Bulletins


BulletinBulletin dateReplacement BulletinItem no.SummaryAdded
SERVICE BRAKES, AIR
461510023171Abs pump running when not needed. *nj10/31/2007
07020103/01/200710021412Incorrect outer backing plate. outer backing plate has short centre protusion. outer backing plate should have tall center protrusion. *kb04/24/2007
316910010551Brakes caliper noise on apply. *eh12/01/2004
SERVICE BRAKES, AIR - ANTILOCK - WHEEL SPEED SENSOR
347710014875Tech 2 displays asterisk for the left front wheel speed sensor. *tt05/11/2005
0415200404/15/200410009220Vehicles may set anyone or a combination of front-wheel speed sensor anti-lock brake system codes as intermittent or hard failures. gm voicemail express. *tt09/17/2004
0096601/01/200400966A10007816Anti-lock braking system (abs) front wheel speed codes - jumper harness. *tt07/12/2004
00966B01/01/200410007293Abs front wheel speed codes - jumper harness. *tt06/09/2004
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
70909/01/200510018156Car issues - fix it right the first time (new issues in bold). to include 2006 and 2007 models. gm. tech link. *tt12/16/2005
05052300103/01/200510014985Revised brake system specifications. *tt05/13/2005
04052300409/01/200410011052Brake noise/creak during slow speed braking. also includes 2004 chevrolet malibu classic. *tt12/27/2004
300301/01/200410008862Brake noise/creak during slow speed braking. *mj08/24/2004
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC - ANTILOCK - ABS WARNING LIGHT
31923192A10010632The anti-lock brake system indicator is illuminated and diagnostic trouble code c1236 is stored. *tt12/02/2004
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC - FOUNDATION COMPONENTS - DISC - ROTOR
0408200404/08/200410009210The current brake rotor minimum allowable thickness after refinish, or minimum thickness specification, found in the past service manual applications are incorrect. please use correct information as follows. *tt09/17/2004

