2002 Pontiac Grand Prix complaints

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 70 MPH AND NOTICED SMOKE UNDERNEATH THE HOOD. THE CONTACT STATED THE TEMPERATURE GAUGE ALSO BEGAN TO INCREASE. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO DRIVE ONTO THE EMERGENCY BEFORE THE VEHICLE IGNITED. THE POLICE AND FIRE DEPARTMENT WERE NOTIFIED TO ASSIST WITH THE FIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A SALVAGE AND DECLARED DESTROYED. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

I HAVE OWNED MY 2002 GRAND PRIX FOR ABOUT 7 YEARS. ON JUNE 8, 2011 ABOUT 6:30 P.M. MY CAR CAUGHT ON FIRE BY JUST BEING PARKED. I CALLED THE CUSTOMER SERVICE WHERE THEY TOLD ME IT WOULD BE 7 DAYS BEFORE A REP GOT IN CONTACT WITH ME. I HAVE NO MONEY AND I NEED A CAR. WHEN WILL SOMEONE TAKE THIS SERIOUS BEFORE SOMEONE GETS REALLY HURT. *TR

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.

WATER WILL LEAK INTO THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE WHENEVER IT WOULD RAIN OR IF I TAKE IT IN A CAR WASH. I JUST HAD MY WINDOW REPAIRED LAST WEEK DUE TO A CRACK AND THIS STILL DIDN'T FIX THE PROBLEM. I TOOK THE CAR IN TO GET IT LOOKED AT AND NO ONE CAN FIND A PROBLEM WITH IT. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, APPROACHING A STOP SIGN WHEN THE BRAKES WERE ENGAGED; HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO SLOW DOWN. AFTER NUMEROUS ATTEMPTS THE VEHICLE EVENTUALLY CAME TO A STOP. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR INSPECTION AND THEY STATED THAT THE FUEL LINE AND BRAKE LINES WERE COMPLETELY CORRODED AS A RESULT OF RUST. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 68,329. UPDATED 5/24/11 *CN THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED AT HIS EXPENSE. UPDATED 06/10/11

I HAVE FOUND BOTH SIDES OF THE FRONT SUSPENSION ANTI ROLL BAR ON MY 2002 GRAND PRIX GTP TO HAVE CRACKS AT THE PINCH WELD, WHERE THE LINKS ATTACH. ON THE LHS IS IT PRETTY WELL CRACKED ALL THE WAY THROUGH, THE RHS IS CRACKED APPROX 50% OF THE WAY THROUGH. IT APPEARS THE ROAD SALT AND CORROSION IS GETTING IN BETWEEN THE PINCH WELD AND SPLITTING THE BAR IN TWO. THIS WOULD NOT BE A CATASTROPHIC LOSS OF CONTROL BUT WOULD GO FROM FIRM CORNERING TO WISHY WASHY. I AM A PROFESSIONAL TECHNICIAN BY TRADE AND DO MY OWN WORK ON MY POV'S. I CAN SUPPLY PICTURES IF NEEDED. THE CAR HAS ABOUT 77000 MILES ON IT AT THE TIME. I THINK THE MANUFACTURER ALSO NEEDS TO ADDRESS THE OIL PAN LEAKS AS WELL. THEY CAN LEAK AND DRAIN RIGHT ON TO THE EXHAUST. AGAIN THIS WAS FOUND BY A ROUTINE INSPECTION AND VERIFIED BY BUFFING IT OFF WITH A BUFFING WHEEL. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2002 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER PARKING THE VEHICLE, THE FRONT END WAS ON FIRE WITHIN MINUTES. THE CONTACT STATED THERE WAS NO PRIOR WARNING OF ANY FAILURE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CALLED TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE AND A FIRE REPORT WAS FILED. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT CONCLUDED THAT THE FIRE ORIGINATED FROM THE ENGINE AND THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 09V116000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING) AND STATED THAT THE RECALL REPAIR WAS PREVIOUSLY PERFORMED ON THE VEHICLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 112,000. UPDATED 5/2/11 *CN UPDATED 05/11/11

