8.1
pretty badTypical Repair Cost:
$1,121.00
Average Mileage:
97,633 miles
Total Complaints:
24 complaints
Most common solutions:
- repair gaskets and check for additional engine damage (8 reports)
- replace lower intake gasket (5 reports)
- replace intake gaskets, water pump, thermostat & hoses (4 reports)
- replaced gaskets and changed back to green antifreeze from r (4 reports)
- not sure (2 reports)
- replace engine (1 reports)
engine problem
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2011Aug 26
Grand Prix GT 3.8L
- Automatic transmission
- 148,000 miles
Had intake fixed 2 months later coolant leaking again the two new plasic rings that were replaced on the huge repair fell appart due to the poor design of GM took it back to my mechanic to repair again. I will never buy another grand prix nor a GM vehicle. GM knew about this cheep design and didnt fix the problem for the comsumer. Going to sell vehicle looking at Ford vehicle to purchase.
2010Jul 01
Grand Prix GT 3.8L V6
- Automatic transmission
- 124,000 miles
Yeah...intake manifold gaskets should not fail at 130k miles. Especially when this engine was well taken care of.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
2011Mar 29
Grand Prix SE 3.1L
- Automatic transmission
- 50,000 miles
Sucks, seems to be a problem with gm vehicles, no help from gm. i too have the cracked intake manifold gasket.
2011May 02
Grand Prix GT 3.8L
- Automatic transmission
- 137,000 miles
MY CAR BROKE DOWN! I was on my way to south dakota and it started to run hot pulled off the road turned off the car and it would not start again. found out it is a leaking intake gasket that is common in the grand prix. my car is a mess. default part on GM. should be recalled in all models.I have had the vehicle for just about 4 years now and other things are also going hay wire. lemon!!!
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2011May 05
Grand Prix GT 3.8L
- Automatic transmission
- 178,985 miles
It sucked it leaked coolant into the engine and they had to replace it twice to fix the issue, GM uses too many flippin plastic parts and crap they need to get their heads out of their asses and use different materials. This should have a recall after hearing how many people had this same issue.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
2011Apr 01
Grand Prix
- Automatic transmission
- 103,000 miles
Well.. Now I know where my coolant is going.
Im a DIY type of gal so I am not about to go to the dealership so they can kick me in the ass and then tell me to have a nice day. I noticed the small leak mostly when running the car but could not pin point it. I figured I would find it when I changed my oil in the next few hundred miles. Doesn't sound like a great idea. Someone, anyone please give me the DIY instructions I need to get the job done. ASAP would be great. I'll be back to let you know how the repair went and what you can do to save a little cash. Thanks!
2011Apr 01
Grand Prix GTP 3.8L
- Manual transmission
- 122,000 miles
have heard from many people about this gasket that gm used being made of plastic or partly plastic if it does not function properly is that my fault or gm's apparently its just another case of the consumer being screwed again!
2010Jun 01
Grand Prix GT 3.8L
- Automatic transmission
- 121,167 miles
I just finished doing the intake gasket set on my grand prix and i must say it went awesome! The job took me no more than two hours and was so simple to do with no instruction from anyone. The gasket set was 60.00 at partssource and only hand tools were nescessary for the task anyone could do it on there own with minimal experience gotta love domestics and especially the 3.8. This motor has been around since before i was born and it is too bad they discontinued it this year but for all those who are encountering this mahem message me and i will write a message with step by step instructions for you to do it yourself at home. Did i mention i did this in my driveway no garage and still had time to get the kids from school dont let a mechanic charge you out the ass for something i know you can do yourself, i mean my 8 year old could do it lol. PEACE-
SPUDGTA
2010Feb 09
Grand Prix GT 3.8L V6
- Automatic transmission
- 121,000 miles
This is the 3rd GM vehicle that I have had to deal with this problem on. And they wonder why this country is going down the toilet, they make American cars disposable. I just bought this car used for my daughter about 2 weeks ago. The motor and transmission seemed to run very smoothly, but I started smelling a very strong coolant odor, even from a couple feet away from the car. Was told the intake gasket is leaking coolant on top of the motor, which is why the smell is so strong. If not taken care of, it could eventually leak into the oil, or visa versa. It is in the shop today, with an initial price quote of $700 dollars. What a bite in the ass!
