1997 Pontiac Grand Prix Brakes Problems

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH, WHEN THE HEATING SYSTEM WAS ACTIVATED, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE HEAD LIGHTS FAILED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT ALSO NOTICED THAT THE INFORMATION SYSTEM IN THE DASHBOARD WOULD FAIL WHEN THE HEAT WAS ACTIVATED. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ABS WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE RECURRED. IT WAS UNKNOWN IF THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 52,300. UPDATED 04/08/16*LJ THE CONSUMER STATED THE BRAKE MODULE NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. UPDATED 05/16/16.*JB

NHTSA ID

10817591

Incident

Jul 18, 2014

Mileage

52,300 mi

TRAVELING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH DOWN A DUAL LANE (EACH WAY) HEAVILY TRAVELED ROAD WHEN I ATTEMPTED TO STOP THE CAR & THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR. AFTER I WAS ABLE TO STOP, I DISCOVERED BRAKE FLUID WAS DRIPPING FROM THE UNDERSIDE OF THE AUTOMOBILE WHERE THE BRAKE LINE HAD APPARENTLY RUPTURED. REAR BRAKE LINES WERE REPLACED AT A COST OF $700 BY A PROFESSIONAL MECHANIC AT A LOCAL GARAGE............ I OWN 2 PONTIAC GRAND PRIXS ( A 1997 & 1998) AND ONLY 1 MONTH EARLIER ( 08/14/12), THE 1998 PONTIAC ALSO HAD A SIMILAR BRAKE LINE RUPTURE........UNBELIEVABLY, 2 YEARS LATER ON SEPT 27, 2014 THE 1997 PONTIAC AGAIN HAD A BRAKE LINE FAILURE, WHERE AT THIS TIME I WAS TRAVELING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH DOWN A DUAL LANE HIGHWAY APPROACHING AN INTERSECTION WHERE I HAD A STOP SIGN & WAS UNABLE TO STOP, TRAVELING THRU THE INTERSECTION, AVOIDING A COLLISION AND WAS ABLE TO FINALLY STOP OFF THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AFTER PULLING INTO A VACANT PARKING LOT............BASED ON MY EXPERIENCE & 50 YEARS EXPERIENCE DRIVING, I CONSIDER THESE PONTIAC BRAKE LINES TO BE MADE OF INFERIOR MATERIAL THAT DUE TO THEIR PARALLEL PLACEMENT IN BRACKETING RUNNING ALONG THE UNDERSIDE OF THE VEHICLE ARE EXTREMELY SUBJECTED TO CORROSION & FAILURE..........AUTO BRAKE LINES SHOULD BE REQUIRED BY THE GOVERNMENT TO BE MADE OF HIGH QUALITY STAINLESS STEEL SINCE THEY ARE A CRITICAL SAFETY ITEM IN EVERY VEHICLE. THE BRAKE LINES ON THESE PONTIACS MAKE THEM POTENTIAL TIME-BOMBS ON THE ROADWAY! *TR

NHTSA ID

10639932

Incident

Sep 12, 2012

Mileage

174,000 mi

THE ENGINE SHUTS OFF WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD. WHEN THE ENGINE QUIT RUNNING, THE OIL LIGHT AND ALTERNATOR LIGHT DIDN'T COME ON JUST THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKE LIGHT, ALSO THE TACHOMETER STAYED AT 2000 RPM. I PUT THE CAR IN NEUTRAL AND TRIED, BUT COULDN'T GET THE ENGINE TO START. PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND TRIED SEVERAL TIMES BEFORE FINALLY STARTING. I HAD TO PUT TRANSMISSION IN THE PARK POSITION, AND THE KEY ALL THE WAY OFF, THEN START THE ENGINE. I HAD THE CRANKSHAFT SENSOR REPLACED, BUT MADE NO DIFFERENCE. ITS HAPPENED 6 TIMES IN THE LAST 5 MONTHS AND 300 MILES. I QUIT DRIVING IT UNTIL I CAN GET ANOTHER CAR. *TR

