MotorDeets

2001 Pontiac Grand Prix: Recalls, Problems & MPG

Here are the deets on the 2001 Pontiac Grand Prix: 6 recalls, 308 owner complaints and up to 21 mpg combined.

6vehicle recalls
308owner complaints
14mention a crash
21best combined mpg
2001 Pontiac Grand Prix
Photo: MercurySable99 · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons. Representative photo of this generation; trim may differ.

Recalls

6 vehicle recalls from the manufacturer, plus 4 equipment/tire recalls that can apply. Repairs are free. Check your VIN to see if one is still open on your car.

Seat belts Vehicle recall #00V228003 · 2000 · 156,305 vehicles

What's wrong: The buckle base of these seat belt assemblies were not properly heat treated and therefore do not pass the load bearing requirement of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard no. 209, "seat belt assemblies."

Why it matters: In the event of a vehicle crash, the occupant May not be properly restrained.

The fix: Dealers will inspect the vehicle's safety belt buckle assembly date codes and, if necessary, will replace any safety belt buckle assembly.

Airbags Vehicle recall #01V026000 · 2001 · 38 vehicles

What's wrong: The passenger air bag inflator modules were built without the correct amount of generant, which produces the gas that fills the air bag. Some were built with a double load of generant and some were built without generant.

Why it matters: In the event of a crash that would trigger a passenger air bag deployment, a double load of generant can cause the inflator module to explode. If the air bag module explodes, metal and plastic debris could cause severe injury to vehicle occupant. A module with no generant would not inflate the air…

The fix: Dealers will replace the passenger air bag module. Telephone calls were made to owners on January 29, 2001. Follow up owner mailing began on April 17, 2001.

Airbags Vehicle recall #02V329000 · 2002 · 272 vehicles

What's wrong: On certain passenger, sport utility vehicles and MINI vans, some of these vehicles have a passenger air bag that was manufactured without a check valve pin. An air bag without the check valve pin could produce increased pressure at the onset of the air bag deployment and reduced pressure afterward.

Why it matters: This could increase the severity of injury to a person who was not properly restrained and who was close to the passenger air bag at the time of deployment. It could also reduce the ab8ility of the air bag to protect a restrained front seat passenger.

The fix: Dealers will inspect and, if necessary, replace the passenger air bag. Owner notification began December 16, 2002.

Engine & cooling Vehicle recall #08V118000 · 2008 · 207,542 vehicles

What's wrong: 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.

Why it matters: 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 fix: Dealers will replace the engineâ’s front valve cover and front-valve-cover gasket with new parts of an improved design and remove the engineâ’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…

Engine & cooling Vehicle recall #09V116000 · 2009 · 1,497,516 vehicles

What's wrong: 8l v6 naturally aspirated engine. Some of these vehicles have a condition in which drops of engine oil May be deposited on the exhaust manifold through hard braking.

Why it matters: If the manifold is hot enough and the oil runs below the heat shield, it May ignite into a small flame and May spread to the plastic spark plug wire channel and beyond increasing the risk of an engine compartment fire.

The fix: Dealers will replace the engineâ’s front valve cover and front-valve-cover gasket with new parts of an improved design and remove the engineâ’s plastic cover and plastic oil-fill-tube extension, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin during May 2016.

Engine & cooling, Engine & cooling Vehicle recall #15V701000 · 2015 · 1,003,556 vehicles

What's wrong: The affected vehicles were previously repaired under recalls 08v-118, 09v-116, and 15v-201 to address the possibility that engine oil May drip onto the hot exhaust manifold.

Why it matters: Engine oil that drips onto the hot surface of the exhaust manifold May result in a fire.

The fix: The remedy applied under recalls 08v-118, 09v-116, and 15v-201 did not adequately remove the safety risk. Under the improved remedy, dealers will replace the engineâ’s front valve cover and gasket. Vehicles that are covered by recalls 08v-118, 09v-116, or 15v-201 that have not yet received the…

4 aftermarket equipment / tire recalls replacement parts sold to fit this car, not the car itself
Fuel system (other) Equipment recall #07E021000 · 2007 · 742 vehicles

What's wrong: 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.

Why it matters: Fuel May leak, possibly resulting in a fire.

The fix: Delphi will notify owners and replace the upr free of charge. The recall began on April 23, 2007. Owners can contact delphi at 877-411-8770.

