2000 Pontiac Grand Prix Brakes Problems

WAS ENTERING HWY 285 NORTHBOUND WHEN FELLOW MOTORIST CAUGHT MY ATTENTION THAT FIRE WAS COMING OUT THE BOTTOM OF MY CAR. TRIED TO STOP BUT DIDNT HAVE ANY BRAKES, SO I PUT THE CAR IN PARK AND JUMPED OUT AS THE FLAMES ENGULFED THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT OF THE CAR. I FEEL THAT IT WAS DUE TO A DEFECTED RECALL PART THAT WAS SUPPOSE TO PREVENT WHAT HAS HAPPEN TO MY CAR. I WAS THE SECOND OWNER OF THIS CAR WHICH WAS GARAGED AND IN IMMACULATE CONDITION. *TR

BRAKE WARNING LIGHT CAME INDICATING LOW FLUID LEVEL. UPON FURTHER INVESTIGATION IT WAS DETERMINED THAT ONE OF THE BRAKE LINES HAD RUSTED THROUGH AND WAS LEAKING FLUID. VEHICLE WAS GARAGE KEPT, SELDOM DRIVEN IN THE WINTER TIME, HAS LOW MILEAGE AND NO VISIBLE SURFACE RUST. *TR

I WAS PULLING OUT TO CROSS BUSY FOUR LANE. A CAR COMING FROM RIGHE SWITCHED LANES AND TURNED IN FRONT OF ME. I APPLIED BRAKES SMARTLY BUT DID NOT APPLY HARD ENOUGH TO SLIDE OR SQUEAL TIRES. AFTER THAT I CONTINUED ABOUT A MILE AND STARTED TO BRAKE FOR A STOP LIGHT. BRAKES FELT AS IF SOME AIR WAS IN SYSTEM (NOT FULLY BLED). NEXT I APPLIED AGAIN FOR ANOTHER LIGHT. CONDITION WORSENED. BY THE TIME I RETURNED TO MY RESIDENCE, ABOUT THREE MILES AWAY, I HAD TO USE EMERGENY BRAKE. ALL FLUID WAS GONE FROM MASTER CYLINDER RESERVOIR. I PLACED CAR ON JACK, REFILLED RESERVOIR AND PUMPED BRAKES, AND FOUND THAT ABOUT 2 TO 3 INCHES OF BRAKE LINES DIRECTLY UNDER DRIVERS FLOOR, ON THE SLOPED PART GOING UPWARD TO MASTER CYLINDER ,WERE SEVERELY CORRODED AND HAD FAILED (PIN HOLE). LINE ABOVE LOOKS NEW AND LINE BELOW THE AREA LOOKS NEW. ALSO THE CAR IS VERY CLEAN AND NON RUSTED ON BOTTOM. THIS CAR HAS BEEN PAMPERED SINCE WE PURCHASED FROM DEALER AT 18,000 MILES. THIS IS CLEARLY A MATERIALS ISSUE AS THE PART THAT IS CORRODED IS IN A SLOPED AREA WHICH WOULD NATURALLY DRAIN OFF ANY MOISTURE THAT COLLECTS. ADDITIONALLY FUEL LINES AND ADJACENT TO THE BRAKE LINES ARE ALSO CORRODED. I SUSPECT THAT LINES WERE DAMAGED WHEN ORIGINALLY BENT, PROBABLY PEIRCING THE OUTER CORROSION COATING. THIS SHOULD BE COVERED BY A RECALL. I SEARCHED FOR ABOUT FIVE MINUTES ON LINE AND FOUND FIVE COMPLAINTS THAT EXACTLY DUPLICATE MY PROBLEM. THIS FAILURE MODE BYPASSES THE SAFETY DESIGN OF THE MASTER CYLINDER WHICH IS DESIGNED TO KEEP EITHER FRONT OR REAR BRAKES WORKING IF THE OTHER FAILS. IT IS CATASTROPHIC AND WILL (OR PROBABLY HAS) CAUSED INJURY OR DEATH. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6) *TT

I WAS TRAVELING TO WORK AT AROUND 5:30AM AND STARTED TO PASS A SEMI TRUCK WHEN THE SEMI SIGNALED TO COME OVER TOO THE PASSING LANE AS WELL TO PASS A SLOWER MOVING TRUCK IN FRONT OF HIM. I LET OFF THE GAS PEDAL AND SIGNAL FOR THE TRUCK TO MANEUVER INTO THE PASSING LANE. I PRESSED ON THE BRAKE PEDAL AND THE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR AND HAD NO STOPPING POWER. THEN THE BRAKE WARNING LIGHT CAME ON, SO I TURNED ON MY HAZARD LIGHTS TO MOVE TO THE SHOULDER OF THE ROAD. I GOT OUT AND CHECKED THE FLUID LEVEL IN THE MASTER CYLINDER TO FIND THAT THERE WAS NONE VISIBLE. I CALL MY BROTHER TO COME AND TOW ME AND THE CAR HOME, WHICH WAS ABOUT 6 MILES FROM THE HOUSE. AFTER I LIFTED THE CAR AND PUT BRAKE FLUID IN THE MASTER CYLINDER, I FOUND THAT THE BRAKE LINE HAD RUPTURED WHERE THE FUEL LINE AND THE BRAKE FLUID LINE COME TOGETHER IN THE REAR OF THE CAR. I HAVE HAD TO PAY FOR THE REPAIRS TO THE BRAKE LINE SYSTEM OF $255 OF MY OWN MONIES! THANKS PONTIAC FOR POSSIBLY CAUSING THE LOSS OF LIFE OR INJURY TO MYSELF, MY FAMILY, AND ANY OTHER MISFORTUNES THAT MIGHT HAVE HAPPENED BECAUSE OF YOUR LACK OF A IMPROPER, UNRELIABLE AND UNSAFE BRAKING SYSTEM!!! AS THIS IS NOT THE ONLY REPORT OF THIS FAILURE, I HOPE AND PRAY IT DOES NOT COME TO SOMEONE LOSING A LIFE BEFORE YOU ADMIT YOUR MISTAKES AND FAILURES! *JS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX. THE CONTACT WAS TRAVELING 30 MPH WHEN THE BRAKE WAS DEPRESSED BUT DID NOT IMMEDIATELY RESPOND. THE CONTACT HAD TO CONTINUE PUMPING THE BRAKE PEDAL TO GET A RESPONSE. THE CONTACT INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND DISCOVERED THAT THE BRAKE LINE GOING TO THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE WHEEL WAS COMPLETELY RUSTED. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND WAS TOLD THAT ALL OF THE BRAKE LINES WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 106,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED AND FAILED TO RESPOND. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THERE WAS RUST ON THE BRAKE LINE DUE TO ROAD SALT. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO POWER OFF THE VEHICLE BUT THE IGNITION SWITCH FAILED TO TURN. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 110,000.

WE OWN A 2000 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX PURCHASED NEW. IN THE LAST 6 MONTHS THE BRAKE LINES IN THE REAR OF THIS CAR HAVE BROKEN TWICE RESULTING IN COMPLETE BRAKE FAILURE AND VERY NEAR ACCIDENTS. I AM 62 YEARS OLD AND HAVE OWNED DOZENS OF CARS. THIS IS THE FIRST TIME I HAVE EVER HAD A FAILURE LIKE THIS. IT IS OBVIOUSLY CAUSE BY DEFECTIVE OR SUBSTANDARD MATERIALS. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 PONTIAC GRAN PRIX GT. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 35 MPH AND DEPRESSING THE BRAKES BUT THERE WAS NO RESPONSE. THE CONTACT LATER DISCOVERED THAT THE TWO BRAKE LINES AND FUEL LINES THAT MERGED WERE RUSTED ENTIRELY. THE DEALER ADVISED THE VEHICLE WAS NOT UNDER RECALL AND ANY REPAIRS WOULD BE AT HIS EXPENSE. THE CONTACT MADE REPAIRS TO THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 27,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ANTI LOCK BRAKE AND TRACTION CONTROL LIGHTS WERE ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT BRAKE FLUID WAS LEAKING FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER, WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE ROTORS, BRAKE PADS, BRAKE LINES, AND SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE CONTINUED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE, BUT OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED A SECOND TIME. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 55,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 65,000.

