1999 Pontiac Grand Prix Problems

1999 PONTIAC GRAN PRIX. CONSUMER WRITES SEEKING REIMBURSEMENT FOR VEHICLE REPAIRS MADE RELATED TO NHTSA SAFETY RECALL.

valve covers leaks oil on to the exhaust and started a lil fire

HOVER HEATING, SAYS LOW COOLANT WHEN I FIRST DRIVE IT. I ADDED COOLANT BUT AT TIMES IT SAYS LOW COOLANT. SPILLING COOLANT.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED AND REQUIRED EXCESSIVE FORCE WHEN ATTEMPTING TO MAKE A LEFT TURN. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE ALIGNMENT OF THE FRONT PASSENGER TIRE WAS OFF. THE CONTACT THEN DISCOVERED THAT THE RACK AND PINION HOUSING WAS DETACHED FROM OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 197,000.

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.

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

WHEN I FIRST GOT MY CAR IN 2012, HAD TO TAKE IT BACK TO PLACE, BECAUSE IT CUT OFF/ STALLED. BOUGHT AS IS. HAD WARRANTY FOR 3 MONTHS. THEY DID NOT HONOR IT. IT HAS BEEN ONE PROBLEM, AFTER ANOTHER. WITH THIS CAR. SINCE THE DAY I BOUGHT IT. *TR

A/C LEAKS ON PASSENGER SIDE FLOOR. ALSO A/C BLOWER MOTOR DOES NOT WORK. WHEEL RIMS ARE CORRODED AND PITTED. AIR BAG LIGHT IS ON AND STAYS ON. *JB

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS FUEL LEAKING UNDER THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V701000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING); HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 88,000. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

WHEN I FIRST GOT MY CAR IN 2012, HAD TO TAKE IT BACK TO PLACE, BECAUSE IT CUT OFF/ STALLED. BOUGHT AS IS. HAD WARRANTY FOR 3 MONTHS. THEY DID NOT HONOR IT. IT HAS BEEN ONE PROBLEM, AFTER ANOTHER. WITH THIS CAR. SINCE THE DAY I BOUGHT IT. *TR

BRAKE LINE FAILURE OCCURRED 3 TIMES OVER A PERIOD OF 3 YEARS.THE PROBLEM CAUSED THE BRAKE PEDAL TO THE FLOOR WITH LITTLE OR NO BRAKING CONTROL.

COMPLETE BRAKE FAILURE OCCURRED AT A HIGH-VOLUME INTERSECTION AT LOGAN AVE., AND RT.20 IN BELVEDERE IL. WHILE APPROACHING INTERSECTION ON A YELLOW LIGHT, WITH NO ONE IN FRONT OF ME, I APPLIED THE BRAKES, HEARD A POPPING SOUND AND THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT ALL THE WAY DOWN TO THE FLOOR BOARD. I HAD ENOUGH ROOM TO APPLY THE EMERGENCY BRAKES, AND CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP BEFORE ENTERING THE INTERSECTION. I HAD MY SISTER AND 92 YEAR OLD AUNT IN THE CAR. CAR WAS TOWED TO WOLF PONTIAC IN BELVEDERE, IL, MECHANIC TOLD ME THAT THE 'STEEL' BRAKE LINE HAD RUSTED OUT, AND BURST. WE HAD ALL THE BRAKE LINES REPLACED FOR APPROX $900. WE COULD HAVE HAD SERIOUS INJURY/DEATH HAD WE ENTERED THE INTERSECTION. THIS IS A SERIOUS EXAMPLE OF AN ENGINEERING DEFECT! WE LIVE IN THE SALT BELT, AND ANY DESIGN THAT WOULD LEAD TO A RUST-OUT SITUATION ON A CRITICAL PART OF THE BRAKING SYSTEM IS INEXCUSABLE. IT IS PROBABLY CHEAPER THAN PUTTING IN BRAKE LINES THAT WOULD BE RUST RESISTANT, BUT I GUESS PROFIT IS MORE IMPORTANT THAT THE SAFETY OF ITS PASSENGERS. WE WERE VERY LUCKY! I CALLED GM, AND OF COURSE THEY WERE APOLOGETIC, BUT THE SAME THING IS GOING TO HAPPEN TO OTHER DRIVERS OF THEIR TECHNOLOGY. THE OWNER OF THE CAR, IS MY AUNT, WHO WAS A PASSENGER

