1990 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX Recalls, Complaints & Safety

REAR SUBFRAME RETAINERS RUSTED OUT CAUSING ENGINE/TRANSAXLE TO DROP AND STEERING SHAFT TO SEPARATE CAUSING LOSS OF CONTROL WHERE THE VEHICLE ENDED UP IN THE ON COMING LANE OF TRAFFIC. THE RETAINERS HAVE BEEN REPLACED AT LEAST ONCE BEFORE. REPLACEMENT PARTS HAVE THE SAME DEFECT AS THE ORIGINAL PARTS. I DON'T BELIEVE THAT IS A SOLUTION. ONE GM DEALER (DON MILLER IN MADISON) DENIED ANY KNOWLEDGE OF A RECALL. ANOTHER GM DEALER SAID GM WILL OFFER A COUPLE HUNDRED DOLLARS AND TAKE THE CAR, BUT THERE IS NO REPAIR OPTION. YOUR PERSON I SPOKE WITH AT THE (888) PHONE NUMBER DIRECTED BE TO A GM (800) NUMBER WHO COULD NOT FIND ANY INFORMATION EVEN THOUGH I GAVE THEM THE RECALL NUMBER. IN ADDITION TO THE BOLTS AND RETAINERS THAT ARE "COVERED", THE RUBBER CUSHIONS AND TOP RETAINERS WERE UNABLE TO BE FOUND AND WILL REQUIRE REPLACEMENT. I HAVE ORDERED THE PARTS AT A COST OF ABOUT $110 AND A $60 TOW BILL PLUS ANY LABOR CHARGE I INCUR. LOOKING OVER THE NUMBER OF THESE FAILURES ON YOUR SITE, IT IS AMAZING TO ME THAT NO ACCIDENTS HAVE RESULTED THAT HAVE BEEN REPORTED. I WONDER HOW MANY HAVE OCCURRED AND THE CAUSE WAS NOT DISCOVERED. IT SEEMS TO ME THAT THE RECALL SHOULD BE CONTINUED TO INSPECT VEHICLES THAT HAVE BEEN "REPAIRED" WITH THE SAME DEFECTIVE PARTS. *TR

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 40MPH THE LEFT REAR WHEEL STEERED 45 DEGREES TO THE SIDE AND THE VEHICLE WENT OUT OF CONTROL. THE VEHICLE COLLIDED HEAD ON WITH A TREE. THE DRIVER WAS WEARING A SEAT BELT, BUT SUSTAINED INJURIES. THE POLICE TOOK A REPORT AT THE SCENE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A JUNK YARD AND INSPECTED BY THE MANUFACTURER, WHO PROVIDED NO CLEAR DETERMINATION AS TO WHAT CAUSED THE ACCIDENT. AN ENGINEER INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND DETERMINED THE TRAILING ARM FAILED AND CAUSED THE ACCIDENT.

Crash 1 injured

CAR WOULD GET HORRID GAS MILEAGE, OCCASIONALLY STALL, EXHAUST SMELL UNDER HOOD, BLACK EXHAUST. THE CROSSOVER PIPE FROM EACH EXHAUST MANIFOLD HAS A COMMON CRACKING ON THE BELLOWS AND MUST BE REPLACED, THEY RUN $2500 FROM GM WHICH JUST CRACK AGAIN, OR $425 FOR JEFF M ONE THAT DOESN'T CRACK. THE PIPE CRACKS CAUSE FRESH AIR TO ENTER THE EXHAUST AND THE OXYGEN SENSOR THINKS THE CARS RUNNING RICH, CAUSING HORRIBLE GAS MILEAGE, OIL CONTAMINATION, AND STALLING. THE EXTRA HEAT FROM THE CAR RUNNING RICH CRACKS THE TURBO HOUSING. *NM