MY 2002 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX WITH A 3.8 LITER ENGINE CAUGHT FIRE WHILE PARKED IN MY DRIVEWAY AFTER A SHORT TRIP. THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE CAR INVOLVING ENGINE FIRES. I TOOK THE CAR TO A GM DEALER AND HAD THE RECALL WORK DONE ON SEPTEMBER 16, 2010. THE CAR WAS LOST DUE TO THE FIRE ON FEBRUARY 22, 2011. I LATER FOUND OUT THAT THE RECALL FOR CARS WITH SUPERCHARGED ENGINES INCLUDED REPLACING THE VALVE COVER GASKETS. IF THIS HAD BEEN PART OF THE RECALL FOR MY VEHICLE, I BELIEVE THAT THE FIRE WOULD HAVE NEVER HAPPENED. *TR

SMOKE COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD, FOLLOWED BY THICK DARK SMOKE COMING FROM THE GEAR SHIFT INSIDE THE VEHICLE. LOSS OF STEERING FOLLOWED BY A LOSS OF BRAKES. COASTED TO A STOP AT AN INTERSECTION. UPON EXITING THE CAR THE RIGHT FRONT TIRE HAD BEGUN TO MELT. FLAMES WHERE COMING FROM UNDER THE FRONT PASSENGER FENDER WELL. WITHIN 5 MINUTES THE ENTIRE ENGINE COMPARTMENT WAS ON FIRE. *TR

I RECENTLY HAD TO REPLACE MY INTAKE MANIFOLD FOR MY CAR IN JULY, AND JUST TODAY I HAD TO TAKE MY CAR TO THE MECHANIC BECAUSE HE SAID THAT THE REAR INTAKE MANIFOLD WAS CRACKED AND HAD TO BE REPLACED. HE STATED THAT GRAND PRIXS WERE BUILT WITH PLASTIC INTAKE MANIFOLDS. *TR

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

EXHAUST MANIFOLD GASKET FAILURE DUE TO DESIGN MANUFACTURE IE COOLANT DEFECTS LEADING TO OVERHEATING AND POSSIBLE ENGINE FIRE--CONSUMER COST TO REPAIR IN EXCESS OF 1000.00. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WATER WOULD LEAK INTO THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE WHENEVER IT WOULD RAIN. THE CONTACT WAS UNAWARE OF HOW THE WATER WAS ENTERING THE VEHICLE BUT THE WATER WOULD BUILDUP ON THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE FLOORBOARD. THE MANUFACTURER WAS INFORMED OF THE FAILURE AND ADVISED THE CONTACT TO HAVE A DEALER INSPECT THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A LOCAL MECHANIC AND THE LOCAL MECHANIC COULD NOT DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT DID NOT TAKE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT STATED THERE ARE NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS REGARDING THE LEAK IN HIS YEAR, MAKE AND MODEL VEHICLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 84,000.

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.

AFTER DRIVING TO SEVERAL STORES, UPON STARTING MY CAR I NOTICED THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT ALMOST TO THE FLOOR. I STARTED TO PULL FROM THE PARKING SPACE AND IT TOOK ME A LONG TIME TO STOP. I PARKED AND HAD MY CAR TAKEN TO A REPAIR SHOP. THE BRAKE LINE WAS RUSTED THROUGH. THE MECHANIC SAID THAT SHOULD NOT HAVE HAPPENED TO A CAR WITH ONLY 69,000 MILES ON IT AND WAS A POOR DESIGN AS THE BRAKE LINE RUNS OVER THE WHEEL WELL. HE SAID THERE ARE OTHERS THAT WILL ALSO FAIL SOON. I AM GOING TO HAVE THEM ALL REPLACED. MY PARKING BRAKE CABLE ALSO BROKE A FEW WEEKS AGO. LUCKILY THIS DID NOT CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX. WHILE PARKING THE VEHICLE IT ACCELERATED ON ITS OWN. THE CONTACT APPLIED EXTREME FORCE TO THE BRAKES WHEN THEY DID NOT STOP THE VEHICLE FROM ACCELERATING. THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO A POST AND DAMAGED THE FRONT END ON THE PASSENGER SIDE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTO REPAIR SHOP. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THERE HAVE BEEN NO DIAGNOSTIC TEST OR REPAIRS. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 60000.

