1998 pontiac grand prix will not turn left. Consumer states that the vehicle had some trouble and eventually escalated to not turning left at all. He states he had to turn the wheel all the way to the right then back in order to turn left. *kb the dealer informed the consumer that the steering rack was binding which required a complete replacement. The consumer paid for the repairs, however years later, the consumer discovered a recall regarding the steering rack and pinion.
1998 Pontiac Grand Prix steering complaints
Page 2 of 4: complaints 11 to 40 of 89, newest first, as owners wrote them.
I received a recall letter,then I moved to a new residents 2wks. Later I parked my car in the driveway went into the house maybe 2-3 min I noticed flames coming out of the hood. I ran and got the water hose and put it out. I called the dealer they weren't aware of a recall I had to show proof letter. I faxed it then they towed the car to the dealers gmc was called they called the dealer .04-25-08 I called gmc stated since the car caught on fire they need to send fire investigator out. He came to the dealers took pictures and report and fedex it to gmc mich. Then they gave me another adjuster darlene clemens. On may 2nd I called gmc again I was given another adjuster why she wouldn't tell me just gave me the persons name jemeia price since then I been playing phone tag no one can help me I am without a car no loaner or any concern since my car is paid off. Since then I found out about other recall the dealer said no not on gmc list or website the recall#for the car is #07035 and my other concerns were recall# 02v286000 or 02049 and#07e021000 im worried I could died or more damage to my car I keep go care of my car gmc doesn't care I need help
1998 grand prix with a recall on the rack and pinion. Consumer would like to know if there was a time limit on this recall or can he still have it inspected. He states that the retainer may not have been crimped properly. *kb recall # 02v286000.
Driver needs to exert more effort than normal to turn the steering wheel to the left, similar to a vehicle without power assisted steering. Increasingly, the driver requires much higher effort to turn left and may not be able to turn the wheel as much as intended and encounters high resistance to turning left. Although 1998 pontiac grand prixs are included in recall campaign(02v286000) and this vehicle suffers from the same component failure as described by odi, manufacturer says that this VIN is not included and will not repair vehicle.
Tl*the contact owns a 1998 pontiac grand prix. While attempting to make a left turn at 5 MPH, the steering wheel jerked towards the right. The contact attempted to maneuver the steering wheel back to the left, but failed. After the turn was completed and the speed was increased, the failure ceased. The dealer stated that the vehicle was not included in the federal safety agency campaign id number 02v286000 (steering:rack and pinion). The current and failure mileages were 97,000.
I have a problem that is exhibiting the exact behavior as outlined in gm recall no. 02049, the federal safety agency campaign id 02v286000. My steering is very difficult when making left hand turns only. The problem is intermittent. I found out about this recall through the internet - I didn't actually receive a recall notice in the mail. I went to somerset pontiac in troy, michigan, to discuss the issue and they told me I missed the recall campaign because my car was actually built on november 23rd, 1997. The recall campaign was only for vehicles built between jan. 1, 1997 to oct. 31, 1997. My vehicle was built on nov. 23, 1997 - I missed the campaign by 23 days. The dealer told me there was nothing they could do. The vehicle is currently at a local repair shop having the steering rack replaced at my expense. I believe gm should pay for this repair because this is the exact problem for which the recall was issued. Because my car was built 23 days later proves the campaign should have been extended another month. The repair shop is holding on to my original parts at my request in case I need them for proof in this case. They are charging me $145 to do so since there is a core charge on the steering rack. The problem actually began at about the beginning of this year. Please let me know if I have a case here and if I should hold on to these parts. Thank you very much for your time and your help. -steve
Tl*the contact owns a 1998 pontiac grand prix. The contact stated that the vehicle would not steer straight and made a clunking noise. The vehicle has not been diagnosed. The manufacturer stated that recall # 02v286000 (steering:rack and pinion) did not apply to the VIN. There were no warning indicators. The current and failure mileages were 93,991.
