Consumer states has been change the brakes pad many times, got broken every months. Dealer has been notified. Please provide further information. Ts
1997 Pontiac Grand Am brakes complaints
Page 2 of 4: complaints 11 to 40 of 71, newest first, as owners wrote them.
Front drivers side wheel area. When brakes were applied, made a thumping noise. Replaced driver side lower controll arm, was told it was bad. 3 or 4 days after I picked up my car, I now have a single thump when I brake and release the brake. This noise is so loud and scary sounding that I am absolutely afraid to drive the car. It sounds like my wheel is ready to fall off. Taking the car back to the shop again tomorrow. I read several reports on your website regarding this same issue.
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.
When driving down hill brake pedal goes to the floor. Cause unknown. Please provide any further information.
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 has ABS brake problems for three months. Rear brake drums were turned, and three sets of brakes shoes were replaced. Vehicle ha been in a total of three times. Wheels locked up at the slightest touch of brake pressure or when brakes overheated. Dealer was notified. Please provide more information.
When applying brakes there would be a popping noise present, and brakes would lock up. This would cause the vehicle to drift to the right into another lane. Also left rear and right front window was inopartive, also the transmission was slipping.
Consumer stated that while driving about any MPH, could step on the brakes pedal, but the brakes will not activate on time, dealer was contacted. Please provide more information. Nlm
After applying, cruise control failed to disengage, the car accelerated out of control and would not disengage with braking, need to turn off car to slow down while driving on the highway, barely averted crash.
Identical to odi id: 727560. Continuing problem despite brake replacement, adjustment. No safety defect listed.
Car accelerated to 100+ miles, could not brake or slow down for approx 3 miles, and then at five mile intervals it would drop. This was during rush hour traffic. I could not turn key nor shift, until it got down to 10-15 miles per hour. Then I was able to shift so it would stop. Dealer was called. Car was towed to dealer. Dealer says there's no sign of anything wrong. But of course there is. This was a horrifying, terrifying experience, and I shook for hours. When I finally got the car to stop, it smoked (black) from under the hood. Seatbelt was on. *ak I'm not sure what a 2-point or 3-point belt is.
Front brake rotors were prematurely wearing, and have been replaced/ cut down four times, cause unknown. No injuries or collision has occurred due to this problem. Please give any further details.
Vehicle has been experiencing brake problems, brakes have been replaced twice, within the last 4 1/2 years.
Abs system is dangerous. You have no control over braking when ABS is activated.
Brakes are too sensitive; when tapping on brakes car jerks.
After approximately every 12 month there is a shudder to the car when applying the brakes to stop. This is the third time taking this car and having new rotors put on. Dealership states rotors keep warping.
1997 pontiac grand am has multiple brake problems I have replaced calipers and rotors and pads within 2 to 3 weeks the brakes start clunking and the stopping distance time is decreased.I have contacted the main pontiac company with no positive results.
This failure is particularly bad because both times the ABS light came on about 10 miles before the occurrence (which in hindsight) I see was the only warning of danger and both times were pitch dark outside, first the car seemed to be in neutral in the drive position, in that the engine revved, but had little real power and while in anticipation (fear) that the car would lunge when the transmission finally took hold didn't come to fruition, what occurred could have been as bad. The dash light indicators started flashing but the main dash lights seen freguently (speedometer) disappeared and then I noticed that I was only being guided by street lamps (second occurence, I didn't even have that) and the car died at the same time, making me lose power steering and brakes and have to get this thing off the road. This car has never missed a beat before that, but when this happened the first time, a bunch of city workers out trying to fix a burst pipe in the street at 5:30 a.m. Were watching this happen and came running over and said that the way this car failed should be reported because it could have been bad for any driver to lose car manueverability at the same time as exterior lights. The second time, when I saw the ABS light come on, I was prepared. I called my hubby on the cell phone and he came and followed me from there and I had about 10 miles of drivetime before my car became possessed again. It is sitting by the road on an isolated section in indiana and I'm feeling pretty darn lucky.
Abs: steering groans after hard braking or tight high/low-speed turns/warning light comes on; alternator: not charging-replaced twice; thermostat replaced twice
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.
Coolant is leaking onto rack and pinion, deteriorating the rack and pinion, and making it very difficult to steer vehicle when making a turn. Also, there is alot of play in the steering wheel and noise when turning. Power steering hose has gone bad. Consumer has contacted dealer. *ak powere steering hose and water pump leaked causing rack and pinion damage. Front brake shoes failed.
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.
Anti-lock brake system locked up when brake is applied. Yh
Water pump failed. Yh
Th next year after I purchased my car, I began to lose compression. The car would also accelerate on its own, I noticed that my "check engine lights were on." I immediately took the car back to the dealers and they gave a diagnosis of "using the wrong gas". I am a women, and I don't know much about cars, therefore, at the time, I did not dispute this ridiculous diagnosis. A year later, I had to replace the brakes/disc pads twice. There was loud squelching noises. I also bought new tires after one year. Major problems have developed since 1999, which are: I had to have the thermostat replaced (air condition and heat stopped working), I had to have a new waterpump installed (car was pouring anti-freeze and smoking), and as of february 6, 2000, the car just completely stopped running. I received two qoutes from area repair shops estimating between $3k to $4,500 to rebuild and engine! I have exhausted myself contacting fred jones (spoke to him personally) of fred jones pontiac, and their customer care center. Please help me! Also, I read on your site that there was a recall on this vehicle for underhood fires - I never received a recall letter and my car was never taken in! I am very concerned that besides this make of car being a lemon, this may have also contributed to my problems. Please help me!!!
Contacted dealer got no help...contacted factory got no help. No safety defect listed in summary.
Have taken this car to dealer four times for rotors. Fifth set now warping after 6k miles. Have heard all reasons why it could happen (my fault) and all brake components (supposedly) check out as o.k. Service manager says he has replaced them "out of the goodness of his heart" and will not replace them again. Factory rep says the lug nuts on the 4th set were over torqued (by goodyear) and caused warping. He had new rotors put on when it was proved to him that the dealership did it. I paid to have new pads installed to have everything new. Old pads were not excessively worn. Feeling the same surging, lurching in the front end at low speeds - not the pedal - for 2k miles. It's happening again - just don't have it in me to fight the dealership again. Paid for an extended warranty and have had to battle to get repairs covered. Original set warped at 5-6k, but was told it was ABS. Car was dangerous to drive, manager said they were warped & I'd have to resurface them - at my expense, not! Replaced rotors under warranty at 30k - out of specs, again at39k, again at 42k, again at 48k. Counting the original set I'm on the 5th set and have only 5k more miles on the warranty. Have never smelled hot fluids or metal, or felt excessive heat, wheels do not show discoloration from heat. Please help.
Rear brakes bind during normal stop and go traffic. Upon accelleration the rear of the vehicle squeals and 1 or 2 loud bangs are heard as the brakes release. Dealer was unable to duplicate and unable to detect any brake problems. Vehicles alternator failed without any teltale warning signs, stranding the consumer. 60 days later the battery dies. Engine used to rev to about 1500 RPM while vehicle was stopped and in gear. Replacement of 02 sensor cured problem. Other minor problems include power door lock bumper failure (repaired) and poor design of the driver's sun visor. (it moves the rear-view mirror) when moving visor from windshield to side window. Consumer has already replaced visor once due to cracks at mounting screws.
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