Recall 08V118000: 1997–2003 Pontiac Grand Prix and 1 other model

Report received

Mar 12, 2008

Manufacturer

General motors corp.

Potentially affected

207,542vehicles

Model years

1997–2003

Check your own vehicle. A recall applies only to vehicles within the affected build range. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Recall repairs are free at a franchised dealer.

What NHTSA recorded

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.

Possible consequence

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.

Remedy

Dealers will replace the engine’s front valve cover and front-valve-cover gasket with new parts of an improved design and remove the engine’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 odor, they should have their dealer inspect the vehicle. The dealer will inspect the vehicle without charge; (3) use premium fuel (91 octane or higher) in the vehicle as recommended in the vehicle's owner manual. Owners may contact buick at 1-866-608-8080 or pontiac at 1-800-620-7668, or through their website at <a href=http://www.gmownercenter.com>http://www.gmownercenter.com</a> .

Affected model years

Pages for each model year show complaints, parts, mileage and other recalls.

• 1997 Buick Regal136 complaints
• 1998 Buick Regal302 complaints
• 1999 Buick Regal246 complaints
• 2000 Buick Regal184 complaints
• 2001 Buick Regal187 complaints
• 2002 Buick Regal117 complaints
• 2003 Buick Regal101 complaints
• 1997 Pontiac Grand Prix810 complaints
• 1998 Pontiac Grand Prix499 complaints
• 1999 Pontiac Grand Prix412 complaints
• 2000 Pontiac Grand Prix461 complaints
• 2001 Pontiac Grand Prix308 complaints
• 2002 Pontiac Grand Prix330 complaints
• 2003 Pontiac Grand Prix106 complaints