2002 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX Electrical System Problems

The night of the incident I was driving to my brother's house when I pulled over lifted the hood it burst into flames

II HAD A NO ENGINE CRANK-NO DASHBOARD LIGHTS, INTERMINTENT START. CWAS PARKED NAD NOT MOVING. THE PROBLEM I CAUSED BY THE THE IGNITION SWITCH AND PASS KEY SYSTEM. GM HAD THIS PROBLEM IN 2004 ON THE COLBOLT. 6DEATHS DUE TO LOSS OF ENGINEPOWER, STEERING AND POWER BRAKES. I WILL NOT DRIVE THIS CAR,TILL IGET IT REPAIRED. I AM THE ORIGIONAL OWNER WITH 40000 MILES USE.

Mileage: 40,000

MY VEHICLE STARTED ACTING FUNNY WHEN I WOULD TURN ON MY HEAT THE DASH LIGHTS GO OFF THEY SAID IT IS A FAULTY IGNITION SWITCH

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2002 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE WITHOUT WARNING. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED AND DEEMED DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000.

Mileage: 120,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, SHE NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT PULLED OVER AND DISCOVERED THAT THE COOLANT AND ENGINE OIL WAS LOW. THE CONTACT REFILLED THE FLUIDS AND THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED, SMOKE EMITTED FROM THE VEHICLE INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS LEAKING COOLANT AND ENGINE OIL AND THE VALVE COVER GASKET NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT ALSO MENTIONED THAT THE IGNITION LOCKED AND THE IGNITION KEY FAILED TO BE REMOVED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND THE VIN WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V701000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 191,000. UPDATED 03/15/16*LJ *TR

Mileage: 191,000

IGNITION SWITCH IS BAD. SOMETIMES IT STARTS AND SOMETIMES IT DOES NOT. I HAVE ALREADY REPLACED THE STARTER AND THE PROBLEM PERSISTS.

Mileage: 100,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2002 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX. WHILE DRIVING THROUGH AN INTERSECTION AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, ANOTHER VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE ON THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. PRIOR TO THE CRASH, THE IGNITION SWITCH FAILED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED SHOULDER AND HEAD INJURIES THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 145,000. THE VIN WAS NOT PROVIDED. UPDATED 09/09/15*LJ UPDATED 12/11/2015*JS

Mileage: 145,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX. APPROXIMATELY TEN MINUTES AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, IT CAUGHT FIRE. THE CONTACT DID NOT DISCLOSE WHO EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN UNKNOWN LOCATION. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED AND THERE WERE NO INJURIES REPORTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 110,000.

Mileage: 110,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX. AFTER PARKING THE VEHICLE, THE KEY FAILED TO RELEASE OUT OF THE IGNITION AND THE SHIFT LIGHT ILLUMINATED CONTINUOUSLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE IGNITION START SWITCH WAS FAULTY AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 183,000.

Mileage: 183,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX. AFTER INSERTING THE KEY INTO THE IGNITION SWITCH, IT BECAME VERY DIFFICULT TO REMOVE FROM THE IGNITION. IN ADDITION, THE DIGITAL DISPLAY AND THE HEADLIGHTS FLICKERED. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE IGNITION SWITCH NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000.

Mileage: 90,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ENGINE REMAINED ON WHEN THE KEY WAS REMOVED FROM THE IGNITION. THE FAILURE OCCURRED ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE THE FAILURE WAS UNABLE TO BE DUPLICATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 134,361.

Mileage: 134,361

DRIVING ON HIGHWAY, BACK DRIVER'S SIDE WINDOW COMES CRASHING DOWN INTO CAR DOOR, FOR NO REASON. THEN BACK PASSENGER WINDOW STOPS WORKING COMPLETELY, A FEW WEEKS LATER. DRIVER'S SIDE WINDOW STARTS SLIDING DOWN AS CAR IS IN MOTION AFTER TURNING CORNER, I GRABBED WINDOW TRYING TO HOLD ONTO IT, SO IT WOULDN'T DROP ALL THE WAY DOWN INTO THE DOOR, RUSHING HOME SO MY HUSBAND COULD TAPE UP THE WINDOW TILL WE COULD GET IT FIXED. NOW THE FRONT ELECTRONIC PASSENGER WINDOW WILL NOT MOVE UP OR DOWN. THIS HAS HAPPENED WITHIN A FEW MONTHS OF EACH OTHER FOR " NO EXPLAINABLE REASON". MY HUSBAND AND I ARE IN OUR 50'S, WITH NO CHILDREN OR PASSENGER'S IN THE CAR, AND HAVE NEVER HAD THIS HAPPEN TO ANY CAR WE'VE OWNED IN THE PAST. HELP, WE KNOW THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS AND NOT NORMAL! *TR

