FaultScore

Pontiac Grand Prix steering problems

707 of the 7,303 complaints filed about the Pontiac Grand Prix are about the steering — 10% of everything owners reported. The worst model year for it is 1997.

707

Complaints

10%

Share of all complaints

50

Crashes

16

Fires

Steering complaints by model year

Median failure at 154,000 miles

1989 Grand Prix 13 1.8%
1990 Grand Prix 12 1.7%

Median failure at 260,000 miles

1991 Grand Prix 13 1.8%

Median failure at 126,000 miles

Median failure at 128,000 miles

1993 Grand Prix 10 1.4%

Median failure at 145,000 miles

Median failure at 151,000 miles

Median failure at 40,000 miles

1997 Grand Prix 232 32.8%

Median failure at 86,000 miles

1998 Grand Prix 94 13.3%

Median failure at 97,000 miles

1999 Grand Prix 61 8.6%

Median failure at 62,000 miles

2000 Grand Prix 36 5.1%

Median failure at 54,000 miles

2001 Grand Prix 21 3.0%

Median failure at 73,500 miles

2002 Grand Prix 12 1.7%

Median failure at 67,000 miles

Median failure at 133,500 miles

2004 Grand Prix 64 9.1%

Median failure at 69,933 miles

2005 Grand Prix 26 3.7%

Median failure at 58,885 miles

2006 Grand Prix 44 6.2%

Median failure at 98,800 miles

2007 Grand Prix 22 3.1%

Median failure at 60,200 miles

Median failure at 93,079 miles

What owners said

2007 Pontiac Grand Prix at 42,000 miles St. Augustine, FL

STEERING

The contact owns a 2007 Pontiac Grand Prix. The contact stated while driving approximately 35 MPH, there was a sudden loss of power steering functionality. The contact coasted to a stop and restarted the vehicle with the ignition key. The contact stated that after restarting the vehicle, the vehicle regained power steering functionality. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact stated that the failure occurred at various speeds. The contact referenced NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V400000 (Electrical System); however, the VIN was not included. The vehicle was taken to a certified mechanic to be diagnosed. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 42,000.

NHTSA complaint #11621731 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2007 Pontiac Grand Prix North Branch, MN

STEERING

steering wheel refusing to lock. therefore safety issue as car locks will not lock as a result. no messages or warning lights or behaviors. this happened once a year ago. and was able to lock steering by moving wheel and moving key in ignition.

NHTSA complaint #11429500 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2006 Pontiac Grand Prix Bay City, MI Crash 3 injured

STEERING

got cutoff on a busy highway going 70mph and they slammed their brakes. i had 6 car lengths between us and immediately started braking but we were just skidding. I had the choice of hitting the vehicle or swerving left towards the median. I chose the latter. The steering locked up, the abs did NOT kick in and the airbags did NOT deploy. we hit a median at 70mph and no airbags?! I was point of impact. It hit the front drivers side, destroying the light and entire front. the car spun around and it hit again but this time it was the back passenger side/light. Again, NO airbags deployed. So my abs, steering, and airbags all had issues. We are so lucky no one is hurt in severeity but I am beyond fuming, scared, and confused why all of those locked up/failed to serve their purpose! Most severe injuries were me with contusions, strains, and a herniated disc in my neck (likely to cause chronic pain, per doctor.) cop already found me not at fault so no ticket/points, to give an idea. person kept driving. one person stopped and happened to be 4 cars behind us and verified what happened to us. The vehicle is totaled. We are sol on a car now as insurance said it wasn't worth having collision considering how old it was... never had an accident or ticket in 10+ years of driving. the car failed me.

NHTSA complaint #11424356 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2006 Pontiac Grand Prix at 218,000 miles Scott City, KS

