This service bulletin provides a vibration analysis worksheet the technician can use in conjunction with the appropriate Vibration Analysis-Road testing procedure when diagnosing vibration concerns.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2007 Pontiac Grand Prix steering problems
severe 21 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $700 · see steering across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
21
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$700
3crashes
4injuries
When does it fail?
Of the 21 steering complaints filed for the 2007 Pontiac Grand Prix, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 150,000+ mi.
0-25k
25-50k
50-75k
75-100k
100-125k
125-150k
150k+
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted. Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
What stands out
No new NHTSA steering complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 10 years — the issue may be aging out of the active population.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering steering on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
This service bulletin provides technicians with updated information to help identify the differences between what is considered a fluid leak, and what is considered fluid seepage.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This service bulletin provides technicians with updated information to help identify the differences between what is considered a fluid leak, and what is considered fluid seepage.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This technical bulletin provides a procedure to eliminate a power steering noise due to extremely low temperatures.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This preliminary information bulletin provides information for diagnosing a power steering fluid leak at the fluid reservoir.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
Owners report multiple distinct steering failures in the 2007 Grand Prix. Power steering assist suddenly vanishes during normal driving at all speeds, making the wheel extremely difficult to turn or causing it to lock completely. Several owners crashed when unable to steer—one hit a wall at 15 mph, another a cement barrier, and a third collided head-on with a truck while unable to turn the wheel on a curve. The steering rack itself fails, with the mounting bolts or welds breaking and allowing the front wheel to pivot independently.
Steering columns produce grinding, rattling, and moaning noises at low mileage; dealers cite a TSB (050232007) from 2005 but state no fix exists. One owner's rack and pinion was replaced under warranty, yet the grinding returned by 47,000 miles.
Engine stalls while driving, stranding owners without power steering or brakes. One owner lost all electrical power at 70 mph on the highway. Ignition switches stick with keys jamming inside; the ignition tumbler housing cracks, loosening keys until they break off. GM issued recall 14350 for the ignition defect, acknowledging that switch failure kills power steering and brakes—a crash risk GM initially downplayed to customers who requested loaner vehicles. The steering wheel lock mechanism fails intermittently, leaving the car insecure.
Multiple crashes and injuries are documented.
Same Pontiac Grand Prix steering reports on nearby years: 2005 · 2006
Failure modes owners describe
Power steering system failure / loss of assist
Multiple owners report sudden loss of power steering assistance while driving, causing steering wheel to become very hard to turn or completely seize. Several incidents resulted in crashes due to inability to steer.
When: 40,000 to 128,000 miles; occurs during normal driving at various speeds
Symptoms owners cite: Steering wheel becomes very difficult to turn; Steering wheel suddenly seizes or locks up; Loss of power steering assist; Steering wheel grinding noise; Power steering moan/groan noise while driving; Power steering malfunction at various speeds
Repairs/costs cited: Rack and pinion steering replaced under warranty in at least one case; steering shaft replacement performed; steering rack mounting bolts failed
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: TSB 050232007 issued (November 2005) for power steering moan/groan noise affecting 2004-2007 Pontiac Grand Prix and related GM vehicles; dealership stated no fix available; ignition recall 14350 noted as related to power steering loss
Steering rack mounting failure
The steering rack mounts, particularly the horseshoe-type bracket welded to the rack and bolted to the frame, have broken on multiple vehicles. Owners report the rack becoming loose, allowing the front wheel to move independently.
When: Various mileages; appears to be structural/durability issue
Symptoms owners cite: Steering rack loose on one side; Right front wheel moving independently from left; Passenger side wheel turning independently; Loss of steering control
Repairs/costs cited: Steering rack mounting bolts or welds failed; GM indicated no recall issued
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Owners requested safety recall; GM indicated this is not a recalled issue
Steering column noise and wear
Owners report abnormal noises from the steering column and wheel, including grinding, rattling, and moaning. Some cases involve worn universal joints.
When: 54,000 to 100,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Grinding noise from steering wheel/column; Rattling noise from steering wheel; Unusual noise while steering; Steering wheel feels loose; Moaning/groaning noise while driving
Repairs/costs cited: Universal joint in steering column worn and replaced; steering shaft replacement performed
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: TSB 050232007 addresses power steering moan/groan for 2004-2007 models; dealership stated no fix available
Steering wheel lock/unlock malfunction
Steering wheel lock mechanism fails to engage or disengage properly, creating a safety issue since the vehicle cannot be secured.
When: Intermittent occurrence
Symptoms owners cite: Steering wheel refuses to lock; Steering wheel unable to unlock; Lock mechanism failure
Repairs/costs cited: Temporary workaround: moving wheel and key in ignition resolved issue temporarily
Engine stall with complete loss of power steering and brakes
Engine shuts off completely while driving at various speeds, resulting in immediate loss of power steering and power brakes. Ignition key becomes stuck in ignition. Related to ignition switch defect under recall 14350.
When: Occurs unexpectedly during normal driving; one case at 98,890-108,630 miles; another at 52,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Engine stalls while driving; Complete loss of power steering; Complete loss of power brakes; Ignition key stuck in ignition after stall; Vehicle unable to restart or takes multiple attempts; Vehicle accelerates independently after stall; All electrical power lost
Codes mentioned: Crankshaft position sensor malfunction (mentioned in one narrative)
Repairs/costs cited: Engine diagnosed with cylinder misfire requiring tune-up ($587); ignition tumbler housing cracked, key broke off in ignition requiring part replacement; recall kit added but did not resolve stalling issue
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Ignition recall 14350 issued; GM stated recall parts may become available; recall notice acknowledges power steering and power braking loss as safety risk; GM denied loaner vehicle despite ignition switch hazard
Synthesized from 21 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 1 most recent
Crank shafts position sensor causes the engine to shut off while driving down the road. Resulting in the loss of power steering, and power brakes. This occurs at all speeds from stop and go traffic at less than 5 MPH to highway speeds of 70 MPH +. This is a very dangerous issue. Adding the recall piece to the key did nothing to remedy the issue. This has been occurring for 2 years now.
Had steering trouble with your 2007 Pontiac Grand Prix?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the steering problem on the 2007 Pontiac Grand Prix?
It's a meaningful issue. 21 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $700.
At what mileage does the steering typically fail?
Across the 16 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most steering failures cluster between 52,000 and 108,630 miles, with the median around 64,397. A quarter of owners report trouble before 52,000; a quarter make it past 108,630. Maintenance history matters more than the odometer alone — this is the reported failure window, not a guarantee.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $700 for steering repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to steering?
No active recalls currently cover steering issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2007/Pontiac/Grand Prix.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.