IllustrationWHILE DRIVING STEERING WHEEL AND THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE STARTED SHAKING UNCONTROLLABLY. CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, AND DROVE IT TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. MECHANIC INDICATED THAT THE PROBLEM COULD NOT BE DUPLICATED. *AK
1999 Pontiac Grand Am
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
More warning signs than most Grand Am years
Owner complaints for the 1999 Pontiac Grand Am are substantially higher than the model-year median of 82.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Grand Am years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
220–25K
5925–50K
6650–75K
7075–100K
43100–150K
13150K+
273 reports with mileage · 576 unknown
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
- Service Brakes, Hydraulic. Review the 203 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 133 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Electrical System. Review the 132 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
73 crash reports13 fire reports48 injury reports
What owners actually said
849 reportsLEFT WINDOW REGULATOR NEEDED REPLACING BECAUSE MY WINDOW FELL IN THE DOOR AND I WAS UNABLE TO USE MY WINDOW. I KNOW OF 2 OTHER PEOPLE THAT THIS HAS HAPPENED TO. IT COST ME $260.68 FOR THE PART, AND $14 FOR A SWITCH. GM KNOWS OF THIS PROBLEM BUT HAS NOT DONE A RECALL. THIS IS QUITE COMMON IN GRAND AM AND GRAND PRIX. I WOULD …
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LEFT WINDOW REGULATOR NEEDED REPLACING BECAUSE MY WINDOW FELL IN THE DOOR AND I WAS UNABLE TO USE MY WINDOW. I KNOW OF 2 OTHER PEOPLE THAT THIS HAS HAPPENED TO. IT COST ME $260.68 FOR THE PART, AND $14 FOR A SWITCH. GM KNOWS OF THIS PROBLEM BUT HAS NOT DONE A RECALL. THIS IS QUITE COMMON IN GRAND AM AND GRAND PRIX. I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW OF ANY REIMBURSEMENT PROGRAM FOR THE COST OF THE PART?*AK
LAST YEAR WENT TO MY DEALER FOR ROUTINE MAINTENANCE AND SERVICE TECH "SUGGESTED" I BUY A NEW CAR, BECAUSE THE PROBLEMS THEY DISCOVERED WERE GOING TO BE OVER $4,000 TO FIX. THOUGHT THIS WAS STRANGE AS I HAVE ONLY HAD THE CAR FOR LESS THAN 3 YEARS. MY MECHANIC FIXED THE COOLANT INTAKE MANIFOLD FOR A LOT LESS THAN THE DEALER BUT SA…
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LAST YEAR WENT TO MY DEALER FOR ROUTINE MAINTENANCE AND SERVICE TECH "SUGGESTED" I BUY A NEW CAR, BECAUSE THE PROBLEMS THEY DISCOVERED WERE GOING TO BE OVER $4,000 TO FIX. THOUGHT THIS WAS STRANGE AS I HAVE ONLY HAD THE CAR FOR LESS THAN 3 YEARS. MY MECHANIC FIXED THE COOLANT INTAKE MANIFOLD FOR A LOT LESS THAN THE DEALER BUT SAID HE HAS SEEN THIS IN GM CARS BEFORE AND GM KNOWS ABOUT THIS ISSUE. THEY HAVE RECALLED VEHICLES IN THE PAST FOR THIS PROBLEM. APPARENTLY THE GLYCOL COOLANT EATS THE GASKETS AND CAUSES THE LEAKS TO THE REST OF THE SYSTEMS. FIXING THE GASKET WITH THE NEW AND IMPROVED VERSION JUST DELAYS THE DAMAGE THAT HAS ALREADY BEEN DONE, AND THE RECALL THAT MAY HAPPEN ONE DAY, AFTER WE HAVE ALL SOLD OR JUNKED OUR CARS. WHICH I AM SURE IS WHAT GM IS WAITING FOR. NEXT TIME I BUY AN IMPORT. *JB