Mileage: 110,000

ROUTINELY EXPERIENCES IGNITION SWITCH PROBLEMS. KEY CAN BE REMOVED WHILE CAR IS STILL RUNNING AND FROM OTHER SWITCH POSITIONS. ONE TIME THE KEY WAS REMOVED IN THE ACCESSORIES POSITION BY MISTAKE, AND UNKNOWINGLY THE BATTERY DRAINED, REQUIRING A AAA SERVICE VISIT. THIS 2002 AUTO SHOULD BE INCLUDED IN THE RECALL ON OTHER YEAR GRAND PRIX IGNITION SWITCHES AS IT IS UNSAFE. *TR

Mileage: 48,000

I BOUGHT THIS CAR USED AND THE WARRANTY HAD RUN OUT AND THE IGNITION FROZE UP SO I COULD NOT GET THE KEY OUT THIS ONE DAY.I PLAYED WITH THE KEY AND TRIED TO MOVE THE SHIFT LEVER AND IT WAS FROZEN ALONG WITH THE STEERING WHEEL. I LEFT THE CAR ALONE FOR ABOUT AN HOUR CAME OUT AND THE KEY CAME OUT AND EVERYTHING WORKED GOOD. OVER THE YEARS THIS HAPPENED ALOT AND FINALLY I GOT ON THE INTERNET AND ONE GUY SAID THERE IS A HOLE BY THE IGNITION SWITCH THAT YOU CAN PUT A PENCIL IN VERY CAREFULLY AND IF YOU MOVE IT AROUND IT WILL RELEASE THE TUMBLER AND KEY. I DID THAT AND PUT A PENCIL IN THERE AND BROKE IT OFF AND IT HAS WORKED EVERY TIME BUT THE STEERING WHEEL DON'T LOCK AND YOU CAN TAKE THE KEY OUT WHILE DRIVING OR ANY TIME. I TALKED TO GM DEALERS OVER THE YEARS AND THEY WANTED TOO MUCH MONEY TO PUT A NEW IGNITION SWITCH IN$500-TO $600 . I COULD NOT AFFORD IT. THERE ARE HUNDREDS OF GRAND PRIX PONTIACS LIKE MY YEAR AND MAKE ON THE INTERNET THAT COMPLAINED ABOUT THE SAME PROBLEM. NOW THIS RECALL CONVENIENTLY MISSES THE 2002 GRAND PRIX PONTIAC. I'M JUST LUCKY I DID NOT HAVE A PROBLEM WHILE DRIVING AND I DON'T KNOW IF MY AIR BAGS WORK OR NOT. *TR

Mileage: 32,000

RAIN/CAR WASH WATER POURING INTO BLOWER MOTOR DOWN THROUGH PASSENGER FLOORBOARD. IT IS CAUSING NOT ONLY WATER DAMAGE, BUT ELECTRICAL ISSUES AS WELL. HAVE HAD TO REPLACE BLOWER MOTOR RESISTOR AND THE MOTOR ITSELF. HAVE ONLY HAD THIS MOTOR LESS THAN A YEAR AND IT IS ALREADY STARTING TO MAKE NOISE. HAVE ATTEMPTED SEVERAL FIXES INCLUDING A NEW RUBBER SEAL DIVERTER AND MOST RECENTLY, A NEW PLASTIC DIVERTER WHICH IS FITTED UNDER THE COWLING TO NO AVAIL. PLEASE HELP. *TR

Mileage: 92,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ABS WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT UNKNOWN WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED INTERMITTENTLY. 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 138,000.

Mileage: 138,000

THE MULTI FUNCTION SWITCH HAS MALFUNCTIONED THIS IS A COMMON OCCURRENCE ON THESE CARS. THE MALFUNCTION OF THIS SWITCH HAS MEANT THAT THE BRAKE LIGHTS DO NOT WORK CAUSING SOMEONE TO RUN INTO THE BACK OF MY CAR AS I WAS SLOWING IN TRAFFIC. THE SHIFT LEVER LOCK WILL NOT ENGAGE LEAVING THE KEYS UNABLE TO BE REMOVED AND THE SHIFTER CAN BE MOVED OUT OF PARK WITHOUT THE BRAKE PEDAL BEING PRESSED. THE IGNITION SWITCH AND HARNESS MALFUNCTION CAUSING THE FAN TO NOT WORK IN ANYTHING BUT 5. LOOK AT THE MESSAGE BOARDS ALL THREE A COMMON OCCURRENCE AND WORSE GM KNOWS OF THESE PROBLEMS AND HAVE REFUSED TO ADDRESS THEM. *TR

Mileage: 79,000

I PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE FROM A LADY SHE WAS SELLING IT. A COUPLE WEEKS LATER I STARTED HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE IGNITION. WHEN I TRY TO TURN MY CAR OFF BY TURNING THE KEY BACKWARDS IT GETS STUCK AND I HAVE TO SIT THERE ANDAND CONSTANTLY JIGGLE THE KEY UNTIL I'M ABLE TO GET IT TO RELEASE. THIS HAPPENS ABOUT ONCE A WEEK BUT SOMETIMES TWICE A DAY THERE IS EVEN TIMES I CAN'T GET THE KEY OUT SO I'M FORCED TO LEAVE IT LIKE THAT REQUIRING A JUMP THE NEXT DAY. I JUST WANT TO KNOW IF MY CAR IS ON THE RECALL LIST FOR THE FAULTY IGNITION SWITCH. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE ENTIRE INSTRUMENT PANEL AND ELECTRICAL SYSTEM FAILED. THE FAILURE WAS RECURRING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHO WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000.

