1998 Pontiac Grand Prix complaints

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO MAKE A LEFT TURN AT 5 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL JERKED TOWARDS THE RIGHT. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO MANEUVER THE STEERING WHEEL BACK TO THE LEFT, BUT FAILED. AFTER THE TURN WAS COMPLETED AND THE SPEED WAS INCREASED, THE FAILURE CEASED. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 02V286000 (STEERING:RACK AND PINION). THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 97,000.

THE EXTERIOR LIGHTING LENSES OF THE HEADLIGHT HAVE FALLEN OUT AND HAVE BROKEN FROM THE HEADLIGHT. HE STATES THAT THE VEHICLE PRODUCES PROJECTILES AS WELL. HE STATES THAT HE HAS CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER AND FILED A COMPLAINT AND THEY HAVE NOT OFFERED ANY ASSISTANCE TO HIM (71532337325-GM COMPLAINT CASE NUMBER).HE STATES THAT THERE ABOUT 20 PEOPLE THAT HAVE REPORTED THIS ISSUE TO GENERAL MOTORS. HE STATES THAT WHEN HE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER, THEY STATED THAT THERE IS CORROSION ON THE CHROME OF THE SEAL OF THE HEADLIGHT. ACCORDING TO THE CONTACT, THE SERVICE MANAGER STATED THAT THIS WAS A COSMETIC CONCERN AND THAT THERE IS NOTHING THAT THEY COULD DO. THE FAILURE MILEAGE IS 58,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 103,000.--DS UPDATED 09/18/07 *TR

MY PONTIAC GRAND PRIX WAS TAKEN TO JIFFY LUBE FOR AN OIL CHANGE AND ENGINE FLUSH. AFTER THE WORK WAS COMPLETED, THE EMPLOYEE DROVE THE CAR OUT TO THE PARKING LOT. WHILE HE WAS DRIVING IT, THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT CAUGHT FIRE. THE EMPLOYEE ESCAPED WITH MINOR INJURIES. THE ENGINE WAS TOTALED AND THE CAR WAS NO LONGER DRIVABLE. *JB

STEEL BRAKE LINE CORROSION RESULTED IN ROTTED THROUGH STEEL BRAKE LINE AND LOSS OF FLUID RESULTING IN LOST OF BRAKE FUNCTION. THE ULTIMATE SAFETY IN STOPPING A VEHICLE DEPENDS ON HYDRAULIC BRAKE LINES THAT WILL LAST. *TR

THERE ARE MULTIPLE PROBLEMS WITH THE COOLANT (DEXCOOL) USED IN GM VEHICLES SUCH AS THE 1998 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX GT. THAT IS THE CAR I HAVE. THE COOLANT USED IIN THE VEHICLE DETERIORATES THE GASKETS AND ALLOWS FOR COOLANT TO LEAK INTO THE CYLINDERS WHICH CAUSE ENGINE FAILURE AND POSSIBLY A FATAL CRASH? GM IS AWARE OF THIS ISSUE AND ISSUED FIXES FOR IT, BUT WILL NOT TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THEIR ACT. THE PROCEDURE TO FIX IT COSTS UPWARDS OF $800 AND ISN'T COVERED BY WARRANTY, UNLESS ITS NEW. I'M SURE THIS ISN'T THE FIRST COMPLAINT YOU RECEIVED FOR THIS PROBLEM, JUST SEARCH THE GRAND PRIX CLUB WEBSITES AND SEE ALL THE SIMILAR PROBLEMS IN THE COUNTRY, IT'S IN THE MILLIONS. *TR

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 *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT STEER STRAIGHT AND MADE A CLUNKING NOISE. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT RECALL # 02V286000 (STEERING:RACK AND PINION) DID NOT APPLY TO THE VIN. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 93,991.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX. THE CONTACT PARKED THE VEHICLE IN HIS GARAGE AFTER DRIVING 12 MILES AT 30 MPH UNDER NORMAL DRIVING CONDITIONS. 15 MINUTES LATER HE SMELLED SMOKE AND REALIZED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS ON FIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY THE INSURANCE COMPANY AND THE FIRE DEPARTMENT, AND BOTH STATED THAT THE FIRE WAS CAUSED BY AN ELECTRICAL SOURCE FROM UNDER THE HOOD. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000. *AK