IF YOU USE THE TURN SIGNAL, THE STEERING WHEEL WILL START SMOKING. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER AND DEALER DIDN'T WANT TO FIX IT. TURN SIGNALS STILL WORKED WHEN APPLIED. *NM

RECALL CAMPAIGN, HAVING SOME PROBLEMS WITH RECALLS NEVER RECEIVED. *BF THE REAR CRADLE BOLTS PULLED THROUGH THE RETAINERS DUE TO CORROSION. RECALL# 00V189000. *SC *JB

CONSUMER INQUIRING ABOUT RECALLS FOR 1990 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX. *MR RECALL #'S 90V185000 EXTERIOR LIGHTING BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH, 90V036000 FUEL SYSTEM TANK ASSEMBLY, 90V054000 SEAT BELTS, 00V189000 STRUCTURE, AND 94V041000 WHEELS. *SC *JB

CONSUMER STATED THAT WHILE WAITING AT AN ATM ENGINE FELL OUT OF VEHICLE. CONSUMER HAD VEHICLE TOWED TO THE MECHANIC, WHO SAID THAT THE CRADLE BOLTS RUSTED. CONSUMER INDICATED HE NEVER RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE. BUT WHEN HE CALLED GMC HE WAS TOLD THAT THIS VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. *AK

WHILE DRIVING THE ENGINE FELL. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE RETAINER CRADLE BROKE. CONSUMER NEVER RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE. *NM *MR

WHEN THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED, THE PEDAL TRAVELED TO THE FLOOR. *JB

VEHICLE'S REAR BRAKES WERE INOPERATIVE. RUST ACCUMULATED ON THE SURFACE OF THE BRAKES. AS A RESULT THE ROTORS AND PADS DID NOT COME IN CONTACT. *NLM

CONSUMER CALLED COMPLAINING ABOUT HAVING PROBLEM WITH THE ENGINE MOUNTS. WHICH HE REPLACED AT 115 THOUSANDS MILES AND HAS TO REPLACED AGAIN. DEALER HAS NOT BEEN NOTIFIED. PLEASE PROVIDE FIURTHER INFORMATION. TS

REAR LEFT AND RIGHT CARRIAGE BOLTS PULLED THROUGH RETAINERS, CAUSING THE STEERING SHAFT TO SPLIT AND THE ENGINE CRADLE TO DROP TO THE GROUND. PONTIAC ADMITS RESPONSIBILITY AND ALSO AGREED TO PROVIDE WORK ACCORDING TO "WARRANTY" I.E. PONTIAC WILL ABSORB THE COST OF REPAIR. WORK DONE BY RUSS AT WOBURN, MASS. PONTIAC. THE GM REP SPOKE WITH MY HUSBAND SEVERAL TIMES, INDICATING PONTIAC'S RESPONSIBILITY AND THAT THE WORK WAS BEING DONE AS A RECALL. HOWEVER, WHEN THE WORK WAS COMPLETED AND THE CAR WAS READY TO BE PICKED UP, GM'S FINAL WORD WAS HANDED DOWN AND THEY REFUSE TO ABSORB THE COST (800-762-2737 FILE #S19313957). THE COST OF THE REPAIR IS $620.00 (WHICH INCLUDES AN INFLATED TOW CHARGE OF $115.00 -- THE ACTUAL COST OF THE TOW ACCORDING TO THE DRIVER IS $65.00). MY NORMAL DRIVING HABITS TAKE ME 15 MILES TO AND FROM WORK ON THE HIGHWAY, IF THIS HAD HAPPED ON A WEEKDAY AND I WAS TRAVELLING AT MY USUAL AVERAGE RATE OF SPEED OF 70 MPH I WOULD BE HAVE BEEN SERIOUSLY INJURED OR DEAD. I EXPECT TO BE FULLY COMPENSATED FOR THIS FAILURE AS A GOOD FAITH GESTURE THAT PONTIAC STANDS BEHIND THEIR VEHICLES EVEN AFTER 10 YEARS. IT APPEARS THAT THE BOLTS LOOSENED THEMSELVES FROM THE CARRIAGE. THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY DEFECT, WHICH PONTIAC IS RESPONSIBLE TO CORRECT BOTH PROFESSIONALLY AND FINANCIALLY. PRIOR TO THE ENGINE FALLING ONTO THE GROUND, THIS WAS A DEPENDABLE, EXCELLENT RUNNING VEHICLE. I CAN ONLY HOPE THAT THERE WAS NO DAMAGE TO THE ENGINE WHEN THE BOLTS FAILED. YOUR INTERVENTION IS APPRECIATED.*AK