Mileage: 70,000

THE IGNITION KEY GETS STUCK AND CANNOT BE REMOVED. THIS IS INTERMITTENT. DEALER COULD NOT FIX THE PROBLEM. *TR

Mileage: 52,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE KEY FAILED TO BE REMOVED FROM THE IGNITION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 90,000. *TR

Mileage: 80,000

PULLED INTO THE GARAGE AND TURNED THE CAR OFF. THE IGNITION SWITCH TURNED ENOUGH TO TURN THE CAR OFF BUT NOT FAR ENOUGH TO REMOVE THE KEY. TRIED JIGGLING THE KEY BACK AND FORTH AND IT STILL WOULD NOT COME OUT. LEFT KEY IN IGNITION AND PUSHED THE TRUNK RELEASE BUTTON ON THE KEY FOB, THE TRUNK OPENED AND THEN THE CAR TRIED TO START ITSELF WITHOUT ANYTHING TURNING THE KEY. THEN SMOKE STARTED COMING OUT FROM BEHIND THE STEERING WHEEL. THE CAR WAS STUCK IN PARK AND COULD NOT GET INTO NEUTRAL TO PUSH OUT OF GARAGE. I BELIEVE FINALLY A FUSE POPPED. I OPENED THE HOOD AND DISCONNECTED THE BATTERY AND THE SMOKE STOPPED. I CALLED THE DEALER TO CHECK AND SEE IF THERE WAS A RECALL THAT I MISSED BUT THEY TOLD ME THERE WERE NO RECALLS RELATING TO THE IGNITION. I TOOK SOME OF THE PLASTIC OFF UNDER THE STEERING WHEEL AND FOUND THAT ABOUT HALF OF THE IGNITION WIRING HARNESS WAS BURNED UP AND MELTED. *TR

Mileage: 152,000

I HAVE A 2002 GRAND PRIX SE THAT WILL SOMETIMES JUST NOT WANT TO START. EVERYTHING WORKS THE LIGHTS FUEL,PUMP RUNS BUT THE CAR JUST ACTS LIKE THE IGNITION ISN'T MAKING CONTACT. I'VE HAD JUST ABOUT EVERYTHING REPLACED BUT THE PROBLEM IS STILL THERE. AFTER DOING SOME RESEARCH IT TURNS OUT GM AND HONDA BOTH HAVE THE PROBLEM BUT ONLY HONDA IS FIXING IT. *TR

Mileage: 80,000

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START DUE TO A MALFUNCTION IN THE ANTI-THEFT SYSTEM. THE FAILURE OCCURRED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS TOLD THE KEY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE KEY WAS REPLACED, BUT THE FAILURE CONTINUED. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THE VEHICLE TOOK LONG PERIODS OF TIME TO START BECAUSE THE ANTI-THEFT SYSTEM WAS NOT RECOGNIZING THE KEY. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 117,000.

Mileage: 117,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH WHEN THE HEATER WAS ACTIVATED AND THE AUTOMATIC HEADLIGHTS AND REAR DEFROSTER FAILED. IN ADDITION, THE FAILURES OCCURRED WHEN THE AIR CONDITIONER WAS ACTIVATED. THE FAILURE WAS INTERMITTENT AND PROGRESSED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THEY INFORMED THAT THE FAILURE WAS CONTRIBUTED TO THE IGNITION SWITCH. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 85,000. UPDATED 01/13/11*LJ UPDATED 01/25/11*JB

Mileage: 85,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX. THE CONTACT STATED WHEN INITIALLY STARTING THE VEHICLE THAT AIR CONDITIONER WOULD NOT ENGAGE. THE HEADLIGHTS WERE ALSO INOPERABLE AND THE CONTACT STATED THE ONLY WAY THE TWO COMPONENTS WOULD OPERATE WAS IF THE KEY WAS TURNED IN THE IGNITION SWIFTLY WHEN FIRST STARTING. THE VEHICLE WAS NEITHER DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 97,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 102,000.

Mileage: 97,000

I BELIEVE THAT THERE MAY BE A RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN ALL OF THESE ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS INVOLVING THE IGNITION SWITCH / SHIFTER INTERLOCK SYSTEMS ON THE PONTIAC GRAND PRIX AND FIRES INVOLVING THE SAME VEHICLE (THE AFFECT YEARS NOT KNOW) OURS IS A 2002 AND WE HAVE NOT HAD A FIRE YET. BUT WE HAVE HAD PROBLEMS REMOVING THE IGNITION KEY AFTER WE PARK THE CAR. IF BY SOME CHANCE THAT THERE IS SOME ELECTRICAL CONTACT STILL BEING MADE BECAUSE OF THE DEFECT (REMOVAL OF THE IGNITION KEY) THEN THERE CAN BE A CHAIN OF CAUSE TO START A FIRE. I BELIEVE THAT THE NHTSA NEED TO FULLY INVESTIGATE THESE CLAIMS. I HAVE BEEN A FIRE FIGHTER FOR OVER 20 YEARS AND A FIRE INVESTIGATOR FOR WELL OVER 15 YEARS, AND I HAVE SEEN NUMEROUS TIMES BEFORE THAT WERE THERE IS A ELECTRICAL PROBLEM OVER A PERIOD OF TIME THERE WILL BE A FIRE, SOMETIMES SOONER THAN LATER. *TR

