Bulletins
| Bulletin | Bulletin date | Replacement Bulletin | Item no. | Summary | Added |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC - ANTILOCK | |||||
| 970801735026 | 08/01/1997 | 54419 | Comment that the abs light is on with diagnostic trouble codes (dtc's) 46 and 86 set as current or history. *yc | 04/07/1998 | |
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC - ANTILOCK - ABS WARNING LIGHT | |||||
| 435012A | 01/01/1995 | 43-50-12 | 39072 | Abs warning light is on. *tw | 03/06/1995 |
| 435012 | 12/01/1994 | 37955 | Abs wire harness for the right front wheel may rub on the brake line causing the abs warning light to come on. *tw | 02/09/1995 | |
Investigations
| NHTSA ID | Manufacturer | Date open | Date close | Subject | Recall campaign | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC | ||||||
| PE94063 | GENERAL MOTORS CORP. | 08/12/1994 | 12/21/1994 | CORRODED REAR DISK BRAKES | ||
| There is no summary currently available | ||||||
Consumer Complaints
| Fail date | miles | occurences | Purchase date |
|---|---|---|---|
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC | |||
| 06/15/2008 | 1 | ||
| 1993 pontiac grand prix lost use of brakes and drove into parking lot then struck a pole. *nj (ohio traffic crash report # 10-0531-91)*jb letter updated 03/17/10*bf | |||
| 06/15/2003 | 150000 | ||
| Found out that my main problem with my steering and suspension is that the cradle that holds the engine is cracked and rusted out ready to break i replaced the cradle in june 2003 but i had it welded in jan of 2002 these is same defect as in gm geographic recall for 1991 model | |||
| 03/20/1993 | |||
| Brake failure, despite pressing pedal to the floor. | |||
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC - ANTILOCK | |||
| 1 | |||
| Consumer stated while driving, the brakes locked up almost causing an accident, vehicle skidded to a stop.*jb | |||
| When driving and upon depressing brake pedal to make a sudden stop brake pedal gets very hard, causing extended stopping distance. consumer has contacted the dealer. please provide any further details. *ak | |||
| 01/01/1993 | |||
| The braking system malfunctioned, causing extended stopping distance which mayresult in a crash. please provide further information and vin#. *ak | |||
| 03/27/1997 | |||
| When applying the brakes in a panic situation there is very little stopping action. this happens on a dry road surface. on march 27, 1997 vehicle was involved in a rear end crash because of braking system. the vehicle was repaired. dealer was not able to find a problem with the brake system. please provide any further information. *ak | |||
| 05/18/1993 | |||
| Abs is inconsistent and braking power if poor. | |||
| 08/21/1997 | 2 | 07/15/1995 | |
| Abs brakes failed to work during wet conditions, and brake pedal wa flush with floorboard upon stop. after pumping the pedal, brakes returned. *ak | |||
| 10/14/1993 | |||
| Abs brakes failed, resulting in extended stopping distance. | |||
| 03/09/1996 | 2 | 03/01/1995 | |
| Only when it is snowing the abs anti-lock brake light goes on and off, there are no anti-lock brakes. *ak consumer states brakes have been replaced 4 times after the last time abs light comes on when it is cold, wet or snowing, dealer finally diagnosed problem and replaced the left front sensor and harness.*jb | |||
| 07/06/1996 | |||
| Anti lock brake system/rear brakes fail, shifts braking operation to fron brakes, caused loss of vehicle control, especially on wet surface, nearly caused accident.*ak | |||
| 04/01/1996 | |||
| Brake failure, when applying, experienced extended stopping distance. *ak | |||
| 08/01/1995 | 2 | ||
| Brake system failure, rotors, and pads had to be replaced after 33k miles. tt consumer also stated that abs light stays on.*jb | |||
| 07/20/1995 | |||
| The abs system on the car keeps failing. when the pedal is applied it goes to the floor and will not stop the car. please describe. tt | |||
| 08/16/1995 | |||
| Abs system failure, rear brakes have corroded, poor performance of abs system. tt | |||
| 01/01/1993 | |||
| Brake do not have enough stopping power. *ak | |||
| 04/01/1995 | 1 | ||
| Abs brake system, experience long stopping distance and no brake ability at all. tt | |||
| 02/22/1995 | |||
| The abs braking system does not seem to work properly in sudden stop situations. tt | |||
