The following list was compiled from the NHTSA database for the following article: Police Chevrolet Impala Steering can lockup while driving at any speed  

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Office of Defects Investigation
Consumer Complaints Database 1998

http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov/cars/problems/complain/index.cfm  

Date of Failure: 10/05/1998
Component: STEERING:GEAR:RACK AND PINION
Summary: I WAS DRIVING APPROX. 15 MPH DOWN DRIVEWAY AT WORK-CAR OVERSTEERED CRASHING INTO SIDE OF BUILDING-IMPACT SO INTENSE MY HEAD HIT REARVIEW MIRROR, BREAKING IT AND WINDSHIELD. ENTIRE UNDERSIDE OF CAR (FRAME, TIE ROD, SUSPENSION,ETC.) IS DAMAGED. NATIONWIDE INS. INVESTIGATOR PROVIDED ME WITH A COPY OF GM MONTHLY NEWSLETTER ISSUED 11/17/97 REGARDING POWER STEERING FLUID LEAK FROM MAGNASTEER ACUTATOR PIGTAIL AREA FOR 1998 W,C,G &H BODY VEHICLES. THE LEAK ORIGINATES FROM THE WIRING HARNESS FOR THE MAGNA STEER ACTUATOR, CAUSING VEHICLE TO OVERSTEER. THE CORRECTION SUGGESTED IS TO REPLACE THE RACK AND PINION STEERING GEAR AND FOLLOW UP WITH VME PRODUCT REPORT. MY CAR HAS BEEN AT COOK BUICK EVERY 3000 TO 3500 MILES FOR ROUTINE MAINTENANCE, INCLUDING FLUID LEVEL CHECKS, AND THIS WAS NEVER CAUGHT. ACCORDING TO THE INSURANCE INVESTIGATOR, MY CAR HAS BEEN LEAKING FOR APPROXIMATELY 6 MONTHS. HAD I BEEN GOING ANY FASTER WHEN THIS HAPPENED, I WOULD NOT BE HERE TO TELL YOU THIS! I COMPLAINED TO BUICK CUSTOMER SERVICE - REFERENCE NO. 980168019 AND I GOT NOWHERE. THEY SAY THE LEAK IN THE RACK & PINION STEERING GEAR WAS CAUSED BY THE ACCIDENT! MY INSURANCE INVESTIGATOR HAS PICTURES THAT PROVE OTHERWISE.

Date of Failure: 07/29/1999
Component: STEERING:GEAR:RACK AND PINION
Summary: THIS IS THE 2D TIME THIS COMPONENT HAS HAD TO BE REPLACED—

Date of Failure: 08/09/1998
Component: STEERING:POWER ASSIST
Summary: STEERING FAILED, CAUSING LOSS OF CONTROL. YH

Date of Failure: 04/13/2000
Component: STEERING:GEAR:RACK AND PINION
Summary: THE RACK AND PINION ASSEMBLY FAILED MAKING IT HARD TO MAKE A LEFT TURN. NLM

Date of Failure:
Component: STEERING:GEAR:RACK AND PINION
Summary: OWNER WAS HEARING A RATTLING NOISE ABOUT 3-4 MONTHS AGO COMING FROM VEHICLE. THE NOISE WAS HEARD MOSTLY ON SHORT SHARP BUMPS. WHILE HAVING THE OIL CHANGED THE PROBLEM WAS FOUND TO BE WITH THE RACK AND PINION STEERING. RACK AND PINION STEERING WAS LOOSE AND COULD HAVE FALLEN OFF. THE ENTIRE UNIT WAS REPLACED BY THE DEALERSHIP UNDER WARRANTY. *AK

Date of Failure:
Component: STEERING:GEAR:RACK
Summary: WHILE MAKING LEFT TURNS THE STEERING WHEEL PULSATES FOR NO REASON. VEHICLE HAS BEEN TAKEN TO DEALER WHERE THEY REPLACED STEERING RACK. PROBLEM REOCCURRED. *AK

