Pontiac Firebird grinding brakes problems

Filed Nov 23, 2004 · Lights · 38,000 miles · NV

The plastic gears that drive the headlight pods on my 1996 pontiac firebird have failed. Retraction of the headlight causes loud grinding noises. Occaisionally, one or other of the headlight pods does not rasie when the headlights are turned on. It can only be a matter of time before the pods no longer operate at all. This is unacceptable given the low mileage of the vehicle. The problem is well known among firebird owners and some enterprising soul has even come up with a "fix". Note this fix requires the disassembly of parts that were never intended to be taken apart. Http://www.bfranker.badz28.com/headlightfix/index.htm gm charge over $200 dollars for the pod drive motor. That is simply extortion.

Filed Oct 20, 2002 · Brakes · MI

I have been having problem with the brakes/rotor and excessive brake noise when braking at all times, especially in the summer months/hot weather. 6/17/99, took car into dealer for excessive brake noise, they gave me bulletin #88-5-13 dated 9/88, said noise was normal it will go away with time. Took car in aga in on 7/30/99 for same problem, nothing was done, dealer said I had to give brakes some time to wear down, then it will go away. Again, on 09/08/99, with 4,477 miles, brake noise was way excessive, they replaced the pads and refaced the rotors. Again on 7/6/00 for the same problem, they removed pads and installed brake quiet and new pads. On 8/01/00, took car in with the same problem, they replaced front rotors and claimed that the rotors were warped car had 8,544 miles at the time. Summer of 2001, I had the same problem, but ignored it, I was tired of running to dealer with this problem every year. On 7/12/02, car had 20,926 miles. I took car into dealer again, this time brake pedal was pulsating, squealing over excessively and stearing wheel was shaking severely, when I was braking to stop at a stop sign, causing me to stop beyond the sign. Luckily there was no incoming traffic, otherwise I would have been hit. Dealer replaced front rotors for the 3rd time because they were warped again. This car is only driven 6mos. Each year. It is stored before winter , from mid october until mid april every year. I was told that gm will not extend warranties on cars with this problem. When my 5 yr. Warranty expires, I will be stuck with a yearly bill of replacing rotors on this car, which doesn't come cheap. Gm should get to the bottom of the problem that is causing these rotors to warp, and fix it once and for all. The firebird I owned previously, I purchased it new in 1994, I never had to replace the rotor on this car for the six years I owned it, the only thing I had to replace was the pads. I have had excellent service from the dealer. Dt

Filed May 10, 2001 · Brakes · CT

Took vehicle to midas for maintenance due to brakes squealing when applied. Had brakes checked. Mechanic noticed that rear brake drums were cracked. No explanation of how they became cracked.

Filed Oct 29, 2000 · Brakes, Lights · CA

Headlights and dash lights flicker, complete electrical failure on 2 occasions, headlights and heater fan went off, dont know if tail lights go out. In for service on 3 occasions. Cant correct problem. Brakes have groaned, squealed and have a clicking noise from the rear. In for service 3 times. They say they cant recreate problem but anyone in the car has heard the problem except the dealer.

Filed Sep 21, 2000 · Brakes · FL

Brakes pulsate and squeal due to warped rotors. Brought in for service and dealer refused to acknowledge defect for warranty repair.

Filed May 11, 2000 · Brakes · VA

Front brake system squealing every time I apply the brakes. It gets worse as the weather gets hotter. I took to the dealer, the first time they applied some chemical to stop it from squealing, but the problem returned 2 weeks later. When I took it back I was informed that they ford company knows about the problem and cannot do anything about it. I called ford customer service and was informed that it is normal for the brakes to squeal.

Filed May 17, 1999 · Lights, Transmission · IN

When shifting from reverse into drive, the car fails to proceed, but just sits still for about 4 seconds befor it starts to move foreward. This is scary because I have had near-accidents with this problem when an approaching vehicle is coming up on me from the rear on the roads I have backed out onto. The vehicle was taken to marshall pontiac in clinton, in for repairs, but the problem still exhists regardless. This creates another potentially dangerous problem when the roads are slick. When the car starts to move foreward, it accelerates and causes tire slippage and loss of traction. About the headlight problem now....when the headlights are shut off, they drop into place, but the motor on the drivers side headlight makes a very loud grinding noise for about 15-20 seconds. The driving lights cannot be turned on without the headlights popping up (even though the headlights are not lit). I find myself shutting off my headlights before I reach a populated area to avoid embarrasment of the noise. This can be dangerous, I realize. It can be heard a block away. I have talked to about 5 other firebird and trans am owners in just my area that have experienced the exact same problem with both the headlights and the shift from r to drive. When they had the headlight motor replaced, they eventually experience the same problem once again with the replacement motor/module. Now about the ignition....the car takes three, sometimes four trys to start. This was quite a problem for me when I was in an emergency situation needing to rush my daughter to the hospital as she cut off her thumb recently. We lost valuable time trying to get the car to start while she was losing alot of blood. This problem is very frustrating. Marshall pontiac in clinton, in has replaced headlight motors on these 90 model firebird and trans ams in the past without informing the owner that other vehicle owners have the same problem. If this is a prob. Locally, what are the nat'nl numbers?

Filed Apr 10, 1999 · Brakes · MI

The rear rotors squeak when the brakes are pushed, a grove has developed in one of my rear rotors. Also, when I firmly apply the brakes the steering wheel vibrates. Dealer was notified and stated that pads and rotors are only warranteed for 12k/12months. The vehicle is still operational, I am however concerned that the problem may worsen.

Filed Oct 6, 1998 · Brakes · VA

In a hard braking situation, no inclement weather, when applying the brakes, there is a grinding noise and the vehicle will pull to the left or right. In a normal braking situation the steering wheel shimmies. The rotors were replaced at 7,000 miles. 4,000 miles later, the rotors needed to be replaced again.

Filed Aug 19, 1998 · Brakes · MI

Consumer has taken vehicle to dealership six times for same problem. There is a grinding noise whenever applying brakes, if braking under 15 MPH the noise will be very low, but noticeable. Also the noise will progress as the day go on. *akwhen driving at higher speeds the noise sounds like a bag of bolts. Dealer changed brake pads twice, sand them, grind down the rotors, called gm technichian and the problem still exists. Consumer is leasing vehicle and would like to speak to an engineer as soon as possible.