1997 pontiac grand prix - rack and pinion steering assembly failed without any warning. This happened during normal driving at speeds of 35mph + and the steering wheel completely locked up. Took problem to dealer and met extreme resistance. Pontiac doesn't stand behind their product.
1997 Pontiac Grand Prix steering complaints
Page 7 of 8: complaints 161 to 190 of 216, newest first, as owners wrote them.
Intermediate steering shaft assembly "knocks" and makes noise. Started after defective rack and pinion diagnosed. Terrible parts quality!!!
On friday, may 4, 2001, the rack and pinion on my 1997 pontiac grand prix jammed up and caused my steering wheel to freeze while going around a corner. Dealer claimed part was defective and gmc did not want to accept responsibility. Gm and dealer covered up the issue, contaminating fluid while I was not at dealership. Complaint filed with attorney general'
No summary listed for ab0ve vehicle.
Cover for left and right headlights fell off with out knowledge of a problems. Both within 2 months apart. Had to buy whole headlight assembly at 72.00 dollars each. Rack and pinion went out of steering box and was unable to find the right part. Had to substitute for a stand box. Heard there was a report of this problem before in the USA today.
Rack and pinion steering started leaking to where fluid was running out of vehicle. Had rack and pinion replaced. Contacted dealer, and they had no records of premature failures. Please add VIN .
Steering - rack & pinion failed while making a left turn - it was very hard to turn the wheel so that we could clear the intersection. It was also difficult to park the vehicle. Steering to the right was normal. Replaced rack & pinion $780.54. Headlights: moisture buildup in front headlamps. Dealer replaced seals 1/98 under warranty. Another moisture problem developed 3/99 -dealer replace both headlamps. Air conditioner: system failed on7/01 - unable to adjust air flow and air could barely be felt coming from the vents. Dealer found that vac line was split at pump - $42.23 to repair. Air system failed again 6/99 - loose vacuum hose repaired $21.59. Air bag indicator comes on and goes off at random. Dealer ran a diagnostic and found an error code, which they cleared, but no problem - issue unresolved. Rear power windows failed - dealer replace regulator on both rear windows - covered under warranty. Alternator failed 10/01 - replaced $314.54
I read in the newspaper that you were investigating this problem. So, I thought I would add my complaint to the list. Please keep me informed about your investigation. Thanks. No safety defec tmentioned.
My wife was driving our 1997 grand prix on the highway and went o make a lane change to the left. The steering went out and the car was difficult to maneuver. The slower the speed of the car, the more difficult it was to steer. Took the car to the dealer and was told that the rack and pinion seized. The cost to fix this was $1300 plus. This is an obvious design defect and leads to very dangerous situations. Something should be done by the manufacturer (reimbursement for repair?). I don't understand how the manufacturer would not inform owners of problems like this. Hopefully your agency can help.
I was making a left hand turn at an intersection and half way into the turn my steering locked up and all the gages on my ip lit up. I lucked out, for there was a grassy area in that corner of the intersetion and let the car steer into it. I then turned the car off and back on and the steering came back. I then proceeded to my destination about a 1/2 mile away and when I put the car into park the engine began revving up and down. I turned it off and after that the car has seemed fine. Any info would be appreciated. Could the steering lock on me again ??!!
Steering is stiff and loose to right, and it is not related to power steering pump. There is no noise present when driving vehicle.
Vehicle is very hard to steer in either direction. Vehicle not taken to dealer yet.*ak consumer states there is also a winding sound when steering right or left, this has been occurring for approximately 6 months.
While driving at any speed, steering will unexpectedly lock up, cause is unknown. *ak consumer states that steering has been binding for the past 1 and a half years, on the last date of service, the power steering gear was replaced.
Steering went out in parking lot. It is very difficult to turn left, but turning right seems normal. Since steering went out the steering wheel is now off center to the left.
I experienced a sudden and complete failure of my steering system and narrowly escaped a major accident. I contaced pontiac customer care and they have been totally unhelpful. This resulted in a $1200 out of pocket repair. There needs to be a recall on these defective steering systems or people will be killed due to the sudden nature of the failure. I will co-operate fully with any formal the federal safety agency investigation if it leads to a recall.
Steering became very difficult. Rack was replaced.
No summary listed for above vehicle.
No summary listed for above vehicle.
No power steering when turning right. Very scary!!.
Pe 01 038/steering rack and pinion: while traveling approximately 35 MPH or less, steering had locked up. Vehicle taken to independent shop, and learned of a rack and pinion failure. *ak
Rack and pinion steering locked up. Consumer was at a stop and started to turn right and steering wheel stuck in turn position. Contacted dealer, and dealer stated had to replace rack and pinion steering.
While driving about 40mph on a slight curve steering went out on vehicle. Driver lost control and hit a guardrail. Rack and pinion had to be replaced.
While attempting to make a right hand turn steering wheel locked up, and couldn't be moved. Dealer replaced steering wheel module. Please provide further details.
In july of 2000, I was at restaurant's drive-thru window. When I turned to exit I heard a loud pop and the steering went out on my car. The car was still driveable, but there was no steering. I struggled to steer it to a parking spot, which I could not do. Luckily, a construction worker saw me and offered to help. He got in the car, and with great effort, managed to steer the car to a parking spot. He opened the hood and we saw that the serpentine belt had come off. I had it towed to pontiac in burlington, ky, where I purchased the car.
Loss of power steering, hard to turn to the left - dealer replaced rack and pinion under 50-50 warranty program
While his wife was driving vehicle at approximately 15 MPH, there was a noise, sounded as if vehicle went over a pothole in the road. She went to make a turn, and steering wheel locked up and would not turn. Dealership informed consumer that a cap fell off in steering tube, allowing ball bearings to fall out, resulting in loss of steering control.*ak consumer stated that he had more steering ability while in reverse, dealer replaced power steering rack.
While driving about 5 MPH lost all power, steering rack and pinion needs to be replaced
While turning vechicle lost complete control of the steering of the vehicle. Vechicle was taken to dealership where it was determined that the rack & pinion needed to be replaced at an expense of $1115.00. This is an extrimley dangerous problem and from looking in the federal safety agency database it appears that it is happening allot. I urge your agency to investigate this issue.
Loss of steering while driving. Vehicle taken to dealer, and informed of a rack and pinion failure. Manufacturer notified, and agreed to allow dealer to repair at half cost to consumer. Please provide any further details on this matter.
No summary listed for above vehicle.
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