NHTSA Complaint #706354 — 1995 PONTIAC SUNFIRE

PROBLEM: KNOCKING NOISE HEARD FROM FRONT SUSPENSION WHEN GOING OVER BUMPS. I HAVE HAD THE CAR INSPECTED BY THREE DIFFERENT AUTO REPAIR SHOPS, INCLUDING THE DEALER WHERE THE CAR WAS PURCHASED. THE DEALER SAID HE WOULD START WITH THE FRONT STRUT AND MOUNT (NO GARANTEE THAT THE PROBLEM WILL BE CORRECTED). I HAVE RECEIVED A TOTAL OF THREE DIFFERENT DIAGNOSIS OVER THE LAST TWO WEEKS. THESE INCLUDE, THE LOWER TIE ROD, THE RACK AND PINNION STEERING SYSTEM AND A FRONT STRUT AND MOUNT. SINCE I CAN'T GET CONSENSUS, I HAVE NOT HAD THE PROBLEM CORRECTED AS YET. IF I REPAIRED THE COMPONENTS THEY SAID WERE DEFECTIVE, IT WOULD COST ME IN EXCESS OF $1500. ALL THE AUTO SHOPS HAVE TOLD ME THIS IS NOT A SAFETY CONCERN AND THAT THE COMPONENT(S) WILL NOT FAIL CATASTROPHICALLY. I'M NOT NECESSARILY CONVINCED. THE NOISE IS VERY DISTURBING.THIS CONDITION HAS ONLY BEEN AUDIBLE FOR ABOUT 1 MONTH. YOUR DATABASE INDICATES THAT OTHERS HAVE HAD THE SAME COMPLAINT (SEE SERVICE BULLETIN NO. GM53-32-02). DO YOU KNOW IF GENERAL MOTORS HAS RECALLED ANY OF THESE VEHICLES OR REPAIRED ANY OF THESE VEHICLES UNDER A SECRET WARRANTY?? PLEASE LET ME KNOW IF YOU NEED ANY OTHER INFORMATION. *AK