Mileage: 83,866

KEY STUCK IN THE IGNITION AT 85,000 MILES. CAR WAS IN PARK AND ENGINE WAS OFF (THOUGH KEY WOULD NOT TURN ALL THE WAY BACK TO IT'S NORMAL OFF POSITION). HAD TO REMOVE BOTTOM COVER ON STEERING COLUMN IN ORDER TO PRESS A BUTTON ON SOLENOID TO RELEASE THE KEY. THIS IS NOW CONSISTENTLY HAPPENING EVERY TIME I DRIVE THE CAR. CONSIDERING REMOVING SOLENOID COMPLETELY TO BYPASS THIS SAFETY FEATURE. DEALER IS GOING TO CHARGE AT LEAST $300 TO FIX THIS PROBLEM, BUT I HAVE NOTICED THIS IS A VERY COMMON COMPLAINT WITH THIS VEHICLE. THIS SHOULD BE A RECALL AND THE COMPANY SHOULD STRIVE TO PRODUCE A HIGHER QUALITY PRODUCT. *TR

Mileage: 85,000

MY 2002 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX GT HAD THE FOLLOWING ISSUE WHICH I BELIEVE SHOULD BE A RECALL. - I WAS DRIVING MY VEHICLE WHEN MY HEATER BLOWER MOTOR SHUT OFF. I WOULD DRIVE FOR A FEW MORE MINUTES THEN IT WOULD COME BACK ON. THIS WOULD HAPPEN AT THE FREQ OF 1 TIME PER MONTH. THE FREQ BEGAN TO INCREASE TO THE POINT IS WAS SEVERAL TIMES PER KM. OFF, ON, OFF, ON ETC. I EVENTUALLY TOOK IT TO THE DEALER, IT WAS A WIRE HARNESS $ 500.00 MAINTENANCE IS WHAT IT IS, BUT THE SAME PROBLEM TURNS THE HEADLIGHTS OFF ( NOT DASH LIGHTS ) AND REAR DEFROST OFF. IN THE SUMMER I WAS DRIVING MY VEHICLE AND MY HEADLIGHTS WERE FLASHING A PEDESTRIAN WALKING INFRONT OF MY VEHICLE. IT WAS THEN I REALIZED THE HEADLIGHTS WERE AFFECTED. THIS IS AN FYI *TR

Mileage: 150,000

2002 GRAND PRIX THE GM PASSLOCK IS FAULTY. FLASHES DOES NOT RESET AND CAR WILL NOT START. WAS STRANDED IN PARKING LOT AND HAD TO HAVE TOWED AND REPAIRED. *TR

THE KEY WILL NOT COME OUT OF THE IGNITION. IT MUST BE LEFT IN. THE STEERING WHEEL DOES NOT LOCK IN POSITION. DANGEROUS TO LEAVE KEY IN IGNITION. MORE LIKELY TO ACCIDENTALLY LOCK CHILDREN INSIDE WITH KEY WHEN IT WON'T COME OUT BY ACCIDENT. *TR

Mileage: 92,200

ON OUR 2002 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX 3.1L SFI OHV 6CYL, A/C FAN STARTED CUTTING OFF AND ON AND ONE DAY JUST STARTED A FIRE WE DIDN'T HAVE THE MONEY FOR FULL COVERAGE SO THE CAR NOW SITES IN THE FRONT YARD WITH A TARP OVER IT. BUT I KNOW THIS SHOULD NOT HAVE HAPPENED. PLEASE HELP ME WITH THIS THE CAR WAS SITTING IN A WAL MART PARKING LOT EARLY ON THIS MORNING MY WIFE WENT SHOPPING SHE HAD THE KEYS AND THE CAR WAS TURNED OFF AND NO ONE WAS IN IT AND IT JUST STARTED ON FIRE WHERE THE A/C FAN IS AND BURNED A HOLE THROUGH THE WINDSHIELD AND INTO THE FIREWALL AND BURNED THE INSIDE A LOT. *TR

