1996 Pontiac Grand Am Problems

I WAS DRIVING DOWN HIWAY THE CAR DIED I TURNED IT TO THE RIGHT TO GET OFF THE HIWAY AND THE AIRBAG ON DRIVERS SIDE EXPLODED, I HAD THE CAR TOWED AND WAS TOLD THE PASS KEY SYSTEM OR THEFT SYSTEM WENT BAD IN IGNITION SWITCH AND NO EXPLANATION WHY AIR BAG WENT OFF? OR HOW TO FIX ANY OF IT, THIS IS NOW JULY AND I AM STILL HAVING PROBLEMS.

CAR WOULD NOT START. STEERING LOCKED AND TRANSMISSION STUCK IN PARK.KEY WOULD NOT TURN. TOWED CAR HOME. REMOVED THE IGNITION SWITCH AND FOUND THE IGNITION LOCK HAD MELTED. THE OBVIOUS FIRE HAZARD PROMPTED A RECALL SEARCH FOR THE MAKE AND MODEL FINDING AN IGNITION RECALL HAS BEEN ISSUED. I CONTACTED PONTIAC CUSTOMER SERVICE. THE REPRESENTATIVE ASKED ME IF MY VIN WAS COVERED. I HAVE CONFIRMED THE VIN IS ON THE RECALL LIST ALTHOUGH THE REP. FAILED TO ACKNOWLEDGE THIS. THE SERIOUSNESS OF THE RECALL, POTENTIAL FIRE HAZARD AND VALIDITY OF MY COMPLAINT WAS IGNORED AND [XXX] (PONTIAC REP.) WOULD NOT ASSIST ME FURTHER. I AM STUCK NOW WITH TRYING TO RESOLVE GETTING MY CAR REPAIRED IN A TIMELY MANNER. PLEASE ADVISE. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

I WAS DRIVING DOWN HIWAY THE CAR DIED I TURNED IT TO THE RIGHT TO GET OFF THE HIWAY AND THE AIRBAG ON DRIVERS SIDE EXPLODED, I HAD THE CAR TOWED AND WAS TOLD THE PASS KEY SYSTEM OR THEFT SYSTEM WENT BAD IN IGNITION SWITCH AND NO EXPLANATION WHY AIR BAG WENT OFF? OR HOW TO FIX ANY OF IT, THIS IS NOW JULY AND I AM STILL HAVING PROBLEMS.

AIR BAG WHEN OFF WHEN I WAS WAITING TO PULL AUT OFF PARKING LOT. HAVE INJURY TO MY SHOULDER.

I STARTED MY CAR IN A PARKING LOT AND WAS DRIVING APPROX 10MPH WHEN THE CAR DIED ALMOST IMMEDIATELY, AFTER RESTART, IT DID IT AGAIN. THEN, IT WOULDN'T EVEN TURN OVER. I HAD IT TOWED TO A MECHANIC WHO TOLD ME THAT IT WAS PROBABLY A BAD FUEL PUMP. TURNS OUT IT WAS THE PONTIAC ANTI-THEFT DEVICE THAT WAS KEEPING IT FROM STARTING. WHEN YOUR KEY STARTS GETTING WORN AND ROUNDED OFF, (AS MOST KEYS DO AFTER SOME USE!) THE THEFT SYSTEM LOCKS YOUR CAR UP. THERE IS NO FIX FOR THIS PROBLEM OTHER THAN REPLACING THE ECU, IGNITION SYSTEM, KEY TUMBLER, OR A COMBINATION OF THE SAME, AND REPROGRAMMING IT, WHICH COSTS UPWARDS OF 1000.00 THIS ANTI THEFT SYSTEM IS PREVENTING ME FROM USING MY LAWFULLY OWNED CAR! THE ONLY WAY TO FIX IT IS TO HAVE A DEALERSHIP REPLACE DEFECTIVE PONTIAC PARTS. AN ANTI THEFT SYSTEM SHOULD BE A PREVENTATIVE MEASURE TO KEEP CROOKS FROM BOOSTING YOUR CAR, NOT SOMETHING THAT WILL COST THE OWNER MORE MONEY LATER WHEN THEIR KEY WEARS DOWN! WORSE YET, IF THE CAR IS DISABLED ON A HIGHWAY AND THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKS UP, YOU RISK KILLING YOURSELF OR OTHERS ON THE ROAD! THIS HAS GOT TO BE A SAFETY VIOLATION AND A RED FLAG FOR A RECALL. I'M GOING TO PROBABLY SELL THIS RAT-TRAP FOR SCRAP/CRUSH VALUE TO A JUNK YARD AND BUY ANOTHER CAR, SO ALTHOUGH THIS COMPLAINT WON'T BENEFIT ME, HOPEFULLY MY COMMENT WILL HELP SOMEONE ELSE WHO IS HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THEIR POS PONTIAC. *TR

