Pontiac Gto grinding brakes problems

Filed May 21, 2010 · Brakes, Suspension · 32,754 miles · WA

1. My wife was complaining of a squeaking sound whenever she put on the brakes. When researching brake pads and rotors online I noticed numerous complaints for 2004 and 2005 gto's regarding tires rubbing on the front struts. Since I was going to remove the tires to get a better look at the brake pads I also checked for the tire rub problem. Sure enough the right side tire and strut both showed signs of wear. The tires inside tread was worn and there were areas on the tires where small cracks had started and one 3 inch long crack through the sidewall. Left side tire tread was not worn yet there was evidence of tire rub on the strut. 2. Since I was fortunate enough to run across the information online, I will be able to avoid a failure. The failure if I were to let it go would most certainly be eather a gradual loss of air pressure or if running freeway speeds a sudden blowout. Simply replacing the tires (with oem replacements) and adjusting the front end alignment will not prevent the problem from occurring again. 3. I'm currently in the process of researching options to correct the problem. We purchased the car used but with very low miles and got an extended warranty. Since other items contribute to the tire rub such as premature failure of bushings and brearngs I hope to get at least those replaced since they are covered. A formal recall has not yet been required, so any replacement parts would be the same as those that failed in the firstplace. I'm strongly looking at installing an aftermarket kit designed to correct all the problems.

Filed Mar 17, 2010 · Transmission · 72,000 miles · NJ

My problem was with the 6 speed manual transmission which would cause a grinding sound while shifting and "popping" out of gear while driving. I took it to the dealer who diagnosed the problem as the clutch. They replaced the clutch but the problem not only still existed but it got worse. It became so bad that it was impossible to shift into any gear at any speed. I had the car towed back to the dealer about a week later. Now they told me that it was the transmission. Ok. So I told them to replace it but it took 4 weeks until gm could supply one. It came with a 3 year, 100k warranty at a cost of $4000. This plus the $1200 for a new clutch made for a very expensive out-of-warranty repair.

Filed Apr 9, 2009 · Steering, Suspension · 27,000 miles · CA

2006 pontiac gto engine failure at 15,000 miles. Front suspension pulls to the left, with tremendous vibration from the steering wheel at highway speeds, vehicle will not hold an alignment. Braking is harsh with further front end vibrations, occasional squealing and drifting from left to right before coming to a complete stop. Can hear the collapsing noise of the compressed strut towers, along with some inner wheel strut rub. The presence of mechanical knocking and popping noise with the vehicle sitting still and just turning the steering wheel from right to left and left to right. Rear suspension sagging on the passenger side, rolling over uneven road surfaces causes collapsing of right rear shocks and spring to rub the right rear tire. Normal acceleration from a stop with a full tank of fuel, the rear end bottoms out rubbing the right rear tire. Placing the vehicle in gear from a stop, causes the rear end to drop some 2 - 3 inches. Can hear the sound of a blown shock knocking and clanking on certain road surfaces, hard to duplicate for service manager at dealership. Vehicle has been with the dealership for seven days straight, dealership refuses to acknowledge that there is a problem. Gm customer service regional manager has been extremely helpful in seeking out a resolution to fix the problem. No accidents as of yet? Dealership stands by lead mechanic, stating that the vehicles suspension is within gm specification, and that the fault is with the fitment of aftermarket wheels and tires. I began complaining about the issue at about 18,000 mi, with factory setup still installed. The vehicle know is at 27,000 mi with after market wheels and tires on for 1,200 mi. Dealership is completely aware of this change and when.

Filed Sep 11, 2007 · Suspension · 31,117 miles · NV

Own a 2004 pontiac gto. Took my car in for a noise in the front end area. Everytime I went around a corner slowly I could hear a rubbing noise. And sometimes when I would back out of the parking space I hear a loud grinding noise and the steering wheel would jump out of my hands. I took the car in to my gmac dealers service department to have a look. The mechanic told me that the strut was rubbing on my tires. We looked at the tires on my front end and there were groove marks all along the radius of the tire. Some chunks of tire were taken out and some of the steel belts were showing through. He told me I was lucky to catch this when I did or I could have had a blow out at any time. I had to replace all four tires because they had been rotated a couple of times all ready. The back tires weren't as bad as the front but of course you can't just get two new ones. This tire purchase came out of my pocket because the mechanics told me there was nothing they could do. I have pictures of my struts and you can clearly see where they were rubbing on my tire. *jb updated 10/10/07

