I had problems with my steering on my grand prix. I didn't receive any recalls. I took it to the shop in march 2006. I was told the rack and pinion would need replaced. A few months later, I received notification from my insurance company that there were recalls on the grand prix. I called pontiac and told them I never received a recall but had the same problem and I had it fixed. I was told that my car was not affected by the problem and it was just a coincidence. My car was manufactured during the time frame the problem occurred. There were many times when I had to come to a complete stop because I could not get the car to turn.
1997 Pontiac Grand Prix steering complaints
Page 2 of 8: complaints 11 to 40 of 216, newest first, as owners wrote them.
Dt*: the contact stated due to the last 8 characters of the VIN, the vehicle was not included in recall 02v286000 regarding steering:rack and pinion. The steering operated normally when turned to the left, but the power assist failed for right turns. The failure was more pronounced at 3 MPH, when backing out of a driveway or parking space, although it was a constant problem for all right turns. The service dealer and manufacturer were notified.
1997 pontiac grand prix experiencing same consequences as the federal safety agency campaign # 02v286000 or gm recall # 02049. Loss of power steering when steering left that is getting progressively worse. Took car to dealer, states VIN# does not show recall. Called pontiac, they too state no recall. Page 3 of recall parts bulletin on this website plainly lists 1997 pontiac grand prix's manufactured in fairfax between the following VIN break points vf200001-vf359118. The last digits in our VIN# falls within that range. Vf305818 please help. This is a major safety hazard.
Dt*: the contact stated that while driving at 15 MPH and lower, the steering was difficult. There was also a popping noise in the steering column while turning either right or left. The vehicle was taken to a private repair shop, where it was determined that the rack and pinion needed replacing. There is a the federal safety agency recall # 02v286000. The vehicle was not included due to the VIN.
Dt*: the contact stated while driving at 55 MPH when turning left the vehicle veers to the right due to the lower pinion bearings. There is a the federal safety agency recall #02v286000 concerning the steering rack and pinion however the recall did not correct the problem. The vehicle is having the same problems again. The dealership has been alerted however no additional repairs have been made.
Steering:rack and pinion-this is an ongoing problem. I bought my 97 grand prix gtp in march 2003. The recall for the steering issued supposedly was done prior to me driving it off the lot. In september of 2004 I began to have problems turning left. I took the car into the local gm dealership to find out what was causing the problem in march 2005. The dealership said that the recall issue had been taken care of and that I would have to pay $1,000 to get it fixed. I asked them if a failed part could have been used to fulfill the recall earlier and the dealer said it didn't matter. The dealer said that they only had to fix the recall once and that it had a 12 month warranty. My husband called gm and they also told us that we would have to pay for the recall to be fixed for the same reasons as stated by the dealer. This is a recall that needs to be reinstated. Many people are encountering failures and are in need of proper care. I have been in many near-misses due to not being able to turn left. I have aggravated a back and neck injury due to the difficulty in turning left. I have been unable to properly park my car due to not being able to turn left. I have been unable to get my car fixed due to the extraordinary cost. I am unable to get a new car as it is not financial feasible.
Consumer took vehicle to dealer for rack and pinion gear repair. Steering would not turn left. *ts after the vehicle was repaired the steering was worse and the vehicle was taken back to the dealer. The dealer had to order a new rack and pinion.
Recall 02049,02v286000-steering rack-n-pinion was performed by larry stovesand's pontiac,gmc inc3100 irvin cobb drive paducah ky 42003,on my 97 pontiac grand prix on 04/29/05. The car had none of the describe problems at or before this time. On 09/17/05 the car started having the problems described in the recall letter hard to( impossible) to turn left at low speed. Returned the car to the before mentioned dealership. After inspecting the car they contacted general motors and told me they had done the work requested of the recall and that gm said in order for this to get fixed we would have to pay for it. On 09/26/05 my husband called gm and they confirmed what the dealership had already stated. The dealership replaced bearing k 6.835 on the invoice lower pinion bearing. The car was purchased at courtesy autoplex 3100 irvin cobb drive paducah ky 42003 on or around 06/15/00.