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

FUEL LINE LEAK OVER ENGINE ON 2002 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX GT. THE QUICK DISCONNECT OVER THE INTAKE MANIFOLD HAS AN O-RING THAT WEARS OUT AND ALLOWS FUEL TO FLOW ONTO THE HOT ENGINE WHEN THE FUEL PUMP IS ENERGIZED. I FOUND THIS PROBLEM ON MY 2002 GRAND PRIX GT WHEN I SMELLED GASOLINE. *TR

CAR WAS NOT ACCELERATING ON HIGH WAY THEN ALL POWER WAS LAST IN CAR INCLUDING THE BREAKS. I WAS ABLE TO GET THE CAR TO THE SIDE OF THE HIGHWAY. DARK SMOKE BEGAN COMING THOUGH THE CAR'S VENT AND OUT THE HOOD. I EXITED THE CAR AND THEN SAW FLAMES COMING OUT THE ENGINE. I RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE IN MAY 2009 FOR A PROBLEM WITH POSSIBLE ENGINE FIRES. CAR WAS SERVICED AT THE DEALERSHIP IT WAS PURCHASED FROM TO FIX THE RECALLED ITEM. *TR

2002 PONTIAC GRANDPRIX EXCESSIVE AMOUNT OF RUST IN OUTER ROCKER PANELS. VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED NEW AND NEVER HAD ANY MAJOR COLLISION DAMAGE REQUIRING BODY REPAIR OR REPLACEMENT. OTHER BODY COMPONENTS SUCH AS FLOOR AND BODY PANELS SHOW LITTLE OR NO RUST AND CORROSION. THE ROCKER PANELS THOUGH ARE ROTTED OUT WITH BIG GAPING HOLES AS IF THERE WAS NO PROTECTIVE COATING APPLIED TO THE INTERIOR OF THESE AREAS. REPLACEMENT SECTIONS ARE NOT AVAILABLE, ANY REPAIR WOULD HAVE TO BE EITHER FABRICATED OR FROM SALVAGE. THIS AREA OF BODY PANEL LOSS RENDERS THE VEHICLE STRUCTURALLY WEAKENED/UNSOUND AND IS A CRITICAL AREA IN THE VEHICLES IMPACT PROTECTION. *TR

THIS CONCERNS THE GM RECALL OF THE 3800 SERIES ENGINES. PEOPLE ARE STILL HAVING ENGINE FIRES AFTER HAVING THEIR CARS FIXED BY THE DEALERSHIP. THERE'S A FUEL LINE LEADING INTO THE FUEL RAIL THAT HAS A QUICK DISCONNECT. INSIDE THE QUICK DISCONNECT IS AN O-RING THAT AFTER SO MANY YEAR'S GETS BRITTLE AND CRACKS. THIS CAN DRIP FUEL ON HOT PARTS OF THE ENGINE. WHAT EVENTUALLY CATCHES FIRE IS ALL THE PLASTIC AND RUBBER PARTS OF THE ENGINE NOT NECESSARILY THE FUEL ITSELF AS THAT IS JUST A CATALYST. I PERSONALLY KNOW OF A PERSON THAT THIS HAS HAPPENED TO EVEN AFTER HAVING THE RECALL ITEMS FIXED. I FOUND THIS INFORMATION ON A GRAND PRIX FORUM THAT I'M A MEMBER OF. I'LL INCLUDE THE LINK TO THE POST. THIS IS EYE OPENING AND I HOPE YOU CAN TAKE THIS SERIOUSLY. HERE'S THE LINK AND IT'S VERY DETAILED:HTTP://WWW.GRANDPRIXFORUMS.NET/F81/COULD-THIS-CAUSING-ALL-ENGINE-FIRES-30008.HTML. *TR

