73 of the 672 complaints about the 1996 Pontiac Grand AM are about the braking system — 11% of everything reported for this model year. Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before 69,000 miles.
73
Complaints
9
Crashes
0
Fires
5
Injuries
Filed with NHTSA, in their own words.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
WHILE DRIVING AND AT ANY BRAKING CONDITIONS WHEN DEPRESSING THE BRAKES PEDAL WAS DELAYED WHICH RESULTED IN EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE.
NHTSA complaint #10057983 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
WHILE DRIVING AND TURNING TO THE LEFT THERE WAS NO STEERING. ALSO, BRAKE FAILED, AND VEHICLE INTERMITTENTLY STALLED.
NHTSA complaint #10054049 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
REAR BRAKES LOCKED UP WHICH MADE THE VEHICLE IMMOBILE. EVERY 15,000 MILES, THE ROTORS AND PADS HAD TO BE REPLACED. SINCE LAST REPORTED, THE CONSUMER CHANGED THE ROTORS, SENSORS AND BRAKE DRUM'S. VEHICLE HAD TO BE TOWED. *PH
NHTSA complaint #10037841 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
THE VEHICLE FAILED TO STOP WHEN THE BRAKE WAS APPLIED, WHICH RESULTED IN AN ACCIDENT.
NHTSA complaint #10007119 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:MASTER CYLINDER
WHILE DRIVING CONSUMER ATTEMPTED TO ENGAGE BRAKES. PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR AND BRAKES FAILED. CONSUMER HAD TO TAKE VEHICLE OUT OF GEAR AND "RUN OFF" ROAD TO MAKE STOP. DEALER DIAGNOSED THAT A "PUSH ROD" CLIP WAS MISSING FROM MASTER CYLINDER. CLIP WAS REPLACED TWICE, BUT PROBLEM REOCCURED TWICE RESPECTIVELY. FINALLY DEALER REPLACED "SEMI-WORN" FRONT BRAKE PADS AND PROBLEM DID NOT REOCCUR. DEALER DETERMINED THAT WHEN BRAKE PADS WEAR DOWN THE "PUSH ROD" CLIP COMES OUT OF PLACE(CLIP CONNECTS TO BRAKE PEDAL) CAUSING BRAKE LOSS. TS
NHTSA complaint #8022887 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
AT 62MPH PUSHED ON THE BRAKES AND VEHICLE WOULD NOT DECELERATE, STAYING AT SPEED OF 62MPH. CONSUMER HAD TO TURN OFF VEHICLE. IT COULD HAD CAUSED AN ACCIDENT. CAUSE UNKNOWN. DEALER NOTIFIED.
NHTSA complaint #8012598 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
NHTSA RECALL 02 V 070 000/MANUFACTURER'S RECALL 02008 CONCERNING IGNITION SWITCH: AFTER RECALL REPAIRS WERE DONE, THE VEHICLE STALLED ON THREE SEPARATE OCCASIONS AND WOULD NOT RESTART. THE ENGINE CHECK LIGHT, OIL LIGHT, BATTERY LIGHT AND ABS LIGHT WOULD COME ON INTERMITTENTLY WHILE DRIVING. DEALER NOTIFIED. *AK CONSUMER STATES THAT BEFORE THE RECALL KIT WAS INSTALLED THE CAR HASN'T BEEN RUNNING PROPERLY. ONE INCIDENT THE CONSUMER WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AND THE VEHICLE STALLED AND A SEMI-TRUCK WAS FOLLOWING. THE CONSUMER WAS TOLD THAT IT WAS A BAD SENSOR WHICH STILL DIDN'T SOLVE THE PROBLEM. THEN ON ANOTHER OCCASION WAS TOLD THAT IT WASN'T THE SENSOR BUT A BAD FUEL PUMP. THE LIGHTS ARE STILL ON 75 PERCENT OF THE TIME. *SCC
NHTSA complaint #8011871 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR
BRAKE ROTORS HAD TO BE REPLACED FOUR TIMES FROM 60,000 MILES TO THE PRESENT, BUT PROBLEM REOCCURRING. DEALER NOTIFIED . FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.