NHTSA ID

10569192

Incident

Oct 9, 2013

Mileage

171,750 mi

IT WAS AROUND 7:30 PM IN NOVEMBER OF 2001 WHEN I WAS DRIVING MY SON TO HIS FRIENDS HOME DOWN THE STREET FROM WHERE I LIVE. WE WERE DRIVING AT ABOUT 25 MILES PER HR AND WERE NEARING THE FRIENDS HOME WHEN SMOKE APPEARED TO BE COMING FROM UNDER THE ENGINE HOOD. I IMMEDIATELY TURNED INTO THE FRIENDS DRIVEWAY AND MY SON OPENED THE HOOD TO TAKE A LOOK AND FLAMES CAME OUT, MY ENGINE WAS ON FIRE. HE DOUSED IT WITH DIRT FROM THE GROUND. THERE WAS DAMAGE TO THE ELECTRICAL PARTS, UNDERHOOD, AND ENGINE AREA. THE CAR WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALERSHIP AND REPAIRED TO THE BEST OF THEIR ABILITY, BUT ISSUES CONTINUE TO ARISE TO THE POINT WHERE THE CAR IS NOW PARKED AS MORE REPAIRS ARE NEEDED. I WAS TOLD TO EXPECT OTHER PROBLEMS TO SURFACE BY THE SERVICE MANAGER AT THE DEALERSHIP. *TR

NHTSA ID

10238911

Incident

Nov 17, 2001

Mileage

58,000 mi

THE EBCM (ELECTRONIC BRAKE CONTROL MODULE) HAS GONE OUT. THIS EFFECT THE POWER STEERING AND THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKES. THE PROBLEM IS THAT A NEW COST $700.00. OUR GTP DOESN'T HAVE TRACTION CONTROL AND WE ARE UNABLE TO FIND A USED OR REMAN. EBCM W/O TRACTION CONTROL. THE NOSE CONE ON THE SUPERCHARGER IS ALSO BAD. IT HAS A RATTLE IN IT THAT WON'T GO AWAY. IT WAS THAT WAY WHEN WE BOUGHT THE CAR WITH 68,000 MILES ON IT, NOW HAS 102,000.

NHTSA ID

10119899

Incident

May 5, 2005

Mileage

98,000 mi

MOST RECENT COMPLAINT IS, HEATED DRIVER SEAT GETS TOO HOT AND MAKES IT HARD TO STAY SEATED. HEATER BLOWER QUIT WORKING. HAVE HAD TO REPLACE THE ALTERNATOR EVERY 3RD YEAR (3 TIMES). HAVE HAD OIL PAN GASKET AND VALVE COVER LEAKAGE. POWER STEERING FAILED TO MAKE LEFT HAND TURNS. HEADLIGHTS CONTINUE TO HAVE POOR RANGE AND VISIBILITY EVEN WITH BULB REPLACEMENT. CAR LURCHES FORWARD WHEN STARTING UP ENGINE. OUTSIDE TEMPERATURE DISPLAY KEEPS WRONG TEMPERATURE. A.M. RADIO WOULD NOT WORK. WATER PUMP HAD TO BE REPLACED. ABS LIGHT STAYED ON. AIR BAG LIGHT CAME ON WHEN GOING OVER BUMPS IN ROAD. *LA

NHTSA ID

10054801

Incident

Jan 5, 2004

THIS IS THE WORST AUTOMOBILE I HAVE EVER OWNED. IT IS NICKEL AND DIMING ME TO DEATH. BOTH BACK WINDOWS ARE BEING HELD UP IN PLACE BY STICKS THAT I HAVE PROPED UNDER THEM. THE FRONT PASSENGER WINDOW I PAID $300 TO HAVE REPAIRED. THE STEERING LOCKED UP ON ME AND I HAD TO DISH OUT $500 TO GET THAT REPAIRED, GM RECALLED IT A COUPLE OF WEEKS AFTER THAT, THANK GOD I GOT SOME OF MY MONEY BACK FOR THAT REPAIR. THE PASSENGERS SIDE HEAD LIGHT LENS COVER FELL OFF $75 TO REPLACE THAT. I AM PRESENTLY WORKING ON THE BRAKE TRANSMISSION SHIFT INDICATOR WHICH I JUST CALLED THE DEALER FOR A PRICE ON THE PART AND AM TOLD IT WILL BE $224.07 FOR THE PART AND PROBABLY $115 FOR THE LABOR. THE ENGINE LEAKS OIL I HAD MY WIFE TAKE IT TO THE SHOP FOR THEM TO TAKE A LOOK AT AND THEY TOLD HER THAT NO LEAKS WERE EVIDENT. WELL THE OIL IN MY DRIVEWAY IS COMING FROM SOMEWHERE. I WILL NEVER OWN ANOTHER GM PRODUCT IN MY LIFE AGAIN. NOT EVEN IF IT IS GIVEN TO ME AND 10,000 TO USE TOWARD THE REPAIRS OF IT.

