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Pontiac Bonneville: Steering Problems

26 messages,  Last post on Jul 27, 2009 at 7:25 PM

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#1 of 26 Does anyone have a permanent solution for steering problems on Bonneville 2 by 417445 Nov 15, 2006 (3:59 pm)
Does anyone know of a permanent solution to the intermediate steering shaft replacement seal? This will make the 4th replacement and the car only has 62,000. Parts and labor are around $250 each time. Help! Replies to this message: pirzyk (Jan 02, 2007 10:57 am) pirzyk (Jan 02, 2007 10:59 am) 417445 (Jan 02, 2007 7:06 pm) ezprocarcare (Sep 13, 2008 3:33 am) imidazol97 (Jan 08, 2009 12:08 pm)
#2 of 26 Steering Problem 2000 Bonneville by 417445 Dec 13, 2006 (7:34 pm)
Clarification to my previous posting. I have a 2000 Bonneville SLE. I have reoccurring problems with what is called an intermediate steering shaft. This part is sealed in grease with no grease plug. When the grease is used up or worn out the part goes bad. This will make the 4th replacement, which is very costly. I hope someone has a permanent solution to this problem? Replies to this message: powelki (Dec 21, 2006 9:00 pm) 417445 (Dec 23, 2006 8:44 am)
#3 of 26 Re: Steering Problem 2000 Bonneville [417445] by powelki Dec 21, 2006 (9:00 pm)
Replying to: 417445 (Dec 13, 2006 7:34 pm) I have a 2002 Bonneville SLE and right after my warranty ran out, I had the Intermediate Steering Shaft go out. Thankfully my dealership worked for me to get GM to cover the part and they replaced it for free. However, in less than a year it went out again. Now bare in mind that I only had 14,000 miles on it the first time it went out and 18,000 the second time. I had to wait for the part for several months before it was in stock due to the number of repairs they were making on them and I was told that they were not replacing them until they could figure out how to correct their defect. When they finally replaced it and it went out again, they said they had decided that the fix was to repack it with grease. Now I'm not a mechanic, in fact as a woman and an accountant, I'll admit I don't know much about cars, but even I knew that this was not a fix and I told them that it would not work. They then told me that if it ever goes out again, for the life of my car, that GM would replace it at no cost to me. So when it went out now at 23,000 miles, I called them yet again and they are going to work on it at no price. They still don't know if they will replace it or repack it. They said that the grease could have shifted and just needs more grease. I was also told on every time I went in for this that GM has gone round and round about how to fix this, but have stopped short of having a recall on it. I'm getting to the point now that even though it's not costing me anything to keep bringing it in, my time is valuable and it's getting to be a pain in the butt! At some point if it doesn't correct it, it'll be enough is enough. I think after 3 times in 2 years that is giving them ample time to correct it, and it would have been even less time when you take into account that I had to wait several months for the part to come in! Someone mentioned to me the other day that there is a Lemon Law out there, and some Magnuson-Ross law that might be worth looking into. I would hope that GM would initiate the offer to take the problem off my hands by replacing my car but I doubt that will happen. They have to be losing a ton of money with all the repair work! I was a diehard Pontiac fan but now I'm starting to wonder if that is so wise. Anyway, wanted to let you know that I was told that they don't have a permanent solution, they are still trying things. Can't understand why it's such a hard deal to figure out, but then again, I'm not a car expert. Hope this helps and I wish you all the best! Replies to this message: 417445 (Dec 23, 2006 8:44 am)
#4 of 26 Re: Steering Problem 2000 Bonneville [powelki] by 417445 Dec 23, 2006 (8:44 am)
Replying to: powelki (Dec 21, 2006 9:00 pm) Thanks for responding. The Lemon law may help you but it goes by state by state. Some have it and some don't. There is also a time limit on it but I think in your case you would be ok, if the state you live in has the Lemon Law. I haven't heard of the other law but I will check it out thanks. I haven't contacted GM yet with this latest occurrance but I intend to do so. I think everyone with this problem should stay in contact. GM is not going to recall this part unless some pressure is put on them and I encourage everyone with this problem to contact GM and voice their concerns. I'm not a mechanic but it seems to me that a easy fix would to be to create the part with a grease plug? Good luck to everyone with this problem. I will post any progress or solutions I find.
#5 of 26 Half Shaft Repairs by hydrasports Dec 30, 2006 (1:09 pm)
I had a 2002 SE and I had multiple half shafts replaced. It seems if your car has this probelm or the coolant leak from the plenum or composite intake manifold it just can't be fixed and always comes back. I finally sold my car to Car Max because I just got tired of making the same repairs over and over.
#6 of 26 Re: Does anyone have a permanent solution for steering problems on Bonneville 2 [417445] by pirzyk Jan 02, 2007 (10:57 am)
Replying to: 417445 (Nov 15, 2006 3:59 pm) Intermediate Steering Shaft ... I'm not sure what the fix is but there is an obvious major problem with my Bonneville and other GM & GMC vehicles. I have a 2000 Bonneville which is in the dealership for the "5th" time for an intermediate steering shaft problem. The car has only 51,000 miles on it. Pontiac has been picking up the cost of this repair because i continue to make this a life-safety issue and refuse to pay for something that was never right to begin with. No recall ... you got to be kidding me! I've never owned a foreign vehicle yet but i really like the nissan maxima!