WHILE DRIVING BRAKES MAKE A LOUD NOISE. CONTACTED DEALER. CALIPERS HAD FROZEN UP.*AK *YH

WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED AND HITTING A BUMP STEERING COLUMN WILL PULL TO RIGHT OR LEFT. CAUSE UNKNOWN. DEALER NOTIFIED.*AK

CONSUMER STATES VEHICLE IS SHAKING IN THE FRONT AND NOT SHIFTING PROPERLY. *JB CONSUMER STATED THAT THE DRIVE TRAIN WAS SLIPPING. ALSO THE FRONT CONTROL ARM FAILED. *YH

ENGINE CRADLE HAD ROTTED OUT UNDERNEATH FRAME. THERE IS RECALL 10946 00 V 189 000. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK

NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK

REAR CALIPER HAS LOCKED UP. DEALERSHIP INFORMED CONSUMER OF A CLASS ACTION SUIT REGARDING THIS DEFECT. HOWEVER, CUTOFF DATE FOR CLASS ACTION WAS LAST YEAR. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION/ATTACHMENTS.*AK

MOTOR MOUNTS CAME LOOSE AND ENGINE FELL DOWN SOME INCHES. CURRENTLY CONSUMER IS NOT ABLE TO START VEHICLE.*AK

CONSUMER RECEIVED RECALL 00V189, HOWEVER IN 1999 THE REPAIR WAS COMPLETED BY SOMEONE OTHER THAN GM, CONSUMER SUBMITTED BILL FOR REFUND AND WAS DENIED DUE TO THE REPLACEMENT PARTS WERE NOT GM PARTS.

RETAINER AND INSULATER THAT HOLD ENGINE CRADLE HAD TO BE REPLACED DUE TO RUST. MANUFACTURER WILL BE NOTIFIED.*AK THREE OF THE FOUR RETAINER RUSTED OUT COMPELETELY. EVENTHOUGH THERE WAS A RECALL, THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT IN THE LIST. *YH

CONSUMER PAID FOR THE REPAIRS FOR THE FRAME MOUNTS FOR RECALL 00V189, CONSUMER REQUESTS REIMBURSEMENT. *SLC

I CAN BE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AND MY HEADLIGHTS WILL GO OUT FOR NO REASON, IN THE OWNERS MANUAL IT SHOWS THIS PROBLEM SO THY MUST HAVE KNOWN IT WHEN IT WAS MANUFACTURED.....HELP, WHEN I BOUGHT THE VEHICLE THEY SAID THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH IT, AND THEY EVEN ADVERTISE A WARRANTY BUT WHEN I APPROACHED THEM ABOUT IT, THEY SAID IT WAS SOLD AS IS..THE LABOR RATE TO HAVE IT LOOKED AT IS TOO GREAT....IF U COULD CONTACT ME I COULD GO INTO THE DETAILS FURTHER..THANK YOU. *AK

WHILE DRIVING 30MPH HIT A TREE AND FRONT WAS IN A V SHAPE AFTER ACCIDENT. AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. RADIATOR AND HOOD WERE NO GOOD. *AK THE BUMPER WAS SPLIT IN HALF AND THE HOOD BUCKLED IN A 45 DEGREE ANGLE. *YH