Dt: consumer's wife was making a left hand turn and lost all power steering. No previous problems. There was a recall 02v286000 repairs performed on the vehicl. The recall involves steering within rack and pinion. Did not receive recall letter but due to another service being performed on the vehicle. Dealer ran VIN and determined the recall repairs were performed. The service. This was in march 2003. No repairs have been made at this time, but dealer had the vehicle towed off a gm dealership because it was a safety issue. Contacted gm, and consumer filed a complaint with them.
012703 recall p02049-s indicating that there was a problem with the lower pinion bearing in the power steering which may separate. 062703 took 1997 pontiac to cunningham of bayside had repairs done invoice#pncs37064. 050705 enroute to visit family, slowing down at the intersection, I felt the steering tighten and release. I then attempted to make a left and the steering tightens, the turning ratio was reduced and I was headed to the oncoming traffic. I stopped in traffic in order to keep control. I was able to continue. I was making another left turn and not expecting that the car would react the same. I began to steer left across oncoming traffic when the steering failed again exposing us to possible serious injuries. I took car to a mechanic in the area. The mechanics checked the steering and said, its the rack and pinion bearings and the shaft cover is missing. I told him a recall had being issued for the bearing; and part of the problem was unable to turn. I told the mechanic, I'll call gm to see if they would cover the repair. 050705 I call gm and spoke to duane,(d') explained what happened and what I had to do. D' stated that in order to cover cost the dealer would have to make the determination that the mechanical failure was related to the recall. I then asked d' if gm would towed the car from the shop to the dealer in order to perform the inspection. D' said no, and that I should drive the car to the dealer. I told him that it was unsafe to drive, because it would not allow me to make a safe left turn and that I could crash. D' state that would be the only way that they could be sure that the failure was due to the recall. I told d' I see what I can do, but that I was not driving the car. I plan to have the repairs done a the garage as I feel that the car is unsafe to drive. And gm would not pay for the tow to the dealer. This is why im writing this letter. New american of valley stream 227 n central ave valleystream ny11580 tel.5168259562
Mid way making a left hand turn, the steering wheel temporarily locked up. This caused the consumer's vehicle to hit a curb. Dealership was notified, but did not resolve the problem. *ak the consumer believed there was a direct correlation between the recall that was performed on the vehicle and the steering failing.
A clanking noise was coming from the front of the vehicle. Steering wheel would be hard to turn. Consumer took vehicle to the dealer, and mechanic determined that the steering wheel needed to be replaced due to the rack and pinion solenoid switch.
Dealership was refusing to perform the power steering assembly recall 01v286000 repairs because the vehicle had a rebuilt title. *ak
Consumer had problems starting the vehicle . They took it to be serviced, and dealer found that the steering wheel broke. There was no reported injuries.
My daughter used an excuse that she came home late because the car would not turn left and she hit a mailbox. I did check her story and yes. It would not turn left. I searched the internet and found many of these incidents. Not only with this car, but many gm models. The steering rack will need to get replaced at my expense. If there was a postal worked at the mail box, or some one getting their mail, it could have been a lot worst. Is general motors waiting for a death to occur?? Maybe they should take a look at the goodyear tire incident.
The steering temporarily goes out, vehicle lost steering. Replaced power steering pump, problem recurred. *bf recall# 02v286000. The rack was damaged.
While making a right turn steering wheel failed. This caused vehicle to hit the curb, and the passenger side tire blew. Consumer received a recall notice 02049 for replacement of steering lower pinion bearings. The problem recurred since the repair problem was not resolved.
Recall 00v286000 concerning rack and pinion. Steering locked when making a turn, then vehicle rolled over. Vehicle was towed to dealer. However, it was not inspected. Consumer stated that the wheels locked.
Hitting a patch of water, losing control of the vehicle, it spun and hit a tree. Recall 02v286000 was received for lower pinion bearing in the power steering that may separate.