SUDDEN RUPTURE OF BRAKE LINE. *TR

MECHANIC ALERTED ME THAT MY BRAKE LIGHTS ON THE BUMPER ARE NOT WORKING. BRAKE LIGHT IN CENTER OF BACK WINDOW WORKS. REPLACED THE BULBS AND CHECKED FUSES. BRAKE LIGHT STILL DO NOT WORK. DID SOME RESEARCH ONLINE ABOUT THIS ISSUE. FOUND THAT IT IS A VERY COMMON ISSUE WITH THIS MODEL CAR. SOME SAID THAT THEY WERE ABLE TO FIX THE PROBLEM BY TURNING THE HAZARDS LIGHTS ON AND OFF. WE TRIED THIS AND FOUND THAT THE HAZARD LIGHTS ALSO DO NOT WORK, THE BUTTON IS ACTUALLY STUCK. FOUND AFTER PRESSING THE HAZARD BUTTON VERY HARD, THE BUTTON WILL PUSH DOWN. THE BRAKE LIGHTS START WORKING, HOWEVER, THE TURN SIGNAL LIGHTS NO LONGER WORK. SEARCHED THIS ISSUE ON THE WEB SOME MORE. FOUND THAT THERE ARE QUITE A FEW PEOPLE WITH THIS SAME ISSUE. THE BRAKE LIGHTS, HAZARD LIGHTS AND TURN SIGNAL ARE ALL IMPORTANT SAFETY FEATURES OF THE CAR. THE ISSUE IS CAUSED BY A DEFECTIVE MULTI SWITCH ASSEMBLY IN THE STEERING COLUMN. THIS IS AN EXPENSIVE REPAIR. GOING TO HAVE TO TAKE THE CAR BACK TO THE MECHANIC FOR THE EXPENSIVE FIX. I FEEL THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL ON THIS DEFECTIVE PART. NOT HAVING BASIC SAFETY FEATURES WORKING ON MY CAR DUE TO A DEFECTIVE PART SHOULD WARRANT A RECALL BY GM! *TR

BOUGHT THE CAR AND 2 DAYS LATER THE GEAR SHIFT WOULD LOCK INTO PARK AND ACTUALLY BE IN REVERSE. THE FIRST TIME THIS HAPPENED I WAS OUT OF MY CAR AND THE SHIFTER ENGAGED REVERSE AND DROVE AWAY WITH MY CHILD IN IT! IT WAS A COMPLETE SURPRISE THE FIRST TIME AND THEN A MAJOR HEADACHE PUSHING STICKS INTO SPECIAL RELEASE HOLES TO GET THE VEHICLE SHIFTER TO MOVE AND GET THE KEY OUT OF THE IGNITION. I HAD TO HAVE THE DEALER REPLACE THE CABLE WITH A GM PART WHICH MEANS GIVEN THE NATURE OF THE FAILURE THE PART WILL FAIL AGAIN DUE TO DESIGN. UNFORTUNATELY, THE OLD PART IS NOT AVAILABLE. BUT IF THERE'S A RECALL I'M SURE THERE WILL BE PLENTY OF PONTIAC GRAND PRIX'S THAT WILL COME FORWARD. *TR

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

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

INTAKE MANIFOLD LEAKING. *TR

THERE WAS A RECALL #ID#08V118000 CONCERNING THE FRONT ROCKER COVER GASKET AND EVENTUAL OIL SEEPAGE. I WAS TOLD BY THE DEALER THAT THE RECALL WAS ADDRESSED AND PARTS WERE REPLACED. SHORTLY AFTER THE RECALL I WAS TOLD BY THE DEALER THAT THE VALVE COVER GASKETS WERE LEAKING AND LATER VERIFIED THAT THE ROCKER COVER WAS THE SAME AS THE VALVE COVER. AFTER 3 OIL CHANGES (SCHEDULED) I WAS TOLD IT SHOULD BE TAKEN CARE OF AND THE COST WOULD BE 1,300.00. I ASKED THEM ABOUT THE RECALL AND WAS TOLD MY VEHICLE WAS NOT PART OF THE RECALL 2002 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX. I CALLED PONTIAC AND THEY TOLD ME IT WAS PART OF THE REVISION RECALL 09047 THAT ONLY COVERED THE SPARK PLUGS. I'M CONFUSED, I DON'T KNOW WHY MY VEHICLE WAS NOT PART OF THE ORIGINAL RECALL, HOWEVER, WAS PART OF THE REVISION. IT APPEARS THAT THE PROBLEM I AM HAVING SHOULD BE COVERED UNDER THIS RECALL. HAS ANYONE ELSE HAD A SIMILAR PROBLEM OR IS THERE ANY ASSISTANCE/ADVICE YOU CAN GIVE ME. THANK YOU. *TR

