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Pontiac Trans Sport, Pontiac Montana, Van
#784 of 1487 I found it ...
by balich
Mar 04, 2003 (11:59 am)
General Motors to recall 1.5 million vehicles
Friday November 15 9:15 AM EST
Detroit, Michigan - General Motors is recalling about 1.5 million model year 1996-00 Chevrolet Cavalier and Pontiac Sunfire cars, Chevrolet Lumina/Venture, Oldsmobile Silhouette, and Pontiac Transport minivans, and Pontiac Grand Prix cars to repair a lower pinion bearing condition in the power steering gear assembly. Of the total, about 240,000 are in Canada and 1.2 million of them are in the U.S. The vehicles were built between January 1, 1996 and October 31,
In some of these vehicles, the lower pinion bearing in the power steering gear may separate, permitting movement of the pinion shaft. Most reports indicate the driver experienced an intermittent loss of power steering assist when making left turns, usually at low speeds. If the pinion shaft moves too far, some drivers could experience higher resistance when turning left followed by unintended power assist to the right. There have been 15 reports of crashes and three injuries that may be related to the condition, but no fatal injuries.
Beginning in January, GM will notify owners of the affected vehicles, instructing them to bring them into their Chevrolet, Oldsmobile, and Pontiac dealers. Dealers will install a new lower pinion bearing or, if necessary, replace the steering gear assembly. These repairs will be performed at no cost to the customers.
#785 of 1487 Thanks for the Info
by pmk63366
Mar 04, 2003 (1:20 pm)
Balich--Thank you Thank you Thank You--I called dealer and they are getting me in Monday.
If you could get any more info on the recall, I would appreciate it, they are still telling me my vehicle is not affected. Obviously it is. Again, thanks for the great help.
Mar 04, 2003 (6:59 pm)
I have sent an email to the names on the lower pinion bulletin, I will advise of my reply from GM once I receive it. Thanks for the info.
Mar 05, 2003 (7:34 am)
The email addresses are for PR people. That is a press release / media site. Thay are not technical people. Your van is not covered, it is a 2000 you posted. Recall is for 1996 (old style) and 1997 & (some) 1998 (new style) vans.
#789 of 1487 If not in recall, are you just stuck?
by pmk63366
Mar 05, 2003 (10:23 am)
So if my van is truly not in the recall, Am I just stuck for the repair bill? It would seem that this is a known problem for this type of vehicle. Any suggestions?
Mar 05, 2003 (11:39 am)
Simple answer--yes. You didn't post where you stand in regards to the 36/36 warranty, but I have to assume you are over time or mileage.
First, you have to wait until monday to have the cause figured out. It may not even be simular to the recall.
My brother's 1997 is involved in the recall, so we have some info. Before the recall came out, the steering racks would have to be replaced if the bearing failed. For the recall GM came up with replacement parts, new tools, and a service procedure to replace the bearing. So, if your problem IS the same, the cost will be much less then it would have been a couple months ago. My brothers repair order showed something like $7 for parts and around 2+ hours labor.
So you will have to wait and see, and then see if the dealer can get any assistance in the repair cost from Pontiac. And whatever happens save the orig copy of the RO, proof of payment, and copy of your reg to prove ownership. These are the things that would be required for reimbursement if a recall ever happens that includes your year. Post back and keep the board updated.
#791 of 1487 Montana 2000 problems
by denjones
Mar 05, 2003 (7:12 pm)
I just purchased a 2000 Montana from a local dealer who promised the vehicle had been GM certified. We picked it up Saturday afternoon and the heater blower quit after about 30 minutes. Monday morning I took the vehicle in and they replaced the blower. Wednesday I took the van in again because the heater temperature would drop when coming to a stop. They said there was a leak in the intake manifold and fixed that problem. Saturday on my way to work I believe the same problem existed with the heater temperature dropping when coming to an idle. At lunch I noticed a hose to the thermostat had fallen off and antifreeze was leaking. They put the hose back on and refilled the fluids but it seems like when I come to a stop the temperature blowing from the heater isn't a warm as when I'm driving. Is that normal or should I be alarmed?
Thanks in advance.
Denny
#792 of 1487 Keys stuck in Montana ignition
by carrottop
Mar 06, 2003 (4:18 am)
#1 of 2 Key stuck in Montana ignition by carrottop Mar 05, 2003 (12:28 pm)
Has this happened to anyone else? It I tilt the steering wheel up before shutting off the ignition, the key will often be impossible to pull out. This only seems to happen if the tilt is anywhere but fully down. I need to start the car again, sometimes move the gear shift and move the tilt down in order to get the key out - sometimes having to do this several times. Very frustrating. I don't think this is isolated to Montana as this happened when I drove my mother's LeSabre. I find if I leave the tilt down I can get the key out without a problem but once it happens, I have to do lots of shenanigans to retrieve my key. The dealer couldn't figure it out and just lubricated the ignition.
#793 of 1487 Re. last few ...
by balich
Mar 06, 2003 (9:22 am)
Not to bad mouth GM or anything .. These Montana's/Transport are cheaply made and are
priced accordingly .. When you buy a GM - you
are basically getting for what you paid for ...
You probably purchased this minivan because it
was inexpensive for the model year compared to
a Foreign competitor ..
I know alot of you will dispute this but folks
YOU GET FOR WHAT YOU PAY FOR.
I own a Montana and its a cheaply made vehicle ...
and all Montana owners have problems as you
can witness .. you have two options pay the piper
or trade it in for a better quality vehicle ...
I had a hard time coming to peace with this but
I now truely believe it .. Hope this helps ..