HAD CAR 2 YRS. ONLY,THE DRIVER SIDE WINDOW BROKE TWICE,GOT IT REPAIR FROM DEALER. THIS PAST MONTH THE PASSENGER WINDOW BROKE{DID NOT GET IT FIX YET}WHEN YOU TRY TO PUT THE WINDOW DOWN IT SOUNDS LIKE IT IS CRACKING THEN THE WINDOW TURNS SIDE WAYS AND THAT WAS HOW THE DRIVER SIDE WINDOW WAS. MY LEFT HAND TURN SIGNAL WHEN YOU TURN …
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HAD CAR 2 YRS. ONLY,THE DRIVER SIDE WINDOW BROKE TWICE,GOT IT REPAIR FROM DEALER. THIS PAST MONTH THE PASSENGER WINDOW BROKE{DID NOT GET IT FIX YET}WHEN YOU TRY TO PUT THE WINDOW DOWN IT SOUNDS LIKE IT IS CRACKING THEN THE WINDOW TURNS SIDE WAYS AND THAT WAS HOW THE DRIVER SIDE WINDOW WAS. MY LEFT HAND TURN SIGNAL WHEN YOU TURN IT ON TO TURN, IT KEEPS BLINKING REALLY-REALLY FAST,NOT LIKE A NORMAL TURN SIGNAL LIGHT. ALL OF THIS HAPPEN OCTOBER 2002-TO THIS DATE. DID NOT GET THE TURN SIGNAL FIXED YET. *JB
ON NOVEMBER 3, 2004, UPON LEAVING WORK, I NOTICED A NOISE COMING FROM MY LEFT FRONT END. I PULLED OVER IN THE PARKING LOT OF MY WORK PLACE, BUT UNABLE TO IDENTIFY THE CAUSE. I PROCEEDED TO THE RINKE PONTIAC DEALERSHIP IN WARREN, MI. THE SERVICE TECHNICIAN PERFORMED A CURSORY CHECK AND DETERMINED THAT THE STRUT (AND POSSIBLY) …
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ON NOVEMBER 3, 2004, UPON LEAVING WORK, I NOTICED A NOISE COMING FROM MY LEFT FRONT END. I PULLED OVER IN THE PARKING LOT OF MY WORK PLACE, BUT UNABLE TO IDENTIFY THE CAUSE. I PROCEEDED TO THE RINKE PONTIAC DEALERSHIP IN WARREN, MI. THE SERVICE TECHNICIAN PERFORMED A CURSORY CHECK AND DETERMINED THAT THE STRUT (AND POSSIBLY) THE SPRING WAS BROKEN. AFTER VERIFYING WITH HIM THAT IT WOULDN'T BE DANGEROUS, I CONTINUED TOWARD HOME. WHEN I ARRIVED AT MY TURN-OFF, MY FRONT PASSENGER TIRE BLEW OUT. I MADE IT HOME AND CALLED AAA MICH; THE DRIVER WHO CAME TO CHANGE MY TIRE INFORMED ME THAT THE COIL SPRING WAS BROKEN. ON NOVEMBER 4, 2004 , I TOOK MY CAR TO NOONAN PONTIAC FOR REPAIR. THEY REPLACED THE LEFT FRONT COIL SPRING, STRUT, MOUNT, SPRING AND SEAT WHICH RESULTING IN A TOTAL CHARGE OF $614.23 (MINUS DISCOUNT). I RETAINED THE OLD PART. I REPLACED THE TIRE AND ALIGNMENT SEPARATELY. *AK
THE CONSUMER HEARD A LOUD NOISE. FRONT SPRING BROKE. *BF WHILE THE CONSUMER WAS BACKING OUT OF A DRIVEWAY ONE OF THE VEHICLE'S FRONT SPRINGS BROKE. THE VEHICLE WA TOWED TO A GARAGE WHERE THEY REPLACE THE SPRING AND STRUT. *NM
CAR HESITATES, FEELS AS IT IS GOING TO DIE, CAR STALLS, WON'T START. TAKE SEVERAL TIMES TO START, CAR WILL STALL IN THE MIDDLE OF DRIVING ON THE ROAD. COULD CAUSE SERIOUS ACCIDENT IF STALLING HAPPENS WHILE ON THE ROAD DRIVING. *AK NEW FUEL PUMP WAS INSTALLED. 3 FUEL PUMPS HAVE BEEN INSTALLED IN 2 YEARS.
