The driver received a (NHTSA) recall notice (02-V-286-000) power steering wheel. The dealer's mechanic replaced the bearing not the rack and pinion. One month later the driver complained that the steering wheel was hard to turn and there was a knocking noise heard coming from underneath the vehicle. The consumer took the vehicle back to the dealer for inspection. The dealer's mechanic would not replace the part due to a warranty issue with the consumer (jim- service manager).

- Indianapolis, IN, USA

Took vehicle in for steering recall notice and was told that my sway bar would also need replaced. This was causing my power steering to drag.

- Dayton, OH, USA

The vehicle loss power steering while turning into a parking lot.. the power steering rack was defective and needed to be replaced.. the consumer took the vehicle to a gas for repairs. The consumer later received a recall notice regarding the steering rack and pinion, and when she contacted the dealer for reimbursement she was told to bring the vehicle in to make sure the repairs were done correctly and to bring in the old part in which the vehicle was repaired 6 months ago, the dealer finally stated they would not reimburse the consumer, because the repair was not done a GMC dealer.

- La Porte, IN, USA

While turning vehicle right there is a knocking noise and steering wheel is hard to turn due to rack and malfunctioning.

- Jacksonville, FL, USA

The original steering rack had to be replaced with 50% reimbursement from General Motors. After receiving a recall notice 01-03, we contacted General Motors again and received the other 50% reimbursement for the original replacement after getting the lower pinion bearing inspected and replaced. On 06-06-03, the entire rack and pinion had to be replaced again with full cost to us this time. General Motors stated that the car was out of warranty and the original replacement was more than 1 yr old. (we only got 18,000 miles out of the 2nd rack.).

- Hope Mills, NC, USA

General Motors voluntary recall of 1996/1997 and 1998 Pontiac sunfire and Transport, and 1997/1998 Pontiac Grand Prix vehicles concerning possible separation of lower pinion bearing in power steering which could cause loss of power steering. The consumer would like an appointment to get recall repairs performed on the vehicle.

- Greensboro, NC, USA

Consumer was not satisfied with recall 02049 repairs of rack and pinion steering on his 1997, Pontiac, Grand Prix. Had the same steering problem.

- Southington, CT, USA

After the recall for the steering 02 V 286 000 was completed, the vehicle constantly pulled to the left. The dealership didn't align the vehicle.

- Oak Park, MI, USA

The vehicle experienced the same problem as stated in the recall regarding the steering rack and pinion, however the vehicle identification number was not included in the recall. Recall #02V286000

- Brooklyn, NY, USA

I experienced a failure of the power steering where it is very hard to steer to the left and I almost had an accident. Since the car was out of warranty I had the rack and pinion replaced. I received a campaign letter from Pontiac stating that there was a recall for this problem. I went to ewing Pontiac and they confirmed the part was indeed replaced and I gave them the original receipts for the parts and labor but they refused to reimburse me because the receipt did not state there was a problem with the hard steering. I explained that the mechanic was a vietnamese who could not write in technical english. Contacted Pontiac adn opened ticket 1-89071665 and after a week was basically told the same thing. Pontiac will lose a loyal customer because of this!

- Plano, TX, USA

The consumer had the power steering rack replaced prior to receiving a recall notice for the rack and pinion steering gear assembly. The customer service management informed the consumer his vehicle didn't qualify and did not have symptoms of the recall. The consumer was refused reimbursement and still wishes to receive. Other problems are as followed: Oil pan leaked-replaced gasket assembly, and the end seals of the rack and pinion leaked, which were replaced. Mr scc

- Willowick, OH, USA

The vehicle still experienced a problem with the rack and pinion after the recall was performed.

- Lancaster, OH, USA

Rack and pinion recall work didn't remedy the problem.

- Wyckoff, NJ, USA

The consumer received a recall notice and a bearing in the rack and pinion was replaced. Immediately after, the consumer heard and felt a noise coming through the steering wheel, the consumer was informed the rack and pinion had failed, and the previous problem was not related to the rack and pinion. Mr scc

- Wyckoff, NJ, USA

Manufacturing recall P020449-S issued on January 23, 2003, however the consumer received the recall the first week of February. The repairs were made by an independent mechanic regarding the steering rack and pinion and also the power steering pump, the consumer requested reimbursement.

- De Pere, WI, USA

The steering wheel failed to turn to the left, however it turned completely around. The dealer stated the rack and pinion needed to be replaced.

- Hillsboro, GA, USA

I received a recall notice on my 1997 Pontiac Grand Prix (campaign id 02V286000) regarding the rack and pinion steering. At the end of December, 2002, I started experiencing the problem described in the recall notice. However, prior to my receiving the recall notice, I took my car into the Pontiac dealer because I was having difficulty making left turns. At that time, I was told the gear box assembly needed to be replaced. I opted to get a second opinion, and in the meantime I went to the NHTSA website and discovered the recall. I received my recall notice mid-February but had to wait several weeks to get into the dealer due to the number of people already scheduled with this recall problem. My car is at the dealer's right now (3-25-03) and I'm being told that since the bearing is not damaged, they can't replace the gear box assembly under the recall. I was told that early on, they were replacing gear box assemblies to correct the steering problem even though the bearing wasn't bad, but when they sent them to the manufacturer for reimbursement, they were told that since the bearing wasn't bad they should not have replaced the gear box, and therefore weren't reimbursed. Needless to say, all they are doing now is replacing the bearing, whether or not it's damaged which they have done to my car. Bottom line, I still have the same problem with difficulty making left turns, but because my bearing wasn't damaged, if I want it fixed, it will be at my expense. I'm extremely unhappy that the manufacturer so obviously has figured in a loop hole to limit their exposure under this recall, since from what my dealer told me there have been others who have been forced to pay to correct the situation for the same reason. I believe this recall needs further investigation and amendment to the policy.

- St. Louis, MO, USA

The vehicle was taken to the dealership for a recall regarding the rack and pinion, however when the recall was finished, consumer stated the vehicle began to experience problems with the steering.

- Brookeville, MD, USA

Consumer stated that in 11/02 the rack and pinion failed on vehicle. Consumer had it replaced with a reputable private mechanic because he could not afford the dealers price for the repair. On 02/01/02, consumer received recall notice for rack and pinion. He applied for and received reimbursement from the manufacturer. Now consumer wants mfr to install authentic GM replacement rack and pinion because he wants to be covered if any future defects exist. The manufacturer refuses.

- Greenville, SC, USA

The dealer did not have the tools to perform the recall regarding the rack and pinion.

- Delaware Water Gap, PA, USA