1992 PONTIAC GRAND AM Service Brakes, Hydraulic Problems

COOLANT LEAKED FROM UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE WHILE DRIVING ABOUT 50 MPH WHICH CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO OVERHEAT. *AK THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THEY DETERMINED THAT THE RADIATOR HOSE HAD A SPLIT IN IT. THE SAME WEEK THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED THE BRAKE LINE BROKE. ABOUT 2 MONTHS LATER THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR WHILE BRAKING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DETERMINED THAT THE INCORRECT BRAKE PARTS WERE INSTALLED AND THAT THE RADIATOR CLAMPS WERE LOOSE. THE CONSUMER REQUESTED INVOICES FROM THE DEALER BUT THEY REFUSED. *NLM

Mileage: 86,000

THE BRAKES FAILED WITHOUT WARNING WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS BEING SLOWED DOWN, RESULTING IN EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT. *NLM THIS WAS DUE TO THE BRAKE LINE REPLACEMENT IN WHICH THE WRONG PART WAS INSTALLED. *SCC *JB

WHEN DRIVING AT ANY SPEED ON WET OR DRY PAVEMENT AND WHEN ATTEMPTING TO STOP UPON DEPRESSING BRAKE PEDAL TO MAKE A GRADUAL STOP, BRAKES KICK IN AND THEN RELEASE, CAUSING EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE. CONSUMER HAS TAKEN VEHICLE TO DEALER. DEALER HAS REPLACED BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER/SHOES AND PADS/ ROTORS, AND DRUMS. BUT, PROBLEM STILL OCCURS. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS.*AK

WHEN DRIVING AT ANY SPEED ON WET OR DRY PAVEMENT AND WHEN ATTEMPTING TO STOP UPON DEPRESSING BRAKE PEDAL TO MAKE A GRADUAL STOP, BRAKES KICK IN AND THEN RELEASE, CAUSING EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE. CONSUMER HAS TAKEN VEHICLE TO DEALER. DEALER HAS REPLACED BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER/SHOES AND PADS/ ROTORS, AND DRUMS. BUT, PROBLEM STILL OCCURS. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS.*AK

WHEN DRIVING AT ANY SPEED ON WET OR DRY PAVEMENT AND WHEN ATTEMPTING TO STOP UPON DEPRESSING BRAKE PEDAL TO MAKE A GRADUAL STOP, BRAKES KICK IN AND THEN RELEASE, CAUSING EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE. CONSUMER HAS TAKEN VEHICLE TO DEALER. DEALER HAS REPLACED BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER/SHOES AND PADS/ ROTORS, AND DRUMS. BUT, PROBLEM STILL OCCURS. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS.*AK

ABS BRAKES WILL NOT ENGAGE. CONSUMER HAS TO STEP HARDER ON THE BRAKE PEDAL TO MAKE THEM WORK.*AK

WHILE DRIVING AND APPLYING BRAKES, VEHICLE EXPERIENCED EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE. WHEN TAKING VEHICLE FOR CHECK UP, TECHNICIAN PONTED OUT THAT BRAKE SYSTEM WAS CONTAMINATED. *AK

A LITTLE OVER 3 MONTHS AFTER I PURCHASED THIS CAR FROM GARY MATTHEWS, THE BRAKE SYSTEM FAILED IN TRAFFIC ON ME. I HAD VERY LITTLE BRAKES AND BARELY MADE IT TO MY HOME WITHOUT AN ACCIDENT. THE CAR WAS INSPECTED AND THE RESULTS ARE THAT THE BREAK SYSTEM WAS CONTAMINATED. THE TOTAL COST TO REPAIR IS $2,400.00. WHEN I CONTACTED THE DEALERSHIP, THEY WERE VERY RUDE AND TOLD ME THAT THEY WOULD DO NOTHING ABOUT THE PROBLEM. WHEN I TALKED TO THE DEALER'S REPAIR SHOP, THEY TOLD ME THAT THEY HAD NO RECORD OF THE CAR EVER EVEN BEING INSPECTED BEFORE I DROVE IT OFF THE LOT. YOU'RE HELP WOULD BE GREATLY APPRECIATED. *AK

I HAVE SPENT ALOT OF MONEY TRYING TO GET THIS CAR IN SAFE RUNNING CONDITION, AND AS OF RIGHT NOW MY PONTIAC SITS IN MY GARAGE NOT DRIVEABLE BECAUSE I CANT AFFORD TO SPEND ANY MORE MONEY ON THESE BRAKES , I HAVE ALREADY SPENT MORE THAN I SHOULD HAVE AND IT STILL DOES NOT WORK. IF YOU PEOPLE AT PONTIAC PRIDE YOURSELF IN EXCELLENCE THAN I THINK YOU SHOULD TAKE ANOTHER LOOK .IF YOU REALLY PRIDE YOURSELF IN EXCELLENCE, I THINK YOU SHOULD REPAIR THE WHOLE BRAKE SYSTEM IN MY CAR. OTHER WISE I WILL BE FORCED TO CONTACT THE ATTORNEY GENERAL THANKYOU. *AK

MULTIPLE PROBLEMS ENCOUNTERED: (1) CIGARETTE LIGHTER FUSE BLOWS CONSTANTLY. (2) ENGINE HAS A CRACKED CYLINDER WHICH ALLOWS COOLANT INTO THE OIL SYSTEM. (3) STARTER COIL FAILED. (4) WINDOW MOTOR/SWITCH FAILED. (5) FRONT PASSENGER SEAT DOESN'T ALWAYS LOCK IN PLACE, AND ALLOWS THE SEAT TO SLIDE FORWARD AND BACKWARD. (6) IN COLD WEATHER THE PLASTIC AROUND THE HORN CONTRACTS AND CAUSES THE HORN TO SOUND CONTINUOUSLY UNTIL THE FUSE IS REMOVED. (7) FRONT BRAKES WEAR QUICKLY DURING NORMAL OPERATION. (8) ALTERNATOR FAILED AT 90,000 MILES. (9) OIL PRESSURE SENSOR FAILED AT 107,000 MILES. (10) SPARK PLUGS NEED TO BE REPLACED EVERY 18 MONTHS DUE TO A RECURRING STUMBLING PROBLEM IN THE ENGINE. ONE SPARK PLUG CANNOT BE REMOVED. (11) THE GLOVE COMPARTMENT HAS BEEN FILLED WITH CONDENSATE FROM THE A/C SYSTEM MULTIPLE TIMES, RUINING ANY PAPERWORK AND THE OWNERS' MANUAL. (12) THE SCREWS ON BOTH INTERIOR DOOR FRAMES HAVE FALLEN OUT AND MUST BE REPLACED.

WHEN DRIVING AT ANY SPEED AND APPLYING BRAKES, THE BRAKE PEDAL IS SLIDING AND GOING HALF WAY TO THE FLOORBOARD. ABS SYSTEM HASN'T BEEN WORKING PROPERLY, AND CONSUMER HAS HAD THE VEHICLE AT REPAIR SHOP THREE TO FOUR TIMES. *AK

PONTIAC PRIDES ITSELF ON DRIVING EXCITEMENT, IT SHOULD ACTUALLY BE THAT IT IS A DRIVING NIGHTMARE. THIS CAR HAS HAD SO MANY PROBLEMS. THIS IS THE LIST OF CURRENT AND PAST PROBLEMS WHICH INCLUDES: THE TRUNK LEAKS/ INCORRECT SPEEDOMETER THAT CAUSED TWO SPEEDING TICKETS/DRIVER'S FLOOR AND UNDER THE FRONT RIGHT SEAT ARE ALWAYS WET. ALSO,REPLACED BATTERY TWICE/ALTERNATOR/STARTER/ RADIATOR AND ALL HOSES AFTER A SUDDEN "EXPLOSION." IN ADDITION, THERMOSTAT HAD BEEN REPLACED AT LEAST 4 TIMES AND MASS AIR FLOW SENSOR ONCE. THE REAR WINDOW DEFOGGER NO LONGER WORKS, RIGHT SIDE POWER WINDOW DOES NOT GO BACK UP/THE TAPE DECK IS BROKEN, FRONT LUMBAR I SEAT BROKE AROUND 40,000 MILES. THE FRONT RIGHT AND LEFT WHEEL BEARINGS HAS BEEN REPLACED 3 TIMES/TIE RODS HAVE BEEN REPLACED ONCE ON THE RIGHT AND TWICE ON THE LEFT/ ANTI-LOCK BRAKING SYSTEM MALFUNCTIONED AND FRONT BRAKES WORE OUT WITH IN 15,000 (TYPICAL OF MOST PONTIACS JUST GOING BY THE COMMENTS OF OTHER PONTIAC OWNERS THAT I KNOW. THIS LIST IS QUITE LONG AND EXTREMELY DISAPPOINTING, ESPECIALLY SINCE THE CAR IS NOT PAID FOR YET AND ONLY HAS 125,000 MILES ON IT AND IS A 1992 MODEL. *AK( DOT NUMBER: TIRE SIZE: 205/55/R16 )

PONTIAC PRIDES ITSELF ON DRIVING EXCITEMENT, IT SHOULD ACTUALLY BE THAT IT IS A DRIVING NIGHTMARE. THIS CAR HAS HAD SO MANY PROBLEMS. THIS IS THE LIST OF CURRENT AND PAST PROBLEMS WHICH INCLUDES: THE TRUNK LEAKS/ INCORRECT SPEEDOMETER THAT CAUSED TWO SPEEDING TICKETS/DRIVER'S FLOOR AND UNDER THE FRONT RIGHT SEAT ARE ALWAYS WET. ALSO,REPLACED BATTERY TWICE/ALTERNATOR/STARTER/ RADIATOR AND ALL HOSES AFTER A SUDDEN "EXPLOSION." IN ADDITION, THERMOSTAT HAD BEEN REPLACED AT LEAST 4 TIMES AND MASS AIR FLOW SENSOR ONCE. THE REAR WINDOW DEFOGGER NO LONGER WORKS, RIGHT SIDE POWER WINDOW DOES NOT GO BACK UP/THE TAPE DECK IS BROKEN, FRONT LUMBAR I SEAT BROKE AROUND 40,000 MILES. THE FRONT RIGHT AND LEFT WHEEL BEARINGS HAS BEEN REPLACED 3 TIMES/TIE RODS HAVE BEEN REPLACED ONCE ON THE RIGHT AND TWICE ON THE LEFT/ ANTI-LOCK BRAKING SYSTEM MALFUNCTIONED AND FRONT BRAKES WORE OUT WITH IN 15,000 (TYPICAL OF MOST PONTIACS JUST GOING BY THE COMMENTS OF OTHER PONTIAC OWNERS THAT I KNOW. THIS LIST IS QUITE LONG AND EXTREMELY DISAPPOINTING, ESPECIALLY SINCE THE CAR IS NOT PAID FOR YET AND ONLY HAS 125,000 MILES ON IT AND IS A 1992 MODEL. *AK( DOT NUMBER: TIRE SIZE: 205/55/R16 )

ABS TAKES OVER HYDRAULIC BRAKES SYSTEM AT WRONG TIME. THIS CAUSES THE VEHICLE TO TRAVEL AN EXTRA 5-10FT BEFORE STOPPING. DEALER CANNOT LOCATE PROBLEM. MECHANIC TEST DROVE VEHICLE & VERIFIED PROBLEM EXISTS. *AK

WHILE DRIVER WAS BACKING UP ON A SLIGHT INCLINE, WITH THE IGNITION RUNNING, CAR IN THE REVERSE GEAR, WENT TO APPLY THE BRAKES AND THE BRAKES DID NOT WORK. WAS NO INDICATION OF A BRAKE PROBLEM. THE PEDAL WAS HARD, WENT TO THE NORMAL POSITION BUT NO BRAKING POWER. VEHICLE JUST ROLLED DOWN THE INCLINE. DRIVER WAS ABLE TO STEER CAR INTO BUSHES TO KEEP VEHICLE FROM GOING INTO THE STREET. VEHICLE IS BEING CHECKED BY A MECHANIC. *AK

ANTI LOCK BRAKES FAILED.

WHEN THE BRAKES ARE APPLIED THERE IS EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCES. IN A PANIC STOP THE BRAKES LOCK UP AND THE VEHICLE SHEMIMIES. THE FRONT ROTORS , BRAKE SHOES AND DRUMS HAVE BEEN REPLACED ON VEHICLE . THE DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. *AK

WHEN THE BRAKES ARE APPLIED THERE IS EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCES. IN A PANIC STOP THE BRAKES LOCK UP AND THE VEHICLE SHEMIMIES. THE FRONT ROTORS , BRAKE SHOES AND DRUMS HAVE BEEN REPLACED ON VEHICLE . THE DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. *AK

WHEN THE BRAKES ARE APPLIED THERE IS EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCES. IN A PANIC STOP THE BRAKES LOCK UP AND THE VEHICLE SHEMIMIES. THE FRONT ROTORS , BRAKE SHOES AND DRUMS HAVE BEEN REPLACED ON VEHICLE . THE DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. *AK

WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES THE PEDAL WILL GO TO THE FLOOR AND THE VEHICLE DOES NOT STOP. PROBLEM ONLY OCCURS WHEN WET OUTSIDE. DEALER CAN'T FIND THE PROBLEM. *AK

SLAMMED ON BRAKES, HEARD LOUD NOISE, COULD NOT TURN WHEEL, TIRES SQUEAKED, CRASHED INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE AT STANDSTILL, NOT CHECKED BY DEALER, INSURANCE CO FOUND NOTHING WRONG, VEHICLE AVAILABLE FOR INSPECTION. *AK

WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE TRIED TO APPLY THE BRAKES (ABS), VEHICLE DID NOT SLOW UP, TURNED VEHICLE INTO A PARKING LOT, TRYING TO BRAKE STEERING WENT, LOST CONTROL OF VEHICLE, NO BRAKES, HIT POLE; DRIVER HAD SEAT BELT ON, ALSO REPLACED PITTED ROTORS. *AK

WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE TRIED TO APPLY THE BRAKES (ABS), VEHICLE DID NOT SLOW UP, TURNED VEHICLE INTO A PARKING LOT, TRYING TO BRAKE STEERING WENT, LOST CONTROL OF VEHICLE, NO BRAKES, HIT POLE; DRIVER HAD SEAT BELT ON, ALSO REPLACED PITTED ROTORS. *AK

LEFT CALIPER FAILED, CAUSING EXCESSIVE WEAR TO BRAKE PAD.

LEFT CALIPER FAILED, CAUSING EXCESSIVE WEAR TO BRAKE PAD.

MASTER CYLINDER FAILED, CAUSING BRAKE PEDAL TO GO TO THE FLOOR, ALSO FRONT BRAKE ROTORS/PADS WORN AND REAR BRAKES FAILED.

MASTER CYLINDER FAILED, CAUSING BRAKE PEDAL TO GO TO THE FLOOR, ALSO FRONT BRAKE ROTORS/PADS WORN AND REAR BRAKES FAILED.

MASTER CYLINDER FAILED, CAUSING BRAKE PEDAL TO GO TO THE FLOOR, ALSO FRONT BRAKE ROTORS/PADS WORN AND REAR BRAKES FAILED.

MASTER CYLINDER FAILED, CAUSING BRAKE PEDAL TO GO TO THE FLOOR, ALSO FRONT BRAKE ROTORS/PADS WORN AND REAR BRAKES FAILED.

MASTER CYLINDER FAILED, CAUSING BRAKE PEDAL TO GO TO THE FLOOR, ALSO FRONT BRAKE ROTORS/PADS WORN AND REAR BRAKES FAILED.

REAR BRAKES FAILED AFTER MAJOR WORK WA SDONE ON VEHICLE. *AK

ABS: ANTI LOCK SYSTEM INTERFERED WITH NORMAL BRAKING; CAUSED TOTAL BRAKE FAILURE; PEDAL WENT TO FLOOR; VEHICLE STOPPED AFTER HITTING SNOWBANK. TT

VEHICLE HAS REPEATED ABS BRAKE FAILURE W/ROTORS REPLACED AND ROUND, AND (9) SETS OF PADS. VEHICLE AGAIN NEEDS BRAKES SERVICED. PLEASE DESCRIBE DETAILS. TT

VEHICLE HAS REPEATED ABS BRAKE FAILURE W/ROTORS REPLACED AND ROUND, AND (9) SETS OF PADS. VEHICLE AGAIN NEEDS BRAKES SERVICED. PLEASE DESCRIBE DETAILS. TT

VEHICLE HAS REPEATED ABS BRAKE FAILURE W/ROTORS REPLACED AND ROUND, AND (9) SETS OF PADS. VEHICLE AGAIN NEEDS BRAKES SERVICED. PLEASE DESCRIBE DETAILS. TT

THE ABS SYSTEM HAS FAILED. WHEN THE CAR IS STARTED THE SYSTEM ALWAYS GOES ON. PLEASE DESCRIBE. TT

PURCHASED NEW CAR AND HAD TO REPLACE THE FRONT ROTOR AND PADS ABOUT FOUR TIMES. *AK

BRAKE FAILURE.

RIGHT FRONT ANTI-LOCK BRAKE BROKE OFF. *SKD

THE ABS SYSTEM LIGHT KEEPS COMING ON AND THE BRAKES ARE GRINDING AND MAKING A LOT OF NOISE. PLEASE DESCRIBE. TT

ANTI-LOCK BRAKES FAILED DUE TO CONTAMINATION. *AK

BRAKE ROTORS REPLACED DUE TO BEING CUT.

METAL TO METAL SOUND WHEN APPLYING BRAKES. *SKD

BRAKE PADS REPLACED DUE TO VEHICLE SHIMMING UPON APPLYING BRAKES.

BRAKES FAIL, CAUSING VEHICLE TO SHIMMY.

FRONT BRAKE PADS/MACHINED ROTORS REPLACED DUE TO GRINDING NOISE/BRAKES PULSATING. *SKD

BRAKE PADS HAVE BEEN REPLACED SEVERAL TIMES AND THE BRAKES ARE WEARING DOWN. PLEASE DESCRIBE DETAILS. TT