NHTSA complaint #8011521 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS
WHILE DRIVING, BRAKES GRAB AND PULL BEFORE STOPPING. *AK
NHTSA complaint #8006794 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
WHEN APPLYING BRAKES IN WET ROAD CONDITIONS, BRAKES LOCK UP, REGULAR BRAKING, NO PANIC STOP. DEALER HAS EXAMINED VEHICLE AND DETERMINED THAT ABS SYSTEM IS WORKING NORMALLY. *AK
NHTSA complaint #8002405 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
WHEN BRAKES ARE APPLIED THEY GRIND AND SEEM NOT TO CATCH THE CAR JUST KEEPS GOING. I HAVE HAD THE CAR TO THE SHOP 3 TIMES IN ONE MONTH AND NOBODY CAN FIND THE PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #750743 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
WHEN IT HAS BEEN RAINING AND BRAKES HAD BEEN APPLIED TO STOP, ABS SYSTEM WOULD DISENGAGE AND THEN LOCK UP. VEHICLE WOULD START TO SLOWDOWN. PROBLEM WAS INTERMITTENT. HAD CONTACTED DEALERSHIP AND MANUFACTURER, AND INFORMED CONSUMER NO RECALLS, BUT NOT ABLE TO RESOLVE PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #877793 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
SINCE PURCHASE HAD TO REPLACE 3 ALTERNATORS/ 2 IGNITION SWITCHES/ 2 STOP-HAZARD SWITCHES/ABS SWITCH, AND 2 BATTERIES. *AK WINDSHIELD IS LEAKING DURING HEAVY RAINS. THE CONSUMER INDICATES THAT THE VEHICLE HAS QUESTIONABLE DESIGN WHICH CAUSING MOST OF THE PROBLEMS.
NHTSA complaint #875679 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, AIR:ANTILOCK
A FEW DAYS AFTER BUYING 96 GRAND AM. I NOTICED THE BRAKES DIDNT WORK EFFECTIVELY. WHEN COMING TO A STOP THE CAR WOULD JERK SEVERAL TIMES AND CONTINUE TO JUMP FORWARD. THIS HAS HAPPENED MORE TIMES THAN I CARE TO COUNT. EACH TIME A NEAR COLLISION. I DONT DRIVE AT ALL WHEN IT RAINS IT WONT STOP AT ALL. I'VE HAD BREAKS CHECKED AT LEAST THREE TIMES AT DIFFERENT LOCATIONS. NO ONE CAN FIND A PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #732235 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, AIR:ANTILOCK
ALTERNATOR REPLACE TWO TIMES WITHIN A YEAR AND A HALF. BRAKES ALL WAYS GOING BAD ABS LIGHT STAYS ON ALL OF THE TIME I HAVE TO PAY FROM 300 TO 700 ALL OF THE TIME TO GET THIS CAR FIX NOW KOONS WANT A 1000 TO FIX THE EBTCM I HAVE SO MANY PROBLEM WITH THIS CAR I AM STILL PAYING A CAR NOTE I NO THAT THIS CAR HAS A DEFECT IT STAYS IN THE SHOP.
NHTSA complaint #728324 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:PADS
CAR RUNS HOT. WHEN STARTING UP WINDOWS WOULD FOG, COULD SMELL ANTIFREEZE. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER, AND THEY REPLACED HEATER CORE, THEY SAID IT HAD A PIN HOLE IN IT. CONSUMER SAID CAR WASSTILL RUNNING HOT, CONSUMER COULD HEAR A FLAPPING NOISE, LIKE A HELICOPTER UNDER THE HOOD.*AK THE POPING FRONT RIGHT SUSPENSION WAS DUE TO SWAY BAR LINK FAILURE WHICH MADE STABLIZER BAR LOOSE. HORN MALFUNCTIONS DUE TO DIRTY CONTACTS. WINDOW DOES NOT GO UP OR DOWN PROPERLY DUE TO WINDOW MOTOR FAILURE. THE NOISE IN ENGINE AREA WHEN COLD WAS DUE TO ALTERNATOR FAILURE. WATER PUMP WAS LEAKING. TEMPERATURE GUAGE WAS INACCURATE. THE NOISE FROM FRONT AND REAR BRAKES WAS CAUSED BY WORN BRAKE PADS. DRIVER SIDE MIRROR CONTROL FELL INTO THE DOOR PANEL.
NHTSA complaint #868008 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR
WHEN TRAVELING AT ANY SPEED AND APPLYING BRAKES STEERING WHEEL VIBRATED DUE TO WARPED BRAKE ROTORS.
NHTSA complaint #866775 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #724325 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
ALTERNATOR AND ABS PROBLEMS: ALTERNATOR HAS BEEN REPLACED FOUR TIMES IN THE LAST SEVEN MONTHS, AND WILL NEED REPLACING AGAIN. WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES, UNDER NORMAL BRAKING CONDITIONS, PEDAL GOES TO THE FLOORBROAD AND THE VEHICLE TRAVELS ADDITIONAL DISTANCES BEFORE STOPPING. DEALER IS NOT ABLE TO DETERMINE WHAT IS CAUSING THIS PROBLEM. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.
