Problems · by component

1997 Pontiac Grand Prix steering problems

215 owner complaints to NHTSA about the 1997 Pontiac Grand Prix cite steering, 26% of all 820 complaints for this model year. NHTSA also lists 2 recalls on this component.

Complaints
215
26% of all complaints
Crashes
15
Reported by owners
Fires
2
Reported by owners
Injuries
12
Reported by owners
01 —Owner reports

What owners say about the steering

Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first
“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”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Feb 10, 2021Steering, Electrical system, EngineFire reportedODI 11395511
“FUEL GAGE DOESNT WORK ALWAYS READS FULL- SHOWS OVER FULL WHEN ITS HOT OUT-OIL AND RADIATOR LEAK- FOLLOWED LAST ENGINE RECALL-NEW RADIATOR HOSES ETC 1250$-AIR BAG? I GOT RECALL WORK DONE LAST YEAR”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 11, 2017Steering, Engine, Fuel/propulsion systemODI 11014669
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ENGINE RPMS INCREASED EXCESSIVELY ONCE THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED. IN ADDITION, COOLANT WAS LEAKING FROM THE TAIL PIPE AND THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT ENGINE OIL WAS ALSO LEAKING FROM THE VEHICLE. THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD ALSO SEIZE SPORADICALLY AND WOULD OFTEN SHAKE WHEN DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, WHO INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND ADVISED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 09V116000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING), AND NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 09E005000 (STEERING). THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 130,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jan 23, 2013Steering, EngineODI 10494483
“TL - THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX. WHEN THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO MAKE A LEFT TURN THE VEHICLE MALFUNCTIONED DUE TO THE WHEEL BEARINGS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC WHO CONFIRMED THAT THE WHEEL BEARINGS FAILED. THE CONTACT STATED PRIOR TO THE FAILURE THE REPAIRS WERE PERFORMED IN 2003 UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER:02V286000 (STEERING:RACK AND PINION). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 180,000. RVK”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 29, 2011SteeringODI 10427902
“THE DRIVER RECEIVED A (NHTSA) RECALL NOTICE (02-V-286-000) POWER STEERING WHEEL. THE DEALER'S MECHANIC REPLACED THE BEARING NOT THE RACK AND PINION. ONE MONTH LATER THE DRIVER COMPLAINED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL WAS HARD TO TURN AND THERE WAS A KNOCKING NOISE HEARD COMING FROM UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE. THE CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE DEALER'S MECHANIC WOULD NOT REPLACE THE PART. *TR”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jul 29, 2011SteeringODI 10416292
“THERE IS A RECALL OF 1997 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX #02V286000. RECALL DATE 11-04-2002 FOR ASSEMBLY DATES 1-1-1996 THROUGH 10-31-1997 MY CARS ASSEMBLY DATE IS 8-30-1996. MY CAR HAS THE EXACT CONSEQUENCE OF THIS RECALL. THE RECALL LISTING IS: 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…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 25, 2009SteeringODI 10285243

Showing 6 of 215 reports. Read every report on NHTSA.gov.

Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 10, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
02 —Related recalls

2 recalls on this component

Steering

Free remedy

DORMAN IS RECALLING 979 STEERING KNUCKLES, DORMAN P/NOS. 697-902 AND 697-903, SOLD UNDER DORMAN'S "OE SOLUTIONS<SUP>TM</SUP>" BRAND NAME, AND NAPA P/NOS. 7-8502 AND 7-8503 WHICH WERE SOLD FOR REPLACEMENT USE ON THE VARIOUS VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. A POTENTIAL MATERIAL OR DESIGN DEFECT COULD RESULT IN THE STEERING KNUCKLE BREAKING IN THE HUB AREA.

SteeringReported Feb 17, 2009NHTSA 09E005000

Steering: rack and pinion

Free remedy

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.

SteeringReported Nov 4, 2002NHTSA 02V286000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 10, 2026

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.