Pontiac Sunfire power steering loss problems

Filed Jan 10, 2017 · Steering, Suspension · 114,000 miles · MA

In part due to corrosion of the lower control arm, it experienced a sudden structural failure resulting in a significant loss of steering control. This problem occurred twice to my vehicle. The first time it occurred was when cornering an hitting a small pothole. I had the car repaired by a gm dealership and the second time a few years later this occurred again and it was when I had to stop abruptly to avoid a car running a red light. This was the same part that failed each time and rendered the vehicle un-driveable.

Filed Jun 15, 2014 · Brakes, Steering · 123,000 miles · MO · crash

Bought a 2003 pontiac sunfire from a dealership 5 months ago. I told the owner/salesman I wanted a safe 1st car for my kid. My kid and some friends were driving,it was raining and the back tires started to slide,my kid regained control of the car briefly and said after a few minutes the steering locked up and they ended up in a spin. The car hit an object on the passenger side,spun around and hit another on the drivers side,then bounced off that and landed across a deep ditch where it was hit again in the rear when stopping. No steering. No brakes. The engine was still going even though the front end of the car was wedged into the edge of the pavement and the embankment of the ditch. By the grace of god no one was physically injured. We had the car towed to our home. My kid said that before the accident the steering wheel felt " wiggley". We looked at that area 1st. The steering column was loose. The pivot pin for the column was gone. I saw there was a recall in october of 2008. I called gm to request the records to find out if the repair was ever done. The gm rep refused to give me the information in the data base. He said I could get it from a "certified" gm dealer! He also said there was no recall on the steering, but there was others. I asked what they were and again he said he couldn't give me that information. I also own a pontiac g5 that's been waiting for parts on the ignition recall. I have been on a list at my dealership. I am mad as hell! All my kid has now is the comfort of knowing the friends weren't hurt or killed. Some 1st car, huh? Spent 5000.00 of 401k money for a death trap that gm refuses to give me the database history on. Can't drive it, can't sell it, and with no history, can't fix it. Liability and comp, that's all we could afford, insurance is too expensive for young drivers. There is no middle class and this kind of thing is why.

Filed Oct 3, 2011 · Steering · 66,241 miles · OK

Apparently, their is a known issue w/the 98 pontiac sunfire steering rack and pinion gear making it feel like their is a total loss of power steering, even though the power steering pump is working properly. I purchased this car in january of 2011 off a little old lady, who kept it in a garage and barely drove it, the car only had 51,000 miles on it. She advised that she didn't know of any recalls, so she didn't take it in for any of the recall repairs. I have check the federal safety agency website as well as several other reputable sites and have found their have been several recalls on this vehicle. However, upon calling pontiacs recall hotline, they are telling me that these recalls on your website never existed for my 98 pontiac sunfire and went on to say that you can believe every thing you read on the internet (how funny, your average moron could have figured that out). But regardless, it appears that pontiac is saying that they will not fix these recalls. Please investigate and let me know if my concerns are legitimate. I don't want to pay for a repair, when the car should have been fixed under their recall. Thanks.

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 May 9, 2006 · Wheels · 130,000 miles · NY · crash

1998 pontiac sunfire making a right turn 30 MPH when all wheel lug bolts broke on right front wheel and wheel came off. Wheel got stuck under car. No steering and braking was limited. Car went off the road. With the help of the rear emergency brake the car was stopped. Fortunately no injuries. Damage to disk brake, large dent in fender and bumper. The federal safety agency recall 97v219000 indicates similar problem for 1998 pontiac sunfire. Wheel holes were perfectly round indicating the wheel nuts were not loose. Car front wheels had been serviced 6 months earlier for new brakes. When I called pontiac at 1‑800‑762‑2737 they indicated there was no recall for this car involving wheel lug bolts and said there is nothing they can do.

Filed Aug 19, 2005 · Electrical, Engine · 133,700 miles · NJ

The air conditioning compressor pump (A/C pump) comes into contact with the (1999) oem lower radiator hose (hose), denting the hose and wearing a hole in the hose over time. This condition is worse when front struts and/or engine mounts become worn. Initial leak of coolent is only detectable by low fluid level over extended period of time (apporximately 6 months to a year): no wetness on the hose or pooling of coolent fluid under the vehicle is detectable prior to a larger hole being worn into the hose. Prior to larger hole being worn into hose, coolent loss is in vapor form, but not in a sufficient amount to be seen. Once the hole in the hose becomes large enough to be detected by fluid pooling under the vehicle, the coolent fluid will come in contact with the powertrain control module (PCM) and cause failure of the PCM. The PCM controls major engine and braking functions. A complete failure of the PCM will cause loss of braking control (via ABS) and shut down of engine (causing loss of steering control). There is also the possibility of causing a electric short in the 12 volt circuit resulting in a fire. Please note that "after market" manufacturers replacement hose is redesigned to help prevent contact between A/C pump and the hose. At the time of this complaint it is unknown whether the oem hose has been redesign to prevent contact with the A/C pump.

Filed Jul 8, 2005 · Steering · 60,000 miles · FL

A clicking noise was coming from the steering column. The consumer took the vehicle to the dealer for repairs twice, and results indicated that the steering column needed to be greased, otherwise the consumer could lose steering while driving. *ak the noise was the sound of metal on metal. Gm was aware of the problem. *sc

Filed Apr 25, 2005 · Steering · NC

The federal safety agency recall campaign 02v286000; general motors issued a steering assembly recall. This vehicle was not included in the recall due to VIN. But at certain times the power steering failed when making turns, making the ability to maneuver the vehicle difficult, and increasing the risk of a crash.*ak vehicle power steering performs like it has no power stering , just like recall describes. Dealer refused to take action cause VIN is not in lot of #'s recalled.

Filed Apr 9, 2005 · Suspension · 9,500 miles · WA

1. Occured without warning; . Lower front wheel control arm retainer bolt loosened allowing control arm to move freely, allowing wheel to contact inner fender liner which locked the wheel causing loss of steering control. There is no positive locking apparatus on bolt (cotter pin or similar) to prevent loosening. Bolt is oriented head down so once loose, vibration and gravity will invariably cause bolt to fall out. 3. Bolt was replaced and tightened securely.

Filed Aug 7, 2004 · Brakes · 250 miles · MA

Memorial day 2003, when coming to a quick stop a loud gringing noise; this was intermittent and the car went to dealer a number of times since; this has happened 13 times in 15 months; most recently on august 2, 2004, that same noise and the steering was lost/tires locked. Immediately brought it to the dealer who did a 1 mile test drive and stated the car was fine and needed the rotors turned and brake pad replacement. This does not account for loss of steering or tires locking up.