NHTSA complaint #855785 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
WHEN APPLYING THE ABS BRAKES ON WET PAVEMENT REAR BRAKES LOCKED UP. CAUSE UNKNOWN. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS.
NHTSA complaint #855816 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC
WHILE DRIVING ENGINE MALFUNCTIONED, CAUSING THE IDLE TO BE TOO HIGH, RESULTING IN VEHICLE ACCLERATING AND SLOWING DOWN. THIS MAY CAUSE A CRASH. THE BRAKING SYSTEM IS HAVING MORE WEAR AND TEAR. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION.
NHTSA complaint #852454 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
MY EXTENDED WARANTY PUT A USED ENGINE IN AFTER THE ORIGINAL BLEW UP. THE ENGINE THEY SENT HAD TO BE SENT BACK BECAUSE IT WAS ALSO NO GOOD . IT HAD 18,000 ON IT WHEN IT WAS SENT TO REPLACE. NOW THEY ARE SENDING ANOTHER ENGINE . IT IS NOW A MONTH LATER THEN WHEN I TOOK IT TO THE SHOP AND IT IS STILL NOT FIXED. I THINK SOMEONE OWES ME SOMETHING.
NHTSA complaint #713087 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, AIR:ANTILOCK
MY EXTENDED WARANTY PUT A USED ENGINE IN AFTER THE ORIGINAL BLEW UP. THE ENGINE THEY SENT HAD TO BE SENT BACK BECAUSE IT WAS ALSO NO GOOD . IT HAD 18,000 ON IT WHEN IT WAS SENT TO REPLACE. NOW THEY ARE SENDING ANOTHER ENGINE . IT IS NOW A MONTH LATER THEN WHEN I TOOK IT TO THE SHOP AND IT IS STILL NOT FIXED. I THINK SOMEONE OWES ME SOMETHING.
NHTSA complaint #713087 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC
FRONT BRAKE PADS AND ROTORS ARE PREMATURELY WEARING, ALSO WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES THE VEHICLE EXTREMELY VIBRATES, CAUSE UNKNOWN. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS.
NHTSA complaint #846577 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DRUM
I DRIVE 50 MILES A DAY TO AND FROM WORK THATS THE REASON FOR HIGH MILEGE ON MY CAR. I STILL BELIEVE THIS CAR SHOULD LAST LONGER THAN ITS PAYMENTS.
NHTSA complaint #710573 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:MASTER CYLINDER
BRAKE PEDAL STARTED GOING ALMOST ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR, WITH NO WARNING OF ANY KIND. IT DOES NOT DO THIS EVERY TIME. THE BRAKE SYSTEM IS ALL ORIGINAL, THE PADS AND SHOES WERE CHECKED RECENTLY WHEN THE TIRES WERE REPLACED, AND HAS SHOWN NO PROBLEMS UNTIL THIS POINT. THE FLUID LEVEL IS OK, THERE ARE NO VISIBLE SIGNS OF LEAKAGE ANYWHERE.
NHTSA complaint #710063 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES, PEDAL HAS TO BE PUSHED ALMOST ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR. DEALER REPLACED THE ROTORS AND RELINED BRAKE PADS. PROBLEM STILL EXISTED, RESULTED IN ACCIDENT. *AK
NHTSA complaint #843602 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR
WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES, PEDAL HAS TO BE PUSHED ALMOST ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR. DEALER REPLACED THE ROTORS AND RELINED BRAKE PADS. PROBLEM STILL EXISTED, RESULTED IN ACCIDENT. *AK
NHTSA complaint #843602 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, AIR:ANTILOCK
BRAKES DID NOT GRIP PROPERLY WHEN TRYING TO SLOW DOWN FOR A TURN. THIS RESULTED IN AN ACCIDENT. THE ROTORS WERE RESURFACED 3500 MILES PREVIOUSLY AND HAD TO BE REPLACED PRIOR TO THIS ACCIDENT (2 DAYS). THE BRAKES (FRONT) HAD TO BE RELINED AND WERE AT A RATING OF 7B 3500 MILES PREVIOUSLY. THIS APPEARS TO BE BOTH A FAULTY INSTALLATION AND MANUFACTURERS PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #709276 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS
WHEN DRIVING AT ANY SPEED, TRANSMISSION WENT OUT, CAUSING VEHICLE TO STALL/JERK.UPON APPLYING THE BRAKES, THEY WENT TO THE FLOORBOARD, RESULTING IN EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE. ALSO, STEERING IS TURNING ON ITS OWN, AND DEALER CAN'T DETERMINE THE PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #841890 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.