Bulletins
| Bulletin | Bulletin date | Replacement Bulletin | Item no. | Summary | Added |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| STEERING - WHEEL AND HANDLE BAR | |||||
| 9709013202B | 09/01/1997 | 54328 | Experiencing intermittent steering column snap or click noise when turning. *yc | 03/30/1998 | |
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. | ||||||
| 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. | ||||||
Consumer Complaints
| Fail date | miles | occurences | Purchase date |
|---|---|---|---|
| STEERING | |||
| 10/19/2003 | 1 | ||
| Whenever the vehicle goes through even to a moderate water puddle the power steering is subject to temporary failing and the drag on the wheel is considerable. very hard to steer for several seconds. many people would be unable to control the car. number of failures is many but this is the first time i have been able to get together and report the matter. *la | |||
| 03/01/2000 | 0 | ||
| While driving in the rain steering wheel will not turn. consumer has come very close to having a collision on several occasions. took vehicle to dealer, and they replaced steering belt. next time, dealer put on a splash pan. however, consumer is still experiencing the same problem. *ak | |||
| 12/12/1997 | 07/29/1996 | ||
| While driving the vehicle turned the corner and the steering failed. driver lost control of the vehicle. once he had turned the corner, and all power steering went out. dealer was aware of the steering problem, and they did not notify him of it. *ak | |||
| 10/14/1998 | 2 | ||
| Steering froze at 20mph after leaving stop sign. no control of vehicle. steering wheel was not movable. vehicle kept moving. applied brakes to stop vehicle. at dealer's informed fault with steering belt & housing when it's wet. *ak *ml | |||
| 07/31/1997 | |||
| While driving vehicle a loss of steering develops. turning the wheel id very difficult when loss occurres. *ak | |||
| 03/29/1997 | |||
| While trying to turn vehicle the steering wheel broke, causing the vehicle to lose control. this happened without any warning. *ak | |||
| STEERING - COLUMN LOCKING - ANTI-THEFT DEVICE | |||
| 100000 | 3 | ||
| On three separate occasions vehicle experienced power steering failure. steering wheel locked up, and it was very difficult to turn. *ak | |||
| STEERING - ELECTRIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM | |||
| 01/17/2008 | 20 | 06/01/2001 | |
| Car loses power completely and cuts off. there is no electric or engine available and the car must be restarted in order to proceed in traffic. this failure usually occurs at low rates (20-35mph) of speed but especially when turning corners. power steering is diminished due to power failure. *tr | |||
| STEERING - GEAR BOX (OTHER THAN RACK AND PINION) | |||
| 04/30/1996 | 2 | 03/01/1996 | |
| Power steering gear assembly failed. | |||
| STEERING - HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST - PUMP | |||
| 1 | 02/16/2000 | ||
| When driving vehicle during rainy weather the power steering locks up while making turns, vehicle was designed without a splash shield to deflect water from the serpentine belt. nlm | |||
| 03/01/2000 | 0 | ||
| While driving in the rain steering wheel will not turn. consumer has come very close to having a collision on several occasions. took vehicle to dealer, and they replaced steering belt. next time, dealer put on a splash pan. however, consumer is still experiencing the same problem. *ak | |||
| 01/01/1999 | |||
| Upon turning front wheel threw water on the power steering belt causing it to malfunction. the belt is being replaced under recall, however only in wet states, florida not included. | |||
| 12/11/1997 | 1 | 07/29/1996 | |
| Power steering drive belt failed when water entered unit. | |||
| 09/01/1997 | 2 | ||
| Twice while driving the vehicle in wet weather the power steering quit, the power steering belt has been replaced, along with splash shields by dealer. *ak consumer states on sep 19 1997 belt failed again.*jb | |||
| 08/15/1997 | 10 | ||
| When driving through small amount of water lost control of power steering, could cause crash, dealer replaced power steering pump, exact problem. *ak | |||
| 01/12/1997 | 1 | 06/28/1996 | |
| Power steering failure; while driving had complete loss of steering, had no control of vehicle, in for repair,installed a drive belt/shield splash shield. *akthe vehicle would lose all power steering due to the design of the vehicle, the vehicle was designed without a splash shield, the auto locks wont unlock when put in park most of the time, the dealer replaced shorted rke reciever and reprogram remote, the consumer complained radio/tape sounded fuzzy, right front speaker is noisy, dealer replaced the right front door speaker. *nlm | |||
| 07/01/1996 | 2 | 04/01/1996 | |
| Power steering belt replaced due to steering locking up on right turns heavy rain storms. | |||
| 09/27/1996 | |||
| When driving in wet weather condition the power steering belt gets wet, causing loss of power steering. *ak | |||
| STEERING - HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM | |||
| 100000 | 3 | ||
| On three separate occasions vehicle experienced power steering failure. steering wheel locked up, and it was very difficult to turn. *ak | |||
