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2001 Pontiac Grand Prix Problems and Recalls

Owners filed 308 complaints with NHTSA about the 2001 Pontiac Grand Prix, most often about the engine (54% of complaints, typically around 116,000 miles). It is 4th of 9 Grand Prix model years by number of complaints and has 6 recalls.

Complaints308
Recalls6
Crashes reported14
Fires reported106
Injuries reported118 deaths reported

Most common 2001 Pontiac Grand Prix problems

  1. Engine

    166 complaints · 54%

    Half of these problems showed up before 116,000 miles. Parts named most often: engine, exhaust system, cooling system.

    Car was driving 1.5 miles at 8:00 am. Car was driven 1.5 miles at 2:45 pm. Car was parked, and about 5 minutes later the engine caught fire.
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2008, at 115,000 miles
    I own a 2001 Pontiac Grand Prix gt with a 3.8l engine. On oct 31, 2008, my son drove into his mother's driveway and parked the car (engine off) and went into the house. A few minutes later (5-10) he returned to retrieve something from the car and discovered the engine was on fire. The vehicle is serviced regularly and…
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2008, at 114,000 miles

  2. Electrical

    60 complaints · 20%

    Half of these problems showed up before 99,500 miles. Parts named most often: ignition, wiring, horn, 12v/24v/48v battery.

    Sparks and smoke began coming from the engine compartment. As the police officer tried to open the hood, engine compartment ignited into flames. The fire department had to extinguish the fire. The car was driven approximately five miles. The car ignited while sitting in front of a school.
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2007, at 100,398 miles
    The vehicle is running and the auto lights turn on at nite,with the fan speed on off position,the lights shutoff when turning on fan. Then there is no fan or lights on when to attempt to turn on 1-5 position. Manual lights will work but no fan. Have found out recently it only works on 5. I have installed a new…
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2012, at 99,000 miles

  3. Fuel system

    23 complaints · 8%

    Half of these problems showed up before 153,000 miles. Parts named most often: delivery, fuel injection system, storage.

    2001 Pontiac Grand Prix gtp engine fire. Car was turned off. 5-10 minutes later it caught fire. Was able to get a extingusher and quickly to put it out. Car was parked and engine was off.
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2007, at 153,093 miles
    As I was driving (approximately 1 mile from home) I let up off of the accelerator because I was almost ready to turn o to my destination, when I took my foot off of the accelerator the engine began revving up and the accelerator went to the floor, the RPM needle went up to 7 and it sounded as if the engine was going…
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2014, at 159,000 miles

  4. Transmission

    22 complaints · 7%

    Half of these problems showed up before 46,000 miles. Parts named most often: automatic transmission, driveline, axle hubs.

    My 2001 Pontiac Grand Prix gtp has had a grinding noise since 8/31/04. On 9/1/04 it would not go into reverse last night. I took to the dealer and they found the transmission shut. Theyre quoting approximately $2,700 to put in a new transmission. I cannot believe that this would happen to a 3-year old car with 45,000…
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2004, at 45,000 miles
    1 positive terminal comes off delco battery known by delco and gm 2 transmission -bang while reversing out of garage car stopped would not go in reverse extensive damage to transmission $2,700.00 , 47,000 all interstate driving 3 road noise car was taken in said it was just from the tires but no problem found .take…
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2004, at 47,000 miles

  5. Steering

    21 complaints · 7%

    Half of these problems showed up before 73,500 miles. Parts named most often: rack and pinion, steering wheel/handle bar, hydraulic power assist, linkages.

    My key became stuck in the ignition....I can start the car & drive but I have to use the emergency release that you access through the bottom of the steering column. My mechanic told me that it has to be brought to the dealer to fix...
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2006, at 87,000 miles
    2001 Pontiac gp 3.8, going on the 3rd power steering pump, called gm\Pontiac no help there; just some one who knows nothing about cars. The pump is obviously under sized as they all moan and groan from day one until it gets so loud that you replace the pump. Hello toyota good bye you lousy under worked overpaid gm fat…
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2008, at 60,000 miles

  6. Visibility and wipers

    20 complaints · 7%

    Half of these problems showed up before 64,500 miles. Parts named most often: power window devices and controls, defroster/defogger/hvac system, windshield, windshield wiper/washer.

    Mileage/date complaint resolution 24736-10/29/01 rt ft power window replaced motor regulator 59454-12/5/02 error code 20 on cd replaced cd player ($537.59) 62469-1/30/03 rt rr power window regulator cables worn gears stripped 62469 tach intermittent replace crankshaft sensor 62469 trans slipping computer said no…
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2004, at 64,406 miles
    Tl contact owns a 2001 Pontiac Grand Prix. The contact stated that the paint on the hood of her vehicle abnormally chips. While driving approximately 50 MPH, she noticed flames on the panel of the front driver's side window. She used a small bottle of water to douse the flames and smoke. Currently, all of the power…
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2009, at 70,000 miles

  7. Lights

    18 complaints · 6%

    Half of these problems showed up before 92,500 miles. Parts named most often: brake lights, headlights, turn signal, hazard flashing warning lights.