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC - FOUNDATION COMPONENTS | |||
| 05/08/2001 | 1 | 12/21/1998 | |
| Whenever brakes were applied rear calipers would freeze up and pads would grind into rotors. mechanic replaced old calipers with new and different design that t manufacturer had offered. *ak *jb | |||
| 02/12/1996 | 2 | ||
| Vehicle failed to slow down after applying the brakes, went down an embankment and crashed into a ditch, driver and passenger both injuried. *cj | |||
| 1 | |||
| Brakes defective. nlm | |||
| 04/01/1996 | 15 | ||
| The brake system has been repaired on numerous occasions, however continues to have vibration problems due to possible design flaw. *et | |||
| 08/01/1993 | 3 | 08/01/1993 | |
| I originally purchased vehicle knowing it had a brake problem and haggled on the price in order to repair afterward. after replacing front brake pads, the problem presisted. i took the vehicle to several mechanics with no probem found. i took the vehicle back to the dealership i had bought it from and their mechanics found no problem. i invested several hundred dollars and countless hours trying to solve problem. me and my wife must use a lot caution when driving the vehicle. *ak | |||
| 07/05/2000 | 4 | ||
| Brakes were replaced four times by the pontiac dealership mechanic. when consumer applied brake pedal, steering wheel will vibrate and brakes make a grinding noise. *ak front rear brake pads, rotors, caliper, shoes and drum replaced. right rear lug nut and stud replaced too. *yh | |||
| 08/20/1999 | 04/01/1994 | ||
| Rear brake calipers keep failing , they get too hot and melt the hub cap. rear brake calipers have been completely replaced 3 times, but defect keeps reoccurring. *ak brakes failurecaused an accident. *yh | |||
| 05/14/1997 | 11 | 07/01/1994 | |
| Brakes overheat causing extended stopping distance and the pedal to go to the floor. nlm | |||
| 03/09/1996 | 2 | 03/01/1995 | |
| Only when it is snowing the abs anti-lock brake light goes on and off, there are no anti-lock brakes. *ak consumer states brakes have been replaced 4 times after the last time abs light comes on when it is cold, wet or snowing, dealer finally diagnosed problem and replaced the left front sensor and harness.*jb | |||
| 08/01/1995 | 2 | ||
| Brake system failure, rotors, and pads had to be replaced after 33k miles. tt consumer also stated that abs light stays on.*jb | |||
| Brakes are not stopping the way that they should-the brakes are spongy-it feels as though oil is on them. tt | |||
| 07/25/1995 | |||
| The brakes have no power and you can push them to the floor and the car is still rolling. please describe. tt | |||
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC - FOUNDATION COMPONENTS - DISC | |||
| 5 | 06/01/1998 | ||
| I am shocked at the problems i have encountered with my grand prix, brake failure. *ak | |||
| 05/08/2001 | 1 | 12/21/1998 | |
| Whenever brakes were applied rear calipers would freeze up and pads would grind into rotors. mechanic replaced old calipers with new and different design that t manufacturer had offered. *ak *jb | |||
| 02/12/1996 | 1 | 06/01/1993 | |
| No summary listed for above vehicle. *ak | |||
| 06/15/1999 | 06/01/1999 | ||
| I received a letter from pontiac or soneone a year ago about some brake problems ant that pontiac would pay for any repair. my auto mechanic informed me that my rear calipers were froze and it would cost $400-500 to repair the car. he seems to think that the brake problen was the one pontiac was paying for. could you give me some information about this thanks-tim isbell. *ak | |||
| 10/01/1999 | 2 | 10/01/1999 | |
| All rear brakes parts have been replaced more than once(calipers-4times and pads-5 or more in last year) and we continue to have problems with it heating up and even catching fire if not noticed immediately, this does not happen every time driven but more than once a month and it is very dangerous and expensive.*ak | |||
| 06/01/2000 | 0 | 10/01/1999 | |
| When braking vehicle thumped badly. took vehicle to dealer, and they said it was a busted caliper pin and warped brake rotor. *ak *ml | |||
| 02/19/1998 | 03/01/1993 | ||
