Pontiac Sunfire 2001 — Reported problems

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 PONTIAC SUNFIRE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ANTI-THEFT WARNING INDICATOR KEPT RANDOMLY ILLUMINATING. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO START AND, AT TIMES, UPON ENTERING THE VEHICLE, THE KEY WOULD NOT TURN OVER TO START THE VEHICLE FROM THE IGNITION. THE DEALER REPLACED THE BATTERY AND THE IGNITION SWITCH, BUT THE FAILURE CONTINUED. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 04V036000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

IN PART DUE TO CORROSION OF THE LOWER CONTROL ARM, IT EXPERIENCED A SUDDEN STRUCTURAL FAILURE RESULTING IN A SIGNIFICANT LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL. THIS PROBLEM OCCURRED TWICE TO MY VEHICLE. THE FIRST TIME IT OCCURRED WAS WHEN CORNERING AN HITTING A SMALL POTHOLE. I HAD THE CAR REPAIRED BY A GM DEALERSHIP AND THE SECOND TIME A FEW YEARS LATER THIS OCCURRED AGAIN AND IT WAS WHEN I HAD TO STOP ABRUPTLY TO AVOID A CAR RUNNING A RED LIGHT. THIS WAS THE SAME PART THAT FAILED EACH TIME AND RENDERED THE VEHICLE UN-DRIVEABLE.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 PONTIAC SUNFIRE. WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE IGNITION SWITCHED OFF INDEPENDENTLY AND CAUSED THE STEERING WHEEL TO LOCK WITHOUT WARNING. THE FAILURE CAUSED A FOUR VEHICLE CRASH. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY AND THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. IT WAS UNKNOWN IF ANY INJURIES WERE SUSTAINED OR IF A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 PONTIAC SUNFIRE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TRACTION CONTROL, SERVICE ENGINE AND ABS WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE FAILURE RECURRED MULTIPLE TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER OR AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSIS. THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 82,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 PONTIAC SUNFIRE. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE ENGINE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO RESTART AND THE TRACTION WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE FAILURE OCCURRED ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 98,000.

CONTACTED A LOCAL AUTO DEALER, CUTTER PONTIAC (WAIPAHU, HAWAII - LEVY, SERVICE AGENT, PH# 808-564-9520) AND INQUIRED ABOUT MY VEHICLES POSTED 3 RECALL ISSUES; IGNITION, FUEL SYSTEM, & STEERING WHEEL. I EVEN EMAILED AN OFFICIAL LIST OF MY VEHICLE'S RECALL ISSUES I WAS TOLD THE FOLLOWING, AFTER LEVY HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO REVIEW MY EMAIL,WITH MY RECALL LIST: 1. IGNITION - I WAS TOLD THAT MY CONCERN HAD PAST THE ORIGINAL DATE OF RECALL, 2004 ???, SO DEALER IS UNABLE HELP ME RESOLVE THIS ISSUE 2. FUEL SYSTEM - I NOTED THAT I SMELLED FUEL BACK A FEW WEEKS PRIOR, I WOULD NEED TO BRING MY VEHICLE DOWN AND THEY WOULD DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM, BUT WOULD CHARGE ME FOR THE DIAGNOSTIC CHECK. 3. STEERING WHEEL - AGAIN, I WAS TOLD THEY WOULD NEED TO DO A DIAGNOSTIC CHECK, BUT STILL CHARGE ME. I INFORMED THAT MY VIN, DID NOT SHOW UP ON THEIR COMPUTER LIST I INITIALLY MADE AN A SERVICE APPOINTMENT, BUT CANCELLED ...... AS I WAS NOT PREPARED TO PAY DIAGNOSTIC TESTS TO CONFIRM MY VEHICLE'S RECALL ISSUES. THANK YOU *TR

