Engine Caught Fire

10.0

really awful
Typical Repair Cost:
No data
Average Mileage:
115,250 miles
Total Complaints:
8 complaints

Most Common Solutions:

  1. not sure (8 reports)
1998 Pontiac Grand Prix engine problems

engine problem

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1998 Pontiac Grand Prix Owner Comments

problem #8

Jul 082012

Grand Prix GT 3.8L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 131,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Pontiac knew of a recall on my car an never notified me of it. As a result my car started on fire almost took my truck my garage an my house. I have made calls to them an they never call back. so now I sit at home with three kids an no car.

- Cassandra B., Elmwood, WI, US

problem #7

Jun 052009

Grand Prix GTP V8

  • Automatic transmission
  • 90,000 miles

My car was old but it still ran good and it just caught fire after it sat in my driveway for a few minutes. After I put the fire out, the car, still looks great. It sits in my driveway unable to start or move but you would never know the engine is a total loss. I need to try to repair this car. I can't find any help. I have a claim with GM now and I need to know how to make them responsible. Yes, it was an old car but short of the fire, cars just don't go up in flames, it has to be a bad part, the fuse box I guess...I don't know what it is called... Someone please help me find a replacement part, what is it called? It is the black box located on the passenger wheel well, it has fuses and wires coming from it. what is is and where can I find another one?

- Tammy W., Claremore, OK, US

problem #6

Jun 142009

Grand Prix GTP V8

  • Automatic transmission
  • 120,000 miles

What the heck. My car is paid for and was in good condition. My son just got home from work, about 15 miles. Parked the car, and 5 minutes later, he heard a loud noise and looked outside, the car had fire under the hood and was dripping to the driveway. We did not have a fire extinguisher at home, we tried flour, sand and dirt to put the fire out. It was too massive. i ran next door to get a fire extinguisher and finally it went out. We think the cause was the fuse box and then the fire damaged the battery, alternator, hood and more...I don't think this should be something that we just say "oh well" too, it was an old car yes, but it ran fine and was in great shape. The car has had its problems but it is an old car. but to catch fire and leave me one car short is just unacceptable. My son, could have been seriously injured by this, thank GOD he was home. I have sent a complaint to GM, I will wait to see what happens there. Thanks

- Tammy W., Claremore, OK, US

problem #5

Apr 222009

Grand Prix V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 110,200 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

my car was paid for. great car had minor problems but nothing major. went to pick my kids up and came back to the house and went in for five minutes - was about to go wash it, came out engine was on fire. radiator busted, the whole engine/hood area just a black charred mess. that was my baby. now i don't have her anymore. why don't they(gmc) give u what u paid back

- Henrietta W., Southaven, MS, US

problem #4

May 212008

Grand Prix SE

  • Automatic transmission
  • 110,000 miles

Got the car paid off and a few months later the coolant was getting into the oil, can't drive the car now, Pontiac knows about this year cars having this problems and wont help with cost of repairs, I always liked Pontiac but not anymore after reading on various sites how many people have engine problems and Pontiac don't care. I am going to fix the car the body and interior is still in excellent condition which should count for something. Just to bad Pontiac don't take pride, don't help with known engine problems that they know is their fault. Thank you

- lildebi22, Hazleton, PA, US

problem #3

May 312008

Grand Prix

  • Automatic transmission
  • 55,555 miles

Following a 40 minute drive from Oakland to Stockton, I noticed the vent was letting out hotter air than usual. It wasn't registering as being hot on the temp. gauge. When I stopped the car, I opened the hood to air it out. (i'm accustomed to cheaper cars, most with heating problems, and pay close attention to whether it's too hot etc.)

BUT THE ENGINE WAS on fire, it was shooting flames (small ones) from under the casing, where the spark plug wires are attached. I was able to get to a hose and spray it down fairly quickly to put it out. I know that 3 of the 4 plug wires were burnt. I replaced those just to get home. This just happened @ 6 hours ago. I have yet to have the car looked at by a mechanic to analyze the damage.

It was super horrible.

- keralot, Stockton, CA, US

problem #2

Feb 142008

Grand Prix GTP 3.8L Sc

  • Automatic transmission
  • 160,000 miles

Shut the car off, and went into the store. Twenty minutes later I was standing in the parking lot talking to the fire fighters who did an awesome job saving my car! Don't know what caused it, and I don't know if I will get it fixed. The car was super clean (still looks great) and ran like a top! It sounds like this has been a GM problem with this car, but is it really worth the crap and time to fight with GM???

- Adam R., Olathe, KS, US

problem #1

Feb 032008

Grand Prix GT 3.8L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 145,000 miles

My engine caught fire when i turned ignition. Need to find out if this has happened to anyone else. It was a really scary situation. My car was on fire and had to turn off before the fire department got there.

- Ernest L., Lakewood, CO, US

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