100 of the 587 complaints about the 1995 Pontiac Grand AM are about the braking system — 17% of everything reported for this model year. Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before 80,103 miles.
100
Complaints
14
Crashes
0
Fires
4
Injuries
Filed with NHTSA, in their own words.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
CONSUMER COMPLAINT REGARDING 1995 GRAND AM THEFT. *TS THE CONSUMER LISTED BRAKES AS A POSSIBLE PROBLEM ON HIS VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #10147543 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
1995 PONTIAC GRAND AM OVERHEATING. REPLACED THE THERMOSTAT FOUR TIMES AND FINALLY THE HEAD GASKETS WARPED. PAID FOR THE HEAD GASKET REPLACEMENT. CONTINUED TO OVERHEAT AND CALLED GENERAL MOTORS. MEDIATOR WAS OF VERY LITTLE HELP. TOOK IT BACK UNDER THE REPAIR WARRANTY, THEN THE RADIATOR BLEW BECAUSE THEY HAD REPLACED THE RADIATOR CAP WITH A HIGHER PRESSURE RATING. WE TOOK IT BACK AND THEY REPLACED THE RADIATOR, HOSES, HEATER CORE AND NUMEROUS OTHER THINGS. IT CONTINUED TO OVERHEAT. IN GENERAL WE HAVE SPENT ABOUT $2500.00 AND STILL HAVE THIS ISSUE. ADDITIONALLY, WE NOW HAVE THE ABS WARNING LIGHT COMING ON OCCASIONALLY AND I FOUND SOME ENGINE WIRES TWISTED UP OVER THE MANIFOLD. I HAVE SINCE MOVED THEM BACK TO THEIR ORIGINAL LOCATION AND HAD TO USE ELECTRICAL TAPE ON ANOTHER WIRE CONNECTION THAT THE LOCK (SNAP) WAS BROKE OFF. SINCE DOING THIS I HAVE NOT HAD THE CAR OVERHEATING AS OFTEN. ADDITIONALLY SINCE REPAIRS WERE MADE, WE NOW HAVE HEAVY CONDENSATION ON THE INTERIOR WINDSHIELD, (WINDOW WIPERS ON THE INSIDE COULD BE A SOLUTION...) ALONG WITH PUDDLES OF WATER ON THE PASSENGER FLOOR AND IN THE TRUNK....GOD ONLY KNOWS WHAT THEY DID TO MY CAR AFTER I CALLED GENERAL MOTORS, EVERYTHING JUST SEEMED TO GET WORSE FROM THERE.. COINCIDENCE, I THINK NOT. THEY ARE NOW BANKRUPT SO THERE IS NO RECOURSE IN MY CASE OF RETRIEVING MONEY NEEDLESSLY SPENT ON REPAIRS THEY SHOULD HAVE FIXED PROPERLY IN THE FIRST PLACE. AND WHILE I'M AT IT, I WONDER IF THEY EVER TOOK CAR OF THAT IGNITION RECALL? I AM STILL DRIVING THE CAR WHEN IT IS BEHAVING BUT I HAVE BEEN HAVING TO HOLD THE IGNITION SWITCH TO GET THE CAR TO START WHICH I HADN'T HAD TO DO BEFORE... ARE THEY WAITING FOR MY CAR TO CATCH ON FIRE DUE TO THIS IGNITION PROBLEM? THE SMARTEST THING WOULD BE TO TAKE IT TO SOMEONE ELSE BUT NO ONE WANTS TO TOUCH THE CAR AFTER FINDING OUT IT WAS AT THE OTHER DEALERSHIP SO WHERE DO I GO NOW? AND A REPLY ON THAT SURE WOULD BE A BIG HELP!
