Investigations
UNSTABLE HEADLAMPS
NHTSA Defect Petition DP05010 — closed, opened 2005-12-21 and involving the PONTIAC GRAND PRIX.
NHTSA investigation DP05010 is a Defect Petition opened on 2005-12-21 and currently closed. The subject of record is PONTIAC GRAND PRIX, which places this file inside the Office of Defects Investigation queue for PONTIAC. Latest activity on this investigation was logged on 2006-04-10 — NHTSA updates that field whenever an Information Request goes out, a supplement is filed, or a status change is recorded in the public docket.
A Defect Petition like DP05010 starts when a person or group formally asks NHTSA to investigate a specific alleged defect. Petitioners submit evidence, NHTSA reviews it within 120 days, and either grants the petition (opening a PE) or denies it with a written explanation in the Federal Register.
Investigators summarized the matter as follows: "ODI RECEIVED A PETITION FROM MR. BRAD LAMB OF THE NORTH CAROLINA CONSUMERS COUNCIL, REQUESTING INVESTIGATION OF AN ALLEGED DEFECT EVIDENCED BY SHAKE OR BOUNCE OF THE HEADLAMPS ON MODEL YEAR 2004 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX VEHICL..." Investigations are the early-warning layer of the federal auto-safety system, sitting upstream of formal recalls and defect orders. Whether this one closes without action or escalates into an Engineering Analysis, the full history stays in the ODI archive so researchers, litigators, and buyers can pull the paper trail at any time. Related PONTIAC files, listed below, give context on whether this is an isolated concern or part of a broader pattern across the brand.
Investigation Summary
ODI RECEIVED A PETITION FROM MR. BRAD LAMB OF THE NORTH CAROLINA CONSUMERS COUNCIL, REQUESTING INVESTIGATION OF AN ALLEGED DEFECT EVIDENCED BY SHAKE OR BOUNCE OF THE HEADLAMPS ON MODEL YEAR 2004 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX VEHICLES. ODI'S PREVIOUS REVIEW OF THIS ISSUE IN OCTOBER 2003, DETERMINED THAT IT DID NOT WARRANT INVESTIGATION. ODI'S CURRENT ANALYSIS IDENTIFIED 36 COMPLAINTS IN THE CONSUMER COMPLAINT DATABASE; AND A DECLINING TREND OF REPORTS WAS EVIDENT. A FEW FIELD REPORTS OF SIMILAR NATURE WERE ALSO SUBMITTED BY THE MANUFACTURER IN ITS EARLY WARNING REPORTING DATA. A SERVICE BULLETIN AND A REVISED HEADLAMP RETAINING BRACKET WERE ISSUED IN NOVEMBER 2004, AND THESE ACTIONS ARE SEEN AS APPROPRIATE IN ADDRESSING THE PROBLEM WHILE ALL OF THE SUBJECT VEHICLES ARE STILL COVERED BY THE NEW VEHICLE WARRANTY. COMPROMISE TO SAFE VEHICLE OPERATION AS A RESULT OF THIS ISSUE WAS NOT IDENTIFIED. IT IS UNLIKELY THAT INVESTIGATION WOULD RESULT IN A NHTSA ORDER FOR THE RECALL AND REMEDY OF THIS PROBLEM.
About This Investigation Type
A Defect Petition (DP) is initiated when an individual or organization formally petitions NHTSA to investigate a potential safety defect. NHTSA reviews the petition and decides whether to open an investigation.
Other PONTIAC Investigations
HVAC Blower Motor Connector
Passenger Sensing System Sensor Mat
Brake Light Malfunction
Power Window Master Switch Fire
Engine Stall
Data from NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Cross-references: NHTSA recall campaign API and NHTSA FARS where fatality records overlap. PlainCars does not rate or recommend vehicles. Learn more.
Read our methodology — how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.