WATER GETTING INTO VEHICLE SOMEWHERE BEHIND FIREWALL. STARTED APPROXIMATELY 1YR. AGO. CAUSED ALL LIGHTS ON DASH TO LIGHT UP, NOW VEHICLE WILL NOT START, COULD NOT AFFORD TO HAVE PONTIAC FIX, ALTHOUGH THEY DID ISSUE A WARNING REGARDING ISSUE, BUT WILL NOT HELP WITH REMEDY. *TR

WHILE DRIVING AND AT ANY BRAKING CONDITIONS WHEN DEPRESSING THE BRAKES PEDAL WAS DELAYED WHICH RESULTED IN EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE. *AK

WHILE DRIVING AND TURNING TO THE LEFT THERE WAS NO STEERING. ALSO, BRAKE FAILED, AND VEHICLE INTERMITTENTLY STALLED. *AK

WHEN DRIVING THE VEHICLE AT AN UNDETERMINED SPEED CONSUMER ATTEMPTED TO ROLL THE WINDOW DOWN. HOWEVER, NONE OF THE FOUR WINDOWS WOULD ROLL DOWN. CONSUMER STATED THATTHIS WAS THE SECOND TIME THAT THE POWER WINDOWS FAILED. *AK

MY MAIN PROBLEM IS THE STEERING COLUMN. WHEN IT IS TIME TO TAKE THE KEY OUT OF THE IGNITION IT GETS STUCKS. YOUR UNABLE TO TAKE THE KEY OUT UNTIL THE CAR WANTS TO LET IT GO. SOMETIMES THIS ENDS UP TO BE A 45 MINUTE TO AN HOUR WAIT. THE PLACE I BOUGHT IT FROM SAID THEY FIXED IT. OF COURSE, AFTR THE WARRANTY WAS UP SO WASN'T THE KEY ONCE AGAIN GETTING STUCK. HAD THE WHOLE STEERING COLUMN REPLACED FOR ABOUT $500.00 NO PROBLEMS FOR ABOUT 2 MONTHS AND NOW ONCE AGAIN KEY IS GETTING STUCK.

THE CONTROL ARM (A ARM) ON THE FRONT DRIVERS SIDE HAS A BUSHING WHICH CAME LOOSE AND CAUSED AN AWFUL SOUND WHEN SLOWING DOWN. THIS WAS REPLACED LAST YEAR AT MY EXPENSE. NOW A YEAR LATER, THE SAME ARM HAS THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM. I'M SURE THAT I AM SPEAKING FOR MANY WHEN I SAY THAT I CAN NOT AFFORD TO FIX THE SAME PROBLEM EVERY YEAR. *AK

NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK

I WAS DRIVING DOWN HIWAY THE CAR DIED I TURNED IT TO THE RIGHT TO GET OFF THE HIWAY AND THE AIRBAG ON DRIVERS SIDE EXPLODED, I HAD THE CAR TOWED AND WAS TOLD THE PASS KEY SYSTEM OR THEFT SYSTEM WENT BAD IN IGNITION SWITCH AND NO EXPLANATION WHY AIR BAG WENT OFF? OR HOW TO FIX ANY OF IT, THIS IS NOW JULY AND I AM STILL HAVING PROBLEMS.

I STARTED MY CAR IN A PARKING LOT AND WAS DRIVING APPROX 10MPH WHEN THE CAR DIED ALMOST IMMEDIATELY, AFTER RESTART, IT DID IT AGAIN. THEN, IT WOULDN'T EVEN TURN OVER. I HAD IT TOWED TO A MECHANIC WHO TOLD ME THAT IT WAS PROBABLY A BAD FUEL PUMP. TURNS OUT IT WAS THE PONTIAC ANTI-THEFT DEVICE THAT WAS KEEPING IT FROM STARTING. WHEN YOUR KEY STARTS GETTING WORN AND ROUNDED OFF, (AS MOST KEYS DO AFTER SOME USE!) THE THEFT SYSTEM LOCKS YOUR CAR UP. THERE IS NO FIX FOR THIS PROBLEM OTHER THAN REPLACING THE ECU, IGNITION SYSTEM, KEY TUMBLER, OR A COMBINATION OF THE SAME, AND REPROGRAMMING IT, WHICH COSTS UPWARDS OF 1000.00 THIS ANTI THEFT SYSTEM IS PREVENTING ME FROM USING MY LAWFULLY OWNED CAR! THE ONLY WAY TO FIX IT IS TO HAVE A DEALERSHIP REPLACE DEFECTIVE PONTIAC PARTS. AN ANTI THEFT SYSTEM SHOULD BE A PREVENTATIVE MEASURE TO KEEP CROOKS FROM BOOSTING YOUR CAR, NOT SOMETHING THAT WILL COST THE OWNER MORE MONEY LATER WHEN THEIR KEY WEARS DOWN! WORSE YET, IF THE CAR IS DISABLED ON A HIGHWAY AND THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKS UP, YOU RISK KILLING YOURSELF OR OTHERS ON THE ROAD! THIS HAS GOT TO BE A SAFETY VIOLATION AND A RED FLAG FOR A RECALL. I'M GOING TO PROBABLY SELL THIS RAT-TRAP FOR SCRAP/CRUSH VALUE TO A JUNK YARD AND BUY ANOTHER CAR, SO ALTHOUGH THIS COMPLAINT WON'T BENEFIT ME, HOPEFULLY MY COMMENT WILL HELP SOMEONE ELSE WHO IS HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THEIR POS PONTIAC. *TR

WATER GETTING INTO VEHICLE SOMEWHERE BEHIND FIREWALL. STARTED APPROXIMATELY 1YR. AGO. CAUSED ALL LIGHTS ON DASH TO LIGHT UP, NOW VEHICLE WILL NOT START, COULD NOT AFFORD TO HAVE PONTIAC FIX, ALTHOUGH THEY DID ISSUE A WARNING REGARDING ISSUE, BUT WILL NOT HELP WITH REMEDY. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 PONTIAC GRAND AM. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE AND THE DRIVER SIDE HAD TWO INCHES OF RAIN IN THE VEHICLE BUT WAS UNABLE TO IDENTIFY WHERE IT WAS COMING FROM. THE THEFT SYSTEM ACTIVATED AND THE VEHICLE RESPONDED AS IF IT WERE STOLEN WHICH MADE IT IMPOSSIBLE TO START THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT ALSO HAD A LOT OF MAJOR COMPONENTS REPAIRED ON THE VEHICLE AND THE FAILURE CONTINUED TO OCCUR. THE DEALER ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO TO ASSIST WITH THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS CURRENTLY 141,000. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000.

