WAS DRIVING ON INTERSTATE 287 IN NEW JERSEY WHEN ENGINE CUT OFF CAUSING LOSS OF BRAKES, POWER STEERING. CAUSED ACCIDENT WHEN RAN OFF ROAD DUE TO LACK OF POWER STEERING AND INABILITY TO EFFECTIVELY BRAKE. TOOK TO DEALER WHO REPLACED CRANKSHAFT SENSOR THAT DID NOT REPAIR PROBLEM. AFTER CAR WAS REPAIRED INCIDENT CONTINUED TO OCC…
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WAS DRIVING ON INTERSTATE 287 IN NEW JERSEY WHEN ENGINE CUT OFF CAUSING LOSS OF BRAKES, POWER STEERING. CAUSED ACCIDENT WHEN RAN OFF ROAD DUE TO LACK OF POWER STEERING AND INABILITY TO EFFECTIVELY BRAKE. TOOK TO DEALER WHO REPLACED CRANKSHAFT SENSOR THAT DID NOT REPAIR PROBLEM. AFTER CAR WAS REPAIRED INCIDENT CONTINUED TO OCCUR WITHOUT ANY TROUBLE CODES. NOW THAT ISSUE HAS DEVELOPED WITH IGNITION SWITCHES, IT SEEMS TO ME THAT THIS MAY BE A LONGER TERM PROBLEM THAN CURRENTLY THOUGHT. FINALLY SOLD THE VEHICLE DUE TO CONTINUING PROBLEM THAT NO ONE COULD SOLVE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10604439
Mileage unknown · May 8, 2014
Electrical System
1998 PONTIAC GRAND AM. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO VEHICLE ENGINE MADE AN UNUSUAL NOISE, WHEN SHE STARTED IT. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED SHE TURNED THE IGNITION OFF, THINKING THE NOISE WOULD STOP, BUT IT DID NOT. SHE TOOK THE KEYS OUT OF THE IGNITION AND IT CONTINUED TO MAKE THE SOUND. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL REPAIR …
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1998 PONTIAC GRAND AM. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO VEHICLE ENGINE MADE AN UNUSUAL NOISE, WHEN SHE STARTED IT. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED SHE TURNED THE IGNITION OFF, THINKING THE NOISE WOULD STOP, BUT IT DID NOT. SHE TOOK THE KEYS OUT OF THE IGNITION AND IT CONTINUED TO MAKE THE SOUND. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP. THEY MADE A TEMPORARY FIX. HOWEVER, THERE WAS A CAMPAIGN ON THE VEHICLE. EITHER THE DEALER DID NOT FIX THE RECALL ON THE IGNITION SWITCH OR IT WAS NOT FIXED PROPERLY. THE LOCAL REPAIR SHOP ADVISED THE CONSUMER, TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER. ONCE AT THE DEALER, THEY STATED THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE IGNITION SWITCH AND IT WAS A COMPUTER PROBLEM. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10585934
161,470 miles · Feb 22, 2014
Electrical SystemEngineVehicle Speed Control
I WAS DRIVING MY 1998 GT PONTIAC GRAND AM FROM PEORIA ILLINOIS ON HIGHWAY AT 65 MPH. SHE COMPLETELY SHUT DOWN NO POWER NO NOTHING...PULLED OVER WAITED APPROXIMATELY 5MINUTES AND SHE STARTED RIGHT UP...PLEASE HELP!!! [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
NHTSA ODI #10565453
115,786 miles · Jul 25, 2011
Electrical System
MY 1998 PONTIAC GRAND AM THEFT SYSTEM WAS ENGAGED AND THE VEHICLE WILL NOT START I WAS TOLD BY THE DEALER THAT IT WAS THE DASH CLUSTER AND KEY SWITCH REPLACED BOTH VEHICLE STILL WILL NOT START. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10415047
143,723 miles · Aug 31, 2009
Electrical System
I HAVE A 1998 PONTIAC GRAND AM THAT WILL NOT START DUE TO ANTI THEFT KEEP FROM STARTING. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10282476
Mileage unknown · Dec 26, 2007
Electrical System
MY PASSLOCK SYSTEM KEEPS ON ACTING UP. I CAN'T SAY ANYTHING ABOUT THE DESIGN OF IT, BUT I WILL SAY THAT THE IMPLEMENTATION IS ABSOLUTELY HORRID AND SHOULD BE RECALLED. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10212743
