1997 Pontiac Grand Am: fire, smoke or burning smell

Filed Jul 25, 2002 · Brakes · CA · fire

Anti-lock brakes failed when driving down hill. Brakes began to smoke/smell with soft pedal. Dealership replaced pads and checked brake system. The next day when driven down a hill front brakes caught fire. Please desccribe details.

Filed Jul 1, 2002 · Electrical · AZ · fire · 1 injury

While starting vehicle, would continue to restart by itself until consumer switched ignition switch to accessories. Started to stop, but sparks and smoke were coming from the steering column, the back of consumers pants were on fire. Dealer and manufacturer were notified.*ak. Consumer stated the igniton was recalled, and consumer suffered 2nd degree burns.

Filed Jul 9, 2001 · Electrical · MO · crash

I have an electical problem in my car that no one seems to know what is if the fuse continues to blow constantly then they will be abble to trace the problem until then I have the birnden of worrying about my car catch on fire from this short.they told me to possibly try a headlight swich at an 85.00 price and labor on top of that on a maybe yes maybe no fix. At this point I just don't know what else to do. I'm hopeing that you night be able to help me cure this problem I've only had this vehicle since october of last year I hate to trade it in bscaus of this problem I dont have the funds avaible to me to purchase another vehicle for the taxes that I will have to pay out again for another vehicle. I just don't know what else to do at this point . I have blown apoxametly 25 -30 fuses since the accident . There is no certain time or ocurrence that this fuse blows . This vehicle has automatic headlights on it when it becomes dusk there is a sensor in the dash that tells the headlight switch to turn on the lights. I'm afaid that there will be a problem there which could cause this vehicle to have a fire in the interior of the vehicle. I have taken the vehicle at thr advise of the insurance company and it they told me to only way they can trace this is if the fuse in question keeps blowing one after another then they might find the problem. Maybe you might be able to give mr the number of pontaic factory service reps for pontaic if possible to try and get this matter resolved.

Filed May 17, 2001 · Electrical · OK · fire

After parking vehicle noticed smoke and the flames coming from underhood. Please provide further information.

Filed Mar 27, 2001 · Engine · MD

Serious problem - could cause fire. Oil dripping on exhaust. Burning smell (like rubber or oil) observed while driving car, especially (but not only) while at highway speeds. Continued to smell strongly sometimes after car was turned off. Took to deal

Filed May 14, 2000 · Engine · TX · fire

Christmas eve 1999 while driving down the highway access road a loud boom was heard and the car began to lose to power. Luckily, we were about 200 feet from a gas station. We managed to get the car into the gas station. At this time I saw an immense amount of smoke coming from under the hood. My husband opened the hood and found the engine was on fire. As he ran into the store to get a fire extinguisher, a man from the fireworks stand next to the gas station arrived with an extinguisher and put the fire out. He had seen us coming down the access road with big ball of fire under the car. Our insurance company says that a piston gave out and as the engine began failing oil began to drip onto the catalytic converter or some other componant causing the fire. This is not covered by my insurance company because the fire was due to mechanical failure. We need to have a new engine. The dealer estimate is $6500.00. This is just the latest mechanical failure on this vehicle. We have had numerous problems with this vehicle and have spent over $4,000.00 in repairs prior to this incident.

Filed May 3, 2000 · Electrical · AL · fire

Pontiac grand am 1997, on 5/2/00 car would not start after being driven during the day, it turned over once, then nothing saw smoke trail coming from turn signal arm cut ignition switch off, got out of vechile, went into the house, about 3minutes heard the horn of the vehicle sounding, went outside to check , car was on fire at the drivers side, opened up drivers side door, flames were in the steering unit, and on the drivers seat , and steering wheel and top sun visor, ran and got a fire extinquisher, put out the fire, horn still going off, popped hood release and disconnected the hot cable from the battery. Car is now at dealership pending investigation, concerned that this might have happened when driving the vechile, was just lucky it did not happen during use.