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

March 14, 2008 By Peter  
Filed under Autos, Recalls


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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Comments

9 Responses to “Pontiac and Buick Recall: 207,542 have potential engine fire fears”

  1. Marilyn on March 14th, 2008 4:49 pm

    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?

  2. Dave on March 14th, 2008 8:51 pm

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

  3. Karen on March 16th, 2008 2:47 am

    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.

  4. Marilyn on March 17th, 2008 1:24 pm

    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.

  5. Ralph on March 17th, 2008 7:18 pm

    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.

  6. Jeanne Johnston on March 17th, 2008 10:42 pm

    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?

  7. rach on August 10th, 2008 5:36 am

    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

  8. Marilyn on August 10th, 2008 12:56 pm

    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.

  9. Jeanne on August 12th, 2008 9:25 pm

    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.

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