Was driving to va from oh when I pulled off to get gas and food. I tried to pull into a parking spot but couldn't turn lef without a struggle. I ended up having to stay overnight in a disgusting motel and have a friend drive 3 hours to pick me up then drive back because a new rack won't be in for a few days. Now I can't get the car until friday because I have no way of getting out there to pick up my car until then. Dt
1998 Pontiac Grand Prix steering complaints
Page 4 of 4: complaints 71 to 89 of 89, newest first, as owners wrote them.
While making a left hand turn the steering wheel became very difficult to turn causing me to slam on the brakes mid way through the turn. Luckily, I was able to stop in time before hitting a street light pole. It was very difficult to even drive the car to the dealership for service. Whenever turning left, it is almost impossible. Going right seems only a little difficult. Dt
I am making this complaint with the federal safety agency because it is a problem that is not uncommon among gran prix owners and I feel gm should recall these vehicles for this reason. No safety defect listed.
At low speeds all power assist goes away when trying to turn left. Extremely hard to turn, yet turning right works fine :
Gm claims it is not common for rack & pinion failure, but I've read a number of complaints on http://www.clubgp.com/forum/topic.asp?topic_id=6400626&forum_id=5&cat_id=1&forum_title=quality+%2f+problem+issues&topic_title=steering+rack web site. I almost had a accident with my son in the car, because of this failure. Are they waiting for people to die before any action?
The rack and pinion unit is going bad. Loss os steering control is due to low pressure on the lines. Can not steer the car sometimes.
Since about 90,000 mi. The steering power assist has been erratic. At low speeds, it feels like there is no power assist. Just recently, at about 135,000, while making slow speed, right-hand turn, the steering locked entirely. At 111,000 miles, the dealer indicated that the steering rack was failing and would need to be replaced.
Steering binds when turning left, dealer said power steering pump bad, replaced pump problem continued. Took vehicle to two other repair facilities and car was found to have bad steering rack. Part not available for two weeks. Researched issue and found the federal safety agency investigating 1997 model for same issue. Same part on 1997 and 1998 models?
Dealership/service dept having problems locating the correct part - car has been in for service for over 2 weeks. No summary listed for above vehicle.
While driving approximately 20 MPH and making a ninety-degree left turn the steering wheel locked up and driver was unable to control direction of vehicle, consumer was able to stop vehicle in the lawn in front of an office building, an independent mechanic diagnosed that rack and pinion gears failed and had to be replaced. *ak
While driving steering locks up and makes a popping noise. Steering rack and pinion has been replaced. However, it did not solve the problem. Please provide any further information.
Steering rack and pinion failed. Towed to dealer, and informed by mechanic that rack and pinion was binding, causing inoperable steering. Please provide further details.
Steering locked as I was pulling into a parking space. Vehicle had to be towed to a garage. Entire rack and pinion unit replaced. I saw a newspaper article stating that your agency was investigating pontiac grand prixs that had this problem. Cost of replacement - $825.
Like driving an army tank consumer can't steer. Once while traveling with children, consumer turned steering wheel, and it would not turn back. If on a highway, someone could have been hurt. *ak consumer believes there were quite many vehicles of this model experiencing steering problem.
Power steering unit leaks.
Dealer said rare defect, costs $1200. To fix, no response from pontiac. No safety defect listed in summary.
Won't turn left. Dealer advised very rare for gear box to go out in car. Sounds like defect. Very expensive, would like to know if common in grand prix. Should maker refund repair.
Vechicle was defective when consumer purchased the vehicle. It had 19,434 miles on it. Ack pinion steering malfunctioned, and left wheel wouldn't start up at all.
Steering is loose.
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