1999 Pontiac Grand AM suspension problems

SUSPENSION

I WAS BACKING UP SLOWLY OUT OF A PARKING SPOT. AS I TURNED ME WHEEL TO THE RIGHT, I HEARD A VERY LOUD NOISE. IT SOUNDED LIKE A POP OR A CRACK. IT WAS MIDNIGHT SO I COULDN'T SEE ANYTHING WRONG WHEN I INSPECTED MY VEHICLE. AS I WAS DRIVING HOME I HEARD A LOUD SCRAPING SOUND. AS I WOULD BREAK IT GOT LOUDER AND LOUDER. IT WAS SCRAPING AND TEARING. I GOT HOME AND STILL COULDN'T SEE ANYTHING. I CHECKED THE NEXT DAY AND I NOTICED THAT THE FRONT DRIVERS SIDE COIL WAS COMPLETELY CRACKED. BECAUSE OF THIS CRACKED COIL, THE PROTRUDING PIECE OF METAL FROM THE COIL WAS JAMMED AND RESTING ON THE TIRE WALL. BECAUSE OF HAVING TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE HOME, THE COIL HAS TORN AND RIPPED UP MY TIRE WALL AND I AM AFRAID TO DRIVE IT. THIS HAS HAPPENED TO ME BEFORE WITH A CRACKED COIL ON THE OPPOSITE SIDE OF MY VEHICLE ON THE PASSENGER SIDE. THIS IS CRAZINESS AND COMPLETELY UNSAFE! I FEAR FOR MY LIFE DRIVING THIS VEHICLE AS IT CLEARLY HAS A MANUFACTURING DEFECT. I AM BAFFLED AS TO WHY THERE IS NO POSTED RECALL FOR THIS HAZARDOUS PRODUCT. PONTIAC SHOULD BE ASHAMED FOR LETTING THIS GO AND NOT ADMITTING THEIR FAILURE AS A CAR MANUFACTURER.

NHTSA complaint #10550850 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SUSPENSION

CAR THE WORST. I'VE SUNK MORE $ IN2 IT THAN SHE COST TO BUY. $15,000 AT LST. HEAD GASKET X2. INTAKE MANIFOLD X2 WINDOW PARTS X2 BRAKES, PADS ROTORS ENGINE REPLACED IN 2009 BY QUACK MECHANIC ON ADVICE FROM A FRIEND CAR 3 MTHS ON LIFT! COST $1000 A YR 2 PASS NYS INSPECTION HAD CATALYTIC CONVERTER & GASKETS REPLACED AFTER I BEGGED DO IT! CAT WHOLE PROB FOR 31/2 YRS. ERG VALVE SELONOID CHANGED. COILS SPRINGS, STRUT MOUNT(SENSATRAC) STRUT WAS ONLY AFTER I HAD TIRES REPLACED FOR UPTEENTH TIME REALIZING IT WAS CUTTING INTO 1 TIRE DRIVING OUT OF THE SHOP. ANTIFREEZE STILL OOZES OUT REGARDLESS HOW MANY X'S WORK DONE ON COOLING SYSTEM. THERMASTAT TWICE FUEL INJECTOR OXYGEN SENSOR ANTIFREEZE RESERVOIR, HOSES MUFFLER REARVIEW MIRROR FELL OFF TWICE TIMING BELT. HEADLIGHTS SEVERAL TIMES REAR LIGHTS. 2 OR 3 BATTERIES. THIS CAR SHOULD RUN LIKE NEW- ALMOST EVERYTHING'S BEEN REPLACED NOPE! WAS TOWED TWICE LAST 2 WEEKS DUE TO COOLANT LOSS OVERHEATING ENGINE STOPPING. INFORMED TODAY AFTER CAR AGAIN OVERHEATED & LOST POWER IT'S PROBABLY INTAKE MANIFOLD & HEAD GASKET, OIL IS DRIPPING FROM SIDES OF ENGINE. COMPUTER AMUCK NOWODOMETER FLASHES 1/2 NUMBERS INSTEAD OF TRUE MILEAGE. ABS? LIGHT MECHANIC STATED ITS A WASTE OF YOUR $ TO REPAIR.... THREE HEAD GASKETS? ANOTHER INTAKE MANIFOLD? HELLO! I'VE MAINTAINED THIS CAR IT IS A LEMON A ROTTON LEMON AT THAT. GM KNOWS THESE ISSUES & DOES NOTHING. IN MICHIGAN CONSUMERS WON A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT BECAUSE OF THIS. GM SHOULDA RECALLED THIS CAR PERIOD. I WASN'T INFORMED OR SAVVY ENOUGH TO KNOW THIS CARS ISSUES UPON PURCHASE. WHAT MAKES THIS WORSE, I NOW UNDERSTAND MY RIGHTS WERE VIOLATED AS A CONSUMER FOR YEARS! I'M POOR & CAN'T AFFORD ANOTHER CAR DUE TO THIS CAR CONTINUED PROBLEMS COST. I NEED A VEHICLE BUT AM LEFT WITH BUS RIDES TAKING ALMOST 3 HRS ONE WAY TO WORK OR A $35 CAB FARE ONE WAY. AS OF TODAY MY CAR IS TRASH.