    Tl contact owns a 2001 Pontiac Grand Prix. While the vehicle was parked, the contact noticed that the brake lights were not working. The fuse and bulb were replaced, but the failure remained. The vehicle was taken to a mechanic and they stated that the multi-function switch failed. The replacement will cost $400. The…
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2007, at 82,250 miles
    Tl contact owns a 2001 Pontiac Grand Prix. The contact stated that condensation accumulates in the tail lights and the safety flashers cause them to blow out. The failure occurred three times since the vehicle was purchased. This issue has caused the contact to receive a warning from the local law enforcement due to…
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2009, at 103,000 miles

  8. Wheels and tires

    14 complaints · 5%

    Half of these problems showed up before 47,000 miles. Parts named most often: rim, hubcap/cover, hub.

    1 positive terminal comes off delco battery known by delco and gm 2 transmission -bang while reversing out of garage car stopped would not go in reverse extensive damage to transmission $2,700.00 , 47,000 all interstate driving 3 road noise car was taken in said it was just from the tires but no problem found .take…
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2004, at 47,000 miles
    I purchased two new firestone affinity touring bl tires for a 2001 Pontiac Grand Prix (front). Less than one month later, one of the tires developed a bulge in the sidewall. It was replaced with the same model tire. About one week later, that tire had a sidewall blowout. In both instances, the tire shop tried to say…
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2009, at 50,400 miles

Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.

2001 Pontiac Grand Prix recalls

  1. Engine: manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe

    NHTSA 15V701000 · October 26, 2015 · 1,003,556 vehicles

    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 engineâ’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 s

    Full defect summary

    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.

  2. Engine: engine and engine cooling

    NHTSA 09V116000 · April 8, 2009 · 1,497,516 vehicles

    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.

    Full defect summary

    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.

  3. Engine: engine and engine cooling

    NHTSA 08V118000 · March 12, 2008 · 207,542 vehicles

    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

    Full defect summary

    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.

  4. Air bags: frontal

    NHTSA 02V329000 · December 9, 2002 · 272 vehicles

    Risk: This could increase the severity of injury to a person who was not properly restrained and who was close to the passenger air bag at the time of deployment. It could also reduce the ab8ility of the air bag to protect a restrained front seat passenger.

    Fix: Dealers will inspect and, if necessary, replace the passenger air bag. Owner notification began december 16, 2002. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact chevrolet at 1-800-222-1020, pontiac at 1-800-762-2737, oldsmobile at 1-800-442-6537, or saturn at 1-800-553-6000, prompt #3.

    Full defect summary

    On certain passenger, sport utility vehicles and mini vans, some of these vehicles have a passenger air bag that was manufactured without a check valve pin. An air bag without the check valve pin could produce increased pressure at the onset of the air bag deployment and reduced pressure afterward.

  5. Air bags: frontal

    NHTSA 01V026000 · February 1, 2001 · 38 vehicles

    Risk: In the event of a crash that would trigger a passenger air bag deployment, a double load of generant can cause the inflator module to explode. If the air bag module explodes, metal and plastic debris could cause severe injury to vehicle occupant. A module with no generant would not inflate the air bag, and the occupants could receive more severe injuries.

    Fix: Dealers will replace the passenger air bag module. Telephone calls were made to owners on january 29, 2001. Follow up owner mailing began on april 17, 2001. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact chevrolet at 1-800-222-1020, pontiac at 1-800-762-2737, or saturn at 1-800-553-6000.

    Full defect summary

    Vehicle description: passenger, sport utility vehicles and minivans. The passenger air bag inflator modules were built without the correct amount of generant, which produces the gas that fills the air bag. Some were built with a double load of generant and some were built without generant.

  6. Seat belts

    NHTSA 00V228003 · August 7, 2000 · 156,305 vehicles

    Risk: In the event of a vehicle crash, the occupant may not be properly restrained.

    Fix: Dealers will inspect the vehicle's safety belt buckle assembly date codes and, if necessary, will replace any safety belt buckle assembly.

    Full defect summary

    Vehicle description: passenger vehicles, light duty trucks, sport utility vehicles, and mini vans equipped with trw seat belt buckle assemblies. The buckle base of these seat belt assemblies were not properly heat treated and therefore do not pass the load bearing requirement of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 209, "seat belt assemblies."

Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which recalls are still open on your car.

NHTSA defect investigations

Questions about the 2001 Pontiac Grand Prix

What are the most common problems with the 2001 Pontiac Grand Prix?
By NHTSA owner complaints: engine (166 complaints, typically around 116,000 miles); electrical (60 complaints, typically around 99,500 miles); fuel system (23 complaints, typically around 153,000 miles).
How many recalls does the 2001 Pontiac Grand Prix have?
6 recalls listed by NHTSA, the latest from October 26, 2015 (engine). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which ones are still open on your car.
Is the 2001 a bad year for the Pontiac Grand Prix?
It is 4th of 9 Grand Prix model years by number of complaints, with 308 complaints. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so popular years collect more of them, and the newest years have had less time to.

Other Pontiac Grand Prix years

Pontiac Grand Prix problems by year