1999 Pontiac Grand Am: grinding or squealing brakes

Filed Oct 18, 2010 · Brakes · 139,000 miles · MO

Tl*the contact owns a 1999 pontiac grand am. The contact stated that when attempting to brake, she noticed a grinding noise. The vehicle was taken to a repair shop where the mechanic stated that the brake had begun to rub against the rotors, the caliper was not locked into place and the brakes did not wear in an up and down motion but in a side-to-side motion which caused the noise the contact heard. The contact called the sales dealer who offered no assistance. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer had not been notified. The current mileage was approximately 153,000. The failure mileage was approximately 139,000.

Filed Jul 29, 2009 · Visibility · 110,000 miles · CA

Tl*the contact owns a 1999 pontiac grand am. The contact stated that the window regulators continue to fail. He heard a grinding noise moments before the regulators snapped. The dealer was notified and referred him to the manufacturer. The manufacturer could not assist because there was no warranty or recall available. Through online research, the contact found many consumers that were experiencing this same failure. Within one year, five regulators have failed. Within the last 30 days, three regulators have snapped. Two out of the five regulators were repaired at the contact's expense. The failure mileage was 110,000 and current mileage was 120,000.

Filed May 9, 2006 · Brakes · 67,000 miles · PA

Brakes make grinding noise and shake/pulsate when applied at any speed. Brake rotors were turned and pads replaced. Then a week later dealer said calipers were sticking and needed replaced. Now 2 months later it needs to go back to dealer for brakes problems.

Filed Jan 26, 2006 · Brakes, Electrical · MA

Where to start, .bought 1999 grand am gt in august of 2002 and ithas been downhill ever since. Replaced the alternator twice, have experienced the same intake manifold gasket problem, which was replaced, but still LED to the demise of my engine, causing camshaft to snap in half. Thought the trouble was over with the rebuilt engine that was put in, but that was not the case. The window regulator broke in the middle of a snowstorm ,causing me to drive with no driverside window. With the new regulator I assumed that the window would stop squeaking, which did not. I assumed the scratches on windows were just from me-sand or some other abrasive material in the window tracks--after reviewing other complaints I discovered I was not the only one with this problem. Have experienced various issues with the no trac/ABS lights, replaced the waterpump, done brakes 4 times in 4 years, front headlights are milky and make it hard to see at night. Have replaced the starter 4 times in just the past 2 years. Needless to say after reading all complaints I feel much better knowing that it is not just me, or my car, but all pontiacs. Bought the car for $10000, have put over $5000 worth of work into it. Will never buy another pontiac.

Filed Jul 1, 2005 · Transmission · PA

I own a 1999 pontiac grand am gt, began with a slow transmission leak that progressed to a larger one. Car was taken to transmission shop and found to have a cracked transmission. The transmission was cracked completely around and fell out in two pieces when taken out. The crack was at the differential, that caused a part to grind the inside wall of the transmission to the point where it cracked completely around. Every mechanic I spoke to never heard of this without hitting anything. I have seen this happen to mine and read a site where another grand am had this happen and his pictures are identical to mine. So going from never hearing of this from professional mechanics to happening to two seperate 1999 pontiac grand am appears to have a pattern. I required to have the transmission to be replaced at a cost of 1116.50

Filed May 21, 2005 · Brakes · OK

1999 pontiac grand am brakes gring and squealing loudly for a little over a year now. I had the brakes changed 5 times and the rotors changed twice stll wont stop.

Filed Feb 24, 2005 · Visibility · 22,681 miles · TX

I began noticing a grinding sound when passenger side window was rolled up and down. Glass became increasingly scratched. Dealership repaired at no charge as vehicle was still under warranty and there was a service bulletin on this problem. However, problem persisted to the point of window regulator breaking off and glass sliding down inside the door. Had to be taken back to the dealer five times in one year. (dealer did not want to pay at last visit due to the warranty expiring. Had to really hold their feet to the fire for them to fix it.) now the problem is that both rear window regulators have broken! Glass has slid down inside the doors and will not stay up (I have packaging tape holding up one window). Pontiac customer service has offered me a free oil change and/or small reimbursement for "my inconvenience." however, each regulator alone (no labor) will cost around $300. That is $600 in parts alone. I simply cannot afford this, and find it ridiculous that 3 of the 4 windows are exhibiting this problem. The car has low mileage and is very well-maintained. I believe gm has a serious defect with the window regulators in their grand ams and should take responsibility for this problem.