Date of Failure: 09/11/2001
Component: STEERING:GEAR:RACK AND PINION
Summary: THE RACK AND PINION STEERING GEAR ASSEMBLY BROKE WHILE IN A PARKING LOT. VEHICLE COULD NOT BE TURNED TO THE LEFT. NORMALLY AT THE TIME THIS OCCURRED, I WOULD HAVE BEEN ON THE FREEWAY AND MOST LIKELY WOULD HAVE SUFFERED A FATAL CRASH. THE DEALER SAID THERE WERE NO RECALLS. THE FACTORY DENIED ANY STEERING PROBLEMS, RECALLS OR REPAIR ASSISTANCE. DEALERSHIP MECHANICS SAID THERE HAS BEEN PROBLEMS WITH THE RACK AND PINION STEERING. DRIVE TRAINS AND ENGINES ARE WARRANTED TO 100,000 MILES ALONG WITH EMISSIONS SYSTEMS. A PART AS ESSENTIAL TO SAFETY AS THE STEERING SHOULD NOT BE FAILING ESPECIALLY AT THE AGE AND MILEAGE OF THIS CAR. THE OWNERS MANUAL MAKES A BIG DEAL OUT OF THE FACT THAT TUNEUPS, ANTIFREEZE, ETC SHOULD LAST 100,000 MILES. ISN'T STEERING MORE IMPORTANT!! I FEEL THAT BUICK SHOULD PAY FOR THIS REPAIR.*AK

Date of Failure:
Component: STEERING:GEAR:RACK AND PINION
Summary: STEERING BINDS IN LOW SPEED TURNS AND ALWAYS MAKES WHINING NOISE. FLUID LEVEL OK. *AK

Date of Failure: 02/27/2001
Component: STEERING:POWER ASSIST
Summary: STEERING WHEEL WOULD NOT TURN IN LEFT DIRECTION, AND IT WAS POWER STEERING. EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO OPERATE VEHICLE SAFELY. *AK

Date of Failure: 11/24/1998
Component: STEERING:GEAR:RACK AND PINION
Summary: STEERING RACK AND PINION FAILED. YH

Date of Failure: 10/30/1999
Component: STEERING:POWER ASSIST
Summary: POWER STEERING FAILED. YH

Date of Failure: 06/01/1998
Component: STEERING:POWER ASSIST
Summary: POWER STEERING FAILED.

Date of Failure:
Component: STEERING:GEAR:RACK AND PINION
Summary: BRAKES SQUEAL UPON APPLICATION - SERVICE DID NOT DETECT; BRAKES SQUEAL UPON APPLICATION - INSTALLED UPDATED PADS ON FRT PER BULLETIN 83-50-25; BRAKES SQUEAL A 3RD TIME - LONGER TIME TO STOP; LEAKING OIL - SERVICE - TAKE OUT ENGINE MANIFOLD; LEAKING OIL AGAIN - SERVICE - HOLE FORCONVERTOR SNOUT DRILLED TOO CLOSE TO REAR MAIN JOURNAL; LEAKING OIL - SERVICE REPLACE RACK AND PINION; LEAKING OIL - SERVICE - CAR WAS KEPT FOR SEVERAL DAYS DID NOT DETECT LEAK. LEAKING OIL; REAR WINDOW SWITCH ON LEFT FRONT DOOR INOPT - SERVICE - REPLACE DOOR WINDOE LEFT FRONT. REPLACE MASTER CONTROL SWITCH; EXPRESS WINDOW DOWN DOES WORK PROPERLY - SERVICE - DID NOT DETECT; WINDSHIELD WASHER INOPT. - SERVICE -RECONNECT LOOSE HOSE; WINDSHIELD WASHER INOPT REINSTALL NOZZLES; WINDSHIELD WASHER INOPT. - SERVICE -GLUED FITTINGS TOGETHER. CUSTOMER SPOKE WITH SERVICE MANAGER SEVERAL TIMES. CUSTOMER SPOKE WITH DEALERSHIP OWNER. CUSTOMER MET WITH GM D.S.M.