40,300 miles · Dec 28, 2005
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine CoolingSteering
GENERAL MOTORS NEED TO RECALL THEIR VEHICLES TO DIAGNOSIS THIS MAJOR ISSUE. MY CASE NUMBER WITH GM 1382341310 HOWEVER, THEY WONT ASSIST ME AND SAID THEY ARE CLOSING MY CASE. I INFORMED THEM NOT TO I AM NOT DONE WITH THIS ISSUE WITH THEM... THIS IS A VERY SERIOUS PROBLEM OR DEFECT WITH MY GENERAL MOTORS PONTIAC GRAND AM SE 3.1L…
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GENERAL MOTORS NEED TO RECALL THEIR VEHICLES TO DIAGNOSIS THIS MAJOR ISSUE. MY CASE NUMBER WITH GM 1382341310 HOWEVER, THEY WONT ASSIST ME AND SAID THEY ARE CLOSING MY CASE. I INFORMED THEM NOT TO I AM NOT DONE WITH THIS ISSUE WITH THEM... THIS IS A VERY SERIOUS PROBLEM OR DEFECT WITH MY GENERAL MOTORS PONTIAC GRAND AM SE 3.1L V6 ENGINE IN THIS VEHICLE. I HAVE HAD, 3 INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET FAILURES IN LESS THAN 40,000 MILES, THE FIRST OCCURRING AT APPROX 24,000 MILES THE SECOND AT APPROX 27,000 MILES AND NOW AGAIN AT 40,000 MILES BUT I HAVE SUSPECTED THE ANTI-FREEZE I HAVE BEEN SMELLING IN THE CAB WHEN I TURN THE HEATER BLOWER ON, IS SOMEHOW CONNECTED TO THIS LEAK. WHICH MEANS ITS BEEN LEAKING FOR SOME TIME JUST NOT BAD ENOUGH TO DRIP ONTO THE GROUND BRINGING MY ATTENTION TO IT. I AM ONLY ONE OF THOUSANDS OF VICTIMS THAT GENERAL MOTORS HAS RAPED FINANCIAL OVER THE YEARS. THE REPEATED FAILURES OF THE INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET STARTED LONG AGO AND DUE TO THE NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS TO THE BBB AND GM YOU WOULD THINK THAT WOULD BE ENOUGH TO ALARM GENERAL MOTORS THAT THEY ARE HAVING A MAJOR ISSUE, AND THEY SHOULD OF BEGAN A RECALL OF THEIR VEHICLES LONG AGO. IN THE YEAR 2002 THEY COULDN'T SUPPLY ENOUGH INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKETS TO KEEP UP WITH THE GM VEHICLES THAT NEEDED REPAIR EITHER UNDER WARRANTY OR OUT OF WARRANTY. I HAVE HAD OTHER MAJOR NON-RELATED REPAIRS TO MY VEHICLE AS WELL, 19,693 MILES THE SWAY BAR BUSHINGS HAD TO BE REPLACED, ALTERNATOR WAS REPLACED, HEATER CORE REPLACED, THE RACK AND PINION STEERING ROD REPLACED. NOW MY CAR AND MANY THOUSANDS OF OTHER GM OWNERS VEHICLES ARE OUT OF WARRANTY AND GM WON'T STAND BEHIND THEIR OWN VEHICLES, EVEN THOUGH WORK WAS DONE REPEATEDLY UNDER WARRANTY ON MY VEHICLE. I AM CURRENTLY 3 YEARS OUT OF WARRANTY BUT ONLY 12,900 APPROX MILES SINCE THEY DID THE LAST REPAIR ON MY INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKETS. I BELIEVE A CLASS ACTION SUIT IS THE ONLY THING GENERAL MOTORS CORPORATION WILL RESPOND TO. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10146314
Mileage unknown · Jun 6, 2005
Electrical SystemFire
IN AUG. 2004 MY 1998 PONTIAC GRAND AM SE CAUGHT FIRE IN THE STEERING COLUMN AND FRIED EVERYTHING IN THE COLUMN , ALTERNATOR, AND BATTERY.THE LOCAL PONTIAC DEALER REFUSED TO WORK ON THE CAR SO I TOOK IT TO A LOCAL GARAGE.THEY FIXED WHAT THEY COULD CLEARLY SEE WAS DAMAGED AND SENT ME ON MY WAY. SINCE THEN I HAVE HAD TO HAVE THE …
