10.0
really awful- Crashes / Fires:
- 1 / 2
- Injuries / Deaths:
- 0 / 0
- Average Mileage:
- 57,710 miles
About These NHTSA Complaints:
The NHTSA is the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints can be spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem. See the Back button — blue bar at the very top of the page — to explore more.
Fuel gage doesnt work always reads full- shows over full when its hot out-oil and radiator leak- followed last engine recall-new radiator hoses etc 1250$-air bag? I got recall work done last year
- Antioch, CA, USA
The contact owns a 1997 Pontiac Grand Prix. The contact stated that the engine rpms increased excessively once the vehicle was started. In addition, coolant was leaking from the tail pipe and the front end of the vehicle. The contact stated that engine oil was also leaking from the vehicle. The steering wheel would also seize sporadically and would often shake when driving at various speeds. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who inspected the vehicle and advised the contact that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and advised that the VIN was not included in NHTSA campaign id number: 09V116000 (engine and engine cooling), and NHTSA campaign id number: 09E005000 (steering). The approximate failure and current mileage was 130,000. The VIN was not available.
- Lenexa, KS, USA
TL - the contact owns a 1997 Pontiac Grand Prix. When the contact attempted to make a left turn the vehicle malfunctioned due to the wheel bearings. The vehicle was taken to a private mechanic who confirmed that the wheel bearings failed. The contact stated prior to the failure the repairs were performed in 2003 under NHTSA campaign id number:02V286000 (steering:rack and pinion). The manufacturer was notified and the vehicle was not repaired. The failure and current mileages were 180,000. Rvk
- Harrisonburg, VA, USA
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.
- Dade City, FL, USA
We've spent far too much money trying to fix the problem with our Pontiac Grand Prix 1997 power steering failure to turn left without extreme force.
- Palmyra, PA, USA
There is a recall of 1997 Pontiac Grand Prix #02V286000. Recall date 11-04-2002 for assembly dates 1-1-1996 through 10-31-1997 my cars assembly date is 8-30-1996. My car has the exact consequence of this recall. The recall listing is: 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. Consequence: 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. I took the car to a regular shop and the mechanic there use to be a GM machanic and he said I have the exact cause of the recall problem. And can't belive that GM will not cover this car. All the symptoms are the same. And the bearings are gone from the rack.
- East Patchogue, NY, USA
Problems with windshield wipers and steering. (nar) the vehicle was taken to the dealer for steering noisel. The dealer attempted to repair the vehicle but was unable to alleviate the noise.
- Bloomington, IN, USA
This is the worst automobile I have ever owned. It is nickel and diming me to death. Both back windows are being held up in place by sticks that I have proped under them. The front passenger window I paid $300 to have repaired. The steering locked up on me and I had to dish out $500 to get that repaired, GM recalled it a couple of weeks after that, thank god I got some of my money back for that repair. The passengers side head light lens cover fell off $75 to replace that. I am presently working on the brake transmission shift indicator which I just called the dealer for a price on the part and am told it will be $224.07 for the part and probably $115 for the labor. The engine leaks oil I had my wife take it to the shop for them to take a look at and they told her that no leaks were evident. Well the oil in my driveway is coming from somewhere. I will never own another GM product in my life again. Not even if it is given to me and 10,000 to use toward the repairs of it.
- Bloomingdale, GA, USA
The reason for complaint is a fire under the hood. The insurance company has said it is totaled. No offer has came in for a clain as of today. The car was parked and had been off for approx. 15 min. When smoke was noticed coming from hood area.fire dept. Was called and fire was exstingished. No injury occurred. This fire could have burned our home had it been in our garage.
- Fennville, MI, USA
1997 Pontiac Grand Prix shakes badly when accelerating during a left turn. The Pontiac Grand Prix was not a listed car in your news release Monday about steering problems in GM cars made between Jan. 1996 and Oct. 1997. However, it too has the problem.
- Bloomington, IL, USA
Vehicle loses power steering when making left turns. There was an intermittent loss of power steering assist when a left turn was made, usually at low speeds due to the steering gear assembly. The power assist was normal on right turns. Recall#02V286000 would only replace the rack and pinion but the dealer stated that the steering gear assembly needed to be replaced in order to fix the problem and was not covered under the recall.
- Buford, GA, USA
Problems with power steering pump, alternator, rack and pinion, power windows, and head gaskets. The power steering pump had suddenly gone out in traffic, the vehicle stopped abruptly in the middle of traffic(the alternator was replaced), the consumer discovered that the windshield wipers were inoperative upon start due to the failure of the wiper linkage under the cowl, the steering skipped as the consumer made right hand turns(the rack and pinion was replaced along with the power steering pump), the headlight lens had fallen off, the ceramic headgasket had to be replaced, the was a hesitation and alternator had to be replaced for a second time, the air bag warning light had come on due to a short in the wiring harness, the transmission grabbed along with hesitation(a tune up was performed and work was done to the transmission), the vehicle couldn't be taken out of the park position(the shifter was replaced), the power window(s) failed, the tire pressure light had illuminated, and the windshield wiper pump leaked and would not hold fluid.
- Auburn Hills, MI, USA
The steering wheel failed to turn to the left, instead it turned completely around.. also the vehicle experienced problems with the alternator, rack and pinion, brakes, seats, windows, battery, bulbs, steering pump, and the sun roof leaked.
- Hillsboro, GA, USA
While driving and without warning the driving belt snapped and caused the steering wheel to lock up. Dealer notified.
- Orlando, FL, USA
Reference recall 02V286000-Pontiac Grand Prix-1997-rack and pinion problem-my son matt was driving in snowy weather and was making a slow left turn into an apartment complex. The car veered to the right on him and he hit a utility pole. He just assumed that he hit ice, etc and it went off the road. The next day matt received a recall notice for the steering problem in the mail. I filed a report with Pontiac - claim number 1-72613849. They just notified me that they have rejected the claim because the ball bearings were not visibly broken. My contention is that the problem could be intermitent causing the same problem to occurr that resulted in the recall. However the gears / assembly may not appear to have any damage that is recognizable by human inspection. That's all they are doing now is having a mechanic perform an inspection. So if there are more events that happen such as these, that the car exibits these symptons during a slow left turn and GM rejects the failure because a mechanic did not see any obvious damage, then maybe the probem is a lot more complex than GM now knows. As I told GM you may think that you know all about this problem, but please just keep an open mind.
- Lebanon, IN, USA
While attempting to make a left hand turn. The vehicle steering wheel locked up, steering wheel became very stiff. Took to a mechanic and they stated that the rack and pinion failed. Had vehicle repaired & corrected before receiving a recall notice.
- New Berling, WI, USA
I was doing some research on campaign number 02V286000. I am being told by the manufacturer that my vehicle is not affected by this recall. My VIN is [xxx]. I am concerned because my vehicle is having the same symptoms that the campaign describes. It is of my opinion that the safety of my vehicle has degraded greatly do to the fact that I am unable to steer the vehicle accurately when in operation. I would ask that you would research my problem and give any assistance possible. Information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
- Fairview Heights, IL, USA
Consumer stated that the vehicle experienced a complete failure of the steering system.
- Hillsboro, OR, USA
Steering seized up momentarily and lasted a few seconds. Now the steering feels a little sloppy, and I hear a pop noise when I turn left or right at slow speeds (15 mph). Nlm
- Jackson, WI, USA
- Los Angeles, CA, USA