1997 Pontiac Grand Prix Steering Problems
- Complaints
- 216about this part
- Share
- 27%of 810 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 86,500miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 216 complaints about the steering of the 1997 Pontiac Grand Prix, 27% of the 810 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 86,500 miles. 15 of these say a crash was involved and 3 a fire, according to the filers. 1 recall campaign on record is filed under a similar system.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“The rack and pinion in my 1997 Pontiac Grand Prix is not allowing me to turn left with the assistance of power steering. There was a recall on a lower pinion bearing, which I had replaced. The problem still exists after all of the recall repairs were finished. I believe that when the lower pinion bearing went out it caused more damage to the steering rack.”
NHTSA complaint #10007662, filed 2003-02, 47,995 miles“My 97 pont Grand Prix was recalled in jan 2003 for the rack and pinion sterring,it was repaired . In july I lost controll of the car because of the steerring ,no injuries.I had to get it fix at the local garage.when I made the complaint to Pontiac they told me so sorry but they would not honor any repairs on thier poor fix.”
NHTSA complaint #10072522, filed 2004-05, 86,000 miles“The reason for complaint is a fire under the hood. The insurance company has said it is totaled. No offer has came in for a clain as of today. The car was parked and had been off for approx. 15 min. When smoke was noticed coming from hood area .fire dept. Was called and fire was exstingished. No injury occurred. This fire could have burned our home had it been in our garage.”
NHTSA complaint #10069498, filed 2004-01, 115,000 miles“I had the power steering recall done on my 1997 Pontiac Grand Prix gtp when the recall first came out. Prior to the recall I had zero problems with my power steering. After the recall, not even days later, my power steering rack now leaks and is jerky when turning. The dealer will not cooperate in fixing it and thinks the recall has nothing to do with my new problems right after the recall work.”
NHTSA complaint #10052982, filed 2004-01, 85,000 miles“This is the worst automobile I have ever owned. It is nickel and diming me to death. Both back windows are being held up in place by sticks that I have proped under them. The front passenger window I paid $300 to have repaired. The steering locked up on me and I had to dish out $500 to get that repaired, GM recalled it a couple of weeks after that, thank god I got some of my money back for that repair. The passengers side head light lens cover fell off $75 to replace that. …”
NHTSA complaint #10070584, filed 2004-01, 80,000 milesRelated recalls
- 02V286000Nov 4, 2002Certain passenger vehicles and mini vans have lower pinion bearings in the power rack and pinion assembly in which the retainer tabs were not crimped…Covers: Pontiac Grand Prix 1997–1998, Chevrolet Cavalier 1996–1998, Pontiac Sunfire 1996–1998 +4 more
Related service bulletins
- 10017515Jun 1, 2005Revised outer tie rod end nut tightening specification/tie rod end jam nut tightening specification added.
Steering: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 9 | 6% |
| 2007 | 22 | 10% |
| 2006 | 42 | 18% |
| 2005 | 24 | 16% |
| 2004 | 64 | 14% |
| 2003 | 2 | 2% |
| 2002 | 12 | 4% |
| 2001 | 21 | 7% |
| 2000 | 35 | 8% |
| 1999 | 58 | 14% |
| 1998 | 89 | 18% |
| 1997 | 216 | 27% |
| 1996 | 8 | 10% |
| 1995 | 5 | 3% |
| 1994 | 9 | 4% |
| 1993 | 9 | 7% |
| 1992 | 6 | 5% |
| 1991 | 13 | 8% |
| 1990 | 11 | 6% |
| 1989 | 12 | 9% |
| 1988 | 4 | 5% |
Other parts of the 1997 Pontiac Grand Prix
149 complaintsEngine cooling
136 complaintsElectrical system
88 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
78 complaintsAir bags
56 complaintsBrakes
52 complaintsEngine
45 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
32 complaintsSuspension
26 complaintsOther or unknown
19 complaintsBody and structure
19 complaintsFuel system
18 complaints
← All problems reported for the 1997 Pontiac Grand Prix
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology