NHTSA Complaint #10100739 — 2003 PONTIAC AZTEK

A FEW WEEKS AGO THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS STOPPED WORKING ON MY 2003 PONTIAC AZTEK, AFTER SHUTTING THE VEHICLE OFF AND RESTARTING THE VEHICLE THE WIPERS BEGAN TO WORK. WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 24TH, WHILE DRIVING IN THE RAIN MY WINDSHIELD WIPERS STOPPED WORKING ONCE AGAIN. WHILE TRYING TO SHUT THE WIPERS ON AND OFF TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM I NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM THE DASHBOARD, SMOKE THEN FILLED THE PASSANGER COMPARTMENT. I PULLED THE VEHICLE OFF THE ROAD AND OPENED THE HOOD, THE WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR WAS CHARRED APPEARING TO HAVE BEEN ON FIRE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS NOTIFIED AND RESPONDED. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT VERIFIED ANY FIRE THAT EXSISTED WAS EXTINGUISHED. UPON FURTHER INSPECTION IT APPEARS AN ELECTRICAL HARNESS IS DAMAGED. VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP. THE DEALERSHIP CLAIMS THIS PROBLEM IS NOT COVED UNDER WARRENTY BECAUSE A EMERGENCY RESPONCE SIREN WAS INSTALLED IN THE VEHICLE, THIS ITEM WAS NOT OPERATING AT THE TIME OF THE FIRE. I AM STILL WAITING FOR THE FULL DAMAGE REPORT FROM THE DEALERSHIP. IT DOES NOT APPEAR THEY ARE WILLING TO HONOR THE VEHICLES WARRENTY ON THIS ITEM.*AK