NHTSA Complaint #11021545 — 2001 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2001 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE PARKING THE VEHICLE IN A PARKING AREA, THE VEHICLE STARTED EMITTING SMOKE. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO EXIT THE VEHICLE AND SUDDENLY AN INTENSE FIRE STARTED UNDER THE HOOD, WHICH MELTED THE ENGINE ASSEMBLY AND VARIOUS COMPONENTS NEAR THE PART. 911 EMERGENCY WAS CONTACTED AND THE FIRE DEPARTMENT LATER CAME TO EXTINGUISH THE FLAMES. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED AND NO INJURIES WERE REPORTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A YARD AND DESTROYED FROM THE FLAMES. THE INSURANCE COMPANY DID NOT INSPECT NOR DIAGNOSE THE VEHICLE TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED BY A DEALER. FOUR MONTHS LATER, THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 09V116000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING) WHICH STARTED MID APRIL 08,2009 AND WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE WHY THE MANUFACTURER HAD NOT SENT THE NOTICE BEFORE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE.