Pontiac Grand Prix ball joint problems

Filed Aug 27, 2016 · Suspension · 26,363 miles · PA

Left front lower front control arm started to collapse due to severe rust through. There was no warning, only a sudden creaking and groaning noise and sone difficulty turning the wheels while driving home on country roads. Earlier in the day, we had been on the interstate traveling at 65 MPH. If this control arm fully fractured at that speed we would have lost all steering ability, this car has only 26363 miles on it.

Filed Oct 5, 2015 · Acceleration, Brakes · 70,000 miles · IN

I first noticed that when turning there was a grinding noise. I took it to a shop and was told the front passenger control arm needed replaced. I recently took my car to the dealership for the ignition switch recall and found out that the speed harness needs replaced and that is what's causing the light for ABS/tc to be serviced. I have researched both of these issues with this specific vehicle and it appears to be a widespread issue. What constitutes a recall?

Filed Apr 18, 2015 · Brakes, Suspension · 123,614 miles · NC

Steering began to ride different and made some type of constant noise in the front suspension/brake area. Control arms, wheel hub bearings and front brakes were replaced. Now I'm told the rear tie rod ends need to replaced in order to align the care.

Filed Feb 23, 2013 · Acceleration, Brakes · 23,000 miles · OH

Bought this vehicle pre certified with warranty with 22000 miles. Within 4 months the power steering line breaks replaced under warranty. Brake sensor replaced under warranty front left tie rod replaced under warranty. These are problems that occurred within a 9 month timespan. During this time you could press on the gas and the vehicle would hesitate/stall/shake and times lunge forward as you try to ease forward. This occurred the entire time I had the vehicle and they were unable to duplicate the problem when it was under the warranty. Driving home the stability/traction control sensor lights came on,them reduced engine power came on and the car would not drive over 15 miles. Now at 34000 miles and a indicator light showing they figured it was the sensor on the gas pedal ($360). Oh forgot to mention dealership also stated during that warranty timeframe unless something breaks or a indicator light comes on there is nothing they can do. After that they found I also need a front right outer tie rod ($285). Contacted gm because I think they should have paid for the gas pedal. To make a long short short it's being evaluated and since I didn't want to leave my car there another night or perhaps over the weekend until they confirmed with the sales manager reimbursement may not be possible. *tr ## VIN failed ##

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 Mar 29, 2010 · Steering · 43,000 miles · IN

Right tie rod ends threads stripped at 43000 mile under normal use.

Filed Feb 25, 2010 · Engine · 748,998 miles · WI

While my mechanic was checking tie rods on the car they noticed seepage from the intake manifold. Luckily it was caught very early-no mixing of oil and coolant. Intake manifold, elbow and assembly replaced; original gm gasket design and materials were inferior however the gasket redesign takes care of the issue. Plenum was also weak; something he said he commonly sees on my series of 3.8l gm engines because of faulty design and materials. $943 job when all was said and done.

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 Apr 22, 2008 · Body, Brakes · IL

2001 pontiac grand prix engine oil leak, interior water leak at passenger door *cw the dealer informed the consumer that the water leak may have been a result of the door being misaligned. The vehicle pulled to the left. The consumer was then informed the reason for the pulling of the vehicle was due to the inferior tires on the vehicle. The sticker in the trunk specified h rated tires, however the tires the dealer sold on the vehicle were goodyear eagle ls tires. The cd player was inoperative. The engine light illuminated. The egr valve and gasket were replaced. The sunroof was leaking and the alternator was replaced. The left front cv boot was leaking and the left front hub bearing was noisy. The ignition cylinder, parking brake, power steering hose, pump seal, rack and pinion and outer tie rod were replaced.

Filed Apr 11, 2008 · Brakes, Electrical · 127,000 miles · NJ

Rear brake lights not working, but third center brake light is working. Took to mechanic (pep boys) who changed the brake pads, rotors, brake fluid and replaced the bulbs and fuses, (as well as a motor w/reg for the driver's side rear window, serpentine belt, alternator drive belt, tie rod outer and oil change). When I got the car back, realized they never fixed the problem. Returned the car and told it was the multifunction switch at a price of $450.00. This is great considering my bill for everything was $1,500.00, and the problem I brought it in for (brake lights) was never fixed. On web site: http://www.autoweb.com/content/research/forums/index.cfm/action/posts/fid/2831 there are approximately 119 complaints all about the multifunctional switch on pontaic vehicles. I am hoping that at some point the issue will be addressed to save other unsuspecting poor souls that bought a pontiac (grand prix gt).