2006 Pontiac Gto Suspension Problems

I HAVE A 2006 GTO THAT WAS MAKING A LOUD HUMMING NOISE BETWEEN 20 AND 50 MPH AFTER A 5,600 MILE ROAD TRIP WHICH TURNED OUT TO BE PREMATURE TREAD WEAR ON THE INSIDE EDGE (APPROX. 2" WIDTH) OF EACH TIRE, WITH THE REMAINING TREAD ON EACH TIRE EXHIBITING NORMAL WEAR. THESE WERE STOCK-SIZE, 2 YEAR-OLD DUNLOP DIREZZA DZ101 TIRES ON THE STOCK 17" WHEELS WITH 18,276 MILES ON THEM. AFTER SEEING THIS I CHECKED THE TIRES THAT CAME WITH THE CAR THAT I KEPT FOR ORIGINALITY AND THEY EXHIBITED WEAR ON THE INSIDE TREAD AS WELL; IT WAS JUST NOT AS NOTICEABLE. I BOUGHT NEW TIRES, HAD THE DEALER PERFORM A 4 WHEEL ALIGNMENT CHECK AND EVERYTHING WAS IN SPECIFICATION. SINCE THE DEALER COULD NOT OFFER A SOLUTION I STARTED CHECKING ONLINE AND NOTICED THAT OTHER PEOPLE HAVE HAD THIS SAME ISSUE. I THEN EMAILED GM PRIORITY CARE AND THEY RESPONDED BY SAYING THE TIRES WERE AT FAULT SINCE THEY WERE NOT ORIGINAL TO THE CAR AND THAT GM WOULD TAKE NO RESPONSIBILITY FOR THIS PROBLEM, EVEN THOUGH I GAVE SUPPORTING DOCUMENTATION FROM OTHER PEOPLE, ALONG WITH EVIDENCE OF THE SAME WEAR ON THE ORIGINAL TIRES. I THEN DISCOVERED THAT THE SUSPENSION ON THESE CARS HAVE QUITE A BIT OF NEGATIVE CAMBER BUILT-IN AND THAT THE CAMBER IS NOT FIELD ADJUSTABLE, SO THE ONLY SOLUTION IS TO REPLACE THE SUSPENSION WITH AFTERMARKET PARTS AT GREAT EXPENSE THAT ALLOW CAMBER ADJUSTMENT. FINALLY, I EMAILED GM PRIORITY CARE AGAIN, EXPLAINED THE NEGATIVE CAMBER ISSUE TO THEM AND ASKED THEM WHICH TIRES I SHOULD PUT ON THE CAR TO PREVENT THIS FROM HAPPENING AGAIN (THE STOCK TIRES ARE NO LONGER MADE), BUT THEY DID NOT RESPOND. SO NOW I MUST DISMOUNT THE TIRES AT EVERY ROTATION TO EVEN-OUT THE WEAR AND HOPEFULLY PREVENT PREMATURE FAILURE. AS A SIDE NOTE, GM REFUSES TO ADDRESS THE SITUATION WITH MY CAR IN ANY CAPACITY EVEN THOUGH IT IS STILL UNDER THE EXTENDED GMPP MAJOR GUARD WARRANTY UNTIL JULY 2016! *TR

NHTSA ID

10660176

Incident

Jul 15, 2014

Mileage

41,707 mi

MY TIRES ON MY 2006 GTO ARE WEARING ON THE INSIDE OF THE TIRE AND BLOWING OUT MY TIRE IT APPEARS TO BE RUBBING ON THE STRUTS I HAVE REPLACED THE TIRES AND HAD ALIGNMENTS DONE AND THE NEW TIRES ARE DOING THE SAME THING IT IS A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION WITH A CAR BLOWING OUT A FRONT TIRE LIKE THIS I ALMOST CAUSED A SEVER ACCIDENT. *TR

NHTSA ID

10425143

Incident

May 7, 2009

Mileage

39,000 mi

I WISH TO KNOW WHY NHTSA DID NOT HAVE A RECALL OF PONTIAC GTO'S FOR THE YEARS 2004, 2005, AND 2006..WHEN 200+ COMPLAINTS WERE FILED ABOUT FRONT SUSPENSION AND EXTREME TIRE WEAR.. *TR