TRANSMISSION LOCKS WITHOUT WARNING. AS RESULT, VEHICLE SURGES UNCONTROLLABLY. *AK

IN THE PAST 4 MONTHS, I HAVE REPLACED MY HEATER CORE, BECAUSE IT IS PLASTIC, AND THEN THE RADIATOR, NOW THE HEAD GASKET. PROBLEMS OF THIS NATURE FIRST SURFACED WITH HEATER CORE FAILURE, WHICH IS MADE OF PLASTIC AND THEN PROCEEDS THROUGH THE COOLING TO SYSTEM, TO MY CURRENT PROBLEM, HEAD GASKET REPLACEMENT. THE WATER PUMP AND TRANSMISSION HAVE BOTH BEEN REPLACED, WHILE UNDER THE NEW CAR WARRANTY. I TOOK MY CAR TO HARDIN PONTIAC IN ANAHEIM, CA AT 3 PM ON MARCH 4TH. THEY HAVE NOW HAD MY CAR 2 DAYS AND THEY WANT TO CHARGE ME ANOTHER $80 TO FURTHER DIAGNOSE MY COOLANT LEAK. I HAVE OPENED A FILE W/PONTIAC, REF # 1-78-69-0865. PONTIAC DETERMINED THAT, AS I AM THE SECOND OWNER, THE AGE OF THE CAR (1996) AND NUMBER OF MILES (82,622) THEY HAVE NO RESPONSIBILITY. I EXPLAINED TO HER, THAT WHILE I AM THE 2ND OWNER, I PURCHASED THE CAR WHILE IT WAS STILL UNDER THEIR 3 YEAR/36,000 MILE WARRANTY. AND WHILE UNDER WARRANTY, MY TRANSMISSION & WATER PUMP HAD BEEN REPLACED. THE COOLING SYSTEM PROBLEMS BEGAN WHILE UNDER THE NEW CAR WARRANTY. ALSO GM'S N' CAR SERIES HAS NUMEROUS PROBLEMS WITH THEIR COOLING SYSTEMS, I AM BEING PENALIZED, PRIMARILY, BECAUSE I AM THE SECOND OWNER, RATHER THAN THE ORIGINAL OWNER. MY CAR HAS BEEN MAINTAINED AND SERVICED AS SPECIFIED IN THEIR OWNER??S MANUAL. WHILE SPEAKING W/PONTIAC, I WAS TOLD THERE IS AN OPEN RECALL ON THE IGNITION SYSTEM, APPARENTLY IT IS KNOW TO OVERHEAT AND MELT, RENDERING THE CAR UNDRIVABLE. IT APPEARS GM'S OVERHEATING ISSUES ARE NOT LIMITED TO THEIR COOLING SYSTEM AND CHEAP PLASTIC PARTS. I REQUESTED THAT THE SERVICE REP, MR. ROMERO, EXPLAIN WHY HE FELT THEY NEEDED TO FURTHER DIAGNOSE MY COOLANT LEAK, IS THE HEAD GASKET LEAKING, OR NOT? MR. ROMERO, DID INDEED DIAGNOSE WHAT HE TERMED AN "EXTERNAL COOLANT LEAK' IN OTHER WORDS A LEAK AT THE HEAD GASKET. AT THIS POINT, I HAVE INSTRUCTED ERNIE TO HANDLE THE RECALL PROBLEM WITH THE IGNITION ONLY. PONTIAC HAS MINIMIZED THE PROBLEM AND CONVEYED THAT IT DOES NOT WARRANT IMMEDIATE ATTENTION.*JB

THE CAR'S HEADLIGHT, FOG LIGHTS AND REAR LIGHTS FLICKER ALL THE TIME, FUSES ARE OKAY, BATTERY TESTS OKAY, HEADLIGHTS CHANGED WITHOUT ANY CHANGE, FUSES CHANGED WITHOUT ANY DIFFERENCE, REAR LIGHTS REPLACED WITHOUT ANY CHANGE. MAKES DRIVING AT NIGHT DIFFICULT AND GIVES ME A MIGRAINE HEADACHE. *TR

I BELIEVE THIS CAR TO BE A LEMON, MOST OF THE COMPLAINTS DESCRIBED BY OTHER OWNERS THIS YEAR MODEL EXIST WITH THIS VEHICLE. HOW CAN I GET HELP, NOW SOMETHING IS SMOKING UNDER THE HOOD, I BELIEVE IT TO BE ELECTRICAL BUT I DON'T HAVE THE CASH TO TAKE TO A MECHANIC. HELP. NO SAFETY DEFECT. *AK

CAR WOULD NOT START. STEERING LOCKED AND TRANSMISSION STUCK IN PARK.KEY WOULD NOT TURN. TOWED CAR HOME. REMOVED THE IGNITION SWITCH AND FOUND THE IGNITION LOCK HAD MELTED. THE OBVIOUS FIRE HAZARD PROMPTED A RECALL SEARCH FOR THE MAKE AND MODEL FINDING AN IGNITION RECALL HAS BEEN ISSUED. I CONTACTED PONTIAC CUSTOMER SERVICE. THE REPRESENTATIVE ASKED ME IF MY VIN WAS COVERED. I HAVE CONFIRMED THE VIN IS ON THE RECALL LIST ALTHOUGH THE REP. FAILED TO ACKNOWLEDGE THIS. THE SERIOUSNESS OF THE RECALL, POTENTIAL FIRE HAZARD AND VALIDITY OF MY COMPLAINT WAS IGNORED AND [XXX] (PONTIAC REP.) WOULD NOT ASSIST ME FURTHER. I AM STUCK NOW WITH TRYING TO RESOLVE GETTING MY CAR REPAIRED IN A TIMELY MANNER. PLEASE ADVISE. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

