2001 Pontiac Grand Am: grinding or squealing brakes

Filed Aug 17, 2016 · Brakes · 170,000 miles · AL

Grinding noise when I apply the brakes.also grabbing when I apply the brakes.

Filed Dec 11, 2014 · Brakes, Steering · 70,000 miles · VA

Tl* the contact owns a 2001 pontiac grand am. While driving approximately 5 MPH, the brake pedal was depressed but there was an increase in braking distance. The emergency brake was engaged in order for the vehicle to come to a complete stop. In addition, the contact heard a grinding noise emitting from the front of the vehicle as well as a vibration on the pedals and the steering wheel. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 70,000.

Filed Sep 5, 2012 · Brakes, Steering · 108,000 miles · FL

When driving the car the brakes will lock up making a grinding noise like something is about to brake somewhere in between the brake pedal and wheels it makes this loud grinding like metal on metal not sure because I have to replace brakes about every 2 - 3 months and rotors and calipers.

Filed Sep 5, 2012 · Brakes, Engine · 240,000 miles · FL

Fuel system, gasoline details: @ times you can smell gas on the inside of the recently put $690 into changing the entire fuel system before that it cost me $1100 for the entire coolant system $250 for coil pack and cover frequently sparkplugs changed out the AC buttons wont allow the AC to turn on I live in the south we burn up down here with no AC in a car and again on this past sunday I just put another 4170 into sparkplugs and coil packs only to find out that all my problems are caused from the cars security anti - theft device that is defective I lose power no RPM's car will die in the middle of the interstate that I have to drive in downtown greeville sc and towns like atlanta and chattanooga tn the small things are the radio the lights the headlamps don't shine no brighter than a candle on a birthday cake not to mention that I go thru breaks and tires like they are candy it seems to wear a groove on the inside back passenger tire and the front drivers side makes this loud grinding noise that I think could be the brake booster ball not sure on that but I have spent enough money on this car to keep it going I could have bought 2 new vehicles can someone please have pontiac look into recalls.

Filed Nov 10, 2006 · Brakes, Electrical · 300 miles · DE

Grinding sound in front brakes. Dealer replaced rotors at my expense. Still making grinding noice. Breaks seem to have been a problem since I bought the car new in 2001. Recall of blinker switch. Blinking (inside above radio) noise came back after 1 year. Dealer says that recall was for the hazard lights not the turn signals? Car won't start and security light on. Have to wait 10 minutes with car in (on) position and then car will start..this information is located in the owners manual (are they expecting this problem?) dealer said at first that my key was worn out that's why it's not reading it correctly and then later stated that the sensor was bad in the ignition switch. Had to replace ignition sensor switch at my expense. Rear floor board behind drivers side gets wet. No known cause. Recently the service vehicle soon lite came on. Dealer repaired at my expense. Dealer said that the headlights were out and a part was cracked. Heater/AC buttons 1 and 2 do not work. Recently noticed that when I drive I hear grinding sounds seems to be coming from the body of the car, like it's coming unscrewed. Just took my car in for repairs of ignition switch, 4 new tires, a back seat seatbelt replacement and my drivers side automate seat adjuster was working the morning I took it in. When I picked up my car it was making a grinding sound and the seat cushion was torn. Service manager says they will replace the seat cushion but they don't think they broke the seat adjuster and the service manager says that maybe the seat adjuster just decided to go on that particular day. I'm now fighting to have them repair what they broke. I will never go to nucar pontiac in delaware for repairs again. This is the worst car I've ever owned. I think most of these problems should be recalls since many people have them. I will never buy a gm car again. Please someone help to make the car makers responsible for their poor workmanship.

Filed Apr 24, 2006 · Brakes, Engine · 50,000 miles · ME

I purchased my 2001 grand am gt second hand in september 04. The 1 previous owner was my mechanic's brother in-law and has been well maintained when he owned it as well as since I have owned it. My problems started as soon as I left the lot. Within a month the car had been back into the dealership to have break pads replaced and rotors re-surfaced. My breaks have made a constant rubbing/grinding noise and no amount of work has solved the problem. I also have this intake manifold gasket issue. In december of 05 the low coolant light began coming on as well as the service engine soon light. I attempted to add coolant but the cap to the coolant tank was badly broken and required the replacement of the entire tank - since the cap would not come off even with a mechanics help. This solved the problem for a couple of months - but in february 06 the coolant alarm started again - I added more coolant and continued to drive it for another month. When the coolant alarm sounded again in march I took it to my mechanic who found the coolant leak from the intake manifold. $800-$900 to fix the problem. This was the second intake manifold he found on a gm car the same day and he told me there is a service bulletin on this. Why is gm not being forced to re-call this? Come on - I have been researching for 1 day and found hundreds of examples of this problem. I am a single mother on a very tight budget - owe more on this piece of $)%& than it is worth as it is! My car has been parked for a month and I am bumming rides while I make monthly payments on a pretty car - nice to look at sitting in my driveway !

