Pulled into the garage and turned the car off. The ignition switch turned enough to turn the car off but not far enough to remove the key. Tried jiggling the key back and forth and it still would not come out. Left key in ignition and pushed the trunk release button on the key fob, the trunk opened and then the car tried to start itself without anything turning the key. Then smoke started coming out from behind the steering wheel. The car was stuck in park and could not get into neutral to push out of garage. I believe finally a fuse popped. I opened the hood and disconnected the battery and the smoke stopped. I called the dealer to check and see if there was a recall that I missed but they told me there were no recalls relating to the ignition. I took some of the plastic off under the steering wheel and found that about half of the ignition wiring harness was burned up and melted.

- Forset Lake, MN, USA

I have a 2002 Grand Prix SE that will sometimes just not want to start. Everything works the lights fuel, pump runs but the car just acts like the ignition isn't making contact. I've had just about everything replaced but the problem is still there. After doing some research it turns out GM and Honda both have the problem but only Honda is fixing it.

- Kennerdell, PA, USA

The contact owns a 2002 Pontiac Grand Prix. The contact stated that the vehicle would not start due to a malfunction in the anti-theft system. The failure occurred intermittently. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer where the contact was told the key needed to be replaced. The key was replaced, but the failure continued. The contact also stated the vehicle took long periods of time to start because the anti-theft system was not recognizing the key. The failure mileage was 117,000.

- Detroit, MN, USA

The contact owns a 2002 Pontiac Grand Prix. The contact stated when initially starting the vehicle that air conditioner would not engage. The headlights were also inoperable and the contact stated the only way the two components would operate was if the key was turned in the ignition swiftly when first starting. The vehicle was neither diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 97,000 and the current mileage was approximately 102,000.

- Malabar, FL, USA

I believe that there may be a relationship between all of these electrical problems involving the ignition switch / shifter interlock systems on the Pontiac Grand Prix and fires involving the same vehicle (the affect years not know) ours is a 2002 and we have not had a fire yet. But we have had problems removing the ignition key after we park the car. If by some chance that there is some electrical contact still being made because of the defect (removal of the ignition key) then there can be a chain of cause to start a fire. I believe that the NHTSA need to fully investigate these claims. I have been a fire fighter for over 20 years and a fire investigator for well over 15 years, and I have seen numerous times before that were there is a electrical problem over a period of time there will be a fire, sometimes sooner than later.

- Hanford, CA, USA

Key stuck in the ignition at 85,000 miles. Car was in park and engine was off (though key would not turn all the way back to it's normal off position). Had to remove bottom cover on steering column in order to press a button on solenoid to release the key. This is now consistently happening every time I drive the car. Considering removing solenoid completely to bypass this safety feature. Dealer is going to charge at least $300 to fix this problem, but I have noticed this is a very common complaint with this vehicle. This should be a recall and the company should strive to produce a higher quality product.

- Green Bay, WI, USA

My 2002 Pontiac Grand Prix GT had the following issue which I believe should be a recall. - I was driving my vehicle when my heater blower motor shut off. I would drive for a few more minutes then it would come back on. This would happen at the freq of 1 time per month. The freq began to increase to the point is was several times per km. Off, on, off, on etc. I eventually took it to the dealer, it was a wire harness $ $500 maintenance is what it is, but the same problem turns the headlights off ( not dash lights ) and rear defrost off. In the summer I was driving my vehicle and my headlights were flashing a pedestrian walking infront of my vehicle. It was then I realized the headlights were affected. This is an fyi

- Whitby, 00, USA

2002 Grand Prix the GM passlock is faulty. Flashes does not reset and car will not start. Was stranded in parking lot and had to have towed and repaired.

- Grand Forks, ND, USA

On our 2002 Pontiac Grand Prix 3.1L sfi OHV 6cyl, A/C fan started cutting off and on and one day just started a fire we didn't have the money for full coverage so the car now sites in the front yard with a tarp over it. But I know this should not have happened. Please help me with this the car was sitting in a wal mart parking lot early on this morning my wife went shopping she had the keys and the car was turned off and no one was in it and it just started on fire where the A/C fan is and burned a hole through the windshield and into the firewall and burned the inside a lot.

