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.

- Perry, KS, USA

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).

- Vancouver, WA, USA

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 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.

- Fayetteville, NC, USA

Anti-theft system keeps activating. Had key switch and instrument cluster replaced. Still happening!!!!!

- Summerville, SC, USA

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

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.

- Windham, ME, USA

GM pass lock system on a 1996 Pontiac Grand Am wont allow car to start stranding me at work.

- Madison, OH, USA

The contact owns a 1996 Pontiac Grand Am. The contact stated that the vehicle was difficult to start due to the theft system. Once the vehicle was started, it stalled at 40 mph due to the theft system. The vehicle was taken to a mechanic, who stated that the ignition cylinder may have caused the failure. According to the owner's manual, the contact must wait ten minutes before restarting the vehicle after the failure occurs. She feels that this is a safety issue because the vehicle could stop in the middle of the highway. The failure mileage was 181,271 and current mileage was 181,600.

- Taylor, MI, USA

Every time it rains I get water on the floor of my car, this has been an ongoing I have had to replace the instrument cluster because it went out on me wile driving because the wires behind on the firewall are wet.

- Oshkosh, WI, USA

On October 18, 2005 while driving at 30 mph in fair weather, the driver's side airbag unexpectedly deployed, though no contact was made with any other vehicle or stationary object. The airbag deployment caused extreme irritation via friction burn to right forearm of driver, temporary hearing distress to driver and passenger and near loss of control of vehicle due to shock of this deployment. Investigation of similar incidents shows that likely cause is short in airbag control module under passenger seat due to presence of water on the floor of the vehicle. Water on floor has been a perennial problem in my vehicle and many attempts to ascertain the cause (attribute to leaky molding, poor fitting window trim, etc.), were unsuccessful. Perusal of similar complaints on this website show a clear pattern of similar events attributable to a manufacturer's defect (per tech issue memo issued by GM in 1998) related to inferior adhesive used during assembly of top vent grille. Excessive rain typically results in water on floor of passenger compartment and has caused this same unexpected deployment of both driver and passenger side airbags in several complaints. Likelihood of GM accepting responsibility for this defect and repairing the problem is apparently slim (per other complainants reports) due to age of vehicle and the fact that it has taken years to present itself, meaning no recall was issued by Pontiac. I would recommend all owners of this vehicle who experience this water problem report it their GM dealership prior to experiencing the airbag deployment, as it could have had much more serious consequences if traveling at higher speeds in less than ideal conditions!!!

- Worcester, MA, USA

I am currently financing a car from RPM wholesale in flint, I got this car March 29, 2005. I have had the car fixed more than 6 times. The car has not been working for 2 weeks. The car was over heating, and then it would not start up. I took it back to RPM and they said they fixed it. Again this week I took it back, and they are saying its a electrical nightmare, and make an appointment to bring it back, but I can drive it until then.

- Flint, MI, USA

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.

- Bronx, NY, USA

Car electrical system shut down while driving, daylights, all dash gauges etc. This is an intermittent trouble. My trouble appears mainly when headlights are on with the heater blowing on defogger. It comes and goes every so often especially while driving at 5:00 a.M. when its cold and headlights are on and defogger is needed. Alternator was recently replaced but the car is still experiencing a christine haunted car syndrome with the electrical and its getting dangerous. This has been going on since I have owned the car, and since it is intermittent, when it happens the car's trouble cant be located.

- Ceres, CA, USA

The ignition would not turn over, the interior and exterior lighting levels fluctuated, the dashboard light flickered on/off, and the battery died on several occasions. The consumer requested reimbursement for the parts that have been replaced for a problem that hasn't been fixed. Scc

- Cherry Valley, MA, USA

The vehicle has experienced multiple electrical system failures, the battery failed and was replaced twice, the dash lights flicker, the interior and exterior light fluctuate, the ignition clicks and the vehicle cannot be started. Nlm

- Ukn, 00, USA

One hour after parking vehicle, a fire ignited in the trunk area. Trunk light would not go off, all dash lights were illuminated.

- Plymouth, NC, USA

The car has been given a lot of electrical problems and now one of the pulleys that holds the engine's belt broke, also my horn does not work properly.

- San Diego, CA, USA

Engine shuts down/all power is gone/ there are no brakes/ no steering and no lights. Consumer indicates there is no power at all, and feels this is very dangerous, took to dealer, and they couldn't remedy the problem. It is an intermittent problem.

- Willingbor, NJ, USA

This vehicle has been in the shop at least once a month, for major repairs, now its been in the shop for 2 weeks and they still cant find the problem with the electrical system, ,,,and the vehicle is my lively hood, ,,,,,so stressed due to this vehicle beening in the shop and they cant find the major proplem, ,, this car is a lemon, ,, dates this vehicle been in the shop 9.30.99, ,,10.18.99...11.08.99....12.17.99....1.24.00.. please help me one this vehicle thank you stressed out.

- Suisun City, CA, USA

Electrical system failed while driving home from work in rush hour traffic, in the dark, in the rain, driving down a hill. Without warning the lights flickered and dimmed, headlights went out, interior lights went out, lost power, unable to use brakes or power steer car. Was able to coast on a side road and apply emergency brake. After stopping, unable to release key from car or open door, able to escape through roll down window.

- Vienna, VA, USA