1996 PONTIAC GRAND AM Electrical Systemignitionswitch Problems

IGNITION WOULD NOT TURN OVER SO DRIVER POPPED HOOD AND REMOVED THE KEYS, DRIVER WAS WALKING TO THE FRONT OF THE CAR WITH KEYS IN HAND AND CAR STARTED BY ITSELF. DRIVER JUMPED BACK IN AND TURNED KEY FORWARD AND BACK TO GET CAR TO SHUT OFF AND NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM THE STEERING COLUMN. WITHIN MINUTES, THE STEERING COLUMN WAS FLAMING. EXTENSIVE DAMAGE. MELTED STEERING WHEEL, STEERING COLUMN, FRONT OF DRIVER'S SEAT, HEADLINER, DASH, CONTROL PANEL AND VISORS. ALL DONE!!! CHECKED RECALLS: IGNITION SWITCH (RECALL # 02V070000) *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 PONTIAC GRAND AM. THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START WHEN THE KEY WAS TURNED IN THE IGNITION. THE DEALER REPLACED THE IGNITION LOCK CYLINDER, WHICH HAS BEEN REPLACED THREE TIMES WITHIN THREE YEARS. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 180,000 AND THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

IGNITION SWITCH WORE OUT AT ONLY 148,000 MILES. CAR CAN NOT BE STARTED.

NHTSA RECALL 02-V-070-000: ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES. IF THE ENGINE FAILED TO START AND THE DRIVER HELD THE KEY IN THE "START" POSITION FOR AN EXTENDED PERIOD, HIGH CURRENT FLEW THROUGH THE IGNITION SWITCH, AND SOMETIMES PRODUCED ENOUGH HEAT TO MELT INTERNAL SWITCH PARTS. THIS RECALL FAILED AND THE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE.*AK CONSUMER HAD BACKED UP APPROX. FIVE FEET IN AN PARKING LOT WHEN THE ENGINE DIED AND SMOKE EMITTED FROM THE STEERING COLUMN. AT FIRST THE CONSUMER COULDN'T GET THE KEYS OUT AND THE VEHICLE WAS IN "PARK". AFTER WHILE THE CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO REMOVE THE KEYS THE SMOKE STOPPED. WHEN THE TOW TRUCK DRIVER ARRIVED, HE COULDN'T GET THE VEHICLE OUT OF THE "PARK" POSITION. THE TOW TRUCK DRIVER HAD TO DISCONNECT THE LINKAGES. *PH *JB

PERIODICALLY THE KEY GETS STUCK IN THE "ON" POSITION. THIS HAS CAUSED DAMAGE TO THE SENDING UNIT TO THE CRANKCASE. *AK

CONSUMER STATES VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE SECONDS AFTER BEING PARKED. VEHICLE WAS TO BE TOWED, HOWEVER, DEALERSHIP REFUSED TO ACCEPT THE VEHICLE. CONSUMER RECEIVED RECALL NOTIFICATION RELATING TO IGNITION SWITCH 02V07 TO CORRECT POTENTAL FIRE. AS A RESULT, CONSUMER HAS FILED COMPLAINT WITH ATTORNEY GENERALS OFFICE. *TT

KEY WILL NOT COME OUT OF IGNITION AFTER PUTTING INTO PARK. STICKS AT VARIOUS TIMES AND FOR VARIOUS LENGTHS OF TIME. THE LIGHTS STAY ON WHICH HAS DRAINED THE BATTERY TWICE. HAVE HAD THREE DIFFERENT LOCAL DEALERS CHECK. THEY DID THINGS LIKE GREASE IT, MAKE NEW KEYS AND SCRATCH THEIR HEAD. NONE OF THESE HAVE SOLVED MY PROBLEM. I PURCHASED THE CAR AS A "PROGRAM CAR" WITH 14967 MILES ON IT. THE PROBLEM STARTED SHORTLY AFTER PURCHASE IN 1996. AFTER 5 YEARS OF THINKING I WAS ALONE WITH THIS ANNOYING PROBLEM, I RECENTLY FOUND SIX LOCAL OWNERS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM AND NOW I SEE ABOUT TEN OTHER COMPLAINTS ON THIS WEB SITE. I DID HAVE THE MOST RECENT RECALL DONE BUT THE DEALER SAID IT DID NOT HAVE ANYTHING TO DO WITH THIS PROBLEM BUT DIDN'T HAVE ANY ANSWERS ON HOW TO FIX IT. I HAVE SENT E-MAILS TO...

