Tl*the contact is a mechanic and has serviced four different 2004 pontiac grand ams. He stated that the rear passenger brakes have failed on each vehicle and caused a leak. The leak comes from the wheel cylinder, which prevents proper braking. He believes that the failure could cause a serious crash. The current and failure mileages were 120,124. Updated 10/16/08 *bf updated 10/21/08.
2004 Pontiac Grand Am brakes complaints
Page 2 of 2: complaints 11 to 19 of 19, newest first, as owners wrote them.
While driving down a steep hill, applied brake and car seemed to accelerate rather than brake. Then, turned into subdivision and brake pressure went away completely then came back after finished turn.
Dt*: the contact stated the vehicle brakes had to be replaced on four occasions. On each occasion, the brake light would illuminate at various speeds, and the steering wheel shook and a shrieking noise could be heard like metal rubbing on metal. The condition was permanent, repeatable to worsening under normal braking conditions. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer and an independent mechanic who both determined that they could not find anything mechanically wrong with the vehicle, and that this was an unusual problem for a new vehicle to have extreme problems with the same component. The dealer recommended the contact to file a complaint with the federal safety agency. There were no further repairs made. Updated 12/28/2006 -
Dt: while driving in rainy weather it sounded from the right front corner of the car under the hood like something was grinding or abrasion. It sounded like two bearings rubbing against each other. Took the car to the dealer, and they were not able to hear it. The dealer took it for a test drive, lifted it up onto the lift and was not able to hear any noise.*ak updated 8/14/2006 - the right front tire warped. The brake calipers warped shortly after the vehicle was purchased. Both front rotors had to be replaced due to warpage. The consumer heard noise on the driver's side front end. The dealer replaced the upper strut mount, bearing plate and aligned the front end. The vehicle would lose power while driving. The dealer reprogrammed the engine control module. The master cylinder leaked and had to be replaced. Power steering pump leaked and was replaced. The tramsmission was slipping.
The brakes tended not operate while driver stepped on the brake pedal. Took vehicle to dealer for repairs four times, but the problem recurred.
While applying the accelerator pedal vehicle would accelerate uncontrollably on it is own. Consumer applied the brakes and the vehicle continued to accelerate. Consumer was able to maintain control of the vehicle, and drove it to the dealer for inspection. Mechanic informed consumer that the problem could not be duplicated.
While driving at approximately 45-50 MPH the consumer applied the brakes and the vehicle did not stop. Also, the brake line was leaking and that the mounting of the brake line was too close to the engine which caused the brake line to leak. The consumer had the vehicle towed back to the dealer and the service manager was very cavalier in his approach, thus irritating the consumer. *ak *sc
No other manufacturer, american or foriegn, has a higher incidence of warped front rotors, and within the last decade this problem increasingly shows itself at relativey low milage. My most recent experience (last 3 years) was a new grand am se developing pulsating brakes at 20k mi. The dealer fought with us tooth & nail and said "that's your fault, we aint paying for anything!" I called the pontiac zone and raised hell, ..no cigar. Finally got with the shop manager to pull the rotors & put them on the lathe and see how true they were. They weren't, but we knew that before we got started. The brake pads showed very little wear. Conclusion, I got hustled out of the shop with "we'll take care of it." they did, a new brake job at no charge. The second car was a 2000 malibu. Chevrolet, they said pay us for new rotors or take a hike. We hiked. Replaced the brakes myself and the problem came right back around 18k mi. I sold the car instead of fixing it. My last gm car is an 04 grand am, and with just 11k mi, ...here we go again!! General motors knows of this problem. It's rampant in the product line- up. To announce a change would be strictly forbidden as a matter of corporate policy as that might draw liability leading to possible class action suits. Keep in mind that brakes are a safety item not subject to limitations of warranty or liability where it can be shown that gm "knew, or should have known", that this problem exists. Ergo, opened ended liability. Further, gm has known of these poorly performing parts thru their dealerships and high volume replacements ordered thru the dealers and independent parts outlets. And finally, the astonishing thing about this part is that it's as low tech as it gets. It's nothing more than cast pig iron. The fix is in the metal chemistry and casting technique. Where gm gets a free ride is to argue that this item is "consumable" and subject to wear and abuse beyond the manufacturers control.
I was driving this vehicle on a dry clear day. When I exited the highway and slowed down in the exit lane by tapping the brakes the car turned 90 degrees toward the inside of the circle and proceeded off the road. The car behaved like it was on a sheet of ice even though it was a warm dry day.
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