SEATS
THIS IS NOT A SAFETY RECALL IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE SAFETY ACT. HOWEVER, IT IS DEEMED A SAFETY IMPROVEMENT CAMPAIGN BY THE AGENCY. VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MINIVANS EQUIPPED WITH FRONT BUCKET SEATS. THE FRONT SEAT RECLINER MECHANISM LOWER BOLTS CAN LOOSEN. A LOOSE BOLT COULD FATIGUE AND BREAK, RESULTING IN THE SEAT BACK FALLING REARWARD.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL TIGHTEN OR REPLACE THE BOLTS AT NO CHARGE TO THE OWNERS. THIS POLICY IS IN EFFECT UNTIL JUNE 30, 2002.
187,459 vehicles affected
STRUCTURE
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES AND MINI VANS ORIGINALLY SOLD OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE FOLLOWING STATES: CONNECTICUT, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, MAINE, MASSACHUSETTS, MICHIGAN, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW JERSEY, NEW YORK, OHIO, PENNSYLVANIA, RHODE ISLAND, VERMONT AND WISCONSIN. THE REAR CRADLE BOLTS PULL THROUGH THE RETAINERS DUE TO CORROSION OF THE RETAINER. IF BOTH BOLTS PULL THROUGH, THE REAR CRADLE WOULD NOT LONGER BE SUPPORTED AT THESE MOUNTING LOCATIONS AND THE STEERING INTERMEDIATE SHAFT CAN SEPARATE FROM THE STEERING GEAR.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE REAR CRADLE BOLTS AND RETAINERS.
676,535 vehicles affected
STRUCTURE:BODY
THE GLOVE COMPARTMENT DOOR WILL NOT REMAIN CLOSED DURING CERTAIN LOAD FORCES ASSOCIATED WITH A VEHICLE CRASH. THIS DOES NOT COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS 201.
Remedy: REPLACE THE CURRENT UPPER GLOVE COMPARTMENT DOOR WITH A REDESIGNED UPPER GLOVE COMPARTMENT DOOR WHICH INCORPORATES A POSITIVE LATCH TO KEEP THE DOOR CLOSED SHOULD A VEHICLE CRASH OCCUR.
95,897 vehicles affected
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:ANCHORAGE
A RIGHT HAND SEAT/SHOULDER BELT RETRACTOR MAY HAVE BEEN INSTALLED IN THE SECOND ROW LEFT HAND SEAT POSITION (DIRECTLY BEHIND DRIVER).
Remedy: REPLACE SHOULDER BELT ASSEMBLY.
400 vehicles affected
SEATS
THE REAR MODULAR SEAT FRAME HOLD-DOWN HOOKS MAY NOT MEET THE REQUIRED PULL FORCE AT THE REAR SET ANCHORAGE.
Remedy: REPLACE REAR HOLD DOWN HOOKS AND PIVOT RIVETS WITH HEAT TREATED HARDWARE.
343 vehicles affected
DT: THE CONTACT WAS SLOWING DOWN TO MAKE A TURN WHEN THE ENGINE CRADLE MALFUNCTIONED DUE TO RUST. THE ENGINE AND TRANSMISSION NEARLY FELL OUT OF THE VEHICLE. WHEN THIS HAPPENED THE STEERING LINKAGE DISCONNECTED AND THE STEERING WHEEL KEPT TURNING AROUND. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. HE CONTACTED GM, AND THEY OFFERED NO FREE REMEDY TO THE PROBLEM. THERE WAS A RECALL ON THIS PROBLEM PREVIOUSLY. HOWEVER, THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED DUE TO VIN. *AK