KEY STUCK IN IGNITION. AT FIRST, I WAS ABOUT TO PAY $700 TO HAVE THIS FIXED. I SEARCHED THE INTERNET AND FOUND THAT THERE IS A BUTTON UNDER THE STEERING COLUMN THAT YOU CAN DEPRESS AND IT WILL RELEASE THE KEY. USE THE TILT TO LIFT THE STEERING COLUMN, FEEL FOR A BUTTON AND PRESS. THIS MAY TAKE A MINUTE TO GET USED TO. I CAN NOW DO IT WITHOUT TILTING THE COLUMN. I WILL DO THIS FOR THE LIFE OF THE OWNERSHIP FOR THE CAR BEFORE I PAY $700 TO HAVE IT FIXED. I CALLED THE DEALERSHIP AND ASKED THEM WHY THEY WOULD LOOK AT MY VEHICLE AND GIVE ME AN ESTIMATE BUT NOT ALERT ME TO THE TEMPORARY FIX, AND THEY SAID IT IS AGAINST COMPANY POLICY. *TR

WHEN SHUTTING ENGINE OFF THE KEY WILL NOT RELEASE FROM THE IGNITION. *TR

Mileage: 70,000

JUST COMING HOME FROM WORK ON A FRIDAY, PULLED INTO A GAS STATION TO FILLER UP. AND NOTICED KEY WAS STUCK IN IGNITION HAVING ALL POWER STILL RUNNING THROUGH CAR. GOT IT HOME AND DID SOME RESEARCH AND COME TO FIND OUT THERE'S A SOLENOID IN THE STEERING COLUMN THAT ATTACHES TO TWO WIRES LEADING OUT TO COMPUTER. ANY OTHERS OUT THERE EXPERIENCING THIRD PROBLEM MAYBE WE CAN GET ENOUGH DEFECTS FOR THESE CORPORATE GUYS TO GIVE US A PRODUCT THAT'S GOING LAST WITHOUT SOME COMPUTER BS EMPTYING OUR POCKETS FOR SUCH LITTLE (USE TO BE ) SIMPLE FIXES. *TR

Mileage: 138,000

INTERMITTENT PROBLEM WITH KEY NOT RELEASING FROM IGNITION. *TR

Mileage: 62,000

2002 GRAND PRIX IF IT WAS HUMID OR DAMP THE KEY WOULD GET STUCK IN START GRINDING THE STARTER. WHEN WE WOULD TAKE IT IN THEY SAID THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG. IT HAPPENED ABOUT ONCE A WEEK. ON JULY 7 WHEN I STARTED THE CAR THE KEY WAS STUCK GRINDING THE STARTER. THIS TIME IT WOULD NOT TURN BACK I DIDN'T KNOW WHAT TO DO. THEN IT STARTED TO SMOKE AND STOPPED RUNNING. I HAD TO PULL THE BATTERY I HAD BURNT OUT THE STARTER. I T HAD TO BE TOWED AND A KNEW IGNITION AND STARTED WAS PUT IN THE AUTO REPAIR SAID THEY SEE THIS ALOT, HOPEFULLY IT DIDN'T HURT THE ENGINE. *TR

VEHICLE WAS PARKED AND BURNED. ELECTRICAL FIRE. *JB

Mileage: 116,000

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX. THE CONTACT STATED THE AIRBAG WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED AUTOMATICALLY. THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THE FAILURE AS THE SEAT BELT BUCKLE. THE FAILURE WAS REPAIRED, YET THE WARNING LIGHT CONTINUED TO ILLUMINATE SPORADICALLY. THE DEALER REPAIRED THE WIRING BELOW THE SEAT AND THE FAILURE CEASED COMPLETELY. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGE WERE 7000. *AK

Mileage: 7,000

LOW OIL LEVEL INDICATOR WILL INITIALLY TURN OFF WHEN STARTING VEHICLE AND WILL COME BACK ON AND STAY ON. IF VEHICLE IS TURNED OFF AND RESTARTED LOW OIL LEVEL INDICATOR WILL TURN OFF AND STAY OFF. OIL LEVEL IS OK. VEHICLE HAS BEEN TO DEALER AT LEAST TWICE AND THEY HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. *NM

Mileage: 48,000

THE KEY IS STUCK IN THE IGNITION. I AM UNABLE TO TAKE IT OUT EVEN WHEN ALL GEARS HAVE BEEN SWITCHED TO PARK. THE WERE NO EVENTS THAT GAVE ME WARNING ANY THING WAS WRONG WITH THE IGNITION. AT THIS POINT THIS IS THE 3RD PONTIAC GRAND PRIX RANGING IN YEARS 2001-2003 THAT I HAVE KNOWN THIS TO HAPPEN TO. THE KEY IS STILL STUCK IN THERE. PRICE QUOTES I HAVE GOT RANGE FROM $1,000.00- $2,000.00 DEPENDING ON IF THEY HAVE TO RESET THE AIRBAG. *NM

Mileage: 92,000

2002 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX GT. AFTER ENGAGING HAZARD WARNING SWITCH TO ON, THEN TO OFF, BRAKE LIGHTS FAIL TO WORK. HAVE TO WIGGLE HAZARD SWITCH TO GET BRAKES WORKING AGAIN. ALL BRAKE LIGHTS GO OUT AFTER HAZARD SWITCH IS TURNED OFF. FAULTY TURN SIGNAL-HAZARD SWITCH MODULE. UNCERTAIN IF BRAKE LIGHTS ARE WORKING UNLESS CONSTANT CHECKING. HAVE TO CONTINUE TO WIGGLE HAZARD SWITCH BUTTON TO GET THEM TO FUNCTION AGAIN. VERY DANGEROUS. *NM

