NHTSA — Steering: Hydraulic Power Assist System Problems

1997 Pontiac Grand Prix (Page 2 of 2)

10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
2 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
3 / 0
Average Mileage:
6,000 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.

1997 Pontiac Grand Prix steering problems

steering problem

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1997 Pontiac Grand Prix Owner Comments (Page 2 of 2)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #9

Jun 012001

Grand Prix

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles

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

Vehicle is very hard to steer in either direction. Vehicle not taken to dealer yet. Consumer states there is also a winding sound when steering right or left, this has been occurring for approximately 6 months.

- Auburn, MA, USA

problem #8

Nov 012001

Grand Prix

  • miles
No power steering when turning right. Very scary!!.

- Maple Grove, MN, USA

problem #7

Nov 222000

(reported on)

Grand Prix

  • miles
This car has a significant # of safety problems that the dealer/manufacturer have refused to address w/out significant cost to consumer. Until I sustain a significant injury &/or injure someone due to these product defects, I can not afford a legal challenge to have GM address problems, nor can I bear cost. My car is available as a sample of their junk! (signed;claims adjuster). No safety defect listed in summary.

- Edmond, OK, USA

problem #6

Sep 272000

Grand Prix

  • miles

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

Loss of control due to steering power assist loss making turns at low speeds especially left turns. Car shudders. Occurred especially in cold operating conditions.

- Katonah, NY, USA

problem #5

May 082000

Grand Prix

  • miles
While exiting the highway and during making 180 deg left turn on the ramp the power steering assistance has failed. It required extreme effort to control the steering. We have narrowly escaped a major accident. This was only due to the fact that I am a strong individual. It still required me to pull on the wheel with a lot of force and very quickly to control it. Normally this car is driven by my wife, who would not be ble to control it, should she be behind the steering wheel. It was a horrifying experience. Specially that there was no early indication of this failure. In addition, the steering wheel failed to return to its neutral position by itself making it even more difficult to control the vehicle. It was either pure luck or god's will that we survive this one. Today I had this problem fixed at the scranton Pontiac in vernon, ct and was charged a total of $1,258.63 to have the entire rack assy replaced. I was told that they have installed remanufactured unit telling me that this must be a persistent problem since this car and this type of steering was introduced in 1997. I have found some evidence of people complaining about this problem on internet. Based on my experience I do worry about the safety of my wife from now on. When tried to ask the dealer to set up an appointment with the Pontiac rep they told me that they can't do anything about it. The car is only 3 years old and has 68K, mostly highway miles. We moved from fl to ct last year so the car was driven mostly in fl. Please help prevent this from happening again to anybody and have Pontiac fix this problem. I don't want anybody to go through this awful experience that me and my wife have experienced. If requested I will provide you with a copy of the dealer invoice stating that the steering is binding while turning to the left and what type of repair was performed.

- Coventry, CT, USA

problem #4

Nov 181998

Grand Prix

  • miles
This vehicle has been in for warranty repair 9 times in the last 14 months in an effort to resolve a loss of power steering assist during low speed manuevers. I've filed a complaint with the better business bureau's auto line program and have followed all of the recommended procedures as prescribed by the better business and General Motors corporation. General Motors keeps offering us a free extended warranty for 100,000 miles but have been unable to diagnose or repair the car. It's also important to know that we have had this vehicle in for warranty repairs 16 times since the vehicle has been new, with the car being tied up for service an approximate total of over 60 days. We are at our wits end with General Motors corporation and when we ask them what they are going to do to fix the car they keep offering us a free extended warranty. I recently told them that it did'nt matter how long the warranty was to be extended because they cannot diagnose or repair the car and keep side stepping the issue. We never know when this vehicle will lose its power steering assist and my wife has come close to causing an accident as a result of losing the power steering on three incidents.

- Medina, OH, USA

problem #3

Feb 092000

(reported on)

Grand Prix

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles

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

Was pulling out of parking lot and power steering fell out of vehicle. Vehicle was not controllable & was not operative. Vehicle was towed to dealer. Mechanic had to replace the power steering parts. Gave no indication as tothe cause of problem.

- Port Allegahney, PA, USA

problem #2

Jul 091999

Grand Prix

  • miles
Problem 1. head lamp moisture inside lens assembly. Dealer said problem within allowable limits. Problem 2. left headlamp cover fell off while driving. Out of town at time. Purchased new headlamp assembly upon return at cost of $76.25. Right headlamp assembly still collects excessive moisture. Problem 3. reported some type of oil/power steering leak. Fluid drips on garage floor. Dealer replaced oil pan and gasket on 07/09/1999. Leak continued. Dealer replaced power steering shaft seal on 10/27/1999. Leak still continues to happen. Power steering pump looks bad.

- Columbus, OH, USA

problem #1

Oct 011997

Grand Prix

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
The engine/power steering turned off simultaneously while driving at 65-70 mph.

- Miami, FL, USA

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