# NHTSA recall 96V249000

A recall listed here may apply to a vehicle of this year, make and model. Only the manufacturer can say whether it applies to one vehicle: check the VIN with the official lookups.

- Published by: NHTSA \(United States\)
- Campaign number: 96V249000
- Manufacturer: GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
- Reported: 1996\-12\-17
- Owners notified: 1997\-01\-06
- Component: STEERING: STEERING WHEEL/HANDLE BAR
- Units potentially affected: 424

## What is wrong

THE STEERING COLUMN LOWER PINCH BOLT WAS NOT PROPERLY TIGHTENED DURING ASSEMBLY.


## What can happen

AN UNDERTORQUED PINCH BOLT CAN RATTLE AND CAUSE LOOSENESS IN THE STEERING SYSTEM.  IF THE PINCH BOLT BACKED OUT OF THE JOINT COMPLETELY, ROTATION OF THE STEERING SHAFT AGAINST THE CONNECTOR COULD CAUSE INCREASING LOOSENESS IN THE STEERING SYSTEM AND RESULT IN LOSS OF STEERING AND AN ACCIDENT.


## The remedy

DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE STEERING COLUMN PINCH BOLT FOR CORRECT TORQUE AND, IF NECESSARY, TIGHTEN THE BOLT TO THE SPECIFIED TORQUE.


## Notes

OWNER NOTIFICATION:OWNER NOTIFICATION WILL BEGIN DURING JANUARY 1997. NOTE:OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT BUICK AT 1\-800\-521\-7300 OR PONTIAC AT 1\-800\-762\-2737.ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1\-800\-424\-9393.


## Vehicles this campaign lists

- [1996 BUICK SKYLARK](/makes/buick/skylark/1996/recalls.md). Built 1996\-07\-01 to 1996\-07\-31.
- [1996 PONTIAC GRAND AM](/makes/pontiac/grand-am/1996/recalls.md). Built 1996\-07\-01 to 1996\-07\-31.

## Bulletins for the same vehicles and component

A bulletin is the manufacturer's note to its dealers. It is not part of this recall.

- [971101733209](/bulletins/54191.md), 1998-03-30, Service bulletin
- [96074](/bulletins/52082.md), 1997-07-17, Service bulletin

## Check a VIN

- [NHTSA recall lookup by VIN, United States](https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls)
- [Transport Canada recall search, Canada](https://wwwapps.tc.gc.ca/Saf-Sec-Sur/7/VRDB-BDRV/search-recherche/menu.aspx?lang=eng)

JSON: [/v1/recalls/nhtsa/96V249000](/v1/recalls/nhtsa/96V249000)

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