#7 of 26 Re: Does anyone have a permanent solution for steering problems on Bonneville 2 [417445] by pirzyk Jan 02, 2007 (10:59 am)
Replying to: 417445 (Nov 15, 2006 3:59 pm) Intermediate Steering Shaft ... I'm not sure what the fix is but there is an obvious major problem with my Bonneville and other GM & GMC vehicles. I have a 2000 Pontiac Bonneville which is in the dealership for the "5th" time for an intermediate steering shaft problem. The car has only 51,000 miles on it. Pontiac has been picking up the cost of this repair because i continue to make this a life-safety issue and refuse to pay for something that was never right to begin with. No recall ... you got to be kidding me! I've never owned a foreign vehicle yet but i really like the nissan maxima! Replies to this message: 417445 (Jan 02, 2007 7:06 pm)
#8 of 26 Re: Does anyone have a permanent solution for steering problems on Bonnevil by 417445 Jan 02, 2007 (7:06 pm)
Replying to: pirzyk (Jan 02, 2007 10:59 am) Glad to hear someone got some satisfaction from GM. I plan to contact them to see if they will pickup the cost of the repairs. The car is paid for with only 52,000 and I don't want another car payment right now. With so many people having problems, has anyone thought of a case action law suite? I'm not an attorney but with enough people maybe we could at least put some pressure on GM to at least pair for repairs at long as we own the vehicle or some compensation. If I can't get anywhere with GM I may sell mine. I know book value is low, so trade in is out. It looks good I may stick a for sale sign on it and see what I can get. I'm with you on the foreign cars. I like the Acura TL.
#9 of 26 Intermediate Steering Shaft by xavier64 Oct 12, 2007 (5:13 pm)
Just wanted to provide my experience with the dealer where I bought my Bonneville from with this issue. I have a 2001 Bonnie and this issue showed up in 2005 at only 28000 miles ( repaired under extended warranty ). This issue appeared again at 41,500 miles. I had just purchased an extended warranty from the dealer and was told this problem is not covered under it. The dealer said GM is looking at this as a "wear and tear" issue. They said they would only remove the shaft and regrease it and the mechanic told me that this would only last for so long until it reappeared. I asked if this was a safety issue and was told that is was not. The dealer said to save my money and not do anything with the issue.   Is this true??!!   Needless to say I am disappointed in both the GM and Pontiac dealer who has been good to me in the past.   Are there any custom parts available to fix this issue since I really enjoy the car and I hope to keep it for a long time. When things like this occur, I can understand why Honda and Toyota are selling more cars. I am looking to write to the NTSB but I don't know if this is a safety issue.   Thanks for any help in this matter.   xavier64
#10 of 26 NHTSA Complaint on Shaft issue by xavier64 Oct 12, 2007 (5:46 pm)
Your Complaint Information is successfully submitted. Your Confirmation number (ODI Number) is: 10205542      --------------------------------------------------------------------------------- - - Click on the "Print Complaint" button to see a print version of the confirmation page to print for your records. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------- - - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------- - -  top       Complaint Information    Description : Reoccurring issue with the intermediate steering shaft on my 2001 Bonneville: Just wanted to provide my experience with the dealer where I bought my Bonneville from with this issue. I have a 2001 Bonnie and this issue showed up in 2005 at only 28000 miles ( repaired under extended warranty ). This issue appeared again at 41,500 miles. I had just purchased an extended warranty from the dealer and was told this problem is not covered under it. They said they would only remove the shaft and regrease it . I asked if this was a safety issue and was told that is was not. My question is why this is not a recall issue and am I in any danger drving this car? Incident Date : 10/12/2007 Fire : No Num. Failures : 2 Property Damage : No Num. Deaths : 0 Crash : No Num. Injured : 0 Police Report : No Referral Source : INTERNET   --------------------------------------------------------------------------------- - -  top       Vehicle Information    VIN : 1G2HX54K114296149 Purchase Date : 7/24/2001 Manufacturer : GENERAL MOTORS CORP. Year, Make and Model : 2001/PONTIAC/PONTIAC Original Owner : Yes # of Cylinders : 6 Trans. Type : AUTOMATIC Engine Size : 3800 Series 2 VehicleDetails Usage : RECREATIONAL Cruise Control : Yes Antilock Brakes : Yes Current Mileage : 41573 Speed : 0 Failure Mileage : 41573 Powertrain : FRONT WHEEL DRIVE Body Style : 4-DOOR Fuel System : FUEL INJECTION Fuel Type : GAS Vehicle Type :      Vehicle Component Information Component 1: STEERING:GEAR BOX:SHAFT SECTOR OEM: No   Vehicle Dealer Information  Dealer : 1 Name : Davis Pontiac Dealer Type : SALES DEALER Address : 922 Second Street Pike   Richboro PA 18954    Dealer Phone: 215-355-1400 Dealer Fax: 215-364-0351 Email: servicedrivedavis.com  Dealer : 2 Name : Dealer Type : SALES DEALER Address :      Dealer Phone: Dealer Fax: Email:   --------------------------------------------------------------------------------- - - Here is the website that I found to submit this issue.    https://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov

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