NHTSA complaint #10473840 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SUSPENSION:FRONT

LEFT FRONT SPRING ON 1999 PONTIAC GRAND AM BROKE IN GROCERY STORE PARKING LOT CAUSING LEFT FRONT TIRE TO GO FLAT. LOCAL MECHANIC SAYS PROBLEM IS WIDESPREAD. HAVE OLD PARTS.

NHTSA complaint #10352492 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SUSPENSION:FRONT

RIGHT FRONT SPRING AND STRUT ASSEMBLY BROKE. CAR ONLY HAS 44K MILES ON IT.

NHTSA complaint #10343128 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SUSPENSION:FRONT

MY DAUGHTERS 99 GRAND AM HAS HAD BOTH FRONT SPRINGS BREAK APPROXIMATELY ONE YEAR APART. IN BOTH INSTANCES THE CAR WAS TRAVELING FORWARD AT LESS THAN 25 MPH. THE BROKEN SPRING PUNCTURED THE TIRE AND THE CAR HAD TO BE TOWED ON BOTH OCCASIONS. NO ACCIDENT OR INJURY OCCURRED. NEW SPRINGS/STRUTS WERE INSTALLED ALONG WITH NEW TIRES. FURTHER INSPECTION REVEALED THAT THE RIGHT REAR SPRING WAS CRACKED AND WAS ALSO REPLACED. NO OLD PARTS ARE AVAILABLE. FROM THE NUMBER OF COMPLAINTS I HAVE READ THIS APPEARS TO BE A COMMON DEFECT ON THIS VEHICLE. I'M VERY GLAD THAT MY DAUGHTER WAS NOT DRIVING AT FREEWAY SPEED WHEN THESE SPRINGS BROKE.

NHTSA complaint #10328241 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SUSPENSION:FRONT