DRIVING TO WORK AS NORMAL AND TOOK OFF FROM A FULL STOP WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN THE CAR WAS GOING NUTS TRYING TO CATCH A GEAR. SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT BLINKED THAN STAYED ON AND NOW WHEN DRIVING BETWEEN 1ST AND 3RD GEAR CAR SPUTTERS, SHAKES, SLAMS INTO GEAR HARD AND I NEED TO KEEP GIVING IT GAS TO GET IT TO CATCH SO I MOVE AND DON'T GET STUCK IN THE MIDDLE OF MAKING A TURN. IT IS A 99 GRAND PRIX SE 3800 ENGINE SEDAN AND I BROUGHT IT TO MY GOOD FRIEND WHO OWNS A SHOP AND THE COMPUTER SAID IT WAS A C1 MISFIRE SOLENOID OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT. ON MY ENGINE, THE LEFT SIDE HAS 3 THINGS THAT 2 SPARK PLUG WIRES GOES INTO EACH AND ARE LABELED 1/3, 2/5 AND 4/6 (MIGHT BE WRONG ON NUMBERS). THE CODE WAS SAYING THE FIRST ONE THAT SAYS 1/3 WAS BAD CAUSING THE MISFIRE. WE CHANGED THE PART AND THE SERVICE ENGINE LINE WENT OFF AND CAR DROVE FINE. THE NEXT MORNING I WENT TO GO WORK AND AT THE FIRST LIGHT, I GO TO TAKE OFF AND IT STARTS SHAKING AND SPUTTERS AND BECOMES ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE TO DRIVE. DURING THIS THE SERVICE ENGINE LINE BLINKED THAN STAYED ON STEADY. NOW THE CAR HAS TROUBLE CATCHING A GEAR FROM 1ST TO 3RD AND IT FEELS LIKE A ROLLER COASTER JUST TRYING TO TAKE OFF FROM A STOP OR DURING HEAVY TRAFFIC. I REPLACED EVERYTHING ELSE ON THE CAR AND GIVE UP WITH PROBLEMS. THERE HAS TO BE A DEFECT THAT PONTIAC WON'T ADMIT. *TR

TRANSMISSION SLIP'S REAL BAD. THE CAR ROCKS BACK AND FORTH WHEN SLOWLY ACCELERATING. WHAT WILL BE DONE ABOUT THIS? THIS MY ONLY FORM OF TRANSPORTATION. *TR

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

AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATES FOR APPROXIMATELY 5 SECONDS AFTER BLOWING THE HORN THEN GOES OFF. DTC B0026 IS STORED IN HISTORY. THE VEHICLE HAS NEVER BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT NOR HAS ANY WORK BEEN DONE INSIDE THE STEERING COLUMN. VEHICLE IS METICULOUSLY MAINTAINED. ORIGINAL OWNER. *TR

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

THE NEIGHBOR KNOCKED ON OUR DOOR AND TOLD MY HUSBAND THE CAR WAS ON FIRE. THE FIRE APPEARED TO START UNDER THE HOOD. THE WHOLE FRONT OF THE CAR, INCLUDING THE WINSHIELD WAS BURNED. *TR

