NHTSA Complaint #10341940 — 2009 PONTIAC G5

MY SON WAS DRIVING A 2009 PONTIAC G5 IN A HIGH SCHOOL PARKING LOT AT APPROXIMATELY 40MPH +/- AND WENT TO MAKE SUDDEN TURN WHEN THE POWER STEERING COMPLETELY FAILED. HE SLAMMED ON THE BRAKES AND EVEN PULLED THE E-BRAKE TO NO AVAIL AND HIT A BLOCK WALL. AS A RESULT OF THIS ACCIDENT HE SUSTAINED NECK AND BACK INJURIES AS WELL AS OTHER BUMPS AND BRUISES. THE VEHICLE HIT THE WALL AT APPROXIMATELY A 20 DEGREE ANGLE HITTING THE DRIVER SIDE FRONT CORNER AT THE HEADLIGHT AREA. THE IMPACT RESULTED IN MAJOR DAMAGE TO THE FRONT CORNER PANEL, HOOD, DRIVER DOOR, RADIATOR, AND POSSIBLE BENT FRAME. AFTER BACKING THE CAR AWAY FROM THE WALL THE POWER STEERING STARTED WORKING AGAIN BUT WITH LOSS OF FLUIDS THE VEHICLE HAD TO BE TOWED AWAY AND MY SON GETTING CHECKED OUT FOR HIS INJURIES. THE VEHICLE IS EQUIPPED WITH ON-STAR BUT IT FAILED TO ACKNOWLEDGE THE IMPACT SENSORS AND DID SEND ANY TYPE OF MESSAGE OR RESPONSE. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY EITHER. WE DID RECEIVE A RECALL NOTICE ABOUT THE POWER STEERING UNIT BUT IT DID NOT SAY THE VEHICLE WOULD HAVE A COMPLETE LOSS OF STEERING. THE NOTICE DID NOT SAY TO QUIT DRIVING THE VEHICLE UNTIL A FIX WAS IN PLACE SO WE THOUGHT IT WAS STILL SAFE TO DRIVE. IT IS MY UNDERSTANDING NOW THAT THIS PROBLEM HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR YEARS. WHY DIDN'T THE DEALER HAVE TO INFORM US BEFORE WE BOUGHT IT. I WILL NEVER PUT MY SON IN THAT CAR AGAIN FIXED OR NOT. *TR