1997 PONTIAC GRAND AM Service Brakes, Hydraulic Problems

1) FRONT ABS BEGAN TO PULSATE AS IF THE VEHICLE WERE IN A SKID HOWEVER THIS HAPPENED DURING NORMAL DRIVING AND BRAKING WHEN ATTEMPTING TO STOP. 2) ABS WIRING HARNESS WAS FAULTY DUE TO WEAR AND TEAR FROM TURNING THE WHEEL 3) HAD TO REPLACE BOTH FRONT RIGHT AND LEFT ABS WIRING HARNESSES THIS BRAKING SYSTEM IS FAULTY AND CAN LEAD TO SERIOUS BRAKING ISSUES. *TR

Mileage: 180,000

1) FRONT ABS BEGAN TO PULSATE AS IF THE VEHICLE WERE IN A SKID HOWEVER THIS HAPPENED DURING NORMAL DRIVING AND BRAKING WHEN ATTEMPTING TO STOP. 2) ABS WIRING HARNESS WAS FAULTY DUE TO WEAR AND TEAR FROM TURNING THE WHEEL 3) HAD TO REPLACE BOTH FRONT RIGHT AND LEFT ABS WIRING HARNESSES THIS BRAKING SYSTEM IS FAULTY AND CAN LEAD TO SERIOUS BRAKING ISSUES. *TR

Mileage: 180,000

1) FRONT ABS BEGAN TO PULSATE AS IF THE VEHICLE WERE IN A SKID HOWEVER THIS HAPPENED DURING NORMAL DRIVING AND BRAKING WHEN ATTEMPTING TO STOP. 2) ABS WIRING HARNESS WAS FAULTY DUE TO WEAR AND TEAR FROM TURNING THE WHEEL 3) HAD TO REPLACE BOTH FRONT RIGHT AND LEFT ABS WIRING HARNESSES THIS BRAKING SYSTEM IS FAULTY AND CAN LEAD TO SERIOUS BRAKING ISSUES. *TR

Mileage: 180,000

THIS IS THE WORST CAR (LEMON) I HAVE EVER HAD. I BOUGHT THIS CAR FROM A USED CAR DEALER SHIP CALLED NEW CAR ALTERNATIVE IN LIVONIA MI. I AM NOW ON MY THIRD ENGINE IN THE CAR. THE FIRST 2 FAILED DUE TO THE HEAD GASKETS BLOWING AND ANTI-FREEZE WAS MIXING WITH OIL IN THE ENGINE CAUSING ENGINE FAILURE. ALL CAR WINDOW MOTORS HAVE BE REPLACED 4 OR 5 TIMES EACH AND STILL DON'T WORK. BACK TWO DOORS ARE BROKE ONE WONT OPEN THE OTHER WONT CLOSE. THE SUNROOF WONT CLOSE THE DEALER TOLD ME 1500 TO REPLACE MOTOR AND PUT BACK ON TRACKS. LOL I HAVE THE BRAKES REPLACED 3 TIMES IN 5 YEARS. I BOUGHT THE CAR DEC OF 99 AND HAVE HAD ALL THESE PROBLEMS SINCE. I DON'T RECOMMEND ANYONE TO BUY A GRAND AM OR A CAR FROM THIS DEALERSHIP THEY WERE NO HELP AT ALL. THE FIRST ENGINE WAS COVERED BY WARRANTY SECOND ONE WAS AT MY COST OF 3500. THEN ANOTHER 1500 FOR NEW RADIATOR AND HEATER CORE. THEN ALTERNATOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. AFTER THAT I NEEDED A NEW TRANSMISSION HOSE. THIS IS SUCH BULL CRAP. WHAT A LEMON! PLUS I WAS PULLING OUT OF A GAS STATION ONE DAY AND MY AIR BAG DECIDED TO COME OUT ON IT OWN NO ACCIDENT OCCURRED AND HIT ME IN THE FACE RESULTING IN INJURIES AND I HAD TO GO TO THE HOSPITAL. *JB

Mileage: 74,000

VEHICLE IS 1997 PONTIAC GRAND AM. THE AUTOMATIC BRAKE SYSTEM HAS NEVER SEEMED TO OPERATE SMOOTHLY. THE PADS HAVE BEEN REPLACED, THE ROTORS HAVE BEEN RESURFACED AND ALSO REPLACED AND STILL BRAKES DO NOT OPERATE SMOOTHLY. WHEN BRAKING AT 70 MPH A FEELING OF BRAKING AND NON-BRAKING ALTERNATELY CAN BE NOTICED. WHEN SLOWING FROM 20 MPH TO A COMPLETE STOP A FEELING OF BRAKING AND NO-BRAKING CAN BE FELT. IT SEEMS LIKE SOMETHING IS OUT OF TIME OR ADJUSTMENT. AT THE SLOW SPEED THE DANGER IS NOT GREAT; BUT AT THE HIGHER SPEED, CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE IS A PROBLEM. CONTROL IS A MUCH GREATER PROBLEM WHEN ROADS ARE WET, SNOWY, OR ICY.*AK

