64 of the
427 complaints about the 2001 Pontiac Grand Prix are about the
electrical system — 15% of everything
reported for this model year.
Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before
99,000 miles.
F
64
Complaints
0
Crashes
21
Fires
2
Injuries
Exactly what failed
Electrical System
3656.3%
Switch
914.1%
Front Underhood
69.4%
Ignition
34.7%
Interior/Under Dash
34.7%
12V/24V/48V Battery
11.6%
Horn
11.6%
Wiring
11.6%
Fuses AND Circuit Breakers
11.6%
Alternator/Generator/Regulator
11.6%
Electrical System across every Pontiac Grand Prix year
I AM DRIVING DOWN HWY 311 IN HOUMA, LA. I WENT AROUND ANOTHER VEHICLE AND AS MY CAR WENT INTO PASSING GEAR I HEAR A NOISE FROM UNDER THE HOOD. I STOPPED AND PUT GAS IN MY CAR. AS I'M DRIVING DOWN SAVANNE ROAD I HEAR THE NOISE AGAIN. AS I'M DRIVING THE NOISE GETS LOUDER AND WORSE. ON JUNE 10, 2020 THE CAR STARTS GETTING HOT SO I PULL OVER AND SHUT THE ENGINE OFF. SMOKE STARTS COMING OUT THE HOOD AND WATER IS ALL OVER THE GROUND. CAN'T FIND WHERE THE WATER SPEWED OUT AT OR A CRACK OR ANYTHING. FANS ARE CONSTANTLY NOT WORKING. THIS IS THE SECOND TIME THIS HAPPENS. CAR WOULDN'T START. GET IT STARTED AND IMMEDIATELY WENT STRAIGHT HOME. THE BEARINGS ARE GOING OUT IN THE ENGINE. I BOUGHT THE CAR IN FEBRUARY 2013 AND HAVE HAD PROBLEMS SINCE MARCH 2013. AC GOES OUT. I FIX IT. IT WORKS A WEEK OR 2 AND STOPS AGAIN. ABS LIGHT IS ON BUT A MECHANIC CANNOT DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM. SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT STAYS ON NO MATTER WHAT. THE PIECES ON THE OUTSIDE OF THE DOORS HAVE FALLEN OFF, ONCE WHILE I WAS DRIVING. I ALWAYS HAVE TROUBLE STARTING IT. CHANGED THE BATTERY 3 TIMES. THE HEADLIGHTS ARE NOT BRIGHT AND THE HOUSINGS FOR THEM ARE HORRIBLE. THE SUNROOF LEAKS INTO THE DOME LIGHT. THE DRIVER SIDE SEAT BELT GETS STUCK DOWN AND I HAVE TO FIGHT WITH IT TO GET IT UP TO BUCKLE IT. THE WHOLE CAR SHOULD BE RECALLED AND ON THE LIST OF WORST CARS NUMBERS 1 THRU 20 WITH OTHERS AFTER. I'M GETTING RID OF THIS CAR AND NEVER BUYING ANOTHER PONTIAC GRAND PRIX GT.
NHTSA complaint #11328279 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Modesto, CA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
THE COOLANT AND ABS LIGHT STAYS ON. IT USED TO BE THE ENGINE LIGHT BUT SINCE I HAVE GOTTEN THAT FIXED THIS IS THE ON-GOING PROBLEM. AT LEAST IT DOESN'T AFFECT ME PASSING A SMOG TEST NOW. MY BIGGEST ISSUE IS THE FUEL GAUGE. IT WILL READ FULL OR EMPTY AND NOTHING IN BETWEEN. I USED TO BE ABLE TO ESTIMATE, BY CHECKING MY MILEAGE WHEN I WAS NEAR FULL BUT IT IS HARD TO TELL NOW, BECAUSE IT BOUNCES BATH AND FORTH AT TIMES. MY LAST ISSUE IS HEAT. IT USED TO WORK WELL BUT NOW IT WON'T GIVE ME HEAT. THE AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEM STILL WORKS GREAT.