ON APRIL 30, 2012, I TOOK MY CAR TO BE INSPECTED AND I WAS TOLD THE SWAY BAR WAS CRACKED AND NEEDED REPLACED. AFTER CALLING MANY JUNK YARDS TO LOOK FOR A USED ONE, I AM FINDING OUT THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM AMONG THESE VEHICLES. I HAVE CALLED JUST ABOUT EVERY JUNK YARD WITHIN 30 MILES OF ME AND CONSTANTLY AM TOLD "WE HAVE QUITE A FEW BUT THEY ARE ALL CRACKED ON THE PASSENGER SIDE" WHICH IS WHERE MINE IS CRACKED. SEEING THAT THIS IS PART IS USED NOT ONLY ON THE GRAND PRIXS BUT OTHER GM PASSENGER CARS AND MINI VANS, I FEEL THAT SINCE THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE, IT NEEDS RECALLED. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX. WHILE DRIVING 5 MPH AND MAKING A LEFT TURN THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO CONTROL; HOWEVER, IT FUNCTIONED NORMALLY WHEN THE CONTACT MADE A RIGHT TURN. THE WHEEL BEARINGS AND RACK AND PINION FELL OFF OF THE VEHICLE WHILE IT WAS PARKED. THE CONTACT HAS REVIEWED, RECALL NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 02V286000, STEERING, RACK AND PINION. THE CONTACT HAS EXPERIENCED THE IDENTICAL FAILURES LISTED IN THE RECALL. THE DEALER STATED THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS RELATED TO HIS VIN. THE RACK AND PINION WAS REPAIRED AT THE OWNERS EXPENSE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 170,000.

MY DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING THE VEHICLE WHEN IT QUIT PROPERLY ACCELERATING. SHE BRAKE AND PULLED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND TURNED THE CAR OFF. WHEN SHE CALLED TO TELL ME SHE HAD BROKEN DOWN, SHE NOTICED FLAMES COMING FROM THE GOOD. SHE EXITED THE VEHICLE AND CALLED 911. THE ENTIRE ENGINE WAS ENGULFED IN FLAMES. THE CAR IS A TOTAL LOSS. FIRE DEPARTMENT INFORMED OF A RECALL WE WERE NOT AWARE OF. GM DENIES THAT THE CAR IS PART OF A RECALL. *TR

WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED ON ITS OWN, RESULTING IN A REAR END COLLISION. *AK

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TURN SIGNALS WOULD FAIL INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE WHO DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN ANY RECALLS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 84,000.

PLASTIC LENSES THAT PROTECT THE HEAD LIGHT BULBS HAVE BECOME LESS TRANSLUCENT WITH AGE. THIS REDUCES THE AMOUNT OF LIGHT TRANSMISSION MAKING IT MORE DIFFICULT TO READ ROAD SIGNS WHICH IS A DISTRACTION TO 'SAFE DRIVING'. I HAVE AN OLDER CHRYSLER AND IT DOES NOT HAVE THIS PROBLEM. A MAXIMUM OPACITY LEVEL FOR HEAD LIGHT BULB 'PROTECTIVE COVERS' SHOULD BE MANDATED. *TR

A/C LEAKS ON PASSENGER SIDE FLOOR. ALSO A/C BLOWER MOTOR DOES NOT WORK. WHEEL RIMS ARE CORRODED AND PITTED. AIR BAG LIGHT IS ON AND STAYS ON. *JB

MY FIANCE AND I BOTH HAVE THE SAME 1999 GRAND PRIX AND WE HAVE BOTH HAD THE SAME PROBLEM AT DIFFERENT TIMES WITH THE AIR CONDITIONING LEAKING ALL OVER THE PASSENGER FLOOR. THE ENTIRE FLOOR IS SOAKED. THE BELT SQUEALS EXTREMELY LOUD IN BOTH CARS STILL WHEN THE FAN IS ON WHETHER IT IS THE HEAT, AIR CONDITIONING OR JUST THE FAN ON. THIS HAS BEEN GOING ON IN HIS CAR FOR 6 MONTHS NOW AND JUST STARTED IN MY CAR ABOUT A MONTH AGO. I JUST FIND IT IRONIC THAT THEY BOTH CAME FROM DIFFERENT DEALERSHIPS AT DIFFERENT TIMES WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. I ALREADY CHECKED INTO A RECALL AND HAVE NOT FOUND ONE. PLEASE CONTACT ME WITH ANY INFORMATION YOU MAY HAVE ON THIS PROBLEM. THANK YOU. MY FIANCE'S VIN # IS [XXX] FOR REFERENCE PURPOSES.*AK INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

THE NEIGHBOR KNOCKED ON OUR DOOR AND TOLD MY HUSBAND THE CAR WAS ON FIRE. THE FIRE APPEARED TO START UNDER THE HOOD. THE WHOLE FRONT OF THE CAR, INCLUDING THE WINSHIELD WAS BURNED. *TR

