64 of the
8,105 complaints filed about the Pontiac Grand AM
are about the wheels —
1% of everything owners reported.
The worst model year for it is 1999.
THE WALMART DOUGLAS BRAND PASSENGER CAR TIRES HAVE NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS FOUND ALL OVER THE INTERNET. THE DOUGLAS TIRE I PURCHASED IN 10/13 HAS NOW DEVELOPED A NOTICEABLE BULGE ON THE SIDE WALL UNDERNEATH THE TIRE VALVE STEM AREA. HOWEVER, WALMART REFUSES TO REPLACE THE DEFECTIVELY MANUFACTURED TIRE EVENTHOUGH I EXPLAINED THAT IF I HAD NOT NOTICED THE BULGE, THE TIRE COULD OF BLOWN ON THE FWY AND COST ME MY LIFE. BUT THE EMPLOYEE SAID, SORRY.. I ASKED THE EMPLOYEE HOW OLD WAS THE TIRE AT THE TIME I PURCHASED IT. BUT HE COULD SAY. AT THE TIME OF INSTALLATION, THE WALMART MECHANIC / EXPERT WOULD OF NOTICED THE BULGE WHICH WAS MINOR AT THE TIME, AS I HAD NOTICED BUT THOUGHT NOTHING OF IT SINCE I AM NOT AN EXPERT. AS THIS WAS THE ONLY TIRE SIZE MY WALMART STORE HAD IN STOCK FOR MY CAR, I PURCHASED IT WITHOUT CONSIDERATION OF BRAND. IN OTHER WORDS, I WOULD OF BOUGHT A DIFFERENT BRAND TIRE IF THE SHELVES HAD IN MY SIZE. FURTHER, I BELIEVE WALMART IS AWARE OF ITS DEFECTIVE TIRE'S WHICH I DISCOVERED TODAY THAT THEY ARE MADE IN CHINA. SUPPOSEDLY, DOUGLAS TIRE IS A SUBSIDIARY OF GOODYEAR. SO I HAVE EMAILED THEM WITH MY CONCERN AND REQUEST FOR ASSISTANCE. HOWEVER, I BELIEVE WALMART SHOULD BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE FOR KNOWINGLY SELLING A POORLY MANUFACTURED PRODUCT FOR AUTOMOBILES. EVIDENCE OF THE UNSAFE TIRES ARE POSTED ALL OVER THE INTERNET.
NHTSA complaint #10662547 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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.
LUG BOLTS SHEARED OFF PASSENGER FRONT. OEM ROTOR HAD ROUGHLY 3/16 INCH PLAY CAUSING THE WHEEL HUB TO SLAM AGAINST IT. THERE IS LUG THREAD MARKS ON THE ROTOR.
NHTSA complaint #10524028 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
WHEN I GO TO BRAKE THERE IS A GRINDING NOISE AND WHEN I BRAKE AND TURN TO THE LEFT ALL THREE LIGHTS COME N, NOT ALL THE TIME. I HAVE CHANGED BRAKES, AND ROTORS AND AM STILL HAVING THE PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #10505316 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY AND MY BACK FRAME THAT HOOKS TO THE TIRE BROKE IN HALF AND THE TIRE WENT FLYING IN THE AIR. IT LOOKS AS IF THERE IS A DEFAULT IN THE FRAME WHERE THE HUB IS CONNECTED.
NHTSA complaint #10495153 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY AND MY BACK FRAME THAT HOOKS TO THE TIRE BROKE IN HALF AND THE TIRE WENT FLYING IN THE AIR. IT LOOKS AS IF THERE IS A DEFAULT IN THE FRAME WHERE THE HUB IS CONNECTED.
NHTSA complaint #10495153 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
WHEN DRIVING THE CAR THE BRAKES WILL LOCK UP MAKING A GRINDING NOISE LIKE SOMETHING IS ABOUT TO BRAKE SOMEWHERE IN BETWEEN THE BRAKE PEDAL AND WHEELS IT MAKES THIS LOUD GRINDING LIKE METAL ON METAL NOT SURE BECAUSE I HAVE TO REPLACE BRAKES ABOUT EVERY 2 - 3 MONTHS AND ROTORS AND CALIPERS.
NHTSA complaint #10473963 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 PONTIAC GRAND AM SE. THE CONTACT STATED THE DRIVER WAS TRAVELING 10 MPH WHEN THE DRIVERS SIDE FRONT TIRE DETACHED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC WHO CONFIRMED THAT BRAKE DUST CAUSED THE LUG NUT TO BECOME LOOSE AND THE TIRE TO DETACH FROM THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED REGARDING THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WAS 120,000.
NHTSA complaint #10473142 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 PONTIAC GRAND AM. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 35 MPH WHEN THE PASSENGER SIDE WHEEL SEPARATED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A LOCAL MECHANIC WHO FOUND THAT THE WHEEL BOLT WAS FRACTURED IN HALF AND CAUSED DAMAGED TO THE ROTOR, AXLE AND CD BOOT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 126,000.
NHTSA complaint #10429919 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
FILE DATE 5/2/2000 MFR. INVOLVED GENERAL MOTORS CORP. NHTSA CAMPAIGN # 00V116000 MFR. CAMPAIGN # 00041 COMPONENT AFFECTED SUSPENSION:REAR # VEHICLES AFFECTED 23 DEFECT VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE BOLT THAT ATTACHES THE REAR SUSPENSION TRAILING ARM TO THE LEFT REAR KNUCKLE MAY NOT HAVE BEEN TIGHTENED TO SPECIFICATIONS DURING ASSEMBLY. CONSEQUENCE THE BOLT COULD BACK COMPLETELY OUT OF THE JOINT AFFECTING VEHICLE CONTROL. CORRECTIVE ACTION DEALERS WILL TIGHTEN THIS BOLT. ------------------------------ I HAVE TO REPLACE THE REAR WHEEL BEARING ON THE LEFT REAR. I WAS TOLD BY THE DEALER, THAT THIS DID NOT APPLY TO MY 2000 PONTIAC GRAND AM SE, . EACH BEARING IS $ 300- 400, BUT I HAVE NOT HAD TO REPLACE IN OTHER BEARINGS EXCEPT THE LEFT REAR. COULD THE ABOVE RECALL AFFECT THAT WHEEL BEARING, AND HOW MUCH OF A COINCIDENCE THAT IT JUST SO HAPPENS TO BE THE LEFT REAR WHEEL BEARING ON MY CAR, COULD THERE HAVE BEEN MORE OF A WIDESPREAD PROBLEM WITH THE LEFT REAR SUSPENSION OF THIS VEHICLE? ALSO WHEN BREAKING AT HIGH SPEEDS THE ABS LIGHT CAME ON, THE NEW LEFT REAR BRAKE SHOE CRACKED IN HALF AS A RESULT OF THE LEFT REAR WHEEL BEARING HAVING ISSUES.
NHTSA complaint #10239410 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
RIMS ON 2002 PONTIAC GRAND AM HAVE THE CHROME PEELING CAUSING A POOR SEAL AND AIR TO LEAK FROM TIRES. TIRE SERVICE CENTER HAD STACKS OF THESE RIMS IN THE BACK FROM PEOPLE WHO HAVE HAD TO REPLACE ALL 4 RIMS.
NHTSA complaint #10188532 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
NOT A SAFETY PRECAUTION. I DRIVE A 2001 PONTIAC GRAND AM. EVERY CAR THAT MAKE AND YEAR MODEL HAVE BROKEN HUB CAPS, MINE INCLUDED. THEY RATTLE FOR A WHILE THEN THEY BREAK IN HALF. THERE HAS GOT TO BE SOME SORT OF DEFECT IF IT'S JUST THAT MAKE AND MODEL. THE NOISE IS EMBARRASSING AND ANNOYING. I FEEL THAT THE PONTIAC COMPANY SHOULD LOOK IN TO THE PROBLEM AND FIX IT. ALSO, REAR MIDDLE SEATBELT NEVER STAYED TIGHT. LOOSENS VERY EASILY WHILE MY CHILD IS WEARING IT AND WHEN MY CHILD WAS IN A CAR SEAT.
NHTSA complaint #10173093 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED A LOUD POP FROM THE GARAGE WAS HEARD WHILE IN THE HOUSE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP. THE PASSENGER SIDE FRONT COIL SPRING HAD BROKEN. THE FRONT COIL SPRING AND BOTH FRONT STRUTS WERE REPLACED. ALSO, THE TIRES ON THE VEHICLE WERE REPLACED A YEAR AND A HALF AGO. THE AIR MUST BE REFILLED IN THE TIRES EVERY 4-6 WEEKS. THE TIRE DEALERSHIP STATED IN ORDER TO REMEDY THE PROBLEM THE ENTIRE WHEEL ASSEMBLY WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED. UPDATED 3/20/2006 -
NHTSA complaint #10150946 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
2002 PONTIAC GRAND AM DEVELOPED PROBLEMS WITH THE BRAKES AND THE EMERGENCY BRAKE EQUIPMENT. *MR THE VEHICLE STALLED AS THE CONSUMER BACKED OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS PLACED IN DRIVE. THE EMERGENCY BRAKE WOULD HANG UP. THE TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT STAYED ON. THERE WAS AN OCCASION WHEN THE CONSUMER COULD NOT GET THE TRACTION CONTROL TO RE-ENGAGE. THE DEALER CLAIMED TO HAVE FOUND NOTHING. THE ROTORS WERE REPLACED ALONG WITH THE EMERGENCY BRAKE PADS WHICH WAS STATED TO BE BEYOND SPECIFICATIONS. THREE LOUD BANGS HAD COME FROM THE LEFT REAR WHEEL. THE CONSUMER EXPERIENCED NUMEROUS ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS AND OIL LEAKS.