1) NONE 2) WHEN PARKING MY 2002 GRAND PRIX SE IT MORE OFTEN THAN NOT, WILL NOT RELEASE THE KEY. THE ENGINE WILL TURN OFF HOWEVER, THE SWITCH WILL NOT TURN BACK COMPLETELY TO RELEASE THE KEY. 3) THE ONLY SOLUTIONS THAT ONLY SOMETIMES WORK ARE TO A) MOVE TO A DIFFERENT PARKING SPOT AND TRY TURNING THE CAR OFF AGAIN WHICH RARELY WORKS, B) TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL BACK AND FORTH UNTIL A "CLICK" IS HEARD THEN KEY CAN BE TAKEN OUT, OR C)SOMETIMES JUST MOVING THE SHIFTER FROM PARK DOWN THROUGH ALL GEARS AND BACK TO PARK AGAIN SOMETIMES WORKS. AND D) JUST LETTING THE CAR SIT FOR OVER 5 MINUTES OR SO WITH NO ACTION BEING TAKEN AND THEN A "CLICK" IS HEARD AND THE KEY CAN THEN BE RELEASED. SEE WWW.AUTOMOTIVEFORUMS.COM AND SEARCH "KEY STUCK IGNITION SWITCH" FOR NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS EXACTLY LIKE THIS FOR ALL YEARS OF PONTIAC GRAND PRIX'S. *JB

Mileage: 50,000

I WAS DRIVING THE 2002 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX GTP ON A HIGHWAY WITH 45-55 MPH SPEED LIMIT FOR APPROX. 45 MIN. THE CAR SHUT OFF 15 SEC. AFTER I HEARD THE ENGINE BACKFIRE. THE SPEEDOMETER WENT FROM 0 ALL THE WAY UP, AND BACK TO 0. I PULLED INTO THE NEAREST PARKING LOT AND POPPED THE HOOD. I DISCOVERED A FIRE NEAR THE INTAKE AND THE LOWER RIGHT SIDE OF THE VALVE COVER. THE CAR WAS TOWED TO A PONTIAC DEALER. THEY REPLACED THE FUEL INJECTORS, THE LOWER INTAKE, VALVE COVER, SPARK PLUG WIRES, ELECTRICAL HARNESS AND MUCH MOTOR THE COST WAS APPROX. $5000. AFTER SAYING IT WOULD TAKE 2 WEEKS, IT TOOK THE SHOP 6 OR 7 WEEKS TO FIX, SO MY CAR RENTAL BILL WAS THOUSANDS MORE THAN INSURANCE WOULD COVER THE CAR WASN'T NEARLY AS RESPONSIVE AND HAD TROUBLE GOING UP EVEN THE SMALLEST INCLINES. ALSO, THE SHIFT-PARK INTERLINK STOPPED WORKING SO THE CAR WOULD NOT SHIFT OUT OF PARK AFTER THE FIRE. AND MY SUNROOF HASN'T WORKED SINCE. AND MY FAN FOR THE A/C AND HEATER ONLY WORKS WITH THE FAN ON 5. ALSO I HAVE NOTICED A WEIRD SOUND COMING FROM THE SPEAKERS ON OCCASION. ABOUT A WEEK OR TWO LATER THE CAR WAS IN THE SHOP BECAUSE THEY HAD NOT REPLACED THE SPARK PLUGS; ONE OF THEM WAS CRACKED AND WAS MOST LIKELY CRACKED WHEN I GOT THE CAR BACK. THE CAR HAD ABOUT 90,000 MILES WHEN IT HAD CAUGHT FIRE. THEN ON JUNE 3, 2006-AFTER LESS THAN 2000 MILES, THE ENGINE LOCKED UP. THE DEALER SAID THE ONLY OPTION THEY CAN DO TO FIX IT IS PUT A NEW ENGINE IN--THE INITIAL ESTIMATE IS $5200. ALSO, I'M GOING TO BE OUT OF A CAR AGAIN AND WILL HAVE THE BURDEN OF RENTAL CAR COSTS AGAIN. FROM WHAT I HAVE READ, THERE HAVE BEEN NUMEROUS FIRES INVOLVING THE GM 3.8. SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE. *NM

Mileage: 90,000

MY VEHICLE STALLED WHILE I WAS DRIVING ON A BUSY 5 LANE ROAD (2 LANES GOING EACH WAY - AND A TURN LANE). I COULD TELL THAT IT WAS ABOUT TO STALL AND WAS ABOUT TO TURN INTO A BUSINESS PARKING LOT. MY VEHICLE COMPLETELY STALLED IN THE TURN LANE. I WAS FORTUNATE THAT I WAS NOT HURT AND THAT THERE WAS NO ACCIDENT. I WAS ABLE TO PUT THE HAZARD LIGHTS ON AS SOON AS MY CAR WAS DEAD. FORTUNATELY, I HAD A CELL PHONE AND I WAS ABLE TO CALL ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE. *JB