Steering locked up will not turn left
Dt*: the contacted stated while attempting to make a left or right sharp turn at any speed there is a clunking noise coming from the front of the vehicle. It was taken to an independent repair shop for inspection where the mechanic detected a problem with the lower rack and pinion bearings. There is a the federal safety agency recall, # 02v053000, regarding the steering: rack and pinion. The vehicle has the same problems as indicated in the recall; however it is not included in the recall due to the VIN.
While making a left turn onto a secondary road, speed at about 10-12 MPH, the steering wheel seemed to lock-up half way through the turn, I immediately slowed to 2-3 MPH and was able, with great difficulty, to turn the steering wheel enough to complete the turn. While steering to straighten the wheels the power steering appeared to return suddenly and caused the car to lunge to the right. The problem appeared to be inconsistent as it did not always "lock-up" while making the same turn except in the case of backing up (wheels turned to the right). Every day I leave work the same way. As soon as I attempt to go forward and steer to the left the power steering appears to fail. Suspecting that the problem was just a bad part that needed to be replaced I began searching the internet for parts. I found the safety recall notice at "autobuyguide.com". Upon further research of the problem, I found that most people do not report problems like this. So in the interest of "statistical accuracy" I am reporting that I have this problem with my 1998 pontiac gran prix gt (~125,000 miles). I have contacted a local dealer to schedule an appointment but I had to leave a message. No response at this point.
Dt*: the contact stated the front end made a popping noise at any speed. The vehicle was taken to an independent repair shop for replacement of the tires. The repair shop found a recall, #02v286000 for the rack and pinion and determined the popping was a direct result of the rack and pinion. The vehicle has the same problems as indicated in the recall; however, it is not included in the recall due to the VIN.
Was driving car when it became nearly impossible to steer the car to the left. Turning the car right worked normally. My repair shop determined that the pinion bearing on my rack and pinion unit had failed and requires replacement. After researching this problem on line, I found a recall was in effect for this problem. After contacting my local dealer to resolve this problem they stated that my VIN was not included in the recall, despite the failure matching the recall posted on the federal safety agency website and gm's own description of the problem. I then called the zone representative for pontiac to solve this problem and got the same VIN number story as the dealer gave me. It seems the scope of gm's recall is inadequate and needs to be corrected. My car is in the shop now awaiting a replacement gm unit. I have taken pictures of the failed unit, and it shows the failed parts.
Dt*: dt: the contact stated the steering rack and pinion failed causing the vehicle not to turn left. There is a the federal safety agency recall, #02v286000, regarding the steering rack and pinion. The vehicle has the same problems as indicated in the recall; however it is not included in the recall due to the VIN. Updated 04/06/06.
Dt: the contact states there is the federal safety agency recall campaign id 02v286000 concerning the steering rack and pinion. This vehicle has the same problems as indicated in the recall, but it is not included in the recall due to VIN. No repairs have been done.
Extremely hard to turn steering wheel left at low speeds. Wheel turns to right like normal. Repair shop says new rack is needed.
Dt: the steering is going out on the vehicle when turning left, it's like there is no power steering. There is recall 02v286000, but this vehicle is not included due to VIN. The vehicle is doing the exact same thing as mentioned in the recall. The vehicle will pulls to the right like it is out of alignment. This started on september 9, 2005. Contacted the dealer, they were going to charge the consumer just look at the vehicle. This happens every time the consumer drives the vehicle. *ak
Power steering fails at low speeds when turning left.
Dt: the contact owns a 1998 pontiac grand prix. The power steering rack malfunctioned when needed to turn left. The contact had a hard time steering the vehicle. There was a recall listed on the internet. He contacted the dealership, and they said that there was no recall. The problem started on august 5, 2005. Could not hear any noise while steering. The road conditions were fine while driving on the highway because he was going straight. However, if the contact needed to turn left he had a hard time. He did not encounter a problem when urning right.
. I was making a left hand turn into a parking space and my power steering lost power steering. I was able to narrowly avoid both the car next to the parking space and a pedestrian. I looked up symptoms online and came across the recall for the rack and pinion steering for gm vehicles but my VIN wasnt in the recall list. Im in the midst of pricing the steering replacement and feel my car should be covered under this recall. Im also hoping I dont crash before I get it fixed.