ALL OF A SUDDEN, MY FRONT BRAKES NO LONGER WORKED PROPERLY?! ONLY REAR, EMERGENCY BRAKE AND L FRONT? HAD R FRONT CALIPER COMPLETELY REMOVED AND REPLACED, YET PROBLEM STILL EXISTED?! WAS TOLD SOMETHING COULD BE WRONG WITH GM'S ANTI LOCK BRAKE UNIT INSTALLED INTO THE MASTER BRAKE CYLINDER? COST WAS GOING TO BE AROUND $800.00 TO REPLACE UNIT THAT, ON MY VEHICLE WAS ASSEMBLED IN MEXICO? *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 PONTIAC SUNFIRE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED. THE FAILURE WAS EXPERIENCED SEVERAL TIMES. THE CONTACT REPLACED THE FUSES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER TO HAVE A DIAGNOSTIC TEST PERFORMED. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 116,000. UPDATED 06/20/12*LJ THE CONSUMER STATED THE FUEL INJECTION WAS NOT REPLACED. HER HUSBAND REPLACED THE FUSES. UPDATED 06/22/12 UPDATED 8/20/12 *CN THE CONSUMER ALSO STATED THE VEHICLE USED AN EXCESSIVE AMOUNT OF FUEL. UPDATED 08/23/12

I TOO HAVE A 2001 PONTIAC SUNFIRE SE 2.2 AUTO WITH ABOUT 58,000 MILES ON IT. I BOUGHT THIS CAR IN MARCH OF 2002 WITH ONLY 14,937 MILES ON IT. I HAD NO PROBLEMS WITH THIS CAR TILL NOVEMBER 2004 AT 44,874 MILES, WHEN AN 8 POINT BUCK RAN INTO THE LEFT SIDE FRONT FENDER AND DAMAGED IT, THE HOOD, WINDSHIELD, DRIVER'S DOOR, ROOF, AND BACK DOOR WHILE I WAS DRIVING 55 MPH. THE CAR WAS REPAIRED, THEN SAT OUTSIDE FOR ABOUT 4 1/2 YEARS. HAD TO INSTALL A NEW FUEL PUMP AND BATTERY, THEN I STARTED DRIVING IT AGAIN EVERY DAY IN NOVEMBER 2009. NOW I HAVE NO HIGH BEAM HEADLIGHTS, LIGHTS ARE GOOD. ALSO, WHEN I PUT THE TRANSMISSION INTO GEAR, THE DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHTS FLASH REAL FAST ABOUT 7 OR 8 TIMES, THEN GO OUT, AND THE SERVICE LIGHT COMES ON, BUT IF I TURN ON THE LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS FIRST, IT IS FINE! SERVICE LIGHT GOES OUT AFTER CAR IS TURNED OFF AND RESTARTED, UNTIL PUT BACK INTO GEAR WITH THE HEADLIGHTS OFF! I HAVE REPLACED THE DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHTS RELAY WITH A NEW ONE, BUT IT STILL DOES THE SAME THING, AND IF I LEAVE THE RELAY OUT, THEN WHEN I TURN ON THE HEADLIGHTS, ONE IS NORMAL AND THE OTHER IS REAL DIM!! THIS HAS BEEN AN ONGOING PROBLEM FOR ABOUT A YEAR NOW. I THOUGHT IT MAY BE A PROBLEM STEMMING FROM THE DEER DAMAGE AND REPAIRS, BUT I SEE FROM ALL OF THE OTHER COMMENTS ON HERE FROM THE PAST 9 OR 10 YEARS OR SO, THAT THIS SEEMS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS CAR. WOULD THIS BE THE TURN SIGNAL/DIMMER SWITCH IN THE STEERING COLUMN CAUSING ALL OF THESE PROBLEMS?? ANY IDEAS?? THANK YOU!!

