FaultScore

2002 Pontiac Grand Prix fuel system problems

24 of the 410 complaints about the 2002 Pontiac Grand Prix are about the fuel system — 6% of everything reported for this model year. Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before 103,500 miles.

F

24

Complaints

1

Crashes

7

Fires

2

Injuries

Exactly what failed

Fuel/Propulsion System 12 50.0%
Fuel System, Gasoline 4 16.7%
Tank Assembly 2 8.3%
Fuel Pump 1 4.2%
Fuel System, Other 1 4.2%
Injectors 1 4.2%
Hoses, Lines/Piping, AND Fittings 1 4.2%
Fuel Rail 1 4.2%
Fuel Gauge System 1 4.2%

Fuel & Propulsion across every Pontiac Grand Prix year

1997 18 12.3%
1998 20 13.7%
1999 21 14.4%
2000 27 18.5%
2001 24 16.4%
2002 24 16.4%
2004 12 8.2%

What owners said

Filed with NHTSA, in their own words.

Arlington, OR Fire

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

On May 27th 2023 just three days ago I went to start my car but it would not start, I tried two times then I smelled gas so I let it sit over night then the next day my friend went out to start it for me and it made a loud bang and the intake manifold exploded causing a fire and debris went everywhere, my is lucky he got away from the when he did or he would have been injured maybe even killed from the flames. I did not take any photos or report to anyone, a neighbor heard the load bang and came out to see if anyone was ok. There were no warning signals that appeared to my knowledge. There were 200,000 miles on the vehicle at time of the incident.

NHTSA complaint #11524339 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Cincinnati, OH Fire 1 injured

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

The night of the incident I was driving to my brother's house when I pulled over lifted the hood it burst into flames

NHTSA complaint #11441669 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 40,000 miles Melbourne, FL

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

II HAD A NO ENGINE CRANK-NO DASHBOARD LIGHTS, INTERMINTENT START. CWAS PARKED NAD NOT MOVING. THE PROBLEM I CAUSED BY THE THE IGNITION SWITCH AND PASS KEY SYSTEM. GM HAD THIS PROBLEM IN 2004 ON THE COLBOLT. 6DEATHS DUE TO LOSS OF ENGINEPOWER, STEERING AND POWER BRAKES. I WILL NOT DRIVE THIS CAR,TILL IGET IT REPAIRED. I AM THE ORIGIONAL OWNER WITH 40000 MILES USE.

NHTSA complaint #11266767 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 132,000 miles SUN Valley, NV

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

LOWER INTAKE MANIFOLD LEAKING COOLANT INTO ENGINE, SAFETY HAZARD, INEVITABLE EMISSIONS FAILURE. MANY RECALLS REGARDING PONTIAC GRAND PRIX WITH THE ISSUE

NHTSA complaint #11266019 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 122,084 miles Mount Holly, NJ Fire