Mileage: 60,000

10/31/05 CAR CLEANED AT CAR WASH. 11/01/05 NOTICED A WINDOW CLEANER SMELL, WHILE DRIVING COMING THROUGH THE AIR VENTS FOR A MINUTE. 11/12/05, 12:45 P.M. DROVE THE CAR 6 MINUTES TO A HAIR SALON. 1:45 P.M. STARTED FOR HOME, PARKED AT CONVENIENCE STORE, LEFT CAR RUNNING WITH MY PERMANENTLY DISABLED HUSBAND INSIDE. PROCEEDED HOME NOTICED THE WINDOW CLEANER SMELL AGAIN. 1:58 P.M. PARKED IN CONDOMINIUM PARKING LOT. 2:20 P.M. OUR NEIGHBOR TOLD ME OUR CAR IS ON FIRE. THERE WERE FLAMES 10' HIGH COMING OFF THE FRONT OF MY CAR. A LOUD EXPLOSION OCCURRED AND THE POLICE AND FIREMEN WERE SHOUTING TO GET BACK DOWN THE HILL AND GET THE CHILDREN ALL THE WAY DOWN THE HILL! I TOLD THE OFFICER THAT I WAS THE OWNER OF THE BURNING CAR. OUR NEIGHBOR TOLD ME HER TOYOTA WAS PARKED ON THE RIGHT OF MINE AND IT WAS ON FIRE TOO. WHEN THE FIRE WAS OUT, THE POLICE OFFICER TOLD ME THE HONDA CR-V ON THE LEFT OF MY CAR WAS ALSO BURNED, AND THEY WOULD NOTIFY THE OWNER. 2:35 P.M. A FIREMAN GOT THE REGISTRATION AND PERSONAL BELONGINGS OUT FOR ME. BEFORE MY CAR WAS TOWED AWAY, I TOOK PICTURES AND ASKED THE TOW TRUCK OWNER, IF HE COULD GIVE A REASON MY CAR BURNED UP. HE SAID IT LOOKS ELECTRICAL TO ME. SUNDAY, 11/13/05, 3:00 P.M. OUR SON-IN-LAW, A FIRE INSPECTOR FOR THE CLIFTON FIRE DEPARTMENT CAME TO THE UNOFFICIAL CONCLUSION THAT, IT LOOKS ELECTRICAL DUE TO THE BURN PATTERN. I REPORTED THE FIRE TO MY INSURANCE CARRIER AND GENERAL MOTORS CORPORATION. I WAS CONTACTED BY ESIS FOR GMC, AND SUPPLIED ALL THE DETAILS, PICTURES AND COPIES OF REPAIR ORDERS. THIS IS A POTENTIAL FOR FATALITIES AND MANY MORE OF THESE ENGINE FIRES WILL OCCUR IF THE CAUSE IS NOT FOUND. *JB

Mileage: 40,600

(1) NO EVENTS (2) IGNITION SWITCH KEY WON'T COME OUT (3) NOTHING DONE SO FAR AS DEALER CAN NOT GIVE DEFINITE ANSWER ON WHAT NEEDS REPAIR OR REPLACEMENT...EITHER THEY HAVE NO IDEA AS TO THE SOURCE OF THE PROBLEM OR THEY ARE RUNNING A SCAM TO BLEED MY BANK ACCOUNT........ OTHERS HAVE POSTED SIMILAR MESSAGES ON FORUMS WITH NEGATIVE RESULTS AND HUNDREDS OR THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS IN REPAIRS WITHOUT SOLVING THE PROBLEM....... MOST LIKELY RESPONSE FOUND WAS REPLACE THE PARKING LOCK RELAY. *NM

Mileage: 49,000

DT: THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX. THE SECURITY SYSTEM IS TOO SENSITIVE BECAUSE THE CAR WILL LOCK AND HE HAS TO WAIT FOR 20 MINUTES TO MOVE THE VEHICLE. THIS WILL OCCUR IF THE KEY IS DIRTY OR ANYTHING THAT WILL TRIGGER THE ANTI-THEFT SYSTEM. HE DOES NOT MIND THAT THE CAR HAS THIS FEATURE. BUT THE FEATURE IS TOO SENSITIVE. THIS OCCURRED A LOT HERE LATELY. THE CONTACT CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER, AND THEY TOLD HIM THAT THEY COULD NOT RESET THE SYSTEM, AND THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO ABOUT THIS VEHICLE BECAUSE THIS WAS SIMPLY THE WAY IT WAS MADE. *AK *JB

Mileage: 17,000

UNABLE TO EXTRACT KEY FROM THE IGNITION AFTER PUTTING THE CAR IN PARK. IN MOST FAILURES, I HAVE HAD TO RESTART THE CAR AND GO BACK THROUGH ALL OF THE GEARS AND PUT IT BACK INTO PARK THEN REMOVE THE KEY. I WORK WITH AN INDIVIDUAL WITH THE SAME YEAR CAR AND SHE RECENTLY HAD THE SAME ISSUE. HER CAR WAS UNDER THE EXTENDED WARRANTY, BUT TO REPAIR THE PROBLEM IT WOULD HAVE COST OVER $1000 IF SHE HAD NOT HAD THE WARRANTY. I BELIEVE THE ISSUE RELATES TO THE TRANSMISSION NOT SHIFTING FULLING INTO PARK.

