10.0
really awful- Crashes / Fires:
- 1 / 0
- Injuries / Deaths:
- 0 / 0
- Average Mileage:
- 36,504 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.
1999 Pontiac Grand Prix. Power steering failure left turn only and is intermittent. Incidents started December of last year. Several times it has put me in the point of danger making left turns and not knowing when it will be extremely hard to turn and when it will be normal. Several times during a hard turn the normal steering will return in the middle of the turn jerking my car violently further to the left. No accidents to date. I researched the failure to find out that there is a current recall for rack and pinion bearing failure (recall # 02V286000) for 1997 and 1998 Pontiac Grand Prix's only. I have called several dealerships in my area and they all say it is the same parts but cannot fix it under the recall as my car is a 1999 model. If it is the same parts and the same failure, why will General Motors honor the claim?
- Erie, CO, USA
Contact stated while driving and turning to the left the steering felt like it stuck. The vehicle was checked, and it was discovered that the defect was rack and pinion steering.
- South Pasadena , CA, USA
The contact owns a 1999 Pontiac Grand Prix. He found recall 02V2860000 concerning rack and pinion steering on the 1998 Grand Prix. The contact's vehicle was experiencing exactly the same problem as described in the recall but this vehicle was not included in the recall due to VIN. When he turning the steering wheel to the left it felt as if the steering was going to lock. At low speeds it took a lot of effort to turn the wheel. When turning the wheel to the left it felt as if it wanted to pull back very fast to the right. The dealer said they cannot do anything about it since it was not included in the recall. Also, the contact talked to the manufacturer, and they told him the same thing. The contact noticed this problem when he bought the car last month.
- Palatine, IL, USA
Grand Prix gtp 1999 has a rack and pinion problem the steering would act like there was no power to it when turning left- right turn worked ok. There was a recall on 1998 Grand Prix that did the exact same thing. This is a safety issue for women drivers especially. They would not expect to suddenly have a problem making a left hand turn. Once this happens it stays that way till you replace the rack and pinion.
- Rising Sun, MD, USA
Steering in my 1999 Grand Prix GT failed in that it is extremely difficult to turn to the left (such as with no power steering) and appears to turn normally or power assisted to the right. This problem appeared suddenely and has not changed since it first appeared. A talk with a local Pontiac service manager says the problem symptoms are exactly the same as in the 1998 Grand Prix which were recalled for bearing failure in the rack and pinion. Pontiac customer service states that no recall is in effect at this time for my vehicle and seemed more concerned that we had unofficially talked to a service advisor about the problem rather than having an official service visit to repair/diagnois the problem. They advised to take the care to a dealer as soon as possible to have the problem documented but stated that there would be a charge for the diagnosis. The repair has not been completed as yet and the car remains "off the road" in hopes that something can be worked out with Pontiac.
- Middleburg, FL, USA
Steering wheel locked only when making a left turn. Dealer stated the rack and pinion steering was defective.
- Lees Summit, MO, USA
1999 Pontiac Grand Prix rack and pinion problems. Steering locking up in both directions during slower speeds and sharp steering. The GM recall needs to be extended until all year models affected are identified.
- Athens, AL, USA
Rack and pinion assembly came apart at 60,000 miles. Could not turn left. Same problem as other recalled GM cars (97 lumina).
- Sacramento, CA, USA
1999 Pontiac Grand Prix- having to replace rack and pinion and power steering pump. Cost.....1500 dollars. GM has issued recalls for 1997 and 1998 models, but not 1999. Parts are the same.
- St. Charles, IL, USA
Was unable to turn left at low speeds almost causing accident with oncoming traffic as I turned into my street. Thought it was temporary, but found I had to muscle the car just to turn left except over 35 or so mph. I became scared to drive the car and brought it to the deal. They said it was the result of 'salt damage' to my car from road salt that deteriorated the rack and pinion. I told them they were wrong. (I am in the military and live in Mississippi, but have Illinois plates. They assumed I lived up there, but the truth is, I have never lived in Illinois since purchasing the car!!! its been on a salted road maybe twice!) I am very disappointed.
- Columbus, MS, USA
For several weeks, the steering in my 99 Pontiac Grand Prix has been failling while turning left at low speeds. Suprise, suprise!! today, 7/13/03 I hit another vehicle while pulling into a car wash when I lost left turn power steering and could not avoid his car. I was turning off of a busy street and was almost rear ended as well. I am very angry, as this is the 5th time I was almost killed in my 1999 Grand Prix. The first 4 times were on the highway, when my car lost total engine power with no warning. After 6 weeks of having it in and out of a certified GM repair shop, and having a complete fuel system overhaul, the GM mechanic tore down everything under the hood to find that the fuel system sensor had never been attatched. Please advise on any legal action against GM that may me of benefit to me, as well as how to demand a recall on the 99 Pontiac Grand Prix.
- Oklahoma City, OK, USA
Rack and pinion steering on 1999 Grand Prix showing evidence of failure / binding consistant with that of 1997-1998 Grand Prix.
- Lisle, IL, USA
Vehicle experienced loss of power steering when turning left at very low speeds.
- Warren, MI, USA
Rack and pinion steering went out. Consumer indicated that steering was okay when turning right but when turning left consumer lost power steering. He took the vehicle to the mechanic, and the mechanic found the rack and pinion steering had failed.
- Fort Wayne, IN, USA
The power steering failed when a left turn was made, there was a recall regarding the issue, however the consumer's vehicle year was not included.
- Marysville, MI, USA
I lost power assist steering when making right-hand turns. Fortunately this occurred at a low enough speed where I was able to aviod an accident. This is a saftey hazard because it became very difficult to complete a right handed turn. A dealer diagnosed the problem as a failed rack and pinion assembly and replaced the assembly.
- Mentor, OH, USA
I have a 1999 Pontiac Grand Prix that has had the same problem listed in your campaign id number 02V286000. Pontiac needs to extend this recall to the 1999 models before someone get injured. The steering went out when my wife (who at the time was 9 months pregnant) was heading to a doctors appointment. We were lucky that she was pulling in the parking lot when it happened.
- Lawrenceburg, IN, USA
Consumer was informed, no parts were available regarding the recall on the rack and pinion.
- Eau Claire, WI, USA
Consumer states while driving the vehicle and make left turn steering will make hard to do it. A recall has been issued on similar makes and models. However this vehicle is not include do to the year... NHTSA 15336-02-V-286-000: Power steering assembly lower pinion bearing in the power rack and pinion assembly in which the retainer tab were not crimped properly. Please provide further information as you experience your problem.
- Los Angeles, CA, USA
- Greenwood, MI, USA