MY MAIN PROBLEM IS THE STEERING COLUMN. WHEN IT IS TIME TO TAKE THE KEY OUT OF THE IGNITION IT GETS STUCKS. YOUR UNABLE TO TAKE THE KEY OUT UNTIL THE CAR WANTS TO LET IT GO. SOMETIMES THIS ENDS UP TO BE A 45 MINUTE TO AN HOUR WAIT. THE PLACE I BOUGHT IT FROM SAID THEY FIXED IT. OF COURSE, AFTR THE WARRANTY WAS UP SO WASN'T THE KEY ONCE AGAIN GETTING STUCK. HAD THE WHOLE STEERING COLUMN REPLACED FOR ABOUT $500.00 NO PROBLEMS FOR ABOUT 2 MONTHS AND NOW ONCE AGAIN KEY IS GETTING STUCK.

DOME LIGHT INTERMITTENTLY FLASHES ON OR STAYS ON FOR A LONG TIME. LIGHTS CAUSE A DISTRACTION AT NIGHT WITH DRIVING. VEHICLE WAS SERVICED FOR CONTROL DISPLAY RECALL 96-V-257-000, BUT PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. DEALER WAS NOTIFIED. *AK CONSUMERS VEHICLE WAS CHECKED AND THE TECHNICIAN FOUND A LOT OF SPLICES IN THE IGNITION. *JG

INTERIOR LIGHTS COME ON INTERMITTENTLY WHILE DRIVING, THERE ARE RECALLS 88V927000 AND 96V257000; BUT THIS VEHICLE IS NOT AFFECTED DUE TO VIN. *AK THE INVOICE STATES THAT THEY CHECKED THE RECALL/CAMPAIGN-THEY HAD TO INSTALL ENGINE WIRING HARNESS, REPLACE THE IGNITION SWITCH AND THE STEERING COLUMN TILT LEVER. *SCC

WHEN DRIVING SPEEDOMETER IS NOT WORKING PROPERLY. CAUSE UNKNOWN. *AK

WE HAVE HAD COOLANT LOSS THREE TIMES WITH NO VISIBLE LEAKAGE. WE WERE INFORMED THAT THE CAR WAS "SUCKING THE COOLANT IN" RATHER THAN LEAKING OUT. WE HAVE HAD TO HAVE THE INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET REPLACED 3 TIMES. THE 1ST TIME, THE DEALER REPLACED INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET & OIL PUMP DRIVE RING AND VALVE COVER GASKET LEAKING. THE 2ND TIME, THE DEALER SIMPLE RESEALED THE INTAKE GASKET BUT DID NOT REPLACE. THE 3RD TIME, THE DEALER REPLACED THE UPPER AND LOWER INTAKE GASKETS AND RECHECKED FOR LEAKS. ALL OF THESE REPAIRS WERE COVERED UNDER EITHER THE ORIGINAL WARRANTY OR THE EXTENDED WARRANTY (GOOD THRU 72,000 MI). WE NOW HAVE ALMOST 70,000 MI ON THIS CAR AND THE ENGINE IS SHOT! THE MAIN THROTTLE BEARING GAULDED AND THE EXTENDED WARRANTY COMPANY IS DENYING OUR CLAIM (EVEN THOUGH WE HAVE 2,000 MI LEFT ON EXTENDED WARRANTY) BECAUSE THEY SAY THE OIL IS "CONTAMINATED". I HAVE MAINTAINED REGULAR OIL CHANGES AND AM DUE FOR AN OIL CHANGE IN APPROX 200 MI. THE DEALERSHIP DID NOT INFORM ME THAT I SHOULD HAVE HAD THE OIL CHANGED AFTER ANY OF THE COOLANT LEAK REPAIRS. ALSO, WE HAD TO HAVE THE ALTERNATOR REPLACED WHEN THEN CAR WAS JUST 2 YRS OLD. PLUS WE HAD TO HAVE THE R&R SHAFT SEAL & BEARING KIT REPLACED 3 TIMES DUE TO SQUEAKING NOISE COMING FROM STEERING COLUMN. ALSO HAD TO HAVE SHIFTER ASSEMPLY REPLACED BECAUSE THE KEY WAS STICKING IN THE IGNITION.*AK

AT 62MPH PUSHED ON THE BRAKES AND VEHICLE WOULD NOT DECELERATE, STAYING AT SPEED OF 62MPH. CONSUMER HAD TO TURN OFF VEHICLE. IT COULD HAD CAUSED AN ACCIDENT. CAUSE UNKNOWN. DEALER NOTIFIED.*AK

WHEN A/C IS FIRST TURNED ON THE CONSUMER SMELLS ODOR FROM A/C DURING HUMID DAYS. *ET

WHILE DRIVING, THE REAR PASSENGER TIRE BLEW OUT WHICH CAUSED THE CONSUMER TO HIT THE MEDIAN. THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALED. THE OWNER JUST BOUGHT THE TIRES APPROXIMATELY TWO MONTHS AGO. PLEASE PROVIDE INFO ON TIRE DEALER. *JB

MY MAIN PROBLEM IS THE STEERING COLUMN. WHEN IT IS TIME TO TAKE THE KEY OUT OF THE IGNITION IT GETS STUCKS. YOUR UNABLE TO TAKE THE KEY OUT UNTIL THE CAR WANTS TO LET IT GO. SOMETIMES THIS ENDS UP TO BE A 45 MINUTE TO AN HOUR WAIT. THE PLACE I BOUGHT IT FROM SAID THEY FIXED IT. OF COURSE, AFTR THE WARRANTY WAS UP SO WASN'T THE KEY ONCE AGAIN GETTING STUCK. HAD THE WHOLE STEERING COLUMN REPLACED FOR ABOUT $500.00 NO PROBLEMS FOR ABOUT 2 MONTHS AND NOW ONCE AGAIN KEY IS GETTING STUCK.

I BELIEVE THIS CAR TO BE A LEMON, MOST OF THE COMPLAINTS DESCRIBED BY OTHER OWNERS THIS YEAR MODEL EXIST WITH THIS VEHICLE. HOW CAN I GET HELP, NOW SOMETHING IS SMOKING UNDER THE HOOD, I BELIEVE IT TO BE ELECTRICAL BUT I DON'T HAVE THE CASH TO TAKE TO A MECHANIC. HELP. NO SAFETY DEFECT. *AK

DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHTS WERE SERVICED TWICE BECAUSE THEY WOULD FLICKER ON AND OFF WHEN THE CAR WAS BEING DRIVEN AND PARKED. AFTER I HAD THE CAR FOR ABOUT A YEAR THE AIR CONDITIONER WOULD NOT PUT OUT ANY COLD AIR. WE HAVE REFILLED THE FREEON ONCE AND THAT DIDN'T SEEM TO HELP AT ALL. THE DRIVERSIDE POWER WINDOW WILL NOT GO DOWN UNLESS ITS BEEN A VERY WARM DAY AND THE CAR HAS SAT IN THE SUN. THE FUSE WAS CHECKED AND IS OKAY.*AK

A TECH ISSUE MEMO ISSUED FROM PONTIAC/GM DATED APRIL, 1998 STATED THAT OWNERS MAY CLAIM WATER LEAKING INTO THE FRONT PASSENGER COMPARTMENT OF THE CAR DUE TO AN INFERIOR ADHESIVE USED DURING THE MANUFACTURING PROCESS ON THE TOP VENT GRILLE... WAS GIVEN TO ME BY MY MECHANIC, AFTER I DISVOERED WATER LEAKAGE ON MY PASSENGER AREA FLOOR FOR 2 YEARS (WHICH I ATTRIBUTED TO MY NEGLIGENCE ONLY) UNTIL THIS WATER LEAKAGE FINALLY CAUSED A SHORT IN MY AIR BAG MODULE (LOCATED UNDER THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT) WHICH CAUSED ALL OF THE OTHER CAR ELECTRICAL SYSTEMS TO SHORT OUT. SEAL TO THE TOP VENT GRILLE WAS REPLACED, SHORT REPAIRED, AIRBAG MODULE WAS DISCONNECTED AND THE BATTERY WAS REPLACED. THE AIRBAG MODULE WILL BE REPLACED AT A LATER DATE WHEN I CAN AFFORD IT. THIS TOTALS $956.99 (INCLUDING NY SALES TAX) WHICH I REQUESTED PONTIAC REIMBURSE ME FOR. THEY STEADFASTEDLY REFUSE TO REIMBURSE ME DUE TO BASICALLY 4 THINGS: (1) THE WARRANTY TIME EXPIRED ON THE CAR, (2) THE AGE OF THE CAR, (3) THE FACT THAT I DIDN'T BRING IT DIRECTLY TO PONTIAC TO FIX IT (4) THE FACT THAT IT WASN'T A RECALL... MY ARGUEMENT IS: (1) THE WARRANTY EXPIRING SHOULDN'T ABSOLVE GM/PONTIAC OF RESPONSIBILITY OF THE DEFECT, (2) THE NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR ON THIS CAR (IN SPITE OF IT'S AGE) WOULDN'T HAVE PRODUCED THIS WATER DAMAGE IF THE TOP VENT GRILLE WAS PROPERLY SEALED IN THE MANUFACTURING PROCESS BY PONTIAC IN THE FIRST PLACE (3) I DIDN'T KNOW THAT PONTIAC CAUSED THIS PROBLEM UNTIL AFTER THE DAMAGE WAS DONE AND MY MECHANIC TOLD ME ABOUT THE TECH ISSUE MEMO (I HAVE A COPY) AND (4) WHY WASN'T THIS A RECALL? I SENT A LETTER TO PONTIAC'S CUSTOMER ASSISTANCE CENTER IN DETROIT, MI ON OR ABOUT JUNE 27, 2005 WITH ALL RELEVANT DOCUMENTATION BACKING UP MY CLAIM (YOURS FOR THE ASKING), WHO CALLED ME BACK TODAY, REFUSING TO REIMBURSE ME ON THIS CLAIM. I KNOW THAT NEGLIGENCE BY PONTIAC CAUSED SOME MAJOR DAMAGE TO MY CAR OF WHICH I BELIEVE I SHOULD BE REIMBURSED FOR.