NHTSA ID

10375298

Incident

Jan 9, 2011

Mileage

39,000 mi

HELLO, I WOULD LIKE TO SEND YOU A COMPLAINT CONCERNING THE SAFETY OF MY VEHICLE. I OWN A 2006 PONTIAC GTO. MY CAR CURRENTLY HAS UNDER 25K MILES ON IT AND I HAVE ALREADY HAD TWO SETS OF TIRES BLOW OUT ON ME DUE TO INNER TIRE WEAR. I HAVE OWNED MY CAR FOR LESS THEN 1.5 YEARS AND I HAVE PUT UNDER 19K MILES ON IT. AS FAR AS I KNOW, I AM NOT THE GTO OWNER WITH THESE PROBLEMS. I HAVE BEEN TOLD THAT THE ISSUE WHICH IS CAUSING THESE TIRE PROBLEMS HAS TO DO WITH BAD SUSPENSION. I BEG YOU TO HELP BY HAVING GM CONTACT GTO OWNERS AND PUT A RECALL ON THESE CARS. HOW CAN GM GET AWAY THIS? THE FIRST TIME MY TIRE BLOW OUT I FIGURED THE TIRE WAS BAD B/C THE CAR WAS A COUPLE OF YEARS OLD EVEN THOUGH IT ONLY HAD 5XXX MILES ON IT. THE SECOND TIME I HAD A BLOW OUT, I WAS WITH A LOVED AND NEARLY HIT A TELEPHONE POLE AFTER I AVOIDED HITTING AN ON COMING CAR. MY TIRES ARE ROTATED REGULARLY AND MY ALIGNMENT IS SET JUST AS OFTEN. THIS ISSUE IS VERY DANGEROUS AND I BEG FOR YOUR SUPPORT, I DO NOT FEEL SAFE IN MY CAR AND THIS SHOULD NOT BE THE CASE. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME AND PLEASE PLEASE HELP. *TR

NHTSA ID

10350662

Incident

Aug 16, 2010

Mileage

24,500 mi

FRONT PASSENGER SIDE SUSPENSION STRUT FAILED. OIL LEAKED OUT ON SMOOTH ROAD SURFACE. THERE WAS NO ACTIVITY PRIOR TO FAILURE THAT WOULD LEAD TO UNIT BEING UNDER ABNORMAL STRESS. THERE ARE ONLY 19000 MILES ON VEHICLE. BOTH FRONT STRUTS WERE REPLACED WITH MONROE UNITS AS I WOULD HAVE NO FAITH IN STANDARD UNITS. *TR

NHTSA ID

10336034

Incident

Apr 18, 2010

Mileage

19,106 mi

STRUTS LEAKING OIL- STRUTS BUSHING COLLAPSED- NO RECALLS FROM GMC SEEMS ALOT PEOPLE ARE HAVING THIS PROBLEM WITH 06 PONTIAC GTO. *TR

NHTSA ID

10334077

Incident

Apr 18, 2010

Mileage

25,500 mi

I HAVE A 2006 PONTIAC GTO WITH JUST OVER 14,000 MILES ON THE ODOMETER. I WAS GETTING AN OIL CHANGE DONE AND THE CAR WAS UP ON A LIFT. MY MECHANIC TOLD ME THAT I NEED TO COME LOOK AT SOMETHING. HE SHOWED ME THAT THE INSIDE OF MY RIGHT REAR TIRE WAS WORN TO THE POINT THAT THE STEEL BELTS WERE SHOWING THROUGH THE TIRE. HE ALSO POINTED OUT THAT THE INSIDES OF MY OTHER TIRES WERE SHOWING WEAR BUT NOT NEAR AS BADLY AS THE RIGHT REAR TIRE. HE STATED TO ME THAT THE ONLY CAUSE OF THIS WAS TO GET AN ALIGNMENT. I HAD THE ALIGNMENT CHECKED BY AN ALIGNMENT SHOP THAT TELLS ME THAT THE ALIGNMENT IS IN FACTORY SPECIFICATIONS. I HAD TO PAY FOR FOUR NEW TIRES AT DISCOUNT TIRE COMPANY HERE IN PHOENIX. I HAVE DONE SEARCHES ON THE INTERNET AND MANY OTHER GTO OWNERS ARE HAVING THE SAME ISSUES I AM HAVING. PONTIAC NEEDS TO RESEARCH THIS AND RECALL THESE VEHICLES IF NECESSARY. SOMETHING IS VERY WRONG HERE. *TR

