I own a 2001 Pontiac Grand Am. It uses the "passlock II" factory security system. I was told by a former GM mechanic that the passlock II system will fail when the car reaches approximately 95,000 miles on the odometer. The passlock II system now requires daily resets, causing the car to start normally only until it sits for any length of time. I have talked with the dealerships about this and they "aren't exactly sure" what the root cause is. I have done research across the internet, and it seems that hundreds, if not thousands of people are affected by this, specifically those who own Pontiac Grand Am and Oldsmobile Alero employing the passlock II anti-theft system. There are "shade-tree fixes for this problem, but now that GM is a government owned corporation, this problem should be addressed and remedied in the form of a recall. The owner of each vehicle should not be subjected to hundreds to thousands of dollars in dealership repair costs for parts designed to fail at 100,000 miles. GM as a whole can charge the subcontractor for replacement parts. Thank you for your time. Please contact me for any other information you may need. [xxx] information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

- Lacey, WA, USA

I have owned my 2001 Pontiac Grand Am SE for 2 years. It was given to me from my mother. Before owning the car, my mother complained of the turn signal noise constantly going at a sporadic rate at random times. It still makes this noise at a constant rate to this very day. At times, I even notice a very tiny amount of smoke coming from the steering column. I researched this online and this is a common problem among Grand Am owners. Since I have seen others are having the same problem, I called the dealership to see if there is a recall on the vehicle. I gave my VIN and I was told that there is no recall on the car although I do see a recall about the hazard light switch online. I believe this could possibly cause an electrical fire. It has not happened to me yet, but if it does any I am hurt as a result, there will be a lawsuit.

- San Antonio, TX, USA

Car won't start. Leaves me (widow) stranded wherever I am, awaiting tow truck. These are what have been repeated culprits - defective pass door lock, defective hazard switch (2 replacements) faulty ignition switch (2 replacements), faulty ignition pass lock sensor... this car has alot of faulty replaced over and over again since 2004, 2006, 2008, 2009 and 2010... latest replacement of faulty pass door lock sensor is listed below...

- Scotts Valley, CA, USA

The contact owns a 2001 Pontiac Grand Am. The contact stated that the vehicle would not start on an intermittent basis. The contact stated the failure was contributed to the pass lock mechanism. When the vehicle thought it was being stolen, it would not allow her to accelerate. She would make several attempts to turn the key in the ignition but to no avail. The manufacturer would not provide any assistance. The VIN was not available. The failure mileage was approximately 120,000 and the current mileage was approximately 156,000.

- Star Prairie, WI, USA

The contact owns a 2001 Pontiac Grand Am. The contact stated that the vehicle would not start. After repeated attempts the vehicle was unable to start. The failure was not diagnosed by a dealer to determine the cause of failure. The failure and current mileages were 120,000. Updated 09/29/10. Updated 10/25/10 the consumer stated vehicle finally started after leaving the key in the on position for 10 minutes or until the security light stopped blinking. Updated 10/27/10

- Merrill, WI, USA

01 Pontiac Grand Am having problems starting. It seems that it is an overall problem with these models of Grand Am. I research the web and find many upon many of other people having the same exact problems. When going to start the car sometimes it will not. When this happens you have to reset the security which you have to leave the key on for over 11 mins to reset it. I have had this problem with my car for over 6 months now. And today it has started doing it every time I start the car. There should of definitely been a recall on this. Like other models have had.

- Ravenswood, WV, USA

I have a 2001 Pontiac Grand Am GT V6 3400. The passlock/security system has proven to be faulty on numerous occasions. In the recent past the security light would randomly flash preventing me from starting my car for up to 10-15 minutes. It has more recently taken a turn for the worse. Now my security light is on solid. I can turn my car on but within 1-2 seconds it shuts off. I have not had any theft attempts, yet my car thinks I am trying to steal it. I believe the computer is faulty and recognizing problems that do not exist. Along with the problem of the car not starting, the keyless entry (also provided by my GM dealer, not second hand) is useless. I have no control over my car, for it is in shutdown. If I were to replace the ignition cylinder it would cost $200 for the part and another $2000 to get the part replaced professionally. I wish GM could stand behind this faulty product that so many people like myself have struggled with. I am a proud owner of my car and would love nothing more than to keep it, but I would like to be able to drive it. Passlock/security systems in this model are faulty and I'm not alone in this recognition.

- Lake View, IA, USA

I have had to replace my passlock chip 3 times in my Pontiac Grand Am. This has to be some sort of defect.