STEERING

MY POWER STEERING WENT OUT AND WHEN YOU TRY TO GO OVER 40 THE CAR LUNGES FORWARD AND HAS A HARD TIME SHIFTING AND WILL CONTINUE WHILE IN CRUISE CONTROL. I ALREADY HAD WORK DONE ON THE FUEL LINE CAUSE THE LINE WAS CLOGGED AND THE VEHICLE WOULD LUNGE FORWARD CAUSE THE FUEL WASN'T GETTING PUSHED THROUGH. MY POWER STEERING WENT OUT AFTER MY BOYFRIEND PARKED IT. HE ONLY NOTICED IT WHEN HE TRIED DRIVING AWAY AND HE COULDN'T TURN THE WHEEL LIKE USUAL. THE CRUISE CONTROL DOES ITS THING WHILE IN MOTION. ALSO THE HEADLAMPS! THE BRIGHTS STAY ON, YOU HAVE TO HOLD THE DIMMER SWITCH BACK TO GET THE BRIGHTS TO TURN OFF BUT IF YOU LET GO OF THE SWITCH THEY TURN ON AND FLASH PEOPLE. IT ONLY TURNS OFF WHEN TURNING LEFT. THE AC COMPRESSOR BLEW TOO. I HAD BOUGHT THE VEHICLE 3 YEARS AGO DURING THE WINTER SO IT WAS BLOWING COLD AIR, BUT WHEN SUMMER HIT IS WHEN I NOTICED IT WAS ONLY BLOWING AIR FROM OUTSIDE INTO THE CAB. THE HEATER WORKS, BUT THE AC DOESN'T. MY BOYFRIEND WAS DRIVING HOME RECENTLY AND COULDN'T MOVE THE STEERING WHEEL AND ALMOST HAD A HEAD ON COLLISION BECAUSE OF THE POWER STEERING. THE POWER STEERING HAPPENED IN TOWN AT HIS PLACE OF WORK AND HAD TO DRIVE ON THE HIGHWAY TO COME HOME. THE CRUISE HAPPENS ON THE HIGHWAY. THE HEADLAMPS IS A CONSTANT THING, WE PULLED THE FUSE THAT CONTROLS THE BRIGHTS AND THE DIMS WORKED JUST FINE, BUT IT'S HARD TO DRIVE AT NIGHT WITHOUT BRIGHTS.

NHTSA complaint #11398596 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

1997 Pontiac Grand Prix at 210,500 miles LOS Angeles, CA Fire

STEERING

NOTE: I HAVE FILED A SAFELY COMPLAINT BEFORE WITH THE NHTSA ABOUT THIS SAFETY ISSUE ON NOV 9, 2020 REFERENCE NUMBER: 11373799. AND NOW DUE TO SAFETY NEGLIGENCE FROM THE INVESTIGATION DEPARTMENT OF THE NHTSA ..EXCESSIVE HEAT COMING FROM THE EXTREMELY HOT OIL THAT'S DRIPPING OFF THE EXTREMELY HOT EXHAUST MANIFOLD THAT'S LEAKING FROM THE VALVE COVER STARTED A FIRE UNDER THE HOOD AND ALSO LEAKED INTO THE CYLINDER CAUSING THE PISTON TO SLIT INTO NUMEROUS PIECES THEN VIOLENTLY BEING SHOT BACK AND FORTH STRIKING THE CYLINDER WALLS VIOLENTLY THEN BREAKING THROUGH THE ENGINE BLOCK AND OIL PAN, THEN SPILLING HOT OIL ON THE I-105 HIGHWAY AT HIGH WAY SPEED COMING UP ON A FORK, LOST OIL COMPRESSION AND STALLING OUT WITH HEAVY THICK CAN'T SEE IN MORE THEN 5 FEET IN FRONT OF YOU GREY/BLACK SMOKE COMING FROM BOTH ENDS OF THE VEHICLE. ALMOST COSTED ME MY LIFE

NHTSA complaint #11395511 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2005 Pontiac Grand Prix at 200,000 miles Brookhaven, MS

STEERING

WHEN DRIVING 30 MPH UP TO 70 MPH ALL OF A SUDDEN THE REDUCED RNGINE LIGHT VOMES ON AND THE CAR STARTS DECELERATING TO 5 MPH AND SOMETIMES CUTS OFF CAUSING POWER STEERING TO NOT WORK. THIS STARTED AFTER THE WORKED ON YHE IGNITION RECALL. I ASKED ABOUT IT AND WAS CHARGED $75 FIR THEM TO PUT IT ON THE COMPUTER. THEN WAS TOLD IT WOULD BE OVER $700 FOR THEM TO FIND OUT WHAT'S WRONG. I DON'T HAVE THAT TYPE OF MONEY SO L LET IT SIT UP FOR AWHILE ONLY TO BE YOLD IT COULD POSSIBLY BE THE GAS PEDAL AND WOULDN'T COST THAT MUCH TO REPLACE... I'VE ALMOST HAD TWO ACCIDENTS BEFORE L COULD PULL OVER. IF IT CUTS OFF COMPLETELY IT CRANKS RIGHT BACK UP - SOMETIMES OT WILL TAKE ON OFF BUT OTHER TIMES L HAVE TO SIT AND WAIT BECAUSE IT WON'T ACCELERATE NO FASTER THAN 2 TO 5 MPH, LIKE SOMETHING HAS TO CATCH UP. I HAVEN'T GOTTEN IT FIXED YET BECAUSE L CAN'T AFFORD IT.