AFTER PERFORMING A SEARCH OF YOUR DEFECTS DATABASE I WANTED TO REPORT THAT THE NHTSA ACTION NUMBER PE03031 HAPPENED TO ME ON BOTH FRONT SPRINGS AND ONE REAR SPRING. THE FAILURE OCCURRED EXACTLY IN THIS MANOR DESCRIBED. I DO NOT HAVE THE EXACT DATES OF THE INCIDENTS BUT THE FAILURES HAPPENED AT DIFFERENT TIMES. BASED ON PARTS BILLS I BELIEVE THIS OCCURRED IN 9/2003 AND 9/2005 FOR THE FRONT SPRINGS AND 8/2007 FOR THE REAR SPRING. I PERSONALLY MADE THE REPAIRS AND PROBABLY HAVE THE FAILED SPRINGS STILL (STORED INSIDE) SINCE YOU CAN NOT JUST TOSS THEM IN THE GARBAGE. FORTUNATELY THE FRONT SPRING FAILURES OCCURRED WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS PARTED OVERNIGHT AND DISCOVERED THE NEXT MORNING WHEN LEAVING. THE REAR SPRING FAILED WHILE THE CAR WAS IN MOTION BUT WAS DRIVABLE. IF THE FRONT SPRINGS FAILED WHILE THE CAR WAS TRAVELING THIS WOULD HAVE BEEN A SERIOUS FAILURE DUE TO THE CAR BODY AND STRUT RUBBING ON THE WHEEL RIM AND TIRE WHICH WOULD HAVE CAUSED AN INABILITY TO STEER THE CAR. WHEN I WENT TO THE DEALER TO BUY THE PART THEY SEEMED TO KNOW EXACTLY WHAT SCREEN TO GO TO. I THOUGHT THAT WAS ODD BECAUSE USUALLY THEY HAVE TO DIG ON THE SCREENS OF THEIR COMPUTER BEFORE THEY FIND THE RIGHT SCREEN IT BUT IN THESE SITUATIONS THEY WENT RIGHT TO IT. WHICH INDICATED TO ME THAT THIS IS NOT THE FIRST, SECOND, THIRD OR FORTH TIME THIS PART WAS BEING LOOKED FOR ON THIS CAR. I SHOULD HAVE REPORTED THIS FAILURE TO THE NHTSA BUT DID NOT, FELT IT WAS BAD LUCK BUT THINKING BACK ON IT NOW AND REMEMBERING HOW THE DEALER PARTS COUNTER HANDLED THE PART LOOK UP I PROBABLY SHOULD HAVE. SO THIS REPORT IS TO CORRECT MY ERROR.

NHTSA complaint #10317449 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SUSPENSION:REAR

AFTER PERFORMING A SEARCH OF YOUR DEFECTS DATABASE I WANTED TO REPORT THAT THE NHTSA ACTION NUMBER PE03031 HAPPENED TO ME ON BOTH FRONT SPRINGS AND ONE REAR SPRING. THE FAILURE OCCURRED EXACTLY IN THIS MANOR DESCRIBED. I DO NOT HAVE THE EXACT DATES OF THE INCIDENTS BUT THE FAILURES HAPPENED AT DIFFERENT TIMES. BASED ON PARTS BILLS I BELIEVE THIS OCCURRED IN 9/2003 AND 9/2005 FOR THE FRONT SPRINGS AND 8/2007 FOR THE REAR SPRING. I PERSONALLY MADE THE REPAIRS AND PROBABLY HAVE THE FAILED SPRINGS STILL (STORED INSIDE) SINCE YOU CAN NOT JUST TOSS THEM IN THE GARBAGE. FORTUNATELY THE FRONT SPRING FAILURES OCCURRED WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS PARTED OVERNIGHT AND DISCOVERED THE NEXT MORNING WHEN LEAVING. THE REAR SPRING FAILED WHILE THE CAR WAS IN MOTION BUT WAS DRIVABLE. IF THE FRONT SPRINGS FAILED WHILE THE CAR WAS TRAVELING THIS WOULD HAVE BEEN A SERIOUS FAILURE DUE TO THE CAR BODY AND STRUT RUBBING ON THE WHEEL RIM AND TIRE WHICH WOULD HAVE CAUSED AN INABILITY TO STEER THE CAR. WHEN I WENT TO THE DEALER TO BUY THE PART THEY SEEMED TO KNOW EXACTLY WHAT SCREEN TO GO TO. I THOUGHT THAT WAS ODD BECAUSE USUALLY THEY HAVE TO DIG ON THE SCREENS OF THEIR COMPUTER BEFORE THEY FIND THE RIGHT SCREEN IT BUT IN THESE SITUATIONS THEY WENT RIGHT TO IT. WHICH INDICATED TO ME THAT THIS IS NOT THE FIRST, SECOND, THIRD OR FORTH TIME THIS PART WAS BEING LOOKED FOR ON THIS CAR. I SHOULD HAVE REPORTED THIS FAILURE TO THE NHTSA BUT DID NOT, FELT IT WAS BAD LUCK BUT THINKING BACK ON IT NOW AND REMEMBERING HOW THE DEALER PARTS COUNTER HANDLED THE PART LOOK UP I PROBABLY SHOULD HAVE. SO THIS REPORT IS TO CORRECT MY ERROR.