NHTSA complaint #10133439 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
AFTER HAVING TO GET THE WHEELS BEARINGS REPLACED IN MY FRONT WHEELS, I STARTED HEARING A KNOCKING/CLICKING NOISE COMING FROM THE WHEELS. I TOOK IT BACK TO THE SAME PLACE AND THEY REPLACED THE BEARINGS AGAIN, BUT THE NOISE WAS STILL THERE. THE THIRD AND FOURTH TIME I TOOK IT THERE THEY REPLACED CV JOINTS AND FRONT CONTROLS ARMS. THE NOISE WAS STILL THERE. I GAVE UP ON THAT GARAGE. I TOOK IT TO A SECOND PLACE WHERE THEY PRETTY MUCH TOOK APART EVERYTHING UNDER THE FRONT END OF MY CAR. FOUR MONTHS LATER I STILL HEAR THE CLICKING, AND I THINK THIS CURRENT PROBLEM IS RELATED. DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY LAST WEEK THE ABS, SERVICE VEHICLE SOON, AND TRACTION OFF LIGHT ALL CAME ON. TOOK IT TO A REPAIR SHOP AND THEY HAVE NO IDEA WHAT IS WRONG (NO CODES). AFTER I START MY CAR, THE FIRST FEW TIMES I BRAKE, IT MAKES A CLANKING NOISE AND THE BRAKES LOSE ALL PRESSURE FOR A FEW SECONDS. AFTER THE WARNING LIGHTS COME ON THE BRAKES WORK FINE. CAR IS AT DEALER NOW.
NHTSA complaint #10106284 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
WHILE DRIVING AT LOW SPEED A NOISE WAS COMING FROM THE FRONT TIRES. WHEN MOVING AT HIGH SPEEDS CONSUMER COULD NOT HEAR IT. TIRES CONTINUOUSLY DEFLATED. THE INSIDE OF THE WHEEL CRACKED, WHICH PUNCTURED THE TIRE. CONSUMER HAD TO REPLACE THE FRONT RIMS. HOWEVER, THE NOISE DID NOT START OFF LOUD, IT GOT LOUDER AS DRIVING. WHENEVER IT RAINED AND THE VEHICLE WAS WET CONSUMER WOULD NOT HEAR THE NOISE. PONTIAC WAS AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #10097460 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TURN SIGNAL FAILURE (RECALL BY MANUFACTURE CORRECTED THAT PROBLEM). HOWEVER, DEALER WOULD NOT FIX THE CONTINUOS PROBLEM WITH THE ON-GOING TICKING SOUND OF THE TURN SIGNAL EVEN WHEN SIGNAL IS NOT IN USE. THAT WOULD COST $273 TO FIX, DEALER SAID. GRINDING SOUND IN TIRES (DEALER GAVE DOCUMENTATION TO SUPPORT THE FACT THAT THE 2001 PONTIAC GRAND AM'S WERE MANUFACTURED WITH A FAULTY TIRES AND RIM PACKAGE. SUGGESTED NEW RIMS OR DIFFERENT THAN MANUFACTURE CHOICE TIRES. THE MOST SIGNIFICANT PROBLEM IS WITH THE ENGINE. RANDOMLY UPON IGNITION AND SOMETIMES AFTER SITTING IDLE, THE ENGINE WILL REV HIGH (AT TIMES UPTO 3RPMS). SOUNDS LIKE THE ENGINE IS GOING TO EXPLODE! WENT TO 2 PONTIAC DEALERS VARIOUS TIMES (AT LEAST 6) AND NEITHER CAN FIX THE PROBLEM. EACH TIME I WAS CHARGED WITH ASSESSMENT FEES. I'M DONE WITH PONTIAC VEHICLES!
NHTSA complaint #10078438 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.