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.
1997 Pontiac Grand Prix: steering wheel locks up
22 of the 810 complaints about the 1997 Pontiac Grand Prix describe steering wheel locks up.
- owner complaints
- 22
- of this car's complaints
- 3%
- recalls
- 1
Is there a fix? There is 1 recall and 3 service bulletins for this area of the car. See below
Steering wheel locks up by model year
What owners say
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.
This is the worst automobile I have ever owned. It is nickel and diming me to death. Both back windows are being held up in place by sticks that I have proped under them. The front passenger window I paid $300 to have repaired. The steering locked up on me and I had to dish out $500 to get that repaired, gm recalled it a couple of weeks after that, thank god I got some of my money back for that repair. The passengers side head light lens cover fell off $75 to replace that. I am presently working on the brake transmission shift indicator which I just called the dealer for a price on the part and am told it will be $224.07 for the part and probably $115 for the labor. The engine leaks oil I had my wife take it to the shop for them to take a look at and they told her that no leaks were evident. Well the oil in my driveway is coming from somewhere. I will never own another gm product in my life again. Not even if it is given to me and 10,000 to use toward the repairs of it.
While attempting to make a left hand turn. The vehicle steering wheel locked up, steering wheel became very stiff. Took to a mechanic and they stated that the rack and pinion failed. Had vehicle repaired & corrected before receiving a recall notice.
I was going to volleyball, doing 70mph when the steering locked up. Luck me I was close to the tee intersection of hwy e and I was able to slow down and turn to the right and stop on the shoulder. I got out and looked around, but nothing when I started it again no problem all weekend. But it happened again sunday night and ever since. Almost impossiable to steer the wheel left but no problem steering right. My shop guy said it was the rack, he said he's seen about 5 of these in the past 2 years.
While making a left turn steering wheel lock up on highway. Dealership is aware of problem.
When exiting driveway, steering wheel locked up, preventing owner from maneuvering vehicle. Owner towed vehicle to covington tire and service. They found that due to rear bearings being chewed up and destroyed, steering was incapacitated. *ak consumer took vehicle to the dealer for repairs to the pump/hose seal. Returned the next week because the problem with the steering was still present. The vehicle was test driven and consumer was told the vehicle could never lose steering. On the date indicated, the vehicle was not functioning. The vehicle was towed to an independent garage and the rack and pinion replaced. Upon calling gm, consumer was told nothing could be done since the repairs weren't done by pontiac.
Vehicles steering locks while driving.
I see that your dept has investigated ps problems on my vehicles brothers and cousins, my local dealer says tough ****, if gm has a problem why do you not make the fix it and reburse previous expenditures? I am just lucky my wife was not killed, the steering locked without warning. She was able to run it off the road saftly. If this is not something that needs rectifying I do not know what is. [email protected] gm can forget me ever buying another vehicle, its jap or korean for me and anyone that I can convince!
Steering seized up momentarily and lasted a few seconds. Now the steering feels a little sloppy, and I hear a pop noise when I turn left or right at slow speeds (15 MPH). Nlm
Was driving 40-45 MPH when the steering wheel locked up. Driver lost control of vehicle. Then, vehicle flipped over. Driver and front passenger suffered injuries. Had emergency room treatment.*ak
Steering wheel locked up & the car went out of control, it rolled over. The car is severely damaged and the two people inside were injured.
Service bulletins that may apply
Related recalls
Steering: rack and pinion
- What is wrong
- Certain passenger vehicles and mini vans have lower pinion bearings in the power rack and pinion assembly in which the retainer tabs were not crimped properly. These and some other retainers used in vehicles assembled between january 1, 1996 and october 31, 1997, could fail and permit the ball bearings to escape.
- Risk
- If this occurs, the pinion shaft can be forced upward during left turns and back down as the steering wheel is moved back and to the right. If the pinion shaft moves further, the driver will need to exert more effort to turn the steering wheel, similar to a vehicle without power assisted steering. If the pinion shaft moves even further, the driver will require much higher effort to turn left and may not be able to turn the wheel as much as intended. With the maximum pinion shaft movement, which requires internal gear component damage, the driver can encounter high resistance to turning left, followed by unintended power assist to the right. In any of these conditions, a crash could occur.
- Remedy
- Dealers will install a new lower pinion bearing unless inspect of the existing bearing indicates that replacement of the gear assembly is necessary. Owner notification began january 24, 2003. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact chevrolet at 1‑800‑222‑1020, pontiac at 1‑800‑762‑2737, or oldsmobile at 1‑800‑442‑6537.
Recall number 02V286000 · Recall details
Questions about the 1997 Pontiac Grand Prix steering lock-up
Is steering wheel locks up a common problem on the 1997 Pontiac Grand Prix?
22 of 810 owner complaints about the 1997 Pontiac Grand Prix (3%) mention steering wheel locks up. The model year with the most reports is 1997.
Is there a recall or service bulletin for this on the 1997 Pontiac Grand Prix?
There is 1 recall and 3 service bulletins for the same area of the car. Check them below with your VIN.
Other symptoms on the 1997 Pontiac Grand Prix
Headlights 141Fire or smoke 77Wipers 51Power steering loss 34Airbag light 28ABS 25Stalling 17Loss of power 16Engine failure 11Overheating 11Adaptive cruise 9Knocking 8No deployment 7Tire blowout 7Brake failure 6Fuel gauge 6Steering noise 6Transmission failure 6Grinding brakes 5Check engine light 5Pulling 5
VIN decoder
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