NHTSA complaint #10317449 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SUSPENSION:FRONT

1999 PONTIAC GRAND AM GT ,FRONT COIL SPRING .BACK OUT OF DRIVE WAY THEN STARTED DOWN ROAD WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN RIGHT FRONT SPRING LET GO WITH SUCH A FORCE THAT I THOUGHT RT AT FIRST SOME ONE SHOT AT CAR OR WAS IN AN ACCIDENT. DEALER FIX WITH NEW SPRING AND STRUT OEM PARTS WITCH WEAR DAMAGE DO TO SPRING GOING. DEALER KEEP PARTS SAID THAT THIS WAS NOT COMMON. I HAVE HEARD THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE GRAND AMS.

NHTSA complaint #10280602 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SUSPENSION:FRONT

1) NO WARNING OF ANY KIND! 2) FRONT DRIVERS SUSPENSION COIL BREAK/COLLAPSE, COIL PUNCTURED TIRE CAUSING TIRE BLOW OUT, CAR CRASHING DOWN ALL INSTANTANEOUS. NO INJURY - I WAS PULLING OUT OF MY GARAGE. HOW OFTEN 1 TIME. 3) TOW AND THEN REPLACE THE TIRE, COIL, STRUT, I ALSO MUST REPLACE THE OTHER FRONT COIL, STRUT AS WELL, SINCE THERE CLEARLY IS A DEFECT - AND I DON'T WANT TO DIE! I WILL REQUEST TO KEEP THE PARTS.

NHTSA complaint #10260426 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SUSPENSION:FRONT

WITHOUT WARNING OR PHYSICAL IMPACT/IMPAIRMENT RIGHT FRONT COIL SPRING FRACTURED WITH A LOUD BANG, AND THE JAGGED END PIERCED MY TIRE SIDEWALL, DESTROYING TIRE. THIS OCCURRED AT APPROX 25 MPH, I WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER WITHOUT INCIDENT, HAD TO BE TOWED, NEW COIL INSTALLED, NEW TIRE PURCHASED, LABOR DAY PLANS RUINED. SEVERAL MONTHS LATER, CAR WAS PARKED FOR 12 HRS IN 70 DEGREE WEATHER, ANOTHER HUGE BANG, DRIVERS SIDE FRONT COIL FRACTURED, C-SHAPED PIECE UNDER THE VEHICLE, AGAIN, THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED, COIL REPLACED, MISSED A DAY OF WORK AS THIS HAPPENED IN CONNECTICUT, AND I WORK IN MASSACHUSETTS.

NHTSA complaint #10254924 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SUSPENSION:REAR

WITHOUT WARNING OR PHYSICAL IMPACT/IMPAIRMENT RIGHT FRONT COIL SPRING FRACTURED WITH A LOUD BANG, AND THE JAGGED END PIERCED MY TIRE SIDEWALL, DESTROYING TIRE. THIS OCCURRED AT APPROX 25 MPH, I WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER WITHOUT INCIDENT, HAD TO BE TOWED, NEW COIL INSTALLED, NEW TIRE PURCHASED, LABOR DAY PLANS RUINED. SEVERAL MONTHS LATER, CAR WAS PARKED FOR 12 HRS IN 70 DEGREE WEATHER, ANOTHER HUGE BANG, DRIVERS SIDE FRONT COIL FRACTURED, C-SHAPED PIECE UNDER THE VEHICLE, AGAIN, THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED, COIL REPLACED, MISSED A DAY OF WORK AS THIS HAPPENED IN CONNECTICUT, AND I WORK IN MASSACHUSETTS.

NHTSA complaint #10254924 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SUSPENSION:FRONT

FRACTURE OF FRONT LEFT AND RIGHT COIL SPRINGS.