VEHICLE IS 1997 PONTIAC GRAND AM. THE AUTOMATIC BRAKE SYSTEM HAS NEVER SEEMED TO OPERATE SMOOTHLY. THE PADS HAVE BEEN REPLACED, THE ROTORS HAVE BEEN RESURFACED AND ALSO REPLACED AND STILL BRAKES DO NOT OPERATE SMOOTHLY. WHEN BRAKING AT 70 MPH A FEELING OF BRAKING AND NON-BRAKING ALTERNATELY CAN BE NOTICED. WHEN SLOWING FROM 20 MPH TO A COMPLETE STOP A FEELING OF BRAKING AND NO-BRAKING CAN BE FELT. IT SEEMS LIKE SOMETHING IS OUT OF TIME OR ADJUSTMENT. AT THE SLOW SPEED THE DANGER IS NOT GREAT; BUT AT THE HIGHER SPEED, CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE IS A PROBLEM. CONTROL IS A MUCH GREATER PROBLEM WHEN ROADS ARE WET, SNOWY, OR ICY.*AK

VEHICLE IS 1997 PONTIAC GRAND AM. THE AUTOMATIC BRAKE SYSTEM HAS NEVER SEEMED TO OPERATE SMOOTHLY. THE PADS HAVE BEEN REPLACED, THE ROTORS HAVE BEEN RESURFACED AND ALSO REPLACED AND STILL BRAKES DO NOT OPERATE SMOOTHLY. WHEN BRAKING AT 70 MPH A FEELING OF BRAKING AND NON-BRAKING ALTERNATELY CAN BE NOTICED. WHEN SLOWING FROM 20 MPH TO A COMPLETE STOP A FEELING OF BRAKING AND NO-BRAKING CAN BE FELT. IT SEEMS LIKE SOMETHING IS OUT OF TIME OR ADJUSTMENT. AT THE SLOW SPEED THE DANGER IS NOT GREAT; BUT AT THE HIGHER SPEED, CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE IS A PROBLEM. CONTROL IS A MUCH GREATER PROBLEM WHEN ROADS ARE WET, SNOWY, OR ICY.*AK

RECALL CAMPAIGN; RECALL INSTALL PINION BEARING KIT, PERFORM RECALL 99091 REPLACED WIPER ARM, DEFLECTOR, BARRIER KIT. REPLACED MASTER CYLINDER AND REPLACED MASS AIR FLOW SENSOR. *BF WHEN GOING THE SPEED LIMIT AND WHEN THE CONSUMER REMOVED HIS FOOT FROM THE PEDAL, THE VEHICLE WOULD CUT OUT. *SC

ANTIFREEZE WAS LEAKING INTO THE CORE. BRAKES WERE REPLACED THREE TIMES LAST YEAR.*AK

Mileage: 133,000

WHILE DRIVING AT 50 MPH VEHICLE BEGAN TO OVERHEAT. CONSUMER HEARD SOUNDS AS IF SOME ONE HAD DROPPED MARBLES IN THE ENGINE. SOON AFTER THE VEHICLE STALLED. A MECHANIC EXAMINED THE VEHICLE, AND FOUND THAT THE TIMING CHAIN WAS DEFECTIVE. ALSO, CONSUMER HAD TO GET A NEW TRANSMISSION, AND ABS SYSTEM NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *AK

Mileage: 45,000

WHEN YOU RUN THE AIR, THE CAR STALLS AND WON'T START ANYWHERE FROM ONE HOUR TO THREE OR FOUR POSSIBLY THE NEXT DAY. THE HORN WORKS SOMETIMES, THE RAIDIO WORKS SOMETIMES AS DOES THE DISPAY, THE VOLUME GOES UP AND DOWN. THE FUEL SYSTEMS SHUTS DOWN ALONG WITH THE CAR WHEN THE AIR IS RUNNING. THE POWER WINDOW QUIT WORKING IN APRIL, I REPLACED THE ONE OF THE PASSENGER SIDE ONLY TO HAVE THE ONE ON THE DRIVER SIDE TO STOP WORKING. THE BRAKES WENT OUT WITH NO WARNING. ANYTIME THE CAR HAS ANY PROBLEMS NO LIGHTS COME ON TO WARN YOU IT WILL JUST STOP WORKING. THE SHOP THAT PUT THE USED ENGINE IN STILL CAN'T TELL ME WHY IT STARED KNOCKING. THE ETS SYSTEM COMES ON AND OFF ALL THE TIME WITHOUT PRESSING THE BUTTON, I HAVE HAD NOTHING BUT PROBLEMS WITH THE 1997 PONITAC GRAND AM GT.

Mileage: 85,000

LEFT SIDE STEERING COLUM PIN FELL OUT STEERING WHEEL ALMOST FELL OFF DASH

Mileage: 95,000

WHILE IN THE DRIVE POSITION AND STOPPED ON AN INCLINE WITH THE BREAK DEPRESSED, UPON RELEASE OF THE BRAKE THE CAR MAKES A GRINDING NOISE. TS

Mileage: 52,124

CONSUMER STATES HAS BEEN CHANGE THE BRAKES PAD MANY TIMES, GOT BROKEN EVERY MONTHS. DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. TS

FRONT DRIVERS SIDE WHEEL AREA. WHEN BRAKES WERE APPLIED, MADE A THUMPING NOISE. REPLACED DRIVER SIDE LOWER CONTROLL ARM, WAS TOLD IT WAS BAD. 3 OR 4 DAYS AFTER I PICKED UP MY CAR, I NOW HAVE A SINGLE THUMP WHEN I BRAKE AND RELEASE THE BRAKE. THIS NOISE IS SO LOUD AND SCARY SOUNDING THAT I AM ABSOLUTELY AFRAID TO DRIVE THE CAR. IT SOUNDS LIKE MY WHEEL IS READY TO FALL OFF. TAKING THE CAR BACK TO THE SHOP AGAIN TOMORROW. I READ SEVERAL REPORTS ON YOUR WEBSITE REGARDING THIS SAME ISSUE.*AK

WHEN DRIVING DOWN HILL BRAKE PEDAL GOES TO THE FLOOR. CAUSE UNKNOWN. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK

WHILE DRIVING DOWN HILL, BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR. CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO PONTIAC AND THEY REPLACED THE FRONT BRAKES PADS. WHILE DRIVING DOWN A HILL, CONSUMER COULD SMELL RUBBER BURNING, IT WAS DIFFICULT TO MAKE A STOP. CONSUMER SAW FIRE NEAR FRONT BRAKES. *AK THIS PROBLEM WAS ASSOCIATED WITH GM'S ORIGINAL PONTIAC FRONT BRAKE HOSE RESTRICTION. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED AND REPAIRED. IT LEAD TO OVERHEATING OF THE BRAKES AND FINALLY BRAKE FAILURE AND FIRE. WHILE IN MOTION THIS COULD HAVE LED TO AN ACCIDENT. *JG

CONSUMER APPLIED BRAKES AT 10 MPH, NO BRAKING ACTION, PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR. BRAKES WERE APPLIED AGAIN. THIS TIME BRAKES WERE OPERATIONAL. DEALER STATED THAT ABS COMPUTER WAS FAULTY AND HAD TO BE REPLACED.*AK

ANTI-LOCK BRAKES FAILED WHEN DRIVING DOWN HILL. BRAKES BEGAN TO SMOKE/SMELL WITH SOFT PEDAL. DEALERSHIP REPLACED PADS AND CHECKED BRAKE SYSTEM. THE NEXT DAY WHEN DRIVEN DOWN A HILL FRONT BRAKES CAUGHT FIRE. PLEASE DESCCRIBE DETAILS.*JB

CONSUMER HAS ABS BRAKE PROBLEMS FOR THREE MONTHS. REAR BRAKE DRUMS WERE TURNED, AND THREE SETS OF BRAKES SHOES WERE REPLACED. VEHICLE HA BEEN IN A TOTAL OF THREE TIMES. WHEELS LOCKED UP AT THE SLIGHTEST TOUCH OF BRAKE PRESSURE OR WHEN BRAKES OVERHEATED. DEALER WAS NOTIFIED. PLEASE PROVIDE MORE INFORMATION.*AK

CONSUMER HAS ABS BRAKE PROBLEMS FOR THREE MONTHS. REAR BRAKE DRUMS WERE TURNED, AND THREE SETS OF BRAKES SHOES WERE REPLACED. VEHICLE HA BEEN IN A TOTAL OF THREE TIMES. WHEELS LOCKED UP AT THE SLIGHTEST TOUCH OF BRAKE PRESSURE OR WHEN BRAKES OVERHEATED. DEALER WAS NOTIFIED. PLEASE PROVIDE MORE INFORMATION.*AK

WHEN APPLYING BRAKES THERE WOULD BE A POPPING NOISE PRESENT, AND BRAKES WOULD LOCK UP. THIS WOULD CAUSE THE VEHICLE TO DRIFT TO THE RIGHT INTO ANOTHER LANE. ALSO LEFT REAR AND RIGHT FRONT WINDOW WAS INOPARTIVE, ALSO THE TRANSMISSION WAS SLIPPING.*JB

CONSUMER STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING ABOUT ANY MPH, COULD STEP ON THE BRAKES PEDAL, BUT THE BRAKES WILL NOT ACTIVATE ON TIME, DEALER WAS CONTACTED. PLEASE PROVIDE MORE INFORMATION. NLM

AFTER APPLYING, CRUISE CONTROL FAILED TO DISENGAGE, THE CAR ACCELERATED OUT OF CONTROL AND WOULD NOT DISENGAGE WITH BRAKING, NEED TO TURN OFF CAR TO SLOW DOWN WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY, BARELY AVERTED CRASH.*AK