In regards to the federal safety agency campaign #02v286000, gm recall #02049, for a defective rack and pinion unit in my 1997 pontiac grand prix. The recall repair work was performed on 03-06-03 at community pontiac motors of iowa city, iowa (phone # 319‑351‑1424), after picking up the car from community motors, the steering was pulling to the right and was off center. Community motors then performed an alignment on 03-24-03. The steering was better but still pulled to the right some. Also, the car was hard to steer at times while making left turns and while the vehicle was stopped while before the recall repair was performed my car's steering was normal. On 11-13-03 community motors determined that the rack and pinion unit was bad and replaced it using an aftermarket napa brand rack and pinion at my expense of $737. Currently the car's steering is determined to be faulty again by community motors with the replacement rack and pinion that was installed at the dealership last 11-13-03. I had contacted gm and they had stated they will not cover any repair cost that I incurred on my car's rack and pinion so far as the installation of the napa rack and pinion that was installed by community motors last 11-13-03. So, for a remedy, I would like gm to pay for the installation of the gm replacement rack and pinion used in the recall campaign currently. Regards, joe underwood.
While driving rack and pinion steering failed. This failure resembled the one described in power steering recall 02v286000o. However, this vehicle was not included in recall due to VIN. *ak the steering wheel would stick while turning left.
My 97 pont grand prix was recalled in jan 2003 for the rack and pinion sterring,it was repaired . In july I lost controll of the car because of the steerring ,no injuries.I had to get it fix at the local garage.when I made the complaint to pontiac they told me so sorry but they would not honor any repairs on thier poor fix.
Recall no.#02v286000, power steering assembly: the recall was done and the lower pinion bearing was replaced. Two weeks later the power steering went out on the vehicle again, making it hard to turn corners. Two other dealers have checked the vehicle and found that the lower pinion bearing was defective and another one was needed. Also the dealers will not repair the problem free of charge.
While making a left hand turn, the vehicle temporarily lost power steering. *jb
Consumer complained about a power steering pump leaking, and causing vehicle to lose power when turning in either direction.
The driver received a (the federal safety agency) recall notice (02-v-286-000) power steering wheel. The dealer's mechanic replaced the bearing not the rack and pinion. One month later the driver complained that the steering wheel was hard to turn and there was a knocking noise heard coming from underneath the vehicle. The consumer took the vehicle back to the dealer for inspection. The dealer's mechanic would not replace the part due to a warranty issue with the consumer (jim- service manager).
Took vehicle in for steering recall notice and was told that my sway bar would also need replaced. This was causing my power steering to drag.
While making a left turn steering wheel locked up. Consumer was unable to maintain control of the vehicle and hit a curb. Consumer drove the vehicle to dealer for analysis, and mechanic was unable to resolve the problem.
I have a 1997 pontiac grand prix. Recently I lost my power steering while making any left turn. I took it to a dealership and they ran my VIN # and said I have a recall on my steering rack and it would be fixed at no cost to me. They replaced a bearing in the rack and said that was all they can do for free. So I took the car home and two days later my steering rack is leaking like crazy and my power steering goes out all the time. It is worse now then it was before I brought it into the dealership. I called the dealership and they said they fixed what the recall said, when all they did was replace a bearing that made my steering rack leak and has screwed up my powersteering. What should I do? I have heard that many pontiac grand prix's have had their power steering rack replaced for free under this same recall. Please let me know what I should do?? Dealership name is hargrave-mceleney that is in iowa city iowa their # is [xxx]. *ak thanks, [xxx] information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6).
Most recent complaint is, heated driver seat gets too hot and makes it hard to stay seated. Heater blower quit working. Have had to replace the alternator every 3rd year (3 times). Have had oil pan gasket and valve cover leakage. Power steering failed to make left hand turns. Headlights continue to have poor range and visibility even with bulb replacement. Car lurches forward when starting up engine. Outside temperature display keeps wrong temperature. A.m. Radio would not work. Water pump had to be replaced. Abs light stayed on. Air bag light came on when going over bumps in road.
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