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX. ON DECEMBER 17, 2006 THE SERPENTINE BELT BROKE AND WAS REPAIRED. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH ON 1/9/07 THE VEHICLE SHUT OFF. HOWEVER, THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO DRIVE IT HOME. THE ENGINE LOCKED, AND SHE WAS UNABLE TO RESTART IT. NO WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED ON THE DASHBOARD. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED BY A MECHANIC. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGE WERE 83,712.*AK

MY 1998 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX GTP SPONTANEOUSLY COMBUSTED ON MARCH 2, 2007. VISITING FREINDS IN BLACKSBURG VA. THE CAR WAS DRIVEN UP HILL FOR ABOUT 1/2 MILE WITH THE SUPERCHARGER ENGAGED THE WHOLE TIME. WE PARKED AT THE TOP OF THE HILL AND WENT INTO THE HOUSE. 10 MINUTES LATER A NEIGHBOR INFORMED US THAT THE CAR WAS ON FIRE. 14 FOOT FLAMES FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CALLED TO PUT IT OUT. THE CAR WAS TOTALLED. IT WAS ONLY BY THE GRACE OF GOD THAT WE HAD NOT PULLED OUR CAR INTO OUR GARAGE AND GONE TO BED WHEN THIS HAPPENED. AT THE LEAST, OUR HOUSE WOULD HAVE BEEN BURNED TO THE GROUND. AT THE WORST MY FAMILY WOULD HAVE BEEN BURNED ALIVE.*AK

STEERING LOCKED UP WILL NOT TURN LEFT

TL* - THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX. WHILE BACKING THE VEHICLE OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY IT BECAME STUCK IN THE SNOW. THE CONTACT LEFT THE VEHICLE, AND 20 MINUTES LATER HE HEARD A LOUD NOISE AND SAW FLAMES COMING FROM THE ENGINE. THE CONTACT STATED HE DID NOT LEAVE THE VEHICLE RUNNING. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT CAME AND EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. THE FIRE WAS CONTAINED TO THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WERE 135,000. *AK UPDATED 04/12/07. *JB

I DROVE THIS VEHICLE HOME FROM WORK, APPROXIMATELY 25 MILES. PARKED IN MY GARAGE AND WENT IN THE HOUSE, APPROXIMATELY 10-15 MINUTES LATER, MY WIFE, DAUGHTER AND I LEFT TO GO OUT TO EAT, WE DROVE 10 MILES TO THE RESTAURANT. WE WERE IN THE RESTAURANT NO MORE LATE 10 MINUTES WHEN SOMEONE COMMENTED THERE WAS A VEHICLE OUT FRONT SMOKING, I REALIZED THAT IT WAS OUR VEHICLE, AND WENT OUTSIDE, I APPROACHED THE CAR AND SMELLED A BURNING SMELL VS. OVERHEATING SMELL. I LIFTED HOOD AND SAW THE ENGINE WAS ON FIRE, I PROCEEDED TO PUT OUT THE FIRE WITH NEARBY SNOW, AND WITH A FIRE EXTINGUISHER. FIRE DEPT WAS CALLED TO MAKE SURE FIRE WAS OUT. I THEN A CALLED TOW COMPANY AND THE HAD CAR TOWED BACK TO MY HOME. THE CAR HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED AT THIS TIME. MOST OF FIRE WAS CONTAINED TO ENGINE AREA, NO DAMAGE TO PAINT, AND SOME UNDERHOOD INSULATION CHARRED. *JB