- Nacogdoches, TX, USA

Just coming home from work on a Friday, pulled into a gas station to filler up. And noticed key was stuck in ignition having all power still running through car. Got it home and did some research and come to find out there's a solenoid in the steering column that attaches to two wires leading out to computer. Any others out there experiencing third problem maybe we can get enough defects for these corporate guys to give us a product that's going last without some computer bs emptying our pockets for such little (use to be ) simple fixes.

- Florissant, MO, USA

2002 Grand Prix if it was humid or damp the key would get stuck in start grinding the starter. When we would take it in they said there was nothing wrong. It happened about once a week. On July 7 when I started the car the key was stuck grinding the starter. This time it would not turn back I didn't know what to do. Then it started to smoke and stopped running. I had to pull the battery I had burnt out the starter. I T had to be towed and a knew ignition and started was put in the auto repair said they see this alot, hopefully it didn't hurt the engine.

- Burbank, IL, USA

Low oil level indicator will initially turn off when starting vehicle and will come back on and stay on. If vehicle is turned off and restarted low oil level indicator will turn off and stay off. Oil level is ok. Vehicle has been to dealer at least twice and they have not been able to duplicate the problem.

- Sacramento, CA, USA

2002 Pontiac Grand Prix GT. After engaging hazard warning switch to on, then to off, brake lights fail to work. Have to wiggle hazard switch to get brakes working again. All brake lights go out after hazard switch is turned off. Faulty turn signal-hazard switch module. Uncertain if brake lights are working unless constant checking. Have to continue to wiggle hazard switch button to get them to function again. Very dangerous.

- Aurora, CO, USA

I was driving the 2002 Pontiac Grand Prix gtp on a highway with 45-55 mph speed limit for approx. 45 min. The car shut off 15 sec. After I heard the engine backfire. The speedometer went from 0 all the way up, and back to 0. I pulled into the nearest parking lot and popped the hood. I discovered a fire near the intake and the lower right side of the valve cover. The car was towed to a Pontiac dealer. They replaced the fuel injectors, the lower intake, valve cover, spark plug wires, electrical harness and much motor the cost was approx. $5000. After saying it would take 2 weeks, it took the shop 6 or 7 weeks to fix, so my car rental bill was thousands more than insurance would cover the car wasn't nearly as responsive and had trouble going up even the smallest inclines. Also, the shift-park interlink stopped working so the car would not shift out of park after the fire. And my sunroof hasn't worked since. And my fan for the A/C and heater only works with the fan on 5. also I have noticed a weird sound coming from the speakers on occasion. About a week or two later the car was in the shop because they had not replaced the spark plugs; one of them was cracked and was most likely cracked when I got the car back. The car had about 90,000 miles when it had caught fire. Then on June 3, 2006-after less than 2000 miles, the engine locked up. The dealer said the only option they can do to fix it is put a new engine in--the initial estimate is $5200. Also, I'm going to be out of a car again and will have the burden of rental car costs again. From what I have read, there have been numerous fires involving the GM 3.8. something needs to be done.

- Greenwood, IN, USA

My vehicle stalled while I was driving on a busy 5 lane road (2 lanes going each way - and a turn lane). I could tell that it was about to stall and was about to turn into a business parking lot. My vehicle completely stalled in the turn lane. I was fortunate that I was not hurt and that there was no accident. I was able to put the hazard lights on as soon as my car was dead. Fortunately, I had a cell phone and I was able to call roadside assistance.

- Bay City, MI, USA

The head lights flickered on and off as if they were being turned on and off. The dealer has been contacted.

- Vernon, NJ, USA

Complete failure of electrical system. First occurrence caused complete lock-up of ignition, steering, transmission, and fuel systems. (April, 2002) second failure caused failure to start, and resetting of all electronics. Dealer has attributed to battery failure and replaced same. Am concerned that a system failure will occur during vehicle operation causing loss of steering, brakes, etc. That could result in a severe crash.

- Prattville, AL, USA