| My problem is that the brakes on my car do a substandard, unsafe and unpredictable job of stopping the vehicle. in emergency maneuvers, they have repeatedly proven themselves to be inadequate, and i feel like i am driving with an accident waiting to happen. sometimes, i will stand on the brakes (to the floor), but the car is stopping as if i had been moderately braking. other times, the brakes pull the car to one side. of all the cars that i have ever driven (including many gm that my family owned), this car has the worst brakes, and by a far margin. on several occasions, i have had mechanics inspect the brakes (dealers and local mechanics). i have been told by them that there is nothing i can do to improve my situation; that it is just a problem with the gm w-bodies. i have been complaining about these brakes to mechanics for over 60,000 miles, with no help (i have documented this -- the car was still under warranty when i started). i have had rear calipers replaced, brake pads replaced with ones of different compounds, rotors turned, all to no avail. i have had friends drive the car and tell me they thought the brakes were bad. i feel that i have run out of options with this, short of selling the car and buying a new one (which i should not have to do for this). | |||
| This is addendum to odi # 700647: on may 14, 1997, i had my brakes relined and paid for the following: rear pads, front pads, boot kit, retainers, cut rotors, slide pins and anti-rattle clips. on my way home, the right rear brake overheated and began smoking. i called the dealer and scheduled an appointment. after he worked on the car, i still had problems. i returned and he charged me for a new caliper and said the problem was solved. total cost of the repairs including trial and error was $369.34. the problem continues and the dealer installed a new brake hose at no charge. when the same right rear lining wore out prematurely and broke in half, the dealer relined the rear brakes at no charge, but the brake still overheats on damp days. i contacted pontiac and asked them to assume some responsibility, but they refused. the dealer also refuses to assume any responsibility, but admits that this is a problem with many gm automobiles--that it's not a good brake system. | |||
| 09/28/1998 | 5 | 07/01/1993 | |
| On may 14, 1997 i had my brakes re-lined, rotors turned, | |||
| 05/21/1993 | |||
| Excessive wear of front and rear braking system. *ak | |||
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC - FOUNDATION COMPONENTS - DISC - CALIPER | |||
| 02/14/2002 | 115000 | 5 | 05/19/1999 |
| Several problems at different times.olt fell out of rear of engine cradle causing loss of steering. went into the ditch and could have been serious if it had happened at a different location. severe oil leak in engine, origin unknown.ilting mechanism in steering column is loose which caused bracket to break and allows steering wheel to move up and down. while steering wheel is down and being turned, the car dies. seat tilt mechanism on front passenger seat does not hold seat back in upright position. white smoke comes out of steering column after the car is started. rear brake calipers rust causing brakes to lock up and score the rotor. *ak | |||
| 05/08/2001 | 1 | 12/21/1998 | |
| Whenever brakes were applied rear calipers would freeze up and pads would grind into rotors. mechanic replaced old calipers with new and different design that t manufacturer had offered. *ak *jb | |||
| 1 | |||
| Rear brake pads, calipers replaced and bushings frozen. nlm | |||
| 08/20/1999 | 04/01/1994 | ||
| Rear brake calipers keep failing , they get too hot and melt the hub cap. rear brake calipers have been completely replaced 3 times, but defect keeps reoccurring. *ak brakes failurecaused an accident. *yh | |||
| 05/30/1996 | 1 | ||
| Sleeve/slider corrodes and causes a binding in the calipers which in effect prevents the rear brake pads from coming into contact with the rotors. ( first vehicle on 504620) | |||
| 1 | |||
| Rear sliders corroded, causing calipers to bind.(1st vehicle on 601561) *sd | |||
| 03/12/1995 | |||
| Corroded rear disc brakes causing loss of power assist, ea94-041.*ak | |||
| 07/01/1995 | 3 | ||
| Rear brake caliper sleeve/sliders corroded 3 times. *ak | |||
| While driving, experinced ineffective brake action, extending stopping distance, excessive wear to pads, frequent replacement, due to corroded caliper. *ak | |||