NHTSA complaint #10144193 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
WE HAVE HAD A PROBLEM WITH THE WINDOWS NOT WORKING. WE'VE HAD TO PUSH UP THE WINDOW WITH OUR HANDS WHILE PUSHING THE POWER WINDOW BUTTON AND IT DOESN'T CLOSE ALL THE WAY. NOW IT DOES NOT WORK AT ALL. ALSO WE HAVE PROBLEMS WITH THE HEADLIGHTS STAYING ON. WE NOTICED IF WE PLAY WITH THE MULTIFUNCTION SWITCH (LIKE TURNING THE HIGH BEAMS ON AND OFF) THEN THE HEADLIGHTS WILL COME BACK ON AFTER A FEW TRIES. WE RECENTLY REPLACED ALL 4 BRAKES AND NOW THE ABS LIGHT IS ON AND STAYS ON. DEALER STATED THAT THERE'S NOTHING WRONG WITH THE ABS BRAKES.
NHTSA complaint #10088876 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
I HAVE REPLACED THESE ITEMS OR HAD THEM REPLACED. 1.HEATER CORE 2.BELT TENSIONER 3.ALTERNATOR TWICE 4.FULEPUMP 5.BREAKS BACK BREAKS ARE NEVER RIGHT. CAUSES RIGHT BACK TO STOPE ROLLING 6.GAS HAND DOES NOT WORK 7.CAR LOSES POWER THAN REGAINS POWER AND SURGES 8.AFTER STARTING CAR THERE IS A LOUD KNOCKING UNDER CAR, POSSIBLY TORQ CONVERTER 9.STARTER SOUNDS BAD WHEN CAR IS GETTING STARTED 10.RIGHT FRONT AXEL IS BAD WOBBLES AND RUINS TIRE 11. CLEAR COAT PAINT IS CHIPPING 12.POWER LOCKS DO NOT WORK 13.WINDOW TRACK ON DRIVERSIDE BAD 14.SEAL IN TRUNCK IS BAD LEAKS
NHTSA complaint #10069670 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
WE HAVE HAD THE CRANK SHAFT SENSOR REPLACED ,AND THAT COST US TWO TRIPS TO A MECHANIC TO FIGURE THAT PROBLEM OUT. THE TIMING BELT CHANGED TWICE, ANOTHER MOTOR PUT IN THIS YEAR, NEW ALTENATOR, NEW RADIATOR, FUEL PUMP, WATER PUMP,AND A NEW THROTTLE POSITION SENSOR. WE STILL HAVE AN OIL LEAK, WE NEED NEW STRUTS AND WE CONTINUALLY HAVE PROBLEMS WITH THE BRAKES. NOT TO LEAVE OUT THAT WHEN WE BOUGHT THE CAR WE HAD TO HAVE THE HEATER COIL REPLACED. THE DOOR LOCK DOES NOT WORK ON THE PASSENGER SIDE AND THE MOTOR MOUNT IS BROKE. I AM SURE THERE ARE OTHER THINGS I HAVE LEFT OUT BUT I CAN NOT THINK OF EVERYTHING RIGHT NOW. WHAT GOT ME TO THE POINT OF SENDING A COMPLAINT IS THAT WE JUST REPLACED THE RADIATOR 08/02/03, AND WE SEEM TO HAVE TO REPLACE SOMETHING EVERY MONTH OR SO, AND THERE DOES NOT SEEM TO BE ONE PART ON THIS CAR THAT DOES NOT COST A BUNDLE. IS THERE ANYWAY TO GET ANY OF MY MONEY BACK FOR ALL OF THIS? I'M SURE NOT BUT THERE OUGHT TO BE A WAY TO LET OTHER PEOPLE KNOW ABOUT PONTIAC GRAND-AM QUAD 4 (2.3) IT'S A PIECE OF _ _ _ _ !!!!!
NHTSA complaint #10070641 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR
WHILE APPLYING THE BRAKES THEY LOCKED UP. CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER FOR INSPECTION, AND MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT ROTORS AND BRAKE PEDAL NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AND REPLACED THEM. HOWEVER, PROBLEM RECURRED. *AK
NHTSA complaint #10067169 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:PEDALS AND LINKAGES
WHILE APPLYING THE BRAKES THEY LOCKED UP. CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER FOR INSPECTION, AND MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT ROTORS AND BRAKE PEDAL NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AND REPLACED THEM. HOWEVER, PROBLEM RECURRED. *AK
NHTSA complaint #10067169 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
WHEN BRAKES WERE DEPRESSED THERE WAS A HESITATION IN BRAKING THAT RESULTED IN EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE.