THE ABS HARNESS THAT CLIPS TO THE BACKING PLATE IS COMING UNCLIPPED ON THE BACK PLATE WHILE MAKING A SHARP LEFT HAND TURN. ITS HITTING THE LOWER A-FRAME AND COMING UNCLIPPED. I KNOW THIS BECAUSE, MY HUSBAND IS A MECHANIC, IT BECAME UNCLIPPED AND WRAPPED AROUND THE C.V SHAFT AND TORE THE CLAMP OFF THE OUTER BOOT AND GREASE WENT EVERYWHERE. *JB

DT: THE CONTACT STATES THAT HE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO DEALER AND THE BRAKES PADS WERE FALLING APART. THE DEALER STATED ON HIS REPAIR INVOICE THAT FRONT BRAKE PADS WERE COMING OFF. THE DEALER SAID THAT THE VEHICLE NEEDED ALL NEW ROTORS BECAUSE THEY ALL WERE RUSTED.*AK *JB

DT: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE PRESSING THE BRAKE ON ICE THE VEHICLE REVVED AND THEN SLID THROUGH INTERSECTIONS. THIS OCCURS ONLY ON ICY ROADS AND CAUSED THE BRAKES TO PUMP WHEN THE ANTI LOCK BRAKES ACTIVATED. THE DEALERSHIP AND THE MANUFACTURER HAVE NOT BEEN CONTACTED. *AK

BRAKE PADS ON 2000 PONTIAC GRAD PRIX, PADS SEPARATED FROM METAL BACKING MAKE CAR STOP POORLY. PADS HAD ONLY 30% WEAR AT THE MOST. I STILL HAVE PARTS. *LA

MY CAR CAUGHT FIRE 6-5-03. GENERAL MOTORS SENT AN INVESTIGATOR OUT. ON 7-2-03 I RECEIVED A CALL FROM GM. THEY TOLD ME THE REPORT WAS MY PROBLEM THEY WOULD NOT TAKE ANY RESPONSIBILTY FOR THE FIRE. I DROVE MY CAR APROX. 15 MILES THAT MORNING TO MY KIDS DAYCARE. I PULLED UP TO THE FRONT OF THE DAYCARE AND CUT THE CAR OFF AND IT STARTED SMOKING AND FLAMES CAME FROM UNDER THE HOOD. EVERYTHING UNDER THE HOOD IS MELTED NO BRAKE LINES, FUEL LINE OR WIRES. I HAVE NOT DONE ANYTHING TO THE CAR BUT CHANGE THE OIL. THE OIL WAS LAST CHANGED APROX. TWO MONTHS BEFORE THAT. CARS ARE NOT DESIGNED TO JUST CATCH FIRE. I PUT MY KIDS AND A DAYCARE FULL OF KIDS IN JEOPARDY THAT DAY. JUST TO ADD A LITTLE TO MY COMPLAINT. I HAVE LEFT ABOUT 6 MESSAGES SINCE JULY 3 FOR THE GM REP, KEVIN DREW, TO CALL ME WITHOUT SUCCESS. WHEN I PURCHASED MY CAR IT ONLY HAD 51,000 MILES. I HAD TROUBLE WITH BILL HEARD DEALERSHIP FROM DAY I DROVE THE CAR OFF THE LOT IT HAD PROBLEMS. IT TOOK 4 MONTHS (1) THE PISTONS WAS MAKING AWFUL NOISE. (2) THE SECURITY LIGHT WAS FLASHING (3) THE CIG. LIGHTER HAD A BURNING SMELL WHEN PUSHED IN. I HAVE A COPY OF THE COMPLAINTS , FINDINGS AND ACTION TAKEN ON A SERVICE REPORT PROVIDED BY BILL HEARD. IN THAT REPORT IT STATES THAT THEY FOUND BURNT AND MELTED WIRE THEY REMOVED THE WIRING HARNESS AND REPLACED WIRES. I LEFT A MESSAGE FOR KEVIN DREW ASKING HIM TO CALL ME BECAUSE I KNOW FOR A FACT THAT THE WIRE GOING TO THE FUSE BOX WAS MELTED. EVERYTHING UNDER THE HOOD IS MELTED NO WIRES, BRAKE LINE OR FUEL LINE EXIST ANYMORE. THE REGION OF THE FIRE IS THE AREA OF ALL THE WIRES, COMPUTER BOX ETC. IN THE MIDDLE OF THE HOOD AT THE CENTER UP TOWARD THE TOP CLOSE TO THE WINDSHIELD.. THIS HAPPENED AT A DAYCARE. I WAS PARKED NO MORE THAN 3 FEET FROM THE BUILDING.

