Pontiac Grand Am pulling problems

Filed May 25, 2008 · Suspension · 101,000 miles · NC · crash · 1 injury

On 5/15/08 @ 4:30 p.m., our daughter was driving our 2000 pontiac grand am, on I-40 west in durham cty, nc. Traveling approx. 70 miles per hr, she remembers only a sudden pull to the left on the steering wheel. Losing control, she swerved 150 ft. Before crashing into the concrete wall barrier. Continuing another 50 ft. The car flipped upside down on the left shoulder. No other vehicles were involved. A witness traveling behind our car reported that the car just started to "fishtail". The tires were inspected by the officer at the crash, and later by my husband and the insurance examiner, and were found to be intact, fully inflated and without excessive wear. A search on the federal safety agency website brought to our attention a recall in certain models of the 2000 grand am involving the rear suspension trail arm to the left rear knuckle bolt. Upon reporting this information to state farm insurance, the adjuster included this component in his findings. He reported that nothing "appeared" out of place. A single snapshot of the rear suspension was submitted in support of his findings. Mr. John garciga, a state farm adjuster, advised us that the snapshot was of poor quality and the car was not lifted for the investigation, but for the purpose of their reporting, no further examination was warranted. He encouraged us to report this incident to the federal safety agency. We feel our daughter was extremely lucky to have survived this crash. Her injuries included a broken nose, and bumps and bruises. Fortunately no other passengers were in her car. It is our feeling that additional investigation may be warranted in an effort to rule out any known or possible defects so that others may be advised of a possible hazard.

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 Nov 9, 2004 · Suspension · MS · crash · 1 injury

While driving vehicle swerved right on its own. Consumer immediately pulled left, causing rear axle to break off, and resulting in a crash. Driver sustained injuries.

Filed Sep 10, 2004 · Airbags, Suspension · OH

Air bag light illuminated while driving consumer pulled to the right. Took vehicle to the delarship.

Filed Apr 13, 2004 · Brakes, Tires · MN

While traveling about 25-30 MPH front right tire spring snapped, causing consumer to pull to the right. Consumer got out of vehicle to inspect the problem, and found the tire shredded. Also, consumer complained of brake problem. Consumer had to replace brakes pads twice and rotors once.

Filed Jan 2, 2004 · Brakes · 28,000 miles · TX

2002 pontiac grand am. 62.000 miles, repairs so far as follows. 1. Front brakes replaced,rotors,pads,caliper insp,28,000 miles. 2. Front brakes replaced again, rotors turned few months later. 3. Intake manifold gaskets replaced.*ak 4.tires replaced due to slipping on the wheel , dealer stated this is common and not unsafe! 5. Sterring rack and pinion replaced. 6. Fuel pump replaced. 7. Sterring alignment has always been an issue and car still pulls right. I will give the gm zone manager a oppritunity to buy back the car 23 jan 04. This car is unsafe to drive and a pain to own. There are several known issues with the grand am 107 tsb's alone and at least that many complaints, gm has a problem that needs attention asap.

Filed Dec 27, 2003 · Steering · 10,000 miles · NC

We purchased a new 2000 pontiac grand am gt from a dealer in florida, the car had 7 miles on it when we bought it. From the first day we had problems with the steering, it pulled to the right always. The dealer attemted to fix the car on several occasions, finally they told us the steering rack was defective. The car had less than 10,000 miles on it, the car would make noise turning the wheel to the left or right, and a bump could be felt coming from the front of the car by turning the wheel while at low speeds. The steering rack went bad again just before 50,000 miles and was once again replaced under warranty, the steering rack that was replaced then has went bad again, around 85,000 miles. It does the exact same thing the first two did, the car is no longer under warranty and pontiac wants over 1,100.00 dollars to fix the problem. This will make the fourth steering rack that we have had to have installed, we feel that pontiac knows that this is an ongoing problem. They have not addressed the problem in our opinion like they should have in the first place. The 2000 model grand am gt came with variable effort steering, in 2002 they replaced it with something else.what if anything can we do about this. Sincerly russell geyer.

Filed Jun 25, 2003 · Body, Brakes · 11,000 miles · KY

1999 pontiac grand am 2.4 l auto severe brake failure---replacement of pads 8 times, rotors 3 times and calipers 2 times in 80,000 miles. Brakes occasionally lock up and make loud grinding and squealing noises steering shudders and vehicle pulls to left.. Participating pontiac dealer failed to fix this problem since purchase at 11,000 miles. Under warranty replacement it has had 6 door panels due to peeling leather on top of panel, 5 gear shifters due to dealers improper installation, 2 factory cd/radio failures, 1 rack and pinion unit, 2 front strut assemblies due to knocking noise from front of car (went bad after 10,000 miles use), problem with hesitation at idle-cold start(unsuccessfully diagnosed by dealer) carpet loose in trunk around latch assembly(too short for trunk and was hot glued to back wall of car by dealer instead of replacement). Turn signals still occasionally fail to work(dealer said they worked just fine) battery connection in factory battery broke loose spilling corrosive battery acid all over around battery tray area. All four wheel covers have been replaced because of "pie pan" noise when you hit a bump (new ones did not fix problem). After warranty was up pontiac' care hotline or the dealer could "care " less that after dozens of trips for repairs the dealer still didn't fix the car while it was still under warranty. Since then,besides the unrepaired items on my car, the alternator went bad at 60,000 miles ($120), glass in interior rear view mirror broke while adjusting, both outside rear view mirrors have broke off in two different automatic car washes (held into door by a stud mounted into 1/4 inch of plastic in the mirror). And the ignition switch failed at 75,000 miles($300). Fog lights and backup lights have water condensation in them shorting out bulbs. Surprisingly ,this car is "babied" ,but by in my description you sure couldn't tell it.

Filed Jul 18, 2002 · Body · NC

The car was purchased new (10 miles on it) in sept. Of 2001. We have had repeated problems with the car pulling to the right (usually every 30-45 days. The car was taken to the dealership several times, said no problem was found. We realized something was wrong with the vehicle, took the car to other professionals, and notified the manufacturer. Manufacturer requested inspection by the original dealership (?0 nothing found wrong. We requested another inspection which was done by another dealership. Found the sub-frame was defective from the factory. Said this would cause the steering to be off. My concerns is that a defected sub-frame may be the cause of the many complaints by the consumers for this car. A decision has not been made by the manufacturer as to how to handle this as of 7/18/02. *jb ***dimsii ivoq entry posted after 12/12/02 cut-over to artemis*****764384

Filed Jul 11, 2002 · Airbags, Steering · NM · 1 injury

While in motion downhill, consumer started hearing a grinding noise and a metal to metal sound emitting from the fire wall in front of the brake and gas pedals. Once on level ground, the vehicle seemed alright. Consumer called the pontiac dealer to inquire about the steering problem and was informed it sounded like a rack and pinion assembly problem. Consumer was asked to bring the vehicle in for inspection. The day before vehicle was to go for inspection, the vehicle pulled to the right causing consumer to loose control,and crash into a barrier wall, there was 1 injury and the air bags did not deploy.