NHTSA — Steering Problems

CarComplaints.com Seal Of Avoid Like The Plague

10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
1 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
2 / 0
Average Mileage:
55,890 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2001 Pontiac Grand Am steering problems

steering problem

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2001 Pontiac Grand Am Owner Comments

problem #14

Nov 222017

Grand Am

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

My steering column makes a vibrating noise... this happened after the red security light came on the left part of the dash.... also since I purchased it in July there has been an issue with the key not starting it right away usually have to wait ten seconds or even up to 30 seconds before you can start my vehicle. I'm looking to prevent any accident before it occurs. I do not want my car locking up on me. I prefer safety over speed.

- Manvel, ND, USA

problem #13

Oct 252001

Grand Am

  • miles
I was involved in a car accident as a passenger on 10/25/2001 in which the steering column locked up on our 2001 Grand Am as we were driving causing us to lose control of the car and flip down hill. My father and my brother were front passengers and I was the rear seat passenger of the car and was ejected out of the back window. The airbags never deployed. After being ejected from the rear window of the car I suffered a broken pelvic bone, a bleeding brain with permanent brain damage, internal bruises on my lungs, my liver, and my kidneys, and the top 3 discs and bottom 3 discs in my back popped out of place. I had to be air lifted to shands hospital in gainesville Florida where I remained until 11/20/2001. During the the time between 10/25/2001 and 11/20/2001 I was in a coma, had to be fed intraveinously, and was placed on life support. I was transported to shands rehab hospital in gainesville fl, on 11/20/2001 and was released from shands rehab hospital 11/30/2015 in wheelchair and body brace. I had to have outpatient vocational rehabilitation therpay due to my brain injuries after being released from the hospital. I recently learned that the vehicle that I was involved in the accident has been recalled by General Motors due to a faulty iginition switch that causes the vehicle to lose power which causes drivers to not be able to control the steering of the vehicle and am submitting this claim because of this finding. There have been several other claims agains general motor regarding the same vehicle model. I have uploaded the fhp report as well as pictures post accident of the vehicle.

- Spring Hill, FL, USA

problem #12

Jul 112012

Grand Am

  • 70,000 miles
The contact owns a 2001 Pontiac Grand Am. While driving approximately 5 mph, the brake pedal was depressed but there was an increase in braking distance. The emergency brake was engaged in order for the vehicle to come to a complete stop. In addition, the contact heard a grinding noise emitting from the front of the vehicle as well as a vibration on the pedals and the steering wheel. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 70,000.

- Axton, VA, USA

problem #11

Nov 142014

Grand Am 6-cyl

  • 150,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Where the steering pinion attaches to the frame rusted out and broke making right turns impossible because of the pinion moving and the inner tie rod hitting the frame. Pretty much making the car worthless.

- Vandergrift, PA, USA

problem #10

Nov 092010

Grand Am

  • 125,000 miles
While driving the car it would shut down, the steering wheel would lock, and all that could be done is brake to a stop.

- Loveland, OH, USA

problem #9

Aug 282013

Grand Am 4-cyl

  • 118,947 miles
On my way to work (2nd shift) in rush hour traffic as I was preparing to merge onto the highway the car simply shut-off blocking traffic. (I was eventually - 20 minutes - able to get help to push the car off the road.) everything shut off and car would not restart....everything including the power-steering. This has happened one other time and the vehicle is now nothing more then a two-ton paperweight in my garage - and about as useful. On a second occasion it cut-off as I pulled into traffic and almost caused a collision...fortunately I was able to coast far enough to get into the turn lane and then when traffic cleared to push it back off the road. An online search told me this is a well-known problem with the security system of the vehicle but there seems no agreement on a solution/fix. Evidently the security system simply does not recognize the key (even when it is the correct one) and thinks the car is being stolen and thus shuts itself off. What would/could have happened if this occurred while I was at speed in traffic" if Pontiac knows about this why is there no recall....does someone have to die first"

- Grand Rapids, MI, USA

problem #8

Sep 032012

Grand Am

  • 108,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

When driving the car the brakes will lock up making a grinding noise like something is about to brake somewhere in between the brake pedal and wheels it makes this loud grinding like metal on metal not sure because I have to replace brakes about every 2 - 3 months and rotors and calipers.

- Wildwood , FL, USA

problem #7

Oct 132011

Grand Am 4-cyl

  • miles
When I try to use my signals it wont work, they wont come on, it also lile to have caused an accident, when I crank the car up ot makes a loud noise for about five minutes, or sometimes it wont start, I have to wait thirty minutes, before it could crank on numerous occasions, it has done that, I also have to keep replacing brakes for this car, my coolant jug I have replaced that many of times and its still has a leak in it I have to put coolant in there four times a week, and also if im making a left my steering wheel it gets stuck sometimes.

- Decatur, GA, USA

problem #6

Dec 302010

Grand Am

  • 113,520 miles
Power steering rack separated from sub frame due to corrosion

- Warren, OH, USA

problem #5

Jan 152002

Grand Am 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 5,000 miles
The A/C- heater speed control selection 1 and 2 stopped working in 2002 shortly after I purchased my vehicle. On April 10,2006, the selections 3 and 4 are also not working. This is now the 9th probolem I've had with my vehicle. To include both power window brackets breaking, my hazard flasher, transmission, steering, and A/C. I've unknowingly had jackson auto group of Hawaii do repairs without so much as a word about the recalls. What proactive steps have been taken to notify the dealers about the recalls and defects?

- Kaneohe Bay, HI, USA

problem #4

Mar 112005

Grand Am 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Driver took vehicle to dealer for routine maintenance, and mechanic determined that the left and right tie rods needed to be replaced due to corrosion. Faulty power steering pump caused grinding noise when turning the steering wheel in either direction. The turn signal went out. Consumer wants to know if there are any recalls.

- Youngsville, NC, USA

problem #3

Mar 042004

Grand Am

  • 80,000 miles
The steering wheel was hard to turn. It felt like it did not have any power steering fluid. The dealership was unable to locate the cause of the problem because the power steering fluid was full and there was no cuts or breaks in the fluid line. Also at 82,000 miles the vehicle failed to start. The vehicle was towed to the dealership. The dealership indicated this occurred because of a malfunction in the fuel pump system. Please provide additional information.

- San Juan Pueblo, NM, USA

problem #2

Aug 022001

Grand Am 4-cyl

  • Manual transmission
  • 12,000 miles
I own a 2001 Pontiac Grand Am,4-cyl. 5-speed manual transmission, which I purchased in may of 2001. Since then I have been having problems with engaging 2nd gear, the transmission slips and makes a rattling noise, also when I am driving, the tires get caught in a groove on the freeway, the front wheels will follow the groove while I am holding the steering wheel straight. It seems as though something is wrong with the rack and pinion, or a defect in the steering assembly/linkage. I have brought the car in to 3 local dealerships here in las vegas and all of them claim that there is nothing wrong with the car, after looking at it, I noticed on your website -that there have been many problems with the transmissions/suspensions of these specific cars. Please note that the car is still under the manufacturer's warranty. Is there something you could do to help us get this problem corrected?

- Las Vegas, NV, USA

problem #1

Jun 302002

Grand Am

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
While driving the spindle that holds tire axle broke, tire fell off. Also had no brakes, and lost control of vehicle. Dealer contacted. Consumers son was driving. GM is not taking responsibility for failed part. Consumer spoke with many mechanics who informed that metal was not supposed to break the way it did. Consuemr had previously complained of a noise emmitting from the vehicle when the steering was turned..

- Amherst, NY, USA

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