Recalls


CampaignManufacturerManufacturing dateType# of units affectedDate Owner notified MfgRecall Initiated byManufacturers of recalled vehicles/productsReport Recieved DateRecord Creation DateRegulation Part NumberFMVSS Number
STEERING
09E005000DORMAN PRODUCTS, INC. E (Equipment)97902/23/2009MFRGENERAL MOTORS CORP.02/17/200902/17/2009
Defect SummaryDorman is recalling 979 steering knuckles, dorman p/nos. 697-902 and 697-903, sold under dorman's oe solutionstm brand name, and napa p/nos. 7-8502 and 7-8503 which were sold for replacement use on the various vehicles listed above. a potential material or design defect could result in the steering knuckle breaking in the hub area.
Consequence SummaryA broken steering knuckle could result in loss of steering control and a possible crash without warning.
Corrective SummaryDorman will notify owners and replace the defective steering knuckles free of charge and reimburse the repair facility or owner for labor. the recall began on february 23, 2009. owners may contact dorman's toll-free hotline at 1-800-523-2492.
NotesThis recall only pertains to aftermarket dorman steering knuckles and has no relation to any original equipment installed on vehicles manufactured by general motors corporation.owners may also contact the national highway traffic safety administration's vehicle safety hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (tty 1-800-424-9153), or go to http://www.safercar.gov .

Bulletins


BulletinBulletin dateReplacement BulletinItem no.SummaryAdded
STEERING
05023200306/01/200510017515Revised outer tie rod end nut tightening specification/tie rod end jam nut tightening specification added. *tt11/09/2005
STEERING - COLUMN
02023500204/01/2002634917Concerns with tilt settering column sticking in position and unable to release. *tt10/10/2002
STEERING - LINKAGES - TIE ROD ASSEMBLY
03023204911/01/200310004765Release of new outer tie rod ends for service. *tt01/06/2004

