2006 Pontiac Grand Prix: ball joint or control arm failure

Filed Dec 13, 2011 · Brakes, Driver assistance · OH

Bought a "nice" used pontiac grand prix gxp in 2008 (an 06 model). The car only had around 17,000 miles on it. This car has been the biggest money pit ever. I am so disappointed with this vehicle. I have prided myself in buying american made vehicles, but not anymore! First of all, the tire sizing and the price of the tires,ridiculous! The power steering line broke, and of course it wasn't the line that was covered under recall, there has always been a noise in the front end, especially going at a slower speed and over bumps, kind of popping, I've always felt that there was something wrong in the front end. In oct. 2010, the hubs and bearings were replaced, they were still under warranty, but we had to pay a deductible, which was quite a bit, then in july 2011, with 60,000 some odd miles on it, the traction control light, the ABS light came on, took it to the dealership, they say it's a sensor, in the left hub (that we just had changed, less than a year ago), the warrant had ran out on it, so we paid almost 500 to replace that, then surprise, surprise, it has happened again the lights are back on! Also, sometimes when I accelerate at say a stop sign or stop light, there's sort of a "grabbing" and the car doesn't want to go, like it could be the transmission slipping. These are actually just a few of the things that I've had go wrong,there's been odds and ends things that of course have cost a fortune to fix, everything on this car is...oh, the tie rod end, that was something else that had to be replaced...I could go on and on money pit. I want to get rid of it, but it's one of those things, I've got too much invested in it..I'd never get out of it what I need..no wonder they no longer produce pontiacs. From the things I've read, it seems that I am not the only person who has had trouble out of this vehicle. It seems as though there should have been alot more recalls.

Filed Feb 25, 2010 · Steering, Suspension · 33,000 miles · TN

Tl*the contact owns a 2006 pontiac grand prix. He heard a rattling noise in the front end of the vehicle while driving 10 MPH. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where they replaced components in the steering shaft, unknown to the contact. The contact continued to hear the rattling noise in the vehicle and the vehicle was taken back to the dealer where they replaced an unknown component in the vehicle. The vehicle was released to the contact with the same rattling noise. The contact investigated the vehicle further and found that the lower ball joints were failing. The dealer verified the lower ball joints were worn out and they were replaced under warranty at 33,000 miles. Within 12,00 miles, the rattling noise was back but would only occur while traveling over any uneven road surface. No additional repairs were made to the vehicle. The VIN was not available. The failure mileage was 33,000 and the current was 46,000.

Filed Jan 18, 2008 · Steering · 37,000 miles · VA

Premature wear of the outer tie rod ends. We purchased this vehicle (2006 pontiac grand prix gxp) new, it currently has 37,000 miles on it. On january 16, 2008 the vehicle was taken to a va. State inspection station for an annual safety check. The technician discovered that both of the outer tire rod ends worn beyond safety allowances. The originating dealer was contacted and the service writer and the service manager denied coverage under the basic warranty, basic warranty expired @ 36,000 miles. Contact was made to pontiac customer assistance center and a case number was assigned. The customer assistance center is still processing issue, no decision has been made on whether gm is going to cover repairs under the basic warranty. The tie rod ends are non- serviceable items, they are lubricated and sealed when installed and should last well over 100,000 miles. Wear of this part causes premature tire wear. Failure of this part will result in loss of control.

Filed Oct 5, 2007 · Steering, Tires · 37,000 miles · TX

Outer tie rod ends for both front wheels failed at 39,000 miles probably even sooner. Tires were worn out very quickly and had to pay 300.00 to get tie rods replaced. Mechanic said the tie rod ends may have come from the factory without being greased and the did not have grease fittings on them like the new ones he put on. Failure caused tires to jump and sloppy steering, which could of been dangerous. *jb the consumer stated tires were worn out at 35,000 miles which could of happened because of the tie rod end failure. Updated 10/24/07

Filed May 30, 2007 · Steering, Suspension · 37,000 miles · NJ · crash

My vehicle had 32,000 miles on it when I bought it. It seemed that the steering had a good amount of play in it for only being a year old. My girlfriend was driving my car and hit a parked car. She was not injured. She said she didn't know why she lost control and was unable to steer it. It looked like the wheel came loose from the axle. The damage cost $3,000 to fix. The stabilizer bar and tie rod ends had to be replaced.