NHTSA complaint #11121061 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 250,235 milesWhite House, TN
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
CURRENTLY, I'M HAVING SOME ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS WITH MY VEHICLE WITH THE POWER WINDOWS AND HAZARD LIGHTS. ALSO, I'M HAVING AN ISSUE WITH THE FUEL SYSTEM THIS STARTED OCCURRING THREE MONTHS AGO AND I FEEL IT'S NOT SAFE, AT TIMES WITH ALL ISSUES THAT MY CAR HAS IT CAN BE TERRIFYING TO DRIVE BUT I CAN'T AFFORD TO FIX THESE PROBLEMS OR BUY A NEW CAR. THERE ARE A FEW LEAKS COMING FROM MY CAR AS WELL I KNOW ONE LEAK IS DUE TO THE POWER STEERING AND THE OTHER THE FUEL TANK, THERE MIGHT BE ANOTHER LEAK. MOST OF THE ISSUES I HAVE FIGURED OUT WHEN MY CAR WAS PARKED BUT SOME LIKE THE ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS AND FUEL ISSUES, I'VE NOTICED EITHER TURNING OR DRIVING ON THE MAIN HIGHWAY.
NHTSA complaint #11004297 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 2 milesLaredo, TXFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
MY VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE WHILE IN MOTION. THIS HAPPENED DURING A TRIP TO NUEVO LAREDO, TAMAULIPAS MEXICO. IT WAS REPORTED TO GM IN DETAIL AND EXTENSIVELY, A COPY OF THE TITLE, AN AFFIDAVIT AND THE INVOICE WHERE THE REMAINING WERE SOLD TO A JUNK YARD WERE ALL MAILED TO AN ADDRESS PROVIDED. I NEVER RECEIVED A RESPONSE FROM GM. EVERY PHONE NUMBER THAT HAS BEEN PROVIDED TO ME LEADS NOWHERE. I EMAILED MR. JEFFREY M BOYER VICE PRESIDENT OF GLOBAL VEHICLE SAFETY AT GM THIS AFTERNOON WITH CC TO MR. ANTHONY FOXX THE SECRETARY OF THE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION. SEE THE ATTACHED NOTICE. *THE DATE THAT I AM PROVIDING IS ESTIMATED SINCE IT HAPPENED A LONG TIME AGO AND I DON'T HAVE MY NOTES WITH ME.
NHTSA complaint #10911292 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Fulton, MO
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE THE IGNITION SWITCH WAS IN THE RUN POSITION, THE KEY COULD BE REMOVED EFFORTLESSLY. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE KEY GETS STUCK FREQUENTLY WHICH PROHIBITS HER FROM SHUTTING THE VEHICLE OFF. THE FAILURE WAS PERSISTENT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN. UPDATED 07/12/16*LJ UPDATED 07/19/16.
NHTSA complaint #10852434 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 189,000 milesElizabeth Town, NCFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2001 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, THE VEHICLE BURSTED INTO FLAMES. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT EXTINGUISHED THE FLAMES. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THERE WAS NO INJURIES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 189,000.
NHTSA complaint #10817510 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Mount Morris, MIFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2001 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE. A FIRE REPORT WAS FILED. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. NO INJURIES WERE SUSTAINED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE VIN AND FAILURE MILEAGE WERE UNKNOWN.
NHTSA complaint #10787908 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 99,000 milesGarland, TX
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 40 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE FAILURE RECURRED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE THE FAILURE WAS UNABLE TO BE DETERMINED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 99,000. UPDATED 04/20/16
NHTSA complaint #10786438 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 131,000 milesSterling, IL
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX. WHEN THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO START THE VEHICLE, THE IGNITION FAILED TO START. THE FAILURE WAS PERSISTENT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 131,000.
NHTSA complaint #10781628 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Redmond, WA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
2001 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO HEATER SWITCH AND IGNITION SWITCH PROBLEMS. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED THE SWITCH FOR THE HEATER STOPPED WORKING. AS THE CONSUMER WAS LEAVING THE REPAIR SHOP, THE IGNITION SWITCH STARTED SMOKING. THE IGNITION SWITCH AND BLOWER MOTOR WERE REPLACED.
NHTSA complaint #10666935 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 106,000 milesAlbert LEA, MN
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN ATTEMPTING TO TURN OFF THE VEHICLE, THE KEY FAILED TO TURN IN THE IGNITION. THE KEY COULD BE REMOVED AFTER NUMEROUS ATTEMPTS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE ENTIRE IGNITION SWITCH CYLINDER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 106,000.
