Steering column fire

An NHTSA Preliminary Evaluation into Pontiac vehicles. Closed 3 March 2000.

Investigation
PE99063
Type
Preliminary Evaluation
Opened
7 October 1999
Closed
3 March 2000

What NHTSA investigated

Odi has expanded the scope of its investigation of steering column fires to include all models built on the n-platform.gm has indicated in its response that the subject vehicles are equipped with a rotary ignition switch that has been in use in a number of vehicle models since 1991 on both the n and j-platforms.however, the 1994-1995 n-platform is over represented accounting for 83 (81%) of the combinded total of 102 reports despite being only 14.2% of the combined population. Of the 10 new reports received since opening EA99-063, 7 include allegations of a no start condition when attempting to engage the starter.a fire is claimed to have ensued in the steering column immediately therafter.gm issued a technical service bulletin (tsb) (no. 433203) july 1994 whiich addressed owner complaints that the ignition switch may not return to the run position after the vehicle has started.the tsb advises that the ignition switch mounting screws may be excessively torqued resulting in distortion of the switch housing.an engineering analysis is warranted to determine the root cause(s) and to determin if a safety defect exists.

Vehicles covered

MakeModelModel years
PontiacGRAND AM1994–1995

Source

From NHTSA’s investigation file, rebuilt daily. To report a problem with your own vehicle, go to nhtsa.gov/report-a-safety-problem. All open investigations.