2000 Pontiac Grand Am: grinding or squealing brakes

Filed Oct 31, 2005 · Suspension · 82,000 miles · NY

Car pulled out of garage and road around block. Extreme grinding noise. Smoke from front passenger tire. Pulled car back into garage to investigate. Passenger front coil spring cracked and rubbing against tire causing tire damage.

Filed Sep 8, 2005 · Body, Brakes · 46,000 miles · PA

I purchased my 2000 pontiac grand am used. I've had it 3 years and have had break problems for at least 2 of the 3 years. My mechanic can not find any reason why I've had so many problems and when I spoke with pontiac headquarters they informed me that since I did not have a documented case through a car dealership there was nothing they could do. I informed them that my private mechanic kept detail records but pontiac informed me that even if I did use a dealership the problems I'm having are part of the normal wear and tear of a vehicle. My breaks have been grinding, squealing, thumping and now the whole front end is creaking. I've gone through several pairs of breaks front and back. I've gotten new rotors, have had the rotors cut. I've gotten new calipers but this still hasn't fixed my problem. At times I feel I am riding in an unsafe vehicle. My car has been looked at one month and less than 30 days later my brakes will be fully worn down. I just don't know how to have the problem corrected. On top of it all, the ignition has been changed, the drivers side seat springs are coming through the seat, the radios volume will go up and down for no reason, I've had to replace the whole turn signal / hazards signal part, the trunk leaks and of course none of it is under warranty. I still have a little over a year left to pay on the vehicle and pontiac could care less.

Filed Dec 5, 2004 · Brakes · TX

We have replaced the brake pads and front rotors twice on our 2000 pontiac grand am se (64,000 mi) twice. We were experiencing grinding and noise from the brake system. At times the brakes will "stick" or "lock up" for a brief second when applying the brakes. The 1st pad and rotor replacement only lasted a year before the problems began again. After researching on the web and talking with dealerships, I have found this to be a very common complaint among grand am owners. There is something causing these brakes to wear out so quickly. The repairs are costly and if a person can not afford to replace the brakes every year or so... They may just drive the car with the defects. Faulty brakes can result in a crash.

Filed Nov 30, 2004 · Brakes · 57,000 miles · OH

When applying the brakes loud grinding sound was produced.

Filed Nov 26, 2004 · Suspension · NH

Suspension squawk / squeak while driving in normal conditions, like this since I bought it in february finally fixed.

Filed Aug 2, 2004 · Body, Brakes · OH

Problems with braking system on 2000 pontiac grand am. *mr the brakes squealed, the front end would shake, the passenger and driver side windows were broken, the regulators in the doors were busted, the volume on the radio control was improper, the steering hose broke, the brakes and rotors were replaced 12 times, the vehicle would shake when braking, the transmission slipped, the vehicle burned excessive oil, the passenger side strut was bad, the power steering leaked, the engine acted as if it was going to stall, the cigarette lighter was inoperative, and the rear compartment filled with water. *sc

Filed Jul 30, 2004 · Brakes · RI

While driving consumer applied the brakes and pedal went to the floor. Consumer heard a loud squeaking noise coming from the driver's side tire. Consumer was able to drive the vehicle to the dealer for inspection, and mechanic determined brake pads and rotors needed to be replaced.

Filed Jun 28, 2004 · Suspension · 66,771 miles · NH

Was pulling out of garage and heard a grinding noise coming from front end. I stopped and got out to inspect the car. I could not see anything wrong so I continued backing up. The noise did not stop. I pulled forward to go back into the garage and the left front tire popped. I got out to see if I could identify the problem. There were shredds of my tire in the driveway. I called the wrecker. We took off the flat tire to see that the left front coil spring had broken and cut my tire all the way around. We brought the car to smith auto sales in lebanon,nh to be fixed. Both front springs were replaced and front end aligned. I am concerned if this spring had broken while on the interstate what may have happened.

Filed Jun 15, 2004 · Brakes · 52,000 miles · KY

Brakes grinding. Bought car used three weeks ago, noticed brakes grinding. Took car back to dealer and they replaced the brakes and turned the rotors. Brakes still grind and rotors form layer of rust while just washing the car!

Filed Apr 12, 2004 · Brakes · KY

My 2000 grand am gt has had numerous brake/rotor problems. There is a loud grinding noide from the front, even with new pads and rotors. Will never buy another pontiac again.

Filed Jan 15, 2004 · Body, Brakes · 49,000 miles · OH

I bought this car used in the november 2001. With in 31 days the brakes started squealing took in for service was told that the brakes were shot and need replaced. This cost me $86. I went back on the dealer where purchased and he paid the other half. When I bought the car the windshield washer fluid tank had a hole in and had to be replaced this was covered under warranty and was in the shop at the same time with the brakes. They were to order the new tank when they had the car in for brakes and didn't I had to go back to get it installed. There was rear end noise that they told me was the control arm in the back, which the dealership told me that they would replace and it was covered under warranty. There was front end noise that they told me was the control arm on the drivers side and that there was a bushing that needed greased - that was covered under warranty. The molding on the side drivers doors was been put back on in october of 2001 before I purchased the car - the in september of 2002 it started coming off again - when I tried to get it in to be repaired at the dealership that did the work they couldn't get it in before the one year warranty expired - so I super glued it. In march 2003 the front end noises have come back so bad that it sounds like a old bed spring and no mechanic can seem to figure out where the noise is coming from or what is causing it. When my car was in the shop for this one of the censors in the front drivers side went bad and cost me $489. The brakes where also shot and need rotors turned because the dealership that put the brakes on back in 2001 put brake pads on warped rotors. When it rains and you are driving it sounds like the back passenger door is opened or the window is down. 6/30/03 the front end noise are still there - the passenger side reclining seat arm has broken off - the knob that turns the heat/air/defrost has broken off. I am the only person who drives this car. I still owe over 11,000.00 on this car.

Filed Jan 15, 2004 · Brakes, Lights · 32,671 miles · IL

Grinding noises coming from front end. Took to dealer and was told it is a wheel on rim incompatibility. They will not change cause there is no recall on the parts. Was told if I bought new tires and rims it would help. Spent $1300 on tires and rims to still hear the noise. Took it back for the dealer to say they cant help cause of the factory warranty being over and the company that help my extended warranty filed bankrupcy.