When you run the air, the car stalls and won't start anywhere from one hour to three or four possibly the next day. The horn works sometimes, the raidio works sometimes as does the dispay, the volume goes up and down. The fuel systems shuts down along with the car when the air is running. The power window quit working in april, I replaced the one of the passenger side only to have the one on the driver side to stop working. The brakes went out with no warning. Anytime the car has any problems no lights come on to warn you it will just stop working. The shop that put the used engine in still can't tell me why it stared knocking. The ets system comes on and off all the time without pressing the button, I have had nothing but problems with the 1997 ponitac grand am gt.
1997 Pontiac Grand Am: brake failure
12 of the 383 complaints about the 1997 Pontiac Grand Am describe brake failure.
- owner complaints
- 12
- of this car's complaints
- 3%
- recalls
- 0
Brake failure by model year
What owners say
When driving down hill brake pedal goes to the floor. Cause unknown. Please provide any further information.
While driving down hill, brake pedal went to the floor. Consumer took vehicle to pontiac and they replaced the front brakes pads. While driving down a hill, consumer could smell rubber burning, it was difficult to make a stop. Consumer saw fire near front brakes. *ak this problem was associated with gm's original pontiac front brake hose restriction. The vehicle was inspected and repaired. It lead to overheating of the brakes and finally brake failure and fire. While in motion this could have LED to an accident.
Consumer applied brakes at 10 MPH, no braking action, pedal went to the floor. Brakes were applied again. This time brakes were operational. Dealer stated that ABS computer was faulty and had to be replaced.
Anti-lock brakes failed when driving down hill. Brakes began to smoke/smell with soft pedal. Dealership replaced pads and checked brake system. The next day when driven down a hill front brakes caught fire. Please desccribe details.
Consumer was driving at approximately 30 MPH and slowing down by applying brake pedal lightly when brake pedal completely fell off, causing loss of brakes. Consumer had to accelerate quickly and get into right lane to get out of traffic to prevent accident. Then, gradually applied emergency brake. Pontiac dealer stated that 30 cent clip broke which caused the brake pedal to fall.
When traveling in wet weather, when brakes applied, it is like a complete brake failure. Unreasonable amount of time for the brakes to begin gripping...it is as if the brakes are saturated with water.no braking action for what I believe is an unsafe period of time. This has never happened in any other car I have driven. It is as if the discs are completely exosed to water. Mechanic says nothing wrong with brakes.
Tapped brakes to slow down and ABS brakes locked up. Vehicle went over an embankment & rolled over. Vehicle declared totaled. Prior to accident, vehicle was in repair shop twice for brake failure. State trooper & independent mechanic indicated brakes were locked up after accident. Emergency room treatment.
Defects consist of the brakes failure. We tok the car back due to the brakes scrubbing, pedal wants to spring back, front rotors blue,repaired brakes. Won't stop been in several times for the same problem, pedal goes all the way to the floor, does not happen all the time. Rear popping sound, changed the shocks , check brakes, has thumping noise when applying brakes, while driving the vehicle at speed at 45 miles it will not stop, even when you pump the brakes. I thought the anti brakes are not suppose to be pumped. Please help, I am at the last resort of this situation. Thank you mrs vicky l. Miles.
There is vibration in the brakes when applied. Also pulsating feeling when brakes are applied which resulted in total brake failure. Dealers are unable to correct problem. *ak rotors and pads have been replaced due to warpage, however brakes continue to make noise, consumer was informed at one time that the bolts in the front brakes were bent, brakes still do not operate properly and consumer does not feel safe.
Abs brakes failed twice.
Abd brakes failed. Pedal went all the way to the floor without stopping.
Service bulletins that may apply
- ABS pump running when not needed
- Vehicles may set anyone or a combination of front-wheel speed sensor anti-lock brake system codes as...
- ABS front wheel speed codes - jumper harness
- Anti-lock braking system (ABS) front wheel speed codes - jumper harness
- Service manual update regarding revised brake specifications
- Information regarding snow intrusion into rear drum brake assemblies
- Comments that the rear brakes may drag/heat up or rear of car is squatting due to aggressive rear brake
- Complaints that the ABS indicator lamp is "on"
Related recalls
No recalls on record for this model year.
Questions about the 1997 Pontiac Grand Am brake failure
Is brake failure a common problem on the 1997 Pontiac Grand Am?
12 of 383 owner complaints about the 1997 Pontiac Grand Am (3%) mention brake failure. The model year with the most reports is 1995.
Is there a recall or service bulletin for this on the 1997 Pontiac Grand Am?
There are 0 recalls and 9 service bulletins for the same area of the car. Check them below with your VIN.
Other symptoms on the 1997 Pontiac Grand Am
Stalling 19ABS 17Check engine light 16No deployment 12Headlights 12Won't start 12Grinding brakes 10Overheating 10Sudden acceleration 9Power windows 8Fire or smoke 7Transmission failure 6Ball joint 5Engine failure 5Knocking 5Tire blowout 5
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