I HAVE A 2000 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX WITH 34,000 MILES ON IT. I'VE JUST SPENT $726 ON BRAKES AND ROTORS ALL THE WAY AROUND. I CAN UNDERSTAND THE PADS NEEDING REPLACING, BUT WITH SUCH LOW MILEAGE, IT SEEMS AS THOUGH THE ROTORS SHOULD HAVE LASTED LONGER.

I FIRST HAD PROBLEMS WITH MY BRAKES AT 19,000 HAD TO HAVE THE FROM ROTORS TURNED AND NEW NAPA BRAKE SHOES, THIS WAS DONE AT A CERTIFIED NAPA REPAIR SHOP. THE COST WAS APPROX. 175.00. THEN ABOUT 35000 MILES I STARTED HAVING TROUBLE STOPPING SO I TOOK IT TO ANOTHER NAPA SHOP AND HE TOLD ME THE ROTORS FRONT AND REAR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED ALONG WITH NEW BRAKE SHOES ALL AROUND. I REPLACED BOTH ROTORS AND SHOES AND NOW AM EXPERIENCING THE SAME PROBLEM AT 43000 MILES. I NEED TO KNOW WHO I CAN CONTACT SINCE THIS PROBLEM IS NOT GOING TO GET BETTER AND IT IS GETTING VERY EXPENSIVE.

INTERMITTENTLY WHEN APPLYING BRAKES IN LOW SPEED, 20 OR LESS MPH, IT CAUSES PEDAL TO LOCK UP, A GRINDING SOUND WOULD COME FROM WHEELS AND LOSS OF BRAKING. VEHICLE BEEN IN / OUT OF DEALER SHOP ON FOUR OCCASIONS, AND PROBLEM STILL OCCURRING. *AK

ROTORS WERE WARPED AND I AM WONDERING IF THEIR IS A RECALL ON THEM AND IF THAT CAN CAUSE BRAKE PROBLEMS. *AK

THUMPING NOISE HEARD IN REAR OF VEHICLE. INITIALLY ALL ROTORS REPLACED DUE TO WARPING; HOWEVER, THUMPING NOISE CONTINUES. HAVE RETURNED CAR TO DEALER 4 TIMES AND THEY ARE UNABLE TO LOCATE THE PROBLEM. PROBLEM CONTINUES TO EXSIST

CONSUMER HEARS RATTLE NOISE IN FRONT UNTIL BRAKES ARE APPLIED, THEN IT STOPS. VEHICLE HAS BEEN TAKEN TO DEALER 4 TIMES. LAST TIME TO PONTIAC TECHNICANS. THEY FELT THAT CALIPERS WERE THE PROBLEM. DEALER DOESN'T HAVE A REMEDY. *AK *JB