NHTSA ID

10323724

Incident

Mar 31, 2010

Mileage

14,000 mi

WHEN REPLACING A "FLAT" TIRE ON MY 2006 PONTIAC GTO WITH STANDARD 17" WHEELS AND ORIGINAL TIRES (APPROX. 26K MILES), I NOTICED THAT THE WHOLE INNER SIDE OF THE TIRE WAS SHREDDED BEYOND THE BELTS. WHEN I HAD THE TIRE REPLACED, TWO ADDITIONAL TIRES WERE FOUND IN EVEN WORSE CONDITION - ALL WERE SHREDDED ON THE INNER SIDE. ONE TIRE THAT HAD PREVIOUSLY BEEN REPLACED, WAS IN GOOD CONDITION. I REMEMBER THAT WHEN I BOUGHT THE CAR, THERE WAS A MANUFACTURER'S SERVICE BULLETIN ADDRESSING "STRUT RUB" ON THE INSIDE OF THE FRONT WHEELS. I MADE SURE THIS WAS ADDRESSED AND THAT THE VEHICLE RECEIVED AN ALIGNMENT AT THE DEALERSHIP ACCORDING TO MANUFACTURER'S SPECS. TIRES HAVE BEEN ROTATED AT EVERY OIL CHANGE IN ACCORDANCE WITH MAINTENANCE PROCEDURES IN THE OWNER'S MANUAL. IT APPEARS THAT EVEN THOUGH THE MANUFACTURER IS AWARE OF THE DEFECT, THE SOLUTION IS NOT A CURE. WE HAVE A VEHICLE THAT KEEPS ON SHREDDING TIRES - THAT IS NOT VERY SAFE. *TR

NHTSA ID

10320401

Incident

Jul 1, 2009

Mileage

26,000 mi

THE EXCESSIVE NEGATIVE CHAMBER AND THE INADEQUATE STRUT BUSHINGS CAUSED THE FRONT TIRES TO PREMATURELY WEAR OUT. THE CAR WAS UNDER WARRANTY BUT I WAS TOLD BY THE DEALER THIS WAS NOT COVERED. I HAD TO PURCHASE NEW TIRES AND PAY TO HAVE THE FRONT END ALIGNED. *TR

NHTSA ID

10295914

Incident

Jan 15, 2008

Mileage

14,500 mi

TIRE WEAR ON 2006 PONTIAC G.T.O. HITTING STRUTS CAUSING TIRES TO SEPARATE. TAKEN TO DEALERSHIP, OUT OF WARRANTY SO NO REPAIRS CAN BE DONE. CAR WAS IN FOR THE SAME REPAIRS DURING THE WARRANTY PERIOD. ALL TIRES WERE REPLACED AT THAT TIME, BUT PROBLEM STILL REMAINS. *TR

NHTSA ID

10295054

Incident

Dec 6, 2009

Mileage

52,000 mi

STRUT RUBBING ON INNER WALL OF FRONT TIRES. MY 2006 PONTIAC GTO HAS 28K MILES AND I HAD TO REPLACE ALL FOUR TIRES. EVEN THOUGH I HAD THE CAR SERVICED DIRECTLY AT THE DEALER SINCE THE ORIGINAL PURCHASE, THEY ONLY REPORTED A CONCERN WITH ALIGNMENT. COME TO FIND OUT THE ROOT CAUSE WAS A RUB ON THE STRUTS WHICH NOW REQUIRES ME TO REPLACE ALL FOUR TIRES. I HAD TO PARK THE VEHICLE FOR MONTHS TO SAVE ENOUGH FOR THE $900 REPLACEMENT. HAD THIS DONE TODAY ONLY TO BE TOLD THEY STILL RUB. I PLAN TO ADDRESS THIS WITH THE DEALER BIT DON'T EXPECT POSITIVE RESULTS. AFTER READING UP ON THIS FROM THE INTERNET IT SOUNDS LIKE I'LL NEED TO PURCHASE A CAMBER KIT ($350.00 RETAIL) PLUS INSTALLATION FEES AND RE-ALIGNMENT. THIS DESIGN FLAW SHOULD BE COMPENSATED BY THE VEHICLE'S MANUFACTURER NOT THE BUYER. APPRECIATE ANY ADVICE OR ASSISTANCE YOU CAN OFFER. *TR

