Pontiac Grand Prix Engine Problems

Source: NHTSA · Updated Oct 2, 2026 · 574 complaints analyzed

Owners have filed 574 complaints with NHTSA about engine problems on the Pontiac Grand Prix across 12 model years. The 2004 model year has the most (98). The words owners use most often: “engine cooling” (35% of reports).

What owners describe

Phrases that appear unusually often in these complaints compared with complaints about other cars.

  • Engine cooling: mentioned in 201 of 574 complaints (35%)
  • Fire department: mentioned in 109 of 574 complaints (19%)
  • Noticed smoke: mentioned in 39 of 574 complaints (7%)
  • Valve cover: mentioned in 37 of 574 complaints (6%)

At what mileage do engine problems happen?

Based on 397 complaints that reported the odometer reading.

Under 10k miles3 · 1%
10k–25k miles8 · 2%
25k–50k miles7 · 2%
50k–75k miles21 · 5%
75k–100k miles38 · 10%
100k–150k miles121 · 30%
150k+ miles199 · 50%

How serious are the reports?

Of 574 complaints, 10 mention a crash, 289 a fire, 12 an injury.

Pontiac Grand Prix engine complaints by model year

Peak: 2004, with 98 complaints
1997: 451997451998: 331998331999: 501999502000: 732000732001: 652001652002: 862002862003: 312003312004: 982004982005: 142005142006: 322006322007: 282007282008: 19200819

n = 574 complaints · Source: NHTSA

Model yearEngine complaintsShare of that yearMedian miles
2008 Grand Prix1913%81,000
2007 Grand Prix2813%90,000
2006 Grand Prix3213%137,000
2005 Grand Prix149%120,000
2004 Grand Prix9822%145,000
2003 Grand Prix3129%156,000
2002 Grand Prix8626%146,000
2001 Grand Prix6521%153,000
2000 Grand Prix7316%170,000
1999 Grand Prix5012%160,000
1998 Grand Prix337%125,000
1997 Grand Prix456%171,750

When owners reported it

Peak: 2016, with 218 complaints
2012: 232012232013: 25252014: 622014622015: 1211212016: 21820162182017: 32322018: 302018302019: 31312020: 142020142021: 772022: 6202262023: 222024: 1202412025: 112026: 120261

n = 574 complaints · Source: NHTSA

Related recalls (4)

Engine and engine cooling:exhaust system:manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe; engine and engine cooling:engineOct 26, 2015 · NHTSA campaign 15V701000 · 1,003,556 vehicles

Model years: 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004

Problem: 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.

Risk: Engine oil that drips onto the hot surface of the exhaust manifold may result in a fire.

Fix: 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 engine’s 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:engineApr 6, 2015 · NHTSA campaign 15V201000 · 330,742 vehicles

Model years: 2004

Problem: General Motors LLC (GM) notified the agency on April 2, 2015, that they are is recalling certain model year 2004 Buick Regal vehicles manufactured April 9, 2003, to June 1, 2003, 2004 Chevrolet Impala vehicles manufactured April 8, 2003, to June 23, 2003, and 2004 Chevrolet Monte Carlo vehicles manufactured April 7, 2003, to June 23, 2003. On May 18, 2015, GM expanded the recall to cover an additional 49,751 2004 Pontiac Grand Prix vehicles manufactured January 6, 2003, to June 25, 2004. In the affected vehicles, the valve cover gasket may leak.

Risk: The leaking engine oil can drip onto the hot surface of the exhaust manifold, increasing the risk of a fire.

Fix: GM will notify owners, and dealers will remove the plastic cover and plastic oil fill tube extension and replace the front valve cover and gasket. These repairs will be done free of charge. The recall began on April 24, 2015. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300, Pontiac customer service at 1-800-762-2737 or Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is 14574.

Engine and engine coolingApr 8, 2009 · NHTSA campaign 09V116000 · 1,497,516 vehicles

Model years: 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003

Problem: 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.

Risk: 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.

Fix: Dealers will replace the engineâ’s front valve cover and front-valve-cover gasket with new parts of an improved design and remove the engineâ’s 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.

Engine and engine coolingMar 12, 2008 · NHTSA campaign 08V118000 · 207,542 vehicles

Model years: 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003

Problem: 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.

Risk: 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.

Fix: Dealers will replace the engineâ’s front valve cover and front-valve-cover gasket with new parts of an improved design and remove the engineâ’s 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> .

What owners report

Short excerpts of recent complaints, with personal details removed. Full reports are on NHTSA.gov.

The vehicle overheated and caught fire.

Received May 12, 2026 · NHTSA complaint 11737330

The contact owned a 2004 Pontiac Grand Prix. The contact stated that the "Low Oil" message was displayed monthly, requiring oil to be added to the engine. While driving at approximately 5 MPH, the contact noticed smoke in the cabin near the floor on the passenger’s and driver’s sides, extending…

Received Nov 21, 2025 · NHTSA complaint 11700813

The contact owns a 2000 Pontiac Grand Prix. The contact stated that the vehicle was towed to the dealer for service under NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V701000 (Engine and Engine Cooling) however after the service the vehicle started but did not idle due to an air intake hose not reinstalled on the…

Received Mar 20, 2024 · NHTSA complaint 11578508

I have a problem I drop my car off at the Chevy dealership to get a recall done and they only did one value cover when there are two value cover both was leaking so why only one got change that don't make any since when both value cover leaks oil too cause a fire just like the recalls says it will…

Received May 26, 2023 · NHTSA complaint 11523933

On March 27th, 2023, the car was parked and off for only approximately 5 minutes when the engine caught fire. The engine and vehicle is a complete loss. A claim has been filed with Farm Bureau insurance. There were no engine warning lights, smells, or smoke during or after driving, until the 5…

Received Mar 28, 2023 · NHTSA complaint 11514318
Pontiac Grand Prix
2004-2007 Pontiac Grand Prix photographed in USA.. Representative photo; appearance varies by model year. Photo: IFCAR, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons.

Frequently asked questions

Do all Pontiac Grand Prixs have engine problems?

No. NHTSA has 574 owner complaints about engine for the Pontiac Grand Prix. Complaint data shows that the problem is reported, not how many of all cars sold are affected.

Was there a recall on the Pontiac Grand Prix engine?

Yes: 4 safety recalls list engine. Check your VIN on NHTSA.gov to see whether the fix was done on your car.

What do owners say about engine problems on the Pontiac Grand Prix?

The most frequent phrase is “engine cooling”, in 201 of 574 complaints, followed by “fire department” (109).

Other Pontiac Grand Prix problems

See all Pontiac Grand Prix problems.