2004 Pontiac Grand Prix SE2 from North America - Comments

The only problem we have had is the brake issue. The car has 20K miles on it and we are being told by the dealer that the car needs new pads and rotors. This was something that we were told is not covered under the manufacturer's warranty because this is normal maintenance.

I asked the dealer how this car could need new brakes after only 20K HIGHWAY miles AND they said that they see it all the time. They wanted $180 to repair the brakes. I told them to put the wheels back on and give it back to me.

Later I find out that there is a GM service bulletin out there that says they are not to re-cut the rotors unless they are pitted or warped. I called the dealer back and asked them why they were going to charge me for something they are not to do. Then I asked if they were aware of the bulletin. The response shocked me; "I know there is one out there, but I have not read it.." That's when I lost it and my threats came. I am awaiting a resolution with this now.

I think it is crazy for this car to need new brakes with 20K highway miles on it. This car was driven off the lot less than 7 months ago. Then I see all the complaints on this site relating to the brakes. This is obviously a widespread issue.

I am scared to find out what will fail next after reading this site.

Also as a side note, I had an issue with the dealer in which they tried to pull the old bait and switch thing.. I called for a quote over the phone and they said they had a brand new vehicle in my price range. When I got there, I looked at the car and saw cigarette burns and also that there was 6000 miles on it. I was furious. I threatened and they gave me a few bucks off...

If anyone knows of a recall or interested in taking this off my hands, let me know.

First of all, you docked points for the car when the car had nothing to do with your problem. You said the car had 6000 miles on when you bought it, so you don't know how bad the brakes were worn at the time of purchase.

Second, a lot of places won't turn down rotors anymore. It is very hard to do because if there is any type of flaw in the rotor after turning them, you'll ruin a new set of brake pads very quickly. Over the years, the cost of rotors has come down so much that is usually cheaper and easier just to put new ones on the car.

Plus, if that 180 bucks included labor, then that's not a bad deal for pads and rotors all the way around.

A lot of GM cars come from the factory with "soft" organic pads simply because they're quiet. It wouldn't be that unusual for them to go out at 20,000 miles. Furthermore, you bought a used car. I can get pads to wear out in 6 miles if I want to. You bought this car with 6000. If you want them to last longer next time, opt for more performance oriented semi-metallic pads. Just be ready for the squeaking and grinding.

As for the rotors, it's getting trendy so to speak to not bother turning rotors anymore. It's also a bit of a liability for any shop that does because if they turn them down below spec, they could have a lawsuit on their hands. Personally I never bother turning rotors unless they're badly scored/pitted, and I never have. And I've never had a brake failure in any of my cars. What GM is doing FINALLY is just good old common sense if you ask me. It saves them labor on a typically pointless procedure, and it saves you money.

Furthermore, the majority of your gripes would have been apparent on 10 minute test drive. Personally I'm not in the habit of plunking down 30 grand without a thorough inspection and test drive. But that's just me.

Finally, I suggest you get a set of tools, a Hayne's shop manual, and a 6-pack of beer. Then get to work replacing your brakes. You'll be out $100, will have a set of tools for next time, and a nice beer buzz to boot. Disk brake pads are easy as pie to replace. It takes me about 15 minutes per wheel.

Personally it sounds like a lot of your gripes are with the dealer more than with the car itself.

I have to agree. My daughter bought a (superior?) preowned" BMW 325i. She had to replace the pads and rotors at 21,000, the alternator and power window motor at 22,000. Trim items have popped off and a second power window motor went at 31,000. I just did the brakes for her (38,000) because the dealer wanted over $1000 to do them again. I bought metallic front and ceramic rear pads. It cost less than $100 and took 2 hours and both pad sets have lifetime warranties. The rotors on bimmers are soft and thin and can't be cut. Sometimes the rotors will make it through 2 sets of pads. The pads are soft organic ones that put out plenty of black dust but is gentler on rotors. They stop well, but don't last very long.

I work for a BMW dealer in New Jersey and I'm glad to see that at least the person who replaced the bimmer brakes seems to know something, and is not just blowing hot air.

As for the person with the Grand Prix, I think a course in auto mechanics is calling you, or a good auto book in auto repair.

I do have a 2001 Pontiac Grand Prix special edition; my front brakes I replaced at 32k miles, rears are original, brakes are never covered under warranty unless a covered part like a caliper fails, destroying the non covered part, like the rotors or pads.

For your information, the only company that covers brake rotors and pads under warranty is BMW, but if you are complaining about Pontiac brakes and the price to replace them, then I do think you'd complain about buying the BMW in the first place.

I can't fathom having to replace brake pads at 20,000 miles. I've NEVER replaced the pads on any vehicle I've ever owned before 80,000 miles. Are you sure the car really NEEDED them? It's common practice for dealers and repair shops to lie about these kinds of things to get your money. I just checked the pad wear on my 2001 Pontiac Grand Am and at 51,000 miles they are barely half worn down. They'll probably need replacing around 100,000 miles or so. One of my cars (a Dodge) went 240,000 miles before I sold it (still running perfectly) and it had only had two brake jobs in its lifetime. I strongly suspect that 90% of the brake pad replacements done are due to dealer or repair shop fraud.

Your brake problem notwithstanding, if this is the extent of your trouble with this car, you're in a very good shape.

If the problem is just your brakes, then I would suggest that you do not have the dealer work on them.

Discs, pads, drums, and shoes are some of the few parts where decent after-market offerings are superior to the factory spec parts.

Take it to an independent shop or, if you are able to, endeavor to replace the pads and, if necessary, discs by yourself using parts from reputable brake parts manufacturers, such as Raybestos. - Reinhart.

Replacing brakes is absolutely normal and should never be covered in the warranty. The poster probably brakes inproperly.

And for one thing you never do is bring your car to the dealership because most of them just rip you off.

Having had experience (all BAD) with 3 Japanese imports, I can assure you that I would have been absolutely ECSTATIC if the only problem I had was brakes. No car GM has built since the 1930's could be as unreliable as my Imports were!! I'll buy only domestics from now on.

Incidentally, my current GM cars (both with nearly 60,000 miles on them) have NEVER had the original brake pads replaced.