NHTSA ID

10280584

Incident

Mar 12, 2009

Mileage

28,745 mi

NO ABNORMAL EVENT LED TO FAILURES; CONTEXT WAS NORMAL DRIVING. FAILURES WERE FRONT SUSPENSION COMPONENTS; PREMATURELY WORN (1) STRUT ROD BUSHINGS (I.E., RADIUS ROD BUSHINGS), (2) STRUT MOUNT BUSHINGS, (3) LOWER CONTROL ARM BUSHINGS, & (4) END LINK BUSHINGS. THE CONSEQUENCES OF (I.E., SYMPTOMS CAUSED BY) COMBINATION OF 1, 2 & 3 WERE EXCESSIVE, IRREGULAR, OUT-OF-SPEC MOVEMENTS IN, & WANDERING OF, FRONT SUSPENSION & STEERING COMPONENTS & FRONT TIRES (WHICH ARE CONNECTED TO SUSPENSION/STEERING COMPONENTS)--BOTH IN CAMBER & CASTOR--AS EVIDENCED BY (A) EXCESSIVE NEGATIVE CAMBER, WHICH CAUSED (A1) PREMATURE INNER TIRE WEAR, (B) EXCESSIVE MOVEMENT OR VIBRATION IN FRONT WHEELS, WHICH CAUSED (B1) SOME INNER FRONT TIRE CONTACT WITH FRONT STRUTS, & (C) SIGNIFICANTLY REDUCED CONTROL, & INCREASED INSTABILITY, OF CAR ON ROAD. FRONT TIRES ARE SECURED TO CAR BY TRIANGULATION OF THREE MAJOR SUSPENSION COMPONENTS: FRONT STRUT (SECURED TO STRUT TOWER THROUGH STRUT MOUNT BUSHING & BEARING), STRUT ROD (SECURED TO FRONT OF ENGINE CRADLE THROUGH STRUT ROD BUSHINGS), & LOWER CONTROL ARM (SECURED TO SIDE OF ENGINE CRADLE THROUGH LOWER CONTROL ARM BUSHINGS), EACH OF WHICH EXPERIENCED FAILURE. SERVICING DEALER REPLACED, UNDER MANUFACTURERS WARRANTY, STRUT ROD BUSHINGS, STRUT MOUNT BUSHINGS, BEARINGS, & HARDWARE, LOWER CONTROL ARM BUSHINGS (& LOWER CONTROL ARMS, SINCE COMES AS AN ASSEMBLY), & END LINK BUSHINGS (HAVE PHOTOS OF COLLAPSED, CROWNED STRUT MOUNT BUSHINGS). NOT REPLACE TIRES OR PRO-RATE. HOWEVER, GM'S REPLACEMENT WITH OEM PARTS DOES NOT CORRECT UNDERLYING PROBLEM OF POOR QUALITY/DESIGN OEM SUSPENSION PARTS. SUBSTANTIAL OUT-OF-SPEC MOVEMENTS IN GEOMETRY OF FRONT SUSPENSION COMPONENTS IN 04-06 GTOS SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE NOT APPROPRIATELY ADDRESSED BY GM OR NTSB (NTSB ACTION #PE07010). APPROPRIATE SOLUTION IS SAFETY RECALL 04-06 GTOS TO REPLACE FRONT STRUT MOUNT BUSHINGS & RADIUS ROD BUSHINGS W/HIGH QUALITY, HEAVY-DUTY PARTS (E.G., $350 PART NUMBER GTOTIRERUBPACK AT WWW.PEDDERSUSA.COM).

NHTSA ID

10276426

Incident

Nov 15, 2008

Mileage

20,000 mi

I TOOK MY 2006 GTO INTO THE DEALER IN JAN. 2009 FOR SOME WARRANTY REPAIR WORK ON THE FAN SWITCH. WHILE PERFORMING A SAFETY INSPECTION THE DEALER NOTICED THE RIGHT FRONT STRUT WAS RUBBING ON THE TIRE AND CAUSING SIGNIFICANT WEAR ON THE INNER TREAD. I HAD NOTICED A CLUNKING SOUND AS I WENT OVER SPEED BUMPS OR TURNED TIGHT LIKE YOU WOULD IN A PARKING LOT FOR APPROXIMATELY 3 MONTHS PRIOR TO THAT. I ASKED IF THEY WERE RELATED AND THE SERVICE ATTENDANT SAID POSSIBLY, BUT THAT ALL THE GTOS MADE NOISE WHEN CRANKING THE WHEEL BECAUSE OF THE WIDE TIRES. I ASKED IF THE STRUT WAS COVERED UNDER THE WARRANTY AND THEY SAID NO, IT WAS SOME TYPE OF FRONT END DAMAGE THAT CAUSED IT. THE CAR HAD A FENDER BENDER IN NOV. 2006, BUT IT WAS RE-ALIGNED IN DEC. 2006. NO MENTION WAS MADE AT THE TIME THAT THE STRUT RUBBED ON THE TIRE. I DIDN'T HAVE THE MONEY TO HAVE IT REPAIRED RIGHT AWAY SO I WASN'T DRIVING IT UNTIL I APRIL 2009 WHEN CIRCUMSTANCES MADE IT MY ONLY VEHICLE. AFTER A FEW DAYS OF DRIVING, I NOTICED THE CAR WOULD SOMETIMES SUDDENLY SHUDDER IN THE FRONT SUSPENSION AND PULL VERY HARD TO THE RIGHT. ON MAY 8, 2009 AFTER MAKING A LEFT HAND TURN FROM A STOP, AS I STARTED TO STRAIGHTEN THE WHEEL THE CAR JERKED TO THE RIGHT ONTO THE SHOULDER. I TRIED TO STEER IT BACK ONTO THE ROAD AND THE CAR CONTINUED TO SLIDE INTO THE DITCH. A PASSERBY PULLED THE CAR OUT OF THE DITCH AND I LIMPED IT BACK TO A FRIENDS HOUSE WHERE WE JACKED IT UP AND INSPECTED IT. IT SEEMED TO DRIVE FINE AND OTHER THAN THE UNUSUALLY WORN TIRE EVERYTHING APPEARED FINE. I'M NOW AFRAID TO DRIVE IT AND STILL DON'T HAVE THE MONEY TO GET IT REPAIRED, SO IT IS PARKED IN MY DRIVEWAY. AFTER DOING SOME ONLINE RESEARCH, IT SEEMS THAT I AM NOT ALONE IN THIS DILEMMA. IS PONTIAC, GM OR MACPHERSON LOOKING INTO THIS? *TR