TL*- THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE WAS UNABLE TO INSERT THE SEAT BELT LATCH INTO THE BUCKLE ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE OF THE 1998 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP, AND THEY INFORMED HIM HE SHOULD REPLACE THE SEAT BELT LATCH ASSEMBLY. THE CONTACT REPLACED THE SEAT BELT LATCH ASSEMBLY, AND HAD NOT ANY PROBLEMS WITH INSERTING THE SEAT BELT. THE VEHICLE CURRENTLY HAD 62000 MILES.*AK

I WENT TO THE STORE, DROVE ABOUT 40 FEET AND GOT STUCK IN SNOW. REALIZED I WAS BOTTOMED OUT IN SNOW WHEN I OPENED MY DOOR. I DIDN'T TRY TO GET UNSTUCK. I SHUT OFF ENGINE AND WENT INTO HOUSE. SEVERAL MINUTES LATER, I HEARD A NOISE AND LOOKED OUT AND SAW FLAMES SHOOTING FROM UNDER HOOD. I IMMEDIATELY CALLED 911 AND FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS THERE WITHIN 5 MINUTES AND TRUCK WAS THERE WITHIN 10. THEY IMMEDIATELY ASKED ME IF THE CAR WAS LEFT RUNNING AT THE TIME THE FIRE STARTED. I SAID,"NO, I WAS INSIDE AT LEAST 20 MINUTES BEFORE I HEARD THIS NOISE AND LOOKED OUT." THE ENGINE AND FRONT END OF CAR IS A COMPLETE LOSS. CRACKED WINDSHIELD, MELTED LOWER LEFT HAND CORNER OF WINDSHIELD AND FRONT OF INSTRUMENT PANEL. THEIR WERE NO FLAMES THAT REACHED THE INSIDE THRU THE FIREWALL. UNFORTUNATELY I AM NOT INSURED AND WIFE AND I ARE DISABLED, THE CAR BEING OUR ONLY SOURCE OF TRANSPORTATION. THROUGHOUT THE WEBSITES I RESEARCHED, I SAW SEVERAL DOZEN PEOPLE WITH THE SAME CIRCUMSTANCES AS I HAD WITH THEIR GRAND PRIX GTP'S. FIREMAN SAID CAUSE WAS UNKNOWN, BUT LOOKS LIKE IT MAY HAVE BEEN ELECTRICAL OR MAYBE FUEL RELATED. *JB

WINDSHIELD WIPERS PARK IN WRONG POSITION WHEN SNOWING OR ICY OUTSIDE. THIS CAUSES WIPER ARMS TO CRISS-CROSS AND BEND BADLY AND BECOMES DANGEROUS WHEN CONDITIONS ARE BAD OUTSIDE. *NM

TL*- THE CONTACT STATED THAT YHE 1998 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX GTP, HA HAD WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR PROBLEMS. T IN 2001 HE HAD THE WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR REPLACED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS MAY STOP WORKING DUE TO A SEPARATION BETWEEN THE DRIVE PIN AND THE CRESCENT IN THE CRANK ASSEMBLY. WHILE DRIVING IN THE RAIN THE DRIVE'S PIN SEPARATED AGAIN ,AND DRIVER'S SIDE WIPER STOPPED WORKING AGAIN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE CONTACTED GENERAL MOTOR TO TRY AND GET THEM TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THIS PROBLEM. THE CONTACT FOUND A RECALL 99V348000 WITH THE SAME PROBLEM ON THE 1997 PONTIAC GRAN PRIX. THE CONTACT FELT THAT ALL GRAND PRIX VEHICLES WITH THIS TYPE OF PIN IN THE WIPER SHOULD BE ON THE RECALL. THE CONTACT CALLED GM AND FILED A COMPLAINT WITH CASE# 71-481-566-952. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 104000, AND THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 62000.*AK