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

MY CAR WOULDN'T START SO I CALLED AAA. THE MAN TRIED TO START THE CAR BEFORE HE ATTEMPTED TO JUMP IT. WHEN HE TURNED THE KEY, THE CAR EXPLODED AND CAUGHT FIRE. THANK GOODNESS HE HADN'T OPENED THE HOOD BECAUSE I WAS STANDING NEXT TO THE CAR AND COULD HAVE BEEN KILLED FROM THE FLYING DEBRIS. WHEN WE OPENED THE HOOD TO PUT OUT THE FIRE, THE INTAKE MANIFOLD WAS COMPLETELY DESTROYED AND IN PIECES. I ENDED UP HAVING THE CAR TOWED AND THEY REPLACED THE INTAKE MANIFOLD AND THE FUEL RAILS COSTING ME $900. YESTERDAY I WENT TO START THE CAR AND IT ACTED LIKE IT DIDN'T WANT TO START AGAIN BUT FINALLY IT DID BUT I DID HEAR A POP. WHEN I RESEARCHED THE PROBLEM ONLINE, I FOUND AN ARTICLE ABOUT CHEVY IMPALAS EXPLODING BUT FROM READING THE COMMENTS, IT APPEARS THIS IS A PROBLEM WITH ALL GM CARS FROM THAT TIME PERIOD. I'M LINKNG THE ARTICLE SO YOU CAN READ THE REVIEWS AND CAN SEE THAT THIS IS STILL AN ONGOING PROBLEM. THE OPENING COMMENT EXPLAINS THAT THERE WAS A PREVIOUS RECALL ABOUT THIS VERY SAME PROBLEM IN THE LATE 1990'S. THE PROBLEM IS WITH DEFECTIVE FUEL PRESSURE REGULATORS. EVERYTHING DESCRIBED IS EXACTLY WHAT HAPPENED WITH MY CAR ON FEBRUARY 6 OF THIS YEAR. I NOW KNOW I NEED TO HAVE THE REGULATOR REPLACED OR IT MIGHT HAPPEN AGAIN. I'M A SENIOR ON LIMITED INCOME AND I CAN'T AFFORD THIS EXPENSE, ESPECIALLY WHEN IT'S A PROBLEM THAT SHOULD HAVE BEEN FIXED WITH A RECALL. UNFORTUNATELY, I DIDN'T TAKE ANY PHOTOS OF THE INCIDENT BUT I HAVE THE REPAIR BILL AND I'M SURE I COULD GET A STATEMENT FROM THE AAA PERSON WHO WAS ALSO PRESENT WHEN IT HAPPENED. HERE IS THE LINK FOR FURTHER TESTIMONY SHOWING SOMEONE WROTE AS RECENTLY AS FEBRUARY 12 WITH THE SAME ISSUE. HTTPS://RJHILLCONSULTING.WORDPRESS.COM/2014/03/08/CHEVY-IMPALA-NOT-RECALLED-FOR-EXPLODING-INTAKE-MANIFOLD-AND-ENGINE-FIRE/

NHTSA complaint #11185070 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 190,000 miles Fort Wayne, IN Fire

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

MY 2002 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX WITH A 3.8 LITER ENGINE CAUGHT FIRE WHILE I WAS OUT OF STATE IN DETROIT DOING TRAINING FOR WORK. I PARKED AT THE HOTEL I WAS STAYING AT AFTER A SHORT TRIP TO DINNER AND BACK I PARK MY CAR AND 15 MIN. LATER I HEARD TWO LOAD POPS (NOISE WAS FRONT TIRES BLEW OUT BECAUSE THE FIRE GOT TO HOT) AND LOOKED OUTSIDE MY HOTEL ROOM AND MY CAR WAS ON FIRE AND A CO-WORKERS CAR PARKED NEXT TO MY CAR CAUGHT ON FIRE THERE WAS HOTEL DAMAGE. PLUS TWO CARS TOTALED AND NO WAY HOME. IT SUCKS! THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE CAR INVOLVING ENGINE FIRES. I TOOK THE CAR TO A GM DEALER AND HAD THE RECALL WORK DONE A YEAR AGO. NICE WORK GM!

NHTSA complaint #11170951 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 168,000 miles South Elgin, IL

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, THERE WAS AN ODOR OF FUEL DETECTED. THE CONTACT NOTICED SMALL SPOTS OF FUEL ON THE GROUND. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE FUEL LINE WAS CORRODED CAUSING THE FUEL LEAK. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND OPENED CASE NUMBER: 8-4762625119. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 168,000.

