NHTSA — Service Brakes, Hydraulic: Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip Problems

1995 Pontiac Grand Am (Page 1 of 3)

10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
10 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
6 / 0
Average Mileage:
2,835 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

1995 Pontiac Grand Am brakes problems

brakes problem

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1995 Pontiac Grand Am Owner Comments (Page 1 of 3)

problem #53

Jul 142003

Grand Am 4-cyl

  • Manual transmission
  • 165 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

1995 Pontiac Grand Am overheating. Replaced the thermostat four times and finally the head gaskets warped. Paid for the head gasket replacement. Continued to overheat and called General Motors. Mediator was of very little help. Took it back under the repair warranty, then the radiator blew because they had replaced the radiator cap with a higher pressure rating. We took it back and they replaced the radiator, hoses, heater core and numerous other things. It continued to overheat. In general we have spent about $2500 and still have this issue. Additionally, we now have the ABS warning light coming on occasionally and I found some engine wires twisted up over the manifold. I have since moved them back to their original location and had to use electrical tape on another wire connection that the lock (snap) was broke off. Since doing this I have not had the car overheating as often. Additionally since repairs were made, we now have heavy condensation on the interior windshield, (window wipers on the inside could be a solution...) along with puddles of water on the passenger floor and in the trunk....god only knows what they did to my car after I called General Motors, everything just seemed to get worse from there.. coincidence, I think not. They are now bankrupt so there is no recourse in my case of retrieving money needlessly spent on repairs they should have fixed properly in the first place. And while I'm at it, I wonder if they ever took car of that ignition recall" I am still driving the car when it is behaving but I have been having to hold the ignition switch to get the car to start which I hadn't had to do before... are they waiting for my car to catch on fire due to this ignition problem? the smartest thing would be to take it to someone else but no one wants to touch the car after finding out it was at the other dealership so where do I go now" and a reply on that sure would be a big help!

- Lusby, MD, USA

problem #52

Oct 102003

Grand Am

  • Automatic transmission
  • 80,103 miles
We have had a problem with the windows not working. We've had to push up the window with our hands while pushing the power window button and it doesn't close all the way. Now it does not work at all. Also we have problems with the headlights staying on. We noticed if we play with the multifunction switch (like turning the high beams on and off) then the headlights will come back on after a few tries. We recently replaced all 4 brakes and now the ABS light is on and stays on. Dealer stated that there's nothing wrong with the ABS brakes.

- Belle Plaine, MN, USA

problem #51

Jul 112002

Grand Am 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
ABS brakes.

- Burton, OH, USA

problem #50

Jan 011998

Grand Am 4-cyl

  • 70,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The brake system fails with the pedal going soft to the floor. When the problem fixes itself the brakes are still soft and then you have the brakes to the floor and the system slams on the brakes. This only happens at speeds less than 15 mph, all ABS sensors have been changed and it still happens. ABS light comes on dash, but tech's can't find a problem. When slow backing you can hear brakes working though your not touching them. Fell free to contact at numbers listed for additional information or to give insight as to problem as tech's can't figure it out. *dimsii IVOQ entry posted after 12/12/02 cut-over to artemis*730195

- Comstock Park, MI, USA

problem #49

Sep 052001

Grand Am

  • miles
I have been having an intermittent problem with the brakes on my 1995 Pontiac Grand Am. Occasionally, when applying the brakes I hear a rapid clicking sound and the brake pedal immediately releases and goes to the floor. At that point the car is without brakes, an obviously unsafe and unacceptable situation. I have taken the car to the local Pontiac dealership ( master Pontiac Buick GMC) twice for this problem. They have told me that they canT duplicate the problem and are therefore unable to fix the car. When I spoke with the service manager he agreed that the clicking sound that precedes the loss of braking could indicate a problem with a relay. However he insists that they canT diagnose a problem with a relay until it fails completely. I sincerely doubt that I am the only person owning a 1995 Pontiac Grand Am who has ever had this braking problem.

- Martinez, GA, USA

problem #48

Jun 222001

(reported on)

Grand Am

  • miles
The brake system on this car has had problems from day one, at approx. 3,000 mi. The ABS system light came on and was "repaired" under warranty. At approx. 5,000 mi. The ABS/brake warning light both came on the dealer kept the car for 2 1/2 days "reparing the system". the only problems up untill now have been the ABS/brake warning light both coming on at the same time, turning the car off and back on would clear the lights and seem to clear the problem. At about 48,000 mi. The pedel would occasionaly drop very close to the floor when applying the brakes(more so under light braking). Now the pedal must be pushed to the floor to slow and stop. As of todays brake inspection, my local mechanic tells me to take it back to the dealer, because there is somthing wrong with the master cylinder/ABS modulator.