NHTSA complaint #10667882 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 170,000 milesCharlotte, NC
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
SOMETIMES THE HEADLIGHTS AND AIR WILL NOT COME UNLESS YOU STOP AND RESTART. IT APPEARS TO BE IN THE IGNITION SWITCH.
NHTSA complaint #10650147 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 173,000 milesAkron, OH
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED AND THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE BATTERY AND OIL WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE DETAILS OF THE REPAIR WERE UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 173,000.
NHTSA complaint #10644588 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 49,129 milesBogota, NJ
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO MERGE INTO TRAFFIC, THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY REPAIRED ACCORDING TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V400000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM); HOWEVER, THE FAILURE WAS NOT CORRECTED. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE IGNITION SWITCH NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN AND SPEED WERE NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 49,129.
NHTSA complaint #10638648 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 160,000 milesValcia, PAFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
TL * THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT OIL DROPPED ONTO THE ENGINE WHILE OIL WAS BEING ADDED TO THE RESERVOIR. THE VEHICLE IGNITED INTO FLAMES. THE CONTACT EXTINGUISHED THE FLAMES WITH A GARDEN HOSE. IN 2009, THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED ACCORDING TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 08V118000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING), BUT THE REMEDY DID NOT CORRECT THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE KEY WOULD NOT RELEASE FROM THE IGNITION SWITCH. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 160,000.
NHTSA complaint #10617578 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 130,000 milesHendersonville, TN
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE KEY FAILED TO BE REMOVED FROM THE IGNITION. AS A RESULT, THE VEHICLE WAS UNABLE TO BE POWERED OFF. THE FAILURE OCCURRED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 130,000.
NHTSA complaint #10609810 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 214,000 milesHopewell, VA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO START THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO REMOVE THE KEY FROM THE IGNITION SWITCH. THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START. ADDITIONALLY, THE CONTACT NOTICED OIL LEAKING FROM THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 214,000.
NHTSA complaint #10605140 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
North Tonawanda, NY
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
MY GAS GAUGE DOESN'T WORK AND THE ONLY TIME IT DOES IS WHEN THE NEEDLE FLOATS BACK AND FORTH BETWEEN E AND F. I'M NOT SURE WHY THIS IS BUT WHEN I RESEARCH ABOUT IT THERE ARE MANY OF COMPLAINTS REGARDING THE SAME ISSUE. I WOULD JUST LIKE TO KNOW IF THE REASON IS A FAULTY GM PART OR IF THIS HAPPENS ALL THE TIME.
NHTSA complaint #10604319 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 225,000 milesMT Washington, KYFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