IDENTICAL TO ODI ID: 727560. CONTINUING PROBLEM DESPITE BRAKE REPLACEMENT, ADJUSTMENT. NO SAFETY DEFECT LISTED. *AK

CAR ACCELERATED TO 100+ MILES, COULD NOT BRAKE OR SLOW DOWN FOR APPROX 3 MILES, AND THEN AT FIVE MILE INTERVALS IT WOULD DROP. THIS WAS DURING RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC. I COULD NOT TURN KEY NOR SHIFT, UNTIL IT GOT DOWN TO 10-15 MILES PER HOUR. THEN I WAS ABLE TO SHIFT SO IT WOULD STOP. DEALER WAS CALLED. CAR WAS TOWED TO DEALER. DEALER SAYS THERE'S NO SIGN OF ANYTHING WRONG. BUT OF COURSE THERE IS. THIS WAS A HORRIFYING, TERRIFYING EXPERIENCE, AND I SHOOK FOR HOURS. WHEN I FINALLY GOT THE CAR TO STOP, IT SMOKED (BLACK) FROM UNDER THE HOOD. SEATBELT WAS ON. *AK I'M NOT SURE WHAT A 2-POINT OR 3-POINT BELT IS.

FRONT BRAKE ROTORS WERE PREMATURELY WEARING, AND HAVE BEEN REPLACED/ CUT DOWN FOUR TIMES, CAUSE UNKNOWN. NO INJURIES OR COLLISION HAS OCCURRED DUE TO THIS PROBLEM. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS.

VEHICLE HAS BEEN EXPERIENCING BRAKE PROBLEMS, BRAKES HAVE BEEN REPLACED TWICE, WITHIN THE LAST 4 1/2 YEARS. *JB

ABS SYSTEM IS DANGEROUS. YOU HAVE NO CONTROL OVER BRAKING WHEN ABS IS ACTIVATED. *AK

BRAKES ARE TOO SENSITIVE; WHEN TAPPING ON BRAKES CAR JERKS.*AK

AFTER APPROXIMATELY EVERY 12 MONTH THERE IS A SHUDDER TO THE CAR WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES TO STOP. THIS IS THE THIRD TIME TAKING THIS CAR AND HAVING NEW ROTORS PUT ON. DEALERSHIP STATES ROTORS KEEP WARPING.

1997 PONTIAC GRAND AM HAS MULTIPLE BRAKE PROBLEMS I HAVE REPLACED CALIPERS AND ROTORS AND PADS WITHIN 2 TO 3 WEEKS THE BRAKES START CLUNKING AND THE STOPPING DISTANCE TIME IS DECREASED.I HAVE CONTACTED THE MAIN PONTIAC COMPANY WITH NO POSITIVE RESULTS. *AK

1997 PONTIAC GRAND AM HAS MULTIPLE BRAKE PROBLEMS I HAVE REPLACED CALIPERS AND ROTORS AND PADS WITHIN 2 TO 3 WEEKS THE BRAKES START CLUNKING AND THE STOPPING DISTANCE TIME IS DECREASED.I HAVE CONTACTED THE MAIN PONTIAC COMPANY WITH NO POSITIVE RESULTS. *AK

THIS FAILURE IS PARTICULARLY BAD BECAUSE BOTH TIMES THE ABS LIGHT CAME ON ABOUT 10 MILES BEFORE THE OCCURRENCE (WHICH IN HINDSIGHT) I SEE WAS THE ONLY WARNING OF DANGER AND BOTH TIMES WERE PITCH DARK OUTSIDE, FIRST THE CAR SEEMED TO BE IN NEUTRAL IN THE DRIVE POSITION, IN THAT THE ENGINE REVVED, BUT HAD LITTLE REAL POWER AND WHILE IN ANTICIPATION (FEAR) THAT THE CAR WOULD LUNGE WHEN THE TRANSMISSION FINALLY TOOK HOLD DIDN'T COME TO FRUITION, WHAT OCCURRED COULD HAVE BEEN AS BAD. THE DASH LIGHT INDICATORS STARTED FLASHING BUT THE MAIN DASH LIGHTS SEEN FREGUENTLY (SPEEDOMETER) DISAPPEARED AND THEN I NOTICED THAT I WAS ONLY BEING GUIDED BY STREET LAMPS (SECOND OCCURENCE, I DIDN'T EVEN HAVE THAT) AND THE CAR DIED AT THE SAME TIME, MAKING ME LOSE POWER STEERING AND BRAKES AND HAVE TO GET THIS THING OFF THE ROAD. THIS CAR HAS NEVER MISSED A BEAT BEFORE THAT, BUT WHEN THIS HAPPENED THE FIRST TIME, A BUNCH OF CITY WORKERS OUT TRYING TO FIX A BURST PIPE IN THE STREET AT 5:30 A.M. WERE WATCHING THIS HAPPEN AND CAME RUNNING OVER AND SAID THAT THE WAY THIS CAR FAILED SHOULD BE REPORTED BECAUSE IT COULD HAVE BEEN BAD FOR ANY DRIVER TO LOSE CAR MANUEVERABILITY AT THE SAME TIME AS EXTERIOR LIGHTS. THE SECOND TIME, WHEN I SAW THE ABS LIGHT COME ON, I WAS PREPARED. I CALLED MY HUBBY ON THE CELL PHONE AND HE CAME AND FOLLOWED ME FROM THERE AND I HAD ABOUT 10 MILES OF DRIVETIME BEFORE MY CAR BECAME POSSESSED AGAIN. IT IS SITTING BY THE ROAD ON AN ISOLATED SECTION IN INDIANA AND I'M FEELING PRETTY DARN LUCKY.*AK

