NHTSA — Electrical System Problems

2001 Pontiac Grand Prix (Page 1 of 2)

10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 12
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
96,484 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2001 Pontiac Grand Prix electrical problems

electrical problem

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2001 Pontiac Grand Prix Owner Comments (Page 1 of 2)

problem #36

May 222020

Grand Prix 6-cyl

  • 179,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

I am driving down hwy 311 in houma, la. I went around another vehicle and as my car went into passing gear I hear a noise from under the hood. I stopped and put gas in my car. As I'm driving down savanne road I hear the noise again. As I'm driving the noise gets louder and worse. On June 10, 2020 the car starts getting hot so I pull over and shut the engine off. Smoke starts coming out the hood and water is all over the ground. Can't find where the water spewed out at or a crack or anything. Fans are constantly not working. This is the second time this happens. Car wouldn't start. Get it started and immediately went straight home. The bearings are going out in the engine. I bought the car in February 2013 and have had problems since March 2013. Ac goes out. I fix it. It works a week or 2 and stops again. ABS light is on but a mechanic cannot diagnose the problem. Service engine light stays on no matter what. The pieces on the outside of the doors have fallen off, once while I was driving. I always have trouble starting it. Changed the battery 3 times. The headlights are not bright and the housings for them are horrible. The sunroof leaks into the dome light. The driver side seat belt gets stuck down and I have to fight with it to get it up to buckle it. The whole car should be recalled and on the list of worst cars numbers 1 thru 20 with others after. I'm getting rid of this car and never buying another Pontiac Grand Prix GT.

- Gray, LA, USA

problem #35

Aug 132013

Grand Prix

  • miles
The coolant and ABS light stays on. It used to be the engine light but since I have gotten that fixed this is the on-going problem. At least it doesn't affect me passing a smog test now. My biggest issue is the fuel gauge. It will read full or empty and nothing in between. I used to be able to estimate, by checking my mileage when I was near full but it is hard to tell now, because it bounces bath and forth at times. My last issue is heat. It used to work well but now it won't give me heat. The air conditioning system still works great.

- Modesto, CA, USA

problem #34

Apr 052017

Grand Prix

  • 250,235 miles
Currently, I'm having some electrical problems with my vehicle with the power windows and hazard lights. Also, I'm having an issue with the fuel system this started occurring three months ago and I feel it's not safe, at times with all issues that my car has it can be terrifying to drive but I can't afford to fix these problems or buy a new car. There are a few leaks coming from my car as well I know one leak is due to the power steering and the other the fuel tank, there might be another leak. Most of the issues I have figured out when my car was parked but some like the electrical problems and fuel issues, I've noticed either turning or driving on the main highway.

- White House, TN, USA

problem #33

Mar 232008

Grand Prix

  • 2 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

My vehicle caught on fire while in motion. This happened during a trip to nuevo Laredo, tamaulipas Mexico. It was reported to GM in detail and extensively, a copy of the title, an affidavit and the invoice where the remaining were sold to a junk yard were all mailed to an address provided. I never received a response from GM. Every phone number that has been provided to me leads nowhere. I emailed Mr. Jeffrey M boyer vice president of global vehicle safety at GM this afternoon with cc to Mr. Anthony foxx the secretary of the department of transportation. See the attached notice. Date that I am providing is estimated since it happened a long time ago and I don't have my notes with me.

- Laredo, TX, USA

problem #32

Mar 302009

Grand Prix 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
The contact owns a 2001 Pontiac Grand Prix. The contact stated that while the ignition switch was in the run position, the key could be removed effortlessly. The contact also stated that the key gets stuck frequently which prohibits her from shutting the vehicle off. The failure was persistent. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown. Updated 07/12/16 updated 07/19/16.

- Fulton, MO, USA

problem #31

Dec 152015

Grand Prix

  • 189,000 miles
The contact owned a 2001 Pontiac Grand Prix. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, the vehicle bursted into flames. A police report was filed. The fire department extinguished the flames. The vehicle was destroyed. There was no injuries. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 189,000.

