NHTSA Complaint #10490839 — 1999 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX

AFTER OWNING THIS VEHICLE FOR A VERY SHORT TIME, IT HAD SOME MINOR BODY WORK DONE AND COMPLETELY REPAINTED. I HAD NEW HEADLIGHTS AND TAILLIGHTS INSTALLED DUE TO THE POOR CONDITION OF THE EXISTING LIGHTS. THE SECOND DAY I DROVE THE CAR TO WORK, I RETURNED HOME, PARKED IT IN THE ATTACHED GARAGE AND WENT INSIDE. IN LESS THAN 5 MINUTES, THERE WAS A LOUD "POP", AND UPON INVESTIGATION THE CAR WAS FOUND TO BE SMOKING FROM UNDER THE HOOD. WE TRIED USING A FIRE EXTINGUISHER, BUT THE ENGINE WAS FLAMING BY THEN, SO IT WAS USELESS. LUCKILY, A PASSERBY STOPPED AND WAS ABLE TO PULL THE BURNING CAR FROM THE GARAGE, BUT NOT BEFORE THERE WAS SOME SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE TO THE INTERIOR. THE ENTIRE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE IS COMPLETELY BURNED AND MELTED. IT IS A COMPLETE LOSS WHICH IS UNFORTUNATE SINCE I ONLY CARRIED LIABILITY INSURANCE ON IT UNTIL IT WAS COMPLETELY FINISHED IN THE BODY SHOP. SINCE THIS FIRE, I HAVE BEEN CHECKING ON RECALLS CONCERNING ANY RELATED PROBLEMS WITH THIS MODEL. I HAVE FOUND SEVERAL THAT ARE SIMILAR TO THIS SITUATION. I PERSONALLY KNOW OF THREE OTHER FIRE RELATED INCIDENCES OF 1999 PONTIACS. *TR