| 05/28/2002 | |||
| When brakes were applied they didn't hold. smoke was coming from hood. unable to steer vehicle, steering locked up. vehicle caught on fire, and was totalled.*ak | |||
| 12/15/1999 | 2 | ||
| Lost power steering twice, belt slips off in wet weather. yh | |||
| When driving under wet conditions and water gets to the underbody of the vehicle, there is a loss of power steering. dealer has seen vehicle. and said the vehicle needed a shield. *ak | |||
| 08/02/1999 | 1 | 12/01/1997 | |
| While driving in wet weather, lost power steering assist by belt slipping when wet. dealer claimed this was maintenance issue and replaced what he said was a worn out belt. | |||
| 07/01/1998 | 10 | 07/01/1998 | |
| This automobile loses power steering assist when turning and water is splashed under the front of the car.steering failure has happened on several occasions and is very dangerous in turns when you need power assist most. i have not contacted the dealer since i feel it is a design problem and not a routine maintenance issue. *ak | |||
| 06/15/1998 | 3 | 05/15/1998 | |
| While driving in rain or soon after it rains, the power steering pump drive becomes wet and slips when the steering wheel is turned causing difficulty steering and near crashes on three occasions. | |||
| 10/05/1997 | |||
| When driving vehicle in wet wether the vehicle loses all power steering and the wheel locks up, causing the driver to lose steering when vehicle goes around the corner. took vehicle to dealer, and they said that the power steering goes out when driving through water. the dealer fixed the problem, but driver says that this is a safety hazard. *ak | |||
| 10/01/1997 | 1 | ||
| Loses power steering after driving over a puddle before or after the rain. *ak *jb | |||
| 07/28/1997 | |||
| Under wet road conditions consumer turned a corner and the power steering went out, vehicle was very hard to steer. *ak | |||
| 08/01/1996 | 3 | 04/01/1996 | |
| Power steering fluid leak. | |||
| 10/08/1996 | 3 | 05/13/1996 | |
| Power steering failed 3 times. | |||
| 09/05/1996 | 1 | ||
| When hitting a 2-3 deep water puddle at 10 mph, power steering locks up for several seconds. *ak | |||
| 02/22/1996 | 2 | ||
| Power steering unit fails during inclement weather, making it very difficult to steer. *dh | |||
| STEERING - LINKAGES - ARM - IDLER AND ATTACHMENT | |||
| 01/13/2002 | 1 | ||
| Metal casting on idler is broken and does not remain positioned on main drive belt, which causes vehicle to become very difficult to steer. *ak consumer stated the casting where the bolt was attached cracked, and the bolt pulled off from the block, amking the vehicle inoperative.*slc | |||
| STEERING - RACK AND PINION | |||
| 12/01/2001 | |||
| Vehicle is going 45-55mph it starts to decelerate. steering gets stiff. oil pressure light comes on, and when brakes are applied vehicle begins to accelerate without pressing on accelerator pedal. problem has duplicated itself many times, but dealer can't duplicate this problem to find a solution. once vehicle is restarted there is no problem.*ak | |||
| 09/09/1999 | 10 | 06/01/1996 | |
| Steering and brakes lock, usually on a curve, always on wet road. problem has happened with other drivers in this vehicle. questions to dealer service department offer no enlightenment or satisfaction; they've never heard of anything like this. | |||
| STEERING - WHEEL AND HANDLE BAR | |||
| 04/12/2000 | |||
| While going over small puddles of water steering wheel will lock, not allowing the driver to turn the vehicle. also, suddenly vehicle accelerated to 70mph. dealer has inspected and repaired vehicle. *ak | |||
| 03/19/2000 | |||
| While driving on local road in rain, attempted to make a right hand turn, and steering wheel didn't respond. kept pulling and it finally turned. contacted dealer . dealer said that the cause of the problem was the serpentine belt that became wet from the rain. *ak | |||
| 03/19/2000 | 2 | ||
| While driving in the rain and attempting to make right hand turn, steering wheel locked up. after several tries, steering wheel finally turned. this happened twice that day. contacted dealer, and was told that when the serpentine belt gets wet, it will slip. gmc is aware of the problem because they have issued a bulletin. *ak | |||
| When driving vehicle cuts off without prior warning, causing the steering wheel to lock up. consumer has contacted the dealer, dealer has replaced the fuel pump and other parts. please provide any further details. *ak | |||
| 01/13/1998 | |||
| Steering cancel cam/spring and bearing cap replaced due to noise from steering column when turning slightly. | |||
| 2 | |||
| Steering wheel has locked on two occassions. | |||
| 11/13/1997 | |||
| While making a right hand turn steering wheel locked up,could not control vehicle. dealer fixed belt in the steering wheel. *ak | |||
| 01/05/1996 | |||
| The air bag warining light came on and would not go off. air bag light did go off after vehicle was brought in to dealership. on 1/26/96 light came on again at that time the right air bag coil was replaced and the wiring in the steering column was also replaced. *ak | |||