NHTSA RECALL 02V070000, IGNITION SWITCH. THE VEHICLE RAN HOT AND SHUT DOWN IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD. THE OWNER DID RECEIVE NOTIFICATION OF THE RECALL. PONTIAC CUSTOMER RELATIONS DECLINED ANY SERVICE TO ASSIST THE CONSUMER, INCLUDING TOWING AND RECALL PART EXPENSES. THE KEY HAD BECAME STUCK IN THE IGNITION PRIOR TO RECEIVING THE RECALL NOTICE. *AK *CB *JB

CONSUMER HAD IGNITION SWITCH REPLACED PRIOR TO RECALL 02V07 AND IS REQUESTING REIMBURSEMENT FOR REPAIRS. *SLC

RELAY KIT WAS INSTALLED UNDER RECALL 02V070000 CONCERNING IGNITION SWITCH ON 6-5-2002. CURRENTLY, VEHICLE WILL NOT START, IT JUST CLICKS WHEN CONSUMER TRIES TO START IT.*AK

INTERIOR LIGHTS COME ON INTERMITTENTLY WHILE DRIVING, THERE ARE RECALLS 88V927000 AND 96V257000; BUT THIS VEHICLE IS NOT AFFECTED DUE TO VIN. *AK THE INVOICE STATES THAT THEY CHECKED THE RECALL/CAMPAIGN-THEY HAD TO INSTALL ENGINE WIRING HARNESS, REPLACE THE IGNITION SWITCH AND THE STEERING COLUMN TILT LEVER. *SCC

CONSUMER HAS BEEN REPAIRING THE IGNITION SYSTEM FOR OVER TWO (2) YEARS. A RECALL NOTICE WAS SENT TO CONSUMER RECENTLY. CONSUMER IS SEEKING REIMBURSEMENT. *JG

AFTER RECALL 02V070000 REPAIRS WERE DONE, PROBLEM REOCCURRED. DEALER WANTED TO CHARGE CONSUMER TO REPLACE RECALL AGAIN.*AK

NHTSA RECALL 02 V 070 000/MANUFACTURER'S RECALL 02008 CONCERNING IGNITION SWITCH: AFTER RECALL REPAIRS WERE DONE, THE VEHICLE STALLED ON THREE SEPARATE OCCASIONS AND WOULD NOT RESTART. THE ENGINE CHECK LIGHT, OIL LIGHT, BATTERY LIGHT AND ABS LIGHT WOULD COME ON INTERMITTENTLY WHILE DRIVING. DEALER NOTIFIED. *AK CONSUMER STATES THAT BEFORE THE RECALL KIT WAS INSTALLED THE CAR HASN'T BEEN RUNNING PROPERLY. ONE INCIDENT THE CONSUMER WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AND THE VEHICLE STALLED AND A SEMI-TRUCK WAS FOLLOWING. THE CONSUMER WAS TOLD THAT IT WAS A BAD SENSOR WHICH STILL DIDN'T SOLVE THE PROBLEM. THEN ON ANOTHER OCCASION WAS TOLD THAT IT WASN'T THE SENSOR BUT A BAD FUEL PUMP. THE LIGHTS ARE STILL ON 75 PERCENT OF THE TIME. *SCC

CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE INTO DEALER TO GET RECALL 02V070000 REPAIRS DONE ON IGNITION SWITCH. AFTER WORK WAS DONE, CONSUMER WAS STILL HAVING PROBLEMS WITH IGNITION SWITCH.*AKJG

KEY GETS STUCK IN SWITCH AND CAN'T TURN VEHICLE OFF NOR TAKE KEY OUT OF IGNITION. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER AND HAD REPAIRS, BUT PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. *AK