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

I PARKED MY CAR OUTSIDE OF BABYSITTER'S HOUSE TO PICK UP MY DAUGHTER. WAS INSIDE ABOUT 10-15 MIN WHEN SMOKE STARTED BILLOWING OUT FROM UNDER THE HOOD! THE ENGINE HAD CAUGHT FIRE! LUCKILY, MYSELF AND MY DAUGHTER WERE NOT INSIDE AT THE TIME. COME TO FIND OUT, LATER, THERE IS A RECALL ON MY VEHICLE FOR 'ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRES'....NICE TO FIND OUT AFTERWARDS! I BOUGHT THE CAR FROM AN AUTHORIZED PONTIAC DEALER....THANKS FOR THE WARNING JERKS!! GUESS EVERYONE IS GREEDY...NO MATTER AT WHAT COST TO INNOCENT BUYERS. *TR

THE STEERING ON MY 2002 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX FAILED. *TR

BRAKE LIGHTS DO NOT WORK AND FLASHER SWITCH IS STUCK IN THE UP POSITION,MULTIFUNCTION SWITCH NOTHING HAS BEEN DONE TO FIX THE PROBLEM CAUSE NEW PART FROM GM IS $700.00 LABOR NOT INCLUDED. *TR

2002 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX HAS A FAULTY CATALYTIC CONVERTER BECAUSE OF THE PLASTIC PARTS. *NJ THE CONSUMER ALSO STATED THE UPPER INTAKE MANIFOLD HAD TO BE REBUILT AS WELL, DUE TO THE PLASTIC PARTS THAT WERE USED. THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER BECAME CLOGGED AND CAUSED THE UPPER INTAKE TO WARP. *JB

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

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO CLOSE THE DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR, BUT IT WOULD NOT CLOSE. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE DOOR LATCH NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE SAME PART WAS PREVIOUSLY REPLACED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 92,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 75,000.

BRAKES SEEM TO STAY LOCKED UP AFTER HARD STOP OR A LOT OF USE.NOT THE CALIPERS BECAUSE IT DOESN'T PULL OR DRAG A TIRE. HAVING MECH LOOK INTI ABS SYSTEM BUT COMP SHOWS NOTHING. *TR

FOR THE PAST TWO YEARS I HAVE NOTICED MY CAR STEERING TO THE RIGHT SIDE FROM TIME TO TIME AND I WAS NOT SURE WHAT THAT COULD BE. IT IS RANDOM. IT FELT LIKE IT WAS TO THE RIGHT AND I COULD NOT CONTROL IT. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH ON THE FREEWAY, THE CONTACT HEARD A POPPING NOISE AND PULLED THE VEHICLE TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. HE NOTICED SMOKE UNDERNEATH THE HOOD. THE CONTACT OPENED THE HOOD AND NOTICED FLAMES. HE GRABBED WATER FROM A DITCH AND USED IT TO EXTINGUISH THE FLAMES. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO HIS RESIDENCE. THE INSURANCE COMPANY WAS NOTIFIED AND THE DEALER WILL BE INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 09V116000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING) WAS REFERENCED. THE CHEVROLET DEALER CAME TO INSPECT THE VEHICLE. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED, IT CAUGHT FIRE AGAIN. A FIRE EXTINGUISHER TO DOUSE THE FLAMES. THE FLAMES REAPPEARED AND HE HAD TO REPEATEDLY EXTINGUISH THEM WITH THE FIRE EXTINGUISHER. THE FIRE WOULD NOT CEASE UNTIL THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED AWAY. THE ENTIRE ENGINE BURNED AND MELTED IN HIS DRIVEWAY. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 153,000. UPDATED 4/28/09 *CN THE CONSUMER STATED SOMEONE ELSE STARTED THE VEHICLE WHEN THEY WERE NOT SUPPOSED TO AND THAT PERSON PUT THE FIRE OUT. THE VEHICLE WAS DECLARED A LOSS. UPDATED 04/30/09.*JB

