Recalls
| Campaign | Manufacturer | Manufacturing date | Type | # of units affected | Date Owner notified Mfg | Recall Initiated by | Manufacturers of recalled vehicles/products | Report Recieved Date | Record Creation Date | Regulation Part Number | FMVSS Number | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| STEERING | ||||||||||||||||
| 09E005000 | DORMAN PRODUCTS, INC. | E (Equipment) | 979 | 02/23/2009 | MFR | GENERAL MOTORS CORP. | 02/17/2009 | 02/17/2009 | ||||||||
| Defect Summary | Dorman is recalling 979 steering knuckles, dorman p/nos. 697-902 and 697-903, sold under dorman's oe solutionstm brand name, and napa p/nos. 7-8502 and 7-8503 which were sold for replacement use on the various vehicles listed above. a potential material or design defect could result in the steering knuckle breaking in the hub area. | |||||||||||||||
| Consequence Summary | A broken steering knuckle could result in loss of steering control and a possible crash without warning. | |||||||||||||||
| Corrective Summary | Dorman will notify owners and replace the defective steering knuckles free of charge and reimburse the repair facility or owner for labor. the recall began on february 23, 2009. owners may contact dorman's toll-free hotline at 1-800-523-2492. | |||||||||||||||
| Notes | This recall only pertains to aftermarket dorman steering knuckles and has no relation to any original equipment installed on vehicles manufactured by general motors corporation.owners may also contact the national highway traffic safety administration's vehicle safety hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (tty 1-800-424-9153), or go to http://www.safercar.gov . | |||||||||||||||
Bulletins
| Bulletin | Bulletin date | Replacement Bulletin | Item no. | Summary | Added |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| STEERING | |||||
| 050232003 | 06/01/2005 | 10017515 | Revised outer tie rod end nut tightening specification/tie rod end jam nut tightening specification added. *tt | 11/09/2005 | |
| 990232003 | 06/01/1999 | 606088 | Conditions with steering shudder or vibration at low speed. *tt | 08/06/1999 | |
| STEERING - LINKAGES - TIE ROD ASSEMBLY | |||||
| 030232049 | 11/01/2003 | 10004765 | Release of new outer tie rod ends for service. *tt | 01/06/2004 | |
Investigations
| NHTSA ID | Manufacturer | Date open | Date close | Subject | Recall campaign | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| STEERING | ||||||
| RQ03001 | GENERAL MOTORS CORP. | 01/02/2003 | 09/15/2003 | POWER RACK AND PINION STEERING FAILURE | ||
| Gm conducted a safety recall (nhtsa # 02v286) to address a steering defect pertaining to a lower pinion bearing (lpb) within the rack and pinion steering gear (r&p). the recall covered 1,159,156 model year 1997-1998 pontiac grand prix vehicles built between march 1, 1996 and october 31, 1997, 1996-1998 pontiac trans sport, chevrolet lumina apv, chevrolet venture, oldsmobile silhouette minivans, and chevrolet cavalier and pontiac sunfire sedans built between january 1, 1996 and october 31, 1997.odi opened this rq after receiving reports that other vehicles were exhibiting the same symptoms as the recalled vehicles.based on odi's review of technical and complaint data collected during the rq, the w-cars are associated with either a higher steering complaint rate or a higher lpb failure rate than the other vehicles investigated under the rq and are above or near the rates for the recalled vehicles.thus, odi will further examine the w-cars (1996-1997 oldsmobile cutlass supreme, 1996-1998 buick regal, chevrolet lumina, chevrolet monte carlo, 1997-1998 buick century, and 1998 oldsmobile intrigue) under a new investigation, engineering analysis (ea)03-019. | ||||||
| EA03019 | GENERAL MOTORS CORP. | 09/15/2003 | 12/18/2003 | POWER RACK AND PINION STEERING FAILURE | 03V527000 | |