SECOND REQUEST...ON JAN 9, 2014, I WAS PARKED IN MY CAR HAVING LUNCH WITH THE MOTOR RUNNING. FOR NO APPARENT REASON, THE ENGINE CAUGHT FIRE, CAUSING THE FUEL LINES TO BURST. THE CAR WAS NOT DRIVABLE AFTER THAT. THAT EVENING, WHEN I GOT HOME, I HAD A RECALL FROM GM FOR MY VEHICLE IN THE MAIL. (CODE 07035) I CALLED GM THE FOLLOWING DAY, TOLD THEM OF THE INCIDENT AND THEY BECAME MY BEST FRIENDS, ESPECIALLY WHEN I TOLD THEM NO ONE WAS INJURED. GM MADE AN APPOINTMENT AND HAD ME TOW (AT MY EXPENSE) MY CAR TO SAM SWOPE AUTO CENTER WHERE IT WAS EVALUATED. AT NO TIME DID SAM SWOPE SAY THE FIRE WASN'T CAUSED BY THE RECALL ISSUE. THE BILL TO REPAIR WAS GOING TO BE $4,700. SAM SWOPE SAID THEY COULD NOT FIX WITHOUT AUTHORIZATION FROM GM. AFTER 2 WEEKS OF GETTING THE RUNAROUND AND BEING ASKED QUESTIONS LIKE, "HOW MANY PONTIACS HAVE YOU OWNED" AND "HOW LOYAL OF A CUSTOMER ARE YOU", THEY DECIDED THE CAR WAS TOO OLD AND HAD TOO MANY MILES TO REPAIR AND STATED THAT GM'S LIABILITY ENDS 4 YRS AFTER PURCHASE, BUT DID OFFER TO FIX THE RECALL. I ASKED WHY IF THEY DIDN'T ASSUME ANY LIABILITY AFTER 4 YRS, WHY SEND A RECALL. THE REP STATED THAT THEY ARE COMPUTER GENERATED. I EXPLAINED THAT I DIDN'T WANT TO SUE ANYONE, I JUST WANTED MY CAR EITHER FIXED OR TOTALED OUT SO I COULD PURCHASE SOMETHING ELSE. BY THE WAY, I'VE OWNED 7 PONTIACS, AND 12 GM CARS TOTAL. I'M 62 YRS OLD. AND, THE CAR WASN'T A WORN OUT PIECE OF JUNK. IT HAD EVERY OPTION GM OFFERED INCLUDING HEADS UP DISPLAY, BOSE SOUND SYSTEM, HEATED 6-WAY SEATS, SUN ROOF AND MORE. THE CAR IS MINT. WHEN I PURCHASED IN 2005, IT HAD 10300 MILES ON IT. I'D BE GLAD TO SUPPLY PHOTOS AS THE BODY WASN'T HURT. THE GM REP ASKED ME IF I HAD FIRE AND THEFT ON THE VEHICLE AND I TOLD HIM NO. IN HIS SARCASTIC VOICE, HE COMMENTED, "WELL, I GUESS YOU SHOULD HAVE. I ALSO HIRED A LAWYER, BUT GM WOULDN'T BUDGE. CAN YOU HELP ME? THIS IS SO WRONG.
NHTSA complaint #10598392 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 224,000 milesMT Washington, KYFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
ON JAN 9, 2014, I WAS PARKED IN MY CAR HAVING LUNCH WITH THE MOTOR RUNNING. FOR NO APPARENT REASON, THE ENGINE CAUGHT FIRE, CAUSING THE FUEL LINES TO BURST. THE CAR WAS NOT DRIVABLE AFTER THAT. THAT EVENING, WHEN I GOT HOME, I HAD A RECALL FROM GM FOR MY VEHICLE IN THE MAIL. (CODE 07035) I CALLED GM THE FOLLOWING DAY, TOLD THEM OF THE INCIDENT AND THEY BECAME MY BEST FRIENDS, ESPECIALLY WHEN I TOLD THEM NO ONE WAS INJURED. GM MADE AN APPOINTMENT AND HAD ME TOW (AT MY EXPENSE) MY CAR TO SAM SWOPE AUTO CENTER WHERE IT WAS EVALUATED. AT NO TIME DID SAM SWOPE SAY THE FIRE WASN'T CAUSED BY THE RECALL ISSUE. THE BILL TO REPAIR WAS GOING TO BE $4,700. SAM SWOPE SAID THEY COULD NOT FIX WITHOUT AUTHORIZATION FROM GM. AFTER 2 WEEKS OF GETTING THE RUNAROUND AND BEING ASKED QUESTIONS LIKE, "HOW MANY PONTIACS HAVE YOU OWNED" AND "HOW LOYAL OF A CUSTOMER ARE YOU", THEY DECIDED THE CAR WAS TOO OLD AND HAD TOO MANY MILES TO REPAIR AND STATED THAT GM'S LIABILITY ENDS 4 YRS AFTER PURCHASE, BUT DID OFFER TO FIX THE RECALL. I ASKED WHY IF THEY DIDN'T ASSUME ANY LIABILITY AFTER 4 YRS, WHY SEND A RECALL. THE REP STATED THAT THEY ARE COMPUTER GENERATED. I EXPLAINED THAT I DIDN'T WANT TO SUE ANYONE, I JUST WANTED MY CAR EITHER FIXED OR TOTALED OUT SO I COULD PURCHASE SOMETHING ELSE. BY THE WAY, I'VE OWNED 7 PONTIACS, AND 12 GM CARS TOTAL. I'M 62 YRS OLD. AND, THE CAR WASN'T A WORN OUT PIECE OF JUNK. IT HAD EVERY OPTION GM OFFERED INCLUDING HEADS UP DISPLAY, BOSE SOUND SYSTEM, HEATED 6-WAY SEATS, SUN ROOF AND MORE. THE CAR IS MINT. WHEN I PURCHASED IN 2005, IT HAD 10300 MILES ON IT. I'D BE GLAD TO SUPPLY PHOTOS AS THE BODY WASN'T HURT. THE GM REP ASKED ME IF I HAD FIRE AND THEFT ON THE VEHICLE AND I TOLD HIM NO. IN HIS SARCASTIC VOICE, HE COMMENTED, "WELL, I GUESS YOU SHOULD HAVE. I ALSO HIRED A LAWYER, BUT GM WOULDN'T BUDGE. CAN YOU HELP ME? THIS IS SO WRONG.