I WOULD LIKE TO COMPLAIN ABOUT THE GEAR SHIFT ASSEMBLY IN MY 2002 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX. FOR THE PAST SIX MONTHS, I HAVE EXPERIENCED SITUATIONS WHERE I CANNOT GET THE KEY OUT OF THE IGNITION ONCE I HAVE PUT THE CAR IN PARK AND TURNED OFF THE ENGINE. THIS IS A DANGEROUS SITUATION BECAUSE I CAN ENVISION ONE DAY NOT BEING ABLE TO GET THE KEY OUT AT ALL. THE GM DEALER SAYS THAT THE COMPUTER IS NOT RECOGNIZING THAT THE CAR IS IN PARK. WHAT IS THE COMPUTER SHIFTS GEARS WHILE I AM DRIVING? COULD THIS BE A COMPUTER GLITCH OR DEFECT. I HAVE NEVER HAD THIS HAPPEN BEFORE ON ANY CAR I HAVE OWNED. GM SAYS THE GEAR ASSEMBLY NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. HAS THERE BEEN A RECALL ON THIS GEAR ASSEMBLY OR OTHER SUBSTANTIAL COMPLAINTS ON THE GEAR SHIFT IN THESE CARS? THE PROBLEM IS ON-GOING. *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

THE TAIL LAMPS HAVE DELAMINATED ALLOWING MOISTURE TO ACCUMULATE WHICH HAS DECREASED THE VISIBILITY OF THE LAMPS. ALMOST CAUSED A COLLISION. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX. AN HOUR AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, IT CAUGHT FIRE IN THE CONTACT'S DRIVEWAY. PRIOR TO THE FIRE, SHE RECEIVED AN IMPORTANT SAFETY NOTICE STATING THAT A RECALL WAS ABOUT TO BE ISSUED TO PREVENT THE VEHICLE FROM CATCHING FIRE IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THE DEALER DID NOT HAVE THE PARTS FOR THE REPAIR AND THE MANUFACTURER WOULD NOT ASSIST. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT MADE THE CONTACT TOW THE VEHICLE FROM THE RESIDENCE BECAUSE THEY BELIEVED IT COULD CATCH FIRE AGAIN. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 110,000.

I HAVE RECENTLY EXPERIENCED TWO MAJOR DEFECTS WITH MY 2002 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX GTP. FIRST, I HAVE HAD BOTH MY DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE FRONT WHEEL BEARINGS TO GO OUT. THESE ARE NOT CHEAP TO REPLACE. THE COST PER BEARING IS ABOUT $90 PLUS LABOR. THEN, MY BRAKE LIGHTS HAVE STOPPED WORKING. AFTER LOOKING AT OTHER COMPLAINTS ON THE WEB, I HAVE FOUND THAT I MY VEHICLE WILL REQUIRE A MULTIFUNCTION SWITCH WHICH IS COSTLY AS WELL. AS FAR AS THE BEARINGS GO, THERE IS A STRONG POSSIBILITY THAT I WILL HAVE TO REPLACE THOSE AGAIN IN THE NEAR FUTURE. MY OPINION IS THAT IF GM IS AWARE OF THESE DEFECTS IN THEIR PRODUCT , THEY SHOULD BE TAKING MORE STEPS TO SATISFY THEIR CUSTOMERS AS WE HAVE PUT FAITH IN THEIR COMPANY AND HELP KEEP THEM IN BUSINESS WITH SALES AND OUR TAX DOLLARS (BAILOUT). I APPEAL TO GM TO RECALL THE PARTS THAT ARE NOT UP TO STANDARD ON THEIR CARS. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX. WHILE BEING PARKED IN THE CONTACT'S DRIVEWAY FOR TWO HOURS, THE VEHICLE BURST INTO FLAMES. THE FIRE ORIGINATED UNDER THE HOOD AND THE FIRE DEPARTMENT EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AND TOWED TO A BODY SHOP, BUT IT WILL NOT BE REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000.