NHTSA ID

10273773

Incident

May 8, 2009

Mileage

18,000 mi

I HAVE A 2006 PONTIAC GTO WITH JUST UNDER 24,000 MILES. WHILE DOING A BRAKE JOB I NOTICED THAT I HAD MAJOR WEAR ON THE INNER SIDEWALLS OF MY TIRES DUE TO CONTACT WITH THE STRUTS. THE DRIVER'S SIDE FRONT TIRE HAD MAJOR WEAR ON THE INNER EDGE AS WELL AS SHREDDING ALONG THE SIDEWALL DIAMETER. THE PASSENGER SIDE WAS NOT AS BAD ON THE SIDEWALL, BUT THERE WAS STILL WEARING OF THE SIDEWALL. THE INNER EDGE OF THE TREAD HAD ALSO WORN GREATLY. THE DEALERSHIP REFUSED TO DO ANY REPAIR WORK FOR THIS STATING THAT I WOULD HAVE TO REPLACE THE FRONT TIRES AND TO GET AN ALIGNMENT. I HAVE DONE A LOT OF RESEARCH REGARDING THIS SUBJECT AND HAVE FOUND MANY OTHER GTO OWNERS HAVING THE SAME ISSUE OR WORSE. *TR

NHTSA ID

10269303

Incident

May 3, 2009

Mileage

23,700 mi

2006 PONTIAC GTO HAD TO HAVE ALL 4 TIRES REPLACED AS THE CAR HAS THE STRUT RUB PROBLEM THAT I HAVE HEARD AND READ ABOUT SINCE I BOUGHT THE CAR. ONE OF TIRES DEVELOPED A SLOW LEAK AND I TOOK IT TO THE LOCAL DEALER WHERE IT HAS HAD ITS REGULAR SERVICE DONE. THEY CALLED ME OUT TO LOOK AND SHOWED ME HOW ALL OF THE TIRES HAD WEAR ON THE INSIDE AND ONE IN PARTICULAR WAS VIRTUALLY SHREDDED. I HAVE HAD FREQUENT ROTATIONS DONE ON THIS CAR AS A PRECAUTION SINCE LEARNING OF THIS PROBLEM. ALTHOUGH WITH EACH ROTATION I WOULD ASK THE DEALER IF THERE WERE ANY SIGNS OF THIS ABNORMAL TIRE WEAR AND THEY ALWAYS ACTED LIKE THEY NEVER HEARD OF SUCH A THING. IT IS OBVIOUSLY A DESIGN FLAW AS WHAT VEHICLE NEEDS ALL NEW TIRES EVERY 10-15 THOUSAND MILES BECAUSE OF INNER TIRE SHREDDING? I FIND IT HARD TO BELIEVE THAT THERE HAS NOT BEEN A RECALL ON THIS AUTOMOBILE TO FIX THIS PROBLEM. I AM JUST THANKFUL THAT I DID NOT EXPERIENCE A BLOW OUT ON THE HIGHWAY BECAUSE OF THIS OBVIOUS DESIGN FLAW. *TR

NHTSA ID

10265284

Incident

Apr 14, 2009

Mileage

15,500 mi

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 PONTIAC GTO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS PREMATURE WEAR ON THE INNER SHOULDERS OF HIS TWO FRONT TIRES. THE FAILURE CAUSES BOTH FRONT TIRE BELTS TO BE VISIBLE FROM THE STRUTS. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT NOTICED SPARKS COMING FROM THE FRONT TIRES WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, BUT THEY COULD NOT DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE REPAIR WILL COST $1,000. THE VEHICLE IS STILL UNDER WARRANTY; HOWEVER, THE DEALER WILL NOT HONOR THE WARRANTY. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 30,000.