Consumer Complaints


Fail datemilesoccurencesPurchase date
STEERING
09/21/2001607/01/2001
 2001 pontiac grand prix engine oil leak, interior water leak at passenger door *cw the dealer informed the consumer that the water leak may have been a result of the door being misaligned. the vehicle pulled to the left. the consumer was then informed the reason for the pulling of the vehicle was due to the inferior tires on the vehicle. the sticker in the trunk specified h rated tires, however the tires the dealer sold on the vehicle were goodyear eagle ls tires. the cd player was inoperative. the engine light illuminated. the egr valve and gasket were replaced. the sunroof was leaking and the alternator was replaced. the left front cv boot was leaking and the left front hub bearing was noisy. the ignition cylinder, parking brake, power steering hose, pump seal, rack and pinion and outer tie rod were replaced. *jb
09/22/2003105/31/2001
 When attempting to turn left steering column locks. *ak consumer heard a loud thump sound when turning into a parking space. when the consumer attempted to straighten the wheel but it was hard to turn. once the wheel became straight again the consumer drove it home. while in route the consumer noticed it was difficult to make left turns because the steering wheel started to bind. *ph *nlm
03/01/20026000103/01/2002
 The steering on this car exhibits play at the center point of the steering (car going straight, not turning) and has from the first day i owned it. it feels as if it has a worn out steering box similar to a high-mileage, old car with recirculation ball type steering box instead of a rack and pinion. this play causes the car to drift to the left or right when driving straight down the road. this condition is exaggerated in rain or snow/ice conditions when the lack of steering input and feel causes one to over-compensate thinking the car is sliding. it is very disconcerting. despite my many complaints, the dealers have told me this play is normal and within specifications and refused to discuss the subject. this is ridiculous. i have driven similar cars, with much higher mileage, and their steering has no play what so ever! although there has been no incident as a result of this condition (yet) it is indeed a safety hazard. *jb
STEERING - COLUMN
01/10/2006870001
 My key became stuck in the ignition....i can start the car & drive but i have to use the emergency release that you access through the bottom of the steering column. *jb my mechanic told me that it has to be brought to the dealer to fix...
STEERING - GEAR BOX - SHAFT SECTOR
06/26/200232000205/20/2001
 01 pontiac grand pirx gt(4door) bought the car in may 01 (50miles)brand new in kernersville nc @vestal pontiac.the steering kept poping like a ankle would do if you turned it and made it pop.i constantly had them check the car and i have documents to prove it.i lost control of the car on june26,02 (32 miles on the car)the day after last complaint.i lost control on the interstate at 60pmh going into a left turn.i did (4)360's and hit the inside cement wall almost head on in the midle of hwy.no air bags came out.most the demage was facial , and engine cradle related(repaired).no steering components were demaged.the only steering compent was fixed was broke in half causeing the steering wheel to do a complete 360 turn.i had no control of the car when i wrecked.this component was not connected to my front wheels or steering.the steering sector that broke is a male /female compent that is suppose to collapse if hit by human.this section came away and broke the tooth off of the male cuaseing no connection from steering wheel to front end in the dash board /inner cab firewall area.the male should have drove down into the female piece when hit in front end(not come out as if hit in the reaer and i jerked up on the steering wheel).i have picture of the defected part in the car as well the part.i sold the car this past aug04.i lost finacially, and my insurance is killing me.gm had the car under investigation.never got a answer that made sence from them.nationwide did 10 grand repairs on the car and was never right.please help me or warn/find others .*ak
STEERING - HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST - POWER STEERING FLUID
02/09/20023
 Fluid underneath vehicle, vehicle was taken to dealer 3 times before power steering system was replaced.*ak
STEERING - HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST - PUMP
01/27/200860000208/05/2001
 2001 pontiac gp 3.8, going on the 3rd power steering pump, called gmpontiac no help there; just some one who knows nothing about cars. the pump is obviously under sized as they all moan and groan from day one until it gets so loud that you replace the pump. hello toyota good bye you lousy under worked overpaid gm fat cats. *tr
STEERING - HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM
03/15/2010302/06/2008
 2001 pontiac grand prix with power steering issue. consumer states that the power steering in her vehicle has been fixed three times and the problem keeps occurring. *kb
STEERING - LINKAGES - TIE ROD ASSEMBLY
04/11/2008127000104/15/2003
 Rear brake lights not working, but third center brake light is working. took to mechanic (pep boys) who changed the brake pads, rotors, brake fluid and replaced the bulbs and fuses, (as well as a motor w/reg for the driver's side rear window, serpentine belt, alternator drive belt, tie rod outer and oil change). when i got the car back, realized they never fixed the problem. returned the car and told it was the multifunction switch at a price of $450.00. this is great considering my bill for everything was $1,500.00, and the problem i brought it in for (brake lights) was never fixed. on web site: http://www.autoweb.com/content/research/forums/index.cfm/action/posts/fid/2831 there are approximately 119 complaints all about the multifunctional switch on pontaic vehicles. i am hoping that at some point the issue will be addressed to save other unsuspecting poor souls that bought a pontiac (grand prix gt). *tr
02/01/200740000405/01/2001
 Tl*the contact owns a 2001 pontiac grand prix. the contact stated that whenever he drove over a bump in the road, he could hear a cracking noise under the vehicle. he took the vehicle to the dealer and they stated that the tie rod ends were worn. the dealer replaced the tie rod ends, however, the failure recurred 8,000 miles later. the dealer stated that the part had begun to crack and they replaced the tie rod ends again. the contact stated that he should not have to pay for the repairs because he believes it is a manufacturer defect. the speed was unknown. the current mileage was 52,000 and failure mileage was 40,000. the consumer stated the defective part was the knuckle assembly. updated 09/18/07 *tr
STEERING - RACK AND PINION
11/20/200540000108/17/2001
 2001 pontiac grand prix with only 40,000 miles the rack and pinion went out. *jb
03/13/20061000003
 Rack and pinion (3rd failure) the rack and pinion steering has failed 3 times on my pontiac grand prix gt. *nm
06/22/200343054602/27/2002
 While making either a left or right hard turn the steering fails. after working the steering wheel back and forth it becomes free again. this has only happen at low speeds so far. after checking with the dealership i found out that this is a common occurrence and customers pay to have the knuckle at the rack and pinion replaced. there was a recall on the same item for 1996 through 1998 cars exhibiting the same problems. would you please investigate further.*ak
STEERING - RACK AND PINION - RACK
03/15/2007103989104/14/2001
 While trying to make a left turn in my 2001 grand prix pontiac the steering locked up. this almost caused a head on collision. the steering to the right was unaffected. the local dealer replaced the power steering rack and pinion steering which cost me $971.00. this defect should be a recall item.*ak
02/28/200532600107/08/2001
 Upon making a left turn i proceeded to park. when i left the parking lot to i had no power steering turning left. i took the car to the dealership and it was the entire rack assembly. i had my children with me and am thankful i was not on the highway when this happened. i was only about a year out of warranty with only 32000 miles on the car. repair cost was $1000 for parts and labor. *jb
STEERING - WHEEL AND HANDLE BAR
201/02/2002
 For a period of one year steering wheel had been loose. in one instance, steering wheel adjuster button popped off while driving, and the steering wheel fell into the driver's lap. dealer had attempted to repair the steering wheel, but had not solved the problem. *ak
10/01/20010
 When making a turn there is a loud noise coming from steering column. please provide additional information. *ak