DROVE 15 MINUTES AND PARKED THE CAR AND WENT INSIDE THE DOCTOR'S OFFICE. WITHIN 10 MINUTES AFTER SHUTTING MY CAR OFF ENGINE COMPARTMENT BURST INTO FLAMES. FIRE NEAR FRONT TOP OF THE ENGINE. FIRE DEPARTMENT DEEMED AN ELECTRICAL FIRE. CAR IS A TOTAL LOSS WITHIN 15 MINUTES. *NM

I HIT A VERY SMALL POTHOLE. HEARD CLUNKING AND RUBBING NOISES. WAS TOLD SWAY BAR WAS CRACKED RIGHT IN HALF, NOT TO DRIVE THE CAR BECAUSE IT WOULD CREATE TENSION ON OTHER PARTS. HAD CAR TOWED. SWAY BAR WAS REPLACED. OWNER OF THE GARAGE THAT DID THE WORK SAID THIS REPAIR WAS QUITE COMMON IN THIS CAR. *NM

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE AT A GAS STATION THE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE WITHOUT WARNING. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE AND DETERMINED THE FIRE WAS CONFINED TO THE ENGINE AREA. A REPORT WAS FILED BY THE FIRE DEPARTMENT. THE VEHICLE WAS DEEMED TOTALED AND TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP WHERE IT REMAINS. THE MANUFACTURER HAS BEEN ALERTED. *AK

MY 1998 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX GTP HAS HAD MULTIPLE FAILURES OF THE WIPER ASSEMBLY, LEAVING ME IN DANGEROUS SITUATIONS. THESE FAILURES OCCUR PRIMARILY IN WINTER BUT SOMETIMES IN WARMER WEATHER. THE WIPERS FAIL TO FUNCTION WITH LITTLE OR NO WARNING, AND ARE EXPENSIVE TO REPAIR. *JB

DEX COOL CAUSE INTAKE MANIFOLD TO FAIL CAUSING COOLANT TO ENTER ENGINE. REPLACE INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET AND FLUSH OUT DEX COOL REPLACE WITH GREEN COOLANT, FLUSH ENGINE TO REMOVE COOLANT IN ENGINE. TOTAL COST 600.00 CAN GET THE OLD PART. *NM

MY LOW COOLANT LIGHT CAME ON DURING A DRIVE AND WOULDN'T GO AWAY EVEN AFTER I FILLED THE RESERVOIR. I TOOK IT TO BE SERVICED AT A AAA FACILITY WHERE THEY GAVE ME THE NEWS THAT THE INTAKE HAD A LEAK SUCH THAT AIR AND OIL HAD MIXED IN WITH THE COOLANT. THEY SAID THAT THE INTAKE SHOULD BE RECALLED BECAUSE THEY HAVE HAD TO REPLACE SO MANY OF THEM ON THIS VEHICLE. IT COST $860 PLUS TO FIX. *JB

DT*: THE CONTACTED STATED WHILE ATTEMPTING TO MAKE A LEFT OR RIGHT SHARP TURN AT ANY SPEED THERE IS A CLUNKING NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. IT WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP FOR INSPECTION WHERE THE MECHANIC DETECTED A PROBLEM WITH THE LOWER RACK AND PINION BEARINGS. THERE IS A NHTSA RECALL, # 02V053000, REGARDING THE STEERING: RACK AND PINION. THE VEHICLE HAS THE SAME PROBLEMS AS INDICATED IN THE RECALL; HOWEVER IT IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO THE VIN.