- Elizabeth Town, NC, USA

problem #30

Oct 102015

Grand Prix

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The contact owned a 2001 Pontiac Grand Prix. The contact stated that the vehicle caught fire. A fire report was filed. The fire department extinguished the fire. No injuries were sustained. The vehicle was destroyed. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The VIN and failure mileage were unknown.

- Mount Morris, MI, USA

problem #29

Sep 082015

Grand Prix 6-cyl

  • 99,000 miles
The contact owns a 2001 Pontiac Grand Prix. The contact stated that while driving at 40 mph, the vehicle stalled without warning. The failure recurred numerous times. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where the failure was unable to be determined. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 99,000. Updated 04/20/16

- Garland, TX, USA

problem #28

Oct 102014

Grand Prix

  • 131,000 miles
The contact owns a 2001 Pontiac Grand Prix. When the contact attempted to start the vehicle, the ignition failed to start. The failure was persistent. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 131,000.

- Sterling, IL, USA

problem #27

Jan 102012

Grand Prix 6-cyl

  • miles
2001 Pontiac Grand Prix. Consumer writes in regards to heater switch and ignition switch problems. The consumer stated the switch for the heater stopped working. As the consumer was leaving the repair shop, the ignition switch started smoking. The ignition switch and blower motor were replaced.

- Redmond, WA, USA

problem #26

Dec 192014

Grand Prix

  • 106,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The contact owns a 2001 Pontiac Grand Prix. The contact stated that when attempting to turn off the vehicle, the key failed to turn in the ignition. The key could be removed after numerous attempts. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed that the entire ignition switch cylinder needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 106,000.

- Albert Lea , MN, USA

problem #25

Jun 112013

Grand Prix

  • 170,000 miles
Sometimes the headlights and air will not come unless you stop and restart. It appears to be in the ignition switch.

- Charlotte, NC, USA

problem #24

Sep 302013

Grand Prix

  • 173,000 miles
The contact owns a 2001 Pontiac Grand Prix. While driving approximately 35 mph, the steering wheel seized and the vehicle stalled. The battery and oil warning indicators illuminated. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic and the vehicle was repaired. The details of the repair were unknown. The failure recurred. The VIN was unavailable. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 173,000.

- Akron, OH, USA

problem #23

Feb 052013

Grand Prix 6-cyl

  • miles
My gas gauge doesn't work and the only time it does is when the needle floats back and forth between E and F. I'm not sure why this is but when I research about it there are many of complaints regarding the same issue. I would just like to know if the reason is a faulty GM part or if this happens all the time.

- North Tonawanda, NY, USA

problem #22

Jan 092014

Grand Prix

  • 225,000 miles
Second request...on Jan 9, 2014, I was parked in my car having lunch with the motor running. For no apparent reason, the engine caught fire, causing the fuel lines to burst. The car was not drivable after that. That evening, when I got home, I had a recall from GM for my vehicle in the mail. (code 07035) I called GM the following day, told them of the incident and they became my best friends, especially when I told them no one was injured. GM made an appointment and had me tow (at my expense) my car to sam swope auto center where it was evaluated. At no time did sam swope say the fire wasn't caused by the recall issue. The bill to repair was going to be $4,700. Sam swope said they could not fix without authorization from GM. After 2 weeks of getting the runaround and being asked questions like, "how many Pontiac have you owned" and "how loyal of a customer are you", they decided the car was too old and had too many miles to repair and stated that GM's liability ends 4 yrs after purchase, but did offer to fix the recall. I asked why if they didn't assume any liability after 4 yrs, why send a recall. The rep stated that they are computer generated. I explained that I didn't want to sue anyone, I just wanted my car either fixed or totaled out so I could purchase something else. By the way, I've owned 7 Pontiac, and 12 GM cars total. I'm 62 yrs old. And, the car wasn't a worn out piece of junk. It had every option GM offered including heads up display, bose sound system, heated 6-way seats, sun roof and more. The car is mint. When I purchased in 2005, it had 10300 miles on it. I'd be glad to supply photos as the body wasn't hurt. The GM rep asked me if I had fire and theft on the vehicle and I told him no. In his sarcastic voice, he commented, "well, I guess you should have. I also hired a lawyer, but GM wouldn't budge. Can you help me? this is so wrong.

