Fluid was leaking by passenger side front tire. Also, noticed a whining noise when turning. Car has 40,000 miles on it. Repair shop had to replace the rack & pinion and heater core. Cost for repairs: $700.00.
1998 Pontiac Grand Am steering problems
14 complaints (8% of all complaints for this car). Typical mileage when it fails: 92,000. 1 crash reported.
- owner complaints
- 14
- of this car's complaints
- 8%
- typical mileage
- 92,000
- crashes
- 1
- recalls
- 0
Which part fails
- Steering wheel/handle bar4
- Rack and pinion3
- Column locking: anti-theft device2
- Linkages: tie rod assembly1
- Hydraulic power assist system1
At what mileage
Complaints by mileage at the time of the problem.
0k-25k
25k-50k
50k-75k
75k-100k
100k-125k
125k-150k
150k-175k
175k-200k
200k+
Pontiac Grand Am steering problems in other years
Related recalls
No recalls on record for this model year.
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 1998 Pontiac Grand Am owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
General motors need to recall their vehicles to diagnosis this major issue. My case number with gm 1382341310 however, they wont assist me and said they are closing my case. I informed them not to I am not done with this issue with them... This is a very serious problem or defect with my general motors pontiac grand am se 3.1l v6 engine in this vehicle. I have had, 3 intake manifold gasket failures in less than 40,000 miles, the first occurring at approx 24,000 miles the second at approx 27,000 miles and now again at 40,000 miles but I have suspected the anti-freeze I have been smelling in the cab when I turn the heater blower on, is somehow connected to this leak. Which means its been leaking for some time just not bad enough to drip onto the ground bringing my attention to it. I am only one of thousands of victims that general motors has raped financial over the years. The repeated failures of the intake manifold gasket started long ago and due to the numerous complaints to the bbb and gm you would think that would be enough to alarm general motors that they are having a major issue, and they should of began a recall of their vehicles long ago. In the year 2002 they couldn't supply enough intake manifold gaskets to keep up with the gm vehicles that needed repair either under warranty or out of warranty. I have had other major non-related repairs to my vehicle as well, 19,693 miles the sway bar bushings had to be replaced, alternator was replaced, heater core replaced, the rack and pinion steering rod replaced. Now my car and many thousands of other gm owners vehicles are out of warranty and gm won't stand behind their own vehicles, even though work was done repeatedly under warranty on my vehicle. I am currently 3 years out of warranty but only 12,900 approx miles since they did the last repair on my intake manifold gaskets. I believe a class action suit is the only thing general motors corporation will respond to.
Consumer was unable to turn left. Dealer stated that rack and pinion failed. A recall for the steering rack and pinion was issued, however, this vehicle was not included in the recall due to VIN.
While backing out in reverse or driving vehicle had a rattling sound. Consumer noticed that while shifting the steering wheel jerked. Consumer drove vehicle to the dealer for inspection, and mechanic determined that the rack and pinion needed to be replaced.
While driving 40 MPH on a wet road surface vehicle swerved. Consumer lost control of the vehicle, an dit was was forced off the road into a wooded area, where vehicle spinned several times and hit several small trees. Vehicle was towed to a body shop. Mechanic determined that the right tie rod wore out and the left tie rod was getting worn out. Consumer stated, that front wheel bearing was repaired under a recall on may 5, 2004 at a dealer.
Consumer heard a loud noise, then the steering wheel became very loose with a lot of play. The mechanic stated the steering mechanism broke from the firewall. The dealer has been contacted. Please describe further.
When trying to take key out of ignition the steering wheel would not lock in place and keys could either not be removed or would be removed but wheel still would not lock in place.
The steering became loose while driving.
After taking key out of ignition switch steering wheel would not lock in place. Dealer has been contcted. Please provide further information.
While putting steering in down position steering wheel would not move up or down. *ak the steering wheel was in the top position and could not be moved. When consumer took the key out of the ignition the steering wheel did not lock in position.
Questions about the 1998 Pontiac Grand Am steering
Does the 1998 Pontiac Grand Am have steering problems?
Owners have filed 14 complaints about the steering of the 1998 Pontiac Grand Am, 8% of all its complaints.
At what mileage do 1998 Pontiac Grand Am steering problems start?
The typical (median) mileage in owner complaints is 92,000 miles.
Was there a recall on the 1998 Pontiac Grand Am steering?
There is no recall for this problem on this model year.
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 1998 Pontiac Grand Am problems
Brakes 38Electrical 33Engine 26Acceleration 16Suspension 14Visibility 14Airbags 13Transmission 13Fuel system 9Seat belts 7Body 3Tires 3Lights 2Wheels 1
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