DT: THE CONTACT WAS SLOWING DOWN TO MAKE A TURN WHEN THE ENGINE CRADLE MALFUNCTIONED DUE TO RUST. THE ENGINE AND TRANSMISSION NEARLY FELL OUT OF THE VEHICLE. WHEN THIS HAPPENED THE STEERING LINKAGE DISCONNECTED AND THE STEERING WHEEL KEPT TURNING AROUND. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. HE CONTACTED GM, AND THEY OFFERED NO FREE REMEDY TO THE PROBLEM. THERE WAS A RECALL ON THIS PROBLEM PREVIOUSLY. HOWEVER, THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED DUE TO VIN. *AK
IN REGARDS TO THE RECALL ON THIS VEHICLE #97016 OR ALLDATA # 97VO58000: MY REAR CRADLE BOLTS WENT OUT THE OTHER DAY. I HAD THE CAR TOWED TO A PRIVATE SERVICE STATION THAT INFORMED ME THE PART WAS UNDER RECALL AND I NEEDED TO CALL THE DEALERSHIP. I CALLED THEM AND RECEIVED NO HELP(THEY TOLD ME THEY HADN'T HEARD OF A RECALL FOR IT) AND GAVE ME THE NUMBER TO PONTIAC. I CALLED PONTIAC AND TOLD THEM THE SITUATION. THE LADY I SPOKE WITH INFORMED ME THAT "TECHNICALLY, MY VEHICLE WAS UNDER THE RECALL SINCE IT WAS MANUFACTURED IN NY" BUT SHE WOULD NEED TO GET THE REGIONAL GUYS APPROVAL BEFORE I COULD TAKE IT IN AND WOULD CALL ME BACK IN 2-3 DAYS. SHE CALLED BACK AND SAID THAT THEY WERE NOT TAKING RESPONSIBILTY FOR ANYTHING AND I WOULD HAVE TO HAVE IT TOWED IN ON MY OWN AT MY COST AND THEY WOULD LOOK AT IT WHEN THEY GOT AROUND TO IT. SHE CALLED ME AGAIN ON THURSDAY AND SAID THAT SHE HAD SPOKEN WITH THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY SAID THEY WOULD PROBABLY GET AROUND TO LOOKING AT IT ON MONDAY TO SEE IF IT QUALIFIED FOR THE RECALL. ..FIRST THEY TELL ME IT IS IN THE RECALL AND THEN THEY WON'T GIVE ME ANY HELP AT ALL. I HAVE BEEN WITHOUT MY CAR FOR 5 DAYS NOW AND HAVE NO IDEA WHEN I WILL GET IT BACK. I COULD HAVE HAD IT FIXED BY NOW BY THE PRIVATE SHOP. FORTUNATELY, I WAS JUST PULLING OUT OF A PARKING LOT WHEN THE MOTOR DROPPED OUT AND BROKE THE STEERING COLUMN. PLEASE HELP ME IN RESOLVING THIS MATTER AND REMINDING PONTIAC THAT IT IS THEIR RESPONSIBILTY TO REPAIR IT AS QUICKLY AS POSSIBLE. FEEL FREE TO CONTACT ME AT EITHER NUMBER, ANYTIME. THANKS FOR YOUR HELP.*AK
MOUNTING BOLT FOR DRIVER'S SEATBACK SHEARED OFF, CAUSING SEATBACK TO COLLAPSE. I HAVE THE DAMAGED BOLT AND WILL PROVIDE IF REQUESTED.*AK
FRONT END WAS WOBBLING IN STEERING. CONSUMER HAD AN ALIGNMENT SHOP TO ALIGN VEHICLE, BUT AS THE MECHANIC EXAMINED VEHICLE, HE SAW SUBFRAME ON RIGHT SIDE WAS RUSTED. BEFORE CONFIRMING WORK, CONSUMER CONTACTED PONTIAC TO SEE IF ANY RECALLS WERE ON VEHICLE. PONTIAC WAS POLITE IN SAYING THAT VEHICLE WAS TOO OLD, THERE WAS NO WARRANTY AND NO RECALL. ALIGNMENT SHOP REPLACED ENTIRE FRONT SUBFRAME , LEFT SIDE WAS LIKE NEW.*AK *SLC
SEATBELTS IN FRONT SEATS HAVE GONE LOOSE. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE THAT NTSA SHOULD BE CONCERNED WITH. SEATBELTS ARE MANDATORY IN MANY STATES INCLUDING MINE. PONTIAC REFUSES TO REPAIR AS A RECALL EVEN THOUGH IT IS A HAZARD AND NOT A WEAR AND TEAR ISSUE. SEATBELTS SHOULD NOT BREAK, ESPECIALLY THE 2 FRONT SEATBELTS. *AK
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK
WINDSHIELD WIPERS STOP WHEN EVER. VERY VERY DANGEROUS. 3 REPLACEMENT PARTS TO NO AVAIL.