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IN AUG. 2004 MY 1998 PONTIAC GRAND AM SE CAUGHT FIRE IN THE STEERING COLUMN AND FRIED EVERYTHING IN THE COLUMN , ALTERNATOR, AND BATTERY.THE LOCAL PONTIAC DEALER REFUSED TO WORK ON THE CAR SO I TOOK IT TO A LOCAL GARAGE.THEY FIXED WHAT THEY COULD CLEARLY SEE WAS DAMAGED AND SENT ME ON MY WAY. SINCE THEN I HAVE HAD TO HAVE THE ALTERNATOR REBUILT FOUR TIMES AND BATTERY REPLACED THREE TIMES .THE CAR HAS TO BE JUMPED SEVERAL TIMES A WEEK. THE ALTERNATOR KICKS IN AT 800 RPM. AND THE CAR IDLES AT 500 RPM.( COMPUTER CONTROLLED) MEANING THAT THE BATTERY IS CONSTANTLY DISCHARGING BELOW 35 MPH, OR WITH THE AIR AND EVERYTHING ON .WHEN IT GOES ABOVE 800RPM THE ALTERNATOR KICKS IN AND BOILS THE BATTERY TRYING TO PLAY CATCH UP. I RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE MAY 2005 (#04002) AND TOOK THE CAR TO THE GM DEALER IN BATESVILLE,AR.I TOLD THEM ABOUT THE FIRE AND DAMAGE .THEY CHANGED THE RELAY AND WIRE UNDER THE RECALL AND ADVISED THAT THEY COULD NOT FIX THE DAMAGE DONE BY THE FIRE,OR EVEN CHECK AND DIAGNOIS THE DAMAGE STILL EXISTING,WITHOUT APPROVAL FROM G.M. . ICONTACTED G.M. (MIKE DEMEYER) AND WAS IINFORMED THAT THEY WOULD PAY FOR THE DAMAGE THAT WAS FIXED BY THE LOCAL GARAGE ,BUT WOULD NOT PAY TO FINISH FIXING THE REST OF THE DAMAGE THAT WAS NOT FIXED.
NHTSA ODI #10124376
Mileage unknown · Mar 4, 2005
Electrical System
UPON RECEIVING A RECALL LETTER AND TAKING THE VEHICLE TO DEALER FOR RECALL REPAIRS CONSUMER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS IN VERY GOOD CONDITION UNTIL SHE TOOK IT TO DEALER. HOWEVER, THE DEALER CLAIMED THE VEHICLE NEEDED AN IGNITION SWITCH AND CHIP. ALSO, CONSUMER WAS TOLD THAT THE PROBLEM WAS THE SECURITY SYSTEM. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10113479
74,899 miles · Nov 3, 2004
Electrical System
WHILE DRIVING. THE DASH ILLUMINATED AND THEN SHUT DOWN. THE BATTERY CABLE CAME UNDONE. SHUTTING THE VEHICLES ELECTRICAL SYSTEM COMPLETELY DOWN. THE CONSUMER HIS WIFE, AND DOG WERE TRAPPED INSIDE THE VEHICLE. THE WINDOWS WOULD NOT COME DOWN THE DOORS WOULD NOT OPEN, THE BRAKES BECAME INOPERABLE. THEY COASTED TO THE SIDE OF THE RO…
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WHILE DRIVING. THE DASH ILLUMINATED AND THEN SHUT DOWN. THE BATTERY CABLE CAME UNDONE. SHUTTING THE VEHICLES ELECTRICAL SYSTEM COMPLETELY DOWN. THE CONSUMER HIS WIFE, AND DOG WERE TRAPPED INSIDE THE VEHICLE. THE WINDOWS WOULD NOT COME DOWN THE DOORS WOULD NOT OPEN, THE BRAKES BECAME INOPERABLE. THEY COASTED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE AUTOMATIC KEY BUTTON WOULD NOT WORK. ALSO THE BRAKES WENT OUT. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION. DOOR HANDLES WOULD NOT OPEN DOOR. BREATHING BECAME DIFFICULT WHILE THE CONSUMER AND FAMILY HAD NO WAY TO EXIT THE VEHICLE. *TC
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. THE FIRE COULD SPREAD TO THE INTERIOR OF THE CAR, WHICH COULD INJURE OCCUPANTS OR CAUSE DAMAGE TO ADJOINING STRUCTURES.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A RELAY KIT IN THESE VEHICLES TO PREVENT HIGH CURRENT FROM FLOWING THROUGH THE IGNITION SWITCH, AND CHECK THAT YOUR CAR WILL START WITH A PROPERLY CHARGED BATTERY AND, IF NECESSARY, REPLACE THE IGNITION SWITCH. OWNER NOTIFICATION WILL BEGIN ON MARCH 1, 2004. 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 1-800-630-2438, PONTIAC AT 1-800-620-7668, BUICK AT 1-866-608-8080, OR OLDSMOBILE AT 1-800-630-6537. CUSTOMERS CAN ALSO CHECK THEIR VEHICLE ONLINE BY GOING TO WWW.MYGMLINK.COM AND ENTERING THE VEHICLE'S IDENTIFICATION NUMBER.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
1
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.
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