Date of Failure: 10/01/2001
Component: STEERING:GEAR:RACK AND PINION
Summary: "GRINDING" NOISE WHEN STOPPING, RIGHT TURN. DEALER "SWAPPED" RACK AN DPINION FROM IN-STOCK USED CAR. SAME PROBLEM BUT NOW ON TWO CARS! LASTLY: AFTER I COMPLAINED, STRONGLY, DEALER INSTALLED NEW RACK AND PINION, PROBLEM SOLVED.*AK

Date of Failure:
Component: STEERING:POWER ASSIST
Summary: WHILE MAKING A TURN POWER STEERING WAS GONE. CONSUMER HAD TO FIGHT STEERING WHEEL TO GAIN CONTROL. *AK *ML

Date of Failure: 02/16/1998
Component: STEERING:POWER ASSIST
Summary: POWER STEERING FAILED. YH

Date of Failure: 05/01/1999
Component: STEERING
Summary: STEERING ASSEMBLY MECHANISM FAILED IN 1998, RESULTING IN THE INABILITY TO STEER, ANTI LOCK BRAKES FAILED MAY 1999. ACCIDENT OCCURED RESULTING IN INJURY. (ATTORNEY FOR CONSUMER). MJS

Date of Failure: 10/01/1999
Component: STEERING:GEAR BOX
Summary: STEERING GEAR ASSEMBLY CAME COMPLETELY OFF THE FRAME CAUSING COMPLETE LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL. NLM

Date of Failure: 03/01/1998
Component: STEERING:GEAR:RACK AND PINION
Summary: LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL WHILE DRIVING. VEHICLE TOWED TO DEALER WHO INFORMED CONSUMER THAT THE CAUSE WAS RACK AND PINON FAILURE. REPAIRS MADE, BUT PROBLEM IS STILL REOCCURRING. *AK *ML

Date of Failure: 07/29/1990
Component: STEERING:POWER ASSIST
Summary: STEERING MECHANISM LOCKED UP, VEHICLE HIT CURB AND FRONT END WAS DAMAGED. BB

Date of Failure:
Component: STEERING:GEAR:RACK AND PINION
Summary: RACK & PINION STEERING REPLACED, FAILURE CAUSED NOISE. MGM

Date of Failure: 12/04/2001
Component: STEERING:GEAR:RACK AND PINION
Summary: STEERING IS MAKING A NOISE, AND WAS TOLD IT IS CAUSED BY DEFECTIVE RACK OPINION. ALSO, TOLD IT IS NOT REPAIRABLE. CONSUMER MIGHT BE RIDING DOWN THE ROAD AND LOSE COMPLETE CONTROL. *AK

Date of Failure: 10/15/1999
Component: STEERING:GEAR:RACK
Summary: THE STEERING GEAR RACK HAS FAILED SEVERAL TIMES. *MJS

Date of Failure: 11/24/1999
Component: STEERING:GEAR:RACK AND PINION
Summary: I HAVE HAD TO HAVE 3 MAJOR STEERING COMPONENTS REPLACED ON MY 1998 CHEVY CAVAILER AND I AM CONCERNED ABOUT THE FUTURE SAFETY OF THE CAR. THE RACK AND PINON STEERING HAS BEEN REPLACED TWICE ON VEHICLE TO THIS DATE. MY UNDERSTANDING FROM THE DEALERSHIP WORKING ON IT THEY ARE USING REPLACEMENT PARTS INSTEAD OF NEW PARTS. I HAVE CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURE REGARDING THIS ISSUE BUT NO SOLUTION THERE. MY NEXT STEP IS TO MAKE A COMPLAINT WITH MD STATE'S ATTORNEY OFFICE.*AK

Date of Failure: 01/05/2000
Component: STEERING:POWER:SHAFT PITMAN
Summary: WHILE MAKING A TURN POWER STEERING SHAFT PITMAN SHEARED OFF, CAUSING A MINOR COLLISION. *AK

Date of Failure: 01/24/2000
Component: STEERING:GEAR:RACK AND PINION
Summary: WHEN TRYING TO MAKE A TURN CONSUMER COULD HEAR NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT OF VEHICLE WHILE TURNING, THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN SERVED TWICE ON THE RACK AND PINION. *AK

Date of Failure: 06/01/2000
Component: STEERING:GEAR BOX
Summary: CONSUMER HEARD NOISE COMING FROM UNDERNEATH VEHICLE. *AK THE VEHCILE MAKE NOISE WHEN TURNING THE WHEEL DUE TO STEERING GEAR FAILURE. THE CONSUMER WAS IN CONTACT WITH THE DEALER AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS UNDER REPAIR WITH REMANUFACTURED PARTS FOR THE CLICKING NOISE. *YH