NHTSA complaint #10585160 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 113,009 milesMiami, OKFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
VEHICLE PARKED OVER 48 HRS. AFTER LAST DRIVEN PASSERBY HONKED TO LET US KNOW CAR WAS ON FIRE. UNLOCKED CAR AND OPENED HOOD. FLAMES PRESENT AT ABS MODULE AND SURROUNDING AREA. WIRING HARNESS AND PLASTICS FROM THERE ACROSS FIREWALL TO MAIN FUSE BOX AND ELECTRICS AND PLASTICS ON TOP OF ENGINE MELTING. EXTINGUISHER USED TO PUT OUT FIRE AND DISCONNECTED BATTERY CABLE. REMOVED POWDER WITH WATER HOSE AND SURVEYED DAMAGED IT APPEARS TO HAVE STARTED AT OR VERY NEAR THE ABS MODULE/RELAY BOX AREA AND SPREAD TO FIRE WALL AND AROUND TOWARDS THE BATTERY AREA FROM THERE. THIS IS THE GTP EDITION OF THE GRAND PRIX.
NHTSA complaint #10584503 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 152,000 milesParma, OH
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
THIS IS NOT THE FIRST INCIDENT, THIS IS JUST THE MOST RECENT. ON MONDAY, 4/7, I WAS DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY GOING HOME FROM WORK IN THE MIDDLE OF STORM AROUND 5 PM AND THE SHUT OFF. ITS AS IF THE KEY WAS ONLY TURNED ENOUGH TO TURN ON THE BATTERY. THIS HAS HAPPENED ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS GOING AS FAR BACK AS 2012 WHEN I PURCHASED THE CAR. IT HAPPENS MORE FREQUENTLY IF I DON'T REMOVE MY CAR KEY FROM THE REST OF MY KEYS. MY POWER STEERING LOCKS AND THE CAR IS UNABLE TO TURN.
NHTSA complaint #10578254 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 60,000 milesSpring Lake, NJ
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS THE VEHICLE'S DASHBOARD LIGHTS INTERMITTENTLY TURNED OFF AND ON FOLLOWED BY A CLICKING SOUND COMING FROM THE DASHBOARD. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO STATED THE IGNITION SWITCH WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS ALERTED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000.
NHTSA complaint #10568742 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 99,000 milesWest Unity, OH
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
THE VEHICLE IS RUNNING AND THE AUTO LIGHTS TURN ON AT NITE,WITH THE FAN SPEED ON OFF POSITION,THE LIGHTS SHUTOFF WHEN TURNING ON FAN. THEN THERE IS NO FAN OR LIGHTS ON WHEN TO ATTEMPT TO TURN ON 1-5 POSITION. MANUAL LIGHTS WILL WORK BUT NO FAN. HAVE FOUND OUT RECENTLY IT ONLY WORKS ON 5. I HAVE INSTALLED A NEW RESISTOR BUT NO LUCK. HAS OCCURRED MANY TIMES AND AS WELL HAS NO VENT CONTROL.
