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

10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
0 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.

1998 Pontiac Grand Am brakes problems

brakes problem

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1998 Pontiac Grand Am Owner Comments

problem #15

Mar 052004

(reported on)

Grand Am

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles

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

When braking vehicle didn't stop at the desired stopping point. Vehicle was taken to the dealer, who indicated that antilock braking system malfunctioned and there was no remedy to solve the problem. Mechanic recommends disconnecting the antilock braking system because it was not safe to drive the vehicle in this condition.

- Ebensburg, PA, USA

problem #14

Jul 292002

Grand Am

  • miles
After turning my vehicle on, I noticed that my vehicle brake and ABS lights were illuminated. It was determined after taking the car to the mechanic that the motor pack was in need of replacement. My mechanic suggested that I file a report since this is a rare problem.

- Lemont, IL, USA

problem #13

Feb 142002

Grand Am

  • miles
While driving ABS light will pop up. Consumer has to turn off the engine, and light will go off. Then, will pop up again. Dealer has been contacted.

- Omaha, NE, USA

problem #12

Mar 042000

Grand Am

  • miles

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

Consumer states when taking foot off accelerator, vehicle starts to pulsate and when brakes are applied it takes approximately 3 to 4 feet to stop, while vehicle is bucking as if the ABS are engaging, RPM needle goes crazy.

- East Freetown, MA, USA

problem #11

Mar 022001

(reported on)

Grand Am

  • miles
Brakes have never worked properly. Replaced twice and rotors have been turned once. Spouse noticed that the front or rear brakes did not show any wear.-we also have had a probelm with the battery that I think was caused by the electrical system.

- Louisville, KY, USA

problem #10

Nov 282000

Grand Am

  • miles
I feel as though there is a serious problem with my 1998 Pontiac grandam. I have taken it to the dealership (boomershine Pontiac) twice in the last 3 months. On nove 28, 2000 all of the warning lights in my vehicle came on and then my car locked up while I was driving on the bypass at about 50 mph. I could not steer or brake my car. It was locked up, so threw on the emergency brakes and slid until the car came to a stop. I reported the service department that my ABS, ets, check engine, and airbag lights kept flashing on and off. On Feb 20, 2001 I took my car back to boomershine Pontiac and reported that my check engine, ABS, and airbag light was once again coming on. My car was supposely repaired when I picked it up on Feb 22, 2001. On March 1. 2001 at 9:05am I was driving to work and my ABS, ets, and airbag lights were once again flashing. I went to Pontiac boomershine to report this. And I took the sales consultant jason bresnock for a ride in the car. My airbag light did flash while jason bresnock was riding with me. I have made and appointment for Tuesday March 6, 2001 and 7:45am to have them work on my car once again. I feel that there is something seriously wrong with this car and the technicians can't find out what the problem can be. I feel that I am driving an unsafe vehicle at this point.

- Marietta, GA, USA

problem #9

Feb 092001

(reported on)

Grand Am

  • miles

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

Front brakes and rotors had to replaced at 24,000 miles within 1 yearr of ownership. Then 1 1/2 years, ABS and brake light came on at same time. Dealer had to have motor pact kit put which runs rear hydraulic for brakes at 50,000 miles.

- Bangor, ME, USA

problem #8

Jan 202001

(reported on)

Grand Am

  • miles
No summary listed for above vehicle.

- Marysville, CA, USA

problem #7

Dec 102000

Grand Am

  • miles
No summary listed for above vehicle.

- Deltona, FL, USA

problem #6

Aug 081998

Grand Am

  • miles
The ABS motor kit (91172172) failed and shorted out which caused the hydraulic modulator valve shorted out and required replacement as well.

- Castro Val, CA, USA

problem #5

Apr 021998

Grand Am

  • miles

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

Vehicle would suddenly accelerate on its own with the foot on the brakes. Brakes were ruined. Problem was intermittent. Been to the dealership 3 different times, but problem would reappear after repairs were done.

- Fulton, NY, USA

problem #4

Dec 151998

Grand Am

  • miles
Purchased vehicle 6/98. Three days after purchase car ignition switch failed. Vehicle towed 3 times for same problem. Found wires in harness bad causing problem. Brake problems since owning wheel cylinders leaking brake shoes soaked with oil. Rotors machined @ 10,462. Excessive brake dust. Brake pads worn at 10,465 miles. Rear shoes out of adjustment @ 10,465. 13,985 miles ABS light failed. While lights and ac or heat on when applying brakes interior and headlights dim. Can't find problem! when heater is on smell of antifreeze. Can't find problem. Front suspension noise. Stabilizer bushings bad can't find problem. No brake pedal at times. When road surface is wet and brakes applied car will not stop.

- Rittman, OH, USA

problem #3

Nov 111998

Grand Am

  • miles
I have had my rotors replaced three times now. Even though my milage is rather high for the time owned, most of my driving is freeway driving. I have also had problems with the breaks failing, especially when the weather is damp or wet. I have also had the antilock breaks kick in when I was doing normal breaking. This caused me to almost have an accident, because it increased my stopping distance. I was going only approximately 5-25mph in each of the several incidents. When the breaks failed it feels like someopne put vaseline on the rotors. I step on the break pedal, and get no response. I usually have to pump the breaks in order for them to work. This particular car also had a bedspring, creaking, cracking noise that seems to appear when I go over bumps and when the body flexes. Numerous people have asked me what the noise is, but my dealer can't seem to fix the problem. They did put some tape around something at one point that helped some, but the noise is very distracting and continues. The dealer actually told me that I shouldn't bring that car back to them for that problem. On my last trip to the dealer, they did seem to fix the problem temporarily, but when I was on the on ramp to the freeway, something "cracked" again, and the noises are heard daily now. I also had one of my fromt tires fail. The sidewall bubbled out. The manufacturer did nothing for me. I was more or less told that I would have to prove that there was a defect in the tire. I still had almost all of the origianl tread. The noises in the suspension/body are irritating, and the car sounds like it is going to fall apart on the road someday, but my biggest concern is the breaks. I am a very safe driver, but find the breaking system that is in my car very unreliable. I honestly feel that I would be better off without the ABS, as I don't need them kicking in when I am doing normal slow stopping, such as pulling out of a driveway or just slow down. Very scary when I don't stop.

- Elyria, OH, USA

problem #2

May 161998

Grand Am

  • miles
Transmission- R&R trans to replacethird gear input and replaced bushing reconditioned trans asssembly and replaced axle seal / steering wheel replaced streering wheel sensor bushing, dealer claims they could never find problem / brakes dealer said this was not under warranty went to midas replaced pads, left caliper, right caliper both had damaged boots uneven pad wear drums were hardspotted and out of round hoses -steelined were rust spotted./ replaced front bushing.dealer said they could never find problem with brakes when first reported to them

- New Baden, IL, USA

problem #1

Jul 121999

Grand Am

  • miles
When starting the car ABS lights keep coming on due to this ABS sensor malfunctioning. Has been replaced twice.

- Sheridan, IL, USA

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