NHTSA complaint #11144095 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 198,000 miles Cedar Hill, MO

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

THIS IS FOR THE GTP SUPERCHARGED MODEL. REPLACED THE FUEL PUMP AND NOW ALL OF A SUDDEN LEAKING OUT OF SHRADER VALVE ABOVE THE INJECTORS WHICH IS WAS NOT DOING BEFORE. ONLINE SAYS THERE WAS A DELPHI FUEL PRESSURE REGULATOR RECALL BUT AFTER ENTERING MY VIN SAYS NO RECALLS. ALTHOUGH I ALSO TOOK IT IN LAST YEAR DUE TO THE RECALL CONCERNING OIL DRIPPING ON THE MANIFOLD AND CAUSING POSSIBLE FIRE SO UNSURE WHY IT SAID NO RECALLS.. I WILL ATTACH PHOTO OF WEBSITE CLAIMS. ANY HELP IN THIS MATTER WOULD BE GREATLY APPRECIATED. THANK YOU

NHTSA complaint #11021233 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 160 miles Glenn Heights, TX

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

TAKATA RECALL! AS I WAS DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY MY CAR SHUT OFF AND THE WHEEL LOCKED UP! MY DAD GOT EVERYTHING ON MY CAR REPLACE BUT IT STILL DOES THE SAME THING!

NHTSA complaint #11015734 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 184,000 miles Marengo, IA

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

WE WHERE DRIVING DOWN HIGHWAY 212 BETWEEN MARENGO, IA TO BELLE PLAIN, IA AND THE CAR JUST SHUT DOWN ON US. ALMOST GOT US IN AN ACCIDENT WITH THREE OTHER VEHICLES IF IT WAS NOT FOR THERE FAST THINKING AND MY FASTING PULLING IN TO A CORN FIELD WE DID NOT GET HURT. THE FUEL PUMP WAS JUST REPLACED AND AFTER LOOKING AT THE FUELS. FUEL #32 IS BLOW AND EVERYTIME WE REPLACE IT. IT BLOWS AGAIN. I LOOKED ONLINE AND THERE IS ALOT OF PEOPLE WHO HAS THE SOME PEOPLE. PLEASE HELP WITH THIS PROBLEM. TRYING TO GET THE CAR OUT AND BACK HOME WE ALMOST GOT HIT BY A FIRE TRUCK CAUSE OF WE COULD NOT GET OUT OF THERE WAY FAST ENOUGH. PLEASE HELP.

NHTSA complaint #10966706 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Dayton, ME Fire

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2002 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX. AFTER THE CONTACT EXITED THE VEHICLE, A PASSERBY ALERTED HIM THAT A FIRE HAD ERUPTED UNDER THE HOOD OF THE VEHICLE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT EXTINGUISHED THE FLAMES. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AND TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE CONTACT WAS NEITHER AWARE NOR NOTIFIED OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 07E021000 (FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER), 08V118000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING), AND 09V116000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN AND FAILURE MILEAGE WERE NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA complaint #10944638 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 120,000 miles Galva, IL

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FUEL REGULATOR FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V701000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 120,000.

NHTSA complaint #10845749 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 52,000 miles Schuylkill Haven, PA

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

ACCELERATOR STICKS. HAS OCCURRED 3 TIMES ON VEHICLE SINCE OWNING. AFTER STICKING GOES TO FULL THROTTLE.

NHTSA complaint #10448524 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 90,000 miles Shelby Township, MI

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

AFTER MY VEHICLE STARTS MOVING, THE FUEL GAUGE RISES TO SHOW THAT THE FUEL TANK IS AT LEAST 2/3 TO 3/4 FULL. THIS IS ESPECIALLY TRUE WHEN THE TANK IS LESS THAN 1/4 FULL. CURRENTLY, THE ONLY WAY I CAN BE REASONABLY SURE HOW MUCH FUEL IS IN MY TANK IS TO RESET THE TRIP ODOMETER EVERY TIME I FILL UP. I READ IN THE NEWSPAPER ABOUT SIMILAR OCCURRENCES IN 2005-2007 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZERS, GMC ENVOYS, BUICK RANIER, AND SAAB 9-7X VEHICLES. THE ARTICLE WENT ON TO SAY THAT NHTSA IS CURRENTLY INVESTIGATING THE INCIDENTS. IT IS DIFFICULT TO SAY WHEN THIS FUEL GAUGE BEHAVIOR STARTED ON MY VEHICLE, THE DETERIORATION HAS BEEN GRADUAL. HOWEVER, IT HAS BECOME SO BAD NOW THAT I REALLY DO NOT TRUST THE READING ON MY FUEL GAUGE.