NHTSA complaint #10478355 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 86,000 milesCuba, MO
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
MY FATHER HELPED ME PURCHASE A 2001 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX JUST OVER A MONTH AGO. ORIGINALLY I NOTICED A HESITATION THAT WOULD HAPPEN TWICE JUST FOR FRACTIONS OF A SECOND. AFTER THE SECOND TIME THIS HAPPENED I NOTICED THAT MY TAC WOULD DROP TO 0 THEN THE "TRAC OFF" LIGHT WOULD COME ON. ON MARCH 9TH I WAS DRIVING THROUGH AN INTERSECTION WHEN THE CAR STARTED HESITATION. I WAS SURPRISED WHEN THE CAR DID NOT PICK BACK UP, I AM NOT SURE IF THE ENGINE HAD COMPLETELY STOPPED BUT MY POWER STEERING WAS GONE AND PUSHING THE GAS PEDAL DID NOTHING. I HAD TO MILK THE CAR UP TO A SPOT WHERE I HAD TO FORCE THE CAR TO TURN. I TURNED THE IGNITION OFF FOR MAYBE A MINUTE THEN STARTED IT BACK UP. MY 3 YEAR OLD WAS IN THE BACK SEAT CRYING THAT SHE HAD TO POTTY SO I TURNED AROUND IN HOPES THAT THE CAR WOULD MAKE IT UP TO A GAS STATION. WHEN I PULLED OUT THE "TRAC OFF' LIGHT CAME ON AND THE TAC DROPPED BUT THE CAR RAN FINE. I HAVE DROVE THE CAR ANOTHER 60MILES SINCE AND HAVE NOT EVEN THE TRAC AND TAC ISSUES SINCE RIGHT AFTER THE INCIDENT. I BOUGHT THIS CAR BECAUSE I WAS SCARED TO HAVE MY DAUGHTER RIDING IN MY OLD ONE BUT NOW I AM MORE WORRIED ABOUT THIS CAR. I HAVE SPENT A LOT OF TIME AND HAVE FOUND HUNDREDS UPON HUNDREDS OF POST ABOUT PEOPLE HAVING THIS SAME ISSUE. *TR
NHTSA complaint #10451100 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 75,000 milesAvilla, INFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
DRIVING TO WORK DECEMBER 1, 2011, I NOTICED A BURNING SMELL AND THEN A FIRE THROUGH THE DASH. I IMMEDIATELY PULLED OVER AND REMOVED DASH PANEL AND THREW SNOW INTO DASH TRYING TO PUT OUT THE FIRE. WITHIN A NUMBER OF MINUTES THE ENGINE FIRE WAS OUT OF CONTROL AND THE CAR WAS COMPLETELY ENGULFED IN FLAMES. THIS RESULTED IN A COMPLETE LOSS OF THE VEHICLE. IT IS BELIEVED THE UNDERHOOD FIRE WAS A RESULT OF THE ISSUE OF GM SAFETY RECALL #09047. THE SAFETY RECALL WORK WAS PERFORMED BY A DEALERSHIP ON MAY 18,2009. I DO NOT BELIEVE THIS "FIX" HAS PREVENTED THE UNDERHOOD FIRES ON MANY OF THESE RECALLED VEHICLES.
NHTSA complaint #10438486 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 173,041 milesManhattan, KSFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
I WAS DRIVING MY CAR IN A SUBURBAN AREA AT APPROX 20 MPH WHEN I NOTICED SMOKE COMING OUT FROM UNDER THE HOOD. I IMMEDIATELY TURNED ONTO A SIDE STREET AND WITHIN 15 SECONDS OF NOTICING THE SMOKE THERE WERE FLAMES SHOOTING OUT FROM UNDER MY HOOD AND THE DRIVERS SIDE WHEEL WELL. I THREW THE CAR INTO PARK AND GOT OUT. A PASSERBY WAS ALREADY CALLING 911 AND WITHIN LESS THAN A MINUTE OF MY EXITING THE VEHICLE THE ENTIRE FRONT END WAS ON FIRE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT ARRIVED AND PUT OUT THE FIRE AND STATED THAT THERE WAS SO MUCH DAMAGE TO THE FRONT END OF THE CAR THAT THEY WERE UNABLE TO GIVE A DEFINITE CAUSE, BUT SUSPECTED ELECTRICAL. THE ENTIRE CAR IS TOTALED, THE FIRE WAS SO HOT IT MELTED THE DRIVER WINDOW AND THE WINDSHIELD AND DESTROYED IT WITHIN MINUTES. NO ELECTRICAL ISSUES WERE NOTICED IMMEDIATELY PRIOR TO THIS INCIDENT, ONLY CHANGE NOTED WAS THAT THE PASSENGER WINDOW ROLLED UP A BIT MORE SLOWLY THAN NORMAL.