ABS: STEERING GROANS AFTER HARD BRAKING OR TIGHT HIGH/LOW-SPEED TURNS/WARNING LIGHT COMES ON; ALTERNATOR: NOT CHARGING-REPLACED TWICE; THERMOSTAT REPLACED TWICE

CONSUMER WAS DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH AND SLOWING DOWN BY APPLYING BRAKE PEDAL LIGHTLY WHEN BRAKE PEDAL COMPLETELY FELL OFF, CAUSING LOSS OF BRAKES. CONSUMER HAD TO ACCELERATE QUICKLY AND GET INTO RIGHT LANE TO GET OUT OF TRAFFIC TO PREVENT ACCIDENT. THEN, GRADUALLY APPLIED EMERGENCY BRAKE. PONTIAC DEALER STATED THAT 30 CENT CLIP BROKE WHICH CAUSED THE BRAKE PEDAL TO FALL.*AK

CONSUMER WAS DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH AND SLOWING DOWN BY APPLYING BRAKE PEDAL LIGHTLY WHEN BRAKE PEDAL COMPLETELY FELL OFF, CAUSING LOSS OF BRAKES. CONSUMER HAD TO ACCELERATE QUICKLY AND GET INTO RIGHT LANE TO GET OUT OF TRAFFIC TO PREVENT ACCIDENT. THEN, GRADUALLY APPLIED EMERGENCY BRAKE. PONTIAC DEALER STATED THAT 30 CENT CLIP BROKE WHICH CAUSED THE BRAKE PEDAL TO FALL.*AK

COOLANT IS LEAKING ONTO RACK AND PINION, DETERIORATING THE RACK AND PINION, AND MAKING IT VERY DIFFICULT TO STEER VEHICLE WHEN MAKING A TURN. ALSO, THERE IS ALOT OF PLAY IN THE STEERING WHEEL AND NOISE WHEN TURNING. POWER STEERING HOSE HAS GONE BAD. CONSUMER HAS CONTACTED DEALER. *AK POWERE STEERING HOSE AND WATER PUMP LEAKED CAUSING RACK AND PINION DAMAGE. FRONT BRAKE SHOES FAILED. *YH

WHEN TRAVELING IN WET WEATHER, WHEN BRAKES APPLIED, IT IS LIKE A COMPLETE BRAKE FAILURE. UNREASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE BRAKES TO BEGIN GRIPPING...IT IS AS IF THE BRAKES ARE SATURATED WITH WATER.NO BRAKING ACTION FOR WHAT I BELIEVE IS AN UNSAFE PERIOD OF TIME. THIS HAS NEVER HAPPENED IN ANY OTHER CAR I HAVE DRIVEN. IT IS AS IF THE DISCS ARE COMPLETELY EXOSED TO WATER. MECHANIC SAYS NOTHING WRONG WITH BRAKES. *AK

TAPPED BRAKES TO SLOW DOWN AND ABS BRAKES LOCKED UP. VEHICLE WENT OVER AN EMBANKMENT & ROLLED OVER. VEHICLE DECLARED TOTALED. PRIOR TO ACCIDENT, VEHICLE WAS IN REPAIR SHOP TWICE FOR BRAKE FAILURE. STATE TROOPER & INDEPENDENT MECHANIC INDICATED BRAKES WERE LOCKED UP AFTER ACCIDENT. EMERGENCY ROOM TREATMENT. *AK

ANTI-LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM LOCKED UP WHEN BRAKE IS APPLIED. YH

ANTI-LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM LOCKED UP WHEN BRAKE IS APPLIED. YH