(1)OUR LOW COOLANT LIGHT ILLUMINATED SO WE TOPPED OFF ENGINE COOLANT. WE WERE TURNING AROUND A CURVE AT ABOUT 45MPH AND WHEN THE LOW COOLANT LIGHT CAME ON AGAIN. (2) FORTUNATELY WE WERE JUST FINISHED A RIGHT CURVE ON A SECLUDED ROAD OR WE WOULD HAVE VEERED INTO ONCOMMING TRAFFIC WHEN ALL POWER STEERING WAS LOST. WE REGAINED CO…
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(1)OUR LOW COOLANT LIGHT ILLUMINATED SO WE TOPPED OFF ENGINE COOLANT. WE WERE TURNING AROUND A CURVE AT ABOUT 45MPH AND WHEN THE LOW COOLANT LIGHT CAME ON AGAIN. (2) FORTUNATELY WE WERE JUST FINISHED A RIGHT CURVE ON A SECLUDED ROAD OR WE WOULD HAVE VEERED INTO ONCOMMING TRAFFIC WHEN ALL POWER STEERING WAS LOST. WE REGAINED CONTROL WITHOUT POWER STEERING,LIGHTS OR BRAKES ON THE PASSENGER SIDE. UPON INVESTIGATION WE WERE ABLE TO DETERMINE FLUID DISCHARGED FROM THE RESERVOIR AND COVERED ENGINE BELTS,BRAKES AND TIRES ON PASSENGER SIDE THEREFORE MAKING THEM SLIPP. THIS IS WHAT CAUSED POWER STEERING,LIGHTS,BRAKES AND TRACTION LOSS. IF THE DRIVER WAS OF LESS STRENGHT AND AWARENESS, THE CONDITIONS WERE WET OR TRAFFIC WAS HEAVIER THIS COULD HAVE POSSIBLY BEEN A DISTURBING ACCIDENT AND POSSIBLY FATAL. (3) IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE VEHICLES LOWER INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET LEAKED WHICH CAUSED THE OVERHEATING AND DISCHARGE OF FLUID. VEHICLE HAD LESS THAN 60,000 MILES. A FRIEND OF OURS HAS THE EXACT SAME VEHICLE AND RECENTLY REPAIRED THE SAME PROBLEM. *AK
I HAD MY CAR STARTED AND THE KEY CAME OUT WAY TO EASY SO I PUT THE KEY BACK AND TURNED IT OFF AND I TRIED TO START IT AGAIN AND THE KEY WOULD NOT MOVE AT ALL.HAD IT TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY SAID IT WAS THE LOCK CYLINDER AND SWITCH AND IT WOULD BE 475.00 JUST FOR PARTS.THE KEY SHOULDNT OF CAME OUT THAT EASY. *AK
REFERENCE TO : NHTSA ACTION NUMBER : PE03031.LEFT FRONT COIL SPRING FRACTURED AT THE TOP COIL UPON ENTERING THE DRIVEWAY OF MY EMPLOYER. LOW SPEED SO THERE WERE NO CONTROL ISSUES. CAR WAS DRIVEN APROX. 5 MILES AT LOW-MODERATE SPEED WITH MINOR NOISES FROM SUSPENSION AT RAILROAD TRACKS, EXPANSION JOINTS, ETC, WITHOUT CONTROL ISS…
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REFERENCE TO : NHTSA ACTION NUMBER : PE03031.LEFT FRONT COIL SPRING FRACTURED AT THE TOP COIL UPON ENTERING THE DRIVEWAY OF MY EMPLOYER. LOW SPEED SO THERE WERE NO CONTROL ISSUES. CAR WAS DRIVEN APROX. 5 MILES AT LOW-MODERATE SPEED WITH MINOR NOISES FROM SUSPENSION AT RAILROAD TRACKS, EXPANSION JOINTS, ETC, WITHOUT CONTROL ISSUES. LOCAL DEALERSHIP INSPECTED THE CAR AND FOUND BROKEN SPRING. AR WILL BE REPAIRED AT THE DEALERSHIP. REPLACING SPRING AND ISOLATORS, WITH FURTHER INSPECTION OF CHASSIS ON REMOVAL OF SUSPENSION ASSEMBLY. AMAGED PARTS WILL BE RETURNED TO ME. *AK
Official recalls
314V400000 · Electrical System:ignition
Jul 3, 2014
