Author Topic: My great new G6 has lemon brakes (Read 7455 times)

ericsg6 · « **on:** February 03, 2006, 09:24:38 am »

Wondering if there is anyone out there who is having the same issues as I ... I purchased Pontiac G6 in May, absolutley love it! Although, the breaks squeal something awful. I have had it in the delarship 4 times (1 was for a recall - had them also check the brakes) and each time they tell me there is nothing wrong with the breaks. I have been cautious about my brakes ever since I had to fork out the dollars for new rotors and calipers on my last vehicle from lack of service attention, so this time, as soon as I heard a squeal I took it in. Now they are getting worse - wether its dry, wet, snowy, damp they squeak - in the morning, at the end of the day, the middle of the day lol. I am waking people up in the morning when I leave my house.

Do I just need to find a new dealership? I have pleaded with the Service Manager to do something and he has said there is nothing to do - its a good service department, I've been happy with everything else ... I am ranting now.

Any ideas, thoughts?

I appreciate whoever reads this!

Cheers,

somewhat happy, G6 driver $:-\$

wing · « **Reply #1 on:** February 03, 2006, 09:26:30 am »

Yup, someone else posted about this a few months back:

http://www.cartalkcanada.com/forum/index.php/topic,40713.0.html

ericsg6 · « **Reply #2 on:** February 03, 2006, 09:35:23 am »

Well, at least I know I'm not alone ... although I can't belive I have to live with this ... funny, how my last vehicle which was about 6,000 less, never had a squealing problem until the brakes actually needed to be fixed?

articsteve · « **Reply #3 on:** February 03, 2006, 10:52:24 am »

Its a design fault and as a result you will get nowhere with your dealership because they are powerless to fix it. As for GM ....

Only thing you can do is go out and buy aftermarket pads at your expense. Not the end of the world if the rest of the car is OK. After 2 years dump the DEXCOOL out of the rad despite it being flogged as a 5 year product.

Look for EBC green or just a normal semi-metallic pad if available. OEM is ceramic and obviously not working out well.

ovr50 · « **Reply #4 on:** February 03, 2006, 11:23:21 am »

Quote from: articsteve on February 03, 2006, 10:52:24 am

Its a design fault and as a result you will get nowhere with your dealership because they are powerless to fix it. As for GM ....

Only thing you can do is go out and buy aftermarket pads at your expense. Not the end of the world if the rest of the car is OK. After 2 years dump the DEXCOOL out of the rad despite it being flogged as a 5 year product.

Look for EBC green or just a normal semi-metallic pad if available. OEM is ceramic and obviously not working out well.

The beat goes on - this is NOT the way for beleagered GM to recover; it is unacceptable for them to continue with "design faults" in their new cars/trucks. It's immaterial whether it really is a design fault or not, the point is GM continues to build vehicles that ppl have trouble with and GMs reputation continues to be "mud".

ericthejet · « **Reply #5 on:** February 03, 2006, 12:42:12 pm »

Shame about those brakes. I would maybe push the dealer a bit harder. Bring up another car purchase in the future etc. I would think that if they did want to keep their clints happy they would make a better effort and explain the situation along with some printed data on why this condition happens.

I'm no expert but in most cases the pads and rotors are not mixing well. Usually the pad is just abit softer than the rotor and usually keeps the nosie form occuring.

How nice is a new car that makes brake noise all the way down the street? Perhaps a visit to the local "other" car manufactures lot may be in order.

BTW, my 96 Honda Civic's original brakes(front) were changed at 165,000kms. The rears are still original and get adjusted and cleaned twice a year. LOve my Honda and good luck with your issue.

wing · « **Reply #6 on:** February 03, 2006, 01:25:45 pm »

If you squeal just tell people you have racing pads

Arthur Dent · « **Reply #7 on:** February 03, 2006, 01:31:16 pm »

its a design flaw (they cheaped out at design time basically). Common to a lot of the GM mid size cars for years. sorry

barrie1 · « **Reply #8 on:** February 04, 2006, 05:48:37 pm »

I would talk to your service manager again and ask him if changing the pads to a different brand will help which is usally the correct answer to this problem. They should be able to help you with this problem even if its on a per cost basis. A certain amount of squeeling is normal because of the design but not a constant noise as it should clean off after the 1st few stops everyday. Give the GM hotline a call if they do not attempt to assisst you with this problem.

articsteve · « **Reply #9 on:** February 04, 2006, 06:29:38 pm »

Quote from: barrie1 on February 04, 2006, 05:48:37 pm

I would talk to your service manager again and ask him if changing the pads to a different brand will help which is usally the correct answer to this problem. They should be able to help you with this problem even if its on a per cost basis. A certain amount of squeeling is normal because of the design but not a constant noise as it should clean off after the 1st few stops everyday. Give the GM hotline a call if they do not attempt to assisst you with this problem.

Give the GM hotline a call if they do not attempt to assisst you with this problem.

