Counts are not failure probabilities and are not adjusted for sales, age, mileage exposure or reporting. One report may name several categories. Comparison method and limitations.
A FEW DAYS AFTER BUYING 96 GRAND AM. I NOTICED THE BRAKES DIDNT WORK EFFECTIVELY. WHEN COMING TO A STOP THE CAR WOULD JERK SEVERAL TIMES AND CONTINUE TO JUMP FORWARD. THIS HAS HAPPENED MORE TIMES THAN I CARE TO COUNT. EACH TIME A NEAR COLLISION. I DONT DRIVE AT ALL WHEN IT RAINS IT WONT STOP AT ALL. I'VE HAD BREAKS CHECKED AT LE…
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A FEW DAYS AFTER BUYING 96 GRAND AM. I NOTICED THE BRAKES DIDNT WORK EFFECTIVELY. WHEN COMING TO A STOP THE CAR WOULD JERK SEVERAL TIMES AND CONTINUE TO JUMP FORWARD. THIS HAS HAPPENED MORE TIMES THAN I CARE TO COUNT. EACH TIME A NEAR COLLISION. I DONT DRIVE AT ALL WHEN IT RAINS IT WONT STOP AT ALL. I'VE HAD BREAKS CHECKED AT LEAST THREE TIMES AT DIFFERENT LOCATIONS. NO ONE CAN FIND A PROBLEM.
NHTSA ODI #732235
Mileage unknown · Aug 18, 2000
Electrical SystemService Brakes, Air
ALTERNATOR REPLACE TWO TIMES WITHIN A YEAR AND A HALF. BRAKES ALL WAYS GOING BAD ABS LIGHT STAYS ON ALL OF THE TIME I HAVE TO PAY FROM 300 TO 700 ALL OF THE TIME TO GET THIS CAR FIX NOW KOONS WANT A 1000 TO FIX THE EBTCM I HAVE SO MANY PROBLEM WITH THIS CAR I AM STILL PAYING A CAR NOTE I NO THAT THIS CAR HAS A DEFECT IT STAY…
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ALTERNATOR REPLACE TWO TIMES WITHIN A YEAR AND A HALF. BRAKES ALL WAYS GOING BAD ABS LIGHT STAYS ON ALL OF THE TIME I HAVE TO PAY FROM 300 TO 700 ALL OF THE TIME TO GET THIS CAR FIX NOW KOONS WANT A 1000 TO FIX THE EBTCM I HAVE SO MANY PROBLEM WITH THIS CAR I AM STILL PAYING A CAR NOTE I NO THAT THIS CAR HAS A DEFECT IT STAYS IN THE SHOP.
NHTSA ODI #728324
Mileage unknown · Oct 10, 1999
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine CoolingService Brakes, Air
MY EXTENDED WARANTY PUT A USED ENGINE IN AFTER THE ORIGINAL BLEW UP. THE ENGINE THEY SENT HAD TO BE SENT BACK BECAUSE IT WAS ALSO NO GOOD . IT HAD 18,000 ON IT WHEN IT WAS SENT TO REPLACE. NOW THEY ARE SENDING ANOTHER ENGINE . IT IS NOW A MONTH LATER THEN WHEN I TOOK IT TO THE SHOP AND IT IS STILL NOT FIXED. I THINK SOMEONE OWES…
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MY EXTENDED WARANTY PUT A USED ENGINE IN AFTER THE ORIGINAL BLEW UP. THE ENGINE THEY SENT HAD TO BE SENT BACK BECAUSE IT WAS ALSO NO GOOD . IT HAD 18,000 ON IT WHEN IT WAS SENT TO REPLACE. NOW THEY ARE SENDING ANOTHER ENGINE . IT IS NOW A MONTH LATER THEN WHEN I TOOK IT TO THE SHOP AND IT IS STILL NOT FIXED. I THINK SOMEONE OWES ME SOMETHING.
NHTSA ODI #713087
Mileage unknown · Jul 27, 1999
Service Brakes, AirCrashInjury
BRAKES DID NOT GRIP PROPERLY WHEN TRYING TO SLOW DOWN FOR A TURN. THIS RESULTED IN AN ACCIDENT. THE ROTORS WERE RESURFACED 3500 MILES PREVIOUSLY AND HAD TO BE REPLACED PRIOR TO THIS ACCIDENT (2 DAYS). THE BRAKES (FRONT) HAD TO BE RELINED AND WERE AT A RATING OF 7B 3500 MILES PREVIOUSLY. THIS APPEARS TO BE BOTH A FAULTY INSTA…
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BRAKES DID NOT GRIP PROPERLY WHEN TRYING TO SLOW DOWN FOR A TURN. THIS RESULTED IN AN ACCIDENT. THE ROTORS WERE RESURFACED 3500 MILES PREVIOUSLY AND HAD TO BE REPLACED PRIOR TO THIS ACCIDENT (2 DAYS). THE BRAKES (FRONT) HAD TO BE RELINED AND WERE AT A RATING OF 7B 3500 MILES PREVIOUSLY. THIS APPEARS TO BE BOTH A FAULTY INSTALLATION AND MANUFACTURERS PROBLEM.
NHTSA ODI #709276
Mileage unknown · Jul 1, 1997
Service Brakes, Air
BOTH FRONT ROTORS RUSTED CAUSING BRAKING PROBLEMS.
NHTSA ODI #533930
Mileage unknown · Mar 14, 1997
Service Brakes, Air
BRAKES WERE MAKING LOUD NOISES WHEN APPLIED. TOOK TO MECHANIC, HE SAID THE ROTORS WERE TOO SMALL FOR THE VEHICLE. *AK
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES. IF THE ENGINE FAILS TO START AND THE DRIVER HOLDS THE KEY IN THE "START" POSITION FOR AN EXTENDED PERIOD, HIGH CURRENT FLOWS THROUGH THE IGNITION SWITCH, AND SOMETIMES PRODUCES ENOUGH HEAT TO MELT INTERNAL SWITCH PARTS.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IF THE SWITCH IS DAMAGED, A FIRE COULD OCCUR IN THE STEERING COLUMN, EVEN WITH THE ENGINE OFF AND THE KEY REMOVED.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A RELAY KIT IN THESE VEHICLES TO PREVENT HIGH CURRENT FROM FLOWING THROUGH THE IGNITION SWITCH. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN MARCH 27, 2002. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-222-1020, PONTIAC AT 1-800-762-2737, BUICK AT 1-800-521-7300, OR OLDSMOBILE AT 1-800-442-6537.
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE VEHICLES WERE BUILT WITH THE POTENTIAL FOR THE INTERIOR LAMPS TO COME ON UNEXPECTEDLY WHILE THE VEHICLES ARE BEING DRIVEN. THIS DOES NOT MEET THE REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 101, "CONTROLS AND DISPLAYS."
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THE INTERIOR LAMPS COMING ON UNEXPECTEDLY COULD STARTLE A DRIVER CAUSING A MOMENTARY LOSS OF CONTROL INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE ACCIDENT.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL RUN A DIAGNOSTIC TEST ON THE LAMP CONTROL MODULE AND, IF NECESSARY, REPLACE IT.
THE STEERING COLUMN LOWER PINCH BOLT WAS NOT PROPERLY TIGHTENED DURING ASSEMBLY.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: AN UNDERTORQUED PINCH BOLT CAN RATTLE AND CAUSE LOOSENESS IN THE STEERING SYSTEM. IF THE PINCH BOLT BACKED OUT OF THE JOINT COMPLETELY, ROTATION OF THE STEERING SHAFT AGAINST THE CONNECTOR COULD CAUSE INCREASING LOOSENESS IN THE STEERING SYSTEM AND RESULT IN LOSS OF STEERING AND AN ACCIDENT.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE STEERING COLUMN PINCH BOLT FOR CORRECT TORQUE AND, IF NECESSARY, TIGHTEN THE BOLT TO THE SPECIFIED TORQUE.
THE FRONT AND/OR REAR HAZARD WARNING LAMPS (FOUR-WAY FLASHERS) DO NOT FLASH WHEN THE HAZARD SWITCH IS ACTIVATED. THIS FAILS TO COMPLY WITH FMVSS NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT."
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IF THESE LAMPS WERE NOT FLASHING, OTHER VEHICLES WOULD NOT BE AWARE THAT THIS VEHICLE WAS STOPPED INCREASING THE RISK OF AN ACCIDENT.