Filed Aug 8, 2007 · Suspension · 6,700 miles · WI

Tl*the contact owns a 2004 pontiac gto. While driving 5 MPH, the contact heard a squealing noise when he turned the steering wheel. The tires were rotated by the repair shop, however, the noise grew louder. The repair shop reversed the rotation and returned the tires to their original positions. The tires had wear marks and the strut was discolored. There was an odi action number (pe07010). The current and failure mileages were 6,700. The consumer stated feels this is a big safety concern would like manufacturer to reimburse $1100 in repairs. The consumer provided information from the website and also photos of the defect. Updated 09/18/07

Filed Jul 26, 2007 · Suspension · 18,000 miles · GA

Tl*the contact owns a 2004 pontiac gto. In 2005, the contact took the vehicle in to have the tires rotated and it was discovered that the struts failed. The struts have shredded the tires. The steering wheel vibrates very badly and a grinding noise is present while driving 25 MPH. She took the vehicle to the shop and they stated that it was unable to be driven. The current mileage was 19,127 and failure mileage was 18,000.

Filed Jul 22, 2007 · Suspension · 25 miles · IL

Purchased my 2004 pontiac gto used from carmax. And on the way home noticed a vibration and a squeal from the right front side,arrived home and smelled rubber burning looked under the car and see a groove cut on the inside of the right front tire.

Filed Mar 1, 2007 · Suspension · 1,100 miles · CA

Bought new 2006 pontiac gto in june 2006 from hardin pontiac, anaheim, ca. Brought vehicle back to dealer in july for squeaking brakes and misalignment. Brought vehicle back to dealer again in august 2006 for failed front struts, destroyed bushings, misalignment, and continued brake squealing problem. Two service reps at dealer (ernie and matt) informed me they had no replacement struts until october 2006. Service rep (matt) recommended I drive the car in this condition during a 3,200 mile vacation trip. I declined due to safety and creating more damage to the car. Dealer would not put me in a rental car despite warranty. I then offered to pay for the aftermarket replacements, covering the difference in oem and aftermarket parts myself. I provided dealer with all information concerning aftermarket parts, along with installation instructions and technical contact information. The dealer service manager (darin) agreed to put me in a rental vehicle until the aftermarket parts could be installed. The dealer then waited more than a week to order the aftermarket parts, at which time they became backordered for an additional two weeks. I then was forced, because of dealer delays, to cover the rental car. I finally picked up my car some five weeks after taking it in for installation of aftermarket parts. I found (and have documentation to prove) that my car had been driven for 90 miles with bad struts while in the dealer's possession. I also had to pay for the rental car. I was told by the gen mgr at hardin pontiac this was because his regional mgr would not authorize the rental car to be paid, even though this was authorized prior to rental by the service dept mgr at the same dealer. I have since learned that the installation of the aftermarket parts was not done per written instructions provided by myself and the manufacturer, which has caused the aftermarket components to fail, and premature wear on the tires.

Filed Aug 5, 2006 · Suspension · 1,200 miles · CA

Faulty front struts failed after less than 1200 miles on new vehicle purchased 12 june 2006. Strut failure causes other suspension/steering problems and renders the vehicle inherently unsafe. This problem was known to general motors and to strut manufacturer prior to the sale of this vehicle to me. Faulty struts were not replaced by dealer, nor was I informed of this problem before, during or after vehicle purchase by dealer (hardin pontiac anaheim, ca), by general motors or by the strut oem (monroe). Had to discover myself. Since discovery have asked dealer about this who says I can still drive the car safely while replacement struts are on back-order until october 2006. Dealer re-balanced front tires as likely cause of wobbly steering already (july 2006) but wobble has returned due to strut failure. This is also squirting strut oil onto front brakes causing brake squealing and fading.

Filed Jun 9, 2006 · Suspension, Wheels · 16,000 miles · NV

After I had put 20,000 miles on my car I could hear a rubbing noise from the front wheel. Upon closer inspection I noticed the inside of the tire was rubbing against the struts on both front wheels. Since I had the tires rotated on a regular basis all four wheels had the wear on the inside. Since the tires were bubbling out on the inside wall of the front tires I purchased new tires. The new tires were still rubbing the struts. I took it to the first dealership and they suggested grinding down the struts. The next dealership I took it to changed the camber in my alignment. It now has 1/8 inch clearance and when I hit bumps or when I turn the wheel sharply it still rubs. I have taken it back to the dealership and they claim it is within specifications for the car. The dealership will not address the problem as if it doesn't exist.