WHILE MAKING A LEFT TURN ONTO A SECONDARY ROAD, SPEED AT ABOUT 10-12 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL SEEMED TO LOCK-UP HALF WAY THROUGH THE TURN, I IMMEDIATELY SLOWED TO 2-3 MPH AND WAS ABLE, WITH GREAT DIFFICULTY, TO TURN THE STEERING WHEEL ENOUGH TO COMPLETE THE TURN. WHILE STEERING TO STRAIGHTEN THE WHEELS THE POWER STEERING APPEARED TO RETURN SUDDENLY AND CAUSED THE CAR TO LUNGE TO THE RIGHT. THE PROBLEM APPEARED TO BE INCONSISTENT AS IT DID NOT ALWAYS "LOCK-UP" WHILE MAKING THE SAME TURN EXCEPT IN THE CASE OF BACKING UP (WHEELS TURNED TO THE RIGHT). EVERY DAY I LEAVE WORK THE SAME WAY. AS SOON AS I ATTEMPT TO GO FORWARD AND STEER TO THE LEFT THE POWER STEERING APPEARS TO FAIL. SUSPECTING THAT THE PROBLEM WAS JUST A BAD PART THAT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED I BEGAN SEARCHING THE INTERNET FOR PARTS. I FOUND THE SAFETY RECALL NOTICE AT "AUTOBUYGUIDE.COM". UPON FURTHER RESEARCH OF THE PROBLEM, I FOUND THAT MOST PEOPLE DO NOT REPORT PROBLEMS LIKE THIS. SO IN THE INTEREST OF "STATISTICAL ACCURACY" I AM REPORTING THAT I HAVE THIS PROBLEM WITH MY 1998 PONTIAC GRAN PRIX GT (~125,000 MILES). I HAVE CONTACTED A LOCAL DEALER TO SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT BUT I HAD TO LEAVE A MESSAGE. NO RESPONSE AT THIS POINT. *JB

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE FRONT END MADE A POPPING NOISE AT ANY SPEED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP FOR REPLACEMENT OF THE TIRES. THE REPAIR SHOP FOUND A RECALL, #02V286000 FOR THE RACK AND PINION AND DETERMINED THE POPPING WAS A DIRECT RESULT OF THE RACK AND PINION. THE VEHICLE HAS THE SAME PROBLEMS AS INDICATED IN THE RECALL; HOWEVER, IT IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO THE VIN.

WAS DRIVING CAR WHEN IT BECAME NEARLY IMPOSSIBLE TO STEER THE CAR TO THE LEFT. TURNING THE CAR RIGHT WORKED NORMALLY. MY REPAIR SHOP DETERMINED THAT THE PINION BEARING ON MY RACK AND PINION UNIT HAD FAILED AND REQUIRES REPLACEMENT. AFTER RESEARCHING THIS PROBLEM ON LINE, I FOUND A RECALL WAS IN EFFECT FOR THIS PROBLEM. AFTER CONTACTING MY LOCAL DEALER TO RESOLVE THIS PROBLEM THEY STATED THAT MY VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL, DESPITE THE FAILURE MATCHING THE RECALL POSTED ON THE NHTSA WEBSITE AND GM'S OWN DESCRIPTION OF THE PROBLEM. I THEN CALLED THE ZONE REPRESENTATIVE FOR PONTIAC TO SOLVE THIS PROBLEM AND GOT THE SAME VIN NUMBER STORY AS THE DEALER GAVE ME. IT SEEMS THE SCOPE OF GM'S RECALL IS INADEQUATE AND NEEDS TO BE CORRECTED. MY CAR IS IN THE SHOP NOW AWAITING A REPLACEMENT GM UNIT. I HAVE TAKEN PICTURES OF THE FAILED UNIT, AND IT SHOWS THE FAILED PARTS. *NM

SERVICE AIR BAG LIGHT, FOR THE LAST 5 YEARS, MY AIR BAG LIGHT HAS COME ON IN MY 1998 GRAND PRIX GTP. I HAVE SEARCHED FOR RECALLS AND NOTHING COMES UP. IT WOULD COME ON FOR 6 MONTHS AND THEN GO OFF FOR 6 MONTHS. FOR THE LAST YEAR IT HAS STAYED ON. 5 MECHANICS HAVE LOOKED AND IT AND COMPUTER DID NOT COME UP WITH ANY CODES. FINALLY I WENT TO A NEW MECHANIC THE OTHER DAY AND THEY SAID I HAVE TO CARRY IT TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER CALLED AND SAID THE PART IS $21.00, BUT THE LABOR WILL BE $500.00. SOMETHING ABOUT THE HARNESS ON THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG. SAID THEY HAD THE PART IN STOCK, BECAUSE THEY HAVE ALREADY REPLACED SEVERAL OTHERS. HOW DO YOU GET A RECALL ON THESE. *JB

