NHTSA Complaint #10156182 — 2000 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX

DRIVING HOME AROUND 5 30 IN THE EVENING, EXITED OFF THE GARDEN STATE PARKWAY AT EXIT 91. CAME UP TO THE FIRST LIGHT AND THE SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT CAME ON AND FLASHED A COUPLE OF TIMES. AFTER THAT THERE WAS A PUFF OF WHITE SMOKE THAT CAME FROM THE HOOD. THEN THE LIGHT WENT OUT. AT THIS POINT I WAS ABOUT A 1/2 MILE FROM HOME. AS I CONTINUED TO DRIVE THE CAR BEGAN TO HESITATE. TURNING ONTO THE STREET I LIVE OFF THE CAR DIED, NO STEERING, NO BRAKES, NOTHING. I HAD TO FORCIBLY TURN THE STEERING WHEEL, AVOIDING ON COMING TRAFFIC AND LUCKILY WITHOUT INCIDENT STEERED THE CAR INTO A VACANT RITE AID. WHERE I PULLED THE KEYS OUT OF THE IGNITION AND EXITED THE CAR. POPPED THE HOOD AND SAW A FLAME SPARK AROUND THE PLASTIC SUPERCHARGER COVER. AFTER SEEING THE FLAMES I RAN AS FAR AS POSSIBLE AND CALLED 911. POLICE AND FIRE DEPARTMENT ARRIVED SHORTLY AFTER. THE CAR'S ENGINE WAS COMPLETELY ENGULFED IN FLAMES. I AM LUCKY THAT I WAS NOT INJURED, IMAGINE IF I WAS TRAVELING ON THE PARKWAY AND THE CAR DIED OUT. I MIGHT NOT BE TYPING THIS LETTER RIGHT NOW! SOMETHING FOR GM TO THINK ABOUT. STOP THE PROBLEM NOW. *NM