Pontiac Grand Am premature wear problems

Filed Aug 30, 2007 · Brakes, Electrical · 70,000 miles · VA

I purchased my 2001 grand am gt in 2002. So far since I've owned the car, I seem to replace the breaks every 10,000 miles or every year, I have had the rotors replaced twice within the last 5 years, replaced the alternator and fuel pump. Now, my ABS lights continue to go on and most recently, my car will not start it seem every two weeks (I hope I am not away from home when this happens) - the security light has been coming on and have to keep the key in the "on" position for 10 minutes and then try to start the car - my garage told me it was a security code problem that only the dealer can fix. I have only 90,000 miles on the car and now, I need a rack and pinion which will cost me another $900.00 (I spent approx $500 dollars on the car in the last 6 months). My break pad wear out at least yearly (I am retired and don't even drive the car long distance). Now my ABS lights are constantly coming on, even though the garage said he found nothing wrong and I need to take it to the dealer. The car is pretty - but will never buy another pontiac again - I can't afford to keep it in the garage every three months (so it seems) and need a reliable car - not one that doesn't start once every two weeks because now my security systems is messed up. Also, have had problems with 1 and 2 on the AC settings (wouldn't work at all) - and of course, paid to have that fixed. Please help me.

Filed Nov 8, 2005 · Brakes, Electrical · 55,000 miles · IL

I have had constant electrical problems in my vehicle. It started with the turn signals working intermittently, then my power windows would work intermittently, then my sunroof would do so as well. I have had the switch replaced for my turn signals, and they have worked fine since. I had the motor replaced for my sunroof, and it has also worked fine. However, the power windows still work intermittently, and the motor has been replaced 3 times. Gee, maybe it isn't the motor?!?!?! I have also had brake rotor wear problems, which almost caused an accident. Dealer said rotors looked as if I had been storing my vehicle for years they were so rusted. I urge anyone considering the purchase of a pontiac to re-think their decision.

Filed May 15, 2005 · Brakes · MA

I am experiencing repeated problems with the brake rotors. When traveling at highway speeds (above 50 MPH), if the brakes are applied, the car, including the tires and steering wheel, vibrates/shakes back and forth. Sometimes it shakes so much that it feels like control of the car is compromised. Several auto mechanics have told me that the problem is definitely that the brake rotors wear out. The brake rotors have already been replaced twice (the first time by a pontiac dealership), and now need to be replaced a third time, even though they were replaced less than a year ago.

Filed Jan 5, 2005 · Tires · 13,000 miles · SD

Kumo tires, 225/50r16 , dot#y0f8ya3f4903. The consumer was driving at approximately 50 MPH when the right front tire blew out. The tire had only 13,000 miles on it when the tire sidewall blew out. The consumer took the vehicle back to the tire distributor where it was noticed that the other 3 tires had excessive wear. Also, the consumer had to replace all four tires which had only 15,334 miles. All of the tires had 3 rotations, yet the tires just wore out prematurely. The cause of the premature wear was undetermined. *ak *sc

Filed Jul 27, 2004 · Brakes, Electrical · 121,000 miles · MI

The key gets stuck in the ignition and auxillary lights remain on. The locksmith attempts to fix it and I have to keep having him come out; looks like a replacement core is needed, thee is not a cheap way outof this. The bake pads wear down very quickly. It seems that a bolt on the caliper is not even with the opposite bolt, it's very slight but it's the same on both calipers and seems to cause pads to wear unevenly and often. It is probably cheaper for gm to have cosumers replace pads and rotors often than to retool the machinery to fix all those bolts.

Filed Jan 15, 2004 · Brakes, Engine · MA

The heater control won't work at speed 1 and 2. The paint on the window frame is falling away. The rear struts failed. The transmission completely stopped working at all with no prior warning. The car doesn't heat up fully when it gets under 20 degress temperature. The rotors warp too quickly.

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 5, 2004 · Brakes · PA

Rotors wear out prematurely. The last time they were changed they lasted only 500 miles and had started chattering before that. On average, we get only 4000 miles from each set of rotors. This is unacceptable. We have 98,000 miles on the car. Do the math.

Filed Dec 28, 2003 · Brakes · 11,000 miles · PA

Rotors warped after 11000 miles . Took the car to the dealer . Resurfaced rotors and replaced pads. Got a lecture about my driving problems. Noticed a problem at 20000 miles rotor vibration when braking. Took it to an independent repair place at 240000 miles and had the rotor resurfaced again. Car has 30000 miles on it now and has the same problem.

Filed Nov 13, 2003 · Brakes · 6,000 miles · NY

Excessive brake rotors wear, vehicle was driven in a rural area, it did not experience inner city stop and go driving techniques.