NHTSA complaint #10032353 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
ABS BRAKES. *NLM
NHTSA complaint #10019142 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
THE BRAKE SYSTEM FAILS WITH THE PEDAL GOING SOFT TO THE FLOOR. WHEN THE PROBLEM FIXES ITSELF THE BRAKES ARE STILL SOFT AND THEN YOU HAVE THE BRAKES TO THE FLOOR AND THE SYSTEM SLAMS ON THE BRAKES. THIS ONLY HAPPENS AT SPEEDS LESS THAN 15 MPH, ALL ABS SENSORS HAVE BEEN CHANGED AND IT STILL HAPPENS. ABS LIGHT COMES ON DASH, BUT TECH'S CAN'T FIND A PROBLEM. WHEN SLOW BACKING YOU CAN HEAR BRAKES WORKING THOUGH YOUR NOT TOUCHING THEM. FELL FREE TO CONTACT AT NUMBERS LISTED FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION OR TO GIVE INSIGHT AS TO PROBLEM AS TECH'S CAN'T FIGURE IT OUT. *MR *NLM *DIMSII IVOQ ENTRY POSTED AFTER 12/12/02 CUT-OVER TO ARTEMIS*730195
NHTSA complaint #10006370 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, AIR
CONSUMER STATES WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE THEN STOPPING AT A STOP SIGN,THE VEHICLE BRAKES WOULD LOCK UP. ALSO CONSUMER STATES VEHICLE HEADLIGHTS DOES NOT WORK ONLY HIGH BEAMS. TS
NHTSA complaint #10002385 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS
CONSUMER STATED THAT THE BRAKES WENT OUT, AFTER THE DEALER CHECKED THEM THE SECOND TIME.
NHTSA complaint #564872 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS
MASTER CYLINDER HAVE BEEN REPLACE TWICE.
NHTSA complaint #9004581 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
I HAVE BEEN HAVING AN INTERMITTENT PROBLEM WITH THE BRAKES ON MY 1995 PONTIAC GRAND AM. OCCASIONALLY, WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES I HEAR A RAPID CLICKING SOUND AND THE BRAKE PEDAL IMMEDIATELY RELEASES AND GOES TO THE FLOOR. AT THAT POINT THE CAR IS WITHOUT BRAKES, AN OBVIOUSLY UNSAFE AND UNACCEPTABLE SITUATION. I HAVE TAKEN THE CAR TO THE LOCAL PONTIAC DEALERSHIP ( MASTER PONTIAC BUICK GMC) TWICE FOR THIS PROBLEM. THEY HAVE TOLD ME THAT THEY CANT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM AND ARE THEREFORE UNABLE TO FIX THE CAR. WHEN I SPOKE WITH THE SERVICE MANAGER HE AGREED THAT THE CLICKING SOUND THAT PRECEDES THE LOSS OF BRAKING COULD INDICATE A PROBLEM WITH A RELAY. HOWEVER HE INSISTS THAT THEY CANT DIAGNOSE A PROBLEM WITH A RELAY UNTIL IT FAILS COMPLETELY. I SINCERELY DOUBT THAT I AM THE ONLY PERSON OWNING A 1995 PONTIAC GRAND AM WHO HAS EVER HAD THIS BRAKING PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #751863 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
THE BRAKE SYSTEM ON THIS CAR HAS HAD PROBLEMS FROM DAY ONE, AT APPROX. 3,000 MI. THE ABS SYSTEM LIGHT CAME ON AND WAS "REPAIRED" UNDER WARRANTY. AT APPROX. 5,000 MI. THE ABS/BRAKE WARNING LIGHT BOTH CAME ON THE DEALER KEPT THE CAR FOR 2 1/2 DAYS "REPARING THE SYSTEM". THE ONLY PROBLEMS UP UNTILL NOW HAVE BEEN THE ABS/BRAKE WARNING LIGHT BOTH COMING ON AT THE SAME TIME, TURNING THE CAR OFF AND BACK ON WOULD CLEAR THE LIGHTS AND SEEM TO CLEAR THE PROBLEM. AT ABOUT 48,000 MI. THE PEDEL WOULD OCCASIONALY DROP VERY CLOSE TO THE FLOOR WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES(MORE SO UNDER LIGHT BRAKING). NOW THE PEDAL MUST BE PUSHED TO THE FLOOR TO SLOW AND STOP. AS OF TODAYS BRAKE INSPECTION, MY LOCAL MECHANIC TELLS ME TO TAKE IT BACK TO THE DEALER, BECAUSE THERE IS SOMTHING WRONG WITH THE MASTER CYLINDER/ABS MODULATOR.
