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Pontiac and Buick Recall: 207,542 have potential engine fire fears

By: Peter Chubb | March 14, 2008 | 10 Comments

Pontiac and Buick Recall: 207,542 have potential engine fire fears

Pontiac and Buick are facing a huge recall, 207,542 are to be recalled over fears of a potential engine fire. The exact car models affected are the 1997-2003 Pontiac Grand Prix GTP and the 1997-2003 Buick Regal GS which has the V6 3.8-liter supercharged engine.

Both the Pontiac and the Buick may suffer an oil leak which can drop onto the exhaust manifold while breaking hard. The problem could get worse if the oil reaches the manifold’s heat shield, this in turn could cause a small flame this could then spread to the spark plug covers, and once that happens it could then turn into an engine fire.

The fire does not happen while the car is running; it will normally happen once the engine has been switched of for 5 to 10 minutes, this is a major fire risk. So if you owe one of these cars, you should try not to park your vehicle at any car parks or even in your garage.

Source – GM Inside News

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  • Marilyn

    Great . . after 8 years and finally paying my Grand Prix GTP off, now I have to worry about a fire? Why does it take them so long to figure these things out?

  • Dave

    Reason why the US auto companies will be out of business, or bought out shortly. Incompetent design, incompetent workers!

  • Karen

    Coincidentally, I suspect this recall will be much bigger in the near future. Our 2000 LeSabre went up in flames just two weeks ago–sounds like the same kind of situation, parked outside of house (NOT in garage, luckily). Thought it was related to the original recall from 2004, but now we think otherwise. Wonder if they’ll pay anything on the $2400 repair already done to ours? Need to contact someone somewhere but have no idea where to start.

  • Marilyn

    Wonderful! My Mom drives an ’03 Century. Wonder when they’ll recall that one? And Dave, I definitely agree. I previously owned a Nissan Maxima and had no problems with it whatsoever.

  • Ralph

    Funny… (for Dave and Marilyn) these cars are built in CANADA, not the US. I’ve had NO problems with my GTP. I love the car. Better built than most Japanese garbage.

  • Jeanne Johnston

    Great! Our Buick Regal was consumed in flames last year and we had a horrible time with insurance companies, coming up with money and gettinga new car. Who takes care to this? Or is it a case of tough luck buddy?

  • http://5955sutterave#6 rach

    perfect i did own a 97 gtp till a week ago when it burned to the ground and yes it happened while i was driving got out before it exploded guess thats all that matters

  • Marilyn

    I took my GTP to the dealership, as per the recall, and had the part in question replaced. I was also told it was beneficial that I had always used premium gas, as running less than premium in these vehicles is usually what causes the problems. Oh well, probably just another way for consumers to be milked of money, but I’ve had no problems and am thankful.

  • Jeanne

    We were never told abut the possibility of fire and our car burned up, a total loss, called Buick and we were told “sorry” and that was it.

  • jackie

    We had a pontiac grand prix and almost 2 years ago in the dead of winter the engine caught on fire after my husband got off work (like 3 am) in the lot of his job. I had to drive all the way to help him get our truck from being stuck and while we were trying to push the truck the car started smoking!!! I was terrified, it was really close to our truck, a few minutes later it was a blazing fire. The fire department came and put it out before anything worse happened, but it was just sitting in park but it was running. It never overheated it was a really good car?? Now they come with a recall after my car burned up and i junked it??? I guess I just lose out huh? After all the money I spent on the thing and it was the fault of pontiac??? It is just not fair!!!