Auto Watchdog Group Calls for Investigation of Pontiac GTO

WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Center for Auto Safety has called on the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration to open an investigation into tire failures and front suspension problems with the 2004-'06 Pontiac GTO.

The independent consumer advocacy group said NHTSA has received 65 tire-related complaints on the 2004-'06 GTO, including eight blowouts and one crash. It noted that, "The problem seems to occur early in the lifespan of the vehicle, as a number of complaints cite mileages of less than 10,000 at the time of the failure." Tire wear caused by contact with struts is cited as a possible source of the failures.

The 2004-'06 GTO was built by GM subsidiary Holden in Australia and based on the Holden Monaro platform. The auto watchdog points out that the tires on the U.S. GTO are 10mm wider than those fitted on the Australian Monaro. Redesigned front struts on the '06 GTO alleviated the tire wear problem. However, NHTSA has received more than 100 complaints of front strut failure in 2006 models, the Center for Auto Safety said.

It added that "Many GTO owners are forced to replace worn tires and damaged struts at their own expense."

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