Date of Failure:
Component: STEERING:GEAR:RACK AND PINION
Summary: RACK & PINION STEERING FAILED FOR THE 4TH TIME, CAUSING LOSS OF CONTROL. WOULD HEAR NOISES COMING FROM FRONT OF VEHICLE WHENEVER TURNING. HAD REPORTED PROBLEM PREVIOUSLY. IMAGE #855501. *AK

Date of Failure:
Component: STEERING:GEAR:RACK AND PINION
Summary: RACK AND PINION FAILED. NLM

Date of Failure: 10/07/1998
Component: STEERING:GEAR:RACK
Summary: STEERING--STEERING RACK, GEAR ASSEMBLY, GEAR KIT, BALL JOINT AND BOTH LOWER CONTROL ARMS.

Date of Failure: 11/27/1998
Component: STEERING:GEAR:RACK AND PINION
Summary: I HAVE TALKED TO CHEVROLET AND ASKED THEM TO REPURCHASE MY CAR. THEY INFORMED ME THAT THEY WOULD NOT. I DO NOT FEEL SAFE FOR MY FAMILY IN THIS CAR ANY MORE. I ALSO FEEL THAT CHEVROLET MISREPRESENTS THE MALIBU AS A CARE FREE CAR.

Date of Failure: 05/28/1999
Component: STEERING:GEAR:RACK
Summary: THIS VECHILE WAS BEEN IN THE SHOP A MINIMUM OF 9 TIMES.THIS IS THE 2ND MALIBU THAT I HAVE OWNED THE FIRST ONE WAS IN THE SHOP JUST AS MUCH IF NOT MORE.THE CHEVROLET DEALER TRADED ME OUT, AND UPGRADED ME FOR NO EXTRA MONEY ,BUT THIS CAR IS NO BETTER THATN THE FIRST ONE. I FEEL THAT THIS THE WORST CAR THAT WE HAVE EVERY OWNED AND WOULD TELL ANY ONE NEVER TO BUY ONE. I FEEL VERY UNSAFE IN THIS CAR. NO MY STEERING RACK IS GOING AND THE CV BOOT IS LEAKING.*AK

Date of Failure:
Component: STEERING
Summary: I NOTICED A ROUGH FEEL TO THE STEERING WHEEL WHEN MAKING SHORT TURNS.I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER TO INSPECT .THEY SAID I NEEDED A NEW STEERING GEAR AND THAT THE MECHANISM WAS LEAKING FLUID. WHEN I CONTACTED GM THEY TOLD ME THEY HAVE NO RECORD OF ANY PROBLEMS WITH THE STEERING MECHANISMS IN THEIR DATABASE. THEY DID OFFER TO SHARE THE COST 50-50(OVER $900!!) AS A GOOD WILL GESTURE AS THE CAR IS NOW OUT OF WARANTEE.(WOOPEE!!)I ALSO REPORTED MY TAIL LIGHTS GO OUT FROM TIME TO TIME BUT THE DEALER SAYS HE COULDN'T FIND A PROBLEM.*AK

Date of Failure: 12/26/2001
Component: STEERING:GEAR:RACK AND PINION
Summary: NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK

Date of Failure: 02/16/2002
Component: STEERING:GEAR:RACK AND PINION
Summary: WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25MPH WHEN VEHICLE STARTED PULLING TO THE RIGHT. VEHICLE SOUNDED AS IF IN NEUTRAL. NO CONTROL OF VEHICLE. MANAGED TO PULL OVER AND PARKED. CHECKED VEHICLE. NOTICED RIGHT FRONT PASSENGER SIDE WHEEL CAVED INWARDS. TOWED TO DEALER. WAS INFORMED BY MECHANIC THAT RACK AND PINION HAD SNAPPED COMPLETELY IN HALF.*AK

Date of Failure:
Component: STEERING:GEAR:RACK AND PINION
Summary: THERE IS A KNOCKING NOISE IN STEERING WHEEL. DEALER HAS REPLACED RACK AND PINION STEERING AND PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. MANUFACTURER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. *AK