Steering Equipment recall #09E005000 · 2009 · 979 vehicles

What's wrong: 697-902 and 697-903, sold under dorman's "oe solutionstm" brand name, and napa p/nos. 7-8502 and 7-8503 which were sold for replacement use on the various vehicles listed above. A potential material or design defect could result in the steering knuckle breaking in the hub area.

Why it matters: A broken steering knuckle could result in loss of steering control and a possible crash without warning.

The fix: Dorman will notify owners and replace the defective steering knuckles free of charge and reimburse the repair facility or owner for labor. The recall began on February 23, 2009.

Exterior lights Equipment recall #09E012000 · 2009 · 16,270 vehicles

What's wrong: These headlamps fail to conform to the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard no. 108, "lamps, reflective devices, and associated equipment." these lamps do not contain the required amber side reflectors.

Why it matters: Decreased lighting visibility May result in a vehicle crash.

The fix: Sabersport will notify owners and offer a full refund for the noncompliant combination lamps. The safety recall began on May 11, 2009.

Exterior lights Equipment recall #09E025000 · 2009 · 42,540 vehicles

What's wrong: Dope, Inc. is recalling 42,540 combination corner and bumper lamp assemblies of various part numbers sold for use as aftermarket equipment for various passenger vehicles. These headlamps fail to conform to the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard no. 108, "lamps, reflective devices, and associated equipment." these lamps do not contain the required amber side reflectors.

Why it matters: Decreased lighting visibility May result in a vehicle crash.

The fix: Dope, Inc. will notify owners and offer a full refund for the noncompliant combination lamps. The safety recall began on July 28, 2009.

Most-reported problems

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component. One complaint can list several components. 106 mention a fire, 11 injuries and 8 deaths were reported.

Engine & cooling102
Engine65
Electrical60
Transmission & drivetrain22
Steering21
Visibility (wipers, glass)19
Exterior lights18
Fuel system13

What owners describe

The 2001 Pontiac Grand Prix has 308 owner complaints, ranking #7 of 19 Grand Prix model years for complaints (about average; the typical year has 273). Complaints peaked in 2016 (33 filed that year). The typical problem showed up when the car was about 7 years old, at a median of 97,000 miles. Neighboring years: 2000 (461 complaints, 5 recalls), 2002 (330 complaints, 3 recalls).

Engines & fuel economy (EPA)

EngineTransmissionDriveCityHwyComb.Fuel
3.1 L 6-cylAutomatic 4-spdFront-Wheel Drive182621Regular
3.8 L 6-cylAutomatic 4-spdFront-Wheel Drive172821Regular
3.8 L 6-cylAutomatic 4-spdFront-Wheel Drive162620Premium

Want the full repair deets? Get the factory manual.

Recall and complaint data tells you what goes wrong. A service manual tells you how to fix it: torque specs, wiring diagrams, fluid capacities and step-by-step procedures for the 2001 Pontiac Grand Prix.

eManualOnline Download (PDF), keep forever

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Mitchell 1 DIY Online access, factory-level data

Pro-shop repair procedures, wiring diagrams and TSBs for your exact car.

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ALLDATAdiy Online access, factory OEM info

OEM procedures, specs and recall/TSB info, the same source many shops use.

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Haynes Print book or AllAccess online

Step-by-step photos written from a real teardown. Great for first-timers.

Books ~$30–$40 · AllAccess $34.99/mo
Check 2001 Pontiac Grand Prix manual

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FAQ

Does the 2001 Pontiac Grand Prix have any recalls?

Yes. NHTSA lists 6 vehicle recalls for the 2001 Pontiac Grand Prix, plus 4 equipment or tire recalls that can apply. Recall repairs are free at any dealer, no matter how old the car is. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What are the most common 2001 Pontiac Grand Prix problems?

Owners have filed 308 complaints with NHTSA. The most-reported areas are engine & cooling (102), engine (65), electrical (60).

What gas mileage does the 2001 Pontiac Grand Prix get?

EPA ratings run up to 21 mpg combined (3.1 L, Automatic 4-spd), across 3 engine and transmission combos.

Where can I get a 2001 Pontiac Grand Prix repair manual?

eManualOnline sells downloadable manuals, Mitchell 1 DIY and ALLDATAdiy sell online access to factory repair data, and Haynes sells printed guides and online access. Pick a download if you want to keep it, or a subscription for wiring diagrams and TSBs.

Other Grand Prix years

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