NHTSA complaint #10251729 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SUSPENSION

1999 PONTIAC GRAND AM COIL SPRINGS BREAK WITHOUT WARNING OR CAUSE. I HAVE 2 OF THESE CARS, AND BOTH HAVE HAD FRONT AND READ COIL SPRINGS BREAK WITHOUT CAUSE. I SEE THERE ARE SEVERAL COMPLAINTS FILED WITH THE NHTSA SINCE THIS WAS INVESTIGATED IN 2004. I REQUEST A NEW INVESTIGATION BE CONDUCTED DUE TO NUMEROUS NEW COMPLAINTS, AND THE FACT THAT MOST PEOPLE WILL NOT TAKE THE TIME TO REPORT CASES, AND THERE ARE MANY OF THE VEHICLES ON THE ROAD BEING DRIVEN WITH THIS DANGER EXISTING.

NHTSA complaint #10236988 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SUSPENSION:FRONT

FRONT COIL SPRING SNAPPED. NO APPARENT PRIOR PROBLEMS, JUST A CLEAN BREAK. IT HAPPENED AT A SLOW RATE OF SPEED AND DID NOT CAUSE TIRE DAMAGE. NO KNOWN CAUSE FOR THE BREAK, OTHER THAN POSSIBLE MANUFACTURE DEFECT. BOTH FRONT COIL SPRINGS WERE REPLACED AT A COST OF ABOUT $500.

NHTSA complaint #10234694 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SUSPENSION

PROBLEMS WITH THE SUSPENSION WITH SPRING COILS BREAKING .. NOTICE OF PULLING WENT FOR ALIGNMENT AND FOUND COIL RIGHT REAR BROKE AND PUNCTURED TIRE , HAD REPLACED AND NEW TIRE AND ALIGNMENT , THEN YEAR LATER FRONT RIGHT BROKE AND PULLING AGAIN HAD REPLACE ASAP .

NHTSA complaint #10233826 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SUSPENSION:FRONT

THE COIL SPRING ON THE STRUT ON THE FRONT OF A 1999 PONTIAC GRAND AM BROKE. THIS WAS REPLACED WITH A NEW SPRING ON BOTH SIDES OF THE CAR. IN TALKING TO MANY REPAIR SHOPS, THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS SERIES OF GM CARS. THIS INCIDENT HAPPENED AT LOW SPEED IN TOWN, BUT HAD IT HAPPENED AT HIGHWAY SPEED THE OUTCOME COULD HAVE BEEN A BAD WRECK. THE LOCAL SERVICE MANAGER AT THE PONTIAC DEALER STATED THIS WAS FAIRLY COMMON, BUT THEY WOULD ONLY PAY FOR REPAIRS IF THE OWNER HAD AN EXTENDED WARRANTY. I HAVE THE OLD PARTS IN MY POSSESSION. THIS WAS A CLEAN BREAK, NOT SOMETHING THAT WAS CRACKED FOR A PERIOD OF TIME.

NHTSA complaint #10232326 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SUSPENSION:FRONT

1999 PONTIAC GRAND AM -- THE VEHICLE IS EQUIPPED WITH A COIL SPRING-OVER-STRUT FRONT SUSPENSION WITH THE SPRING ITSELF RESTING IN COMPRESSION BETWEEN TWO POLYMER ISOLATORS. THIS IS REGARDING FRACTURE OF THIS SPRING. THE FRACTURES OCCUR IN THE FIRST ACTIVE COIL ABOVE THE LOWER ISOLATOR. I HAD BOTH COILS FRACTURE. FIRST (PASSENGER FRONT AT APPROXIMATELY 95,000 MILES AND THE DRIVER FRONT HAPPENED AT ABOUT 110,000 MILES). THERE APPEARS TO BE VERY LITTLE WEAR OR PITTING ON THESE COILS. COIL COATING IS IN TACT AND IS IN VERY GOOD CONDITION FOR THE YEAR AND MILES. THE COILS FRACTURE IN THE SAME LOCATION. THE FRACTURE IS VERY DANGEROUS AND CAN CAUSE A PUNCTURE IN THE TIRES. I AM REFERENCING AN EXISTING COMPLAINT NOTICE #PE03-031. INVESTIGATE REPORTS.