Consumer Complaints


Fail datemilesoccurencesPurchase date
SERVICE BRAKES
11/28/2012119000
 Tl* the contact owns a 2004 pontiac grand am. the contact stated that while he inspected the vehicle, he found that the steel brake lines were corroded and the vehicle emitted a loud noise from the engine floorboard area. the vehicle was not repaired. the manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. the vin was not available. the failure and current mileage was 119,000.
11/28/2012119000
 Tl-the contact owns a 2004 pontiac grand am. the contact stated that while he inspected the vehicle, he found that the steel brake lines were corroded and the vehicle emitted a loud noise from the engine floorboard area. the vehicle was not repaired. the manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. the vin was not available. the failure and current mileage was 119,000. kmj
11/28/2012119000
 Tl-the contact owns a 2004 pontiac grand am. the contact stated that while he inspected the vehicle he found the steel brake lines corroded and the vehicle emitted a loud noise in the engine floor board area. the vehicle was not repaired. the manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. the vin was not available. the failure and current mileage was 119,000. li
08/20/2010820001
 While driving in city traffic, i depressed the clutch to change gears and the clutch was soft and would not engage. upon inspecting the engine, there was no fluid in the reservoir for the clutch. i added fluid, but it ran right out. after taking it to a repair shop, i was informed that the master cylinder where the company that manufactured it had stamped their imprint had cracked causing the failure. the master and slave cylinder were replaced costing $$$$. *tr
SERVICE BRAKES, AIR
01/01/1973
 No other manufacturer, american or foriegn, has a higher incidence of warped front rotors, and within the last decade this problem increasingly shows itself at relativey low milage. my most recent experience (last 3 years) was a new grand am se developing pulsating brakes at 20k mi. the dealer fought with us tooth & nail and said that's your fault, we aint paying for anything! i called the pontiac zone and raised hell, ..no cigar. finally got with the shop manager to pull the rotors & put them on the lathe and see how true they were. they weren't, but we knew that before we got started. the brake pads showed very little wear. conclusion, i got hustled out of the shop with we'll take care of it. they did, a new brake job at no charge. the second car was a 2000 malibu. chevrolet, they said pay us for new rotors or take a hike. we hiked. replaced the brakes myself and the problem came right back around 18k mi. i sold the car instead of fixing it. my last gm car is an 04 grand am, and with just 11k mi, ...here we go again!! general motors knows of this problem. it's rampant in the product line- up. to announce a change would be strictly forbidden as a matter of corporate policy as that might draw liability leading to possible class action suits. keep in mind that brakes are a safety item not subject to limitations of warranty or liability where it can be shown that gm knew, or should have known, that this problem exists. ergo, opened ended liability. further, gm has known of these poorly performing parts thru their dealerships and high volume replacements ordered thru the dealers and independent parts outlets. and finally, the astonishing thing about this part is that it's as low tech as it gets. it's nothing more than cast pig iron. the fix is in the metal chemistry and casting technique. where gm gets a free ride is to argue that this item is consumable and subject to wear and abuse beyond the manufacturers control.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
11/21/2009390001
 Information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6). i have a 2004 pontiac grand am. the other day i had front brakes put on the car. when i drove to the doctor the next day ,i tried to pass a vehicle that was going to slow. the nut i tried to pass did not want me to pass ,so he kicked his motor in and i looked down and saw i was doing 70 miles an hour. i went to brake so that i could fall back in behind the nut, when i applied brakes the car went side ways. i got lucky and straightened the car back. thank god,or i would be dead. i took the car back to have the brakes looked at and the qualified serviceman said the problem was that the calibers were warped and that only 20% of the brake pad was touching the calibers. problem is the calibers are made of aluminum and they warp with heat. there is no way of preventing this from happening again as there is no way to change metals. i have been told this is not a first ,or even the first thousand that this has happened. i would like for you to contact me and let me know if this is true and if you have statistics that show this. will there be a recall? please contact me and let me know what i can do to fix this problem. thank you for your time [xxx] thanks again. *tr
09/14/2007800001
 Bolt wore hole through brake line causing brake fluid to leak out and no brakes whets so ever. cant find a brake line to fit both sides where it screws in at they are two different sizes and they only sell them with the same size. didn't just happen once it has happen 3 times since 2007. *tr
09/17/20081201241
 Tl*the contact is a mechanic and has serviced four different 2004 pontiac grand ams. he stated that the rear passenger brakes have failed on each vehicle and caused a leak. the leak comes from the wheel cylinder, which prevents proper braking. he believes that the failure could cause a serious crash. the current and failure mileages were 120,124. updated 10/16/08 *bf updated 10/21/08. *jb
12/01/20069000411/25/2003
 Dt*: the contact stated the vehicle brakes had to be replaced on four occasions. on each occasion, the brake light would illuminate at various speeds, and the steering wheel shook and a shrieking noise could be heard like metal rubbing on metal. the condition was permanent, repeatable to worsening under normal braking conditions. the vehicle was taken to a local dealer and an independent mechanic who both determined that they could not find anything mechanically wrong with the vehicle, and that this was an unusual problem for a new vehicle to have extreme problems with the same component. the dealer recommended the contact to file a complaint with the nhtsa. there were no further repairs made. updated 12/28/2006 - *nm
04/15/200440010002/16/2004
 Dt: while driving in rainy weather it sounded from the right front corner of the car under the hood like something was grinding or abrasion. it sounded like two bearings rubbing against each other. took the car to the dealer, and they were not able to hear it. the dealer took it for a test drive, lifted it up onto the lift and was not able to hear any noise.*ak updated 8/14/2006 - the right front tire warped. the brake calipers warped shortly after the vehicle was purchased. both front rotors had to be replaced due to warpage. the consumer heard noise on the driver's side front end. the dealer replaced the upper strut mount, bearing plate and aligned the front end. the vehicle would lose power while driving. the dealer reprogrammed the engine control module. the master cylinder leaked and had to be replaced. power steering pump leaked and was replaced. the tramsmission was slipping. *nm
09/22/20042
 While applying the accelerator pedal vehicle would accelerate uncontrollably on it is own. consumer applied the brakes and the vehicle continued to accelerate. consumer was able to maintain control of the vehicle, and drove it to the dealer for inspection. mechanic informed consumer that the problem could not be duplicated. *ak
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC - ANTILOCK
04/16/200710
 While driving down a steep hill, applied brake and car seemed to accelerate rather than brake. then, turned into subdivision and brake pressure went away completely then came back after finished turn. *ak
04/05/20044
 The brakes tended not operate while driver stepped on the brake pedal. took vehicle to dealer for repairs four times, but the problem recurred. *ak
04/05/2004140001
 I was driving this vehicle on a dry clear day. when i exited the highway and slowed down in the exit lane by tapping the brakes the car turned 90 degrees toward the inside of the circle and proceeded off the road. the car behaved like it was on a sheet of ice even though it was a warm dry day. *ak
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC - FOUNDATION COMPONENTS - HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
06/25/200446002
 While driving at approximately 45-50 mph the consumer applied the brakes and the vehicle did not stop. also, the brake line was leaking and that the mounting of the brake line was too close to the engine which caused the brake line to leak. the consumer had the vehicle towed back to the dealer and the service manager was very cavalier in his approach, thus irritating the consumer. *ak *sc *jb