PARKED INTO A PARKING LOT, TURNED VEHICLE OFF. EVERYTHING SEEMED FINE, NO SMOKE, NO WARNING LIGHTS. WENT INTO STORE TO PAY A BILL, WALKED OUT A FEW MINUTES LATER AND MY CAR WAS ON FIRE AND SMOKING UNDER THE HOOD. THE CAR PROCEEDED TO BURN AS WE WAITED FOR THE FIRE DEPARTMENT. THE CAR WAS A LOSS. *TR

ACCORDING TO MANY SOURCES (ONLINE INTERNET AUTO FORUMS, MECHANICS, ETC), THE 2002 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX, AND POSSIBLY OTHER YEARS, HAVE HEADLAMPS THAT ARE PRONE TO FAILURE. THIS FAILURE MOSTLY HAS TO DO WITH THE SEALANT OR THE HEADLAMP ASSEMBLY ITSELF WHICH CRACKS. THIS CAUSES A LEAK FOR AIR, MOISTURE, AND OTHER THINGS TO ENTER THE HEADLAMP AND DRASTICALLY FOG UP THE INSIDE. AS A RESULT, THIS CAUSES A SIGNIFICANT DROP IN VIEW DISTANCE AT NIGHT, AS THE FRONT HEADLIGHTS ARE BLOCKED BY THIS FOG AND MOISTURE ON THE INSIDE OF THE HEADLAMPS. THIS COULD EASILY CAUSE AN ACCIDENT AS THE DRIVER HAS MINIMAL VIEWING DISTANCE AT NIGHT FOR OTHER CARS, PEDESTRIANS, OR OBJECTS. MIND YOU, THIS IS JUST FOR THE FRONT HEADLAMPS AND NOT THE CORNER LENSES. FURTHERMORE, THERE IS NO EASY FIX FOR THIS PROBLEM BESIDES PURCHASING NEW FRONT HEADLAMPS FOR EACH SIDE OF THE VEHICLE, WHICH PUTS THE PRICE TAG ABOVE $250, NOT INCLUDING INSTALLATION COSTS. AS STATED PREVIOUSLY, THIS APPEARS TO BE COMMON PROBLEM AS MECHANICS THEMSELVES HAVE SAID THAT IS FAIRLY NORMAL FOR THIS CAR AND MANY OTHER PONTIAC GRAND PRIX OWNERS HAVE COMPLAINED OF THIS PROBLEM AS WELL. I HOPE THAT SOMETHING CAN BE DONE SO THAT A RECALL COULD BE IN ORDER TO FIX THIS FAILURE THAT COULD HAVE DRASTIC CONSEQUENCES FOR DRIVERS AND OTHERS ON THE ROAD AT NIGHT. *TR

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

I OWN A 02 GRAND PRIX GT WITH ONLY 45,000 MILES ON IT AND THE BRAKE LIGHTS DON'T WORK. AFTER BUYING NEW LIGHT BULBS AND BACK TRACKING ALL WIRING TO THE FUSE BOX, CHECKING ALL FUSES AND AFTER A COUPLE ASPIRINS LATER I CHECKED THE HAZARD SWITCH THAT WAS SEIZED AND WOULD NOT MOVE. PROBLEM FOUND. CHECKING ONLINE, COST A NEW TURN SIGNAL SWITCH $250.00 CHEAPEST PRICE. I WILL FIX THE PROBLEM MYSELF BUT FEEL SORRY FOR OTHERS WHO CAN'T DO THIS TYPE OF WORK THEMSELVES BECAUSE THE LABOR COST WILL BE ABOUT THE SAME PRICE AS THE PART. THANK GOD NO KIDS WERE INJURED IN A REAR END COLLISION OVER A FAULTY SWITCH THAT HAS HAD NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS, ESPECIALLY WHEN THE VEHICLE OWNERS MANUAL SHOWS CHILDREN SHOULD BE RESTRAINED IN THE BACK SEAT. "GO FIGURE". I WOULD UNDERSTAND IF THE VEHICLE HAD 100K MILES ON IT BUT WITH THESE LOW MILES THE SWITCH SHOULD NOT BE MALFUNCTIONING, SORRY GM THIS IS WHY BUYERS ARE LOSING FAITH IN U.S. PRODUCTS. *TR