While driving my 1998 pontiac trans sport montana, my steering wheel locked up and wouldn't turn to the left, almost causing an accident. When I took the vehicle in for inspection, it was determined that it was a rack and pinion steering gear assembly.
Pontiac Trans Sport steering lock-up problems
17 of the 971 owner complaints about the Pontiac Trans Sport describe steering wheel locks up, most of them for the 1997 model year.
- owner complaints
- 17
- worst model year
- 1997
Is there a fix? There is 1 recall for this area of the car. See below
By model year
Often reported together
What owners say
The steering rack failed on my 1997 pontiac transport approx 14 months after it was recalled and a pinon bearing changed in the rack. The original recall was performed in order to prevent the bearing failure and subsequent locking of the steering rack on left hand turns. The recall failed because the bearing failed ( 14 months after it was changed out). The failure of the steering rack could have caused a severe accident if conditions were right. Fortunatly no persons were injured when the steering locked up
While making a left turn at a low speed the steering wheel locked up and could not be turned to the right without using excessive effort. *ak once the steering wheel was turned to the right it would jump back to the left casing a sudden change in the vehicle's direction. The vehicle was towed to the dealer.
Re: complaint of unsatisfactory transaction. *bf the steering locked when the consumer made a left turn. The consumer was informed there was a recall regarding the problem he experienced. The consumer contacted customer service about the recall and was told his vehicle was about 200 vehicle out of the range recall.(recall#02v286000).
Steering suddenly went out...... Steering wheel locked up when turn left. Very dangerous condition. We were in non busy area. Found out there is a recall concerning this, however, my van was not covered. Makes no sense. Van is in shop now getting rack and oinion replaced.
The consumer stated that while driving the power steering locked up. The consumer vehicle experienced symptoms of recall 02v-286000 which is related to a steering rack defect. *ak
Consumer states while driving the vehicle the steering wheel locks up when consumer turns vehicle. Dealer notified. Consumer said that he did not receive a recall notice concerning steering.
Steering locks up while trying to turn vehicle to the left. Power steering seems to push vehicle to the right. Occurs at any speed.
The steering completely locked up without warning. Fortunately I was just pulling out of a parking place in a shopping center, so there was no other accident or activity envolved. I payed to have the rack & pinion unit replaced and have had no further problem. I read the other day that your organization was conducting an engineering investigation on steering lockup problems for certain gmc models. Among these models listed was my 97 pontiac transport so I thought I would report my experience.
While traveling on a side road and without prior warning was making a left turn steering locked up, preventing vehicle to move. Vehicle was towed. Dealership was aware of problem.
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
Questions about the Pontiac Trans Sport steering lock-up
Which Pontiac Trans Sport years have steering wheel locks up problems?
The model years with the most reports are 1997 (10 complaints) and 1998 (7 complaints).
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