Date of Failure:
Component: STEERING:GEAR BOX
Summary: STEERING GEAR BOX HAS FAILED WHILE DRIVING, CAUSING A LOSS OF STEERING CAPABLITY DUE TO FAULTY PARTS. CONSUMER HAS HAD STEERING GEAR REPLACED A TOTAL OF 3 TIMES.*AK

Date of Failure: 09/12/2000
Component: STEERING:POWER ASSIST
Summary: INTERMITTENTLY STEERING BECAME HARD TO STEER. DEALER NOTIFIED, AND WAS UNABLE TO LOCATE CAUSE. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK

Date of Failure:
Component: STEERING:GEAR:RACK AND PINION
Summary: WHEN OIL WAS CHANGED NOTICED LOTS OF FLUIDS LEAKING. DEALER STATED RACK AND PINION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK

Date of Failure: 12/01/1999
Component: STEERING:POWER ASSIST
Summary: CONSUMER HAS EXPERIENCED SUDDEN YET INTERMITTENT LOSS OF POWER STEERING AND POWER BRAKES WHILE MAKING A WIDE TURN TO THE RIGHT RESULTING IN LOSS OF CONTROL. NLM

Date of Failure: 12/21/1999
Component: STEERING:WHEEL AND COLUMN
Summary: WHILE DRIVING IN A MALL PARKING LOT, WENT TO MAKE A LEFT HAND TURN INTO A PARKING SPOT, AND STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP. VEHICLE HIT A POLE. CONTACTED DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER. *AK

Date of Failure:
Component: STEERING:POWER ASSIST
Summary: POWER STEERING INTERMITTENTLY GOES OUT. WHILE TURNING CORNERS STEERING WILL LOCK UP FOR SOME SECONDS, AND THEN IT WILL RETURN TO NORMAL OPERATION. GMC HAS BEEN CONTACTED. *AK

Date of Failure: 07/27/2000
Component: STEERING:LINKAGES:TIE ROD:INNER
Summary: WHILE DRIVING ABOUT 40-45 MPH RIGHT INNER TIE ROD BROKE, AND DRIVER LOST CONTROL OF VEHICLE. VEHICLE HIT AN EMBANKMENT, CRASHED INTO A CULVER, AND WENT ACROSS A DRIVEWAY BEFORE STOPPING. THERE WERE FIVE PASSENGERS IN THE VEHICLE, AND ALL FIVE PASSENGERS WERE INJURED. VEHICLE WILL MOST LIKELY BE TOTALLED. *AK

Date of Failure: 09/03/1998
Component: STEERING:GEAR:RACK AND PINION
Summary: SUSPENSION MAKING A SQUEAKING LOUD SUEAKING NOISE FROM LEFT FRON END. (LOWER CONTROL ARMS REPLACED. ** VEHICLE FRONT END SUSPENSION CONTINUES TO HAVE PROBLEMS). STEERING PROBLEM GENERATED NOISES FROM LEFT FRONT END WHICH I MISTOOK FOR SUSPENSION FAILURE. (TAPE KIT ADDED TO FRONT STABILIZER BAR). BRAKES NOISES DURING THE ACT OF BRAKING. (CALIBERS GRABBING PAD MAKING A CLACKING SOUND-STOP SQUEAL ADDED TO BACK OF PADS ** BRAKES CONTINUE TO MAKE NOISES). LEFT AND RIGHT HUB CAP ASSEMPLY BOTH FAILED-CURRENTLY PART ON ORDER FOR RIGH HUB CAP ASSEMBLY). ** VEHICLE FRONT SUSPENSION ROUGH AND UNREALIABLE CAUSING CONTINUES PROBLEMS WITH VEHICLE.

