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1998 Pontiac Grand Prix: loss of power steering

9 of the 498 complaints about the 1998 Pontiac Grand Prix describe loss of power steering.

owner complaints
9
of this car's complaints
2%
typical mileage
78,300
recalls
1
Is there a fix? There is 1 recall and 3 service bulletins for this area of the car. See below

Loss of power steering by model year

What owners say

Filed Apr 20, 2009 · Steering · 145,000 miles · MI

Tl*the contact owns a 1998 pontiac grand prix. While driving 5 MPH and attempting to park the vehicle, the contact noticed that the steering wheel was difficult to turn left. The wheel felt as if there was no power steering and it was nearly impossible to maneuver the vehicle. The vehicle was not included in the federal safety agency campaign id number 02v286000 (steering:rack and pinion). He called pontiac directly and they stated that they were not responsible for the repairs since the vehicle was excluded from the recall. Currently, the vehicle is parked at the contact's residence and has not been repaired. The current and failure mileages were 145,000.

Filed May 31, 2007 · Steering · 120,000 miles · MI

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

Filed Oct 18, 2005 · Steering · MI

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

Filed May 23, 2005 · Steering · 78,300 miles · OH

. 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.

Filed Nov 16, 2004 · Steering · 73,940 miles · OH

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.

Filed Jul 3, 2003 · Steering · 27,000 miles · IN

Vehicle experienced the same defect with its steering rack and pinion as stated in recall 02 v 286 000, butthe VIN number was not included. *tt the steering was extremely difficult from a stopped position and was a little less difficult while in motion. *scc

Filed Mar 2, 2003 · Steering · GA

Recall on 1998 grand prix gt. (rack & pinion) pontiac refuses to repair their recall on the 98 grand prix.... Here is a letter I sent them.....I became aware of the current recall and took my car to the dealer. The steering gear condition has happened to my car. The rack and pinion has released which has caused my car to have no power steering to the left. This occurs when driving at low speeds. It has made it very difficult to drive thecar. I was informed that my VIN number was not recalled at this time. The service manager at coggin pontiac is aware of the condition of the car. He was able to drive it and stated that the car has the exact problem that is being recalled. The service manager said we could fix the problem and get reimbursed for the service if the car is recalled. This part is very expensive and I do not want to take the chance that the car is not one of the ones being recalled. I talked to pontiac customer service manager on the phone and she referred me to everit howell, I have not had a chance to contact himyet. She did state that car would not be fixed because of the VIN number. I find it strange that you are recalling the same car I own for the same problem I have but because my VIN number is not reported the car will not be fixed. I love my pontiac and I would hate for a problem like this to encourage me to go to a different manufacturer for my next car. I think they need to look more into this recall. There is no telling how many other cars are out there just like mine.

Filed Nov 18, 2002 · Steering · VA

While driving consumer made a left turn. While turning consumer heard a loud noise from the front of the vehicle. Within seconds of consumer hearing the noise they lost power steering. Consumer had vehicle towed. Dealership replaced the serpentine belt and other parts. Please provide more details. Ts

Filed Oct 18, 2000 · Engine · NJ

I am experiencing intermittent stalling condition. When completely stopped at a light and then you would press the accelerator to go through the light my car would move 10 feet and then stall out. It would also stall when slowing down to make a turn applying the brake and when you would take your foot off the brake and press the accelerator again the car would stall. The warning lights on the dashboard will come on and there would be loss of power steering. I have also experienced sluggishness when needing to accelerate. I press the accelerator and a few second later you can feel the transmisson jump into gear.

Service bulletins that may apply

Related recalls

Steering: rack and pinionReported November 4, 2002 · 1,159,156 vehicles affected
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 1998 Pontiac Grand Prix power steering loss

Is loss of power steering a common problem on the 1998 Pontiac Grand Prix?

9 of 498 owner complaints about the 1998 Pontiac Grand Prix (2%) mention loss of power steering. The model year with the most reports is 1997.

Is there a recall or service bulletin for this on the 1998 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 1998 Pontiac Grand Prix

Headlights 87Fire or smoke 42Stalling 23Power windows 12Wipers 12Airbag light 11Overheating 9Steering lock-up 9Engine failure 8Loss of power 7Seat belt 7ABS 6Grinding brakes 6Fuel pump 5

All model years of the Pontiac Grand Prix

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