BRAKE SYSTEM FAILURE CAUSED THE BRAKES TO GRAB AND LOCKED RESULTING IN ACCIDENT AND INJURY. YH

BRAKE SYSTEM FAILURE CAUSED THE BRAKES TO GRAB AND LOCKED RESULTING IN ACCIDENT AND INJURY. YH

TH NEXT YEAR AFTER I PURCHASED MY CAR, I BEGAN TO LOSE COMPRESSION. THE CAR WOULD ALSO ACCELERATE ON ITS OWN, I NOTICED THAT MY "CHECK ENGINE LIGHTS WERE ON." I IMMEDIATELY TOOK THE CAR BACK TO THE DEALERS AND THEY GAVE A DIAGNOSIS OF "USING THE WRONG GAS". I AM A WOMEN, AND I DON'T KNOW MUCH ABOUT CARS, THEREFORE, AT THE TIME, I DID NOT DISPUTE THIS RIDICULOUS DIAGNOSIS. A YEAR LATER, I HAD TO REPLACE THE BRAKES/DISC PADS TWICE. THERE WAS LOUD SQUELCHING NOISES. I ALSO BOUGHT NEW TIRES AFTER ONE YEAR. MAJOR PROBLEMS HAVE DEVELOPED SINCE 1999, WHICH ARE: I HAD TO HAVE THE THERMOSTAT REPLACED (AIR CONDITION AND HEAT STOPPED WORKING), I HAD TO HAVE A NEW WATERPUMP INSTALLED (CAR WAS POURING ANTI-FREEZE AND SMOKING), AND AS OF FEBRUARY 6, 2000, THE CAR JUST COMPLETELY STOPPED RUNNING. I RECEIVED TWO QOUTES FROM AREA REPAIR SHOPS ESTIMATING BETWEEN $3K TO $4,500 TO REBUILD AND ENGINE! I HAVE EXHAUSTED MYSELF CONTACTING FRED JONES (SPOKE TO HIM PERSONALLY) OF FRED JONES PONTIAC, AND THEIR CUSTOMER CARE CENTER. PLEASE HELP ME! ALSO, I READ ON YOUR SITE THAT THERE WAS A RECALL ON THIS VEHICLE FOR UNDERHOOD FIRES - I NEVER RECEIVED A RECALL LETTER AND MY CAR WAS NEVER TAKEN IN! I AM VERY CONCERNED THAT BESIDES THIS MAKE OF CAR BEING A LEMON, THIS MAY HAVE ALSO CONTRIBUTED TO MY PROBLEMS. PLEASE HELP ME!!! *AK

CONTACTED DEALER GOT NO HELP...CONTACTED FACTORY GOT NO HELP. NO SAFETY DEFECT LISTED IN SUMMARY.

HAVE TAKEN THIS CAR TO DEALER FOUR TIMES FOR ROTORS. FIFTH SET NOW WARPING AFTER 6K MILES. HAVE HEARD ALL REASONS WHY IT COULD HAPPEN (MY FAULT) AND ALL BRAKE COMPONENTS (SUPPOSEDLY) CHECK OUT AS O.K. SERVICE MANAGER SAYS HE HAS REPLACED THEM "OUT OF THE GOODNESS OF HIS HEART" AND WILL NOT REPLACE THEM AGAIN. FACTORY REP SAYS THE LUG NUTS ON THE 4TH SET WERE OVER TORQUED (BY GOODYEAR) AND CAUSED WARPING. HE HAD NEW ROTORS PUT ON WHEN IT WAS PROVED TO HIM THAT THE DEALERSHIP DID IT. I PAID TO HAVE NEW PADS INSTALLED TO HAVE EVERYTHING NEW. OLD PADS WERE NOT EXCESSIVELY WORN. FEELING THE SAME SURGING, LURCHING IN THE FRONT END AT LOW SPEEDS - NOT THE PEDAL - FOR 2K MILES. IT'S HAPPENING AGAIN - JUST DON'T HAVE IT IN ME TO FIGHT THE DEALERSHIP AGAIN. PAID FOR AN EXTENDED WARRANTY AND HAVE HAD TO BATTLE TO GET REPAIRS COVERED. ORIGINAL SET WARPED AT 5-6K, BUT WAS TOLD IT WAS ABS. CAR WAS DANGEROUS TO DRIVE, MANAGER SAID THEY WERE WARPED & I'D HAVE TO RESURFACE THEM - AT MY EXPENSE, NOT! REPLACED ROTORS UNDER WARRANTY AT 30K - OUT OF SPECS, AGAIN AT39K, AGAIN AT 42K, AGAIN AT 48K. COUNTING THE ORIGINAL SET I'M ON THE 5TH SET AND HAVE ONLY 5K MORE MILES ON THE WARRANTY. HAVE NEVER SMELLED HOT FLUIDS OR METAL, OR FELT EXCESSIVE HEAT, WHEELS DO NOT SHOW DISCOLORATION FROM HEAT. PLEASE HELP. *AK

REAR BRAKES BIND DURING NORMAL STOP AND GO TRAFFIC. UPON ACCELLERATION THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE SQUEALS AND 1 OR 2 LOUD BANGS ARE HEARD AS THE BRAKES RELEASE. DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE AND UNABLE TO DETECT ANY BRAKE PROBLEMS. VEHICLES ALTERNATOR FAILED WITHOUT ANY TELTALE WARNING SIGNS, STRANDING THE CONSUMER. 60 DAYS LATER THE BATTERY DIES. ENGINE USED TO REV TO ABOUT 1500 RPM WHILE VEHICLE WAS STOPPED AND IN GEAR. REPLACEMENT OF 02 SENSOR CURED PROBLEM. OTHER MINOR PROBLEMS INCLUDE POWER DOOR LOCK BUMPER FAILURE (REPAIRED) AND POOR DESIGN OF THE DRIVER'S SUN VISOR. (IT MOVES THE REAR-VIEW MIRROR) WHEN MOVING VISOR FROM WINDSHIELD TO SIDE WINDOW. CONSUMER HAS ALREADY REPLACED VISOR ONCE DUE TO CRACKS AT MOUNTING SCREWS. *AK

