1997 Pontiac GRAND PRIX: complaints, problems and recalls

I WAS DOING SOME RESEARCH ON CAMPAIGN NUMBER 02V286000. I AM BEING TOLD BY THE MANUFACTURER THAT MY VEHICLE IS NOT AFFECTED BY THIS RECALL. MY VIN IS [XXX]. I AM CONCERNED BECAUSE MY VEHICLE IS HAVING THE SAME SYMPTOMS THAT THE CAMPAIGN DESCRIBES. IT IS OF MY OPINION THAT THE SAFETY OF MY VEHICLE HAS DEGRADED GREATLY DO TO THE FACT THAT I AM UNABLE TO STEER THE VEHICLE ACCURATELY WHEN IN OPERATION. I WOULD ASK THAT YOU WOULD RESEARCH MY PROBLEM AND GIVE ANY ASSISTANCE POSSIBLE. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATI…

Owner-reported narrative. 71,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10000207 at NHTSA ↗

ENGINE HAS SHUT DOWN WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS WHILE ON A STRAIGHTAWAY OR TURNS. VERY HAZARDOUS SITUATION AS ALL POWER ASSIST IS LOST. ENGINE WILL RESTART IMMEDIATELY BUT NEVER KNOW WHEN POWER LOSS WILL OCCUR. HAVE NOTICED MANY OTHER SIMILAR COMPLAINTS ON THIS WEB SITE. TS

Owner-reported narrative. 81,232 miles reported. Look up ODI 10000335 at NHTSA ↗

I AM DRIVING MY FATHER-IN-LAW'S GRAND PRIX (HE IS IN A NURSING HOME). THE POWER STEERING ON MY 97 GRAND PRIX GTP FAILED COMPLETELY. HAD THE CAR NOT BEEN ON A SIDE STREET (AS OPPOSED TO AN EXPRESSWAY), IT COULD HAVE CAUSED A SERIOUS ACCIDENT. I'VE CONTACTED SEVERAL PONTIACE DEALERS AND GM/PONTIAC AND WAS TOLD THEY NO NOTHING OF A RECALL AND THAT I SHOULD PAY TO HAVE IT FIXED AND THEY MIGHT REIMBURSE ME IF THEY FIND OUT ABOUT A RECALL AND IF IT MEETS THEIR SPECS. EVEN AFTER I GAVE THEM THE NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID THEY STILL SAID THEY HAD NO KNOWLED…

Owner-reported narrative. 89,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10000630 at NHTSA ↗

CONSUMER HAS TAKEN VEHICLE IN FOR REPAIR FOR A FALLEN HEAD LIGHT LENS FOR THE LEFT SIDE TWICE. CONSUMER THEN REALIZED THE RIGHT HEADLIGHT LENS HAD FALLEN OFF ALSO. *JG *JB *NLM

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10001511 at NHTSA ↗

WHILE ATTEMPTING TO MAKE A LEFT HAND TURN. THE VEHICLE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP, STEERING WHEEL BECAME VERY STIFF. TOOK TO A MECHANIC AND THEY STATED THAT THE RACK AND PINION FAILED. HAD VEHICLE REPAIRED & CORRECTED BEFORE RECEIVING A RECALL NOTICE.

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10002032 at NHTSA ↗

NHTSA#02-V-286-000 RACK AND PINION BEARING IN THE POWER AND PINION ASSEMBLY IN WHICH THE RETAINER TABS WHERE NOT CRIMPED PROPERLY, THE PINION SHAFT CAN BE FORCED UPWARD DURING LEFT TURN AND BACK DOWN AS THE STEERING WHEEL IS MOVED BACK. CONSUMER STATED EXPERIENCED THE SAME PROBLEM WITH HIS VEHICLE. MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND STATED THEY HAD NO KNOWLEDGE OF RECALL. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION.*JB

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10002496 at NHTSA ↗

HEADLIGHT LENSES FELL OUT, WHILE DRIVING, DUE TO MOISTURE INSIDE WHICH GOT IN DUE TO POOR GLUE. GLOVEBOX LEAKS WATER WHEN IT RAINS OR SNOWS. WINDSHIELD WIPERS STOPPED WORKING WHILE DRIVING IN RAIN. THIS CAR IS A MONEY PIT.

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10003071 at NHTSA ↗

THE LENS ON THE HEADLIGHTS FALLING OFF.

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10003191 at NHTSA ↗

Reported: 2002-11-04 (November 4, 2002)

CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES AND MINI VANS HAVE LOWER PINION BEARINGS IN THE POWER RACK AND PINION ASSEMBLY IN WHICH THE RETAINER TABS WERE NOT CRIMPED PROPERLY. THESE AND SOME OTHER RETAINERS USED IN VEHICLES ASSEMBLED BETWEEN JANUARY 1, 1996 AND OCTOBER 31, 1997, COULD FAIL AND PERMIT THE BALL BEARINGS TO ESCAPE.

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 JANUARY 24, 2003. 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, OR OLDSMOBILE AT 1-800-442-6537.

Reported: 2008-03-12 (March 12, 2008)

GM IS RECALLING 207,542 MY 1997-2003 BUICK REGAL AND PONTIAC GRAND PRIX VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH A 3.8L SUPERCHARGED V-6 ENGINE. THESE VEHICLES HAVE HIGHER FRONT ROCKER COVER GASKET TEMPERATURES, CREATING THE POTENTIAL FOR EARLIER DEGRADATION OF THE FRONT ROCKER COVER GASKET AND EVENTUAL OIL SEEPAGE.