- Plattsmouth, NE, USA

This complaint is regarding my 2001 Pontiac Grand Am. There was nothing going on leading up to this problem it just started happening 1 day. It has to do with the passlock system and having to reset the system for the car to be able to start which I was told takes a 1/2 hour of 3 ten minutes turning key to on then off and right back to on then it resets and will start. This had been going on for about 6 months. It started off once a month, but now it is more frequent, like once a week at least. Recently it happened twice in one day. It is happening once or twice a week now. I was told I need a new ignition switch and that it would be about $250 if this is happening to more cars than just mine, which appears to be the case, they really ought to have a recall on it.

- Fort Wayne, IN, USA

The contact owns a 2001 Pontiac Grand Am. When attempting to start the vehicle, the system went into safe mode for ten minutes before actually starting. The problem occurred intermittently. When the vehicle was taken to an authorized dealership, the dealer stated that there was nothing wrong with the vehicle. The failure mileage was approximately 82,000. The current mileage was approximately 92,000.

- Seeter Falls, IA, USA

My signal light wont stop clicking which leads to the steering column smoking.

- Midland, 00, USA

I own a 2001 Pontiac Grand Am. After my security light lit and my car wouldn't start, I mechanic friend told me about the problems with the passlock system, my car started after just letting my key on in the acc position for 15 minutes this problem first occurred in October of 2008 and basically has continued at least weekly up to the present time. I never replaced any parts thankfully, but my car now will not run even after resetting the security feature. I have read may incidents about this problem on numerous web sites as well as this one. Why wont GM admit there is a problem and issue a recall?

- Saint Marys, PA, USA

Have a 2001 Pontiac Grand Am with 93000 miles--in past 2 years, it has intermittently not started--have replaced the fuel pump, battery, power steering pump, transmission and was finally told it is the passlock security system malfunction. Now it is not starting approx. Once a month. Local mechanic said it is security passlock and there is no fix but call the dealer. Spoke with 3 dealers and was told there is no sure fix--are aware of the problem, but can not fix. Have to sit and wait approx. 10 minutes to reset security. Where's the recall on this"?????"

- Marshalltown, IA, USA

2001 Grand Am GT with 67,000 miles. Hazard lights and turn signals worked only sometimes. Had recalled switch replaced, now I have nothing at all. Garages can't seem to figure out what's wrong and I hate driving without turn signals. Getting a ticket for not having them is the least of worries.

- Sch.Haven, PA, USA

2001 Pontiac Grand Am. Every once in a while (sometimes for a whole month) my car doesn't start, and the "security" light flashes. In this case, I have to turn the key to the "start" position, and let the car sit for 10 minutes before I can start it. I have read many other complaints about this problem and feel that some recall should be activated. This is not something that we, as owners, should have to replace.

- Douglas, WY, USA

The contact owns a 2001 Pontiac Grand Am. On two occasions, the vehicle failed to start. The security light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed and a mechanic stated that the computer indicated that there was a security failure; however, when the failure recurred the dealer stated that the fuel pump and ignition needed to be replaced. After replacing the fuel pump and ignition the failure recurred. The mechanic advised the contact that after placing the key into the ignition slightly turn it on for about 15 minutes until the light it no longer illuminated. The dealer stated that there were no existing recalls. The failure continued to occur. The failure mileage was 80000 and current mileage was 102000.

- Baldwin, MO, USA

There is a problem with the 2001 Grand Am passlock system that the manufacturer was aware of when they sold these cars.they need a recall on them as they are very expensive and the problem seems to not be fixed even when replacing them they just are delaying the problem for another year. Then you have to replace it again at $500 or more each time.

- Stockton, CA, USA

Car was parked came out to leave car would not start had car towed to dealership where car was bought new-2nd time this has happened found ignition switch and passlock senor cylinder faulty dealership states a defect in this year of Grand Am bill runs around $700 each time-was told it would happen again in future.

- Oxford, ME, USA

Recall number: 03V327000 dates manufactured: Mar 2000 to May 2001 number of vehicles affected: 670740 date owners notified on: Feb 2004 certain passenger vehicles have hazard warning switches that may experience solder joint cracking caused by rapid temperature transitions and the soldering process. If solder joint cracking occurs and results in an open circuit, the turn signals/hazard lamps become intermittent or inoperative. I tried calling Pontiac today and they refused to inspect my car free of charge. The also tell me that this is not a valid recall number. I have seval issues with my car. I have paid several thousands of dollars on this car.

- Menifee, CA, USA

I have a 2001 Grand Am and I keep having the same problem with the security pass lock system. I first had this problem in 2004 and paid $400 to fix it. Well it started again June 07. I don't have the funds to fix it again so I keep resetting it.I also never received the info on the turn signals and hazard lights and now mine is messing up. They need to recall this system.

- Lynchburg, VA, USA