NHTSA complaint #747236 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:MASTER CYLINDER
THE BRAKE SYSTEM ON THIS CAR HAS HAD PROBLEMS FROM DAY ONE, AT APPROX. 3,000 MI. THE ABS SYSTEM LIGHT CAME ON AND WAS "REPAIRED" UNDER WARRANTY. AT APPROX. 5,000 MI. THE ABS/BRAKE WARNING LIGHT BOTH CAME ON THE DEALER KEPT THE CAR FOR 2 1/2 DAYS "REPARING THE SYSTEM". THE ONLY PROBLEMS UP UNTILL NOW HAVE BEEN THE ABS/BRAKE WARNING LIGHT BOTH COMING ON AT THE SAME TIME, TURNING THE CAR OFF AND BACK ON WOULD CLEAR THE LIGHTS AND SEEM TO CLEAR THE PROBLEM. AT ABOUT 48,000 MI. THE PEDEL WOULD OCCASIONALY DROP VERY CLOSE TO THE FLOOR WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES(MORE SO UNDER LIGHT BRAKING). NOW THE PEDAL MUST BE PUSHED TO THE FLOOR TO SLOW AND STOP. AS OF TODAYS BRAKE INSPECTION, MY LOCAL MECHANIC TELLS ME TO TAKE IT BACK TO THE DEALER, BECAUSE THERE IS SOMTHING WRONG WITH THE MASTER CYLINDER/ABS MODULATOR.
NHTSA complaint #747236 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
CONSUMER WAS TRAVELING AT APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH WHEN SHE ATTEMPTED TO APPLY BRAKES, BUT BRAKE PEDAL HAD DISCONNECTED AND WAS LAYING ON THE FLOORBOARD.VEHICLE WENT THROUGH A 4 WAY STOP DUE TO A LACK OF BRAKES. DEALERSHIP WAS EXAMINING VEHICLE. *AK *SLC
NHTSA complaint #891022 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:PEDALS AND LINKAGES
CONSUMER WAS TRAVELING AT APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH WHEN SHE ATTEMPTED TO APPLY BRAKES, BUT BRAKE PEDAL HAD DISCONNECTED AND WAS LAYING ON THE FLOORBOARD.VEHICLE WENT THROUGH A 4 WAY STOP DUE TO A LACK OF BRAKES. DEALERSHIP WAS EXAMINING VEHICLE. *AK *SLC
NHTSA complaint #891022 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS
CONSUMER STATES ENTIRE BRAKE SYSTEM WAS CHANGED.
NHTSA complaint #560905 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
BRAKES WORK ONLY INTERMITTENTLY. WHEN APPYING BRAKES VEHICLE WILL SHAKE BADLY. ACCIDENT DUE TO BRAKE FAILURE, DAMAGE TO VEHICLE $ 4000. *AK
NHTSA complaint #888025 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC
BRAKES WORK ONLY INTERMITTENTLY. WHEN APPYING BRAKES VEHICLE WILL SHAKE BADLY. ACCIDENT DUE TO BRAKE FAILURE, DAMAGE TO VEHICLE $ 4000. *AK
NHTSA complaint #888025 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
BRAKES FAILED CAR TRAVELED INTO INTERSECTION NO TRAFFIC ACCIDENT AVOIDED. DEALER FOUND NO DEFECTS. CORP AMERICAN AHOLES.