- Mt Washington, KY, USA

problem #21

Jan 092014

Grand Prix

  • 224,000 miles
On Jan 9, 2014, I was parked in my car having lunch with the motor running. For no apparent reason, the engine caught fire, causing the fuel lines to burst. The car was not drivable after that. That evening, when I got home, I had a recall from GM for my vehicle in the mail. (code 07035) I called GM the following day, told them of the incident and they became my best friends, especially when I told them no one was injured. GM made an appointment and had me tow (at my expense) my car to sam swope auto center where it was evaluated. At no time did sam swope say the fire wasn't caused by the recall issue. The bill to repair was going to be $4,700. Sam swope said they could not fix without authorization from GM. After 2 weeks of getting the runaround and being asked questions like, "how many Pontiac have you owned" and "how loyal of a customer are you", they decided the car was too old and had too many miles to repair and stated that GM's liability ends 4 yrs after purchase, but did offer to fix the recall. I asked why if they didn't assume any liability after 4 yrs, why send a recall. The rep stated that they are computer generated. I explained that I didn't want to sue anyone, I just wanted my car either fixed or totaled out so I could purchase something else. By the way, I've owned 7 Pontiac, and 12 GM cars total. I'm 62 yrs old. And, the car wasn't a worn out piece of junk. It had every option GM offered including heads up display, bose sound system, heated 6-way seats, sun roof and more. The car is mint. When I purchased in 2005, it had 10300 miles on it. I'd be glad to supply photos as the body wasn't hurt. The GM rep asked me if I had fire and theft on the vehicle and I told him no. In his sarcastic voice, he commented, "well, I guess you should have. I also hired a lawyer, but GM wouldn't budge. Can you help me? this is so wrong.

- Mt Washington, KY, USA

problem #20

Apr 222014

Grand Prix 6-cyl

  • 113,009 miles
Vehicle parked over 48 hrs. After last driven passerby honked to let us know car was on fire. Unlocked car and opened hood. Flames present at ABS module and surrounding area. Wiring harness and plastics from there across firewall to main fuse box and electrics and plastics on top of engine melting. Extinguisher used to put out fire and disconnected battery cable. Removed powder with water hose and surveyed damaged it appears to have started at or very near the ABS module/relay box area and spread to fire wall and around towards the battery area from there. This is the gtp edition of the Grand Prix.

- Miami, OK, USA

problem #19

Apr 072014

Grand Prix 6-cyl

  • 152,000 miles
This is not the first incident, this is just the most recent. On Monday, 4/7, I was driving on the freeway going home from work in the middle of storm around 5 pm and the shut off. Its as if the key was only turned enough to turn on the battery. This has happened on numerous occasions going as far back as 2012 when I purchased the car. It happens more frequently if I don't remove my car key from the rest of my keys. My power steering locks and the car is unable to turn.

- Parma, OH, USA

problem #18

Sep 152009

Grand Prix 6-cyl

  • 60,000 miles
The contact owns a 2001 Pontiac Grand Prix. The contact stated while driving various speeds the vehicle's dashboard lights intermittently turned off and on followed by a clicking sound coming from the dashboard. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who stated the ignition switch would need to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was alerted of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 60,000.

- Spring Lake, NJ, USA

problem #17

Mar 102012

Grand Prix

  • 99,000 miles
The vehicle is running and the auto lights turn on at nite, with the fan speed on off position, the lights shutoff when turning on fan. Then there is no fan or lights on when to attempt to turn on 1-5 position. Manual lights will work but no fan. Have found out recently it only works on 5. I have installed a new resistor but no luck. Has occurred many times and as well has no vent control.

- West Unity, OH, USA

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