NHTSA ID

10265236

Incident

Apr 11, 2009

Mileage

30,000 mi

2006 PONTIAC GTO ENGINE FAILURE AT 15,000 MILES. FRONT SUSPENSION PULLS TO THE LEFT, WITH TREMENDOUS VIBRATION FROM THE STEERING WHEEL AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS, VEHICLE WILL NOT HOLD AN ALIGNMENT. BRAKING IS HARSH WITH FURTHER FRONT END VIBRATIONS, OCCASIONAL SQUEALING AND DRIFTING FROM LEFT TO RIGHT BEFORE COMING TO A COMPLETE STOP. CAN HEAR THE COLLAPSING NOISE OF THE COMPRESSED STRUT TOWERS, ALONG WITH SOME INNER WHEEL STRUT RUB. THE PRESENCE OF MECHANICAL KNOCKING AND POPPING NOISE WITH THE VEHICLE SITTING STILL AND JUST TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL FROM RIGHT TO LEFT AND LEFT TO RIGHT. REAR SUSPENSION SAGGING ON THE PASSENGER SIDE, ROLLING OVER UNEVEN ROAD SURFACES CAUSES COLLAPSING OF RIGHT REAR SHOCKS AND SPRING TO RUB THE RIGHT REAR TIRE. NORMAL ACCELERATION FROM A STOP WITH A FULL TANK OF FUEL, THE REAR END BOTTOMS OUT RUBBING THE RIGHT REAR TIRE. PLACING THE VEHICLE IN GEAR FROM A STOP, CAUSES THE REAR END TO DROP SOME 2 - 3 INCHES. CAN HEAR THE SOUND OF A BLOWN SHOCK KNOCKING AND CLANKING ON CERTAIN ROAD SURFACES, HARD TO DUPLICATE FOR SERVICE MANAGER AT DEALERSHIP. VEHICLE HAS BEEN WITH THE DEALERSHIP FOR SEVEN DAYS STRAIGHT, DEALERSHIP REFUSES TO ACKNOWLEDGE THAT THERE IS A PROBLEM. GM CUSTOMER SERVICE REGIONAL MANAGER HAS BEEN EXTREMELY HELPFUL IN SEEKING OUT A RESOLUTION TO FIX THE PROBLEM. NO ACCIDENTS AS OF YET? DEALERSHIP STANDS BY LEAD MECHANIC, STATING THAT THE VEHICLES SUSPENSION IS WITHIN GM SPECIFICATION, AND THAT THE FAULT IS WITH THE FITMENT OF AFTERMARKET WHEELS AND TIRES. I BEGAN COMPLAINING ABOUT THE ISSUE AT ABOUT 18,000 MI, WITH FACTORY SETUP STILL INSTALLED. THE VEHICLE KNOW IS AT 27,000 MI WITH AFTER MARKET WHEELS AND TIRES ON FOR 1,200 MI. DEALERSHIP IS COMPLETELY AWARE OF THIS CHANGE AND WHEN. *TR

NHTSA ID

10264839

Incident

Jun 17, 2008

Mileage

27,000 mi

I OWN A 2006 GTO - PURCHASED MAY 2007. APPROX 8,000 MILES THE FRONT PASSENGER STRUT WENT OUT. DEALERSHIP REPLACED. APPROX 11,000 MILES, DRIVERS SIDE STRUT WENT OUT. DEALERSHIP ALSO REPLACED. NOW @ 31,000 MILES OUR REAR TIRES NEEDED REPLACING. WHEN WE TOOK THE OLD TIRE OFF, WE NOTICED THAT THE INSIDE OF THE TIRE HAD WORN OUT. THE DEALERSHIP SAID THAT THEY WOULD CHECK INTO THE PROBLEM. WE KNOW THAT THE FRONT TIRES WILL PROBABLY NEED TO BE REPLACED. WE HAVE NOT HEARD FROM THE DEALERSHIP IN 4 WEEKS FROM THE DATE WE PURCHASED THE NEW TIRES. THEY DID DO A FRONT WHEEL ALIGNMENT @ NO CHARGE. WE DO PLAN ON GOING TO THE DEALERSHIP TO SEE ABOUT THEM REPLACING OUR FRONT TIRES @ NO CHARGE. PLEASE NOTE THAT I RELY ON MY DEALERSHIP TO ADVISE ME THAT I SHOULD HAVE PURCHASED NEW TIRES. I HAVE THEM ROTATED EVERY OTHER OIL CHANGE SINCE WE PURCHASED THE VEHICLE. AFTER RESEARCHING THRU THE NAFTA REPORTS, WE HAVE FOUND THAT THIS PROBLEM HAS ALWAYS PERSISTED. PLEASE ADVISE IF THERE IS ANOTHER WAY THAT WE SHOULD RESOLVE THIS ISSUE. THANK YOU *TR