Remedy: DEALERS OR VEHICLE OWNERS WILL INSPECT FOR PROPER FUNCTION OF THE HAZARD WARNING LAMPS. IF NECESSARY, DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE HAZARD LAMP SWITCH.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
Defect investigations
2
RQ03001 · Power Rack And Pinion Steering Failure
Opened Jan 2, 2003 · Closed Sep 15, 2003
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Steering; Steering:rack And Pinion
GM CONDUCTED A SAFETY RECALL (NHTSA # 02V286) TO ADDRESS A STEERING DEFECT PERTAINING TO A LOWER PINION BEARING (LPB) WITHIN THE RACK AND PINION STEERING GEAR (R&P). THE RECALL COVERED 1,159,156 MODEL YEAR 1997-1998 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX VEHICLES BUILT BETWEEN MARCH 1, 1996 AND OCTOBER 31, 1997, 1996-1998 PONTIAC TRANS SPORT, CHEVROLET LUMINA APV, CHEVROLET VENTURE, OLDSMOBILE SILHOUETTE MINIVANS, AND CHEVROLET CAVALIER AND PONTIAC SUNFIRE SEDANS BUILT BETWEEN JANUARY 1, 1996 AND OCTOBER 31, 1997.ODI OPENED THIS RQ AFTER RECEIVING REPORTS THAT OTHER VEHICLES WERE EXHIBITING THE SAME SYMPTOMS AS THE RECALLED VEHICLES.BASED ON ODI'S REVIEW OF TECHNICAL AND COMPLAINT DATA COLLECTED DURING THE RQ, THE W-CARS ARE ASSOCIATED WITH EITHER A HIGHER STEERING COMPLAINT RATE OR A HIGHER LPB FAILURE RATE THAN THE OTHER VEHICLES INVESTIGATED UNDER THE RQ AND ARE ABOVE OR NEAR THE RATES FOR THE RECALLED VEHICLES.THUS, ODI WILL FURTHER EXAMINE THE W-CARS (1996-1997 OLDSMOBILE CUTLASS SUPREME, 1996-1998 BUICK REGAL, CHEVROLET LUMINA, CHEVROLET MONTE CARLO, 1997-1998 BUICK CENTURY, AND 1998 OLDSMOBILE INTRIGUE) UNDER A NEW INVESTIGATION, ENGINEERING ANALYSIS (EA)03-019.
Additional source detail variants (2)
Steering
GM CONDUCTED A SAFETY RECALL (NHTSA # 02V286) TO ADDRESS A STEERING DEFECT PERTAINING TO A LOWER PINION BEARING (LPB) WITHIN THE RACK AND PINION STEERING GEAR (R&P). THE RECALL COVERED 1,159,156 MODEL YEAR 1997-1998 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX VEHICLES BUILT BETWEEN MARCH 1, 1996 AND OCTOBER 31, 1997, 1996-1998 PONTIAC TRANS SPORT, CHEVROLET LUMINA APV, CHEVROLET VENTURE, OLDSMOBILE SILHOUETTE MINIVANS, AND CHEVROLET CAVALIER AND PONTIAC SUNFIRE SEDANS BUILT BETWEEN JANUARY 1, 1996 AND OCTOBER 31, 1997.ODI OPENED THIS RQ AFTER RECEIVING REPORTS THAT OTHER VEHICLES WERE EXHIBITING THE SAME SYMPTOMS AS THE RECALLED VEHICLES.BASED ON ODI'S REVIEW OF TECHNICAL AND COMPLAINT DATA COLLECTED DURING THE RQ, THE W-CARS ARE ASSOCIATED WITH EITHER A HIGHER STEERING COMPLAINT RATE OR A HIGHER LPB FAILURE RATE THAN THE OTHER VEHICLES INVESTIGATED UNDER THE RQ AND ARE ABOVE OR NEAR THE RATES FOR THE RECALLED VEHICLES.THUS, ODI WILL FURTHER EXAMINE THE W-CARS (1996-1997 OLDSMOBILE CUTLASS SUPREME, 1996-1998 BUICK REGAL, CHEVROLET LUMINA, CHEVROLET MONTE CARLO, 1997-1998 BUICK CENTURY, AND 1998 OLDSMOBILE INTRIGUE) UNDER A NEW INVESTIGATION, ENGINEERING ANALYSIS (EA)03-019.