This defect can affect the safe operation of the airbag system. Until this recall is performed, customers should remove all items from their key rings, leaving only the ignition key. The key fob (if applicable), should also be removed from the key ring. General Motors LLC (GM) notified the agency on July 3, 2014, that they are recalling 5,877,718 model year 2000-2005 Chevrolet Impala and Monte Carlo, 1997-2003 Chevrolet Malibu, 2004-2005 Malibu Classic, 1999-2004 Oldsmobile Alero, 1998-2002 Oldsmobile Intrigue, 1999-2005 Pontiac Grand Am and 2004-2008 Pontiac Grand Prix vehicles. In these models, the weight on the key ring and/or road conditions or some other jarring event may cause the ignition switch to move out of the run position, turning off the engine.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: If the key is not in the run position, the air bags may not deploy if the vehicle is involved in a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will install two key rings and an insert in the key slot or a cover over the key head on all ignition keys, free of charge. The recall began on September 9, 2014. GM's number for this recall is 14350.
00V140000 · Structure:body
May 18, 2000
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: THESE VEHICLES DO NOT COMPLY WITH THE OCCUPANT PROTECTION REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 201, "OCCUPANT PROTECTION IN INTERIOR IMPACT." THE CONSOLE COVER ON THESE VEHICLES DOES NOT STAY CLOSED WHEN A SPECIFIED VERTICAL LOAD IS APPLIED.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, THE CONSOLE COVER COULD OPEN AND THE COVER OR ITEMS STORED UNDER IT COULD INJURE AN OCCUPANT.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE CONSOLE LATCH MECHANISM.
98V320000 · Steering: Steering Wheel/handle Bar
Dec 15, 1998
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE STEERING WHEEL CAN COME LOOSE FROM THE STEERING SHAFT BECAUSE THE STEERING WHEEL RETAINING NUT COULD HAVE BEEN IMPROPERLY TIGHTENED.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THIS CONDITION COULD CAUSE A LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE STEERING WHEEL RETAINING NUT FOR CORRECT TIGHTNESS AND TIGHTEN IF NECESSARY.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
3RQ04005 · Turn Signal Failures
Opened Jun 18, 2004 · Closed Nov 30, 2004
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Exterior Lighting:hazard Flashing Warning Lights:switch; Exterior Lighting:turn Signal:switch
GM CONDUCTED A RECALL (NHTSA RECALL NUMBER 03V327) ON MODEL YEAR (MY) 2000-2001 ALERO, GRAND AM AND MALIBU VEHICLES TO REPLACE DEFECTIVE HAZARD SWITCHES THAT CAUSE THE TURN SIGNALS AND HAZARD LIGHTS TO FAIL.THE RECALL COVERED VEHICLES BUILT FROM FEBRUARY 2000 THROUGH MAY 2001 (DEPENDING ON MODEL).ODI OPENED THIS INVESTIGATION BASED ON 64 REPORTS ALLEGING TURN SIGNAL FAILURE ON MY 1999-2000 ALERO, GRAND AM AND MALIBU VEHICLES NOT COVERED UNDER THE RECALL AND BUILT PRIOR TO FEBRUARY 2000.IN DECEMBER 2004, GM WILL ISSUE A SPECIAL POLICY FOR MY 1999-2000 ALERO, GRAND AM AND MALIBU VEHICLES NOT COVERED UNDER RECALL 03V327.THE POLICY COVERS TURN SIGNAL/HAZARD FLASHER FAILURE FOR A PERIOD OF 10 YEARS OR 150,000 MILES (WHICHEVER OCCURS FIRST) TO PROVIDE A NO COST REPLACEMENT OF THE HAZARD SWITCH.GM WILL SEND LETTERS TO OWNERS STARTING DECEMBER 30, 2004.THE ACTIONS TAKEN BY THE MANUFACTURER IS SUFFICIENT TO RESOLVE THE ISSUES RAISED BY THIS INVESTIGATION.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT NO SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT EXISTS.THE AGENCY RESERVES THE RIGHT TO TAKE FUTURE ACTION IF WARRANTED BY THE CIRCUMSTANCES.