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
2008Dec 01
Grand Prix
- Automatic transmission
- 160,000 miles
I had this same problem and luckily i let somebody from the hood look at my car, and it had the same problems as some of the other complaints such as the antifreeze leaking out and it was smoking because it was dripping on some other sh*t, and my car was running hot..if u call auto zone the gasket you need to fix it is only like $12 or something like that, no more than $20. the reason it cost me sixty dollars is because that's what the dude charged me to put it on, hell he had to take all that stuff out and he had to put it all back in..took one night and i haven't had a problem since. thank lord for the mechanics in the hood!!!
2008Jul 15
Grand Prix 3.2L
- Automatic transmission
- 92,000 miles
Apparently we caught the problem early enough that it didn't ruin our engine. It is very expensive keeping this car up and running!! It is a pain to get fixed and the mechanic said it would be an all day job to fix.
2007Aug 08
Grand Prix
- Automatic transmission
- 75,000 miles
I was CONSTANTLY having to add coolant, and it appeared to have oil in it. My heater wouldn't work during this time, my car would run hot, and it smelt HORRIBLE... I took it to the shop ASAP to get it fixed. I had to take it twice. The second time was free considering that they didn't fix it correctly the first time.
2008Jun 30
Grand Prix V6
- Automatic transmission
- 52,000 miles
I just got my car paid off last summer, and this is the 4th time since Jan that there has been problems. 1st problem: ignition switch replacement, 2nd problem: busted hub, 3rd problem: air intake sensor, 4th problem: gasket leak. It only has 52,000 miles and already having all these problems. The Pontiac dealer where I take it to get fixed said that almost all 2002 models have the gasket leak with the coolant, and that they are not even sure why Pontiac hasn't corrected it with a recall. I thought this car would last a long time, however with all of these problems, I am not sure.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
2008Mar 21
Grand Prix SE 3.1L
- Automatic transmission
- 78,000 miles
Yet another complaint and Pontiac hasn't stepped forward to stand behind their vehicles. I found about this issue of the intake manifold gasket when I took my car in for inspection at the dealer. They told me that it would need to be replaced as there was a small leak. They quoted around $1100 to do this. The dealer also stated that this is a common problem with this make and model. I found another reliable mechanic who could do this for around $800.00. He replaced the gaskets, the water pump and changed the oil. I don't have the ticket right here to know if additional items were also done. Today, my car quit while in a drive thru and wouldn't start. It appears that it was overheating due to the initial problem. After cooling down, I checked the coolant and found sludge on the inside of my radiator cap. It appears that the problem had spread farther than originally expected. Now I am looking at possibly a new radiator, definitely a flush of the system, hoses, etc. and perhaps a fix of the cooling fan. If Pontiac would have stepped forward, this wouldn't be an issue.
2008Jun 20
Grand Prix Coupe 3.8L V6 Series 2
- Automatic transmission
- 64,290 miles
I have read alot on the internet about this problem and it seems to be widespread.I don't know of a recall but would like to see one soon, if just to cover the cost of the repair. It is a good car and I hope to keep it for a long time. Currently my daughter is driving it to college and I don't need her to have a breakdown with this serious problem.
2008Feb 19
Grand Prix 3.1L V6
- Automatic transmission
- 67,963 miles
I can't understand why if 7 other people have had this complaint why hasn't Pontiac
recalled the lower intake manifold.
2008Jan 28
Grand Prix GT 3.8L
- Automatic transmission
- 86,480 miles
The PLASTIC intake manifold gasket cracked in below freezing weather. My mechanic said it's the 10th Pontiac he's seen *this week* with the same issue. They really should do a recall on this.
2007Oct 17
Grand Prix 4D 3.8L
- Automatic transmission
- 52,000 miles
Took it in for my CV boots leaking grease everywhere and they found a leak in my intake manifold. This was allowing oil and coolant to mix. They replaced the upper and lower gaskets. Cost 1000+ but was covered under my extended Carmax warranty.
2007Dec 01
Grand Prix SE V6
- Automatic transmission
- 79,100 miles
In early December the low coolant light would flicker on and off which was the first sign of this issue. During my routine oil change the repair place put a dye in the coolant. About a week later I was a half-gallon low on coolant again and brought it in. They told me it looked like an alien had attacked as dye marks were all over the place. Solution is to replace the lower intake gasket which will take roughly half a day. Due to the length of time to repair and the timing right before Christmas I rescheduled an appointment for a week out. They did not mention any other issues that could stem from this problem. I will definitely run a few more questions by them prior to the repair after reading other related complaints.