2001 PONTIAC SUNFIRE RUNNING LIGHTS WILL NOT WORK. THEY WILL FLICKER WHEN THE CAR IS PUT INTO GEAR AND THEN SHUT OFF COMPLETELY. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AS WELL AS THE SERVICE (WRENCH) LIGHT AT THE TIME OF THE RUNNING LIGHTS FAILING. I BEGAN USING THE HIGHBEAMS ONLY (UNTIL I COULD FIGURE OUT THE RUNNING LIGHT) AND THEY WILL NOT WORK NOW. THE HEADLIGHTS WILL STILL FLASH WHEN THE LOCK BUTTON IS USED ON THE KEY REMOTE. I HAVE GOTTEN PULLED OVER FOR MY HEADLIGHTS NOT WORKING BECAUSE MY HIGHBEAMS FAILED IN THE MIDDLE OF DRIVING THE VEHICLE. I NOW HAVE NO HEADLIGHTS AND HAVE BEEN READING INTERNET DISCUSSION BOARDS OF MANY OTHER PEOPLE HAVING THE IDENTICAL PROBLEM. MANY ARE SAYING THAT GM KNOWS OF THIS PROBLEM AND REFUSE TO RECALL THE PROBLEM. *TR

WE HAVE A 2001 SUNFIRE THAT HAS HORN PROBLEMS. SOMETIMES THE HORN WORKS, SOMETIMES IT DOESN'T. WE HAVE TAKEN IT BY DEALERSHIPS AND THEY SAY THEY CANNOT FIND THE PROBLEM. WE HAD A 1998 SUNFIRE THAT DID EXACTLY THE SAME THING. THIS IS AN OBVIOUS DEFECT AND IT IS A SAFETY ISSUE BECAUSE OF THE LOSS OF THE HORN. *TR

THIS IS THE SECOND TIME I HAVE HAD TO CHANGE THE TIMING CHAIN ON MY CAR IN THE PAST TWO YEARS. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 PONTIAC SUNFIRE. THE VEHICLE HAS COOPER TRENDSETTER SE TIRES, SIZE P195/65R15. WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO VIBRATE. AS THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO SLOW DOWN, THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE TIRE EXPLODED AND CAUSED THE SIDE SKIRT ON THE VEHICLE TO FALL OFF. THE TIRE FAILURE ALSO DAMAGED THE FRONT BUMPER AND THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE TIRE WELL. THERE WAS NO CRASH AND NO PRIOR WARNING. THE TIRES HAVE NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED BY THE DEALER. THE TIRE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 4,000. THE VEHICLE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000.

HAVE HAD THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER A NUMBER OF TIMES (3) FOR MULTIPLE FRONT END LIGHTING SYSTEM FAILURES OF VARIOUS COMPONENTS. FAILURE HAS ALWAYS BEEN LINKED TO ISSUES WITH THE WIRING HARNESS. *TR

VEHICLE BEGAN RUNNING POORLY WITH DECREASED GAS MILEAGE, SAT IN VEHICLE WHILE IDLING AND NOTICED ROUGH IDLE. SHUT OFF AND RESTARTED 10 MINUTES LATER THE VEHICLE BACKFIRED AND WOULD NO LONGER IDLE AT ALL. SAME PROBLEM THE FOLLOWING MORNING, NEEDED A MECHANIC IMMEDIATELY. REPLACED FUEL PRESSURE REGULATOR, VACUUM LINE AND OIL CHANGE. (GAS IN OIL) *TR

HAVE A 01 GRAND AM GT WITH THE TURN SIGNAL CLICKING NOISE THAT IS COMING FROM THE DASH. WHEN I HIT A BUMP ON THE ROAD OR TOUCH MY TURNING SIGNAL LEVER IT WILL START CLICKING. HOWEVER, IT WILL MAKE THIS MORSE CODE CLICKING NOISE THAT IS SAYING GM WILL NOT PAY FOR THIS PROBLEM, HAND OVER 300 DOLLARS. I KNOW THIS TO BE TRUE BECAUSE THE SERVICE MANAGER AT MY LOCAL PONTIAC DEALER SAID SO. HE ALSO STATED THAT THEY DO A TON OF THESE REPAIRS, ESPECIALLY 01 TO 04 PONTIAC GRAND AM'S. *TR

LEAK IN BOTH UPPER AND LOWER INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKETS. HAD TO HAVE IT REPAIRED TWICE AND NOW VEHICLE STILL ISN'T RUNNING CORRECTLY.....COST OF $600.00 PLUS MANY HEADACHES.

