My steering column makes a vibrating noise... This happened after the red security light came on the left part of the dash.... Also since I purchased it in july there has been an issue with the key not starting it right away usually have to wait ten seconds or even up to 30 seconds before you can start my vehicle. I'm looking to prevent any accident before it occurs. I do not want my car locking up on me. I prefer safety over speed.
2001 Pontiac Grand Am steering problems
24 complaints (4% of all complaints for this car). Typical mileage when it fails: 108,000. 1 crash reported.
- owner complaints
- 24
- of this car's complaints
- 4%
- typical mileage
- 108,000
- crashes
- 1
- recalls
- 0
Which part fails
- Rack and pinion5
- Steering wheel/handle bar2
- Linkages: knuckle: spindle: arm1
- Hydraulic power assist: power steering fluid1
- Hydraulic power assist: hose, piping, and connections1
- 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
Specific symptoms reported on the 2001 Pontiac Grand Am steering
Phrases found in the owners' own descriptions, so one complaint can mention several symptoms.
Related recalls
No recalls on record for this model year.
What 2001 Pontiac Grand Am owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
I was involved in a car accident as a passenger on 10/25/2001 in which the steering column locked up on our 2001 grand am as we were driving causing us to lose control of the car and flip down hill. My father and my brother were front passengers and I was the rear seat passenger of the car and was ejected out of the back window. The airbags never deployed. After being ejected from the rear window of the car I suffered a broken pelvic bone, a bleeding brain with permanent brain damage, internal bruises on my lungs, my liver, and my kidneys, and the top 3 discs and bottom 3 discs in my back popped out of place. I had to be air lifted to shands hospital in gainesville florida where I remained until 11/20/2001. During the the time between 10/25/2001 and 11/20/2001 I was in a coma, had to be fed intraveinously, and was placed on life support. I was transported to shands rehab hospital in gainesville fl, on 11/20/2001 and was released from shands rehab hospital 11/30/2015 in wheelchair and body brace. I had to have outpatient vocational rehabilitation therpay due to my brain injuries after being released from the hospital. I recently learned that the vehicle that I was involved in the accident has been recalled by general motors due to a faulty iginition switch that causes the vehicle to lose power which causes drivers to not be able to control the steering of the vehicle and am submitting this claim because of this finding. There have been several other claims agains general motor regarding the same vehicle model. I have uploaded the fhp report as well as pictures post accident of the vehicle.
Tl* the contact owns a 2001 pontiac grand am. While driving approximately 5 MPH, the brake pedal was depressed but there was an increase in braking distance. The emergency brake was engaged in order for the vehicle to come to a complete stop. In addition, the contact heard a grinding noise emitting from the front of the vehicle as well as a vibration on the pedals and the steering wheel. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 70,000.
Where the steering pinion attaches to the frame rusted out and broke making right turns impossible because of the pinion moving and the inner tie rod hitting the frame. Pretty much making the car worthless.
While driving the car it would shut down, the steering wheel would lock, and all that could be done is brake to a stop.
Tl* the contact owns a 2001 pontiac grand am. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle stalled. The contact also stated that the key was replaced due to the ignition failing to start the vehicle. In addition, the contact stated that when the steering wheel was turned there was an abnormal noise. The vehicle was taken to a dealer and the diagnosis was that the rack and pinion needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 120,000.
On my way to work (2nd shift) in rush hour traffic as I was preparing to merge onto the highway the car simply shut-off blocking traffic. (I was eventually - 20 minutes - able to get help to push the car off the road.) everything shut off and car would not restart....everything including the power-steering. This has happened one other time and the vehicle is now nothing more then a two-ton paperweight in my garage - and about as useful. On a second occasion it cut-off as I pulled into traffic and almost caused a collision...fortunately I was able to coast far enough to get into the turn lane and then when traffic cleared to push it back off the road. An online search told me this is a well-known problem with the security system of the vehicle but there seems no agreement on a solution/fix. Evidently the security system simply does not recognize the key (even when it is the correct one) and thinks the car is being stolen and thus shuts itself off. What would/could have happened if this occurred while I was at speed in traffic? If pontiac knows about this why is there no recall....does someone have to die first?
When driving the car the brakes will lock up making a grinding noise like something is about to brake somewhere in between the brake pedal and wheels it makes this loud grinding like metal on metal not sure because I have to replace brakes about every 2 - 3 months and rotors and calipers.
When I try to use my signals it wont work, they wont come on, it also lile to have caused an accident, when I crank the car up ot makes a loud noise for about five minutes, or sometimes it wont start, I have to wait thirty minutes, before it could crank on numerous occasions, it has done that, I also have to keep replacing brakes for this car, my coolant jug I have replaced that many of times and its still has a leak in it I have to put coolant in there four times a week, and also if im making a left my steering wheel it gets stuck sometimes.
Power steering rack separated from sub frame due to corrosion
Questions about the 2001 Pontiac Grand Am steering
Does the 2001 Pontiac Grand Am have steering problems?
Owners have filed 24 complaints about the steering of the 2001 Pontiac Grand Am, 4% of all its complaints.
At what mileage do 2001 Pontiac Grand Am steering problems start?
The typical (median) mileage in owner complaints is 108,000 miles.
Was there a recall on the 2001 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 2001 Pontiac Grand Am problems
Electrical 232Lights 99Engine 84Brakes 68Fuel system 39Visibility 33Suspension 16Body 15Airbags 14Tires 12Transmission 12Acceleration 11Wheels 9Driver assistance 6Seat belts 6Locks 2Seats 2
VIN decoder
See the problems and recalls for an exact car
Buying a used 2001 Pontiac Grand Am?
Check the exact car before you pay: accidents, salvage or flood titles, odometer readings and previous owners.
Check its history