Left front spring on 1999 Pontiac Grand Am broke in grocery store parking lot causing left front tire to go flat. Local mechanic says problem is widespread. Have old parts.

- Danville, PA, USA

Right front spring and strut assembly broke. Car only has 44K miles on it.

- Columbus, OH, USA

My daughters 99 Grand Am has had both front springs break approximately one year apart. In both instances the car was traveling forward at less than 25 mph. The broken spring punctured the tire and the car had to be towed on both occasions. No accident or injury occurred. New springs/struts were installed along with new tires. Further inspection revealed that the right rear spring was cracked and was also replaced. No old parts are available. From the number of complaints I have read this appears to be a common defect on this vehicle. I'm very glad that my daughter was not driving at freeway speed when these springs broke.

- Saginaw, MI, USA

After performing a search of your defects database I wanted to report that the NHTSA action number PE03031 happened to me on both front springs and one rear spring. The failure occurred exactly in this manor described. I do not have the exact dates of the incidents but the failures happened at different times. Based on parts bills I believe this occurred in 9/2003 and 9/2005 for the front springs and 8/2007 for the rear spring. I personally made the repairs and probably have the failed springs still (stored inside) since you can not just toss them in the garbage. Fortunately the front spring failures occurred when the vehicle was parted overnight and discovered the next morning when leaving. The rear spring failed while the car was in motion but was drivable. If the front springs failed while the car was traveling this would have been a serious failure due to the car body and strut rubbing on the wheel rim and tire which would have caused an inability to steer the car. When I went to the dealer to buy the part they seemed to know exactly what screen to go to. I thought that was odd because usually they have to dig on the screens of their computer before they find the right screen it but in these situations they went right to it. Which indicated to me that this is not the first, second, third or forth time this part was being looked for on this car. I should have reported this failure to the NHTSA but did not, felt it was bad luck but thinking back on it now and remembering how the dealer parts counter handled the part look up I probably should have. So this report is to correct my error.

- Hicksville, OH, USA

1999 Pontiac Grand Am GT, front coil spring.back out of drive way then started down road when all of a sudden right front spring let go with such a force that I thought rt at first some one shot at car or was in an accident. Dealer fix with new spring and strut oem parts witch wear damage do to spring going. Dealer keep parts said that this was not common. I have heard that this is a common problem with the Grand Am.

- Seekonk, MA, USA

1) no warning of any kind! 2) front drivers suspension coil break/collapse, coil punctured tire causing tire blow out, car crashing down all instantaneous. No injury - I was pulling out of my garage. How often 1 time. 3) tow and then replace the tire, coil, strut, I also must replace the other front coil, strut as well, since there clearly is a defect - and I don't want to die! I will request to keep the parts.

- Sugar Grove, IL, USA

Without warning or physical impact/impairment right front coil spring fractured with a loud bang, and the jagged end pierced my tire sidewall, destroying tire. This occurred at approx 25 mph, I was able to pull over without incident, had to be towed, new coil installed, new tire purchased, labor day plans ruined. Several months later, car was parked for 12 hrs in 70 degree weather, another huge bang, drivers side front coil fractured, C-shaped piece under the vehicle, again, the vehicle was towed, coil replaced, missed a day of work as this happened in Connecticut, and I work in Massachusetts.

- Monson , MA, USA

Fracture of front left and right coil springs.

- Davsion, MI, USA

Front coil spring snapped. No apparent prior problems, just a clean break. It happened at a slow rate of speed and did not cause tire damage. No known cause for the break, other than possible manufacture defect. Both front coil springs were replaced at a cost of about $500.

- Watkins Glen, NY, USA

The coil spring on the strut on the front of a 1999 Pontiac Grand Am broke. This was replaced with a new spring on both sides of the car. In talking to many repair shops, this is a very common problem with this series of GM cars. This incident happened at low speed in town, but had it happened at highway speed the outcome could have been a bad wreck. The local service manager at the Pontiac dealer stated this was fairly common, but they would only pay for repairs if the owner had an extended warranty. I have the old parts in my possession. This was a clean break, not something that was cracked for a period of time.

- Philipsburg, PA, USA

1999 Pontiac Grand Am -- the vehicle is equipped with a coil spring-over-strut front suspension with the spring itself resting in compression between two polymer isolators. This is regarding fracture of this spring. The fractures occur in the first active coil above the lower isolator. I had both coils fracture. First (passenger front at approximately 95,000 miles and the driver front happened at about 110,000 miles). There appears to be very little wear or pitting on these coils. Coil coating is in tact and is in very good condition for the year and miles. The coils fracture in the same location. The fracture is very dangerous and can cause a puncture in the tires. I am referencing an existing complaint notice #PE03-031. Investigate reports.

- Oshkosh, WI, USA

Both the left and right coil springs broke while driving, with the last blowing out the tire while my 16 year old daughter was driving.