| Gm's letter to nhtsa dated december 11, 2003, expands its original recall (nhtsa 02v286) to include certain w-body vehicles: 96-97 olds cutlass supreme; 98 olds intrigue; 97-98 olds cutlass; 97-98 chevy lumina, monte carlo and malibu; 96 pontiac grand prix; and 96-98 buick regal.the number of vehicles recalled is 750,283.gm determined that failure of the rack and pinion is related to damage of the lower pinion bearing and the level of the pinion bearing pre-load spring force.gm states, higher rack pre-load spring force (133 lb.) is the design characteristic most closely associated with higher bearing damage rates in most of the vehicle applications that used the general bearing company (gbc) bearing.all of the vehicles covered in the expanded recall have the 133 lb spring force.the 96 lumina/monte carlo and 97-98 century w-body vehicles included in this investigation utilize a lower spring force and are not included in the recall. | ||||||
| STEERING - RACK AND PINION | ||||||
| RQ03001 | GENERAL MOTORS CORP. | 01/02/2003 | 09/15/2003 | POWER RACK AND PINION STEERING FAILURE | ||
| Gm conducted a safety recall (nhtsa # 02v286) to address a steering defect pertaining to a lower pinion bearing (lpb) within the rack and pinion steering gear (r&p). the recall covered 1,159,156 model year 1997-1998 pontiac grand prix vehicles built between march 1, 1996 and october 31, 1997, 1996-1998 pontiac trans sport, chevrolet lumina apv, chevrolet venture, oldsmobile silhouette minivans, and chevrolet cavalier and pontiac sunfire sedans built between january 1, 1996 and october 31, 1997.odi opened this rq after receiving reports that other vehicles were exhibiting the same symptoms as the recalled vehicles.based on odi's review of technical and complaint data collected during the rq, the w-cars are associated with either a higher steering complaint rate or a higher lpb failure rate than the other vehicles investigated under the rq and are above or near the rates for the recalled vehicles.thus, odi will further examine the w-cars (1996-1997 oldsmobile cutlass supreme, 1996-1998 buick regal, chevrolet lumina, chevrolet monte carlo, 1997-1998 buick century, and 1998 oldsmobile intrigue) under a new investigation, engineering analysis (ea)03-019. | ||||||
| EA03019 | GENERAL MOTORS CORP. | 09/15/2003 | 12/18/2003 | POWER RACK AND PINION STEERING FAILURE | 03V527000 | |
| Gm's letter to nhtsa dated december 11, 2003, expands its original recall (nhtsa 02v286) to include certain w-body vehicles: 96-97 olds cutlass supreme; 98 olds intrigue; 97-98 olds cutlass; 97-98 chevy lumina, monte carlo and malibu; 96 pontiac grand prix; and 96-98 buick regal.the number of vehicles recalled is 750,283.gm determined that failure of the rack and pinion is related to damage of the lower pinion bearing and the level of the pinion bearing pre-load spring force.gm states, higher rack pre-load spring force (133 lb.) is the design characteristic most closely associated with higher bearing damage rates in most of the vehicle applications that used the general bearing company (gbc) bearing.all of the vehicles covered in the expanded recall have the 133 lb spring force.the 96 lumina/monte carlo and 97-98 century w-body vehicles included in this investigation utilize a lower spring force and are not included in the recall. | ||||||
Consumer Complaints
| Fail date | miles | occurences | Purchase date |
|---|---|---|---|
| STEERING | |||
| 05/14/2011 | 143314 | ||
| I was making a left turn and the steering locked and there was a loud bang. i wasn't able to complete the turn causing me to drive off the road and onto a lawn. the steering wheel wouldn't go back to the correct position and it seemed to be in manual steering mode. i could barely move the wheel. the car is not driveable at this time. | |||
| 02/27/2009 | 129100 | 1 | |
| 1) car needed towed to garage for starter failure. as it left the garage the steering locked up and sent car almost into oncoming traffic with 2 children in the car. there had been no other warnings of a problem. 2) it happens every time the steering is turned one direction then back to the other. it does not just come back. especially to the left. i almost crashed 4 times just trying to get it home. 3) i filed an insurance claim on the tow company thinking they were responsible. they looked at it and said they found nothing wrong, that nothing was bent. after getting on line and investigating, i learned of this steering problem. it matches it perfectly. i had someone knowledgeable of mechanics look at the car and they said the steering gear rack needs replaced and not to drive the car as it is. it is to dangerous to drive. i also just had new intake manifold gasket from the decool problem gm has. now i have a car that i can't drive and can't afford to fix. nobody assumes liability and i think gm should have had this recalled and corrected. *tr | |||