NHTSA ID

10250101

Incident

Nov 1, 2008

WHEN REMOVING MY SUMMER TIRES, AND INSTALLING MY WINTER TIRES I NOTICED THAT MY FRONT RIGHT TIRES INNER SHOULDER WAS WORN DOWN TO THE STEEL BELT. I WAS VERY CONCERNED, AS THE CAR HAS BEEN ALIGNED BY THE MFG REGULARLY, AND THE TIRES HAD LOW MILEAGE ON THEM. THE TIRE WAS IN A CONDITION SUCH THAT IT COULD LOSE PRESSURE AT ANY MOMENT. AFTER RESEARCH, IT APPEARS AS IF THE FRONT RADIUS ROD BUSHINGS AND FRONT STRUT MOUNTS HAVE FAILED. A MAJOR CONTRIBUTOR TO THIS FAILURE WAS THE FACT THAT THE VEHICLE WAS MADE IN AUSTRALIA AND SHIPPED TO THE US FOR DISTRIBUTION/SALES. DURING THE SHIPPING PROCESS, THE VEHICLES WERE STRAPPED DOWN SUCH THAT THEIR SUSPENSIONS WERE FULLY COMPRESSED. THIS EXTENDED LOAD ALLOWED FOR KEY SUSPENSION COMPONENTS TO FAIL PREMATURELY. ANOTHER CONTRIBUTOR TO THE FAILURE IS THE FACT THAT THE TIRES MOUNTED TO THE VEHICLE IN THE US ARE WIDER THAN THE TIRES INCLUDED WITH THE VEHICLE IN AUSTRALIA. THE WIDER TIRES INFRINGE UPON THE CLEARANCE BETWEEN THE TIRES AND FRONT STRUTS. THE EARLY FAILURE ALLOWS THE TIRES TO WEAR UNEVENLY, AND PERMITS THE TIRE TO CONTACT THE STRUT MOUNT DURING CORNERING, BREAKING AND ACCELERATION. COUNTLESS OTHER OWNERS OF THIS VEHICLE HAVE SEEN THE SAME ISSUE, AND THE MFG "FIX" IS TO ALIGN THE FRONT TIRES SUCH THAT THE CAMBER IS SO LARGE THAT IT SPACES THE TIRE AWAY FROM THE STRUT. THIS IS A BAND AID REPAIR, AS THE FRONT SUSPENSION PERFORMANCE IS NOW LIMITED, AND THE TIRES WEAR THE OUTSIDE SHOULDERS PREMATURELY. *TR

NHTSA ID

10249852

Incident

Nov 18, 2008

Mileage

29,000 mi

THE CAR HAD BEEN TAKEN TO THE DEALER IN MARCH 2008 REGARDING AN ISSUE OF THE FRONT TIRES RUBBING AGAINST THE STRUTS. THE DEALER IDENTIFIED THE PROBLEM AS AN ALIGNMENT ISSUE AND MADE A CORRECTION, HOWEVER THE EXCESSIVE WEAR ON THE INSIDE EDGES OF THE TIRES WAS NOT ADDRESSED. THE EXCESSIVE WEAR IS NOT A TIRE DEFECT AND IS A DIRECT RESULT OF STRUT RUB AND ALIGNMENT. EVEN WHEN WITHIN ALIGNMENT SPECS THE EXCESSIVE WEAR ON THE INSIDE EDGES OF THE TIRES CONTINUES. AT THE TIME, IN MARCH, THE FRONT TIRES WERE ROTATED TO THE REAR. IN NOVEMBER THE RIGHT REAR TIRE, PREVIOUSLY LEFT FRONT WHICH HAD RUBBED THE STRUT, BEGAN TO SHRED WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH. THE TIRE DID NOT GO FLAT. THE INSIDE EDGE OF THE RUBBER PEELED AWAY FROM THE TIRE IN A 1/2 INCH WIDE STRIP, EXPOSING THE STEEL BELT. I AM CONCERNED THAT THE OTHER REAR TIRE, PREVIOUSLY RIGHT FRONT, IS ABOUT TO DO THE SAME. I TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALER AGAIN AND THE DEALER ACKNOWLEDGED THE PROBLEM BUT SAID THAT BECAUSE THE ALIGNMENT IS WITHIN SPECS IT IS NOT A WARRANTY ISSUE. THE DEALER DID OFFER TO REPLACE THE ONE SHREDDED TIRE AT THE EXPENSE OF THE DEALERSHIP, BUT WOULD NOT REPLACE THE OTHER WORN TIRE. THE DEALER ALSO OFFERED TO RECHECK AND ADJUST THE FRONT ALIGNMENT BECAUSE THE FRONT TIRES WERE AGAIN SHOWING SIGNS OF PREMATURE WEAR ON THE INSIDE EDGES. THIS IS NOT A TIRE DEFECT AND IS NOT NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR. THIS IS A MANUFACTURING AND DESIGN ISSUE THAT NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED BY GM AS MANY PEOPLE ARE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM. I WANT TO BE ABLE TO DRIVE A CAR THAT I FEEL SAFE IN, AND THIS CAR HAS AN INCREASED RISK OF BLOWOUTS DUE TO THIS PROBLEM. GM NOT ONLY NEEDS TO REPLACE TIRES, IT NEEDS TO DETERMINE HOW TO SOLVE THE ALIGNMENT/STRUT RUB PROBLEM TO PREVENT NEW TIRES FROM EXCESSIVE AND PREMATURE WEAR. *TR