NHTSA complaint #10433630 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Columbus, OH
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
OUR 2001 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX, WHICH HAS ROUGHLY 125,000 MILES ON IT, STALLS AND DIES AT VARIOUS SPEEDS. IT IS NOT SUPERCHARGED, BUT IT DOES HAVE THE 3.8 LITER SERIES II ENGINE. THE VEHICLE WILL SHUDDER MOMENTARILY AND, IF THE CAR'S GOING FAST ENOUGH, THE MOMENTUM OF THE TORQUE CONVERT SPINNING MANAGES TO RESTART THE ENGINE IN DEFAULT, ALLOWING IT TO KEEP RUNNING. HOWEVER, THE TCS "TRAC OFF" LIGHT COMES ON AND THE TACHOMETER DROPS TO 0 UNTIL THE CAR IS SHUT OFF AND RESTARTED. SOMETIMES, THE CAR WILL STALL AT LOW SPEED AND, MINUS THE SHUDDER, EVERYTHING ELSE OCCURS AS DESCRIBED ABOVE, EXCEPT THAT THE CAR SIMPLY DIES. THE SES LIGHT HAS LIT UP A FEW TIMES, BUT THERE IS NO CLEAR REASON FOR IT TO DO SO, SINCE, ONCE RESTARTED, THE ENGINE RUNS JUST FINE. OCCASIONALLY, HOWEVER, IDLE IS A LITTLE ROUGH; THE ENGINE SOMETIMES DROPS TO ALMOST 400 RPM WHEN SITTING WITH THE ENGINE RUNNING, THEN SLOWLY CLIMBS BACK UP TO ABOUT 600-750 RPM. MORE ALARMING PERSONALLY, HOWEVER, IS THE FACT THAT ROUGHLY 11 DAYS AGO, THE CAR COMPLETELY DIED TWICE ON THE SAME DAY, IN A 15-SECOND PERIOD. WHILE COMING HOME FROM WORK ON THE FREEWAY, THE CAR COMPLETELY DIED (THE OIL PRESSURE LIGHT CAME ON AND EVERYTHING). HAVING PULLED ONTO THE SHOULDER AND RESTARTED, I DID NOT TRAVEL MORE THAN 100 FEET BEFORE IT HAPPENED AGAIN, THIS TIME ON THE FREEWAY OFF-RAMP. I RESTARTED AGAIN, AND IT DROVE HOME NORMALLY. LATELY, THE CAR IS SOMETIMES NEXT TO IMPOSSIBLE TO START. DEPENDING ON THE CIRCUMSTANCES, ONE OF TWO THINGS WILL HAPPEN; EITHER THE ENGINE WILL TURN OVER BUT NOT RUN; OR THE ENGINE WILL NOT TURN OVER, AND THE STARTER SOLENOID WILL SIMPLY "CLICK" BEHIND THE FIREWALL. THE BATTERY WAS REPLACED LESS THAN A MONTH AGO, AND NO SERIOUS ELECTRICAL FAULTS HAVE OCCURRED SINCE IT WAS REPLACED, ASIDE FROM THE ABOVE PROBLEMS.
NHTSA complaint #10428022 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 130,000 milesArcanum, OH
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
I WAS PULLED OVER BY POLICE FOR NO REAR LIGHTS. UPON INVESTIGATION, FOUND MULTI-FUNCTION SWITCH BAD/JAMMED. HAZARD LIGHT BUTTON STUCK IN UP POSITION. IF PUSHED TO THE SIDE AND HELD, LIGHTS OPERATE AS ADVERTISED FOR SOME PERIOD OF TIME, BUT WILL AT SOME POINT STOP WORKING WITHOUT MY KNOWLEDGE. MULTI-FUNCTION SWITCH IS DEALER ONLY PART. PRICE IS $500 + LABOR FOR INSTALLATION.
NHTSA complaint #10389390 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 143,000 milesWest Jordan, UTFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
I HAVE A PONTIAC GRAND PRIX, 2001 WHICH HAD A RECALL FOR ENGINE COMPARTMENTED FIRES, I FIRST LEARNED OF THE RECALL AFTER THE FIRST FIRE THAT HAPPENED IN JULY, 2010, WHICH I PUT OUT MYSELF, I THEN RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE ON MY CAR. I HAD THE RECALL WORK DONE IN NOV OR DEC OF 2010. TODAY, MY WIFE WAS DRIVING MY DAUGHTER TO SCHOOL THIS MORNING 1/26/2011, AND THE CAR CAUGHT FIRE AGAIN IN FRONT OF THE SCHOOL AND CAUSED SIGNIFICANT DAMAGE TO THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT & ENGINE. THE CAR IS NO LONGER DRIVABLE, EVERYTHING IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT IS DESTROYED.
NHTSA complaint #10378844 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.