NHTSA complaint #11390706 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2006 Pontiac Grand Prix at 160,240 miles Belgrade, MT Fire

STEERING

MY CAR STARTED ON FIRE WHILE ON A CITY ROAD BECAUSE OF THE POWER STEERING PUMP PULLEY COMPLETELY SPRUNG OFF SERPENTINE BELT MELTED COOLANT RESERVOIR MELTED FUSE BOX BE MELTED FROM THE FIRE HOW MANY OTHER THINGS SOMETHING TO DO WITH THE POWER STEERING PUMP LEAKING FLUID AND HITTING MY EXHAUST CAUSING A FIRE IN MY CAR

NHTSA complaint #11389713 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2006 Pontiac Grand Prix at 100,000 miles Toledo, OH Fire

STEERING

WHEN I GO TO PRESS ON THE BRAKES IT WOULD PULL TO THE RIGHT ,AND WHEN I GO TO PUT ON MY SIGNAL LIGHT TO THE RIGHT MY BRIGHT LIGHTS COMES ON AND WHEN I TURN ON MY HEATER THE DOOR OR SOMETHING THE SHOP TOLD ME WAS NOT OPENING FOR MY HEAT TO COME OUT,AND THAT'S THE PROBLEMS I AM EXPERIENCING,WITH THE PONTIAC THEY ARE EXCELLENT CARS BUT HAS FEW ISSUES,CAN YOU PLEASE HELP WITH FIXING THESE PROBLEMS.I'VE REPORTED THE PROBLEM THREE AND A HALF YEARS AGO AND I HAVE NOT HEARD FROM ANYONE YET MY NUMBER IS [XXX]THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

NHTSA complaint #11389842 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2004 Pontiac Grand Prix at 200,000 miles Casselberry, FL

STEERING

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 24 MPH, A CLICKING SOUND WAS HEARD IN THE STEERING WHEEL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED WITH THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT DROVE TO A BUSINESS PARKING LOT AND PARKED THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE SERPENTINE BELT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 200,000.

NHTSA complaint #11325007 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2002 Pontiac Grand Prix at 200,000 miles Reno, NV

STEERING

BOUGHT THE CAR IN APRIL OF 2017. HAD TO REPLACE RACK AND PINION. A FEW MONTHS DOWN THE ROAD WAS DRIVING CAR AND STEERING WHEEL BECAME LOOSE AND IT TURNED HALFWAY TO THE LEFT TO KEEP CAR STRAIGHT. RACK AND PINION BUSTED. REPLACED RACK AND PINION AGAIN PLUS STRUTS AND THE CAR WILL MAKE POPPING SOUNDS WHEN TURNING STEEERING WHEEL. THE FRONT END OF MY CAR HAS BEEN PRETTY MUCH REPLACED TWICE. SCARY TO DRIVE.

NHTSA complaint #11287812 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2007 Pontiac Grand Prix at 52,000 miles ST Augustine, FL

STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST:POWER STEERING FLUID

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX. WHILE APPROACHING AN INTERSECTION, THE VEHICLE SEIZED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT MANAGED TO MOVE THE VEHICLE TO THE SHOULDER OF THE ROAD WITH THE HELP OF A BYSTANDER. THE CONTACT BELIEVES THE KEY FELL OUT OF THE IGNITION. THE POWER STEERING AND BRAKES WENT OUT, PLACE THE GEAR INTO PARK. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 52,000. *BF

NHTSA complaint #11281558 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2002 Pontiac Grand Prix at 67,000 miles Stockton, CA

STEERING

IN 04 I HAD MY RACK N PINION REPLACED CAUSE LEFT SIDE BROKE MATAGA OF STOCKTON DID IT THEY ALSO REPLACED POWER STEERING PUMP EVER SINCE THEN I'VE HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE STEERING AND NOW IT'S WORSE I'VE REPLACED THE POWER STEERING PUMP BUT IT STILL STEERS HARD ALSO THE STEERING DOESN'T FEEL RIGHT VERY SENSITIVE AT TIMES LIKES TO WANDER AND I HAVE TO USE THE BUTTON UNDERNEATH THE STEERING COLUMN TO RELEASE MY KEY I REPLACED THE INTERMEDIATE STEERING SHAFT STILL DOESN'T FEEL SAFE I SAW IN 09 YOU HAD A RECALL ON STEERING KNUCKLES I NEVER RECEIVED IT CAN I GET A RECALL ON THAT TO GET REPLACED THANK YOU

NHTSA complaint #11253601 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2007 Pontiac Grand Prix at 89,096 miles Everett, WA

STEERING

MOUNTING OF POWER STEERING RACK SUDDENLY BROKE ON PASSENGER SIDE WHEEL ALLOWING IT TO TURN INDEPENDENTLY FROM LEFT FRONT WHEEL. I WAS BACKING OUT OF A PARKING SPOT WHEN THIS HAPPENED, BUT IF THIS WOULD HAVE HAPPENED WHILE DRIVEING ON FREEWAY I COULD OF CRASHED AND LOST CONTROL OF CAR. WE CONTACTED GM AND THEY SAID NO RECALL , WE FEEL THIS SHOULD BE A SAFETY RECALL

