Driver needs to exert more effort than normal to turn the steering wheel to the left, similar to a vehicle without power assisted steering. Increasingly, the driver requires much higher effort to turn left and may not be able to turn the wheel as much as intended and encounters high resistance to turning left. Although 1998 Pontiac Grand Prix are included in recall campaign(02V286000) and this vehicle suffers from the same component failure as described by ODI, manufacturer says that this VIN is not included and will not repair vehicle.

- Grosse Pointe Farms, MI, USA

I have a problem that is exhibiting the exact behavior as outlined in GM recall no. 02049, NHTSA campaign id 02V286000. My steering is very difficult when making left hand turns only. The problem is intermittent. I found out about this recall through the internet - I didn't actually receive a recall notice in the mail. I went to somerset Pontiac in troy, Michigan, to discuss the issue and they told me I missed the recall campaign because my car was actually built on November 23rd, 1997. The recall campaign was only for vehicles built between Jan. 1, 1997 to Oct. 31, 1997. My vehicle was built on Nov. 23, 1997 - I missed the campaign by 23 days. The dealer told me there was nothing they could do. The vehicle is currently at a local repair shop having the steering rack replaced at my expense. I believe GM should pay for this repair because this is the exact problem for which the recall was issued. Because my car was built 23 days later proves the campaign should have been extended another month. The repair shop is holding on to my original parts at my request in case I need them for proof in this case. They are charging me $145 to do so since there is a core charge on the steering rack. The problem actually began at about the beginning of this year. Please let me know if I have a case here and if I should hold on to these parts. Thank you very much for your time and your help. -steve

- Fair Haven, MI, USA

Extremely hard to turn steering wheel left at low speeds. Wheel turns to right like normal. Repair shop says new rack is needed.

- Westlake, OH, USA

The contact owns a 1998 Pontiac Grand Prix. The power steering rack malfunctioned when needed to turn left. The contact had a hard time steering the vehicle. There was a recall listed on the internet. He contacted the dealership, and they said that there was no recall. The problem started on August 5, 2005. Could not hear any noise while steering. The road conditions were fine while driving on the highway because he was going straight. However, if the contact needed to turn left he had a hard time. He did not encounter a problem when urning right.

- Brook Line, NH, USA

The vehicle was experiencing a problem with the power steering which caused the vehicle to grab when turning to the right. Please provide any additional information.

- West Seneca, NY, USA

While driving, the vehicle makes an extremely loud noise when making a right or left turn causing a distraction. Ts the dealer stated that the rack and pinion assembly needs to be replaced.

- Tarzana, CA, USA

Since about 90,000 mi. The steering power assist has been erratic. At low speeds, it feels like there is no power assist. Just recently, at about 135,000, while making slow speed, right-hand turn, the steering locked entirely. At 111,000 miles, the dealer indicated that the steering rack was failing and would need to be replaced.

- Ann Arbor, MI, USA

Steering binds when turning left, dealer said power steering pump bad, replaced pump problem continued. Took vehicle to two other repair facilities and car was found to have bad steering rack. Part not available for two weeks. Researched issue and found NHTSA investigating 1997 model for same issue. Same part on 1997 and 1998 models?

- Saint Leonard, MD, USA