NHTSA — Steering: Column Problems

10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 1
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
90,000 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.

1997 Pontiac Sunfire steering problems

steering problem

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1997 Pontiac Sunfire Owner Comments

problem #3

Jun 252014

Sunfire

  • 200,000 miles

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

TL * the contact owns a 1997 Pontiac Sunfire. The contact stated that smoke was emitting from the steering column. The contact mentioned that after inspecting the vehicle he noticed that there was an electrical short causing the wires to melt together. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic. The technician diagnosed that the ignition switch malfunctioned. As a result, the steering column and wiring harness needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and current mileage was 200,000.

- St Louis , MO, USA

problem #2

Dec 012006

Sunfire 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 70,000 miles
Tilt steering wheel will not lock into place allowing steering wheel to move freely up and to the left. Dangerous for steering during normal driving and in particular if evasive safety maneuvers are needed. Fixed at repair shop but was told that the entire pivot unit may have to be replaced at a very high cost.

- Castle Rock, CO, USA

problem #1

Aug 282003

Sunfire

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
While backing out of parking space steering wheel kept spinning. Consumer was unable to steer the vehicle. Dealer replaced the steering column. While backing out of a parking space vehicle's steering wheel kept spinning. Mechanic has replaced steering rack and steering column.

- Carpinteria, CA, USA

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