DT*: DT: THE CONTACT STATED THE STEERING RACK AND PINION FAILED CAUSING THE VEHICLE NOT TO TURN LEFT. THERE IS A NHTSA RECALL, #02V286000, REGARDING THE STEERING RACK AND PINION. THE VEHICLE HAS THE SAME PROBLEMS AS INDICATED IN THE RECALL; HOWEVER IT IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO THE VIN. UPDATED 04/06/06. *JB

DT: THE CONTACT STATES THERE IS NHTSA RECALL CAMPAIGN ID 02V286000 CONCERNING THE STEERING RACK AND PINION. THIS VEHICLE HAS THE SAME PROBLEMS AS INDICATED IN THE RECALL, BUT IT IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO VIN. NO REPAIRS HAVE BEEN DONE. *AK

EXTREMELY HARD TO TURN STEERING WHEEL LEFT AT LOW SPEEDS. WHEEL TURNS TO RIGHT LIKE NORMAL. REPAIR SHOP SAYS NEW RACK IS NEEDED. *JB

DT: THE STEERING IS GOING OUT ON THE VEHICLE WHEN TURNING LEFT, IT'S LIKE THERE IS NO POWER STEERING. THERE IS RECALL 02V286000, BUT THIS VEHICLE IS NOT INCLUDED DUE TO VIN. THE VEHICLE IS DOING THE EXACT SAME THING AS MENTIONED IN THE RECALL. THE VEHICLE WILL PULLS TO THE RIGHT LIKE IT IS OUT OF ALIGNMENT. THIS STARTED ON SEPTEMBER 9, 2005. CONTACTED THE DEALER, THEY WERE GOING TO CHARGE THE CONSUMER JUST LOOK AT THE VEHICLE. THIS HAPPENS EVERY TIME THE CONSUMER DRIVES THE VEHICLE. *AK *JB

THREE (3) OF THE POWER WINDOWS DROPPED WITHOUT NOTICE BECAUSE THE ELECTRIC MOTORS FAILED DURING OR AFTER DRIVING THE CAR! THE DEALERS WILL NOT REPLACE OR HELP WITHOUT CHARGING YOU FULL PRICE FOR REPAIR. GM WILL NOT REPAIR OR HELP IN COST EITHER. (EDMONDS.COM STATES THIS IS A CUSTOMER COMMON COMPLAINT !)*JB

POWER STEERING FAILS AT LOW SPEEDS WHEN TURNING LEFT. *NM

INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET LEAKS. *NM

DT: 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. *AK

I OWN A 1998 GRAND AM. DUE TO A RECALL NOTICE, I HAD MY CAR SHIPPED TO DETROIT FOR SERVICE, SINCE I AM I N THE SERVICE, GUARDING AN EMBASSY OUT OF THE STATES. MY MOTHER, WANDA GRIFFIN, 19347 REVERE, TOOK MY CAR ON MONDAY, MAY 23, 2005 TO RAY LAETHEM PONTIAC, INC., 17677 MACK IN DETROIT, MICHIGAN FOR SERVICE PER INSTRUCTIONS ON THE RECALL NOTICE. THE CAR RAN BEAUTIFULLY FOR TWO DAYS, BUT ON THURSDAY, MAY 26, THE CAR WOULD NOT START. SHE WAS TOLD BY RAY LAETHEM SHE WOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR TOWING THE CAR, AND IF THE PART IS DEFECTIVE SHE WOULD HAVE TO BEAR THE COST. I FEEL THIS IS VERY UNFAIR BECAUSE IF THE PART IS DEFECTIVE, SHE WOULD NOT HAVE BEEN PUT IN THIS DISPOSITION. I AM WRITING FOR CLARITY OF YOUR POLICY AND TO SEE IF SHE COULD BE REIMBURSED FOR COST OF TOWING, SINCE WE LIVE A CONSIDERABLE DISTANCE FROM THE COMPANY.