NHTSA complaint #10230128 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SUSPENSION:FRONT:SPRINGS:COIL SPRINGS

LEFT FRONT SPRING BROKE AT FIRST COIL OF SPRING. CAR WAS NOT MOVING AT THE TIME, BUT THE SPRING CONTACTED THE TIRE. TIRE WOULD HAVE BEEN DESTROYED IF VEHICLE HAD BEEN MOVING. REPLACE ENTIRE STRUT ASSEMBLY, STILL HAVE THE OLD PARTS.

NHTSA complaint #10212031 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SUSPENSION:FRONT:MACPHERSON STRUT

LEFT FRONT SPRING BROKE AT FIRST COIL OF SPRING. CAR WAS NOT MOVING AT THE TIME, BUT THE SPRING CONTACTED THE TIRE. TIRE WOULD HAVE BEEN DESTROYED IF VEHICLE HAD BEEN MOVING. REPLACE ENTIRE STRUT ASSEMBLY, STILL HAVE THE OLD PARTS.

NHTSA complaint #10212031 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SUSPENSION:FRONT:SPRINGS:COIL SPRINGS

I HEARD A STRANGE NOISE IN A 1999 PONTIAC GRAND AM, WHILE HEADING FOR HOME. THE TIRE SOON WENT FLAT, AND UPON INSPECTION THE CAUSE WAS A BROKEN COIL SPRING IN THE RIGHT FRONT. A SPARE WAS PUT ON THE VEHICLE, BUT DUE TO THE SPRING BEING BROKEN, THE RIGHT FRONT OF THE CAR STILL DRAGGED. THIS HAPPENED TODAY, BUT PLANS ARE BEING MADE TO REPAIR THE COIL SPRING IN THE NEAR FUTURE.

NHTSA complaint #10201657 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SUSPENSION:FRONT:SPRINGS:COIL SPRINGS

TL THE CONTACT AND FAMILY MEMBER OWNS A 1999 PONTIAC GRAND AM. ON THE SPOUSES VEHICLE BOTH OF THE FRONT COIL SPRINGS BROKE AND ON THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE THE FRONT AND REAR COIL SPRING BROKE. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO BE DRIVE THE VEHICLE; HOWEVER, THE SPOUSES HAD TO BE TOWED. THE FAILURES OCCURED WHILE THEY WERE DRIVING OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY AT 5MPH. HIS WIFES FAILURE WAS IN JUNE 2006.

NHTSA complaint #10188340 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SUSPENSION:FRONT:SPRINGS:COIL SPRINGS

I WAS TURNING FROM MY DRIVEWAY TO AN ALLEY WHEN I HEARD AN UNUSUAL POP. I GOT OUT OF THE CAR AND DID A VISUAL TO SEE IF I COULD NOTICE ANYTHING OUT OF THE ORDINARY. AT THAT TIME, IT WAS ABOUT 5:00 AM, I COULDN'T SEE ANYTHING OUT OF THE ORDINARY. I CONTINUED ON MY WAY TO WORK AND DROVE APPROXIMATELY 1/2 A MILE WHEN I NOTICED SMOKE BILLOWING OUT FROM MY HOOD. BECAUSE IT WAS DARK OUT, I PARKED MY CAR FOR THE DAY AND WALKED TO WORK. AFTER I LEFT WORK, I HAD THE CAR TOWED TO MY RESIDENCE AND I REMOVED THE FRONT PASSENGER WHEEL. WHEN I LOOKED BEHIND THE WHEEL I SAW THAT MY COIL SPRING WAS IN TWO PIECES. I HAD ALSO NOTICED THAT THERE WAS A GOUGE IN MY TIRE FROM WHERE THE COIL SPRING HAD RUBBED AGAINST IT. *JB I HAD TO HAVE MY CAR TOWED TO THE MECHANIC IN ORDER TO HAVE IT FIXED. HE HAD TO REPLACE BOTH FRONT COIL SPRINGS IN ORDER FOR THE CAR TO RIDE CORRECTLY. I ALSO HAD TO REPLACE THE FRONT PASSENGER TIRE BECAUSE OF THE GROOVE IN IT. IN ORDER TO SAVE MONEY ON LABOR, I ALSO REPLACED THE STRUTS.

