NHTSA — Steering Problems

2.7

hardly worth mentioning
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
55,000 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

1996 Pontiac Sunfire steering problems

steering problem

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1996 Pontiac Sunfire Owner Comments

problem #3

Feb 272009

Sunfire

  • 165,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

February 25, 2009 - noticed when using the tilt steering lever, the steering column did not lock at certain levels (lower position). Within a week of noticing this problem, I notice the steering column seemed loose and when it was difficult at times when turning left. In one incident, nearly lost control of the vehicle when another vehicle veered into my lane on the freeway at speeds of 65 mph. I had to over compensate the immediate turn to avoid loosing control of the vehicle and crashing. March 13, 2009 - noise heard when turning or steering the vehicle. Check power steering fluid - slightly low, added power steering fluid - noise went away. March 14, 2009 - noticed power steering fluid leak near both front wheels. Noise again heard - it appears the rack and pinion steering is the problem. This was a previous recall by GM (NHTSA no 02V286000) and my vehicle was repaired in 2003 based on the recall. Further research indicates this has happened to other consumers after the repairs had been made by a GM certified mechanic at a dealership. The GM dealership does not want to repair their previous work at no charge. I believe this should be repaired at no cost to me, as it was a previous recall, serviced when notified of the recall and continues to be a problem that could or will result in a crash or injuries to the vehicle occupants should the steering lock-up due to the rack and pinion failure. March 15, 2009 - tilt steering does not work and the steering wheel locks in one position, all the way up and tends to extend more left than right. It appears a pin on the steering column has fallen out and is loose inside the steering column. Removed ignition covering and found metal pin for the steering column had popped out, now causing the tilt steering to lock in the most upward position and extend left. Results in the driver over correcting to make turns and a crash with injury whammy occur.

- Long Beach, CA, USA

problem #2

Mar 292003

Sunfire

  • Manual transmission
  • miles
The vehicle experienced a problem with the steering, consumer's son loss control of the vehicle.

- Melville, NY, USA

problem #1

Sep 282000

Sunfire

  • miles
Steering gets locked up when turning corners. Problem is intermittent. Dealer is uncertain, they can't start replacing parts. They have to figure out where it's coming from.

- Steillwater, OK, USA

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