NHTSA ID

10070584

Incident

Jul 15, 2003

Mileage

80,000 mi

EGR VALVE MADE OF CHEAP PLASTIC. HEADLIGHT LENS FALLING OFF CAR. FAULTY HYDRAULIC MODULATOR AND EXHAUST SYSTEM. *PH

NHTSA ID

10038853

Incident

Aug 18, 2003

Mileage

50,431 mi

THE STEERING WHEEL FAILED TO TURN TO THE LEFT, INSTEAD IT TURNED COMPLETELY AROUND. *JB. ALSO THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED PROBLEMS WITH THE ALTERNATOR, RACK AND PINION, BRAKES, SEATS, WINDOWS, BATTERY, BULBS, STEERING PUMP, AND THE SUN ROOF LEAKED. PH *JB

NHTSA ID

10014880

Incident

Apr 1, 2002

ABOUT 1 OUT OF 50 TIMES APPLYING BRAKES, THE ABS SYSTEM ACTIVATES THE ABS MOTORS ON THE MASTER BRAKE CYLINDER, CAUSING A BRIEF (1/2 TO 1 SECOND) LOSS OF BRAKES. ADDITIONAL BRAKE PEDALIS NOT EFFECTIVE DURING THIS TIME. CLICKING NOISE FROM ABS MOTORS AND BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER. ABLE TO REPRODUCE THE ABS MOTORS ACTIVATING FOR 1/2 TO 1 SECOND BY: WITH KEY OFF, APPLY BRAKE, START ENGINE, RELEASE BRAKE. WHEN BRAKE LIGHTS TURN OFF, ABS MOTORS RUN FOR 1/2 TO 1 SECOND. UNABLE TO DEPRESS BRAKE PEDAL DURING THIS TIME.REMOVING ABS FUSE PREVENTS PROBLEM FROM OCCURRING, BUT THE ABS LIGHT IS ON.*AK

NHTSA ID

10021378

Incident

Jun 1, 2003

Mileage

35,000 mi

I HAVE HAD TO CHANGE THE REAR BRAKES ON MY VEHICLE NUMEROUS TIMES BEFORE THE LIFE OF THE BRAKE SHOULD ACTUALLY BE UP. THIS HAS BEEN A PROBLEM THAT HAS BEEN CAUSED BY THE CALIPER (PARTICULARLY ON THE DRIVER SIDE REAR), GETTING STUCK AND EATING THROUGH THE BRAKE ROTOR. THIS HAS HAPPENED AT LEAST THREE TIMES IN THE PAST YEAR. *TT

NHTSA ID

10020557

Incident

Oct 20, 2002

RECALL 99V348000 REPAIRS ON WINDSHIELD WIPERS WERE DONE IN JULY OF 2000, VEHICLE HAS BEEN TAKEN BACK TO DEALER NUMEROUS TIMES. WINDSHIELD WIPERS STOPPED WORKING INTERMITTENTLY.*AK MAP LAMP ASSEMBLY, DOOR LIGHTS, REAR DOOR LENS, GASKET LAMP AND HEADLAMP ASSEMBLY WERE ALL REPLACED, ABS LIGHT ILLUMINATED, DEALER ADJUSTED BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH. BOTH OUTER TIE RODS WERE REPLACED. WINDSHIELD COWL PANEL LEAKED AND WAS REPLACED. STEERING COLUMN WAS REPLACED. SERPENTINE BELT HAS BEEN REPLACED 3 TIMES, VALVE COVER GASKET HAS BEEN REPLACED 2 TIMES, VEHICLE HAS EXPERIENCED 3 OIL LEAKS, OIL PAN AND WATER PUMP WERE REPLACED, A BELT SNAPPED AND HAS NOT YET BEEN REPAIRED. ALTERNATOR HAS BEEN REPLACED 3 TIMES. THE SUPERCHARGER GASKET WAS REPLACED. THE AUTOMATIC SHIFT MECHANISM WAS REPLACED. THE RADIO SKIPS AND THE RADIO MODULE TO THE STEERING COLUMN BROKE. 2 FRONT WHEEL SPEED SENSOR JUMPER WIRING WAS REPLACED. *SLC

