The 1997 Pontiac Grand Prix has 3 recalls, all centered on the same fire risk: engine oil leaking from a deteriorating valve cover gasket can drip onto the hot exhaust manifold, where it can ignite.
This issue affects vehicles with the 3.8L engine, including the supercharged version found in the GTP trim. During hard braking, oil that seeps past the gasket can contact the exhaust manifold surface and start a fire in the engine bay.
At a glance
What can fail
Engine oil may leak onto the hot exhaust manifold through the front valve cover gasket, creating a fire risk. Previous repair attempts did not fully eliminate this problem.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the front valve cover and gasket to stop the oil leak and eliminate the fire risk.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
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At a glance
What can fail
The front rocker cover gasket degrades and leaks oil. During hard braking, oil drops onto the hot exhaust manifold, where they can ignite. Fire may spread to nearby plastic parts, causing an under-hood fire.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the front valve cover and gasket with new parts. Plastic engine covers and the oil-fill-tube extension will be removed.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The front rocker cover gasket can wear and leak oil. During hard braking, oil may drip onto the hot exhaust manifold, potentially igniting and spreading to nearby plastic components.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the front rocker cover gasket with an updated version.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