Consequence: CERTAIN UNDERHOOD FIRES MAY BE CAUSED BY DROPS OF ENGINE OIL, FROM SEEPAGE OR SPILLAGE, BEING DEPOSITED ON THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD THROUGH HARD BRAKING. IF THE MANIFOLD IS HOT ENOUGH AND THE OIL RUNS BELOW THE HEAT SHIELD, IT MAY IGNITE INTO A SMALL FLAME AND, IN SOME INSTANCES, THE FIRE MAY SPREAD TO THE PLASTIC SPARK PLUG WIRE CHANNEL AND BEYOND.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE ENGINE’S FRONT VALVE COVER AND FRONT-VALVE-COVER GASKET WITH NEW PARTS OF AN IMPROVED DESIGN AND REMOVE THE ENGINE’S PLASTIC COVER AND PLASTIC OIL-FILL-TUBE EXTENSION, ALONG WITH THE 1-3-5 SPARK PLUG WIRE RETAINERS, FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING MAY 2016. , FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING MAY 2016. UNTIL THE REMEDY IS COMPLETED, GM STRONGLY RECOMMENDS THAT OWNERS OBSERVE THE FOLLOWING IMPORTANT PRECAUTIONS (1) THAT OWNERS DO NOT PARK THEIR VEHICLE IN A GARAGE, CAR PORT, OR OTHER STRUCTURE; (2) IF OWNERS NOTICE A BURNING ODOR, THEY SHOULD HAVE THEIR DEALER INSPECT THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER WILL INSPECT THE VEHICLE WITHOUT CHARGE; (3) USE PREMIUM FUEL (91 OCTANE OR HIGHER) IN THE VEHICLE AS RECOMMENDED IN THE VEHICLE'S OWNER MANUAL. OWNERS MAY CONTACT BUICK AT 1-866-608-8080 OR PONTIAC AT 1-800-620-7668, OR THROUGH THEIR WEBSITE AT <A HREF=HTTP://WWW.GMOWNERCENTER.COM>HTTP://WWW.GMOWNERCENTER.COM</A> .

Reported: 2009-04-08 (April 8, 2009)

GENERAL MOTORS IS RECALLING 1,497,516 MY 1997-2003 BUICK REGAL, MY 1998-2003 CHEVROLET LUMINA, MONTE CARLO AND IMPALA, MY 1998-1999 OLDSMOBILE INTRIGUE, MY 1997-2003 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH A 3.8L V6 NATURALLY ASPIRATED ENGINE. SOME OF THESE VEHICLES HAVE A CONDITION IN WHICH DROPS OF ENGINE OIL MAY BE DEPOSITED ON THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD THROUGH HARD BRAKING.

Consequence: IF THE MANIFOLD IS HOT ENOUGH AND THE OIL RUNS BELOW THE HEAT SHIELD, IT MAY IGNITE INTO A SMALL FLAME AND MAY SPREAD TO THE PLASTIC SPARK PLUG WIRE CHANNEL AND BEYOND INCREASING THE RISK OF AN ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE ENGINE’S FRONT VALVE COVER AND FRONT-VALVE-COVER GASKET WITH NEW PARTS OF AN IMPROVED DESIGN AND REMOVE THE ENGINE’S PLASTIC COVER AND PLASTIC OIL-FILL-TUBE EXTENSION, FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING MAY 2016. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438, OLDSMOBILE AT 1-800-630-6537, AND PONTIAC AT 1-800-620-7668 OR HTTP://WWW.PONTIAC.COM OR HTTP:WWW.GMOWNERCENTER.COM.

Reported: 2015-10-26 (October 26, 2015)

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 1998-1999 Chevrolet Lumina and Oldsmobile Intrigue, 1997-2004 Buick Regal and Pontiac Grand Prix, 2000-2004 Chevrolet Impala, and 1998-2004 Chevrolet Monte Carlo vehicles. The affected vehicles were previously repaired under recalls 08V-118, 09V-116, and 15V-201 to address the possibility that engine oil may drip onto the hot exhaust manifold.

Consequence: Engine oil that drips onto the hot surface of the exhaust manifold may result in a fire.

Remedy: The remedy applied under recalls 08V-118, 09V-116, and 15V-201 did not adequately remove the safety risk. Under the improved remedy, dealers will replace the engine’s front valve cover and gasket. Vehicles that are covered by recalls 08V-118, 09V-116, or 15V-201 that have not yet received the original remedy will instead receive the improved remedy under the original recall number. The recall began on February 19, 2016. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300, Oldsmobile customer service at 1-800-442-6537 and Pontiac customer service at 1-800-458-8006. GM's number for this recall is 15757. Note: Until the improved remedy has been applied, owners are advised to park their vehicle outside since the fire risk exists even when the vehicle is unattended.

Reported: 1999-12-16 (December 16, 1999)

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS MAY STOP WORKING DUE TO A SEPARATION BETWEEN THE DRIVE PIN AND CRESCENT IN THE CRANK ARM ASSEMBLY.

Consequence: DRIVER VISIBILITY COULD BE REDUCED, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THESE VEHICLES FOR THE PRESENCE OF A PLASTIC WATER DEFLECTOR AND, IF NECESSARY, REPLACE THE WIPER MOTOR CRANK ARM AND INSTALL A WATER DEFLECTOR. ON VEHICLES RECEIVING A REPLACEMENT CRANK ARM AND NEW WATER DEFLECTOR, DEALERS WILL ALSO APPLY ADDITIONAL SEALING MATERIAL TO IMPROVE WATER DEFLECTION AWAY FROM THE CRANK ARM ASSEMBLY AND WILL INSTALL A REINFORCEMENT TO IMPROVE THE PERFORMANCE OF THE WIPER PARK MECHANISM.