Additional source detail variants (2)
Exterior Lighting:hazard Flashing Warning Lights:switch
GM CONDUCTED A RECALL (NHTSA RECALL NUMBER 03V327) ON MODEL YEAR (MY) 2000-2001 ALERO, GRAND AM AND MALIBU VEHICLES TO REPLACE DEFECTIVE HAZARD SWITCHES THAT CAUSE THE TURN SIGNALS AND HAZARD LIGHTS TO FAIL.THE RECALL COVERED VEHICLES BUILT FROM FEBRUARY 2000 THROUGH MAY 2001 (DEPENDING ON MODEL).ODI OPENED THIS INVESTIGATION BASED ON 64 REPORTS ALLEGING TURN SIGNAL FAILURE ON MY 1999-2000 ALERO, GRAND AM AND MALIBU VEHICLES NOT COVERED UNDER THE RECALL AND BUILT PRIOR TO FEBRUARY 2000.IN DECEMBER 2004, GM WILL ISSUE A SPECIAL POLICY FOR MY 1999-2000 ALERO, GRAND AM AND MALIBU VEHICLES NOT COVERED UNDER RECALL 03V327.THE POLICY COVERS TURN SIGNAL/HAZARD FLASHER FAILURE FOR A PERIOD OF 10 YEARS OR 150,000 MILES (WHICHEVER OCCURS FIRST) TO PROVIDE A NO COST REPLACEMENT OF THE HAZARD SWITCH.GM WILL SEND LETTERS TO OWNERS STARTING DECEMBER 30, 2004.THE ACTIONS TAKEN BY THE MANUFACTURER IS SUFFICIENT TO RESOLVE THE ISSUES RAISED BY THIS INVESTIGATION.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT NO SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT EXISTS.THE AGENCY RESERVES THE RIGHT TO TAKE FUTURE ACTION IF WARRANTED BY THE CIRCUMSTANCES.
Exterior Lighting:turn Signal:switch
GM CONDUCTED A RECALL (NHTSA RECALL NUMBER 03V327) ON MODEL YEAR (MY) 2000-2001 ALERO, GRAND AM AND MALIBU VEHICLES TO REPLACE DEFECTIVE HAZARD SWITCHES THAT CAUSE THE TURN SIGNALS AND HAZARD LIGHTS TO FAIL.THE RECALL COVERED VEHICLES BUILT FROM FEBRUARY 2000 THROUGH MAY 2001 (DEPENDING ON MODEL).ODI OPENED THIS INVESTIGATION BASED ON 64 REPORTS ALLEGING TURN SIGNAL FAILURE ON MY 1999-2000 ALERO, GRAND AM AND MALIBU VEHICLES NOT COVERED UNDER THE RECALL AND BUILT PRIOR TO FEBRUARY 2000.IN DECEMBER 2004, GM WILL ISSUE A SPECIAL POLICY FOR MY 1999-2000 ALERO, GRAND AM AND MALIBU VEHICLES NOT COVERED UNDER RECALL 03V327.THE POLICY COVERS TURN SIGNAL/HAZARD FLASHER FAILURE FOR A PERIOD OF 10 YEARS OR 150,000 MILES (WHICHEVER OCCURS FIRST) TO PROVIDE A NO COST REPLACEMENT OF THE HAZARD SWITCH.GM WILL SEND LETTERS TO OWNERS STARTING DECEMBER 30, 2004.THE ACTIONS TAKEN BY THE MANUFACTURER IS SUFFICIENT TO RESOLVE THE ISSUES RAISED BY THIS INVESTIGATION.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT NO SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT EXISTS.THE AGENCY RESERVES THE RIGHT TO TAKE FUTURE ACTION IF WARRANTED BY THE CIRCUMSTANCES.