NHTSA complaint #10178789 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SUSPENSION:FRONT:SPRINGS:COIL SPRINGS

I RELEASED THE PARKING BRAKE--AND IT RELEASED REALLY HARD. WHILE DRIVING, THERE WAS SMOKE. MY COIL SPRING (RIGHT, FRONT) BROKE AND PUNCTURED MY TIRE. I HAD TO GET TOWED TO A GARAGE TO REPLACE BOTH FRONT COIL SPRINGS. THE OLD COIL SPRINGS WERE DISCARDED.

NHTSA complaint #10169482 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SUSPENSION:FRONT:SPRINGS:COIL SPRINGS

THE PASSENGER SIDE FRONT COIL SPRING HAS BROKEN ON 2 SEPARATE OCCASIONS. THE FIRST TIME, IN AUG. 2003, I WAS MAKING A RIGHT HAND TURN WHEN THERE WAS A LOUD BANG. I GOT OUT TO INVESTIGATE BUT COULD NOT SEE ANYTHING WRONG. JUST TO BE ON THE SAFE SIDE I DROVE IT TO A MECHANIC WHO UPON INVESTIGATION INFORMED ME THAT THE COIL SPRING ON THE PASSENGER SIDE HAD BROKEN. IT WAS REPLACED. THEN IN AUG. 2006, I WAS BACKING OUT OF A GARAGE WHEN I HEARD THE FAMILIAR BANG BUT THIS TIME THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE DROPPED SO I WAS UNABLE TO DRIVE THE CAR. I HAD IT TOWED TO THE MECHANIC WHO SAID THE COIL SPRING HAD BROKEN. AGAIN IT WAS REPLACED. WHAT CONCERNS ME MOST ABOUT THIS IS THAT SINCE THERE ARE SO MANY COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE SAME THING HAPPENING THE MANUFACTURER OBVIOUSLY KNOWS THERE IS A DEFECT IN THE PART YET NOT ONLY DO THEY REFUSE TO ISSUE A RECALL , THEY CONTINUE TO SELL DEFECTIVE REPLACEMENT PARTS!!!!!!!! I AM NOW AFRAID TO DRIVE MY CAR AS I KNOW THE PART IS DEFECTIVE AND COULD BREAK AT ANY TIME. I HAVE BEEN FORTUNATE TO NOT HAVE BEEN DRIVING AT A HIGH RATE OF SPEED THE FIRST 2 TIMES BUT WHO KNOWS ABOUT THE NEXT TIME. IT'S JUST A MATTER OF TIME BEFORE IT HAPPENS AGAIN!! I DON'T WANT ME OR SOMEONE I LOVE TO HAVE TO DIE OR BE SERIOUSLY INJURED BEFORE SOMETHING IS DONE ABOUT THIS!!!!!!!!!!

NHTSA complaint #10166581 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SUSPENSION:FRONT:SPRINGS:COIL SPRINGS

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE FRONT PASSENGER COIL SPRING SEVERELY THE TIRE WITHOUT WARNING WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH DOWN A CITY STREET. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP WHO DETERMINED THAT BOTH FRONT COILS SPRINGS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED. UPDATED 08/25/06.

NHTSA complaint #10164372 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SUSPENSION:FRONT:SPRINGS:COIL SPRINGS

CONSTANT RATTLING LED TO DISCOVERY OF DAMAGED COIL SPRINGS.......ALL 4 OF THEM HAD TO BE REPLACED AS EVERY ONE WAS BROKEN.