VEHICLE SLIPPED ON ICE GOING APPROXIMATELY 20 MILES AN HOUR, HIT A TREE ON THE PASSENGER SIDE DOOR. EXTREME DAMAGE, DRIVER SUSTAINED SEVERE HEAD TRAUMA ON THE RIGHT SIDE FROM THE PASSENGER SIDE COLLAPSING. *JB

TIMING CHAIN GUIDES WENT OUT AFTER ONLY 50,000 MILES. MY MECHANIC SAID THIS IS THE THIRD ONE HE'S DONE LIKE THIS. *NM

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM FAILURE. UNDER DASH WIRE HARNESS NEEDS REPLACEMENT. SPEEDOMETER, TACH AND ALL OTHER GAUGES FAILED. ALL SAFETY AND DIAGNOSTIC LIGHTS COME ON ... REPUTABLE ELECTRONICS REPAIR SHOP DIAGNOSED PROBLEM AND COST TO REPAIR IN EXCESS $2,000. CAR NOT DRIVABLE, NOT ABLE TO SELL, NOT ABLE TO BE REGISTER IN NY STATE. *NM

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT 20 MPH, THE ABS ENGAGES. THE ABS NORMALLY ENGAGED WHEN GOING OVER SLIGHT BUMPS IN THE ROAD AND COMING TO A STOP SIGN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE DEALER REPLACED THE BRAKE SHOES, PADS AND ROTORS ON THE FRONT AND REAR OF THE VEHICLE. HOWEVER, THIS DID NOT REMEDY THE ABS ENGAGING. UPDATED 04/17/06. *JB

FUEL GAUGE NOT CORRECT IN AMOUNT OF FUEL LEFT IN TANK. TWICE IN THE YEAR 2005, CAR STOPPED AND HAD TO BE TOWED. THE ONLY PROBLEM FOUND WAS THAT IT WAS OUT OF GAS AND THE GAUGE WAS NOT SHOWING THIS. WAS ADVISED BY TECHNICIAN TO NEVER LET THE GAUGE GO BELOW 1/4 FULL. HE SAID HE HAD WITNESSED THIS IN OTHER PONTIAC SUNFIRES. *JB

MY CAR HAS MADE A TICKING NOISE SINCE THE DAY I BOUGHT IT. THE DEALER SAID THEY COULD GET TO THE BOTTOM OF WHAT WAS CAUSING THE NOISE, FOR ME NOT TO WORRY. 63,000 MILES LATER, I DO NOT HAVE A CAR ANYMORE, THE ENGINE BLEW UP. *JB

ODOMETER DISPLAY IS VISIBLE WHEN FIRST STARTING CAR. AS SOON AS YOU BEGIN TO DRIVE, THE ODOMETER READING BEGINS TO FLICKER. DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE GIVING AN ACCURATE READING EITHER. SHOP STATED THAT NEW DASH ASSEMBLY WOULD HAVE TO BE INSTALLED TO CORRECT ISSUE SINCE ACCESS TO WIRING WAS NOT POSSIBLE.

