1997 Pontiac Sunfire Engine problems

Tl* the contact owns a 1997 pontiac sunfire. The contact stated that upon starting the vehicle, smoke started to emit from the vents and a fire erupted under the dashboard. The contact and the front passenger were able to safely exit the vehicle without any injuries. The fire department extinguished the flames. The vehicle was destroyed and towed to the contacts residence. The vehicle was not diagnosed. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 170,000.

Tl*the contact owns a 1997 pontiac sunfire gt. The contact stated that he lost two engines due to his engine oil warning light not illuminating and warning him that the oil level was low. The vehicle had not been inspected by a dealer nor had it been repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 95,000. The vin was unavailable.

In less than 1 year I have taken my car to have it repaired 6 times for what I feel is the exact same problem! My engine stalls when I am coming to a stop or after being on the interstate and it idles rough. I have had my catalytic converter replaced twice in the past year, fuel sensor replaced, spark plugs, coil, wire to the ignition module replaced. My car still runs rough and stalls while driving on interstate, when idling in traffic, and when I come to a complete stop. This needs to be investigated. I have spent over $2,000 in repairs and tow fees. This is very unsafe. *Tr

1997 Pontiac bonneville problem with cracking intake manifold. Manifold leaked coolant into the exhaust system causing engine to lock up. Only offered remedy was to completly replace the engine for $6,000.00.

For the past couple of months my 1997 pontiac grand prix has been "chugging" while idling in park, and while in drive. I watch the rpms fluctuating while in idle-park, and stopped-drive. What could the problem be? It feels as if the car will kill on me if I am not in a continuous motion. *Nm

While driving down a busy road at 45 mph and going through an intersection, I heard a pop/back fire and the 1997 pontiac bonneville with an 3800 engine lost all power. We were stuck in the intersection. We were lucky we were not killed. The vehicle was towed to the dealership by aaa. The dealership said the plastic manifold failed, and needed replacement can anyone design a plastic manifold?This is a safety hazard, and vehicles should be recalled. We could of been injured. The 1997 pontiac bonneville with a 3800 engine is a safety hazard due to the plastic manifold.*Ak

While the vehicle was parked, the consumer noticed oil leaking from underneath the vehicle onto the ground. The consumer noticed while driving the vehicle would shake uncontrollably. The consumer took the vehicle to the dealer for inspection. The mechanic informed the consumer that the oil filter had a hole in it which caused the oil leak. The mechanic also informed the driver that the motor mounts needed to be replaced due to corrosion. Please fill in additional information. *Jb

While driving 35 mph vehicle stalled. Consumer managed to pull over ,and had the vehicle towed. Dealership was notified, but did not resolve the problem.*Ak *mr

My brother owns a 1997 pontiac sunfire with only 47,000 miles on it and the engine seized (needing engine replaced estimated cost $3,500). I understand the car is about 6 years old but the vehicle is driven minimal miles. Gm dealership did a diagnosis costing us $289 and concluded per the invoice: perform tear down on engine - remove valve cover and found valve spring on #2 cylinder broken - remove cylinder head and found head of valve had gone through top of piston and scored cylinder wall. The dealership quoted...

The vehicles engine shuts off while driving. In addition, the auto theft system light would illuminate which prevented the consumer from starting the vehicle for approximately 20 minutes. *Nlm ph

A ticking sound in the front where the timing chain cover is.I have changed the chain-sprockets-tensioner- 3 times-the first when the tensioner broke.I will give you the last time I changed it.*Jb

Engine stalls. My car will run great 2-3 days but without notice will stall while driving. I does this quite often and the mechanics cannot find problem, they cannot determine if it is spark related or fuel related due the design of the engine. I do alot of highway miles on my commute and I consider this very unsafe. (I have stalled on the highway numerous times.)

Head gasket failed at only 70000 miles, garage opinion is that it is due to faulty components and coolants, and will continue to be an issue. Gm claims responsibility for the exact same make and model for 1996 in a special policy.*Ak

Intermittently engine will stall out and die without warning. Dealer has been notified. Please feel free to any further information concerning this matter.*Ak

Engine check light continues to turn on, and inside cab there is a smell like something is burning. Also, an internal coolant leak. Contacted dealer.*Ak

Since the accident I have complained of thumping and clanking noises.. Car started to stall under 1x rpm... Engine light came on, possible solution was crankshaft. Then they said it was possibly a bushing. I noticed in your files someone else had the same problem. I don't understand why such problems on a car that is pampered and low miles. The dealership said it had nothing to do with the car accident???*Ak

Head gasket has external water leak at driver side, front area. I understand this is a known problem. *Ak

Engine threw a rod.Talked to others that have had the same problem.Even on multiple engines. *Ak

Engine shuts off without warning, while driving. Fails to start when cold and also after driving. Vehicle was towed twice in four days. Fuel pump was initially thought to be the problem. Taken to dealership 2 times in 7 days after the $700 fuel pump replacement. Although technicians are doing everything they can to help me, they have been unable to identify the problem. In my opinion, the nhtsa should consider any vehicle that stops on the freeway unsafe to drive and worthy of investigation. Thank you, in advance, for your assistance..

Engine head piston bolt broke which resulted in the damage of the engine piston. All mechanics I spoke to said that it could only happen if I was going at speeds of excess of over 100 m.P.H. Which I wasn't because I stopped the car quickly enough to stop further piston damage. If I didn't, the mechanics told me I might have had to buy a new engine or so they told me. People tell me that the engine piston bolt breaking is a very, very rare occurence and that it could be a manufacturer defect. Please look into it so I can be absolutely sure if it was the company's fault or mine in having to pay $800.00 For something I should or should not have paid. Thank you.

The consumer was traveling about 55mph on the highway and heard a rumbling noise. When she applied the gas pedal there was a loud rambling noise. She looked in her rearview mirrior and saw white smoke though the window. Consumer got out of car and didn't see anything. She got into the vehicle and started it, and white smoke came from the hood. Car was turn off. She got out of vehicle, and lifted the hood, and noticed a big giant whole coming from the engine. A pipe was busted, and oil was leak out from the engine.*Ak

This car has been more trouble than it is worth. I have replaced the brakes and rotors twice already and need to replace them again already. I found out today that I have another craked head gasket, I replaced one two years ago just after I bought the car. The engine coolant light stays on most of the time even when the tank is full. I'm very frustrated! *Ak

The intake valve spring in the 3rd cylinder snapped causing the vehicle to vibrate and the check engine light to illuminate. Nlm

Engine seizes at low speeds about 40-45mph, after highway driving and entering slowing or stopped traffic. *Et

Tires completey exploded and eventually replaced the rims, and since the third time I have not had any problems with the tires. I had to have a complete set of brakes put on, which I had to pay for. I am now having to face paying over $1000 for a new transmission, the headlights had problems not even a month after I got the car. The radiator had a whole in it from a screw that came loose from under the hood and it was shot back up into the radiator, they goodwilled this. *Ak( dot number: )