2007Sep 06
(reported on)Grand Prix SE 3.1L V6
- Automatic transmission
- 83,800 miles
First, I noticed coolant (Dexcool) leaking in my driveway followed by the low coolant level light in my car. Second, I took my Grand Prix this morning to an ASE certified independent mechanic. I was told about GM's use of plastic (not metal) intake manifold gaskets. This has been a common occurrence among older GM (2000-03) vehicles. Due to the severity of the leak, engine oil has worked its way in with the coolant. Some of the coolant had begun to clump. As a result, my intake manifold gaskets, water pump, thermostat, and hoses must be replaced. I also need a new oil change (just had one done last week) and coolant flush and fill performed. I was told that GM has re engineered its cooling system on new vehicles to prevent leaks. My total bill will be around $1700.00 to fix. As a manufacturer, GM knew of this issue and should have had a recall for these plastic intake manifold gaskets.
Due to the lack of quality is why GM is losing business and market share to Toyota and Honda. This is my first and last GM vehicle I will own.
2007Jan 30
(reported on)Grand Prix SE 3.2L
- Automatic transmission
- 83,000 miles
My car had been leaking antifreeze, when I had it check out they told me that some engine gaskets had gone bad and needed replaced. This was right before Christmas, they told me that as long as I kept my antifreeze levels at normal that I could hold off a little bit to get thru Christmas time! I live in NE Ohio with cold winters---who wants to be adding antifreeze every few days in the freezing cold? This is yet another problem I have had with my car that was suppose to be reliable! GM can take their cars and sell them to someone else... I will never purchase another GM car! Problem after Problems!
2007Jan 20
(reported on)Grand Prix 3.2 V6
- Automatic transmission
- 57,000 miles
Apparently a common problem with this car, unbeknownst to us! There was a significant coolant leak in which to coolant leaked into the upper and lower intake manifolds. Needed new coolant switch, lower intake and upper plenum (? spelling) gaskets replaced. Valve cover gaskets and intake bolts replaced. Outer intake bolts and dist. seal replaced. Need to replace thermastat and seal as well as water o ring. Parts were relatively reasonable, labor killed me. They tell me that this is because of the new anti freeze used in this vehicle. The "red" antifreeze gummed up the system and destroyed the gaskets. They even had to replace the radiator cap because the coolant ruined the rubber seal on that. When they did the work, they flushed the system and changed it over to the old "green" antifreeze
2006Jun 19
(reported on)Grand Prix GTP
- 94,000 miles
in november the grand prix caught fire due to cracked plastic manifold - gm was aware of this problem - several reported fires - but did nothing to correct - many components were repaired. In June, with few addl miles; engine started to run poorly - ran diagnostic - showed nothing - then engine locked up. our view is that this relates to the original problem which caused the vehicle fire - gm is unwilling to take responsibility for either item - no help from dealership franchises or from the GM customer care line and most important only grief from the product liability area; we have owned multiple GM products - probably 20 - and currently own 4 - I WOULD NOT PURCHASE ANOTHER GM PRODUCT & NOT RECOMMEND THEM TO ANYONE
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
2012Feb 01
Grand Prix GT 3800
HI.I HAVE A 2002 GRAND PRIX.WHEN I FIRST GOT IT, THE ENGINE WAS CLEAN AS A WHITE SHEET.THAT WAS IN 2010.2011 I STARTED HAVING PROBLEMS WITH MY WHEELS.I TOOK IT TO THE SHOP THEY STATED THAT I NEED WHEEL BARRENS.I GOT THOSE BOTH SIDES.I STILL HEARD NOISE.NEXT I GOT TWO AXLE.NOISE STILL THERE.NEXT COOLING LIGHT STARTED TO POP ON.I TOOK IT BACK THEY SAY NOW MY INTAKE VALVES AND INTAKE GASKET WAS GOING OUT.IT WILL STOP ON ME ANY TIME OF DAY OR NIGHT.THEY STATED IT BEST TO GET ANOTHER ENGINE.ABOUT $1500 .WHAT CAUSE THIS.I WAS TOLD THAT THE GASKETS WEAR OUT,AND THE COOLING LEAK IN TO THE MOTOR .MIXING WITH THE OIL.IF YOU KNOW BETTER LET ME KNOW.I WILL NEVER BUY ANOTHER ONE.ALSO MY HEAT WENT.$250 BLOWER.THANK YOU
Norma W.
D, Michigan, USA
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