Filed Sep 24, 2005 · Brakes, Engine · 60,000 miles · MD

Three big issues with this car: 1) the worst-I've had problems with the security system shorting three times. Each time, the car turns over but will not start. The security light flashed twice, but did not come on the third time. The first time the dealer adjusted the system (whatever that means) which was covered under warranty. The second time (two months later), my car would not start at 2am outside of a bar, so I had to have it towed. This time the whole system was replaced under my warranty. The third time (four months later) my car would not start and had to be towed. The system was again replaced, this time it was covered under a parts& labor warranty so at least I didn't have to pay anything. 2) the brakes. I had the rotors replaced because of extreme vibrating when breaking, as well as a loud squealing noise that would start after the breaks heated up. The squealing noise did not go away so I had the breaks' hardware replaced. That worked for a while. Six months later, the vibrating has come back and there is a loud grinding noise when the breaks get wet (I.e. Rain). 3) coolant light comes on frequently. First, I simply replaced the coolant much more often than should be necessary. Finally, I let my dealer convince me to pay the $700 to have it fixed (I'm not sure what the problem was) a year ago. The coolant light is now coming on again, so I'm just refilling it frequently. I've only had this car 18 months. I'm in love with the look and the pickup, but it is completely unreliable. When can I get it declared a lemon? At least I still have 10k miles left on the extended warranty I purchased with it. If I can't extended it again, I will sell this unreliable car.

Filed Apr 6, 2005 · Lights, Steering · NC

Driver took vehicle to dealer for routine maintenance, and mechanic determined that the left and right tie rods needed to be replaced due to corrosion. *ak faulty power steering pump caused grinding noise when turning the steering wheel in either direction. The turn signal went out. Consumer wants to know if there are any recalls. *bf

Filed Feb 24, 2005 · Brakes, Electrical · 50,000 miles · IL

I have noticed a grinding sound coming from my brakes. I took the car to the shop and was told that I needed pads and rotors, I replaced pads and rotors and the ABS, trac off, and the service vehicle soon light started coming on. Took the car to the dealer for further analysis and they told me I needed a speed sensor because it was malfunctioning and because it is inside the wheel hub I also had to replace these things also. $700.00 later the lights were still coming on and the brakes was still making this strange noise. I returned the car and after inspection was told that the ABS wires were busted and needed to be replaced, $200.00 later the car is still making these noises and the lights are still coming on. No one seems to know what the problem is. I am taking the car back again for further analysis. I have also had a problem with the manifold replaced it at $700.00, the ignition fortunately for me it was covered under the extended warranty I purchased with the car. I also have a problem with the turn signals malfunctioning.

Filed Feb 16, 2005 · Brakes · 61,000 miles · OH

While braking at any speed the steering wheel pulled to the left/right, and consumer heard a grinding noise. Dealership repaired vehicle once, but problem recurred.

Filed Dec 10, 2004 · Brakes · 38,000 miles · IL

I bought a brand new gt and since I've had it the brakes made a slight grinding noise in the front, I just figured the car was new and 4 wheel disc brakes just make that noise. I drive a lot of highway mile so of course after the warranty expired the noise got worse. After 38000 miles I took it to my mechanic he replaced the front pads and resurfaced a rotor but could not figure out what the noise was, he thought it was a bushing or a boot worn out. He greased it and the noise dissapeared for about a weak . Then I took in with 56000 mile and it needed pad, a caliper and he resurfaced the other rotor.again, after a weak the noise came back. Now, with 64000 the noise is worse than ever , a constant grinding, scraping sound. I going take it to the mechanic again. For all the highway I drive I shouldn't be going through brakes like this.

Filed Jul 16, 2004 · Brakes · 15,000 miles · OH

Brakes and rotors need replacement at 27000 miles. Brakes were squeaking at approx. 15000 miles. Apparently there is many concerns among pontiac owners that the grand am has faulty brakes/rotors.