| The front brake caliper,disc and rotor was replaced at every 10,000 to 12,000 mile . tt | |||
| 02/01/1995 | 1 | ||
| Excessive wear and replacement of brakes prematurely. rear caliper replaced due to caliper locking also causing rear brakes to wear. tt | |||
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC - FOUNDATION COMPONENTS - DISC - PADS | |||
| 1 | |||
| Rear brake pads, calipers replaced and bushings frozen. nlm | |||
| 08/01/1993 | 3 | 08/01/1993 | |
| I originally purchased vehicle knowing it had a brake problem and haggled on the price in order to repair afterward. after replacing front brake pads, the problem presisted. i took the vehicle to several mechanics with no probem found. i took the vehicle back to the dealership i had bought it from and their mechanics found no problem. i invested several hundred dollars and countless hours trying to solve problem. me and my wife must use a lot caution when driving the vehicle. *ak | |||
| 01/17/1995 | 2 | 03/01/1993 | |
| Brake pads and rotors failed several times. | |||
| 11/13/1995 | |||
| Brake system failure, rotors, and pads had to be replaced after 33k miles. tt | |||
| 05/27/1995 | 2 | 11/29/1991 | |
| Ea94-041 active, corrosion of rear disc brakes, causing over wear of front disc pads and rotors. tt *jb | |||
| 05/27/1995 | |||
| Ea94-041 active, corrosion of rear disc brakes, causing over wear of front disc pads and rotors. tt | |||
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC - FOUNDATION COMPONENTS - DISC - ROTOR | |||
| 08/22/2001 | 3 | 06/01/1999 | |
| Bought in 1999, rear brake rotors were warped and replaced in fall 1999, slide pins were found to be frozen up and causing the calipers to not release the brake pads there for warping and destroying the roaters, all parts were replaced in feb 2001 and now in aug 2001 the front brakes and rotors (possibly the calipers and slide pins also) will be replaced again. the slide pins are not releasing the calipers and is a safety issue if they were to lock up my brakes while on the road. this has happened before on an interstate road! all parts were replaced 3 times and no help from gm. thank you. *ak | |||
| 01/17/1995 | 2 | 03/01/1993 | |
| Brake pads and rotors failed several times. | |||
| 08/01/1995 | 2 | ||
| Brake system failure, rotors, and pads had to be replaced after 33k miles. tt consumer also stated that abs light stays on.*jb | |||
| The front brake caliper,disc and rotor was replaced at every 10,000 to 12,000 mile . tt | |||
| 05/27/1995 | 2 | 11/29/1991 | |
| Ea94-041 active, corrosion of rear disc brakes, causing over wear of front disc pads and rotors. tt *jb | |||
| 05/27/1995 | |||
| Ea94-041 active, corrosion of rear disc brakes, causing over wear of front disc pads and rotors. tt | |||
| 04/27/1995 | |||
| Right rear brake cutting into rotor caused brake pad to loosen and fall off. tt | |||
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC - FOUNDATION COMPONENTS - DRUM | |||
| 07/16/2002 | |||
| While driving rear brakes went out causing consumer to pull the emergency brake, and it will be hard to stop vehicle. dealer notified.*ak | |||
| 09/01/1998 | 4 | 04/01/1993 | |
| 4 front and rear brake failures every 20k-30k since new | |||
| 08/01/1997 | 7 | ||
| The rear brakes corrode prematurely. the brakes have to be replaced every six to nine months. all the braking is done with the front brakes. insists that it is a design flaw. *ak | |||
| 07/25/1995 | 5 | ||
| Rear disk brakes corrodes prematurely, causing binding of sliders/sleeves which prevents rear brakes from working. *sd | |||
| 05/27/1995 | 2 | 11/29/1991 | |
| Ea94-041 active, corrosion of rear disc brakes, causing over wear of front disc pads and rotors. tt *jb | |||
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC - POWER ASSIST - VACUUM | |||
| 1 | |||
| Vehicle was involved in an accident due to a faulty brake booster, owner also notes that brake booster has been replaced, but problem returns.vehicle has abs brakes. *ak consumer states brake booster has not been replaced, just the hose problem.*jb | |||
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC - POWER ASSIST - VACUUM - HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS | |||
| 12/04/1995 | 2 | ||
| Brake vacuum supply hose collapsed , replacement failed also. | |||