Pulled vehicle out of the garage, heard a loud snap, and the right front of the car dropped. I pulled the car back into the garage, jacked it up and investigated it. I saw that the coil spring had snapped into 2 pieces, and pressed itself against the tire making it impossible to drive. I searched this and found over 20 incidents that were reported in the last year alone!

- Kalamazoo, MI, USA

The consumer heard a loud noise. Front spring broke. While the consumer was backing out of a driveway one of the vehicle's front springs broke. The vehicle wa towed to a garage where they replace the spring and strut.

- Cheswick, PA, USA

On November 3, 2004, upon leaving work, I noticed a noise coming from my left front end. I pulled over in the parking lot of my work place, but unable to identify the cause. I proceeded to the rinke Pontiac dealership in Warren, mi. The service technician performed a cursory check and determined that the strut (and possibly) the spring was broken. After verifying with him that it wouldn't be dangerous, I continued toward home. When I arrived at my turn-off, my front passenger tire blew out. I made it home and called aaa mich; the driver who came to change my tire informed me that the coil spring was broken. On November 4, 2004, I took my car to noonan Pontiac for repair. They replaced the left front coil spring, strut, mount, spring and seat which resulting in a total charge of $614.23 (minus discount). I retained the old part. I replaced the tire and alignment separately.

- Sterling Heights, MI, USA

Reference to : NHTSA action number : PE03031.left front coil spring fractured at the top coil upon entering the driveway of my employer. Low speed so there were no control issues. Car was driven aprox. 5 miles at low-moderate speed with minor noises from suspension at railroad tracks, expansion joints, etc, without control issues. Local dealership inspected the car and found broken spring. Ar will be repaired at the dealership. Replacing spring and isolators, with further inspection of chassis on removal of suspension assembly. Amaged parts will be returned to me.

- Toledo, OH, USA

The coil spring on the left side broke while we were on vacation and left us stranded. Luckily it did not cause an accident. Pontiac refuses to take responsobility for this. I have been told by several mchanics that this is not common and should not have happened unless there was a defect.

- Connellsville, PA, USA

Vehicle was parked in garage, coil spring on right front fractured, replaced both of the front springs, struts, top plates & dust boots. Cost of repairs in excess of $500. Fractured spring & non fractured spring are available.

- Shelby Twp., MI, USA

Left front coil spring broken on 1999 Pontiac Grand Am.

- Lewiston, NY, USA

While pulling out of the garage the consumer heard a noise. The consumer thought it was a blown tire but when the consumer examined the tire and changed it, he discovered that the coil spring had broken. This breakage damaged the tire and the front right strut. The consumer called the manufacturer, but was told by the manufacturer that they would only provide 40% of the cost. The consumer felt that the manufacturer should pay all of the cost because this was a defect.

- Port Clinton, OH, USA

While pulling out of the driveway consumer heard the tire explode. Consumer put the vehicle back in the driveway to repair the tire, and discovered that the right front spring broke in half. Manufacturer was consulted about the problem and offered a forty percent discount. The faulty coil spring also damaged the vehicle's strut when it broke. The consumer believes they should pay for all the repair cost.

- Port Clinton, OH, USA

While backing out of a parking space a loud snap occurred from the right passenger side. A coil spring snapped into two pieces and caused the car to immediately drop down on top of the right front tire. This led to puncturing of the tire. The car had to be towed to a garage and it is currently being serviced. After looking on this website I saw at least 15 cases like mine. This could've led to a serious injury if I were traveling at a higher speed. Please look into this situation.

- Garfield Hts, OH, USA

While the vehicle was parked the driver noticed that the front driver side tired was deflated. The driver inspected the tire and noticed that coil spring was broken.

- Coshocton, OH, USA

While driving on the interstate, the front right tire blow. Which caused the front right spring to break off. Luckly, the vehicle did not flip over on the interstate. Had to get the car towed because the front of the vehicle was lying on the ground becaused of the spring braking off. Had to replaced "new ", right spring, right strut and a new right tire for the vehivle. Now have to replace left strut and spring due to car not level. 1999 Grand Am SE.

- Rochester, NY, USA

1. drove 1999 Pontiac Grand Am with 55,000 miles about 600 miles at highway speeds over 3 days, then parked car overnight. 2. pulled out of driveway at slow speed next morning. Rubbing noise and some resistance from right front (passenger) side wheel. Stopped car after 50 feet. Thought it was wet brakes. Stopped car and started up again and same rubbing noise. Backed car slowly back into driveway. Shut off car. Heard loud metal snap noise from right front (passenger) side wheel. Car then dropped down with no space between top of tire and suspension. 3. called local garage and had car towed. Replaced right front (passenger) wheel spring. Checked, adjusted and did full alignment on car. Would have replaced both springs but parts on national backorder. 4. tire puncture and major accident or death could have occurred if this had happened only a few hours earlier while driving at 65 mph!

- Utica, NY, USA

Fortunately, I was backing out of garage and turning steering wheel when the front left coil spring snapped and dug into the back of my front left tire. I only wonder what would have happened if the had been on the highway at a high rate of speed with surronding traffic. Coil springs were replaced along with a new tire for wrecked one that only had 8000 miles on it. Total cost $545.26.

- Racine, WI, USA

While driving, the driver side front coil spring broke which caused a loud noise at 45-50 mph, driving. The consumer heard rubbing noises after several turns. The consumer found a broken spring resting on the tire.

- Macomb, MI, USA

Consumer was pulling out of a parking lot and heard a loud crack. Vehicle was towed to mechanic. The mechanic determined that pr coil springs were defective.

- Clairton, PA, USA

The vehicle had a broken front coil spring that wrapped around the shock absorber. It broke in two and prevented the vehicle from moving. After breaking, part of the spring came to rest on the top and inside of the tire. It wasn't punctured and there was no accident. Triple aaa was called and they had the car towed to the nearest repair shop. The cost for repairs were $500. The consumer was brushed off by Pontiac Chevrolet.

- Lino Lakes, MN, USA

Reference NHTSA PE03031. While making a turn, heard noise and felt shake through vehicle. Noticed lean towards left side. Upon inspection, found left front coil spring broken. Spring broken with a shearing/slashing break. Clean gray metal. At bottom coil, approx 1" before it passes over starting point of the coil. No damage to tire. Dealer replace both springs. Manufacturer notified by dealer. Parts will be saved if need for inspection.

- Rockland, MA, USA

While driving the front passenger side spring snapped at the bottom. The spring punctured the tire which caused the vehicle to swerve as the passenger side of the vehicle collapsed to the ground and skid approximately 15 feet to a stop. The tire dealer replaced both front springs, the tire and struts.

- Canal Fulton, OH, USA

Both front springs broke in my 1999 Grand Am for no apparent reason, resulting in the car needing towed. The car has been well cared for, has about 60,000 miles on it. I had a front strut problem a couple of years ago, and replaced one. This occurred and did not result in an accident (thankfully), but I realize the seriousness of the situation and thought it was worth of reporting, as it could have been very devastating.

- Russell, PA, USA