While I'm personally unaware of any crashes or people dying due to this problem on this model, gm has a well documented history of bad ignition switches on other models that are not included in the recall that they have known about for many years. The effects of the bad ignition switch with this model are: 1. The A/C - heater fan blower works intermittently, if you're lucky, and then only on high speed if it does. None of the other speeds work at all. 2. When you try to turn the fan motor on to run the heater or A/C, the headlights go out. While there are different schools of thought on the cause, after researching the internet, one component seemed to correct the problem every time. You must replace the ignition switch. The problem is not the resistor as some seem to think, but the ignition switch. Those who replaced the resistor always had to come back and replace the ignition switch. Those who replaced the ignition switch had fewer, if any, problems after that. I write this to you because I believe someone "up there" needs to know this information. I simply hope it doesn't fall on deaf ears like most things. I withhold further comment. Regards, [xxx] information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6)
2003 Pontiac Grand Prix electrical complaints
Page 2 of 2: complaints 11 to 20 of 20, newest first, as owners wrote them.
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 pontiac grand prix. The contact stated that while parked, the headlights and air conditioner would not activate. Also, the heated seat failed malfunctioned. The contact mentioned that the failure occurred intermittently. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who was unable to diagnose the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 130,000.
When I turn on the blower switch, the blower doesn't work and the headlights go out. It mainly happens on the lower speeds but occasionally happens on high speed also. It is intermittent but happens around 75% of the time. This has been going on for about a year. I have checked all fuses and relays that seem to be related and find no problems there.
I have a 2003 grand prix se and everytime I turn my AC/heater on my headlights go off, its 80+ degrees in the summer time. I can't keep driving with my windows down its too hot, not to mention I carry my friend and her kid around. I worry every night driving down the road that my headlights won't work. This is very dangerous for me and other traffic. I've read many forums and websites containing people with the same exact problem. Please make a recall. I've been told it the ignition switch and blower.
Tl*- the contact owns a 2003 pontiac grand prix. The contact stated that while sitting idle for 2 minutes he noticed smoke emanating from under the hood of the vehicle. Upon further inspection he noticed that the entire electrical system was destroyed. He used a fire extinguisher to put out the fire. He contacted the manufacturer and has not received a response in reference to recall #09v116000 engine and engine cooling .the failure and current mileages were 116,985. Updated 05/18/09. *lj updated 05/20/09.
I have a 2003 grandprix and the first time I used the hazards on for about 10 minutes the column started smoking. If I turn them on now it will start instantly. The outside brake lights have also quit working as a result. I'm told that it is because of the wiring in the column and that everything goes through a central location which needs to be replaced. Apparently by steering the car over time it eventually removes the outer coating of the wiring. I feel that gm should repair this at no cost. I'm also concerned that people do not know of this problem and if they turn the hazards on and walk away, they may not have a car.
In feb of 2003 my pontiac grand prix caught fire after I parked for the evening. Since then, insurance refused coverage for "suspicious in nature. In 2003 pontiac claimed no responsibility, gm's 100,000 mile warranty was a refused. After complaining again in 2006 pontiac called again to say they were not at fault and had no responsibility. I asked them for corresponding VIN numbers and was refused. I have located over 15 additional grand prix engine fires where gm / pontiac is claiming no responsibilities. Once ? Twice ? 10 + ? I read that the federal safety agency had begun another investigation in feb 07 and would like more information on this. I would be happy to forward copies of any of my materials including 2 separate fire investigations that claim my fire started by the drivers head lamp under the air filter assembly, including receipts that show where gm serviced my fuel assembly 2 weeks prior to the fire...
Tl* - the contact stated that while driving the 2003 pontiac grand prix on a sunny day at 35 MPH a deer ran out in front of the vehicle he swerved in order not to hit the deer and ran into a tree. The air bag deployed, the car caught on fire and was consumed by the fire. He had a hard time getting out the driver's side door, it would not open. He had to crawl out through the back window. The failure mileage was 87000 miles.
Abs brake and trac light in a 2003 pontiac grand prix stayed on. We took the vehicle to a pontiac dealer and he stated that it would cost $925.00 to replace the computer system. It also stated that he would call gm headquarters and see if we could get some help from them. Apparently he received word from headquarters that if we had a 50,000 mile check-up at his dealership and pay $425.00 then he gm wouldn't charge us to correct the ABS and trac light problem. Of course we opted for this because it saved us money. But I wonder if this was a scam and gm wouldn't have charged us anything to fix the ABS and trac light system.
While parking /driving horn malfunctioned. Dealership was notified, but did not resolve the problem. *ak the horn button requires excessive effort from the drive to active. The driver also has to push in a specific place for the horn to work. The consumer was involved in an accident because the horn would not work.
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