Steering:rack And Pinion
GM CONDUCTED A SAFETY RECALL (NHTSA # 02V286) TO ADDRESS A STEERING DEFECT PERTAINING TO A LOWER PINION BEARING (LPB) WITHIN THE RACK AND PINION STEERING GEAR (R&P). THE RECALL COVERED 1,159,156 MODEL YEAR 1997-1998 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX VEHICLES BUILT BETWEEN MARCH 1, 1996 AND OCTOBER 31, 1997, 1996-1998 PONTIAC TRANS SPORT, CHEVROLET LUMINA APV, CHEVROLET VENTURE, OLDSMOBILE SILHOUETTE MINIVANS, AND CHEVROLET CAVALIER AND PONTIAC SUNFIRE SEDANS BUILT BETWEEN JANUARY 1, 1996 AND OCTOBER 31, 1997.ODI OPENED THIS RQ AFTER RECEIVING REPORTS THAT OTHER VEHICLES WERE EXHIBITING THE SAME SYMPTOMS AS THE RECALLED VEHICLES.BASED ON ODI'S REVIEW OF TECHNICAL AND COMPLAINT DATA COLLECTED DURING THE RQ, THE W-CARS ARE ASSOCIATED WITH EITHER A HIGHER STEERING COMPLAINT RATE OR A HIGHER LPB FAILURE RATE THAN THE OTHER VEHICLES INVESTIGATED UNDER THE RQ AND ARE ABOVE OR NEAR THE RATES FOR THE RECALLED VEHICLES.THUS, ODI WILL FURTHER EXAMINE THE W-CARS (1996-1997 OLDSMOBILE CUTLASS SUPREME, 1996-1998 BUICK REGAL, CHEVROLET LUMINA, CHEVROLET MONTE CARLO, 1997-1998 BUICK CENTURY, AND 1998 OLDSMOBILE INTRIGUE) UNDER A NEW INVESTIGATION, ENGINEERING ANALYSIS (EA)03-019.
RQ98013 · Oversensitive Air Bag Deployments
Opened Aug 26, 1998 · No close date supplied
Status: open (inferred from source dates) · Air Bags
ON JUNE 26, 1998, GENERAL MOTORS BEGAIN A SAFETY RECALL, 98V-146, TO RECALIBRATE THE AIR BAG SENSING AND DIAGNOSTIC MODULE (SDM) IN THE 1996 AND SOME 1997 J BODY CARS, CAVALIER AND SUNFIRE.DUE TO CERTAIN CALIBRATIONS IN THE AIR BAG SDM, THERE IS AN INCREASED RISK OF INADVERTENT AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT IN A LOW SPEED CRASH OR WHEN AN OBJECT STRIKES THE FLOOR PAN.THE RECALL POPULATION CONSISTS OF 675,302 VEHICLES BUILT FROM APRIL 1995 THROUGH MAY 1997.ODI HAS RECEIVED 8 OWNER REPORTS ALLEGING INADVERTENT AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT WITHOUT A CRASH.THE PURPOSER OF THE RQ IS TO DETERMINE WHETHER GM SHOULD EXPAND THE RECALL TO INCLUDE THESE VEHICLES.CLOSING RESUME NOTE:AS OF AUGUST 5, 1999, ODI RECEIVED ONE ADDITIONAL COMPLAINT REGARDING THE ALLEGED DEFECT.THE INCIDENT RATES FOR THE SUBJECT VEHICLES ARE ABOUT ONE-THRID OF THE RATES OF THE RECALLED VEHICLES (WHEN THE RECALL WAS INITIATED).BASED ON THE AVAILABLE INFORMATION, A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT TREND HAS NOT BEEN IDENTIFIED AT THIS TIME AND FURTHER USE OF AGENCY RESOURCES DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE WARRANTED.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT DOSE NOT EXIST.THE AGENCY RESERVES THE RIGHT TO TAKE FURTHER ACTION IF WARRANTED BY FUTURE CIRCUMSTANCES.
An investigation is not a finding of a defect, and closure does not prove a vehicle is problem-free.
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