| 1 | 02/23/1998 | ||
| The design of the magnetic variable steering on vehicle results in poor handling, vehicle sways at 35-55 mph, poor struts contribute to the unstable feeling causing bouncing. | |||
| STEERING - HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM | |||
| 11/10/2000 | 1 | 12/13/1999 | |
| After parking the car, got back in to back out of the parking space and discovered vehicle would not turn left. there was no power assist. but it turns right with no problem. repair required a new rack and pinion system. failure occured without warning. | |||
| STEERING - RACK AND PINION | |||
| 05/28/2004 | 24 | 12/31/2003 | |
| Power steering locked up when making left turns. the steering wheel either locked, did not go into the full turns or was very difficult to turn. dealership indicated that there was a defect in the rack and pinion as described in steering gear bearings recall 03v527000. however, this vehicle was not included in the recall due to vin. *ak | |||
| 1 | |||
| 1997 buick century power steering started to lock up when steering to the left. *mr vehicle was towed and a new rack and pinion was installed. consumer requested reimbursement for the repair but was denied because vehicle was not part of recall. *la | |||
| 07/05/2002 | 16215 | 1 | |
| The vehicle lost power steering when making a left turn in the driveway. this was caused by a failure in the steering rack and pinion. *jb | |||
| 09/24/2003 | 1 | ||
| While driving a 1997 or 1998 vehicle lost control. dealer replaced rack and pinion, but problem still occurring intermittently. *ak | |||
| 02/10/2003 | 38120 | 10/31/1998 | |
| Started car and backed out of parking space. steering wheel would hardly turn wheels to the left; no power assist. started moving forward and turning right, then power assist resumed. also, steering shudder occurs after rounding corners and accelerating. local dealer service rep states car needs new rack & pinion assembly and is a common problem in centuries and regals 4-5 years old. | |||
| STEERING - RACK AND PINION - PINION SHAFT | |||
| 10/05/2003 | 104990 | 1 | 01/13/2000 |
| 1997 buick century, while driving to a soccer game i began to experience an intermittent loss of power steering. after the game i turned left to exit my parking spot and while turning at low speed i heard a clicking noise and the steering wheel became locked. it took all my strength to turn the wheel straight. i took the vehicle to my friend whom is a certified mechanic (but no longer works for gm) and he advised me that the lower pinion was destroyed which caused damage to the entire gear assemble and power steering pump. i had him replace the defective parts at a cost of $800 plus dollars. subsequent to this time i am now again experiencing intermittent loss of steering. my mechanic advised its possible that the rebuilt steering gear placed in my repair contains the same defective pinion bearing because gm may not have communicated the faulty problem to the part suppliers whom rebuild the gear assemblies. in light of the recent news about gm steering gear problems and pending recalls for car models other that the buick century i wish to file a complaint with gm to reimburse me for the initial repair and the subsequent follow-up repairs that i will need.*ak | |||
| STEERING - RACK AND PINION - RACK | |||
| 06/03/2005 | 102000 | 25 | 04/15/2002 |
| 1997 buick century-steering locks up randomly causing loss of vehicle control. *jb | |||
| 06/03/2002 | 102000 | 25 | 04/15/2002 |
| 1997 buick century-steering locks up randomly causing loss of vehicle control. *jb | |||
| 02/06/2003 | 57950 | 1 | 11/02/2001 |
| When turning corners steering wheel sticks. consumer has to pull hard to straighten the wheel up. *ak repair was performed on steering including replacement of steering rack. *la | |||
| STEERING - WHEEL AND HANDLE BAR | |||
| 05/01/2000 | 1 | 04/01/1997 | |
| I was unable to turn the steering wheel to the left intermittently.*ak | |||