2001 PONTIAC - AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT CAUSES TOTAL WRECK JUNE 28, 2005, CA. 1130 - ON A RIGHT-ANGLE TURN AT LESS THAN 5 MPH INTO A NARROW LANE IN A PARKING AREA AT CONROE REGIONAL MEDICAL CENTER , CONROE, TX, AT ABOUT 1130 JUNE 28, THE LEFT REAR WHEEL OF MY 2001 PONTIAC SUNFIRE WENT UP ONTO A 3-TO-4-INCH-HIGH CONCRETE MEDIAN. WHEN I ATTEMPTED TO STEER OFF THE MEDIAN, THE RESULTING SLIGHT DROP CAUSED MY AIRBAGS TO DEPLOY. THIS DEPLOYMENT CAUSED BRUISES ON BOTH FOREARMS, BRUISED MY LOWER RIGHT RIBCAGE AND FORCED BOTH HANDS BACK OFF THE WHEEL, PREVENTING ME FROM STEERING THE CAR. FURTHERMORE, THE DEPLOYMENT FORCED MY LEGS AWAY FROM THE FOOT CONTROLS. THE DEPLOYING AIRBAG KNOCKED MY SPECTACLES UP ONTO MY FOREHEAD, THE LEFT TEMPLE CAUSING A SMALL CUT AND BENDING THE SPECTACLES SO THEY COULD NOT BE WORN AND HAD TO BE REPAIRED LATER. AS A RESULT OF THIS AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT I WAS TOTALLY UNABLE TO CONTROL DIRECTION OR SPEED. THE CAR LUNGED AT ABOUT A 30-DEGREE ANGLE TO THE RIGHT FOR A DISTANCE OF ABOUT 12 FEET AND SMASHED INTO A PILLAR, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO SUSTAIN SEVERE DAMAGE TO THE FRONT END, SMASHING THE BUMPER AND THE RADIATOR AND CRACKING THE RIGHT PART OF THE WINDSHIELD. PERSONNEL FROM THE HOSPITAL, THE CONROE POLICE DEPARTMENT, AND THE LOCAL EMS WERE ON THE SCENE IMMEDIATELY. THE CONROE POLICE ASSIGNED A CASE NUMBER 05064218 TO THE ACCIDENT. I AM APPALLED TO THINK THAT THIS SAME ACCIDENT WHICH DESTROYED MY VEHICLE AND HURT ME WITHIN A FEW FEET AT EXTREMELY LOW SPEED MIGHT HAVE HAPPENED AT A BUMP IN THE ROAD AT HIGHWAY SPEED. HAD THE AIRBAGS NOT DEPLOYED THERE WOULD NOT HAVE BEEN AN ACCIDENT, AS I WOULD HAVE BEEN ABLE TO OPERATE MY VEHICLE PROPERLY. THIS EXPERIENCE HAS BEEN VERY COSTLY IN TERMS OF VEHICLE REPLACEMENT AND PERSONAL PAIN. OBVIOUSLY, MORE THOUGHT HAS TO BE GIVEN TO THE SUBJECT OF AIRBAGS AND SAFETY. A ONE-SIZE-FITS-ALL MENTALITY DOES NOT WORK. *JB

ANTI-THEFT KEEPS GOING OFF. THERE IS BROKEN WIRE IN OUR IGNITION.

2001 PONTIAC MONTANA, 48K MILES. LEAKS WATER ON THE DRIVERS SIDE AREA, DRIVERS SIDE ELECTRIC WINDOW DOES NOT ROLL UP WITHOUT HELP, ELECTRIC DOOR LOCKS DO NOT WORK ON PASSENGER SIDE, OVERHEATS, I'M TOLD IT WAS THE HEAD GASKET OR INTAKE GASKET WHICH I AM ALSO TOLD IS VERY COMMON FOR THESE CARS AROUND 50K MILES.