HAD 1999 GRAND PRIX FOR SEVEN MONTHS ALREADY HAD PROBLEMS WITH DRIVERS WINDOW NOT WINDING DOWN. A PART OF THE PASSENGER DOOR PANEL STARTED TO COME OFF. NOW DRIVERS SEAT BELT WON'T LATCH, AND IS CURRENTLY IN THE SHOP FOR BROKEN VALVE SPRING AND DAMAGE TO THE HEAD GASKET AS A RESULT FROM THE BROKEN VALVE SPRING. CAR ONLY HAD 1 OTHER OWNER AND WAS RUNNING PERFECT ALSO HAD PERFECT SERVICE RECORDS. *NM

TRANSMISSION ERROR CODE, SOLENOID STUCK OPEN

A FAULTY CRANKSHAFT POSITION SENSOR CAUSED THE LOSS OF STEERING AND BRAKING ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS UNTIL THE PROBLEM WAS DIAGNOSED. THE SAME CONDITIONS AS A FAULTY IGNITION SWITCH. YET THE CRANKSHAFT SENSOR IS COMMON ON ALL AUTOS. THUS ALL AUTOS THAT USE A CRANKSHAFT SENSOR ARE UNSAFE.[XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

HAD 1999 GRAND PRIX FOR SEVEN MONTHS ALREADY HAD PROBLEMS WITH DRIVERS WINDOW NOT WINDING DOWN. A PART OF THE PASSENGER DOOR PANEL STARTED TO COME OFF. NOW DRIVERS SEAT BELT WON'T LATCH, AND IS CURRENTLY IN THE SHOP FOR BROKEN VALVE SPRING AND DAMAGE TO THE HEAD GASKET AS A RESULT FROM THE BROKEN VALVE SPRING. CAR ONLY HAD 1 OTHER OWNER AND WAS RUNNING PERFECT ALSO HAD PERFECT SERVICE RECORDS. *NM

MY 1999 PONTIAC HAS A VERY WEAK RETRACT SPRING ON THE LEFT SIDE FRONT SEAT BELT, I MUST BE VERY CAREFUL TO MAKE SURE THAT THE SEAT BELT IS INSIDE THE CAR WHEN I CLOSE THE DOOR. THE SEAT BELT CAN GET CAUGHT IN THE DOOR PREVENTING THE DOOR FROM PROPERLY CLOSING AND LOCKING WHEN THE CAR IS PARKED, DAMAGE AND SOIL OF THE BELT COULD MAKE THE BELT USLESS. I QUESTION THE ABILLIY OF THE BELT TO OPERATE PROPERLY IN THE CASE OF A CRASH IF THE RETURN SPRING IS OR HAS BECOME WEAK.*AK

1999 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX, WHILE DRIVING FRONT LEFT TIRE BLEW AND FORCED VEHICLE TO THE SHOULDER. *BF THERE WAS DAMAGE TO THE FRONT TIRE, WHEEL HOUSING AND LEFT FRONT FENDER. (OHIO TRAFFIC CRASH REPORT # 10-0246-89) *JB UPDATED 08/06/10 *BF

CONSUMER NOTICED EVERY DAY A LOW PRESSURE ON THE LEFT TIRE. TOOK VEHICLE TO GOOD TIRE SHOP AND TECHNICIAN FOUND A HAIR LINE CRACK ON THE WHEEL. DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED NOTHING THEY CAN DO WARRANTY IS OVER. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. TS *TR

ELECTRICAL FIRE IN THE DASH OF A 1999 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX. IT APPEARS TO BE CAUSED BY AN OVERHEATED SENSOR INDICATOR. *JB

TRUNK AJAR WARNING INTERMITTENTLY DOES NOT LIGHT. LATCH ASSEMBLE REPLACED ONCE, IT STILL FAILS. HAZARDOUS WHEN IN HEAVY TRAFFIC AND THE TRUNK LID IS FOUND TO BE ACCIDENTALLY LEFT UNLATCHED. *AK