DRIVING IN CITY AND WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKE FOR A NORMAL STOP, THE PEDAL IS HARD AND BRAKES FAIL TO RESPOND CORRECTLY. VEHICLE HAS BEEN BACK TO THE DEALER 7 TIMES FOR REPAIRS, BUT DEALER IS NOT ABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM OR SO HELP. *AK

FRONT BRAKES OVERHEAT, ROTORS WARP

WHEN DRIVING AT ANY SPEED AND APPLYING BRAKES THERE IS A GRINDING AND SQUEAKING NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE WHEEL, AND WHEN COASTING DOWN A HILL AND APPLYING BRAKES THE GRINDING AND SQUEAKING NOISE IS STILL ALSO, AIR CONDITOONING HOSE/ RADIATOR HOSE ,AND THE ALTERNATOR HAD BE REPLACED. HOWEVER., DEALER CAN'T DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF PROBLEMS. *AK

WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE WILL SUDDENLY ACCELERATE, AND THE BRAKES WILL NOT SLOW THE VEHICLE DOWN. HAD TO TURN OFF THE VEHICLE A COUPLE OF TIMES IN ORDER TO STOP. DEALER REPLACE COMPUTER TWICE. DEALER CANNOT DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM. OCCURRED 3 TIMES. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK

CAR TRIES TO DIE AS ATTEMPTING TO TAKE OFF IN A INTERSECTION OR FROM A STOP. I'VE HAD IN THE SHOP 3 TIMES AND NEVER HAS BEEN FIXED. PARKING BRAKE DOESN'T ENGAGE UNLESS PULLED TO LAST CLICK. ALL OF THE ROTORS AND BRAKE PADS HAVE BEEN REPLACED. POWER STEERING PUMP. AND OIL PUMP REPACED. SERVICE PERSON AT BOB HOWARD TOLD ME MY CAR WOU.IS CAR SINCE PURCHASE. I'M PLANNING ON TAKING IT BACK FOR ITS 4TH TIME. PLEASE HELP. *AK

WHEN BRAKING, THE VEHICLE PULSATES AS IF SOMETHING IS OUT-OF-ROUND. THE SENSATION ORIGINATES IN THE FRONT END (MAYBE FROM THE ROTOR). *AK

WHEN BRAKING, THE VEHICLE PULSATES AS IF SOMETHING IS OUT-OF-ROUND. THE SENSATION ORIGINATES IN THE FRONT END (MAYBE FROM THE ROTOR). *AK

WHEN DRIVING AND DRIVER PRESSES THE ACCELERATOR, VEHICLE WILL STALL AND THEN ALL OF A SUDDEN ACCELERATE AND TAKE OFF. VEHICLE WAS AT DEALERSHIP, AND THEY REPLACED FUEL PUMP/OIL PUMP AND COMPUTER ANALYSIS WERE DONE. RECENTLY BRAKES SEEMED TO BE PERFORMING POORLY. UPON BRAKING, STOPPING DISTANCE EXCEEDED APPROXIMATELY HALF CAR LENGTH. PLEASE ADD VIN.#. *AK

WHEN DRIVING AT ANY SPEED AND APPLYING THE BRAKES THERE IS A SQUEAKING NOISE, AND THE BRAKES ARE HARD. CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER, AND DEALER DETERMINED THAT THE ROTORS HAD TO BE CHANGED BECAUSE THE ROTORS WORE OUT. *AK

WHILE DRIVING ABOUT 30 MPH AND WHEN WHEN APPLYING BRAKE PEDAL TO STOP OR REDUCE SPEED, THE BRAKES MAKE NOISE LIKE GRINDING METAL TO METAL. ALSO HAD REPLACED BRAKES ROTORS FOUR TIMES. *AK

WHILE DRIVING ABOUT 30 MPH AND WHEN WHEN APPLYING BRAKE PEDAL TO STOP OR REDUCE SPEED, THE BRAKES MAKE NOISE LIKE GRINDING METAL TO METAL. ALSO HAD REPLACED BRAKES ROTORS FOUR TIMES. *AK

BREAKS WEAR OUT PREMATURELY. NLM

DEFECTS CONSIST OF THE BRAKES FAILURE. WE TOK THE CAR BACK DUE TO THE BRAKES SCRUBBING, PEDAL WANTS TO SPRING BACK, FRONT ROTORS BLUE,REPAIRED BRAKES. WON'T STOP BEEN IN SEVERAL TIMES FOR THE SAME PROBLEM, PEDAL GOES ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR, DOES NOT HAPPEN ALL THE TIME. REAR POPPING SOUND, CHANGED THE SHOCKS , CHECK BRAKES, HAS THUMPING NOISE WHEN APPLYING BRAKES, WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE AT SPEED AT 45 MILES IT WILL NOT STOP, EVEN WHEN YOU PUMP THE BRAKES. I THOUGHT THE ANTI BRAKES ARE NOT SUPPOSE TO BE PUMPED. PLEASE HELP, I AM AT THE LAST RESORT OF THIS SITUATION. THANK YOU MRS VICKY L. MILES. *AK

