The contact owned a 1999 Pontiac Grand Prix. While driving approximately 45 mph, flames ignited from underneath the hood. The contact shifted into park and exited the vehicle with the rear seat occupant. There were no injuries. The front end of the vehicle was engulfed in flames. A police report was filed. The fire department extinguished the massive flames. The fire originated from the engine exhaust manifold. The vehicle was destroyed and towed to a savage facility. The VIN was included in NHTSA campaign number: 15V701000 (engine and engine cooling) the manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unavailable.

- Philadelphia, PA, USA

My 1999 GM Pontiac Grand Prix gtp went up in flames on its own in our garage, at night. It was terrifying, scary and we're lucky that we didn't lose the house. My husband and father in law were able to drag the car out of the garage before the house went up. Fire department arrived on scene at that moment and assisted in putting out the fire. We had arrived home from my daughter's ballet performance and all went into the house and within 20 minutes the garage was engulfed in heavy smoke and flames were coming from the engine. Car had been turned off for approx. 20 minutes. No warning or indication that anything was wrong at all. Later after surviving this shocking event, I looked on the internet and on the edmunds.com website, I found over 10 other instances for Grand Prix owners that this exact same scenario had happened. Some of the models were even newer than mine. 2000, 2001, etc. We reported it to GM, and they have not called us back or mailed us anything. Our insurance investigators did determine point of origin of fire and they firmly believe it is a manufacturer error in design. They are pursuing GM through subrogation. What does it take for a car to be recalled" someone to die" I just want other owners to know how dangerous this car can be. My car was only 5 years old, should not have done that.

- Livermore, CA, USA

While driving consumer notice dcoolant indicator flashed. Consumer added anti freeze, but coolant kept flowing. Then, vehicle engine stalled. Dealership serviced vehicle and replaced the intake manifold.

- Englewood, FL, USA

While driving down 20-mph consumer heard loud noise coming through the engine, suddenly and without any warning vehicle stalled and died. Vehicle was towed to independent shop, and mechanic determined that intake manifold. Failed.

- Calumet City, IL, USA

Intake manifold keeps cracking. Rd time I have been left stranded.

- Parma, OH, USA

My car has an intake manifold leak. I found orange crud in my radiator. My heater keeps blowing cold air out. It keeps lossing antifreeze from intake manifold. My temprature gage fluxes between driving and stoping. They need to make a recall on this there's to many people getting burned on it. Or maybe a class action suit!!!

- Rittman, OH, USA

Upon starting vehicle engine back fired into the intake manifold, and blew it apart. This resulted in an engine fire. Consumer sustained burns upon putting the fire out.

- Petal, MS, USA

A hole formed inside the intake manifold allowing antifreeze to be consumed by the engine, resulting in poor running and a $456.62 repair bill.

- Robertsdale, AL, USA

While driving between 65 - 70 mph engine started missing, then vehicle stalled. This was caused by the plastic intake manifold burning through which allowed anti freeze to flow into the engine compartment. As a result the engine, starter and spark plugs were damaged. Dealership replaced the damaged parts.

- Gregory, SD, USA

My 1999 Grand Prix GT started to run rough the quit running. Had the car towed to a repair shop and was informed that the intake manifold melted. That this is a common problem with this car. GM came out with a thicker plastic part as a replacement, why have they not make a recall to reflect their defective part?

- Sugar Land, TX, USA

Engine runs rough, loss of power, engine seizes up - this occurred approximately Sept 2002. Initial diagnosis: Blown head gasket or headers. Initial estimates to fix: Approximately $4000-4500. Initial calls to Pontiac/GM were fruitless. Result: Replaced engine Oct 2003 (approximately $3500 w/warranty). Incident occurs a second time approximately 3 weeks after new engine installed. Diagnosis: Intake manifold coolant leak, broken piston rod. Calls to Pontiac/GM fruitless once again. Result: Awaiting another engine and manifold repairs. To make a long and arduous 14 months short - after a considerate number of calls to Pontiac, I was eventually able to speak with a Pontiac engineer (PE) who specializes in fuel and exhaust systems. PE explained the cause of my problem, worse case scenario and the solution: The problem lies within the lower (aluminum) intake manifold. Within is a tube that houses the egr valve and carries exhaust gases. This tube was made relatively large and runs either through or close to the upper (plastic) intake manifold. Over time, the extremely high temperatures of these exhaust gases causes the upper manifold to melt and creates a coolant leak into the fuel system. As this leak increases in size, increased amounts of coolant make its way into the piston chambers. Eventually, compression is lost and the piston rods can either bend or break. Both the lower and upper manifolds need to be replaced. The lower has been redesigned with a smaller tube that houses the egr valve, therefore, it does not lie as close to the upper manifold. PE even faxed me a copy of the official bulletin in referencing this problem for 1998 and older Pontiac. Recalls: 2000-2003 manifolds. What happened to the 99's" there were no design changes on the manifolds for the 98's, 99's and 00's. most dealership mechanics won't know about this problem. Pontiac is aware of the initial design defect. Their official bulletins prove this. Why should the consumer have to pay for their design defect"

- North Bend, OH, USA

Vehicle idles rough, coolant is leaking from top of motor, replace intake plenum and gasket, replace spark plugs, fuel injection service.

- Orlando, FL, USA

Bought this car used at a dealership. After it was discovered leaking oil, I took to a good auto shop and found out the intake manifold is leaking oil. The repair will cost $1000. Auto shop said that there are many cars with this size engine (3800) that have the same problem. It was suggested I go to the dealership with the problem, then onto pushing for a recall. I expect I will be stuck with a big bill, but do plan to notify GM with this problem.

- Waukesha, WI, USA

Grand Prix engine got hot, recovered, got hot, then lost engine power on the freeway (I also experienced heat exhaustion due to being broke down in 110-degree F heat.) oily sheen and orange crud noticed in radiator, discovered creamy colored motor oil. Intake manifold gasket failure has caused extensive damage to engine. This vehicle had no previous history of engine problems and was a dream to drive. $4100 for labor and engine replacement; GM service writer and mechanics acknowledge they've seen this problem many times before and that GM has re-designed both the intake manifold gasket and the manifold because of known failures in bi-metal engines; however there has been no recall.

- Mesa, AZ, USA

While driving and without warning the upper intake manifold melted and caused fluid to leak onto the wires.

- Wyoming, MI, USA

While driving 35 mph the vehicle's plastic intake manifold overheated and dropped water inside the engine.

- Golden City, MO, USA

The plastic intake manifold cracked which resulted in a coolant leak.

- Centreville, OH, USA

On 10/19/01 car died. Dealer determined leak in upper manifold causing water to leak into engine. While within 3-mo warranty, the mileage was greater than 3,000 mi. They said it would be $1,200 to fix. My mechanic said it would be $700. He fixed it for $725. However, he said that he had spoken with other mechanics including people in the service dept at century who said that "GM knows they have a problem with this plastic part". on 12/7/01 the car quit. My mechanic indicated that there was shaving in the bottom of the engine and it had blown a rod. He spoke with several area mechanics who reported similar major engine damage following previous repairs of the leaks from the manifold. The engine had to be replaced at engine cost of $3,200 (thus total of close to $4,000). The mechanic says this is a design flaw in the plastic manifold and will likely happen again. He doesn't understand why there hasn't been a recall.

- Portage, MI, USA