CONSUMER RECEIVED RECALL LETTER 02V070000 CONCERNING IGNITION SWITCH WHICH HAS NOT BEEN HORNORED BY DEALER. CONSUMER IS VERY DISSATISFIED WITH SERVICE AND TREATMENT. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK

IGNITION SWITCH WILL NOT TURN ON AT ALL WHEN APPLYING INSIDE OF IGNITION SWITCH. CONSUMER HAS HAD TO REPLACE BATTERY. DEALERSHIP IS AWARE OF PROBLEM. *AK DEALER PERFORMED RECALL 02V07000 RELATING TO THE IGNITION SWITCH. CONSUMER IS SATISFIED WITH REPAIRS. *TT

CONSUMER STATES VEHICLE IGNITION SWITCH WILL NOT ALLOW CONSUMER TO TAKE KEY OUT OF IGNITION. TOOK TO DEALER AND THEY ARE NOT GOING TO REPLACE THE IGNITION SWITHCH. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*JB

NHTSA RECALL 02-V-070-000/ MANUFACTURER'S RECALL 02008 DEALERSHIP: ART GAMBLIN 1047 HWY 410, ENUMCLAW,WA. PHONE NUMBER 360-825-2567 WHERE THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO WAS NOT SERVICED FOR THE RECALL DUE TO PARTS NOT AVAILABLE UNTIL JULY OF 2002. CONSUMER STATED THAT IGNITION SWITCH MADE THE CLICKING NOISE MENTIONED IN THE RECALL LETTER. PLEASE PROVIDE MORE INFORMATION.*AK

CAR WOULDN'T START, IT STARTED SMOKING, BURNED IGNITION SWITCH AND STARTER. HAVING SAME PROBLEM AS RECALL # 02-V-070-000, BUT DEALERSHIP SAID IT WAS NOT THE SAMETHING.*AK

SOMETIMES WHEN TURNING THE IGNITION TO START CAR, KEY WON'T TURN.*AK

RECALL 02 V 070 000/IGNITION SWITCH: ALTERNATOR/ BATTERY AND IGNITION COIL HAD TO BE REPLACED. , DEALER NOTIFIED, AND INFORMED CONSUMER THAT RECALL WAS NOT THE CAUSE OF OTHER FAILURES. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK

AFTER DRIVING VEHICLE HAS HAD A DIFFICULT TIME TRYING TO REMOVE KEY FROM IGNITION. HAS TAKEN ABOUT 4 HOURS. MECHANIC HAS INSPECTED VEHICLE, AND HAS NOT FOUND PROBLEM. CONSUMER IS CONCERNED ABOUT IT. *AK

WE HAVE HAD COOLANT LOSS THREE TIMES WITH NO VISIBLE LEAKAGE. WE WERE INFORMED THAT THE CAR WAS "SUCKING THE COOLANT IN" RATHER THAN LEAKING OUT. WE HAVE HAD TO HAVE THE INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET REPLACED 3 TIMES. THE 1ST TIME, THE DEALER REPLACED INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET & OIL PUMP DRIVE RING AND VALVE COVER GASKET LEAKING. THE 2ND TIME, THE DEALER SIMPLE RESEALED THE INTAKE GASKET BUT DID NOT REPLACE. THE 3RD TIME, THE DEALER REPLACED THE UPPER AND LOWER INTAKE GASKETS AND RECHECKED FOR LEAKS. ALL OF THESE REPAIRS WERE COVERED UNDER EITHER THE ORIGINAL WARRANTY OR THE EXTENDED WARRANTY (GOOD THRU 72,000 MI). WE NOW HAVE ALMOST 70,000 MI ON THIS CAR AND THE ENGINE IS SHOT! THE MAIN THROTTLE BEARING GAULDED AND THE EXTENDED WARRANTY COMPANY IS DENYING OUR CLAIM (EVEN THOUGH WE HAVE 2,000 MI LEFT ON EXTENDED WARRANTY) BECAUSE THEY SAY THE OIL IS...

