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.

- Pittsburgh, PA, USA

I went to a car service place to have an oil change and I had them check my coolant to see if it was leaking; sure enough it was. They had told me my car is leaking coolant from the intake manifold gasket and it would cost me $700 + to repair in which I don't have.

- Sainaw, MI, USA

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.

- Fullerton, CA, USA

I have ran across a few peopl that have had their water pumps fail on their cars like mine has. Is this a common problem and is it a recallable issue right now.

- Mosinee, WI, USA

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.

- Shreveport, LA, USA

While driving coolant signal came on. Then, took vehicle to a service shop and they said that water pump was not working and was replaced.

- Roxboro, NC, USA

Water pump failed.

- Rochester, NY, USA

Car runs hot. When starting up windows would fog, could smell antifreeze. Took vehicle to dealer, and they replaced heater core, they said it had a pin hole in it. Consumer said car wasstill running hot, consumer could hear a flapping noise, like a helicopter under the hood. The poping front right suspension was due to sway bar link failure which made stablizer bar loose. Horn malfunctions due to dirty contacts. Window does not go up or down properly due to window motor failure. The noise in engine area when cold was due to alternator failure. Water pump was leaking. Temperature guage was inaccurate. The noise from front and rear brakes was caused by worn brake pads. Driver side mirror control fell into the door panel.

- Compton, CA, USA

Sensor failed and temperature gauge did not indicate that the engine was overheating. The engine seized up and was sold for salvage value or $1,500. There is documented oil changes every three thousand miles with simultaneous coolant checks.

- Pittsburgh, PA, USA

Water pump failed.

- Windsor, NY, USA

I'm having problems with my cooling system.I'm always losing coolant. Sometimes it's visble and leaks to the ground. Other times I can't find where the coolant is leaking too. I always have to check my coolant level and add coolant most of the time. I hear a loud noise in my dashboard while driving sometimes. It sounds like something is loose.

- Goldsboro, NC, USA

My extended waranty put a used engine in after the original blew up. The engine they sent had to be sent back because it was also no good. It had 18,000 on it when it was sent to replace. Now they are sending another engine. It is now a month later then when I took it to the shop and it is still not fixed. I think someone owes me something.

- Linesville, PA, USA

Continually disregarded by dealerships and corporate offices

- Shirley, NY, USA

My most recent problem included transmission failure, and according to the mechanic this had been happening for a very long time. The fourth gear of the transmission and the clutch were burned out. I've also had to replace a water pump on the vehicle. Immediately after purchase, I noticed anti-freeze leaking from the vehicle and the vehicle would just die while driving along. I attempted to get the dealer to repair the vehicle and did get his verbal agreement however, he lied and wouldn't follow through. I suppose because he knew he'd sold me a lemon and was more than eager to state his case, that had no lemon law. There are various electrical problems especially with the instrument panel and I suppose it may be something electrical that causes my vehicle to die while driving along. There is no warning, the vehicle just goes dead. During stops it seems that at times the rear end just has a mind of its own; almost as if it wants to keep going while the front end has stopped - it's sort of like a skipping effect. Other electrical problems include the passenger door lock not operating with the power door lock, the radio display is lit at times and sometimes it's not, since I've had the transmission repaired the check engine light and ets lights which have been on since I purchased the vehicle, are no longer lit. During the water pump failure the dealerships remedy for it was to disconnect the electrical wiring which prompted me that something was wrong with this system. The electrical problems are numerous. My car is a lemon!

- Denmark, TN, USA

The temperature gauge and the air conditioner don't work and the vehicle is overheating, causing the consumer to have problems seeing out the window. Dealer has worked on the vehicle four times, and still can't determine the problem. Also, water pump had to be replaced.

- Dickinson, TX, USA

Transmission leaks fluid due to a failed trans-axle seal.

- Rochester, MI, USA

Water failed due to leaking.

- Rochester, MI, USA

Alternator failed due to the charging system.

- Rochester, MI, USA