Brake complaints by model year
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (service brakes, ABS, rotors and pads, parking brake).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
Driving my 2004 Pontiac Grand AM home form grocery shopping and tried to get into left hand turn only lane, but car wouldn`t slow down and I didn`t want to rear end the person ahead as there was a lot of traffic that day so I veered to the right to get into a parking lot to pull my emergency brakes, but was broad sided. I have over $2,300.00 worth of damage to my car and my mechanic said it is the ignition switch on the 2004 Pontiac Grand AM, and there should have been a full replacement of that when the recall was done regarding the ignition. All that was done for me was a plastic insert was adhered to my ignition key. GM needs to recall these cars and replace the ignition switches. They also owe me a lot in repairs done to my car.
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 Pontiac Grand AM. While driving 55 MPH, the vehicle began to accelerate on its own. The contact exited the interstate and attempted to brake as the transmission made an abnormally loud sound. The contact pulled into a fuel station, raised the hood, and observed smoke coming from the engine. The vehicle was unable to be driven. The contact waited a while and then drove home with the brake pedal down to the floorboard. The contact's husband was a mechanic and diagnosed the vehicle, but no failure code was found. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 120,000.
Body, Brakes, and Electrical concern me. My family owned a 1999 same model vehicle, and the brakes failed us in an accident from its' left driver seal being punctured. Here is what's going on with the 2003 aside from the latter mentioned. Exhaust from manifold to catalytic converter followed by muffler rusted out by 175, miles and now broke apart. Frame and rocker panels are rusted out before 175, miles and broke apart by rear wheels on both sides. Electrical concerns caused me to quit my job on March 11, 2022 when the wipers quit working and nearly caused an accident by Chartiers Cemetery in a thunderstorm storm two days before. Front end vibration is felt in floor boards and steering wheel when brakes are applied at high speeds, usually between 45-75 as regulated by federal government. Disc brakes gradually replaced drum brakes from between 1960-1980. …
Disc are advanced, technologically superior, and come standard with enabling more braking force with less pressure. Albeit an impermeable transmission requires no fluid changes and less maintenance, servicing one is challenging. It works well in dusty environments or in heavy-duty tasks, and an malfunctioning transmission risk ruining the entire system. Wiper motor & transmission failed last spring. This mercifully costed my job after 832 days, and makes us perilous under Secretary Buttigieg. Pete naturally love money, and doesn't get stressed managing large amounts. Democrats believe Pete Buttigieg is excellent at producing and saving money. While Pete is great making money in corporate settings, he ain't entrepreneurial as other colleagues. Pete Buttigieg doesn't want to gamble, and they won't put money into his ideas. …
I was driving my mothers car when I went to slow down coming up on a hill going down felt like brakes went to the floor. Coming down the hill is when I noticed my ebrake didn't even work. My brake light, oil light, trac off light and my security light were on. Then couldn't control the car went in wrong lane and hit head on with another car.
I was parked at a shopping center. I started the car, put my foot on the brake pedal to shift into reverse and the brake pedal went to the floor. I checked under the car and it appeared to have leaked brake fluid from the brake line. Since I still had the parking brake and a little of the rear brakes, I limped the car to a garage. When I stepped on the pedal to stop, I had no brakes at all. Upon checking, the other brake line had burst also. I had it checked and confirmed by the mechanic that both brake lines had burst. I called the GM dealer and was told there was no recalls and that any repair would be at my expense. I called GM, explained what had happened and what was wrong and was told that there were no recalls and the car was out of warranty and that they would provide no assistance. I explained that this is extremely dangerous. …
Tl* the contact owns a 2001 Pontiac Grand AM. While driving 45 MPH, the vehicle accelerated without warning. The contact depressed the brake pedal and the vehicle failed to stop. The contact rear ended another vehicle and the air bags did not deploy. The contact sustained chest and left knee injuries that required medical attention. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to an independent lot. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 79,000.
I purchased my 2001 Grand AM gt in 2002. So far since I've owned the car, I seem to replace the breaks every 10,000 miles or every year, I have had the rotors replaced twice within the last 5 years, replaced the alternator and fuel pump. Now, my ABS lights continue to go on and most recently, my car will not start it seem every two weeks (I hope I AM not away from home when this happens) - the security light has been coming on and have to keep the key in the "on" position for 10 minutes and then try to start the car - my garage told me it was a security code problem that only the dealer can fix. I have only 90,000 miles on the car and now, I need a rack and pinion which will cost me another $900.00 (I spent approx $500 dollars on the car in the last 6 months). My break pad wear out at least yearly (I AM retired and don't even drive the car long distance). …
Frequently asked questions
Which Pontiac Grand AM years have brake problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 1999 (219), 2000 (129), 1995 (77), 1997 (71) and 2001 (68) model years. Brake complaints make up 26% of all complaints for the 1999.
Is there a recall for Pontiac Grand AM brake problems?
No. NHTSA lists no brakes recall for any Pontiac Grand AM model year. A widespread problem may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin, so ask a dealer.
At what mileage do Pontiac Grand AM brake problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 50,000 miles; 57% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip (270 mentions), followed by the foundation components › disc › rotor (175).
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.