IN 03V-473 AND 04V-090 RECALLING APPROXIMATELY 529,000 MY 1998-99 C- AND H-BODY VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH DEFECTIVE FUEL PRESSURE REGULATORS.THESE VEHICLES WERE EQUIPPED WITH PLASTIC INTAKE MANIFOLDS THAT ARE UNABLE TO CONTAIN PRESSURES THAT OCCUR IN SOME BACKFIRE EVENTS AND DEFECTIVE FUEL PRESSURE REGULATORS WITH LEAKING DIAPHRAGMS THAT CAN PROVIDE A SOURCE OF FUEL TO PRODUCE A COMBUSTIBLE AIR-FUEL MIXTURE IN THE MANIFOLD.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY ODI THAT NO SAFETY DEFECT EXISTS IN THE VEHICLES THAT ARE NOT INCLUDED IN GM?S RECALLS.ODI WILL CONTINUE TO MONITOR THE INCIDENCE OF MANIFOLD RUPTURES AND RELATED FIRES IN OTHER MY 1995-2002 GM PASSENGER CARS EQUIPPED WITH THE SUBJECT INTAKE MANIFOLD.FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION, SEE THE ATTACHED CLOSING REPORT.
Additional source detail variants (3)
Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery
EA02-030 IS CLOSED WITH GMEA02-030 IS CLOSED WITH GM?S ACTIONS IN 03V-473 AND 04V-090 RECALLING APPROXIMATELY 529,000 MY 1998-99 C- AND H-BODY VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH DEFECTIVE FUEL PRESSURE REGULATORS.THESE VEHICLES WERE EQUIPPED WITH PLASTIC INTAKE MANIFOLDS THAT ARE UNABLE TO CONTAIN PRESSURES THAT OCCUR IN SOME BACKFIRE EVENTS AND DEFECTIVE FUEL PRESSURE REGULATORS WITH LEAKING DIAPHRAGMS THAT CAN PROVIDE A SOURCE OF FUEL TO PRODUCE A COMBUSTIBLE AIR-FUEL MIXTURE IN THE MANIFOLD.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY ODI THAT NO SAFETY DEFECT EXISTS IN THE VEHICLES THAT ARE NOT INCLUDED IN GM?S RECALLS.ODI WILL CONTINUE TO MONITOR THE INCIDENCE OF MANIFOLD RUPTURES AND RELATED FIRES IN OTHER MY 1995-2002 GM PASSENGER CARS EQUIPPED WITH THE SUBJECT INTAKE MANIFOLD.FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION, SEE THE ATTACHED CLOSING REPORT.
Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:hoses, Lines/piping, And Fittings
EA02-030 IS CLOSED WITH GMEA02-030 IS CLOSED WITH GM?S ACTIONS IN 03V-473 AND 04V-090 RECALLING APPROXIMATELY 529,000 MY 1998-99 C- AND H-BODY VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH DEFECTIVE FUEL PRESSURE REGULATORS.THESE VEHICLES WERE EQUIPPED WITH PLASTIC INTAKE MANIFOLDS THAT ARE UNABLE TO CONTAIN PRESSURES THAT OCCUR IN SOME BACKFIRE EVENTS AND DEFECTIVE FUEL PRESSURE REGULATORS WITH LEAKING DIAPHRAGMS THAT CAN PROVIDE A SOURCE OF FUEL TO PRODUCE A COMBUSTIBLE AIR-FUEL MIXTURE IN THE MANIFOLD.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY ODI THAT NO SAFETY DEFECT EXISTS IN THE VEHICLES THAT ARE NOT INCLUDED IN GM?S RECALLS.ODI WILL CONTINUE TO MONITOR THE INCIDENCE OF MANIFOLD RUPTURES AND RELATED FIRES IN OTHER MY 1995-2002 GM PASSENGER CARS EQUIPPED WITH THE SUBJECT INTAKE MANIFOLD.FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION, SEE THE ATTACHED CLOSING REPORT.
Fuel System, Gasoline
EA02-030 IS CLOSED WITH GMEA02-030 IS CLOSED WITH GM?S ACTIONS IN 03V-473 AND 04V-090 RECALLING APPROXIMATELY 529,000 MY 1998-99 C- AND H-BODY VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH DEFECTIVE FUEL PRESSURE REGULATORS.THESE VEHICLES WERE EQUIPPED WITH PLASTIC INTAKE MANIFOLDS THAT ARE UNABLE TO CONTAIN PRESSURES THAT OCCUR IN SOME BACKFIRE EVENTS AND DEFECTIVE FUEL PRESSURE REGULATORS WITH LEAKING DIAPHRAGMS THAT CAN PROVIDE A SOURCE OF FUEL TO PRODUCE A COMBUSTIBLE AIR-FUEL MIXTURE IN THE MANIFOLD.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY ODI THAT NO SAFETY DEFECT EXISTS IN THE VEHICLES THAT ARE NOT INCLUDED IN GM?S RECALLS.ODI WILL CONTINUE TO MONITOR THE INCIDENCE OF MANIFOLD RUPTURES AND RELATED FIRES IN OTHER MY 1995-2002 GM PASSENGER CARS EQUIPPED WITH THE SUBJECT INTAKE MANIFOLD.FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION, SEE THE ATTACHED CLOSING REPORT.
PE02050 · Engine Compartment Fires
Opened Jun 13, 2002 · Closed Oct 22, 2002
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Engine And Engine Cooling
No summary supplied.
EA01014 · Air Bag Inflator
Opened Jun 11, 2001 · Closed Aug 26, 2002
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Air Bags:frontal:driver Side:inflator Module
No summary supplied.
Additional source detail variants (2)
Air Bags:frontal:driver Side:inflator Module
Air Bags:frontal:driver Side:inflator Module
PE01002 · Driver Air Bag Malfunction
Opened Jan 10, 2001 · Closed Jun 11, 2001
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Air Bags:frontal
ODI IS AWARE OF ONE REPORTED INCIDENT OF A DRIVER-SIDE AIR BAG INFLATOR SEPARATION IN A MODEL YEAR 1999 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX.AN INVESTIGATION OF THE INCIDENT REVEALED THAT A TWO-INCH, DISK-SHAPED FRAGMENT OF THE ALUMINUM INFLATOR ASSEMBLY RUPTURED THE AIR BAG, BROKE OFF PORTIONS OF THE AIR GAB COVER FLAPS, AND STRUCK THE DRIVER.ALSO, EVIDENCE SHOWED HOT COMBUSTION GASES/PARTICULATE ESCAPED INTO THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT.THE DRIVER SUSTAINED NUMEROUS INJURIES FROM THE INFLATOR FRAGEMENTAND HOT GASES/PARTICULATE.A TEARDOWN OF THE FAILED INFLATOR DID NOT REVEAL ANY OBSERVABLE DEFECTS OR ROOT CAUSE OF FAILURE.GM AND ITS SUPPLIERS (DELPHI AND BREAD) ARE CURRENTLY WORKING TOGETHER TO DETERMINE THE ROOT CAUSE OF THE SINGLE REPORTED FAILURE AND THE SCOPE OF THE POTENTIAL PROBLEM CONDITION IN THE FIELD.FINALLY, GM HAS STATED THAT MODEL YEAR 1998-2000 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX VEHICLES AND MODEL YEAR 1998-2001 PONTIAC MONTANA VEHICLES HAVE IDENTICAL DRIVER-SIDE AIR BAG INFLATORS.THE ENGINEERING ANALYSIS WILL COVER THESE MODEL/MODEL YEAR VEHICLES.
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