NHTSA complaint #10411304 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 68,329 miles ST. Albans, WV

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, APPROACHING A STOP SIGN WHEN THE BRAKES WERE ENGAGED; HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO SLOW DOWN. AFTER NUMEROUS ATTEMPTS THE VEHICLE EVENTUALLY CAME TO A STOP. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR INSPECTION AND THEY STATED THAT THE FUEL LINE AND BRAKE LINES WERE COMPLETELY CORRODED AS A RESULT OF RUST. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 68,329. UPDATED 5/24/11 *CN THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED AT HIS EXPENSE. UPDATED 06/10/11

NHTSA complaint #10396614 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 95,000 miles Tustin, CA

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

FUEL LINE LEAK OVER ENGINE ON 2002 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX GT. THE QUICK DISCONNECT OVER THE INTAKE MANIFOLD HAS AN O-RING THAT WEARS OUT AND ALLOWS FUEL TO FLOW ONTO THE HOT ENGINE WHEN THE FUEL PUMP IS ENERGIZED. I FOUND THIS PROBLEM ON MY 2002 GRAND PRIX GT WHEN I SMELLED GASOLINE.

NHTSA complaint #10346177 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 140,000 miles Savage, MN Fire

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

THIS CONCERNS THE GM RECALL OF THE 3800 SERIES ENGINES. PEOPLE ARE STILL HAVING ENGINE FIRES AFTER HAVING THEIR CARS FIXED BY THE DEALERSHIP. THERE'S A FUEL LINE LEADING INTO THE FUEL RAIL THAT HAS A QUICK DISCONNECT. INSIDE THE QUICK DISCONNECT IS AN O-RING THAT AFTER SO MANY YEAR'S GETS BRITTLE AND CRACKS. THIS CAN DRIP FUEL ON HOT PARTS OF THE ENGINE. WHAT EVENTUALLY CATCHES FIRE IS ALL THE PLASTIC AND RUBBER PARTS OF THE ENGINE NOT NECESSARILY THE FUEL ITSELF AS THAT IS JUST A CATALYST. I PERSONALLY KNOW OF A PERSON THAT THIS HAS HAPPENED TO EVEN AFTER HAVING THE RECALL ITEMS FIXED. I FOUND THIS INFORMATION ON A GRAND PRIX FORUM THAT I'M A MEMBER OF. I'LL INCLUDE THE LINK TO THE POST. THIS IS EYE OPENING AND I HOPE YOU CAN TAKE THIS SERIOUSLY. HERE'S THE LINK AND IT'S VERY DETAILED:HTTP://WWW.GRANDPRIXFORUMS.NET/F81/COULD-THIS-CAUSING-ALL-ENGINE-FIRES-30008.HTML.

NHTSA complaint #10325780 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 130,000 miles Marlton, NJ Fire

FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER

I HAVE A 2002 PONTIAC GTP THAT THE ENGINE CAUGHT ON FIRE. THEY SAID IT WAS A LEAK FROM A FUEL LINE. I KNOW THERE WAS OR IS AN INVESTIGATION GOING ON SINCE LAST YEAR ABOUT THIS PROBLEM. I WAS WONDERING WHAT WAS GOING ON WITH THE INVESTIGATION AND WHEN IT WOULD BE RESOLVED. THANK YOU. SCOTT TAYLOR

NHTSA complaint #10241582 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 112,000 miles ST. Charles, NV

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM:FUEL RAIL

A MONTH PRIOR TO THE FIRE MY CAR SMELLED LIKE THERE WAS SOME KIND OF LEAK. SMELLED LIKE GAS. ON FEBRUARY 10TH, 2008 MY 2002 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX GTP CAUGHT ON FIRE AND WAS TOTALED. I FOUND THIS SUMMARY ON A LOCAL WEBSITE, "SUMMARY: CERTAIN DELPHI FUEL PRESSURE REGULATORS, P/NOS. FP10020-11B1, FP10026-11B1, AND FP10027-11B1, SOLD AFTER JANUARY 9, 2007, AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. THE UNIVERSAL PRESSURE REGULATORS (UPR) WERE PRODUCED WITHOUT AN O'RING AND RETAINER. CONSEQUENCES: FUEL MAY LEAK, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A FIRE." I AM PRETTY SURE THAT I AM A VICTIM OF THIS O'RING FAILURE. I AM WITHOUT A CAR AND $2,000 IN THE DEBUT BECAUSE OF THIS FIRE. I WOULD LIKE SOME ANSWERS AND SOME RESULTS.

