NHTSA Complaint #10185359 — 2000 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX

I HAD A 2000 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX WITH 120,000 MILES, THAT HAD BEEN MOSTLY NO TROUBLE. WE HAD AN EXTENDED WARRANTY TIL 75,000 MILES, AND ALL THE ROUTINE MAINTENANCE. WHEN DRIVING HOME FROM WORK (<15MILES), I STOPPED AT THE GROCERY STORE FOR 20 MINUTES OR LESS. BEFORE I CAME OUT, MY CAR WAS TOTALLED IN FLAMES, AND 2 FIRE DEPARTMENTS WERE THERE DOUSING MY ENGINE. THERE WERE NO PRIOR LEAKS/NOISES/ WARNING LIGHTS. THIS OCCURRED IN BROAD DAYLIGHT, 4:30PM, ALONG A MAJOR ROAD. MY HUSBAND IS A CERTIFIED IN ARSON INVESTIGATION, AND STATED THE FIRE BEGAN AT THE FRONT LEFT CORNER OF THE ENGINE, WHERE THE FUEL LINE IS. IT WAS MORE SEVERLY MELTED IN THAT AREA. WE HAD THE COMPREHENSIVE INSURANCE DISCONTINUED ABOUT 2 MONTHS PRIOR,DUE TO HOUSE INSURANCE UP A THOUSAND DOLLARS, ETC, FROM THE HURRICANES, SO I HAD NO FIRE COVERAGE, AND AM OUT OF A VEHICLE. I CALLED GM, AND THEY OFFERED TO HAVE AN "INDEPENDENT INVESTIGATOR" LOOK AT IT FOR ANY POSSIBLE COMPENSATION. ( I DID NOT CALL THEM FOR MONEY, BUT CALLED TO REPORT THE INCIDENT, FOR SAFETY REASONS). THEIR 'INDEPENDENT INVESTIGATOR' REPORTED IT WAS 'IGNITED FROM AN OUTSIDE SOURCE, UNDERNEATH THE TRANSMISSION'. I ASSURE YOU THIS EXTENSIVE FIRE WAS NOT STARTED BY A CIGARETTE BUTT, AND I DO NOT HAVE ANY MAFFIA CHASING ME TO IGNITE MY CAR. I ASSURE YOU NO ONE IN BROAD DAYLIGHT ON A MAJOR ROAD TORCHED MY CAR. I AM VERY ANGRY WITH GM FOR MAKING SUCH A CLAIM. I HAD A VEHICLE THAN RAN WELL AND WAS PAID OFF OVER A YEAR AGO, AND WAS IN GOOD CONDITION...ASK ANYONE WHO I WORK WITH OR ANY NEIGHBOR. I THANK GOD THE CAR WAS NOT IN MY GARAGE WHEN THIS HAPPENED, OR MY HOUSE WOULD BE GONE, AND MAYBE US, TOO. OR, ON THE ROAD IN THE MIDDLE OF TRAFFIC.