1998 pontiac grand prix rack and pinion problems that are identical to the description in the recall, but my VIN # was not one that was included...I've tried to resolve this with gm and the local pontiac dealerships and to no avail I could not get them to even look at the car to inspect it to see if it had the same problems (retainer tabs were not crimped properly) because it was something that was internal and it would have to be replaced once it was opened and explored..that's what I gathered from talking to 2 different people at the 2 local pontiac dealerships....and after reading the recall I have now learned that it could cause serious impact if this were to break while being driven..which when I took the car in approx. 4 months ago to get an estimate to what was wrong with the car they never told me that it could perhaps cause an accident it they were to break while trying to turn the steering wheel and then not being able to proceed on with your driving intentions, they only told me that it would get harder and harder to steer until it finally locked up. I was hoping someone would review this and help to resolve it. Thanks, jennifer fiorilli 1/19/2005
While driving and upon making right or left turn vehicle loses power. Once straightening the vehicle up consumer can proceed to drive. There is recall 02v286000 concerning power steering assembly, which the consumer states is the problem.
The consumer took the vehicle in to a mechanic to have the rack and pinion replaced. The dealer replaced the part. The consumer retrieved the vehicle, but it made a loud noise. The dealer called the consumer to state the recall part was defective and needed to be replaced again. Please provide additional information.
Car is making a popping noise while turning. Happens mostly at lower speeds. Had rack and pinion replaced, but problem still there.
Rack and pinion steering failed twice. It was replaced on 10/28/2002 and 11/19/ 2004. Once again vehicle not included in the federal safety agency recall 02v286000. *ak.
I own a 1998 pontiac grandprix and my steering got very hard to tun to the left and it seemed just like the same problem that I read about the federal safety agency campaign id # 02v286000 everything in that was what was happening to my car I took it into the dealer and they said it was the gear box which is also known as the rack and pinion but that this car was not under the recall because it was made in 8/13/98. And it only went on the recall till oct 31, 1997. I think that this should be looked into as I beleive this problem did not stop in 1997 production.
1998 grand prix with about 59000 miles. Power steering to the left seemed to be cutting out periodically about a week before all power steering to the left failed. Very difficult to turn left at low speeds. Fine turning to the right, but very difficult to turn left, must use a lot of muscle. Also makes a grinding or whining noise when turned all the way left. Steering failed all of the sudden. Nearly had an accident. Luckily going slow enough to stop without getting hit. Very difficult to steer left.
April 18, 2003 recall 02049 was performed on my car at golden ponitac in reading, pa - 61,518 miles. Febuary 2004 noticed steering to the left was becoming more difficult. April 2004 I took car back to golden pontiac and complained about the steering. They could not find any problems. Steering continued to get worse and I took car to john bailey pontiac in buford, ga - 73,135 miles. They replaced the steering pump, steering gear and outer tie rods - $ 1139.58. I think when the recall was done they should have replaced the gear assembly per the recall notice. See other odi # 10057963 and 10083428. I think I should be reimbursed the above amount due to the recall not being performed in it's entirety. I have spent a total of $1606.69 on the car this summer!!!!
When turning to the left from a low speed power steering failed. A recall 02v049000 was issued for the rack and pinion, however the consumer's vehicle was not included in the recall due to VIN. *ak
The power steering is defective. Consumer was having difficulty when turning left. This problem occurs intermittently. Owner has taken the vehicle to the dealer and was told that it was the power steering gear is defective. The repair cost is 1300.00.
1998 grand prix VIN #[xxx] built 11/3/1997. I am experiencing the same problem that is recorded on recall the federal safety agency campaign id 02v286000. On left turns extreme force must be applied to the wheel to complete turn and at times cannot turn as much as I should. It then takes extreme force to pull the wheel back to the right. On three occasions on the day listed below the wheel actually stuck in the left turn position heading my car towards on coming traffic. I feel that a review should be done on the period of time my car was assembled. It appears my car was assembled one month after the period identified in notice 02v286000. *ak updated 07/30/2012 *js information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6)
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