2001 PONTIAC SUNFIRE EXPERIENCING VARIOUS PROBLEMS.***NO ANSWER REQUIRED***. *MR THE REAR SPRINGS INOPERATIVE. 6 MONTHS AFTER THE VEHICEL WAS PURCHASED THE TIRE TREAD WERE BADLY WORN. ONE OF THE WHEELS RIMS WERE ALSO BENT. *NM

WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH DRIVER HIT A BUMP IN THE ROAD. INADVERTENTLY THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED, BREAKING THE WINDSHIELD, AND CAUSING DAMAGE TO THE DASHBOARD. OWNER DROVE THE VEHICLE TO RESIDENCE. *AK

AUTO REAR WINDOW FAILURE. BOTH REAR WINDOWS HAVE FAILED ON THIS CAR. THEY EACH CYCLED LESS THAN 10 TIMES SINCE PURCHASE. THE LAST INCIDENT HAPPENED WHEN I CLOSED THE REAR DOOR AND THE WINDOW FELL DOWN. *JB

THE TRACTION LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THEN THE VEHICLE SHUT OFF COMPLETELY. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN TAKEN IN FOR SERVICE, BUT THE PROBLEM COULD NOT BE DUPLICATED. *JB

2001 PONTIAC MONTANA MINI VAN 1. VAN WOULD NOT START DAY OF TEST DRIVING. 2. AFTER ONLY THREE WEEKS, HAD TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS. SENT IN TO BE FIXED AND WAS TOLD THERE WERE METAL SHAVINGS IN THE PAN. 3. PASSENGER POWER DOOR LOCK WOULD NOT ALWAYS UNLOCK, SENT IN MORE THAN ONCE FOR THIS. FIXED , WORKS FOR NOW? 4. PASSENGER POWER REAR WINDOW WOULD NOT ALWAYS WORK. REPLACED MOTOR. 5. PASSENGER POWER WINDOW WENT DOWN WOULD NOT GO BACK UP. FIXED , WORKS SO FAR. 6.PASSENGER POWER SLIDER DOOR JAMS SOMETIMES. 7. PASSENGER POWER SLIDER DOOR WILL ONLY WORK MANUALLY OCCASIONALLY. 8. LIGHTS WENT OUT INSIDE AND OUT TWICE AT NIGHT. 9. LIGHTS FLICKER INSIDE AND OUT WHEN PUTTING WINDOWS UP OR DOWN OR TO DO ANYTHING ELECTRICAL. 10.BAD ODOR IN VENTS EVEN AFTER REPLACING FILTER. I FEEL THAT I HAVE REALLY BEEN LET DOWN WITH THIS VAN AND THE SERVICE I HAVE RECEIVED. I FEEL THAT THERE IS AN ELECTRICAL PROBLEM WITH THESE VANS AFTER DOING SOME INVESTIGATING AND I WOULD LIKE TO SEE THE PROBLEMS I HAVE ADDRESSED TAKEN CARE OF BEFORE SOMETHING HAPPENS TO MY TWO SMALL CHILDREN. THANK YOU AND I REALLY HOPE THIS WILL GET YOUR ATTENTION!!!! *JB

NHTSA RECALL CAMPAIGN #04V036000; PONTIAC ISSUED AN IGNITION SWITCH RECALL. THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO VIN ALTHOUGH THE CONSUMER EXPERIENCED THE SAME PROBLEM AS THOSE VEHICLE'S THAT CAUSED THE WINDSHIELD TO CRACK AND 2700 HUNDRED DOLLARS WORTH OF DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE. THE REAR SEAT BELTS DID NOT WORK. *SC *JB

THE ENGINE LIGHT APPEARED ON THE DASHBOARD AND REMAINED ON. CONSUMER DROVE VEHICLE TO DEALER FOR INSPECTION, AND MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE HEAD GASKET NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *AK

