TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX. WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE POWER STEERING MALFUNCTIONED. IT WAS EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO TURN THE STEERING WHEEL TO THE LEFT. THE CONTACT HAD TO EXERT FORCE UPON THE STEERING WHEEL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE FAILURE MI…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX. WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE POWER STEERING MALFUNCTIONED. IT WAS EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO TURN THE STEERING WHEEL TO THE LEFT. THE CONTACT HAD TO EXERT FORCE UPON THE STEERING WHEEL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 106,998. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
NHTSA ODI #10919301
39,153 miles · Jul 7, 2014
Power TrainSteeringStructureCrash
AFTER STOPPING AT A STOP SIGN, LOST CONTROL OF STEERING WHILE MAKING LEFT TURN. CAR CONTINUED, RAN OVER A MAIL BOX AND CAME TO REST IN A FLOWER BED. WHEN TOW TRUCK ARRIVED AND PICKED CAR UP, TOW TRUCK DRIVER NOTICED THAT ENGINE CRADLE HAD FALLEN DOWN AND DISABLED THE STEERING. MECHANIC AND INSURANCE ADJUSTER LATER AGREED THAT T…
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AFTER STOPPING AT A STOP SIGN, LOST CONTROL OF STEERING WHILE MAKING LEFT TURN. CAR CONTINUED, RAN OVER A MAIL BOX AND CAME TO REST IN A FLOWER BED. WHEN TOW TRUCK ARRIVED AND PICKED CAR UP, TOW TRUCK DRIVER NOTICED THAT ENGINE CRADLE HAD FALLEN DOWN AND DISABLED THE STEERING. MECHANIC AND INSURANCE ADJUSTER LATER AGREED THAT THE ENGINE CRADLE BOLTS HAD SHEARED OFF. *JS
NHTSA ODI #10608725
138,000 miles · Oct 5, 2005
Steering
DT: AROUND SEPTEMBER 21, 2005 THE CONSUMER STARTED EXPERIENCING DIFFICULTY TURNING TO THE RIGHT. IT WAS LIKE THE STEERING WHEEL WAS LOCKED. THE PROBLEM WAS ONGOING WHEN TRYING TO TURN RIGHT. WHEN THE CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO BE REPAIRED, THE MECHANIC TOLD HER THAT THE RACK AND PINION NEEDED REPLACED. ALSO TOLD HER THAT THE…
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DT: AROUND SEPTEMBER 21, 2005 THE CONSUMER STARTED EXPERIENCING DIFFICULTY TURNING TO THE RIGHT. IT WAS LIKE THE STEERING WHEEL WAS LOCKED. THE PROBLEM WAS ONGOING WHEN TRYING TO TURN RIGHT. WHEN THE CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO BE REPAIRED, THE MECHANIC TOLD HER THAT THE RACK AND PINION NEEDED REPLACED. ALSO TOLD HER THAT THERE WAS A RECALL FOR THIS ISSUE ON HER TYPE OF VEHICLE. THERE WAS NHTSA RECALL 03V527000 AND GM RECALL RECALL 03062. WHEN SHE CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER, THEY TOLD HER THAT THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED DUE TO VIN. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10138654
40,000 miles · Feb 24, 2004
Steering
THE CONSUMEREXPERIENCED INTERMITTENT LOSS OF POWER STEERING WHEN TURNING LEFT. A RECALL WAS ISSUED FOR THIS MAKE/MODEL AND YEAR, HOWEVE THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO VIN. *AK *NM
NHTSA ODI #10053857
11,100 miles · Jun 17, 2002
Steering
WHILE DRIVING 10 MPH AND MAKING A RIGHT TURN, THE INNER TIE ROD ON PASSENGER'S TIRE BROKE OFF, CAUSING VEHICLE TO BE INOPERATIVE. *AK *JB
NHTSA ODI #8011908
Mileage unknown · Sep 22, 1999
Service Brakes, HydraulicSteeringStructure
