Car would not start. Steering locked and transmission stuck in park.key would not turn. Towed car home. Removed the ignition switch and found the ignition lock had melted. The obvious fire hazard prompted a recall search for the make and model finding an ignition recall has been issued. I contacted pontiac customer service. The representative asked me if my VIN was covered. I have confirmed the VIN is on the recall list although the rep. Failed to acknowledge this. The seriousness of the recall, potential fire hazard and validity of my complaint was ignored and [xxx] (pontiac rep.) would not assist me further. I am stuck now with trying to resolve getting my car repaired in a timely manner. Please advise. Information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6).
1996 Pontiac Grand Am steering problems
19 complaints (4% of all complaints for this car). 1 crash reported.
- owner complaints
- 19
- of this car's complaints
- 4%
- crashes
- 1
- recalls
- 1
Which part fails
- Steering wheel/handle bar9
- Linkages: tie rod assembly2
- Linkages1
- Hydraulic power assist: pump1
- Gear box (other than rack and pinion)1
- Column locking: anti-theft device1
- Column1
At what mileage
Complaints by mileage at the time of the problem.
Pontiac Grand Am steering problems in other years
Related recalls
Steering: steering wheel/handle bar
- What is wrong
- The steering column lower pinch bolt was not properly tightened during assembly.
- Risk
- An undertorqued pinch bolt can rattle and cause looseness in the steering system. If the pinch bolt backed out of the joint completely, rotation of the steering shaft against the connector could cause increasing looseness in the steering system and result in loss of steering and an accident.
- Remedy
- Dealers will inspect the steering column pinch bolt for correct torque and, if necessary, tighten the bolt to the specified torque.
Recall number 96V249000 · Recall details
Related investigations
Power rack and pinion steering failure
Gm conducted a safety recall (the federal safety agency # 02v286) to address a steering defect pertaining to a lower pinion bearing (lpb) within the rack and pinion steering gear (r&p). The recall covered 1,159,156 model year 1997-1998 pontiac grand prix vehicles built between march 1, 1996 and october 31, 1997, 1996-1998 pontiac trans sport, chevrolet lumina apv, chevrolet venture, oldsmobile silhouette minivans, and chevrolet cavalier and pontiac sunfire sedans built between january 1, 1996 and october 31, 1997.odi opened this rq after receiving reports that other vehicles were exhibiting the same symptoms as the recalled vehicles.based on odi's review of technical and complaint data collected during the rq, the w-cars are associated with either a higher steering complaint rate or a higher lpb failure rate than the other vehicles investigated under the rq and are above or near the rates for the recalled vehicles.thus, odi will further examine the w-cars (1996-1997 oldsmobile cutlass supreme, 1996-1998 buick regal, chevrolet lumina, chevrolet monte carlo, 1997-1998 buick century, and 1998 oldsmobile intrigue) under a new investigation, engineering analysis (ea)03-019.
RQ03001
What 1996 Pontiac Grand Am owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
My main problem is the steering column. When it is time to take the key out of the ignition it gets stucks. Your unable to take the key out until the car wants to let it go. Sometimes this ends up to be a 45 minute to an hour wait. The place I bought it from said they fixed it. Of course, aftr the warranty was up so wasn't the key once again getting stuck. Had the whole steering column replaced for about $500.00 no problems for about 2 months and now once again key is getting stuck.
While driving and turning to the left there was no steering. Also, brake failed, and vehicle intermittently stalled.
Interior lights come on intermittently while driving, there are recalls 88v927000 and 96v257000; but this vehicle is not affected due to VIN. *ak the invoice states that they checked the recall/campaign-they had to install engine wiring harness, replace the ignition switch and the steering column tilt lever.
No summary listed for above vehicle.
No summary listed for above vehicle.
Lower control arm bushings are experiencing excessive wear and have disintegrated. Consumer was informed that this is due to a factory related defect. Also, front struts are noisy and squeaky, a metal to metal sound. *ak dealer replaced tie rods when crushing sound in front end was first heard.
Is this still a free fix? Your campaign #: 96v249000. No safety defect listed within summary.
This is the third replacement of the ignition lock cylinder within two years 1998-2000. It seems to need replaced every 9-12 months. I feel this is an obvious problem and should be corrected. The seat anchor has been reported each time I take the car to the dealership. The last time I was told to recline the seat to prevent the problem. I do not feel this is an acceptable answer to the problem.
While traveling and making a turn sterring whieel locked up, causing consumer to jerk the sterring wheel . Please provide further inforjmaton. Drl has been contacted.
Questions about the 1996 Pontiac Grand Am steering
Does the 1996 Pontiac Grand Am have steering problems?
Owners have filed 19 complaints about the steering of the 1996 Pontiac Grand Am, 4% of all its complaints.
At what mileage do 1996 Pontiac Grand Am steering problems start?
Not enough complaints include the mileage to tell.
Was there a recall on the 1996 Pontiac Grand Am steering?
Yes, 1 recall: 96V249000. Check your VIN to see if your car still needs the free repair.
What year does the Pontiac Grand Am have bad steering?
The Pontiac Grand Am model years with the most steering complaints are 1999 (70 complaints), 1994 (56 complaints) and 2000 (34 complaints).
Other 1996 Pontiac Grand Am problems
Electrical 122Airbags 104Engine 75Brakes 64Visibility 37Transmission 33Suspension 30Fuel system 25Body 24Lights 21Acceleration 9Tires 8Seat belts 5Seats 4Wheels 2
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