NHTSA complaint #10221078 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 29,000 miles Birmingham, AL

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX. HE STATED THAT THE VEHICLE BEGAN DIESELING WHEN HE ATTEMPTED TO START IT. INITIALLY AFTER DIESELING, THE ENGINE WOULD START HOWEVER; HE WAS CURRENTLY UNABLE TO START THE VEHICLE. THERE IS A SAFETY RECALL FOR THE FUEL SYSTEM STORAGE TANK ASSEMBLY (NHTSA CAMPAIGN #07E021000). THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WAS 29,000. THE PURCHASE DATE WAS UNKNOWN. UPDATED 02-01-08 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED AS OF YET. UPDATED 02/01/08

NHTSA complaint #10198167 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 75,000 miles Millville, UT

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP

MAJOR WINDOW FAILURE, ONLY ONE WINDOW WORKS, AND TOO EXPENSIVE TO FIX. MY CAR HAS 70,000 MILES AND I HAVE HAD FUEL PUMP FAILURE, TOTAL RADIATOR FAILURE, AND TWO HEAT EXCHANGER FAILURES RESULTED IN RADIATOR FLUID ALL OVER PASSENGER SIDE FLOOR DUE TOO CHEAP CRIMPS ON HEAT EXCHANGER WHICH REQUIRES A HUGH DASH DISMANTLE TO FIX, WINDOW FAILURE, DASH HEAT AND A/C CONTROL FAILURE. THE CAR GETS DRIVEN 11 MILES A DAY TO WORK AND BACK AND WE HAVE PUT $1000'S INTO THIS PIECE OF CRAP. DEALER AND MANUFACTURER COULD CARE LESS AND WANT THIS WEBSITE REMOVED. NO ONE IS WILLING TO DO A THING. WILL BE SWITCHING BRANDS ASAP TO DODGE OR CHRYSLER.

NHTSA complaint #10186252 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 40,581 miles Violet, LA Crash 2 injured

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM:INJECTORS

THIS CAR HAS DIED SEVERAL TIMES, AND WHEN IT DOES, ALL OF THE POWER EQUIPMENT FAILS, AND I CAN'T TURN THE WHEEL OR STOP THE VEHICLE VERY QUICKLY, AND I RECENTLY HAD A SERIUOS ACCIDENT DUE TO THIS FACTOR.

NHTSA complaint #10064328 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 58,000 miles Branford, CT

FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER:STORAGE:FUEL GAUGE SYSTEM

DRIVER WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE AMOUNT OF GASOLINE IN THE VEHICLE BECAUSE THE FUEL GAUGE STOPPED OPERATING. DEALER WILL REPAIR THE VEHICLE BUT DID NOT INFORM THE CONSUMER OF THE PARTS THAT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED.

NHTSA complaint #10044495 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Herndon, VA

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY

260 MILES ON ODOMETER - SEVERE SLOSHING NOISE IN FUEL TANK - NOT NOTICEABLE ON OTHER GRAND PRIX'S - AT 233 MILES, FITTING ON TRANSMISSION COOLER FAILED, CAUSING LOSS OF TRANSMISSION FLUID AND FUNCTION. VEHICLE TOWED TO DEALER. DIAGNOSIS - IMPROPER INSTALLATION OF FITTING.

NHTSA complaint #753040 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Other 2002 Pontiac Grand Prix problems

← Full 2002 Pontiac Grand Prix report