Rear subframe retainers rusted out causing engine/transaxle to drop and steering shaft to separate causing loss of control where the vehicle ended up in the on coming lane of traffic. The retainers have been replaced at least once before. Replacement parts have the same defect as the original parts. I don't believe that is a solution. One gm dealer (don miller in madison) denied any knowledge of a recall. Another gm dealer said gm will offer a couple hundred dollars and take the car, but there is no repair option. Your person I spoke with at the (888) phone number directed be to a gm (800) number who could not find any information even though I gave them the recall number. In addition to the bolts and retainers that are "covered", the rubber cushions and top retainers were unable to be found and will require replacement. I have ordered the parts at a cost of about $110 and a $60 tow bill plus any labor charge I incur. Looking over the number of these failures on your site, it is amazing to me that no accidents have resulted that have been reported. I wonder how many have occurred and the cause was not discovered. It seems to me that the recall should be continued to inspect vehicles that have been "repaired" with the same defective parts.
1990 Pontiac Grand Prix steering problems
11 complaints (6% of all complaints for this car).
- owner complaints
- 11
- of this car's complaints
- 6%
- crashes
- 0
- recalls
- 0
Which part fails
- Steering wheel/handle bar2
- Hydraulic power assist system2
- Gear box (other than rack and pinion)2
- Rack and pinion: pinion shaft1
At what mileage
Complaints by mileage at the time of the problem.
Pontiac Grand Prix steering problems in other years
Related recalls
No recalls on record for this model year.
Related investigations
Steering wheel separation
There is no summary currently available
PE91072
What 1990 Pontiac Grand Prix owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
Consumer had recall (00v‑189) repair completed, however additional damage to the power steering system due to recall related failure.
Front cradle that holds engine fell out, possibly due to corrosion . *ak intermediate shaft for rack and pinion steering also separated causing loss of steering control.
Driving to work at 9 pm when power steering no longer worked - continued driving to work believing power steering pump had finally failed due to age. When I arrived at work, I checked the power steering fluid, it was at correct level and so again assumed pump failed due to age. When I prepared to leave work the next morning at 11am, I discovered the cradle was hanging down below the the front facia of the car. I investigated underneath the car and discovered that both the left and right bolts supporting the cradle base had slipped through slots in cradle base allowing cradle to fall to its current position. We spoke to our local pontiac dealership who advised us there is no recall on this particular problem that is has been advised of. Upon my further checking on the internet, it appears that a recall has just been issued this month, but notification has not gone out to dealerships and owners. Pontiac , upon researching our problem. Advised that campaign #00061 relating to this problem has been issued. We brought this information back to our local pontiac dealership, but they were still unable to provide assistance as they have not received the "official" notification.
While driving at 20 MPH rear cradle bolts broke through, causing engine to drop and the steering shaft to diconnect, resulting in a loss of steering. Dealer has been contacted.
Contacted manufacturer on 06/02/00 (their request # c005135) was told the vehicle is too old for them to do anything about plus they are unable to determine the milage (because the odometer failed) even though they recalled the vehicle in '98 (pontiac campaign #97016, the federal safety agency campaign #97v058000) for failure of the rear cradle mounts. There is no steering due to separation of the steering shafts.
Left tire dragged on the wall and the car finally came to a stop, due to rear cradle bolts pulled through the retainers, rear cradle is no longer supported at those mounting location. Steering gear becomes disconnected when the engine drops down.
Going 20mph when front cradel bolts just let go. The engine fell. Had venicle towed. Was a recall on rear cradle bolts not front. Mechanic repaired front cradle bolts as a good will gesture.
While driving the steering wheel became very loose which was caused by the defective rear cradle bolts that fell off due to corrosion which almost caused an accident. Manufacturer states this vehicle not included in the recall.
Vehicle included under recall 97v‑058, steering gear box. Vehicle has not been repaired because parts are not avaliable. *ak parts are still not available.
Questions about the 1990 Pontiac Grand Prix steering
Does the 1990 Pontiac Grand Prix have steering problems?
Owners have filed 11 complaints about the steering of the 1990 Pontiac Grand Prix, 6% of all its complaints.
At what mileage do 1990 Pontiac Grand Prix steering problems start?
Not enough complaints include the mileage to tell.
Was there a recall on the 1990 Pontiac Grand Prix steering?
There is no recall for this problem on this model year.
What year does the Pontiac Grand Prix have bad steering?
The Pontiac Grand Prix model years with the most steering complaints are 1997 (216 complaints), 1998 (89 complaints) and 2004 (64 complaints).
Other 1990 Pontiac Grand Prix problems
Brakes 95Body 25Electrical 17Engine 16Suspension 13Lights 9Transmission 5Seat belts 4Acceleration 3Wheels 2Airbags 1Fuel system 1Seats 1
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