Crash 1 injured

WHILE DRIVING 30MPH HIT A TREE AND FRONT WAS IN A V SHAPE AFTER ACCIDENT. AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. RADIATOR AND HOOD WERE NO GOOD. *AK THE BUMPER WAS SPLIT IN HALF AND THE HOOD BUCKLED IN A 45 DEGREE ANGLE. *YH

Crash 1 injured

CONSUMER HAD RECALL (00V-189) REPAIR COMPLETED, HOWEVER ADDITIONAL DAMAGE TO THE POWER STEERING SYSTEM DUE TO RECALL RELATED FAILURE. *MJS

THE CRADLE FRAME PULLED THROUGH THE BOLT AND RETAINER CAUSING THE FRAME TO DROP, LEAVING THE ENGINE INTO THE LEFT WHEEL WELL, THE ALTERNATOR INTO THE RADIATOR HOSE, THE HOSE LOST COOLANT AND WENT INTO THE ELECTRIC WIRE HARNESS, AND BLEW FUSES. *SLC

CONSUMER HAD RECALL (00V-189) REPAIR COMPLETED, HOWEVER ADDITIONAL DAMAGE TO THE POWER STEERING SYSTEM DUE TO RECALL RELATED FAILURE. *MJS

CONSUMER WAS TRAVELING ON A SIDE STREET AND WAS MAKING A LEFT TURN WHEN ENGINE HAD DROPPED, AND SHE LOST CONTROL OF VEHICLE. CONSUMER HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED INTO DEALERSHIP. *AK

CONSUMER RECEIVED RECALL #00V189000/ FRONT ENGINE CRADLE BOLTS WHICH WAS POSTMARKED 9-27-00. CONSUMER CONTACTED TULLEY BUICK /PONTIAC AND MADE 2 APPOINTMENTS WHICH DEALER CANCELLED . DEALER ADVISED CONSUMER THAT NO PARTS WERE AVAILABLE, AND WOULD HAVE TO WAIT ABOUT 3 WEEKS OR LONGER. IN MEANTIME CONSUMER SHOULD NOT DRIVE VEHICLE . CONSUMER FELT THIS RECALL WAS NOT BEING DONE IN A TIMELY MANNER.*AK

WANT I REALLY WANT TO KNOW IS IF MY CAR WAS IN A CAR CRASH-BECAUSE THERE HAS BEEN A LOT OF THINGS WRONG WITH IT. NO SAFETY DEFECT LISTED IN SUMMARY. *AK

WHILE BACKING OUT OF DRIVEWAY HEARD A BIG THUMP NOISE AND STEERING WENT COMPLETELY OUT, CONSUMER LOOKED UNDER VEHICLE AND NOTICED BOLTS HAD FALLEN OUT. CONSUMER SAID ITWAS THE SAME PROBLEM AS RECALL 00V189000 FOR CRADLE BOLTS.*AK

REPORTING ONGOING PROBLEM WITH EXCESSIVE WEAR OF FRONT BRAKE PADS. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION ON THIS MATTER. *AK

THE ABS PUMP AND MOTOR QUIT PUMPING BECAUSE THEY GET HOT, SMALL METAL PIECES ARE PRESENT IN THE BRAKE FLUID TANK. THE ANTI-LOCK LITE FLASHES AND THE PUMP WONT SHUT OFF LEAVING THE CAR WITH DIMINISHED BRAKING. IT ALSO CAUSES OTHER RELATED PROBLEMS WITH THE IGN. SWITCH GETTING HOT AND THE CAR NOT STARTING, ALSO PEOPLE TRYING TO REPLACING THEIR BATTERIES AND ALTERNATORS BECAUSE THE SYSTEM IS OVER HEATED FROM THE DRAIN OF THE ELECTRIC ABS POWER BOOSTER PUMP RUNNING ALL THE TIME.

NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOV EVEHICLE. *AK

REAR RETAINER BOLT FAILED DUE TO CORRISION, CAUSING THE FRONT BOLT TO SNAP . DEALER WILL NOT REPLACE IT. *AK

DRIVING TO WORK AT 9 PM WHEN POWER STEERING NO LONGER WORKED - CONTINUED DRIVING TO WORK BELIEVING POWER STEERING PUMP HAD FINALLY FAILED DUE TO AGE. WHEN I ARRIVED AT WORK, I CHECKED THE POWER STEERING FLUID, IT WAS AT CORRECT LEVEL AND SO AGAIN ASSUMED PUMP FAILED DUE TO AGE. WHEN I PREPARED TO LEAVE WORK THE NEXT MORNING AT 11AM, I DISCOVERED THE CRADLE WAS HANGING DOWN BELOW THE THE FRONT FACIA OF THE CAR. I INVESTIGATED UNDERNEATH THE CAR AND DISCOVERED THAT BOTH THE LEFT AND RIGHT BOLTS SUPPORTING THE CRADLE BASE HAD SLIPPED THROUGH SLOTS IN CRADLE BASE ALLOWING CRADLE TO FALL TO ITS CURRENT POSITION. WE SPOKE TO OUR LOCAL PONTIAC DEALERSHIP WHO ADVISED US THERE IS NO RECALL ON THIS PARTICULAR PROBLEM THAT IS HAS BEEN ADVISED OF. UPON MY FURTHER CHECKING ON THE INTERNET, IT APPEARS THAT A RECALL HAS JUST BEEN ISSUED THIS MONTH, BUT NOTIFICATION HAS NOT GONE OUT TO DEALERSHIPS AND OWNERS. PONTIAC , UPON RESEARCHING OUR PROBLEM. ADVISED THAT CAMPAIGN #00061 RELATING TO THIS PROBLEM HAS BEEN ISSUED. WE BROUGHT THIS INFORMATION BACK TO OUR LOCAL PONTIAC DEALERSHIP, BUT THEY WERE STILL UNABLE TO PROVIDE ASSISTANCE AS THEY HAVE NOT RECEIVED THE "OFFICIAL" NOTIFICATION.*AK

FRONT CRADLE THAT HOLDS ENGINE FELL OUT, POSSIBLY DUE TO CORROSION . *AK INTERMEDIATE SHAFT FOR RACK AND PINION STEERING ALSO SEPARATED CAUSING LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL. *YH

REAR DISC BRAKES DRAG CAUSING OVERHEATING OF BRAKE CALIPER, WHEEL AND HYDRAULIC FLUID RESULTING IN COMPLETE LOSS OF BREAKING. THIS HAS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES. EACH TIME THE REAR CALIPER WAS SERVICED OR REPLACED AND AGAIN THE CONDITION REPEATED AFTER SEVERAL MONTHS OF DRIVEING. THE LAST REPAIR WAS DONE AT TOM RICE PONTIAC IN HUNTINGTON, NY WHERE A COMPLETE REAR BRAKE OVERHAUL, INCLUDING BRAND NEW BRAKE CALIPERS, WAS DONE. THE PROBLEM HAS AGAIN RECURED.

WHILE DRIVING AT 20 MPH REAR CRADLE BOLTS BROKE THROUGH, CAUSING ENGINE TO DROP AND THE STEERING SHAFT TO DICONNECT, RESULTING IN A LOSS OF STEERING. DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED. *AK

CONSUMER WENT TO CHANGE OIL AND NOTICED FRONT CRADLE BOLTS WERE CORRODED, CAUSING SAFETY HAZARD. WHEN TOOK TO DEALER FOR RECALL, ONLY REAR CRADLE BOLTS WERE REPLACED. OWNER PAID TO HAVE THE FRONT BOLTS REPLACED AS WELL BECAUSE THEY ALSO POSED A POTENTIAL PROBLEM. *AK *ML