Filed Feb 17, 2005 · Engine · VA

I have a 1999 pontiac grand am gt, and have had problems that the dealer refuses to fix since day one! The first day that we brought it home, dealer had to come and tow it back to dealership because the alternator went out, suddenly with no warning whatsoever. Dealer fixed that problem because it was under warranty. We had a problem with the radiator soon after that, dealer refused to fix it even though it was still under warranty. I had to pay out of pocket, still. Recently, within the past 2 months, the intake gasket manifold is leaking antifreeze. Car ran hot suddenly and without warning. Dealer refuses to fix this because the car is no longer under warranty. This in itself will cost me another $700 out of pocket, not to mention all the other things wrong with the car. The leather on the door is peeling and folding, dealer refused to fix even though we had written orders from the manager to fix it. The driver side window squeaks and rubs when opening and closing. We have called and talked with dealership over and over again with no avail! I have maintenance done to the car every 3000 miles, so this is due to no fault of my own! All in all this car is a lemon! I will never buy a gm made car again! Something needs to be done. My son could have been killed and my husband and I also! This needs to be addressed. Obviously gm knows about this problem, will they wait to do something about it until someone is killed?

Filed Aug 9, 2004 · Brakes · 65,000 miles · TX

While driving at any speed consumer heard a grinding sound coming from the left front wheel. A mechanic examined the vehicle, and determined that rotors needed to be turned, and the pads were worn. Consumer had brake work done 5 times.

Filed Oct 2, 2003 · Brakes, Steering · 60,000 miles · OH

Constant grinding brakes, replaced and still the same. Now, at 60.000 miles, rack and pinion is leaking and needs replaced @ $900. Rack and pinion steering column was replaced twice when I bought the car, at 44,000 miles. I am a very disappointed gm employee and considering other makes now.

Filed Jul 3, 2003 · Brakes · 13,000 miles · WV

I am contacting you in an effort to have a vehicle recalled or to at least spawn an investigation into the brake system on 1999 pontiac grand am's. Since I bought my vehicle in august of 2001 I have had nothing but problems with the brake system. Grinding noises and severe vibration when applying the brakes. The car has been to the dealership countless times for the same problem to no avail. I have researched the internet to find that I am not the only 1999 pontiac grand am owner to be experiencing the same problems. I have a long commute to work and depend on this vehicle to get me to and from and I am concerned about the safety of this vehicle. I would like to know if you are currently investigating this issue and if not I am hopful that this inquiry would promt one.

Filed Jun 25, 2003 · Body, Brakes · 11,000 miles · KY

1999 pontiac grand am 2.4 l auto severe brake failure---replacement of pads 8 times, rotors 3 times and calipers 2 times in 80,000 miles. Brakes occasionally lock up and make loud grinding and squealing noises steering shudders and vehicle pulls to left.. Participating pontiac dealer failed to fix this problem since purchase at 11,000 miles. Under warranty replacement it has had 6 door panels due to peeling leather on top of panel, 5 gear shifters due to dealers improper installation, 2 factory cd/radio failures, 1 rack and pinion unit, 2 front strut assemblies due to knocking noise from front of car (went bad after 10,000 miles use), problem with hesitation at idle-cold start(unsuccessfully diagnosed by dealer) carpet loose in trunk around latch assembly(too short for trunk and was hot glued to back wall of car by dealer instead of replacement). Turn signals still occasionally fail to work(dealer said they worked just fine) battery connection in factory battery broke loose spilling corrosive battery acid all over around battery tray area. All four wheel covers have been replaced because of "pie pan" noise when you hit a bump (new ones did not fix problem). After warranty was up pontiac' care hotline or the dealer could "care " less that after dozens of trips for repairs the dealer still didn't fix the car while it was still under warranty. Since then,besides the unrepaired items on my car, the alternator went bad at 60,000 miles ($120), glass in interior rear view mirror broke while adjusting, both outside rear view mirrors have broke off in two different automatic car washes (held into door by a stud mounted into 1/4 inch of plastic in the mirror). And the ignition switch failed at 75,000 miles($300). Fog lights and backup lights have water condensation in them shorting out bulbs. Surprisingly ,this car is "babied" ,but by in my description you sure couldn't tell it.