2003 Pontiac Grand Am: fire, smoke or burning smell

Filed Jul 25, 2011 · Electrical · 78,000 miles · FL

Beginning in october 2010, the security light showed up on my car dashboard. It briefly was lit and would disappear. Over the next few weeks and months, my car would randomly not start and the security light would flash on. I had to have the car towed each time to the dealership which at the time of arrival, the car would then run and the light had disappeared. I was told there was nothing that could be done unless the car was not working. This was very costly in tows and missing work. Then I noticed as I would be driving, random single puffs of smoke coming from the steering wheel column. I described it to the dealership and they thought I was crazy. After this happening over and over finally I was told the ignition switch had been fried and needed to be replaced before a fire started and the car would not start again. I wish there would be a recall as I see this seems to be a common and expensive repair problem in pontiac grand am's. What would have happened if my car had started on fire as I was driving!

Filed Apr 24, 2009 · Lights · 101,000 miles · NC

My car has had a clicking noise ongoing for a few months now. It seems to be stemming from behind the hazard light button in the center of the car. Today the car started smoking behind the steering column on the inside of the car. Why isn't there a recall? I've read so many complains similar to mine. What could have happened if it caught on fire earlier today? Please do something.

Filed Jan 30, 2009 · Steering · 59,611 miles · NC

Originally, I had notified that whenever I had my windshield wipers on for more then 10 minutes, they would freeze and stop moving in the middle of my windshield. This was easily fixed by turning the wiper off, then back on again; this would continue to occur every 10 minutes. Less then a week later, the clicking noise that occurs when the signal lights are blinking, began to click all the time, even when the signal lights were not in operation. Two weeks after the wiper incident happened, there was smoke coming from the steering column, and inherently obstructing my vision. These factors were very similar to the recall issued to the 1998-2002 grand am model years, and seems to be the same problems in my 2003. The procedure to fix the problem is to initially just clean the multi-function switch located in the steering column, and then replace the multi-function switch, if the problem persists.

Filed Jul 17, 2008 · Lights · 60,000 miles · NY

My car is a 2003 pontiac grand am. I purchased it in 2004. In september of 2006 my dashboard starting making clicking noises that sound like the blinker. This became worse within a month and the steering column began smoking occasionally out of the place where the "multifunction switch" is. I replaced the part in october of 2006. Recently, (06/08) 19 months after the manufacturers warranty ended, the multifunction switch is now clicking again. I contacted pontiac both times and was told that nothing could be done and that the problem would need to be paid for out of pocket. To me this is a severe safety issue. My car could have started on fire due to the multifunction switch. A recall should be done for this part on my gm product.

Filed Apr 4, 2008 · Lights · 55,000 miles · OR

Multifunction switch makes a clicking noise even when I am not using the turn signals. At first, if I wiggled or tapped on the switch, the clicking would stop, but now it just clicks incessantly. It is extremely annoying. Yesterday while driving down the freeway I noticed a small stream of smoke coming from my steering wheel. I immediately drove it to a pontiac deal and they advised it shouldn't catch fire that it would blow a fuse before it got too hot. They advise it would cost over 300 to fix. This is frustrating because it's been recalled on several earlier models.

Filed Nov 16, 2007 · Electrical · 42,887 miles · CA

My 2003 pontiac has a clicking in the dash underneath the hazard switch. When I turn on turn signal the clicking goes in rhythm with the signals but when I turn the signals off it continues to click, sometimes fast sometimes slow. This is very annoying and I am afraid there may be a short that may cause a fire. I have checked the internet and come to find that many pontiac owners are experiencing the same problem. They have told pontiac about this problem and they just ignore the complaints. I feel there should be a recall on this problem with all the complaints of this matter. This problem seems to be occurring in many pontiac's ranging from 1995 to 2004. I have a 2003 grand am gt. I hope that you have received many complaints for this problem because through my investigating this problem I have found so many with the same problem. Pontiac has to fix this problem before someone's vehicle catches on fire and burns a house down with an attached garage. Please look into this matter and let me know what is going on. *jb as well my battery is discharging now over night, I have to put a charger on it to keep it charged, the battery has the right voltage, as well as the alternator is the correct charging voltage, and the starter is drawing the correct voltage when it does start, all this started when the flasher sticker started 3-wks ago........ "help" !!!!

Filed Mar 14, 2007 · Electrical, Lights · PA

My 2003 pontiac has a clicking in the dash underneath the hazard switch. When I turn on turn signal the clicking goes in rhythm with the signals but when I turn the signals off it continues to click, sometimes fast sometimes slow. This is very annoying and I am afraid there may be a short that may cause a fire. I have checked the internet and come to find that many pontiac owners are experiencing the same problem. They have told pontiac about this problem and they just ignore the complaints. I feel there should be a recall on this problem with all the complaints of this matter. This problem seems to be occurring in many pontiac's ranging from 1995 to 2004. I have a 2003 grand am gt. I hope that you have received many complaints for this problem because through my investigating this problem I have found so many with the same problem. Pontiac has to fix this problem before someone's vehicle catches on fire and burns a house down with an attached garage. Please look into this matter and let me know what is going on.

Filed Aug 5, 2005 · Acceleration · NJ

Dt: the vehicle accelerated suddenly although the consumer didn't touch the accelerator pedal. This happened 3 times. The consumer stated that there was a rubber burning smell coming from the vehicle when this happened. The vehicle went from 0-6 rpms in less than 3 seconds, it went to 60 MPH. Consumer had to slam on the brake and the emergency brake and put it into park. The consumer had it towed to the dealer on 7-27-05, who ran a diagnostic test on the vehicle. They could not find anything wrong with it. They did say that the oil filter was dirty and that it had to be changed. The consumer states that it was changed at the end of june. They changed three filters and the pcv. The consumer picked the vehicle up on 8-3-05. She only drove it home and parked it. She felt the vehicle was unsafe to drive. *ak a recall on the accelerator pedal was issued back on nov. 2004. The manufacturer claimed that the vehicle was inspected at 32328 miles and it was determine at that time that the recall was not applicable.