NO ACCIDENT, I BOUGHT FROM BACH MOTORS, A USED VAN, 1990, 140,000 MILES, MANY FAULTS, DID NOT REALIZE. WINDSHIELD WITH TWO CRACKS, BROKEN LATCH ON DRIVER'S DOOR, BROKEN SEAT BELT, DRIVERS SIDE, ONE CYLINDER FAULTY, STRUTS WEAK ALL AROUND, AND BRAKES WEAK
VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN RECALL (97V058000), REPAIRS COULD NOT BE DONE. *YC
WIPERS STOP WHILE DRIVING IN RAIN. REPLACEMENT PART DOES SAME THING. AUTO SHOP SAID DEFECT IN DASH, BAD WIRING
ONGOING PROBLEM WITH SPOT(CLOUDY) APPEARS TO GROW ON THE WINDSHIELD WHICH AFFECETS THE VISIBILITY. DEALER NOTIFIED, AND INFORMED CONSUME RTHAT THE VEHICLE WAS OUT OF WARRANTY. INSURANCE COMPANY INFORMED CONSUME RTHAT IT WAS A MANUFACTURER'S DEFFECT WHICH WAS NOT COVERED BY INSURANCE. CAN NHTSA HELP IN THIS MATTER.*AK
THE PLASTIC COVER HOLDING THE RETRACTING SPRING HAS BECOME DEFORMED ON MORE THAN ONE SEAT BELT RETRACTOR. ALLOWING THE SPRING TO DISCONNECT AND THE BELT TO PULL FREE. MORE THEN ONE BELT RETRACTOR SHOWS SIGNS OF DEFORMING AND POSSIBLE FAILURE. I BELIEVE ALL SIX SEAT BELT RESTRAINTS SHOULDBE REPLACED AS A SAFTY EQUIPMENT DEFECT. *AK
RECALL WORK COMPLETED ON THE CRADLE BOLTS, HOWEVER FAILED (BOLTS BROKE OFF) RESULTING IN EXTENSIVE DAMAGE TO VEHICLE WHEN ENGINE DROPPED TO THE GROUND.
DASH BOARD DESIGN IS DIFFICULT TO REPLACE AND FIT PROPERLY.
TEMPERATURE GAUGE FAILED, RESULTING IN OVERHEATING AND DAMAGE TO ENGINE , GAUGES AND DASHBOARD.
TEMPERATURE GAUGE FAILED, RESULTING IN OVERHEATING AND DAMAGE TO ENGINE , GAUGES AND DASHBOARD.
TEMPERATURE GAUGE FAILED, RESULTING IN OVERHEATING AND DAMAGE TO ENGINE , GAUGES AND DASHBOARD.
AFTER REPLACEMENT OF DASHBOARD, THE UNIT DOES NOT FIT PROPERLY INTO SLOTS DUE TO DESIGN FLAW.(CONSUMER IS ATTORNEY).
ENGINE OVERHEATED AND FAILED.(CONSUMER IS ATTORNEY).
TEMPERATURE GAUGE FAILED TO INDICATE ENGINE OVERHEATING, RESULTING IN ENGINE FAILURE. (CONSUMER IS ATTORNEY).
WHILE MECHANIC WAS TEST DRIVING VEHICLE HE STEPPED ON THE BRAKES AND HEARD A BIG NOISE BEFORE THE CRADLE BOLT CAME APART AND ENGINE COLLAPSED. DEALER WAS CONTACTED. *AK
WHILE MECHANIC WAS TEST DRIVING VEHICLE HE STEPPED ON THE BRAKES AND HEARD A BIG NOISE BEFORE THE CRADLE BOLT CAME APART AND ENGINE COLLAPSED. DEALER WAS CONTACTED. *AK
ENGINE/SUSPENSION SUB-FRAME ASSEMBLY FAILURE AT FRONT ATTACHMENT OF RIGHT FRONT LOWER CONTROL ARM. THIS FAILURE IS DUE TO CORROSION OF THE SUB FRAME ASSEMBLY. THIS CAUSED SEPARATION OF THE RIGHT FRONT LOWER CONTROL ARM AND LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL. THE FAILURE OCCURED AT A LOW SPEED WHILE BACKING VEHICLE UP. THE METAL IN THE AREA IS RUSTED AND WEAKENED. INSPECTION OF A SIMILAR VEHICLE SHOWED THE SAME TYPE OF FRAME CORROSION AND LIKLIHOOD OF FUTURE FRAME FAILURE. THIS MAY BE A RUST BELT SITUATION DUE TO THE HIGH AMOUNTS OF CORROSIVE SALT USED ON MICHIGAN ROADS. I MUST SAY THAT AS A MECHANIC, THIS IS CERTAINLY A PROBLEM THAT IS A SAFETY CONCERN.
