Pontiac G6: A ticking Time Bomb

On February 12th, 2010 I purchased a 2009 Pontiac G6. It had 30 000 kilometers on it. the previous owner was the dealership. The car was used as a shuttle for their costumers. It was financed for 7 years. During my time with the car, it was as we say "babied" (all documented with receipts). 

On August 30th 2016, after returning from an appointment with a friend. I was home for approximately 20 minutes, then decided to clean my Pontiac G6. Like anyone else I was using an old vacuum.  All of a sudden it stopped working. It was slightly warm, so I decided to turn it off while I continued to clean out the trunk. The vacuum was unplugged at this point. I knew I wasn't going to continue using it due to the short of time I had to get to my son's school bus stop to pick him up. It was his first day.

So, as I am standing at the trunk of the car, I notice a glare in the driver's side door window. All the car doors were open. I stepped up to the door and saw a fire burning that had its own power (unlike how a campfire burns). It was coming either the radio or near it, close to the gear shifter. The fire grew larger quickly. I felt like I was in a different world. All I could think of was to grab my cell phone and call 911, and then grab my red bucket for water.

My kitchen window faces the front of the house. While I was trying to get water and talking to 911 --this is within seconds after seeing the flammes--I looked out the window to see that the whole front end of my car is engulfed in flames. At this point, and after hanging up with 911, I then ran into the backyards of all my neighbours and told them to evacuate becaues my car about to expload.

The Firefighters showed up with "ahhh" due to the high flames. While they were trying to put out the fire, despite aiming right at the engine, the fire continue to grow bigger. Again the firefighters were in "ahhhh" because they could not understand why the fire was getting bigger. Not 1, not 2 but at least 3 firefighters said "it's electrical 100%" and "it's coming from the back of the engine". They decided just to let the fire go until they were able to finally control it.

The Ottawa police took the GM Canada manufactured vehicle for further investigation. One officer kept blaming the vacuum. You can clearly see its the only thing not burning. The police concluded it's impossible to determine the cause because the firefighters had so much difficulty controlling the fire. I was not held responsible.

I called GM Canada to ask for reconciliation. After all, they did manufacture a defective car off the line, almost killed my son, family and friends. I live with this every day. This could of happened at the wrong time any time in the 6 1/2 years I owned the G6. It only had 144,000 kilometers on it when it burst into flames. She was my baby and now she's gone. As well as the money I invested in her. 

Anyone with a Pontiac G6 should call GM Canada to see if you have missed any recalls (I didn't miss any and I had three done). Keep your families safe. You might want to buy a small fire extinguisher, just in case. I think all vehicles should come with one.

The response I received from GM Canada when I called was "WHAT? YOU EXPECT US TO REPLACE IT? YOUR INSURANCE PAID OUT, DIDN'T THEY?

My response was "of course, but you sold me a "TICKING TIME BOMB!"

The insurance pay out was nothing compared to what I lost. The memories, however, will last forever.

Thank you GM Canada ...........NOT.