Pontiac Gto harsh shifting problems

Filed Jun 15, 2009 · Steering, Suspension · 18,000 miles · WA · crash

I took my 2006 gto into the dealer in jan. 2009 for some warranty repair work on the fan switch. While performing a safety inspection the dealer noticed the right front strut was rubbing on the tire and causing significant wear on the inner tread. I had noticed a clunking sound as I went over speed bumps or turned tight like you would in a parking lot for approximately 3 months prior to that. I asked if they were related and the service attendant said possibly, but that all the gtos made noise when cranking the wheel because of the wide tires. I asked if the strut was covered under the warranty and they said no, it was some type of front end damage that caused it. The car had a fender bender in nov. 2006, but it was re-aligned in dec. 2006. No mention was made at the time that the strut rubbed on the tire. I didn't have the money to have it repaired right away so I wasn't driving it until I april 2009 when circumstances made it my only vehicle. After a few days of driving, I noticed the car would sometimes suddenly shudder in the front suspension and pull very hard to the right. On may 8, 2009 after making a left hand turn from a stop, as I started to straighten the wheel the car jerked to the right onto the shoulder. I tried to steer it back onto the road and the car continued to slide into the ditch. A passerby pulled the car out of the ditch and I limped it back to a friends house where we jacked it up and inspected it. It seemed to drive fine and other than the unusually worn tire everything appeared fine. I'm now afraid to drive it and still don't have the money to get it repaired, so it is parked in my driveway. After doing some online research, it seems that I am not alone in this dilemma. Is pontiac, gm or macpherson looking into this?

Filed Nov 8, 2008 · Suspension · 14 miles · NC

I purchased a 2006 pontiac gto and from the start I heard a clunking sound at the front end while driving or slowing to stop. It appears to be the struts or control arms. This does not sound like a car without any problems and my friends have noticed the odd sounds like the car is getting ready to breakdown.

Filed Jan 2, 2007 · Suspension · 270 miles · FM

Bought 2006 gto w/ 50 miles on it. At 270 miles front struts failed by leaking oil and clunking in suspension. Dealer says they'll try to get parts.. Have read that there is another strut mfg that will match gm warranty "gto forum".

Filed Aug 25, 2006 · Suspension · 1,800 miles · ME

Purchased the gto july 5, 2006. Did the first oil change on august 6th at 1983 miles. My husband noticed oil all over the undercarriage and inside wheel. We had been hearing a clunking noise once in awhile and handling started to get worse. He warned me to be careful when driving the car and to get it back to the dealer. Took it in to the dealer the next day, they identified the strut problem, ordered parts, wanted me to drive the car until the parts came in, I refused and put us in a rental until it could be completed. Called ponitac customer service to complain about the delay in parts availability. After a lengthy call with a lot of on holds, was informed we probably would not get the part until at least sept. 15, 2006. They are on a boat from australia and we were number 238 and only 100 parts were coming in. They agreed to reimburse us our payments after everything had been fixed. We received a call from the dealer on august 23 and had said parts in hand and car was fixed that day. (not the timeline we were expecting even better) they only replaced the drivers side the passenger side seems to be unaffected. We will keep an eye on both. They replaced the strut and the linkage (bushing) due to contamination.

Filed Aug 17, 2006 · Suspension · 300 miles · MD

New 2006 pontiac gto delivered 7/21/06. Noticed front end making clunking noise over small bumps 8/5/06. Took to dealer on 8/8/06 with 360 miles on car and told front struts and sway bar bushings had failed. Still waiting for parts and repairs.

Filed Aug 3, 2006 · Suspension · 2,000 miles · IL

2k miles on new 2006 pontiac gto, feb 2006 build date. Both front struts leaking causing oil seepage and loud clunking over terrain. Oil all over inner wheel well causing factory under coating to melt. Potential for oil to leak on to brake pads with brake failure to result. Fire hazard due to extreme heat generated by brakes and proximity to exhaust manifolds. Premature failure of sway bar linkage and stabilizer bushings caused from corrosive oil from leaking struts being sprayed over those critical suspension components. Potential for serious injury or fatality.

Filed Jul 23, 2006 · Suspension · 745 miles · VA

Left front strut started making clunking noises and leaking all over my parking lot.

Filed Jul 17, 2006 · Suspension · 420 miles · NV

(1) car bought new. Proper break in procedure being followed, no hard driving! (2)both fronts struts are leaking oil and front suspension makes mechanical clunking noises, especially going over bumps. (3)dealer replaced both front struts during the course of two visits.

Filed Jul 16, 2006 · Suspension · 600 miles · AZ

1. None, my 2006 pontiac gto was purchased brand new and I only got to enjoy it 600 miles before parts failure. 2. Both front struts failed, resulting in no front body movement control and oil all over. The oil also caused the bushings on the front suspension to fail resulting in horrible noises. The car was not drivable until it was repaired. 3. The dealership replaced both front struts and the front stabilizer. Days later the driver's side is clunking and leaking oil again. The old parts are not available.

Filed Jul 7, 2006 · Suspension · 914 miles · CO

Car was parked. After starting the car and backing out of the space there was a loud clunk. Looked under the car to find that on the front suspension, the struts had dumped their oil out (failed) and had gotten all over the bushings which caused them to also go out (failed). Had to drive my 3 week old car to the dealership (they would not tow it) to get them to look at it. Checked out what was wrong and said they would order the parts to fix it. Finally got the car back 10 days later with replacement parts.