INVESTIGATION NUMBER IS EA97019. THE CONSUMER IS EXPERIENCING PROBLEMS WITH THE SEAT BELT RECLINER. THE CONSUMER HAS TO USE A STICK TO HOLD THE SEAT UP. THE MANUFACTURER IS UNAWARE OF THE PROBLEM. *AK
THE CONSUMER IS EXPERIENCING PROBLEMS WITH THE FUEL TANK RELEASE HANDLE. THE HANDLE DOES NOT OPERATER AT ALL. THE CONSUMER HAS TO USE SOMETHING TO PRY THE HANDLE OPEN IN ORDER TO INPUT GAS INTO THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER IS UNAWARE OF THE SITUATION. *AK
DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 57 MPH BOLT THAT HOLDS DRIVER'S SEATBACK SHEARED OFF, CAUSING THE SEATBACK TO COLLAPSE, ALMOST RESULTING IN LOSS OF CONTROL/ACCIDENT. *AK *TT
THE DOOR LATCHES DO NOT LOCK PROPERLY. USUALLY CANOT GET IN OR OUT OF THE VEHICLE. THE DRIVER'S CHILD FELL OUT OF THE VEHICLE WHILE THE DOOR WAS SHUT OR APPEARED TO BE SHUT. *AK
SUBFRAME THAT HOLDS THE DRIVETRAIN AND ALL STEERING COMPONENTS DISENGAGED.
INSTRUMENT PANEL FALLS OFF.
WIPERS FAILED DURING A STORM.
WHENEVER BRAKES ARE APPLIED & TURNING STEERING WHEEL, WOULD HEAR A POPPING SOUND. HAPPENS QUITE FREQUENTLY. CRADLE THAT HOLDS SUPENSION & ENGINE HAD CRACKED IN HALF BEHIND SWAY BAR MOUNT. HANGING ON RIGHT SIDE. PICTURES ARE INCLUDED. NOTIFIED DEALER & MANUFACTURER WHO SAID THAT THEY ARE UNABLE TO REPAIR PROBLEM. *AK
DRIVERS SEAT BACK IS LOOSE AND MOVES BACK AND FORTH.
EVAPORATOR DRAIN WATER LEAKS INTO THE FRONT OF VEHICLE, CAUSING CORROSION PRIOR TO RECALL.
DRIVER'S BACK REST COLLAPSED CAUSE UNKOWN, OWNER WILL PROVIDE MORE DETAILS. *AK
RECEIVED NOTICE (#97V058000) & CALLED DEALER FOR APPOINTMENT, INFORMED BY MECHANIC PARTS ON BACK ORDER. DEALER SAID MANUFACTURER ONLY SENDING 2 PARTS TO EACH DEALER. DOES NOT KNOW WHEN CONSUMER'S VEHICLE WILL BE FIXED. *AK
OWNER HAD TO REPLACE SEAT BELT'S FOUR TIMES. HE CLAIMS THAT THEY ARE DESIGNED VERY POORLY. *AK
INSIDE SLIDING DOOR HANDLE BROKEN, LEFT FRONT BROKE OUTSIDE, UNIT REPLACED BY PONTIAC DEALER AND BROKE AGAIN ONE YEAR LATER. ALSO, RIGHT FRONT OUTSIDE BROKE IN 1996 AND WAS REPLACED. *AK
TRANSMISSION REVERSE GEAR FAILED. *AK
DRIVER'S SHOULDER/LAP ACTIVE RESTRAINT IS INOPERATIVE, BELT HAS FULLY EXTENDED AND WON'T RETRACT.*AK HAS HAPPENED TWICE. *SLC
FUSEABLE LINK SHORTED, CAUSING VEHICLE TO STALL. *DH
BRAKE LINE RUPTURED AS BRAKES WERE APPLIED. *SD
WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE WENT POP, RESULTING STEERING CONTROL LOST, DUE TO SUBFRAME SCREW FALLING OUT AND ENGINE FELL DOWN. TT
WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE WENT POP, RESULTING STEERING CONTROL LOST, DUE TO SUBFRAME SCREW FALLING OUT AND ENGINE FELL DOWN. TT
THE VAN WAS PARKED ALL DAY IN FRONT OF THE HOUSE AND FOR NO REASON THE VAN WAS ON FIRE. THE FIRE WAS COMING FROM THE DASH BOARD. TT
Fire
COOLANT LEAKED OUT 2 TIMES. *SD