Mileage: 57,000

HEADLIGHT AND DASHBOARD LIGHTS FLASH INTERMITTENTLY, APPROXIMATLEY EVERY 2 SECONDS. HAD IT LOOKED AT TWICE BY AW GOLDEN PONTIAC IN READING PA AND WAS TOLD MY CAR "WAS KNOWN TO DO THAT, AND IT CAN'T BE FIXED." ALSO, I CAN LEAVE IT THERE "FOR THE MECHANIC TO DRIVE IT HOME AT NIGHT, SO HE CAN SEE WHAT I'M TALKING ABOUT." MY CAR DOES NOT HAVE THIS PROBLEM EVERYTIME I DRIVE AT NIGHT, MAYBE EVERY OTHER NIGHT, BUT IT IS NO-STOP WHEN IT STARTS. DRIVERS IN FRONT OF ME HIT THEIR BRAKES, BECAUSE THEY THINK I'M FLASHING THEM. I CAN SEE THIS CAUSING A PROBLEM IF I HAVE TO DEAL WITH A PERSON HAVING ROAD RAGE.*AK

THE HEAD LIGHTS FLICKERED ON AND OFF AS IF THEY WERE BEING TURNED ON AND OFF. THE DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED. PLEASE DESCRIBE FURTHER. *JB

I HAVE A BURGUNDY 2002 GRAND PRIX. WHENEVER I TURN IT ON, IT HAS AN EXTENDED CRANK. IT SOUNDS LIKE IT IS STRUGGLING TO TURN ON. I HAVE TAKEN IT TO THE DEALER THREE TIMES AND AM SCHEDULED TO TAKE IT IN AGAIN A FOURTH TIME. THE LAST TIME I WAS THERE THEY TOLD ME THAT ALL OF THE 2002 MODELS HAD AN EXTENDED CRANK AND THAT THERE WAS PROBABLY NOTHING THAT COULD FIX IT. *JB

COMPLETE FAILURE OF ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. FIRST OCCURRENCE CAUSED COMPLETE LOCK-UP OF IGNITION, STEERING, TRANSMISSION, AND FUEL SYSTEMS. (APRIL, 2002) SECOND FAILURE CAUSED FAILURE TO START, AND RESETTING OF ALL ELECTRONICS. DEALER HAS ATTRIBUTED TO BATTERY FAILURE AND REPLACED SAME. AM CONCERNED THAT A SYSTEM FAILURE WILL OCCUR DURING VEHICLE OPERATION CAUSING LOSS OF STEERING, BRAKES, ETC. THAT COULD RESULT IN A SEVERE CRASH.*AK

WHILE VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN GARAGE IT CAUGHT ON FIRE AND BURNED GARAGE AND MOST OF THE HOUSE. FIRE STARTED IN COMPUTER AREA. CONTACTED DEALER, AND DEALER WAS NOT WILLING TO DO ANYTHING.*AK

WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE, THE ONSTAR COMMUNICATIONS SYSTEM ACTIVATED 4 TIMES ON IT'S OWN BEFORE CONSUMER NOTICED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS ON FIRE. THE ONSTAR COMMUNICATIONS BOX IS LOCATED IN THE LEFT, REAR CORNER OF THE VEHICLES TRUNK. *AK VEHICLE WAS TOWED AND HAS BEEN INSPECTED, HOWEVER VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. CONSUMER HAS REPEATEDLY CONTACTED MANUFACTURER AND SERVICE MANAGER AS TO WHEN THE REPAIRS WOULD COMMENCE, BUT CONSUMER HAS YET TO RECEIVE A SATISFACTORY RESPONSE. *TT

WHILE TRAVELING APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH, AND MAKING A LEFT TURN IN TRAFFIC,THE ENGINE LOST POWER AND SHUT OFF UNEXPECTEDLY, ALL ELECTRICAL FUNCTIONS CONTINUED TO OPERATE, THIS PROBLEM OCCURRED APPROXIMATELY SIX MORE TIMES INTERMITTENTLY WHILE TRAVELING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, DEALERSHIP HAS EXAMINED THE VEHICLE THREE TIMES, AND COULD NOT REPRODUCE THE PROBLEM.*AK CONSUMER ALSO STATED THE ALTERNATOR MAKES A LOUD HUMMING NOISE THROUGH THE RADIO, THERE IS A RATTLE NOISE FROM THE LEFT WHEEL /SUSPENSION AREA, AND THERE IS A HOLE IN THE REAR INTERIOR OF THE DOOR PANEL, THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT HAS A RIPPLE IN THE LEATHER.*SLC