. I WAS MAKING A LEFT HAND TURN INTO A PARKING SPACE AND MY POWER STEERING LOST POWER STEERING. I WAS ABLE TO NARROWLY AVOID BOTH THE CAR NEXT TO THE PARKING SPACE AND A PEDESTRIAN. I LOOKED UP SYMPTOMS ONLINE AND CAME ACROSS THE RECALL FOR THE RACK AND PINION STEERING FOR GM VEHICLES BUT MY VIN WASNT IN THE RECALL LIST. IM IN THE MIDST OF PRICING THE STEERING REPLACEMENT AND FEEL MY CAR SHOULD BE COVERED UNDER THIS RECALL. IM ALSO HOPING I DONT CRASH BEFORE I GET IT FIXED.

WHILE DRIVING AT 25 MPH AND UPON TURNING INTO A RESIDENTIAL STREET SMOKE STARTING COMING FROM UNDERNEATH THE DRIVER'S SEAT. UPON EXISTING THE VEHICLE, THE DRIVER'S SEAT WAS ENGULFED IN FLAMES. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CONTACTED AND EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. THERE WAS A LARGE BURNT HOLE, THE SIZE OF A BASKET BALL IN THE CENTER OF SEAT. THE FIRE REACHED THE REAR DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT. A GM INVESTIGATOR, AFTER INSPECTION, INDICATED THAT AN UMBRELLA CAUSED THE FIRE. THE UMBRELLA WAS ON THE FLOOR IN THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE AT THE TIME OF THE FIRE, BUT HAD NOT BURNED, MELTED OR SCOURED MARKS ON IT. *AK THE MOTOR WIRING IN THE ELECTRIC SEAT WAS FOUND TO BE THE CAUSE OF THE FIRE. *SC *JB

INTAKE GASKET FAILURE ON MY 1998 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX 6 CYLINDER 191 M 3.1L SFI ENGINE WAS TOLD BY GM BECAUSE CAR HAS OVER 100,000 MILES THEY MAY NOT BE ABLE TO HELP. I DID SOME RESEARCH AND GM HAS A TSB STATING THAT THE MATERIAL USED FOR THE GASKET WAS DEFECTIVE IF THAT IS THE CASE WHAT DOES MILAGE HAVE TO DO WITH IT?*AK

1. HAVE HAD PROBLEMS WITH WINDSHIELD WIPERS FOR PAST 2 YEARS 2. WIPERS STAY IN UPRIGHT POSITION IMPAIRING VISION 3. AM NOW HAVING REPAIRS DONE AT MY OWN EXPENSE. GM KNOWS THERE HAS BEEN A PROBLEM AND HAD A RECALL ON SOME OLDER MODELS (MY SON'S - THIS IS HOW I KNOW) AND REFUSES TO REPAIR ALL VEHICLES WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. I HAVE E-MAILED MY COMPLAINT TO THEM AMD HAVE GOTTEN THE RUN AROUND.*AK

THE FRONT LENS COVERS ARE FALLING OFF THE VEHICLE. THE CONSUMER HAS NOT TAKEN THE VEHICLE IN FOR REPAIR. *JB

THE PASSENGER FRONT SEAT BELT WAS SHREDDED. NO PASSENGER CAN SIT IN THE SEAT. THE SEAT BELTS HAVE PRACTICALLY SPLIT IN HALF.*AK

