1999 Pontiac Grand Am: broken coil spring

Filed Apr 30, 2010 · Suspension · 76,000 miles · MI

My daughters 99 grand am has had both front springs break approximately one year apart. In both instances the car was traveling forward at less than 25 MPH. The broken spring punctured the tire and the car had to be towed on both occasions. No accident or injury occurred. New springs/struts were installed along with new tires. Further inspection revealed that the right rear spring was cracked and was also replaced. No old parts are available. From the number of complaints I have read this appears to be a common defect on this vehicle. I'm very glad that my daughter was not driving at freeway speed when these springs broke.

Filed Mar 7, 2010 · Suspension · OH

After performing a search of your defects database I wanted to report that the federal safety agency action number pe03031 happened to me on both front springs and one rear spring. The failure occurred exactly in this manor described. I do not have the exact dates of the incidents but the failures happened at different times. Based on parts bills I believe this occurred in 9/2003 and 9/2005 for the front springs and 8/2007 for the rear spring. I personally made the repairs and probably have the failed springs still (stored inside) since you can not just toss them in the garbage. Fortunately the front spring failures occurred when the vehicle was parted overnight and discovered the next morning when leaving. The rear spring failed while the car was in motion but was drivable. If the front springs failed while the car was traveling this would have been a serious failure due to the car body and strut rubbing on the wheel rim and tire which would have caused an inability to steer the car. When I went to the dealer to buy the part they seemed to know exactly what screen to go to. I thought that was odd because usually they have to dig on the screens of their computer before they find the right screen it but in these situations they went right to it. Which indicated to me that this is not the first, second, third or forth time this part was being looked for on this car. I should have reported this failure to the federal safety agency but did not, felt it was bad luck but thinking back on it now and remembering how the dealer parts counter handled the part look up I probably should have. So this report is to correct my error.

Filed Aug 17, 2009 · Suspension · 80,000 miles · MA

1999 pontiac grand am gt ,front coil spring .back out of drive way then started down road when all of a sudden right front spring let go with such a force that I thought rt at first some one shot at car or was in an accident. Dealer fix with new spring and strut oem parts witch wear damage do to spring going. Dealer keep parts said that this was not common. I have heard that this is a common problem with the grand ams.

Filed Jan 13, 2009 · Body, Suspension · 175,000 miles · MA

Without warning or physical impact/impairment right front coil spring fractured with a loud bang, and the jagged end pierced my tire sidewall, destroying tire. This occurred at approx 25 MPH, I was able to pull over without incident, had to be towed, new coil installed, new tire purchased, labor day plans ruined. Several months later, car was parked for 12 hrs in 70 degree weather, another huge bang, drivers side front coil fractured, c-shaped piece under the vehicle, again, the vehicle was towed, coil replaced, missed a day of work as this happened in connecticut, and I work in massachusetts.

Filed Dec 14, 2008 · Suspension · 94,000 miles · MI

Fracture of front left and right coil springs.

Filed Aug 5, 2008 · Suspension · 93,000 miles · PA

1999 pontiac grand am coil springs break without warning or cause. I have 2 of these cars, and both have had front and read coil springs break without cause. I see there are several complaints filed with the federal safety agency since this was investigated in 2004. I request a new investigation be conducted due to numerous new complaints, and the fact that most people will not take the time to report cases, and there are many of the vehicles on the road being driven with this danger existing.

Filed Jul 17, 2008 · Suspension · 73,500 miles · NY

Front coil spring snapped. No apparent prior problems, just a clean break. It happened at a slow rate of speed and did not cause tire damage. No known cause for the break, other than possible manufacture defect. Both front coil springs were replaced at a cost of about $500.

Filed Jun 25, 2008 · Suspension · 75,000 miles · PA

The coil spring on the strut on the front of a 1999 pontiac grand am broke. This was replaced with a new spring on both sides of the car. In talking to many repair shops, this is a very common problem with this series of gm cars. This incident happened at low speed in town, but had it happened at highway speed the outcome could have been a bad wreck. The local service manager at the pontiac dealer stated this was fairly common, but they would only pay for repairs if the owner had an extended warranty. I have the old parts in my possession. This was a clean break, not something that was cracked for a period of time.

Filed Jun 6, 2008 · Suspension · 95,000 miles · WI

1999 pontiac grand am -- the vehicle is equipped with a coil spring-over-strut front suspension with the spring itself resting in compression between two polymer isolators. This is regarding fracture of this spring. The fractures occur in the first active coil above the lower isolator. I had both coils fracture. First (passenger front at approximately 95,000 miles and the driver front happened at about 110,000 miles). There appears to be very little wear or pitting on these coils. Coil coating is in tact and is in very good condition for the year and miles. The coils fracture in the same location. The fracture is very dangerous and can cause a puncture in the tires. I am referencing an existing complaint notice #pe03-031. Investigate reports.

Filed Dec 16, 2007 · Suspension · 117,800 miles · KY

Left front spring broke at first coil of spring. Car was not moving at the time, but the spring contacted the tire. Tire would have been destroyed if vehicle had been moving. Replace entire strut assembly, still have the old parts.

Filed Sep 1, 2007 · Suspension · PA

I heard a strange noise in a 1999 pontiac grand am, while heading for home. The tire soon went flat, and upon inspection the cause was a broken coil spring in the right front. A spare was put on the vehicle, but due to the spring being broken, the right front of the car still dragged. This happened today, but plans are being made to repair the coil spring in the near future.

Filed Apr 19, 2007 · Suspension · 110,000 miles · PA

Tl the contact and family member owns a 1999 pontiac grand am. On the spouses vehicle both of the front coil springs broke and on the contact's vehicle the front and rear coil spring broke. The contact was able to be drive the vehicle; however, the spouses had to be towed. The failures occured while they were driving out of the driveway at 5mph. His wifes failure was in june 2006.