CONTINUATION OF ODI 10093259: REPEATED INAPPROPRIATE ACTIVATION OF PASS LOCK 2 ANTI-THEFT SYSTEM. THE PASS LOCK ACTIVATES WITHOUT WARNING RESULTING IN STRANDING OF MOTORIST. GM DENIES DEFECT IN PASS LOCK. HOWEVER, DEALER SERVICE MANAGER STATES THAT, "I KNOW THAT IT WILL HAPPEN SOMEDAY, THAT I'LL GO TO START MY (GM PRODUCT) AND THE PASSLOCK WON'T LET ME." THE SERVICE MANAGER STATED THAT "IT'S NOT A MATTER OF IF, IT'S A MATTER OF WHEN" (THE DEFECT OCCURS). THE DLR REFERS TO THE PROBLEMS WITH THE SYSTEM AS "AN ACCEPTABLE PRICE TO PAY FOR HAVING A THEFT PREVENTION SYSTEM. INAPPROPRIATE ACTIVATION OF THE PASSLOCK SYSTEM IS LIKELY TO RESULT IN INCIDENTAL INJURIES TO STRANDED MOTORISTS IF THE INCIDENT OCCURS IN A HIGH CRIME AREA. OWNERS OF VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH PASSLOCK HAVE NO WARNING OF PENDING FAILURES WHICH ARE EXPENSIVE TO REPAIR. IF THE DEFECT OCCURS WHILE TRAVELING FAR FROM ONE'S HOME, THE MOTORIST WOULD BE STRANDED, QUITE POSSIBLY WITHOUT THE MEANS TO OBTAIN REPAIRS TO CONTINUE THEIR JOURNEY. GM SERVICE REPS BLAME THE FAILURES ON "WEAR AND TEAR" OF THE IGNITION SWITCH. HOWEVER, THIS VEHICLE HAS BEEN SUBJECT TO RECALL FOR OVERVOLTAGE DAMAGE TO THE SWITCH. SUCH OVERVOLTAGES ARE ALSO LIKELY TO DAMAGE COMPONENTS OF THE PASSLOCK SYSTEM (I.E. THE HALL EFFECT SENSOR) WITHIN THE IGNITION SWITCH.*AK

LOCK ANTI-THEFT SYSTEM INTERMITTENTLY DISABLES CAR. SOMETIMES THE SYSTEM WILL RESET ITSELF. THE LAST TIME IT WOULD NOT RESET.*AK

AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY IN A FRONT-END COLLISION. THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALED. POLICE OFFICERS AND EMTS WERE SURPRISED AND QUESTIONED WEATHER BAGS WERE DEFECTIVE. DRIVER RECEIVED SMALL SCRAPE TO FOREHEAD WHICH COULD HAVE BEEN PREVENTED HAD AIRBAGS WORKED. DRIVER AND THREE PASSENGERS WERE WEARING SEATBELTS, SO ONLY MINOR BRUISES WERE SUSTAINED.

WHILE DRIVING, THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE CONSUMER RESTARTED THE VEHICLE AND DROVE IT HOME. THE CONSUMER CONTACTED THE DEALER FOR AN APPOINTMENT FOR THE VEHICLE TO BE INSPECTED AND REPAIRED. *AK THE CONSUMER TRIED TO START THE VEHICLE FIVE TIMES TO NO AVAIL. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN STARTED ON THE SIXTH TRY AND DRIVEN IN FOR SERVICE. *TC *JB

CONSUMER RECEIVED RECALL 04V036000 CONCERNING IGNITION SWITCH. CONSUMER COMPLAINED THAT RECALL REPAIRS WERE DONE ONCE, BUT THE PROBLEM RECURRED. *AK

PROBLEMS WITH CRUISE CONTROL ON 2001 PONTIAC SUNFIRE.*MR THE CONSUMER PURCHASE THE VEHICLE FROM THE DEALER WITH 340 MILES. WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED. THE DRIVER TURNED THE ENGINE OFF TO STOP THE CAR. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED THE ENGINE WAS STILL RACING. AT THAT TIME THE CONSUMER DECIDE TO TURN THE CAR OFF AND CALLED A TOW TRUCK. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A NEARBY DEALER WHO DETERMINED THAT THE AFTERMARKET CRUISE CONTROL WAS THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM. THE CONSUMER WAS NOT AWARE THAT CRUISE CONTROL WAS AN OPTION ON THE VEHICLE. *NM