Date of Failure: 08/31/1998
Component: STEERING:GEAR:RACK AND PINION
Summary: WE REPORTED THE PROBLEM AS A LOUD POP WHEN TURNING AND STRIKING A BUMP IN THE ROAD. AFTER THREE TRIPS TO THE DEALER AND BEING TOLD THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG, THEY FINALLY EXAMINED THE RACK AND PINION AND FOUND A BROKEN WELD ON THE RACK ASSEMBLY. THERE IS STILL SOME UNUSUAL NOISES IN THE FRONT END BUT THE DEALOR TELLS US EVERYTHING IS NORMAL. AT 8,000 MILES THE LEFT FRONT ROTOR WAS EXAMINED, AND FOUND TO HAVE DEEP SCORES IN IT WHILE THE RIGHT ONE WAS SMOOTH. AFTER THREE DAYS IN THE SHOP, AND THERE TELLING ME THIS WAS NORMAL WEAR THEY FINALLY TURNED THE ROTORS (NOT REPLACING THEM) THIS ELEMINATED SOME NOISE AND SURGING WHEN STOPPING, BUT SOMETHING IS STILL NOT RIGHT. THERE IS A TICKING NOISE LIKE WHEN THERE IS A ROCK IN ONE OF YOUR TIRES, AS WELL AS UNEXPLAINED POPING WHEN CROSSING RR TRACKS ETC. *AK

Date of Failure: 12/23/1999
Component: STEERING
Summary: STEERING WHEEL SPUN OUT OF CONTROL. YH

Date of Failure: 07/23/1999
Component: STEERING
Summary: THE STEERING GEAR WAS LOOSE AND FAILED TWICE. YH

Date of Failure:
Component: STEERING
Summary: CONSUMER STATES THERE ARE STEERING PROBLEMS THAT THE DEALER CAN NOT DUPLICATE OR CORRECT, CONSUMER IS WORRIED THAT HE MAY LOSE COMPLETE CONTROL OF STEERING IF THE PROBLEM IS NOT RESOLVED SOON. *SLC

Date of Failure: 08/01/1998
Component: STEERING:GEAR:RACK AND PINION
Summary: RACK AND PINION GEAR FAILED. NLM

Date of Failure:
Component: STEERING:GEAR BOX
Summary: STEERING GEAR FAILED. NLM

Date of Failure:
Component: STEERING:GEAR:RACK
Summary: STEERING RACK FAILED. YH

Date of Failure: 06/12/1998
Component: STEERING:GEAR:RACK AND PINION
Summary: THERE HAS BEEN ABOUT 10 ATTEMPTS TO HAVE STEERING PROBLEM CORRECTED PUMP & RACK HAS BEEN REPLACED AND STILL HAVE A PROBLEM REAR BRAKES WARPED DEALER REFUSED TO FIX WOULD DO ONLY FRONT DEFECTIVE PITTED ROTORS UNDER WARR.PROBLEMS REPORTED WHEN FIRST PURCH.CAR STEERING IS A DANGER WANTED TO RETURN CAR TOO MANY REPAIRS AND NOT FIXED

Date of Failure: 06/19/2000
Component: STEERING:GEAR:RACK AND PINION
Summary: THIS IS THE THIRD TIME THAT THE STEERING RACK AND PINION NEEDS TO BE REPLACED ON THIS CAR. IN TALKING WITH THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT AT LEIDY'S IN MIFFLINTOWN PA, THEY MENTIONED THAT THEY HAVE BEEN FIXING NUMEROUS OLDS INTRIGUE'S STEERING RACKS. THIS APPEARS TO ME TO BE A MANUFACTURE DEFECT THAT NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED BEFORE SERIOUS INJURIES OR FATALITIES OCCUR. I NO LONGER TRUST THIS CAR TO BE RELIABLE AND WOULD NOT RECOMMEND IT TO ANYONE LOOKING TO BUY. *AK

Date of Failure:
Component: STEERING:GEAR:RACK AND PINION
Summary: THE STEERING RACK AND PINON HAS BEEN REPLACED 3 TIMES WITHIN 20,414 MILES , LAST REPLACED AT 20,414 MILES, MY WARRANTY EXPIRES IN NOV. 2000 AND WILL HAVE TO PAY 900.00 DOLLARS FOR THE NEXT REPLACEMENT WHICH I AM SURE IT WILL NEED. . BRAKE ROTORS WERE RESURFACED AT 9256 MILES AND ARE BAD AGAIN AT 20,414 BUT THE DEALER AND GM CUSTOMER SERVICE SAID THAT THIS WAS NORMAL WEAR AND THE DEALER SAID IT IS BEYOND THEIR WARRANTY AND WILL NOT RESURFACE THE ROTORS AGAIN BUT WILL RESURFACE FOR 288.00 DOLLARS. THE BRAKES SHUTTER WHEN THEY GET WARM AND CAUSES SEVER VIBRATION WHEN BRAKING HARD. BOTH THESE PROBLEMS APPEAR TO BE A MANUFACTURES DEFECT AS OTHER OWNERS ARE HAVING SIMULAR DEFECTS.*AK

