# 2004 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX — STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM
> NHTSA complaint `494757` · 2004-09-07 · General Motors, LLC
## Severity
- **Deaths:** 0
- **Injured:** 0
- **Fire:** Yes
- **Crash:** No
- **Police report:** No
- **Medical attention:** No
- **Vehicle towed:** No
## Vehicle
- **Make:** PONTIAC
- **Model:** GRAND PRIX
- **Year:** 2004
- **Manufacturer:** General Motors, LLC
- **Component:** STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM
- **Miles at failure:** 35,332
- **Speed:** 5 mph
## Narrative
I PURCHASED A 2004 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX GTP COMP G FROM RYDELL AUTOMOTIVE (VAN NUYS, CA) ON OCTOBER 24, 2004.  IN MAY 2004 THE POWER STEERING HOSE HAD TO BE REPLACED DUE TO A FLUID LEAK.  AUGUST 23, 2004 I HAD THE 30,000 MILE SERVICE PERFORMED (I HAVE A LONG COMMUTE), AND THAT INCLUDED A SERVICE OF THE POWER STEERING SYSTEM.  AUGUST 31, 2004 WHILE MAKING A THREE POINT TURN IN A PARKING LOT, I HEARD A LOUD POP AND LOST THE ABILITY TO CONTROL THE STEERING OF THE VEHICLE.  WHITE SMOKE POURED OUT FROM UNDER THE HOOD AND FILLED THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT (THE A/C WAS ON).  I TURNED OFF THE CAR AND OPENED THE HOOD TO SEE THE ENGINE ON FIRE.  THE FIRE WAS EXTINGUISHED BY SEVERAL LARGE BOTTLES OF WATER AND THE ASSISTANCE OF A PASSERBY.  THE CAR WAS TOWED TO THE RYDELL DEALER IN SAN FERNANDO WHERE IT REMAINS UN-REPAIRED.  THE GM FACTORY REPRESENTATIVE WHO INSPECTED THE VEHICLE SAID I SHOULD SUBMIT A CLAIM WITH MY INSURANCE, EVEN THOUGH I AM CLEARLY WITHIN THE WARRANTY PERIOD.  CURRENTLY NEGOTIATING WITH THE DEALERSHIP DIRECTLY AND I AM REQUESTING A REPLACEMENT VEHICLE SINCE I FEEL THE PROBLEM COULD RECUR. *AK
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*Source: [NHTSA ODI](https://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/downloads/) · AI Analytics · CC0 1.0*