NHTSA ID

8012533

Incident

May 9, 1997

ENGINE COMPLETELY SHUT OFF WHILE DRIVING, STEERING COLUMN LOCKS, BRAKES BARELY FUNCTIONED. ALTERNATOR REPLACED TWICE. DIAGNOSED WITH SAME PROBLEM. ONCE IN JULY 2001, AGAIN IN AUGUST 2001. SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON AGAIN. DRIVES OK NOW, BUT WORRIED IT WILL CONTINUE TO GIVE ME PROBLEMS. IN AND OUT OF SHOP 4 TIMES IN PAST YEAR FOR SAME PROBLEM. BACK IN SHOP TODAY FOR WHO KNOWS WHAT.

NHTSA ID

757539

Incident

Jan 28, 2002

WHEN DRIVING OVER BUMPS SUCH AS SMALL POTHOLES OR RAILROAD TRACKS, SOMETIMES THE ABS AND LOW TRACTION LIGHTS COME ON. USUALLY THEY GO OFF. SOMETIMES THEY DON'T. ONLY METHOD TO TURN THE LIGHTS OFF ARE TO PULL OF THE ROAD OR HIGHWAY AND TURN THE ENGINE OFF. ADDITONALLY, SOMETIMES WHEN BRAKING OVER POTHOLES / RAILROAD TRACKS, THE ABS ENGAGE AND THE CLICKING STARTS. FORTUNATELY, DUE TO MY CAREFUL DRIVING, I GIVE MYSELF PLENTY OF ROOM AND DON'T NEED TO PRESS HARDER TO PREVENT A COLLISION. ALSO, SOMETIMES WITH THE LOW TRACTION LIGHT COMING ON, THE ENGINE / TRANSMISSION WILL REV UP AND ENGAGE THE OTHER FRONT TIRE, WHICH IS COMPLETELY USELESS WHEN CONDITIONS ARE DRY AND NORMAL.*AK

NHTSA ID

756771

Incident

Sep 1, 2000

WHEN DRIVING IN RAIN AT HIGH SPEEDS, BRAKES TAKE SOME TIME TO DRY OFF AND BEGIN TO BECOME EFFECTIVE. DRIVER MUST BE AWARE OF THIS AND ALLOW EXTRA STOPPING ROOM FOR WET BRAKES. *AK

NHTSA ID

756761

NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK

NHTSA ID

756340

Incident

Jul 13, 2000

CAR WAS TAKEN TO DEALER TO HAVE OIL CHANGED AFTER WHICH BRAKES LOCKED UP ABS LIGHTS UP DEALER COULD NOT FIX AFTER INSTALING NEW EBTCM TOOK TO ANOTHER DEALER SEVERAL TIMES THEY SAID THEY INSTALLED NEW EBTCM STILL HAD PROBLEMS GOT THE FEELING I WAS GETTING THE RUN AROUND DIDNT GO BACK I FEEL THEY DONT KNOW WHAT THEY ARE DOING BUT I DONT KNOW WHERE TO GO I FEEL THIS IS A SAFETY RELATED PROBLEM THEY SAY NOW ITS NOT UNDER WARRENTY NOW I WOULD SUPPOSE IF THEY FOOL AROUND LONG ENOUGH WITH PROBLEMS THEY WILL BE OUT OF WARRENTY THANK YOU GEO ANDERSON. *AK

NHTSA ID

753005

Incident

Oct 4, 1999

WHEN BRAKES WERE APPLIED ON MOIST PAVEMENT PEDAL WENT TO FLOOR, CAUSING EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE, AND RESULTING IN A COLLISION. MANUFACTURER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. DEALER IS INSPECTING VEHICLE.*AK THE CONSUMER POINTS OUT THAT BRAKES ON THIS VEHICLE WERE VERY BAD AND DESERVE INVESTIGATION. *YH