EA03021 · Front Suspension Coil Spring Fracture
Opened Nov 4, 2003 · Closed Oct 19, 2004
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Suspension; Suspension:front; Suspension:front:springs:coil Springs
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 WARRANTED.PLEASE SEE THE ATTACHED REPORT FOR ADDITIONAL DETAILS.
Additional source detail variants (3)
Suspension:front
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 WARRANTED.PLEASE SEE THE ATTACHED REPORT FOR ADDITIONAL DETAILS.
Suspension:front:springs:coil Springs
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 WARRANTED.PLEASE SEE THE ATTACHED REPORT FOR ADDITIONAL DETAILS.
Suspension
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 WARRANTED.PLEASE SEE THE ATTACHED REPORT FOR ADDITIONAL DETAILS.
PE03031 · Front Suspension Coil Spring Fracture
Opened Jul 14, 2003 · Closed Nov 4, 2003
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Suspension:front; Suspension:front:springs:coil Springs
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 DATA SHOW THAT THE FAILURES OCCUR PREDOMINANTLY IN THE ?CORROSION STATES? AND TEND TO APPEAR OUTSIDE OF THE STANDARD 36,000 MILE WARRANTY TERM.THESE DATA ALSO SUGGEST THAT THESE FAILURES WILL CONTINUE TO HAPPEN.SLIGHTLY MORE THAN ONE THIRD OF THE CONSUMER COMPLAINTS HAVE INVOLVED THE BROKEN SPRING COIL CONTACTING THE ADJACENT TIRE.ODI IS UPGRADING PE03-031 TO AN ENGINEERING ANALYSIS TO GATHER FURTHER INFORMATION CONCERNING THE SCOPE AND CONSEQUENCES OF THESE FAILURES.
Additional source detail variants (2)
Suspension:front
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 DATA SHOW THAT THE FAILURES OCCUR PREDOMINANTLY IN THE ?CORROSION STATES? AND TEND TO APPEAR OUTSIDE OF THE STANDARD 36,000 MILE WARRANTY TERM.THESE DATA ALSO SUGGEST THAT THESE FAILURES WILL CONTINUE TO HAPPEN.SLIGHTLY MORE THAN ONE THIRD OF THE CONSUMER COMPLAINTS HAVE INVOLVED THE BROKEN SPRING COIL CONTACTING THE ADJACENT TIRE.ODI IS UPGRADING PE03-031 TO AN ENGINEERING ANALYSIS TO GATHER FURTHER INFORMATION CONCERNING THE SCOPE AND CONSEQUENCES OF THESE FAILURES.
Suspension:front:springs:coil Springs
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 DATA SHOW THAT THE FAILURES OCCUR PREDOMINANTLY IN THE ?CORROSION STATES? AND TEND TO APPEAR OUTSIDE OF THE STANDARD 36,000 MILE WARRANTY TERM.THESE DATA ALSO SUGGEST THAT THESE FAILURES WILL CONTINUE TO HAPPEN.SLIGHTLY MORE THAN ONE THIRD OF THE CONSUMER COMPLAINTS HAVE INVOLVED THE BROKEN SPRING COIL CONTACTING THE ADJACENT TIRE.ODI IS UPGRADING PE03-031 TO AN ENGINEERING ANALYSIS TO GATHER FURTHER INFORMATION CONCERNING THE SCOPE AND CONSEQUENCES OF THESE FAILURES.