1997 Pontiac Sunfire steering problems

Filed Jul 1, 2014 · Electrical, Steering · 200,000 miles · MO · fire

Tl * the contact owns a 1997 pontiac sunfire. The contact stated that smoke was emitting from the steering column. The contact mentioned that after inspecting the vehicle he noticed that there was an electrical short causing the wires to melt together. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic. The technician diagnosed that the ignition switch malfunctioned. As a result, the steering column and wiring harness needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and current mileage was 200,000.

Filed Feb 25, 2012 · Steering · 91,000 miles · NJ

Heard and felt a loud thud sound from steering area driving home. Power steering feels like it is gone when turning left, but turns easier when turning right at low speeds. Steering wheel becomes off centered at times. Almost feels as if I might loose control of front tires during turns or at higher speeds.

Filed Sep 11, 2008 · Steering · 130,000 miles · IN

Tl*the contact owns a 1997 pontiac sunfire coupe. While driving at an unknown speed, the vehicle would not turn left at all. There was no difficulty making right turns. The vehicle was serviced by an independent mechanic and it was discovered that the rack and pinion needed to be replaced. The manufacturer stated that her VIN was not included in the recall for the rack and pinion. The federal safety agency campaign id number was unknown. The failure mileage was 130,000 and current mileage was 138,000.

Filed Apr 1, 2008 · Steering · 165,000 miles · ID

Tl*the contact owns a 1997 pontiac sunfire. The contact stated that his vehicle was included in the federal safety agency campaign id number 02v286000 (steering:rack and pinion) and repaired at 135,000 miles. While driving 10 MPH, he could no longer make a left hand turn and the vehicle would turn right automatically. The dealer stated that the lower bearing was destroyed and the cover for the bearing was missing. The contact stated that it was the exact same failure as stated in the recall. He also stated that he experienced no steering failure until the recall repair was performed. Gm stated that nothing could be done. The purchase date was unknown. The current mileage was 176,193 and failure mileage was 165,000.

Filed Dec 17, 2007 · Steering · 160,402 miles · IN

Tl*the contact owns a 1997 pontiac sunfire. While idling at a traffic light, the contact attempted to make a left turn, but the steering wheel would not turn. The steering wheel would turn to the right, but not to the left. The vehicle has not been repaired and is unable to be driven. The federal safety agency campaign id number 02v286000 (steering: rack and pinion) does not apply to her VIN. The powertrain was unknown. The current mileage is 160,406 and failure mileage was 160,402. Updated 03/05/08.

Filed Apr 5, 2007 · Steering · 121,250 miles · PA

Tl*the contact owns a 1997 pontiac sunfire. The contact called about safety recall # 02v286000 regarding rack and pinion steering. This vehicle was excluded from the recall due to the VIN. The steering wheel wasa difficult to maneuver when turning left at any speed. The failure occurred since january of this year. The current mileage was 121,337, and failure mileage was 121,250.

Filed Mar 23, 2007 · Steering · 121,010 miles · PA

Received 02v286000) for defective steering. I could not safely drive car. Pontiac told me if the part they replacedwas also defective they were not obligated to fix it past 3 months or 3,000 miles. That did not seem right. If they replaced the original defective part with another defective part shouldn't they have to fix it?

Filed Dec 27, 2006 · Steering · 70,000 miles · CO

Tilt steering wheel will not lock into place allowing steering wheel to move freely up and to the left. Dangerous for steering during normal driving and in particular if evasive safety maneuvers are needed. Fixed at repair shop but was told that the entire pivot unit may have to be replaced at a very high cost.

Filed Jun 15, 2006 · Steering · 99,000 miles · CO

My name is [xxx], my daughter, [xxx] bought a 1997 pontiac sunfire about a year ago. In about 2/06 she started having trouble steering the car. The steering was much harder in one direction, as if there were no power assist. Finally in may 06, she brought it to me and I looked at your website and found a recall describing the exact problems she is having with the car. I told her to take it to a gm dealer and they should fix it for free. She took the car to 'grand pontiac' in thorton co., and after 3 days, they called her and told her the car was not covered under the recall and gave her a verbal estimate of 2100.00, or gave her an option to trade it in on another car. I then got involved, and was told the same, I requested an estimate and was faxed a hand written unreadable piece of nothing. 2 days later, the service mgr.([xxx]) at grand pontiac called me and told me that the car was covered under the recall, but the gm area vehicle manager ([xxx]) would not approve the repair. [xxx] then told me to call pontiac consumer affairs. I did that on 6/14/06, and gave them the story. On 6/15, a gm rep named [xxx] called me and said the car was not covered going by the VIN. I told her that rick duncan said it was, and that the federal safety agency showed it to be. She called [xxx], and called me back and said she would have to do further research and call back. The federal safety agency campaign # 02v286000, bullitin# 02049 the car is a 1997 pontiac sunfire, 4 dr, 2.2, auto. 99634.99k miles. Please look into this and help us if possible. My kid needs her car badly, and it looks like gm just doesn't want to pay for their mistake. Thank you very much. *jb information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6).

Filed Oct 18, 2004 · Steering · OK · crash

Recall on pinion bearing in 1997 sunfire. *bf the consumer received the recall notice in the mail after the accident occurred. The vehicle was totaled. *jb recall# 02v286000