NHTSA Complaint #10285243 — 1997 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX

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 UNINTENDED POWER ASSIST TO THE RIGHT. IN ANY OF THESE CONDITIONS, A CRASH COULD OCCUR. I TOOK THE CAR TO A REGULAR SHOP AND THE MECHANIC THERE USE TO BE A GM MACHANIC AND HE SAID I HAVE THE EXACT CAUSE OF THE RECALL PROBLEM. AND CAN'T BELIVE THAT GM WILL NOT COVER THIS CAR. ALL THE SYMPTOMS ARE THE SAME. AND THE BEARINGS ARE GONE FROM THE RACK. *TR