- Spartanburg, SC, USA

problem #47

Jun 082001

Grand Am

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Consumer was traveling at approximately 20 mph when she attempted to apply brakes, but brake pedal had disconnected and was laying on the floorboard.vehicle went through a 4 way stop due to a lack of brakes. Dealership was examining vehicle.

- Lakeside, CA, USA

problem #46

May 022001

Grand Am

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Brakes work only intermittently. When appying brakes vehicle will shake badly. Accident due to brake failure, damage to vehicle $ 4000.

- Anmoore, WV, USA

problem #45

Oct 042000

Grand Am

  • miles
Brakes failed car traveled into intersection no traffic accident avoided. Dealer found no defects. Corp american aholes.

- Flint, MI, USA

problem #44

Mar 292000

(reported on)

Grand Am

  • miles
When the brake is applied it works up until you are just getting ready to stop, at that point the car slides and then the brakes grab very hard. It takes extra distance to get the car to a complete stop. I've had the front brakes replaced & the back brakes adjusted. Neither helped. Since this isn't a consistant problem it's never done it for the dealer therefore, they can't detect the problem. I filed a complaint with Pontiac. They told me there wasn't anything that could be done until the dealer diagnosis the problem. The car is very unsafe to drive.

- Muncie, IN, USA

problem #43

Dec 031999

Grand Am

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

ABS light comes on/off. Consumer sometimes has to press pedal to the floor to stop vehicle.

- Alpina, MI, USA

problem #42

Sep 291999

(reported on)

Grand Am

  • miles
When raining and applying the brakes pedal stiffens, and vehicle feels as if rear ended, and keeps going. Dealer has seen 2 or 3 times. Also, dealer replaced 4-wheel drive locking hubs, and problem still exists.

- High Point, NC, USA

problem #41

Jul 211999

Grand Am

  • miles
The ABS light kept coming on & stayed on. Air bag light would flicker. The vehicle would shut down while driving. The alternator would not work. Kept going out. Taking vehicle to dealer.

- Detroit, MI, USA

problem #40

Jan 121999

Grand Am

  • miles
ABS light always on and anti-lock brakesdo not function, allows more sliding in icy conditions.

- Sparta, MI, USA

problem #39

Aug 011998

Grand Am

  • miles
The brakes do not stop properly as indicated in the recalll for GM trucks. I have had the master cylinder changed and the brakes changed. Pontiac refuses to do more.

- Sherman Oaks, CA, USA

problem #38

Jan 181999

Grand Am

  • miles
Brakes failed when car sat all day or overnight and I would just start to move at no more than 10 mph. The first three times it happened I could pump up the brakes until they would begin to hold. The last time the brakes would not pump up, and I had to let the car roll slow enough to bump into a curb and throw it into park. The last time car was undrivable. Dealers service manager came out and attempted to drive the car and brakes failed. After hearing the "clanging' noice I have complained about since January, he diagnosed the problem as the ABS malfunction. This was confirmed at the service center and the ABS motor pak was replaced at a cost to owner of $160. GM and dealer picked up balance of repair costs. Dealer confirmed the original problem in January 1999 was the ABS and not master cylinder--never was the master cylinder. The warning lights never came on and the sensors never revealed the problem on the diagnostic testing.

- Edmonds, WA, USA

problem #37

Feb 121997

Grand Am

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
When driving at 30 mph and applying the brakes, brake pedal went straight to the floorboard. Also, locks and the windows on the driver's side don't work. The lighter went out. The vehicle uses excessive amounts of oil. Vehicle has been in the shop three times and the dealer can't determine the problem.

- Summershade, KY, USA

problem #36

May 171998

(reported on)

Grand Am

  • miles
ABS brakes failed. Also replaced rotors and drums. In addition, the fusible link in multi-function switch failed, causing vehicle to stall.

- Coral Spri, FL, USA

problem #35

Sep 151997

Grand Am

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Brake pedal goes to floor.

- Union City, NJ, USA

problem #34

Feb 121998

(reported on)

Grand Am

  • miles
ABS brakes; when applying brakes in normal conditions, the pedal goes to floor and the brakes fail to stop the vehicle.

- Coeburn, VA, USA

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