WHILE DRIVING IN LOW SPEED AND APPLYING THE BRAKES, THE ROTORS BECAME WARPED, CAUSING THE BRAKES TO BE NOISY. *AK

WHEN DRIVING AT ANY SPEED AND APPLYING THE BRAKES THERE IS A LOUD SQUEAKY NOISE COMING FROM THE BRAKES. *AK

THE VEHICLE IDLES HIGH WHEN IT IS FIRST STARTED AND WHILE DRIVING. IT IDLES ANYWHERE BETWEEN IT IDLES 1000-1500 RPM'S. THE BRAKES AUTOMATICALLY PUMP THEMSELVES WHEN THIS HAPPENS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO DEALERSHIP, WHERE THE DEALER CORRECTED THE PROBLEM BY REPLACING A COMPUTER CHIP. THE VEHICLE IS DOING THE SAME THING AGAIN.*AK

WHITE LEAVING A PARKING LOT AND APPLYING BRAKES AT STOP SIGN, MOTOR REVVED TO 3000 RPM AND ANTILOCK BRAKES STARTED PUMPING. HAD TO SHIFT CAR INTO NEUTRAL TO AVOID HITTING CAR IN FRONT OF ME. MOTOR REVVED FOR ABOUT ONE MINUTE BEFORE RETURING TO NORMAL IDLE. THIS HAS HAPPENED NUMEROUS TIMES AND ALWAYS AT STARTUP. FRONT BRAKES WERE REPLACED AT 30,000 MILES BY THE DEALER AND WAS NOT COVERED UNDER MANUFACTURER WARRANY. DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED ABOUT BRAKE PROBLEMS AND VEHICLE HAS BEEN INTO DEALER MANY TIMES FOR BRAKE RELATED COMPLAINTS.

ENGINE IDLES AT 3000 RPM FOR REASONS UNKNOWN. ALSO ONCE BRAKE IS RELEASED VEHICLE WILL RAPIDLY ACCELERATE TO 60 MPH. DEALERS HAS REPLACED COMPUTER MODULE WHICH DID NOT CORRECT PROBLEM. VEHICLE ALSO HAS BRAKE PROBLEMS. *AK

BRAKE ROTORS CONTINUALLY OVERHEAT AND WARP DUE TO DESIGN FLAW (LACK OF VENTILLATION).

THERE IS VIBRATION IN THE BRAKES WHEN APPLIED. ALSO PULSATING FEELING WHEN BRAKES ARE APPLIED WHICH RESULTED IN TOTAL BRAKE FAILURE. DEALERS ARE UNABLE TO CORRECT PROBLEM. *AK ROTORS AND PADS HAVE BEEN REPLACED DUE TO WARPAGE, HOWEVER BRAKES CONTINUE TO MAKE NOISE, CONSUMER WAS INFORMED AT ONE TIME THAT THE BOLTS IN THE FRONT BRAKES WERE BENT, BRAKES STILL DO NOT OPERATE PROPERLY AND CONSUMER DOES NOT FEEL SAFE. *SLC

VEHICLE DID NOT SLOW DOWN WHEN BRAKES WERE APPLIED. ALL FOUR WHEELS LOCKED, NO PUMPING ACTION, PEDAL WAS COMPLETELY STIFF. VEHICLE HIT A PARKED CAR WHILE TRAVELING DOWN HILL ABOUT 75MPH. DEALER CANNOT DUPLICATE PROBLEM. *AK

REAR BRAKES HAVE CONTINUALLY FAILED CAUSING VEHICLE TO SWERVE ON OCCASIONS.

BRAKES FAILED ON ONE OCCASION, NO PROBLEMS FOUND WITH SYSTEM.

ABS BRAKES FAILED TWICE.

ABD BRAKES FAILED. PEDAL WENT ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR WITHOUT STOPPING.

EXPERIENCE HARD BARKING THE CAR WITH SYMPTOMS INDICATING ANTI-BRAKE SYSTEM MALFUNCTION.

ABS SYSTEM MALFUNCTIONS INTERMITTENTLY.

ANTI LOCK BRAKES CONTINUE TO EXPERIENCE BRAKE FADING, REPAIRS MADE HOWEVER CONTINUES.

BRAKES PADS REPLACED DUE TO NOISE.

ANTI LOCK BRAKES NOT FUNCTIONING PROPERLY.

BRAKES: WHEN DRIVING AND ATTEMPTING TO STOP THE CAR, HAS TO PUSH PEDAL COMPLETELY TO THE FLOOR BEFORE THE CAR WILL STOP. BEGINNING TO MAKE GRINDING NOISE WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES. IN ADDITION, HEADLIGHTS WILL NOT CPME ON ON CERTAIN TIMES/SEAT BELT TWISTS ALL THE TIME AND TICKING NOISE FROM ENGINE AREA. *AK *AK

WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH AND APPLYING THE ABS BRAKES ON NORMAL ROAD CONDITIONS THE PEDAL TRAVELED TO THE FLOOR, CAUSING EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE WHICH RESULTED IN A REAR END COLLISION. THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED, BUT THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS. *AK

MASTER CYLINDER HAS NOT WORKED SINCE THE PURCHASE OF THE VEHICLE.