SINCE PURCHASE HAD TO REPLACE 3 ALTERNATORS/ 2 IGNITION SWITCHES/ 2 STOP-HAZARD SWITCHES/ABS SWITCH, AND 2 BATTERIES. *AK WINDSHIELD IS LEAKING DURING HEAVY RAINS. THE CONSUMER INDICATES THAT THE VEHICLE HAS QUESTIONABLE DESIGN WHICH CAUSING MOST OF THE PROBLEMS. *YH

CONSTANT PROBLEMS MOSTLY ELECTRICAL, BUT FROM WINDOWS AND LOCKS TO MAJOR THINGS LIKE ALTERNATORS AND IGNITION SWITCHES MULTIPLE TIMES. CONTACTED PONTIAC OVER A YEAR AND NEVER HEARD EVEN A REPLY. ANY RECALLS OR FACTORY FIX INFO WOULD BE APPRECIATED. *AK

IGNITION KEY WAS BEING RELEASED FROM IGNITION SWITCH INTERMITTENTLY. DEALER NOTIFIED, AND WASA UNABLE TO DUPLICATE PROBLEM. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS. *AK

THIS IS THE THIRD REPLACEMENT OF THE IGNITION LOCK CYLINDER WITHIN TWO YEARS 1998-2000. IT SEEMS TO NEED REPLACED EVERY 9-12 MONTHS. I FEEL THIS IS AN OBVIOUS PROBLEM AND SHOULD BE CORRECTED. THE SEAT ANCHOR HAS BEEN REPORTED EACH TIME I TAKE THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP. THE LAST TIME I WAS TOLD TO RECLINE THE SEAT TO PREVENT THE PROBLEM. I DO NOT FEEL THIS IS AN ACCEPTABLE ANSWER TO THE PROBLEM. *AK

WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE COMPLETELY SHUT DOWN WITHOUT WARNING, DUE TO A MALFUNCTION WITHIN THE IGNITION SWITCH. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS. *AK

INTERMITTENTLY VEHICLE WILL NOT START . THE DEALER HAS REPLACED VARIOUS PARTS AND THE PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. *AK

VEHICLE WON'T START DUE TO IGINTION SWITCH KEEPS LOCKING UP. ALSO, VEHICLE KEEPS STALLING AND CUTTING OFF WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING. *AK

AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION SURGES AT 60 MPH. THOUGHT THAT TRANSMISSION FAILED AT FIRST, BUT THEN NOTICED CAR WAS FINE AT LOW SPEEDS. SHUT OFF CAR AND RESTARTED, THEN TRANSMISSION WAS FINE. (NOTICED SIMILAR POSTING ON YOUR WEB SITE - ODI ID 802947) FOR THE DEFECT RELATED TO THE STEERING COLUMN, KEY WILL NOT COME OUT OF IGNITION ON OCCASION WHEN CAR IS TURNED OFF. TO FIX THIS, TURN CAR BACK ON, THEN PUT TRANSMISSION INTO DRIVE AND THEN FIRMLY INTO PARK. THIS, AND TURNING WHEEL, WILL USUALLY FIX THE PROBLEM. *AK

WHEN CONSUMER SHUTS OFF THE ENGINE, THE IGNITION SWITCH DOES NOT GO ALL THE WAY TO WHERE HE COULD TAKE THE KEY OUT OF THE IGNITION, AND THIS IS THE SECOND TIME THAT THIS HAS HAPPENED. MANUFACTURER AND DEALER WERE CONTACTED. *AK

IGNITION KEY CANNOT BE MOVED FROM THE IGNITION WHEN THE VEHICLE IS TURNED OFF. IT TAKES ABOUT 10 MINUTES UP TO ONE HOUR BEFORE THE KEY CAN BE REMOVED. THE DEALER HAS TRIED TO CORRECT THIS PROBLEM 3 TIMES. VEHICLE IS AT DEALERSHIP FOR THE 4TH TIME FOR THIS PROBLEM. *AK

WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE STOPPED IN TRAFFIC AND THE WHOLE CAR DIED AND LOCKED UP. THE BRAKES AND STEERING FAILED, AND DRIVER DID NOT KNOW WHY THE VEHICLE DID THIS WITHOUT ANY WARNING. *AK