The control arm (a arm) on the front drivers side has a bushing which came loose and caused an awful sound when slowing down. This was replaced last year at my expense. Now a year later, the same arm has the exact same problem. I'm sure that I am speaking for many when I say that I can not afford to fix the same problem every year.
1996 Pontiac Grand Am: ball joint or control arm failure
11 of the 449 complaints about the 1996 Pontiac Grand Am describe ball joint or control arm failure.
- owner complaints
- 11
- of this car's complaints
- 2%
- recalls
- 0
Is there a fix? 1 service bulletin covers this area of the car. See below
Ball joint or control arm failure by model year
What owners say
Lower control arm have experienced premature excessive wear and have fallen out. Holding on by a metal bar underneath the bushings. Also while driving at any speed or going over a bump the vehicle grinds making a metal to metal sound.
Bushings on control arms deteriorated,causing control arm separation. Also strut mount and strut worn out on the side with the separated control arm.
Control arms bushing wears out, unable to replace the bushing without replacing the whole control arm. Causes tire to move, alignment to be throwed off, and severe jerking when applying brakes. Have noticed that the new control arms have been modified so rubber bushing cannot come out, unlike the one that was originaly on the car, request reimbursement for control arms which are $160 a piece.
Control arm bushing fell out prematurely at 59k miles, making handing of auto difficult, mechanic said he does several bushings a month on my model.
Lower control arm bushings are experiencing excessive wear and have disintegrated. Consumer was informed that this is due to a factory related defect. Also, front struts are noisy and squeaky, a metal to metal sound. *ak dealer replaced tie rods when crushing sound in front end was first heard.
While driving could hear noise from vehicle. Then, took vehicle to dealer, and they said that bushings and pins had to be replaced to repair problem. *ak the lower front control arm had worn out, including bushings and pins.
Bushing that holds the control arm that is connected to the chassis may develop more wear and tear. This could cause it to break off, and result in loss of control. Please provide further information.
While driving at any speed and going over any type of bump or hole in the street vehicle grinds due to lower control arm malfunctioning. Consumer had lower control arm on the right and left sides replaced. *ak,
Front lower control arms pivot in away to force out bushings.
While driving vehicle at (10) MPH the driver's side wheel collasped because the inner tie rod broke.
Service bulletins that may apply
Related recalls
No recalls on record for this model year.
Questions about the 1996 Pontiac Grand Am ball joint
Is ball joint or control arm failure a common problem on the 1996 Pontiac Grand Am?
11 of 449 owner complaints about the 1996 Pontiac Grand Am (2%) mention ball joint or control arm failure. The model year with the most reports is 1996.
Is there a recall or service bulletin for this on the 1996 Pontiac Grand Am?
There are 0 recalls and 1 service bulletin for the same area of the car. Check them below with your VIN.
Other symptoms on the 1996 Pontiac Grand Am
Stalling 27ABS 20Headlights 16Fire or smoke 14No deployment 13Engine failure 10Loss of power 10Power windows 10Won't start 10Grinding brakes 9Airbag light 8Brake failure 8Jerking 8Transmission failure 8Check engine light 7Overheating 7
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