- Painesville, OH, USA

The contact owns a 1999 Pontiac Grand Am. The front tire makes a popping sound when turning the wheel left or right. The car leaned on driver's side. One could tell this if just standing outside of the car and looking at it. The vehicle has been having this problem for about a year, but it gradually got worse.

- Claremore, OK, USA

1999 Pontiac Grand Am 2.4 L auto severe brake failure---replacement of pads 8 times, rotors 3 times and calipers 2 times in 80,000 miles. Brakes occasionally lock up and make loud grinding and squealing noises steering shudders and vehicle pulls to left.. participating Pontiac dealer failed to fix this problem since purchase at 11,000 miles. Under warranty replacement it has had 6 door panels due to peeling leather on top of panel, 5 gear shifters due to dealers improper installation, 2 factory cd/radio failures, 1 rack and pinion unit, 2 front strut assemblies due to knocking noise from front of car (went bad after 10,000 miles use), problem with hesitation at idle-cold start(unsuccessfully diagnosed by dealer) carpet loose in trunk around latch assembly(too short for trunk and was hot glued to back wall of car by dealer instead of replacement). Turn signals still occasionally fail to work(dealer said they worked just fine) battery connection in factory battery broke loose spilling corrosive battery acid all over around battery tray area. All four wheel covers have been replaced because of "pie pan" noise when you hit a bump (new ones did not fix problem). After warranty was up Pontiac' care hotline or the dealer could "care " less that after dozens of trips for repairs the dealer still didn't fix the car while it was still under warranty. Since then, besides the unrepaired items on my car, the alternator went bad at 60,000 miles ($120), glass in interior rear view mirror broke while adjusting, both outside rear view mirrors have broke off in two different automatic car washes (held into door by a stud mounted into 1/4 inch of plastic in the mirror). And the ignition switch failed at 75,000 miles($300). Fog lights and backup lights have water condensation in them shorting out bulbs. Surprisingly, this car is "babied",but by in my description you sure couldn't tell it.

- Foster, KY, USA

'99 gr am: Grinding noise R front-dealer: Drilled out restrictor in pwr steerng hose per bulletin 990232002. Rubbing & squawk noise turning left-dealer: Sway bar bushings replcd. Passenger seat stuck-dealer: Replaced seat track. Center console door latch assmbly replaced per recall. Radio lcd garbled & blacking out-dealer: Replcd radio assembly. Whining in pwr steering- dealer: P/S cooler line leaking, replcd & bled system. Gas gauge back & forth from full to empty-dealer: Tank sending unit shorted, replcd tank module assy. Fluid/oil leak from intake gasket-dealer: Replcd gaskets & replcd oil pump drive O-ring. Passenger seat squeaks-dealer: Seat tracks loose in floor pan hook attchmnt openings. Crunch/squawk in front end on speed bumps-dealer: Replcd R&R front struts, replcd upper mounts. Brake pulsation-dealer: Front rotors warped, both rotors were machined & pads replaced. Oil/fluid leak rt trans. Axle seal, steering rack center section- dealer: Replcd seal & sleeve, replcd steering rack. Shimmy & shake on hwy- dealer: Couldn't duplicate problem, no repair. Intermittently hesitates cold start & on excelleration-dealer: Couldn't duplicate problem, no repair. Driver's side window plastic regulator broke & window fell down-no longer on warrantee, consumer replcd @ approx $500 own expense. All occuring at under 40,000 miles. Am afraid to take in for next "scheduled" service for fear of what will be found.

- Blaine, MN, USA

Leaking power steering return hose, low oil levels between oil changes, unable to find problem first time, car to go back in shop 10-22-02, driver side power window inoperable and scratched since purchase, rewired remote starter, pulsating brakes, replaced pad, rotors, positive battery terminal broken, replaced battery, radio led inoperable, replaced radio assembly, wheel speed sensor R/F wheel incorrect signal, replaced R/F hub and bearing assembly, knocking and car shaking at stops and loss of power, lack of fuel cylinder #4, replaced injector, replaced machine cylinder head, replaced upper strut mounts, 6-10-02 inspect for oil loss down 2 1/2 quarts, nothing found. Oil change completed at 34304 and at 37160 oil loss to 3 quarts, car to be brought back to dealer 10-22-02. Air conditioner has pc leak in hose, hose needs to be replaced and freon added.

- Cromwell, CT, USA

Vehicle shakes when driving. Also, when accelerating at low speeds traction light comes on, and when going over a bump there's a clunking noise.

- Hillard, OH, USA

While driving, the front off vehicle shakes irratically, which makes vehicle feel unbalanced.. consumer states when applying the brakes, the steering wheel shakes, consumer believes that the rotors may be warped.

- Herndon, VA, USA

Front suspension would make popping noises while driving and/or turning. Dealer notified. Feel free to provide any further information.

- Cincinnati, OH, USA

Tire defect, glass scratched, car vibrting, air bags did not deploy. Brakes grinding.

- Lubbock, TX, USA