1995 Pontiac Grand Am: fire, smoke or burning smell

Filed Feb 7, 2009 · Electrical · 140,000 miles · CA · fire

I was in the parking lot of a fast food place we came out after we ate and got in the car attempted to start it but it did not start at first then I turned off the ignition and then tried again it started and after a short time it seamed like it tried to start itself again and it started smoking from below the steering column so I turned it off and jumped out of the car and out the battery by the time the battery was out it had already caught fire and had to be put out with a fire extinguisher which was supplied by a tow truck driver who just so happened to be getting lunch the fire dept was called but never filed a report they just made sure all were ok then left that's basically what happened.

Filed Jan 16, 2009 · Electrical · CA · fire

While driving down highway 4 my steering column caught on fire making me pull the car over and jump out along with 2 other persons , after that we called the tow truck to have it towed home to see what we were going to do about the problem and who to contact in the mean time the dealership had my car for 4 months and to this day still has it and is requesting me to pay half of the bill to get it fixed and I do not feel I should pay a dime for a recalled car with an open recall on it so therefore I am filing a complaint against the dealership for the car to be fixed and for all the inconvenience in which it has caused me getting back and fourth to school, I am in college full time so therefore I had to do public transportation getting to and from my destinations. And when the car caught fire it was the first time in which it had ever happened. So now my grandfather is going to pay for it to get fixed and would like all of his money back and I want all I can get for all the inconvenience in which this problem has caused myself and all others who were involved and also we need to keep in mind this could have been a much bigger problem if anyone would have gotten hurt do to the fire and or any others damages that could have happened.

Filed Dec 2, 2005 · Body, Brakes · 165 miles · MD

1995 pontiac grand am overheating. Replaced the thermostat four times and finally the head gaskets warped. Paid for the head gasket replacement. Continued to overheat and called general motors. Mediator was of very little help. Took it back under the repair warranty, then the radiator blew because they had replaced the radiator cap with a higher pressure rating. We took it back and they replaced the radiator, hoses, heater core and numerous other things. It continued to overheat. In general we have spent about $2500.00 and still have this issue. Additionally, we now have the ABS warning light coming on occasionally and I found some engine wires twisted up over the manifold. I have since moved them back to their original location and had to use electrical tape on another wire connection that the lock (snap) was broke off. Since doing this I have not had the car overheating as often. Additionally since repairs were made, we now have heavy condensation on the interior windshield, (window wipers on the inside could be a solution...) along with puddles of water on the passenger floor and in the trunk....god only knows what they did to my car after I called general motors, everything just seemed to get worse from there.. Coincidence, I think not. They are now bankrupt so there is no recourse in my case of retrieving money needlessly spent on repairs they should have fixed properly in the first place. And while I'm at it, I wonder if they ever took car of that ignition recall? I am still driving the car when it is behaving but I have been having to hold the ignition switch to get the car to start which I hadn't had to do before... Are they waiting for my car to catch on fire due to this ignition problem? The smartest thing would be to take it to someone else but no one wants to touch the car after finding out it was at the other dealership so where do I go now? And a reply on that sure would be a big help!

Filed Sep 23, 2004 · Electrical · 188,000 miles · PA · fire

A recall (#00v287000) was issued for the starter assembly the dealer refused to repair the vehicle at no charge. The consumer stated the vehicle caught fire twice. Please provide additional information.

Filed Aug 24, 2004 · Visibility · TX · fire

Vehicle caught on fire due to a space between the firewall and the interior. There was a space where water ran down, and leaves gathered. There the fire started.

Filed May 20, 2004 · Electrical · 95,493 miles · MA · fire

Vehicle was parked and consumer placed the key inside the ignition, and vehicle would not start. A burning smell was coming from the vehicle. Consumer lifted up the hood, and smoke was coming from the starter. Consumer was able to extinguish the fire. Consumer had the vehicle towed to the dealer for inspection, and mechanic determined that the ignition switch needed to be replaced due to failure. *ak

Filed Dec 22, 2003 · Engine · 118,000 miles · WI

Consumer noticed smoke coming from under the hood. Took the vehicle to the dealer. The dealer determined that intake manifold gasket leaked antifreeze into the engine, and the engine had to be replaced.

Filed Feb 6, 2002 · Electrical · PA · fire

Vehicle was turned off when smoke came from under the steering wheel. Seconds later it was ignited, but didn't spread. Cause has not been determined. Consumer will contact dealer and manufacturer. Please provide more information.

Filed Sep 14, 2001 · Electrical · SC · fire

Vehicle caught on fire starting at steering column.

Filed Jun 5, 2001 · MS · fire

Consumer was traveling about 30mph on highway and smelled smoke. She had window rolled down. She looked down at tape deck and noticed that smoke was coming from tape deck. Vehicle was on fire. Dealership was aware of problem.

Filed May 18, 2001 · Electrical · NC

Prior to recall notification (00v287000) in which consumer states she did not receive, experienced unusual car trouble, consumer states as she turned the key to the start position nothing happened, after a third time of trying to start vehicle she noticed smoke coming from the dashboard/steering column area consumer then removed key from ignition and evacuated the vehicle, the vehicle was towed to dealership and consumer was advised about recall and repairs that were performed.

Filed May 11, 2001 · Electrical · MD

While trying to start vehicle, the vehicle made a terrible sound and consumer could smell burning around the ignition, the starter and ignition switch were replaced, a week later consumer received recall p00079-s, consumer is requesting a refund.