NHTSA ID

888141

Incident

Jul 13, 2000

NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK

NHTSA ID

745250

Incident

Aug 28, 2000

WHILE DRIVING 35-40 MPH ABS/TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT CAME ON, SLOWED DOWN VEHICLE TO 10 MPH. AT THAT TIME VEHICLE SPED UP, WHEELS SCREECHING. WITH FOOT ON BRAKE, AND VEHICLE SPUN AROUND AND LANDED IN DITCH. CONSUMER TRIED TO GET OUT OF DITCH, VEHICLE ACCELERATED AGAIN OPPOSITE WAY. CONSUMER REALIZED HE HAD A FLAT TIRE, DROVE 100-150 FEET TO FIND A FLAT SPOT TO CHANGE TIRE. VEHICLE LURCHED FORWARD, AND LANDED IN DITCH, HAD TO BE TOWED. REPORTED THIS TO PONTIAC, NO RESPONSE. *AK

NHTSA ID

880479

Incident

Nov 15, 2000

THIS CAR HAS A SIGNIFICANT # OF SAFETY PROBLEMS THAT THE DEALER/MANUFACTURER HAVE REFUSED TO ADDRESS W/OUT SIGNIFICANT COST TO CONSUMER. UNTIL I SUSTAIN A SIGNIFICANT INJURY &/OR INJURE SOMEONE DUE TO THESE PRODUCT DEFECTS, I CAN NOT AFFORD A LEGAL CHALLENGE TO HAVE GM ADDRESS PROBLEMS, NOR CAN I BEAR COST. MY CAR IS AVAILABLE AS A SAMPLE OF THEIR JUNK! (SIGNED;CLAIMS ADJUSTER). NO SAFETY DEFECT LISTED IN SUMMARY. *AK

NHTSA ID

736760

CONSUMER WAS TRAVELING ABOUT25MPH ON A HIGHWAY AND ANOTHER VEHICLE HAD JUMPED IN FRONT OF HER. CONSUMER WENT TO APPLY BRAKES, FOUR DASH LIGHT CAME ON THE DASHBOARD. CONSUMER TURNED VEHICLE OFF. THESE ARE FOUR LIGHTS THAT WERE SHOWING ON THE DASHBOARD. AIRBAG LIGHT/ABS BRAKES SYSTEM/ CHECKED TIRE PRESSURE/ .LOW TIRE. DEALERSHIP MECHANIC TOLD CONSUMER THAT BRAKE PADS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. ALSO, SRS LIGHT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *AK

NHTSA ID

868748

Incident

Aug 25, 2000

CONSUMER HAS MULTIPLE PROBLEMS WITH THE VEHICLE. NO COVERAGE FROM WARRANTY OVER 36,000 MILES. CONSUMER CHOSE TO TAKE VEHICLE TO A MECHANIC. THERE WERE PROBLEMS WITH THE SENSORS. ABS LIGHT STAYED ON. ALSO, CHANGED THE BRAKES WITH HOPES IT WOULD RECTIFY THE PROBLEM. MECHANIC FOUND THAT THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE ABS POWER PACK(THE BRAIN OF THE SYSTEM) IN THE LEFT REAR WHEEL. THE DASH WAS REMOVED & THE ELECTRICAL WIRING WAS BURNT OUT. THERE WAS A FAULTY RELAY SYSTEM THAT WIPED OUT THE WIRING MODULE. THE CONSUMER HAS TO WAIT BECUASE THER IS A SHORTAGE OF GM PARTS. *AK

NHTSA ID

868104

Incident

Aug 15, 2000

PARKED CAR HAD NO PROBLEMS/NEXT MORNING STARTED CAR AND ABS LIGHT CAME ON AND REMAINED. TOOK CAR TO DEALER AND THEY INFORMED ME THE COMPUTER REPORTED ANTI-LOCK BRAKE FAILURE COST $1400.00 DEALER SAID THIS IS THE FIRST ONE THEY HAVE HAD TO REPLACE. *AK

NHTSA ID

724135

Incident

Jun 13, 2000

LEFT FRONT WHEEL SENSOR FAILED. NLM

NHTSA ID

551375