NHTSA Complaint #10265454 — 2002 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH ON THE FREEWAY, THE CONTACT HEARD A POPPING NOISE AND PULLED THE VEHICLE TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. HE NOTICED SMOKE UNDERNEATH THE HOOD. THE CONTACT OPENED THE HOOD AND NOTICED FLAMES. HE GRABBED WATER FROM A DITCH AND USED IT TO EXTINGUISH THE FLAMES. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO HIS RESIDENCE. THE INSURANCE COMPANY WAS NOTIFIED AND THE DEALER WILL BE INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 09V116000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING) WAS REFERENCED. THE CHEVROLET DEALER CAME TO INSPECT THE VEHICLE. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED, IT CAUGHT FIRE AGAIN. A FIRE EXTINGUISHER TO DOUSE THE FLAMES. THE FLAMES REAPPEARED AND HE HAD TO REPEATEDLY EXTINGUISH THEM WITH THE FIRE EXTINGUISHER. THE FIRE WOULD NOT CEASE UNTIL THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED AWAY. THE ENTIRE ENGINE BURNED AND MELTED IN HIS DRIVEWAY. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 153,000. UPDATED 4/28/09 *CN THE CONSUMER STATED SOMEONE ELSE STARTED THE VEHICLE WHEN THEY WERE NOT SUPPOSED TO AND THAT PERSON PUT THE FIRE OUT. THE VEHICLE WAS DECLARED A LOSS. UPDATED 04/30/09.*JB