NHTSA complaint #10161618 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SUSPENSION:FRONT:SPRINGS:COIL SPRINGS

I WAS PULLING MY 1999 PONTIAC GRAND AM OUT OF MY DRIVEWAY WHEN THE CAR WAS MAKING A STRANGE SCRAPING NOISE. I LOOKED UNDER THE CAR AND DID NOT SEE ANYTHING TOUCHING THE GROUND. I DID NOT DRIVE THE CAR. MY HUSBAND CHECKED IT OUT AND PULLED THE CAR OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY. THE WHEEL POPPED AS HE WAS DOING THIS. THE CAR WAS IN THE MIDDLE OF THE STREET SO HE HAD TO PULL IT FORWARD. THE TIRE WAS SHREDDED. AFTER JACKING UP THE CAR, HE SAW THAT THE SPRING WAS BROKEN AND WAS POKING INTO THE TIRE. LUCKY FOR US THIS HAPPENED AT HOME. IF THIS HAD HAPPENED ON THE HIGHWAY I DON'T KNOW IF I WOULD STILL BE HERE. THE CAR IS CURRENTLY AT THE GARAGE. WE HAVE NOT HEARD BACK YET. WE ARE A BIT WORRIED, MY BROTHER-IN-LAW ALSO HAS A 1999 PONTIAC GRAND AM AND ALL FOUR OF HIS SPRING ASSEMBLIES BROKE WHEN HE HIT A POT HOLE SEVERAL WEEKS AGO.

NHTSA complaint #10161534 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SUSPENSION:FRONT:SPRINGS:COIL SPRINGS

NO WARNING OR EVENT LEADING UP TO FAILURE. 1999 PONTIAC GRAND AM GT WITH 87,000 MILES. NEW TIRES IN DECEMBER OF 2004. WHILE BACKING OUT OF DRIVEWAY, RECEIVED SOME RESISTANCE, THOUGHT MY BRAKES WERE STICKING. PUSHED ON ACCELERATOR TO BACK OUT OF MY DRIVEWAY AND HEARD A LOUD SNAP AND RIPPING NOISE. AFTER I HEARD THE NOISE, I STOPPED THE CAR AND PUT THE CAR BACK IN DRIVE TO PULL FORWARD. BEFORE HITTING THE ACCELERATOR TO PULL FORWARD I FELT THE FRONT RIGHT OF MY CAR FALL DOWN AND HEARD AN "AIR RELEASE" NOISE. I EXITED MY CAR AND DISCOVERED I HAD A FLAT TIRE. MY HUSBAND REMOVED MY TIRE THAT DAY AND FOUND THE WHOLE INSIDE WALL OF MY TIRE OPEN. THE SPRING COIL ON THE FRONT RIGHT HAND SIGHT WAS BROKEN IN TWO AND A JAGGED EDGE WAS EXPOSED. I HAD MY CAR TOWED TO A NEARBY SHOP. THEY HAVE NOT GIVEN ME AN ESTIMATE YET BUT THEY SUSPECT I NEED NEW SPRING COILS AND POSSIBLY A WHOLE NEW SUSPENSION. PENDING ON CORRECTIVE ACTION. I HAVE CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER AND THEY HAVE ADVISED THAT THERE ARE NO RECALLS WITH THIS DEFECT. THIS IS A SAFETY HAZARD. IF I WAS DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS AND MY TIRE BLEW, I COULD HAVE KILLED MYSELF. I HAVE RESEARCHED OTHER WEBSITES SUCH AS MYCARFACTS.COM AND HAVE FOUND SEVERAL COMPLAINTS OF THIS SAME THING HAPPENING TO PEOPLE WITH 1999 PONTIAC GRAND AMS. I HAVE ALSO READ THE NHTSA HAS DONE AN INVESTIGATION (EA03021 AND PE03031). I AM WRITING TO SUBMIT MY COMPLAINT IN HOPES THAT SOME ACTION WILL COME OUT OF THIS. IT IS VERY SAD THAT A COMPANY WOULD ALLOW THIS TO CONTINUE TO HAPPEN, ESPECIALLY HERE IN AMERICA. MY SISTER IS 8 MONTHS PREGNANT AND DRIVES A GRAND AM ALSO. I WORRY FOR HER SAFETY. IS IT GOING TO TAKE A DEATH FOR THIS MATTER TO BE ADDRESSED? THANKS FOR YOUR TIME.

NHTSA complaint #10155573 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.