Date of Failure: 08/01/2000
Component: STEERING:GEAR:RACK
Summary: POWER STEERING RACK FAILED INTERNALLY. *AK

Date of Failure: 09/15/2000
Component: STEERING:GEAR:RACK AND PINION
Summary: I THINK THE RACK AND PINIONS FAILED DUE TO MANUFACTOR FLAW SO FAR THE THIRD ONE ON CAR IS HOLDING UP. *AK

Date of Failure: 09/25/2001
Component: STEERING:GEAR:RACK AND PINION
Summary: I HAVE HAD MULTIPLE FAILURES OF THE FRONT RACK AND PINION STREERING GEAR AND RELATED COMPONENTS. EACH REPAIR HAS LASTED AN ESTIMATED 12,000 MILES UNTIL RETURNING. THE SYMPTOMS ARE A BANGING NOISE AT LOW SPEEDS WHILE TURNING WITH SOME LOSS OF CONTROL. DURING THE LAST FAILURE PERIOD, I ALLOWED THE SITUATION TO CONTINUE TO SEE IF IT WOULD WORSEN AND IT INDEED HAS. THE PRESENT ESTIMATE FROM THE DEALER TO REPAIR THE PROBLEM IS $1,500. PREVIOUS REPAIRS HAD BEEN DONE UNDER WARRANTY. I DRIVE AN AVERAGE OF 500 MILES PER WEEK AT HIWAY SPEEDS AND AM GREATLY CONCERNED ABOUT MY SAFETY.*AK

Date of Failure:
Component: STEERING:POWER ASSIST
Summary: WHEN MAKING A LEFT HAND TURN STEERING BECAME HARD ,NEXT TO IMPOSSIBLE TO TURN DUE TO FAILURE OF POWER STEERING GEAR. STEERING WAS FINE WHEN MAKING A RIGHT HAND TURN. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK

Date of Failure: 02/20/2001
Component: STEERING:GEAR:RACK AND PINION
Summary: WHILE DRIVING POWER STEERING GAVE OUT, AND CONSUMER ENDED UP RUNNING INTO A FIELD. CONTACTED DEALER, AND DEALER WAS NOT WILLING TO DO ANYTHING.*AK RACK AND PINION ASSEMBLY LOCKED UP COULD NOT TURN. *YH

Date of Failure: 06/20/2001
Component: STEERING:GEAR:RACK AND PINION
Summary: CONSUMER STATES THAT STEERING: GEAR: SHAFT PINION FAILED. *AK RACK AND PINION WAS REPLACED, GM OFFERED TO SPLIT THE COST, HOWEVER CONSUMER DID NOT FIND THIS ACCEPTABLE. *SLC

Date of Failure: 06/20/2001
Component: STEERING:GEAR:RACK AND PINION
Summary: RACK AND PINION STEERING WENT OUT AT 50,000 MILES. ALSO, CONSUME R FEELS THAT THIS SHOULD NOT HAPPEN, AND THAT OLDSMOBILE SHOULD PAY FOR IT SINCE VEHICLE IS ONLY 3 YEARS OLD. *AK

Date of Failure: 10/02/2001
Component: STEERING:GEAR:RACK AND PINION
Summary: EXPERIENCING PROBLEM WITH THE POWER STEERING WHIC MAKE IT VERY STIFF AND DIFFICULT TO TURN. THE PROBLEM WAS THE PUMP AND POSSIBLY THE RACK AND PINION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED

Date of Failure: 11/01/1997
Component: STEERING:GEAR:RACK
Summary: POWER STEERING RACK FAILED CAUSING LEAKAGE.