MALE COMPONENT OF THE SEAT BELT HAD A PLASTIC CLIP THAT HAS FALLEN OFF CAUSING THE BELT CLIP TO SPIN ON THE BELT AND NOT GRIP TIGHTLY. NLM

MY MAIN PROBLEM IS THE STEERING COLUMN. WHEN IT IS TIME TO TAKE THE KEY OUT OF THE IGNITION IT GETS STUCKS. YOUR UNABLE TO TAKE THE KEY OUT UNTIL THE CAR WANTS TO LET IT GO. SOMETIMES THIS ENDS UP TO BE A 45 MINUTE TO AN HOUR WAIT. THE PLACE I BOUGHT IT FROM SAID THEY FIXED IT. OF COURSE, AFTR THE WARRANTY WAS UP SO WASN'T THE KEY ONCE AGAIN GETTING STUCK. HAD THE WHOLE STEERING COLUMN REPLACED FOR ABOUT $500.00 NO PROBLEMS FOR ABOUT 2 MONTHS AND NOW ONCE AGAIN KEY IS GETTING STUCK.

IN ORDER TO CHANGE THE RIGHT FRONT TIRE OF MY CAR WHICH HAD GONE FLAT AFTER HITTING A POTHOLE, I PARKED ALONG THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. I LIFTED THE VEHICLE AT THE DESIGNATED LIFTING POINT USING THE AUTOMAKER-PROVIDED JACK AND PROCEEDED TO REMOVE THE TIRE. JUST AS I WAS PULLING THE TIRE OFF OF THE WHEEL, THE JACK SPLIT INTO TWO PIECES AND THE CAR FELL DOWN. FORTUNATELY, THE TIRE WAS NOT YET COMPLETELY OFF, AND BY VIRTUE OF ITS POSITION, MANAGED TO KEEP THE CAR FROM FALLING COMPLETELY AND CRUSHING MY HANDS. HOWEVER, THERE WAS SOME ADDITIONAL DAMAGE INCURRED TO THE WHEEL AND THE ALIGNMENT. THIS JACK HAD BEEN PREVIOUSLY REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY AFTER THE ORIGINAL JACK PROVIDED AT THE TIME OF PURCHASE WAS STUCK CLOSED (WOULDN'T OPEN). THIS WAS, THEREFORE, THE SECOND FAILURE OF THIS JACK. I CONTACTED PONTIAC CUSTOMER SERVICE, BUT THEY HAVE NOT BEEN WILLING TO REPLACE THE JACK AS THE VEHICLE'S WARRANTY HAS EXPIRED. REPORTS HAVE BEEN FILED WITH BOTH THE CHICAGO POLICE DEPARTMENTS AND THE LOYOLA UNIVERSITY POLICE DEPARTMENT. *AK