February 25, 2009 - noticed when using the tilt steering lever, the steering column did not lock at certain levels (lower position). Within a week of noticing this problem, I notice the steering column seemed loose and when it was difficult at times when turning left. In one incident, nearly lost control of the vehicle when another vehicle veered into my lane on the freeway at speeds of 65 MPH. I had to over compensate the immediate turn to avoid loosing control of the vehicle and crashing. March 13, 2009 - noise heard when turning or steering the vehicle. Check power steering fluid - slightly low, added power steering fluid - noise went away. March 14, 2009 - noticed power steering fluid leak near both front wheels. Noise again heard - it appears the rack and pinion steering is the problem. This was a previous recall by gm (the federal safety agency no 02v286000) and my vehicle was repaired in 2003 based on the recall. Further research indicates this has happened to other consumers after the repairs had been made by a gm certified mechanic at a dealership. The gm dealership does not want to repair their previous work at no charge. I believe this should be repaired at no cost to me, as it was a previous recall, serviced when notified of the recall and continues to be a problem that could or will result in a crash or injuries to the vehicle occupants should the steering lock-up due to the rack and pinion failure. March 15, 2009 - tilt steering does not work and the steering wheel locks in one position, all the way up and tends to extend more left than right. It appears a pin on the steering column has fallen out and is loose inside the steering column. Removed ignition covering and found metal pin for the steering column had popped out, now causing the tilt steering to lock in the most upward position and extend left. Results in the driver over correcting to make turns and a crash with injury whammy occur.
1996 Pontiac Sunfire steering problems
19 complaints (9% of all complaints for this car). 1 crash reported.
- owner complaints
- 19
- of this car's complaints
- 9%
- crashes
- 1
- recalls
- 1
Which part fails
- Rack and pinion8
- Steering wheel/handle bar5
- Hydraulic power assist system2
- Hydraulic power assist: pump1
- Hydraulic power assist: power steering fluid1
- Gear box (other than rack and pinion)1
At what mileage
Complaints by mileage at the time of the problem.
Pontiac Sunfire steering problems in other years
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
What 1996 Pontiac Sunfire owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
Tl*- the contact owns a 1996 pontiac sunfire. The vehicle made a knocking noise when the steering was turned all the way to the left. There was recall 02v286000 for the rack and pinion steering, but it did not include this vehicle due to the VIN. The contact felt that it should be extended since this vehicle had the same failure as stated in the recall.
This is about a recall that the dealer will not fix on my 1996 pontiac sunfire. You list the problem with my steering in your recalls. It take all the strength to turn the wheel to the left and can turn to the right with one finger. 02v-286000.
Dec 19, 2001 the rack and pinion in the consumer's 1996 pontiac sunfire failed. *nm the consumer then received a recall in the mail and requested reimbursement which was approved. In march the steering rack and pinion failed again to the point the gear was stripped and the housing was cracked. The consumer requested a refund. *jb
The vehicle experienced a problem with the steering, consumer's son loss control of the vehicle.
The federal safety agency.02-v-286-000: the recall was performed regarding the rack and pinion, however the recall repair failed.
On sun feb.9,2003 my rack and pinion went out of my car and is now not drivable . I started noticing problems the last few weeks a weird sound and problems turning left. I had it looked at by a mechanic and he said my rack and pinion went out. I do know several people have gotten recalls recently, but I have not and I have a 9 month old baby and single mother. Im just glad he wasnt in the vehicle or I wasnt on the highway wene this happened but now I am faced with the cost of repairing this, what do I do?
There was a problem with the power steering assembly. (recall number 02v286000) the vehicle's' VIN number was not included in the recall. Ph scc
No summary listed for above vehicle.
Steering gets locked up when turning corners. Problem is intermittent. Dealer is uncertain, they can't start replacing parts . They have to figure out where it's coming from.
Questions about the 1996 Pontiac Sunfire steering
Does the 1996 Pontiac Sunfire have steering problems?
Owners have filed 19 complaints about the steering of the 1996 Pontiac Sunfire, 9% of all its complaints.
At what mileage do 1996 Pontiac Sunfire steering problems start?
Not enough complaints include the mileage to tell.
Was there a recall on the 1996 Pontiac Sunfire steering?
Yes, 1 recall: 02V286000. Check your VIN to see if your car still needs the free repair.
What year does the Pontiac Sunfire have bad steering?
The Pontiac Sunfire model years with the most steering complaints are 1997 (42 complaints), 1996 (19 complaints) and 1998 (14 complaints).
Other 1996 Pontiac Sunfire problems
Electrical 39Engine 39Airbags 33Brakes 30Transmission 20Lights 17Visibility 13Fuel system 12Acceleration 10Suspension 10Body 9Seat belts 5Locks 4Seats 4Tires 2Wheels 2
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