CONSUMER HAS HAD A PROBLEM WITH POWER DOORS/LOCKS EVERY SINCE SHE HAS HAD THE VEHICLE. CONSUMER WAS LOCKED INSIDE FOR THIRTY MINUTES. ALSO, POWER STEERING AND THE BRAKES WERE NOT WORKING. SHE HELD THE EMERGENCY BRAKE DOWN, JAMMING IT. *AK
NHTSA ODI #848461
Mileage unknown · Aug 16, 1999
Steering
STEERING RACK FAILURE (40K MILES). STEERING WHEEL WOULD NOT TURN LEFT *AT ALL* AT A DEAD STOP; EXTREMELY STUBBORN AT SPEED. NO WARNING(S)/INDICATIONS OF IMPENDING FAILURE. NO BELT SQUEALS, PS FLUID LEVEL OK. L-R TURNING WAS FINE, THEN NOT. COINCIDENTALL
NHTSA ODI #710059
Mileage unknown · Mar 11, 1996
Steering
THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION AND THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP, CAUSING THE CONSUMER TO HAVE A NEAR ACCIDENT. *AK
CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES HAVE LOWER PINION BEARINGS IN THE POWER RACK AND PINION ASSEMBLY IN WHICH THE RETAINER TABS WERE NOT CRIMPED PROPERLY. THESE RETAINERS COULD FAIL AND PERMIT THE BALL BEARINGS TO ESCAPE.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IF THIS OCCURS, THE PINION SHAFT CAN BE FORCED UPWARD DURING LEFT TURNS AND BACK DOWN AS THE STEERING WHEEL IS MOVED BACK AND TO THE RIGHT. IF THE PINION SHAFT MOVES FURTHER, THE DRIVER WILL NEED TO EXERT MORE EFFORT TO TURN THE STEERING WHEEL, SIMILAR TO A VEHICLE WITHOUT POWER ASSISTED STEERING. IF THE PINION SHAFT MOVES EVEN FURTHER, THE DRIVER WILL REQUIRE MUCH HIGHER EFFORT TO TURN LEFT AND MAY NOT BE ABLE TO TURN THE WHEEL AS MUCH AS INTENDED. WITH THE MAXIMUM PINION SHAFT MOVEMENT, WHICH REQUIRES INTERNAL GEAR COMPONENT DAMAGE, THE DRIVER CAN ENCOUNTER HIGH RESISTANCE TO TURNING LEFT, FOLLOWED BY UNINTENDED POWER ASSIST TO THE RIGHT. IN ANY OF THESE CONDITIONS, A CRASH COULD OCCUR.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NEW LOWER PINION BEARING UNLESS INSPECT OF THE EXISTING BEARING INDICATES THAT REPLACEMENT OF THE GEAR ASSEMBLY IS NECESSARY. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON FEBRUARY 5, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT BUICK AT 1-866-608-8080; CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438; OLDSMOBILE AT 1-800-630-6537; OR PONTIAC AT 1-800-620-7668.
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
3
PE02050 · Engine Compartment Fires
Opened Jun 13, 2002 · Closed Oct 22, 2002
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Engine And Engine Cooling
No summary supplied.
EA99026 · Inadvertent Air Bag Deployment
Opened Aug 31, 1999 · Closed Dec 28, 2001
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Air Bags
There is no summary currently available
EA96023 · Inappropriate Air Bag Deployment
Opened Sep 27, 1996 · Closed Feb 13, 1998
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Air Bags
THE FAILURE RATE (1.25/100K) ON THIS ISSUE IS LOW.A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT TREND HAS NOT BEEN IDENTIFIED AT THIS TIME AND FURTHER USE OF THE AGENCY RESOURCES DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE WARRANTED.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITURE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT NO SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT EXISTS.ODI WILL CONTINUE TO CLOSELY MONITOR THIS ISSUE.THE AGENCY RESERVES THE RIGHT TO TAKE FURTHER ACTION IF WARRANTED BY THE CIRCUMSTANCES.AN ENGINEERING ANALYSIS CLOSING REPORT IS INCLUDED IN THE PUBLIC FILE.
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