Suspension complaints by model year
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (struts, shocks, control arms, ball joints, springs).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
* this has happened on 2 occasions * I have a 2005 Pontiac Grand AM I had the rack changed as the bolt that holds the steering rack & pinion to the frame had broke at the weld as well as the front part of where steering rack & pinion attach to the frame so I took car to mechanic he put a brand new rack in the car as well as a new frame now about 4 1/2 months later (last week) noticed vehicle was not steering properly, my wife had than went and picked the 2 girls up from school and on the way home she made a turn to pull in the driveway and wouldn't steer at all I did get the vehicle in the driveway and had jacked it up and noticed that yet again the frame ( which is only 4 1/2 months old )was broke in the front where the rack attaches to the frame was snapped right off and the back on both left and right sides are completely broke off as well as the the stabilizer bar bolt and bushing …
My car was in the parking lot and I just got off work, on my way out from the lot to the gate with speed of about 5-10 MPH, all of sudden the steering wheel started spinning all the way around without stop, front wheels wont move to any direction, thankfully I could stop the car before hitting any thing. It was very scary, soon after I realized that there was disconnection between the steering wheel and the anterior suspension or whatever that connects steering wheels to wheels and direct them. Imagine if this happen while driving in highway with speed, it would have been a disaster to me, my family and other people on the road. Imagine driving car you can't control, can't direct, and all happen all of sudden. I called aaa and tow the car to GM dealer. Test showed: intermediate shaft and clockspring were broken). …
A 2004 Pontiac Grand AM, driving eastbound on dirt road. Driver came around a curve on dirt road and had sudden loss of control of vehicle. Driver described wheel being torn out of his hands with loss of control. Vehicle then rolled onto its side. While vehicle was up on its side, it was noted that driver's side rear suspension bolt was broken.
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. 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.
I was driving and my rack and pinion broke loose from the sub frame causing me to lose all steering and I almost hit another car head on this is a week after I replaced it for the same reason I noticed the subframe welds are broke lose causing the problems this is very hazardous and needs fixed immediately ive since read online numerous reports of the same problem whats it going to take for GM to fix this problem because someone is going to end up losing there life if they haven't already I will make sure to post pictures and my statement online for all to see because this is ridiculous you spend money thanking you have a safe car for yourself and your family then find out that its not and all that matters to these car companies is the money there making and not the quality of there product I will never buy another vehicle from GM until this is resolved which I know it never will …
I have had a persistent popping/creaking noise coming from the suspension when encountering any sort of incline or decline (I.e., driveways, curbs, etc.) or intermittently when cornering. There is a technical service bulletin #02-03-03-008 that addresses this issue. The Pontiac dealership in colma, ca has tried three times to replace the sway arm bushing/brackets yet the problem persists. I'm driving a car with 2,000 miles on it yet it sounds like the suspension is 15 years old. At first, the dealership acted like they had no idea what I was talking about. I found the TSB (issued in November 2002) on the internet in about 1 minute. Furthermore, the dealership service department keeps calling GM technical support for help. This gives me no confidence in the abilities of the service technicians. I'm contemplating asking GM to buy this car back.
I have a 2002 Grand AM gt, and the ABS light started coming on, took to two diff repair shops (one was a midas) and both told me the right front bearings and ABS sensor had to be replaced, and prob the left on in next cpl months. Also took the car to a GM dealer, estimate of $475 for right bearing and sensor, and prob the left one in next few months. All 3 places told me that its a common problem in the Grand AM, aleros and some buicks (same front end I guess)....
My wheel broke off while driving, had no steering and no brakes, not exactly sure what let go, was told covered under warranty and then after the car was fixed by the dealership the dealership said I had to pay, as this could not have happened. Company sided with dealership and said would have someone from the company meet with me and look into the matter but has not. I've been waiting since nov02.
Related recalls (2)
Suspension › Rear
Certain passenger vehicles equipped with rear suspension knuckle bolts that are not to specification and could fracture under high loads that can occur in some driving conditions.
Remedy: Dealers will replace both rear suspension knuckle bolts free of charge. The recall began on February 9, 2005. Owners May contact Chevrolet at 1-800-630-2438 or Pontiac at 1-800-620-7668.
Suspension › Rear
Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. The bolt that attaches the rear suspension trailing arm to the left rear knuckle May not have been tightened to specifications during assembly.
Remedy: Dealers will tighten this bolt.
NHTSA investigations
Front suspension coil spring fracture
The subject vehicles are equipped with a coil spring-over-strut front suspension with the spring itself resting in compression between two polymer isolators.pe03-031 was opened to investigate reports of fracture of this spring.the fractures occur in the first active coil above the lower isolator and apparently originate in corrosion pits found beneath regions of damaged epoxy coating.consumer complaints and warranty…
Front suspension coil spring fracture
The failure rate of the subject vehicles is low relative to past odi investigations.the engineering analysis is therefore closed.the closing of this investigation does not constitute a finding by NHTSA that no safety-related defect exists.the agency will continue to monitor complaints and other information relating to the alleged defect in the subject vehicles and take further action in the future if…
Frequently asked questions
Which Pontiac Grand AM years have suspension problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 1999 (107), 2000 (34), 1996 (30), 1997 (26) and 2001 (16) model years. Suspension complaints make up 13% of all complaints for the 1999.
Is there a recall for Pontiac Grand AM suspension problems?
Yes — 2 recalls, including 05V-054 (rear, Feb 14, 2005); 00V-116 (rear, Apr 18, 2000). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers; check a specific car with the VIN recall check.
At what mileage do Pontiac Grand AM suspension problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 65,000 miles; 35% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the front (82 mentions), followed by the front › springs › coil springs (49).
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.