Date of Failure: 08/24/1999
Component: STEERING:WHEEL AND COLUMN
Summary: WHILE DRIVING STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP WITHOUT WARNING , CAUSING LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL. CAUSE UNKNOWN. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS. *AK

Date of Failure: 05/02/2000
Component: STEERING:GEAR BOX
Summary: WON'T TURN LEFT. DEALER ADVISED VERY RARE FOR GEAR BOX TO GO OUT IN CAR. SOUNDS LIKE DEFECT. VERY EXPENSIVE, WOULD LIKE TO KNOW IF COMMON IN GRAND PRIX. SHOULD MAKER REFUND REPAIR.

Date of Failure: 05/05/2000
Component: STEERING:GEAR BOX
Summary: DEALER SAID RARE DEFECT, COSTS $1200. TO FIX, NO RESPONSE FROM PONTIAC. NO SAFETY DEFECT LISTED IN SUMMARY. *AK

Date of Failure: 12/19/2001
Component: STEERING:GEAR:RACK AND PINION
Summary: STEERING LOCKED AS I WAS PULLING INTO A PARKING SPACE. VEHICLE HAD TO BE TOWED TO A GARAGE. ENTIRE RACK AND PINION UNIT REPLACED. I SAW A NEWSPAPER ARTICLE STATING THAT YOUR AGENCY WAS INVESTIGATING PONTIAC GRAND PRIXS THAT HAD THIS PROBLEM. COST OF REPLACEMENT - $825

Date of Failure: 01/01/2002
Component: STEERING:GEAR:RACK AND PINION
Summary: STEERING RACK AND PINION FAILED. TOWED TO DEALER, AND INFORMED BY MECHANIC THAT RACK AND PINION WAS BINDING, CAUSING INOPERABLE STEERING. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS.*AK

Date of Failure:
Component: STEERING
Summary: WHILE DRIVING STEERING LOCKS UP AND MAKES A POPPING NOISE. STEERING RACK AND PINION HAS BEEN REPLACED. HOWEVER, IT DID NOT SOLVE THE PROBLEM. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK

Date of Failure: 01/31/2002
Component: STEERING:GEAR:RACK AND PINION
Summary: WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH AND MAKING A NINETY-DEGREE LEFT TURN STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP AND DRIVER WAS UNABLE TO CONTROL DIRECTION OF VEHICLE. CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO STOP VEHICLE IN THE LAWN IN FRONT OF AN OFFICE BUILDING. AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC DIAGNOSED THAT RACK AND PINION GEARS FAILED AND HAVE TO BE REPLACED. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION / DOCUMENTATION.*AK

Date of Failure: 09/24/1999
Component: STEERING:GEAR:RACK AND PINION
Summary: VECHICLE WAS DEFECTIVE WHEN CONSUMER PURCHASED THE VEHICLE. IT HAD 19,434 MILES ON IT. ACK PINION STEERING MALFUNCTIONED, AND LEFT WHEEL WOULDN'T START UP AT ALL. *AK

Date of Failure: 02/05/2001
Component: STEERING
Summary: LIKE DRIVING AN ARMY TANK CONSUMER CAN'T STEER. ONCE WHILE TRAVELING WITH CHILDREN, CONSUMER TURNED STEERING WHEEL, AND IT WOULD NOT TURN BACK. IF ON A HIGHWAY, SOMEONE COULD HAVE BEEN HURT. *AK CONSUMER BELIEVES THERE WERE QUITE MANY VEHICLES OF THIS MODEL EXPERIENCING STEERING PROBLEM. *YH

Date of Failure:
Component: STEERING:GEAR:RACK AND PINION
Summary: RACK AND PINION FAILED AND REPLACEMENT IS NOT FUNCTIONING PROPERLY.

Date of Failure: 08/25/1999
Component: STEERING
Summary: WHILE DRIVING ABOUT 10 TO 15 MPH ON WET PAVEMENT AND PULLING INTO A PARKING LOT, STEERING WENT OUT. CONSUMER HAD TO USE BOTH HANDS AND ALOT OF FORCE ,AND APPLY THE BRAKES HARD TO BRING VEHICLE TO A STOP. *AK

The above list was compiled for the following article: Police Chevrolet Impala Steering can lockup while driving at any speed