I guarantee you that if you phone GM's customer call center you will never buy a GM product again.

safristi · « **Reply #10 on:** February 04, 2006, 08:06:23 pm »

...VERY PRETTY and the Lemon Tree is sweet............. prefer Red maself......

barrie1 · « **Reply #11 on:** February 05, 2006, 05:29:14 pm »

Thats definitely sounds like GM will threaten this man with serious problems. I think you had better clarify this a lot further with your meaning of that Steve. I personally have had very good results the odd time over the years I have had to make this call. I personally feel Slandering them like this is not the answer to the problem.

articsteve · « **Reply #12 on:** February 05, 2006, 10:35:25 pm »

this is not the answer to the problem.

Correct. In the land of GM, there is no answer to the problem. That is why they have gone from approx. 50% market share in the early 70s to 27% in 2005 and still falling.

ovr50 · « **Reply #13 on:** February 05, 2006, 11:24:49 pm »

Actually I think GMs market share is under 25% in NA market these days.

barrie1 · « **Reply #14 on:** February 07, 2006, 12:31:21 am »

Then possibly they should tell this to the owner and not someone who has no involment with them. They can tell the truth or something like you have just stated. As you Do Not represent GM I would let them do the answering. Not everybody gets satisfaction from them but a lot of owners do. Your Beef was with someone else's car and not your own.

ericsg6 · « **Reply #15 on:** February 07, 2006, 02:26:22 pm »

Quote from: barrie1 on February 04, 2006, 05:48:37 pm

They should be able to help you with this problem even if its on a per cost basis.

Should I really be expected to cover the costs? I have owned other vehicles and never had this problem.

Also, to give an update - spoke with the Service Manager, he told me that certain pads have a level of metal in them and that causes the squealing - told me there was nothing they could do.

I agree, whole-heartedly, that brakes can squeal in some instances - but almost all the time when brakeing at under 6mph? Doesn't seem right to me. I guess my only other option is to either. 1) find another dealership and start over again or 2) go to a non-affliated auto shop and pay out of my own pocket.

You can mark me down as somewhat disgruntled with GM --- Although, I must say, I do like my car, as long as I have the radio turned way way up!

articsteve · « **Reply #16 on:** February 07, 2006, 02:48:24 pm »

Quote from: ericsg6 on February 07, 2006, 02:26:22 pm

Quote from: barrie1 on February 04, 2006, 05:48:37 pm
They should be able to help you with this problem even if its on a per cost basis.

Should I really be expected to cover the costs? I have owned other vehicles and never had this problem.

Also, to give an update - spoke with the Service Manager, he told me that certain pads have a level of metal in them and that causes the squealing - told me there was nothing they could do.

I agree, whole-heartedly, that brakes can squeal in some instances - but almost all the time when brakeing at under 6mph? Doesn't seem right to me. I guess my only other option is to either. 1) find another dealership and start over again or 2) go to a non-affliated auto shop and pay out of my own pocket.

You can mark me down as somewhat disgruntled with GM --- Although, I must say, I do like my car, as long as I have the radio turned way way up!

spoke with the Service Manager, he told me that certain pads have a level of metal in them and that causes the squealing - told me there was nothing they could do.

I believe Pontiac got tricky with this car and went with "ceramic" pads as OEM. Not exactly working out. The service manager is fibbing because he has 20 other customers to get rid of each day as well as you. The first course a GM dealer service manger must attend and pass is at the GM FIBBING INSTITUTE located at GM's world headquarters in Detroit.

go to a non-affliated auto shop and pay out of my own pocket.

You've seen the

Research a GM BBS and find what pads work. I listed one for ya! Just rationalize it as an early brake job. DO NOT go to Midas, Speedy et al.

claudster · « **Reply #17 on:** February 07, 2006, 05:54:29 pm »

Wait untill the warrenty expires. That same service manager that has been doing his best to snub you, all of a sudden wants to be "your frind" and the problems that you have been having will all of a sudden be taken care of. Out of your pocket of course.
That has been my experience with the local GM dealerships.
BTW I'll use the dealership before I use Speedy and the others.

ericsg6 · « **Reply #18 on:** February 17, 2006, 10:31:09 am »

Your not going to believe this! I sent a comment to GM Canada (From they're website) regarding my brake issues. Explained that the Dealership told me there was nothing wrong with the pads, but that they squealed horribly, I listed details. Ended with the note that they had me for 4 years (4 yr finance) and to try and keep me.

I got a response, in 3 days!!!!, from GM Canada, and then the dealership! Spoke with the Service Manager, again, and he told me that he was authroized to do whatever it took to make me happy ... no, really! his words!

I am thorougly impressed - the increase in GM's attempt for better customer service, for me at least, is not a farce! Kudos to GM and the dealership!

A satisfied GM owner!

Craig · « **Reply #19 on:** February 17, 2006, 10:56:48 am »

Quote from: ericsg6 on February 17, 2006, 10:31:09 am

Spoke with the Service Manager, again, and he told me that he was authroized to do whatever it took to make me happy ... no, really! his words!

That's excellent. Ask him to redesign the brakes.