NHTSA ID

10249671

Incident

Nov 21, 2008

Mileage

16,800 mi

2006 PONTIAC GTO WITH 11,500 MILES. THE INSIDE TREAD WAS WORN TO THE BELTS ON ALL FOUR TIRES. THE REST OF THE TREAD LOOKED IN GOOD SHAPE. IF IT WEREN'T FOR A FLAT THE WEAR WOULD NOT HAVE BEEN NOTICED AND I WOULD HAVE RUN THE TIRES UNTIL THERE WAS A BLOWOUT. THESE TIRES HAD BEEN ROTATED TWICE BY THE DEALER WITHOUT A COMMENT ON THE TREAD WEAR. *TR

NHTSA ID

10248355

Incident

Sep 10, 2008

Mileage

11,500 mi

I PURCHASED A 2006 PONTIAC GTO AND FROM THE START I HEARD A CLUNKING SOUND AT THE FRONT END WHILE DRIVING OR SLOWING TO STOP. IT APPEARS TO BE THE STRUTS OR CONTROL ARMS. THIS DOES NOT SOUND LIKE A CAR WITHOUT ANY PROBLEMS AND MY FRIENDS HAVE NOTICED THE ODD SOUNDS LIKE THE CAR IS GETTING READY TO BREAKDOWN. *TR

NHTSA ID

10248021

Incident

Oct 29, 2006

Mileage

14 mi

FRONT STRUTS REPLACED BEFORE PURCHASE 8/07(LEAKING) FRONT RIGHT STRUT REPLACED 10/07 REAR VALENCE FLEW OFF ON PARKWAY REPLACED 10/18/07 TIRE RUB FRONT RIGHT DEALER BLAMES MANUFACTURING DEFECT ON FRAME DEALER ALSO STATES FRONT BUMPER SPRAYED. FRAUD CAR BOUGHT NEW NO ACCIDENTS ON CAR. *TR

NHTSA ID

10247105

Incident

Oct 10, 2008

Mileage

8,700 mi

FRONT STRUTS ON MY 2006 PONTIAC GTO FAILED AFTER ONLY 20 MONTHS OF USE. THIS FAILURE RESULTS IN LOSS OF DIRECTIONAL STABILITY AND CAUSES AN INCREASE IN STOPPING DISTANCE. THE CAR HAS SEEN NO TRACK TIME. IT IS MY DAILY DRIVER, MOSTLY HIGHWAY USE. *TR

NHTSA ID

10246800

Incident

Jun 15, 2008

Mileage

36,000 mi

2006 PONTIAC GTO TIRES WORN DOWN TO CHORD ON INBARD SIDES - DESPITE ALIGNMENT AND REGULAR TIRE ROTATION. SUSPENSION BUSHINGS THE CONSISTENCIES OF "GUMMY BEARS" WERE REPLACED WITH AFTERMARKET REPLACEMENTS ALONG WITH NEW TIRES. RADIUS ROD BUSHINGS HAVE NOT BEEN REPLACED AT THIS TIME. THIS ALLOWS THE TIRES TO VARY ALIGNMENT DURING BRAKING. BUSHINGS AND ONE PAIR OF TIRES ARE AVAILABLE. *TR

NHTSA ID

10244395

Incident

Sep 10, 2008

Mileage

30,000 mi