NHTSA complaint #733602 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC
WHEN THE BRAKE IS APPLIED IT WORKS UP UNTIL YOU ARE JUST GETTING READY TO STOP, AT THAT POINT THE CAR SLIDES AND THEN THE BRAKES GRAB VERY HARD. IT TAKES EXTRA DISTANCE TO GET THE CAR TO A COMPLETE STOP. I'VE HAD THE FRONT BRAKES REPLACED & THE BACK BRAKES ADJUSTED. NEITHER HELPED. SINCE THIS ISN'T A CONSISTANT PROBLEM IT'S NEVER DONE IT FOR THE DEALER THEREFORE, THEY CAN'T DETECT THE PROBLEM. I FILED A COMPLAINT WITH PONTIAC. THEY TOLD ME THERE WASN'T ANYTHING THAT COULD BE DONE UNTIL THE DEALER DIAGNOSIS THE PROBLEM. THE CAR IS VERY UNSAFE TO DRIVE.
NHTSA complaint #720757 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
WHEN THE BRAKE IS APPLIED IT WORKS UP UNTIL YOU ARE JUST GETTING READY TO STOP, AT THAT POINT THE CAR SLIDES AND THEN THE BRAKES GRAB VERY HARD. IT TAKES EXTRA DISTANCE TO GET THE CAR TO A COMPLETE STOP. I'VE HAD THE FRONT BRAKES REPLACED & THE BACK BRAKES ADJUSTED. NEITHER HELPED. SINCE THIS ISN'T A CONSISTANT PROBLEM IT'S NEVER DONE IT FOR THE DEALER THEREFORE, THEY CAN'T DETECT THE PROBLEM. I FILED A COMPLAINT WITH PONTIAC. THEY TOLD ME THERE WASN'T ANYTHING THAT COULD BE DONE UNTIL THE DEALER DIAGNOSIS THE PROBLEM. THE CAR IS VERY UNSAFE TO DRIVE.
NHTSA complaint #720757 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DRUM
WHEN THE BRAKE IS APPLIED IT WORKS UP UNTIL YOU ARE JUST GETTING READY TO STOP, AT THAT POINT THE CAR SLIDES AND THEN THE BRAKES GRAB VERY HARD. IT TAKES EXTRA DISTANCE TO GET THE CAR TO A COMPLETE STOP. I'VE HAD THE FRONT BRAKES REPLACED & THE BACK BRAKES ADJUSTED. NEITHER HELPED. SINCE THIS ISN'T A CONSISTANT PROBLEM IT'S NEVER DONE IT FOR THE DEALER THEREFORE, THEY CAN'T DETECT THE PROBLEM. I FILED A COMPLAINT WITH PONTIAC. THEY TOLD ME THERE WASN'T ANYTHING THAT COULD BE DONE UNTIL THE DEALER DIAGNOSIS THE PROBLEM. THE CAR IS VERY UNSAFE TO DRIVE.
NHTSA complaint #720757 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
ABS LIGHT COMES ON/OFF. CONSUMER SOMETIMES HAS TO PRESS PEDAL TO THE FLOOR TO STOP VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #856161 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR
FRONT BRAKE ROTORS FAILED. YH
NHTSA complaint #548845 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR
FRONT BRAKE ROTORS FAILED. YH
NHTSA complaint #548845 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS
WHILE BRAKING AT ANY SPEED THE REAR BRAKES GRAB CAUSING POOR BRAKING ABILITY.
NHTSA complaint #548590 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
WHEN RAINING AND APPLYING THE BRAKES PEDAL STIFFENS, AND VEHICLE FEELS AS IF REAR ENDED, AND KEEPS GOING. DEALER HAS SEEN 2 OR 3 TIMES. ALSO, DEALER REPLACED 4-WHEEL DRIVE LOCKING HUBS, AND PROBLEM STILL EXISTS.
NHTSA complaint #849231 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.