1998 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX RACK AND PINION PROBLEMS THAT ARE IDENTICAL TO THE DESCRIPTION IN THE RECALL, BUT MY VIN # WAS NOT ONE THAT WAS INCLUDED...I'VE TRIED TO RESOLVE THIS WITH GM AND THE LOCAL PONTIAC DEALERSHIPS AND TO NO AVAIL I COULD NOT GET THEM TO EVEN LOOK AT THE CAR TO INSPECT IT TO SEE IF IT HAD THE SAME PROBLEMS (RETAINER TABS WERE NOT CRIMPED PROPERLY) BECAUSE IT WAS SOMETHING THAT WAS INTERNAL AND IT WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED ONCE IT WAS OPENED AND EXPLORED..THAT'S WHAT I GATHERED FROM TALKING TO 2 DIFFERENT PEOPLE AT THE 2 LOCAL PONTIAC DEALERSHIPS....AND AFTER READING THE RECALL I HAVE NOW LEARNED THAT IT COULD CAUSE SERIOUS IMPACT IF THIS WERE TO BREAK WHILE BEING DRIVEN..WHICH WHEN I TOOK THE CAR IN APPROX. 4 MONTHS AGO TO GET AN ESTIMATE TO WHAT WAS WRONG WITH THE CAR THEY NEVER TOLD ME THAT IT COULD PERHAPS CAUSE AN ACCIDENT IT THEY WERE TO BREAK WHILE TRYING TO TURN THE STEERING WHEEL AND THEN NOT BEING ABLE TO PROCEED ON WITH YOUR DRIVING INTENTIONS, THEY ONLY TOLD ME THAT IT WOULD GET HARDER AND HARDER TO STEER UNTIL IT FINALLY LOCKED UP. I WAS HOPING SOMEONE WOULD REVIEW THIS AND HELP TO RESOLVE IT. THANKS, JENNIFER FIORILLI 1/19/2005

ON TWO SEPARATE OCCASIONS THE HEADLIGHT LENS CAME OFF. HOW THEY CAME WAS UNDETERMINED? DEALER WAS NOTIFIED. THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONSUMER THAT PART WAS NOT COVERED UNDER A RECALL.*AK

WHILE DRIVING AND UPON MAKING RIGHT OR LEFT TURN VEHICLE LOSES POWER. ONCE STRAIGHTENING THE VEHICLE UP CONSUMER CAN PROCEED TO DRIVE. THERE IS RECALL 02V286000 CONCERNING POWER STEERING ASSEMBLY, WHICH THE CONSUMER STATES IS THE PROBLEM. *AK

SUPER CHARGER HAD TO BE REPLACED AT 55,000 MILES. NOTICED A BURNING SMELL.*AK

THE CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE IN TO A MECHANIC TO HAVE THE RACK AND PINION REPLACED. THE DEALER REPLACED THE PART. THE CONSUMER RETRIEVED THE VEHICLE, BUT IT MADE A LOUD NOISE. THE DEALER CALLED THE CONSUMER TO STATE THE RECALL PART WAS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AGAIN. PLEASE PROVIDE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. *JB

CAR IS MAKING A POPPING NOISE WHILE TURNING. HAPPENS MOSTLY AT LOWER SPEEDS. HAD RACK AND PINION REPLACED, BUT PROBLEM STILL THERE.*AK

I OWN A 1998 PONTIAC GRANDPRIX AND MY STEERING GOT VERY HARD TO TUN TO THE LEFT AND IT SEEMED JUST LIKE THE SAME PROBLEM THAT I READ ABOUT NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID # 02V286000 EVERYTHING IN THAT WAS WHAT WAS HAPPENING TO MY CAR I TOOK IT INTO THE DEALER AND THEY SAID IT WAS THE GEAR BOX WHICH IS ALSO KNOWN AS THE RACK AND PINION BUT THAT THIS CAR WAS NOT UNDER THE RECALL BECAUSE IT WAS MADE IN 8/13/98. AND IT ONLY WENT ON THE RECALL TILL OCT 31, 1997. I THINK THAT THIS SHOULD BE LOOKED INTO AS I BELEIVE THIS PROBLEM DID NOT STOP IN 1997 PRODUCTION.*AK