Under hard high speed braking the front brakes shudder badly causing a severe front end shimmy due to warped rotors making stopping difficult. If pressure on pedal is not released this could cause loss of control and a crash. It is worse if going downhill. This is a very common issue on gm cars build in the last 8 years. There are posts all over the internet about this. The problem is with poorly made brake rotors that warp at under 15,000 miles of normal use. I have had the same issue with my wife's 2003 impala. These cars should be recalled and the rotors replaced with parts of adequate quality. If you can get the issue addressed under warranty, the dealer will only either turn the defective rotors or replace them with the same oem junk. The only fix I have found it to replace them with aftermarket rotors and pads.
Pontiac Grand Prix premature wear problems
22 of the 5,184 owner complaints about the Pontiac Grand Prix describe rotors or pads wearing out early, most of them for the 1990 model year.
- owner complaints
- 22
- worst model year
- 1990
- typical mileage
- 15,700
By model year
- 20081
- 20062
- 20022
- 19991
- 19971
- 19962
- 19953
- 19942
- 19922
- 19912
- 19904
Often reported together
Grinding brakes 2ABS 2Tire blowout 1Shudder 1Fire or smoke 1Engine failure 1Brake failure 1Ball joint 1
What owners say
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.
Tl*the contact owns a 2006 pontiac grand prix. The contact stated that the inside tread of the vehicle's tires were prematurely worn. As result, the tire penetrated the strut mounts when the vehicle struck a bump in the road while traveling 15 MPH. This was confirmed by the rubber debris on the strut mounts. The contact referenced service # 010232001 on the service bulletin, the federal safety agency item # 618086. The damaged tires tread depth was 1/4 inch. The dot number was unknown. The current and failure mileages were 15,700. The consumer stated information above is incorrect, odi has received 69 complaints that allege a front tire to front tire interference in 2004 to 2006 models. The complaints include tire sidewall wear, tire failure to struts, tire failed at 40mph or more, and one crash. The consumer stated that the defect is macpherson struts and not the actual tire. Updated 06/08/07
Dt*: the contact stated while applying brake pressure at 5 MPH there was a loud grinding noise. The vehicle was seen by an authorized dealer, where it was determined the rotors were rusted and needed to be replaced. The dealer suggested rusted rotors were attributing to the lack of driving of the vehicle rather than road salts. The last incident occurred at an annual state inspection, the brakes did not pass state inspection due to the rust on the rotors. The vehicle was taken to an independent repair shop and the mechanic suggested replacing the entire antilock brakes to correct the problem.
The rotors warped......front & back....the dealership turned them and told me that it would happen again and that they are covered for only 14000 miles...and that it's just the way they are made anymore (cheap)...and there is nothing they can do about it..I read a lot of letters on the same problem for 2002 grand am's...and other gm & chrysler cars & vans..... I went thru the same thing with my 1995 dodge intrepid....35000 miles on it & the rotors were turned once & replaced 3 times at my expense... What is going on ?....do we have any recourse?
Front brake rotors are prematurely wearing. When applying brakes at high speed vehicle vibrates, and pedal nearly goes to the floor, causing extended stopping distance. *ak consumer states vehicle is very hard to stop at speeds over 35 MPH rotors have been replaced 3 times since vehicle was purchased, and need replacement again at the present time.
Repetetive repairs and complete overhaul of front and rear caliper assemblies, and replacement of rusted/seized and warped rotors. This is a constant failure item that has not been covered under any warranty for some time!!!
Upon inspection of the tires consumer noticed rear brakes did not operate due to rusted rotors and inoperative calipers/ pads. Consumer has contacted dealer , and dealer replaced the calipers/rotors and pads. Please provide any further details.
Rear brake pads worn causing a metal to metal noise.
This vehicle has several intances of vibration during braking. Each time the dealer has commented on warped rotors or no problem found. The last incedent was warped rotors and I was intstructed by he dealer that this is not covered under warranty.
Related recalls
Service brakes, hydraulic
- What is wrong
- Certain passenger vehicles were produced with lower than specified torque on both front brake caliper to steering knuckle attachment bolts. With improper torque, the clamp load at the joint may not be adequate to prevent movement between the caliper bracket and knuckle.
- Risk
- Depending on whether one or both bolts backs out or fractures, the result can be locking of the affected wheel during braking and an abrupt steering input in the direction of the locked wheel, reduced braking and noise from the affected wheel, or severing of a brake hose, increased brake pedal travel, and reduced steering control. Reduced braking or steering control could cause a crash.
- Remedy
- Dealers are to tighten both bolts to the specified torque. Owner notification began on june 28, 2004. Owners should contact chevrolet 1‑800‑630‑2438 or pontiac 1‑800‑620‑7668.
Recall number 04V287000 · Recall details
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
- What is wrong
- Certain passenger vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 135, "passenger car braking systems." on some of these vehicles, the right rear brake hose fitting may not be tightened properly, and a brake fluid leak could occur.
- Risk
- If enough fluid leaks, the brake pedal will be lower than normal, and stopping distances will be longer. If this occurs when stopping distance is limited, a crash could occur.
- Remedy
- Dealers will tighten the right rear brake hose fitting to the proper torque specification, and add brake fluid if necessary. Owner notification began august 28, 2003. Owners should contact pontiac at 1‑800‑620‑7668.
Recall number 03V331000 · Recall details
Questions about the Pontiac Grand Prix premature wear
Which Pontiac Grand Prix years have rotors or pads wearing out early problems?
The model years with the most reports are 1990 (4 complaints), 1995 (3 complaints) and 1991 (2 complaints).
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