NHTSA complaint #11246572 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

1998 Pontiac Grand Prix at 168,000 miles Northville, MI

STEERING

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX. UPON PURCHASING THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT REPLACED THE POWER STEERING PUMP DUE TO A STEERING FAILURE. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC DIAGNOSED THE VEHICLE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE RACK AND PINION NEEDED REPLACEMENT. THE MANUFACTURER AND DEALER WERE NOT INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 168,000. *TR

NHTSA complaint #11234519 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2007 Pontiac Grand Prix at 108,630 miles Richmond, VA

STEERING

WHEN I START MY CAR, IT WILL STALL OUT, NOT TURN OVER OR IT WILL IDLE FOR A FEW SECONDS, THEN IMMEDIATELY SHUT OFF. I MEAN SHUT THE WHOLE CAR DOWN SO NOTHING ELECTRICAL CAN WORK AT WHICH POINT MY KEY WILL BE STUCK IN THE IGNITION AND I CANNOT GET IT OUT. I AM ABLE TO RESTART THE CAR NORMALLY, HOWEVER THE STEERING WHEEL VIBRATES ALONG WITH THE BODY OF MY CAR WHILE IN MOTION AND WHILE PARKED. WHILE MAKING A LEFT TURN THROUGH A FOUR WAY INTERSECTION, I LOST CONTROL OF MY POWER STEERING AND THE WHEEL WAS STUCK AT FIRST AND THEN SWUNG ALL THE WAY BACK WHICH SPUN MY CAR AROUND. THIS CAR HAS HAD 1 OWNER BEFORE ME AND I HAVE KEPT UP WITH ALL OF MY OIL CHANGES AND TUNE UPS. IN SEPTEMBER OF 2018, I HAD A SIMILAR ISSUE WITH THE VIBRATING AND WAS TOLD THAT A CYLINDER WAS MISFIRING AND THAT I NEEDED A TUNE UP. I SPENT $587 ON THESE REPAIRS. MY VEHICLE WAS AT 98,890 MILES. IT IS MAY 2019 ABOUT 9 MONTHS LATER MY VEHICLE IS AT 108,630 MILES AND I AM HAVING THE SAME AND ADDITIONAL ISSUES NOT EVEN 10,000 MILES MORE. I HAVE DOCUMENTATION FROM THE MECHANIC FROM MY CYLINDER REPAIRS THAT I HAVE REQUESTED TO BE FAXED OVER TO ME.

NHTSA complaint #11209261 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2004 Pontiac Grand Prix at 200,000 miles Parkersburg, WV Crash 1 injured

STEERING

DRIVING DOWN MY FAMILIAR ROAD OF DUTCH HILLS OFF OF DR. 50. I TURNED MY WHEEL AT 27MPH. SLID OFF TOWARD THE EDGE OF THE ROAD. FISHTAILED, MAINTAINED COMPOSURE. THEN , BEGAN A FISHTAIL TO A 180-360 INTO A CONCRETED STEEL BEAMED MAILBOX. KNOCKING OUT MY DRIVERS LIGHT ASSEMBLY, FRONT FENDER, BUMPER, DISABLING THEHOODOF MY CAR, TILTING MY RADIATOR. NOTHING OFTHENIGHT SHOULD OF SKINNY TIRES,NOR MADEMEFAIL TO MAINTAIN MY VEHICLE.

NHTSA complaint #11183312 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2006 Pontiac Grand Prix at 179,000 miles West Columbia, TX Fire

STEERING

THE BRIGHT LIGHTS STAY ON, MY HORN DOESN'T WORK, THE INSTRUMENT CODES WILL BLINK OFF AND ON.. THERE IS A WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR THAT CAUSES A POWER SURGE THAT BLOWS OUT THE BLOWER MOTOR TO GO OUT.. IT HAS BURN MARKS..

NHTSA complaint #11180485 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2005 Pontiac Grand Prix at 70,500 miles Gloucester, VA

STEERING

CAR SHUT OFF AND LOCKED STEERING WHEEL WHILE DRIVING

NHTSA complaint #11174345 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2004 Pontiac Grand Prix Acushnet, MA

STEERING

TAKATA RECALL, I DID NOT RECEIVE A RECALL NOTICE AND I AM HAVING SEVERE PROBLEMS WITH THE STEERING AND ENGINE. WHILE DRIVING IT FEELS LIKE THE STEERING AND THE WHEELS ARE ABOUT TO FALL APART.

NHTSA complaint #11119748 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

1999 Pontiac Grand Prix Pasco, WA

STEERING

HOVER HEATING, SAYS LOW COOLANT WHEN I FIRST DRIVE IT. I ADDED COOLANT BUT AT TIMES IT SAYS LOW COOLANT. SPILLING COOLANT.

NHTSA complaint #11110073 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Other Pontiac Grand Prix problems