Recalls


CampaignManufacturerManufacturing dateType# of units affectedDate Owner notified MfgRecall Initiated byManufacturers of recalled vehicles/productsReport Recieved DateRecord Creation DateRegulation Part NumberFMVSS Number
STEERING
08E063000DORMAN PRODUCTS, INC. E (Equipment)385510/16/2008MFRGENERAL MOTORS CORP.10/17/200810/20/2008
Defect SummaryDorman products is recalling 3,900 intermediate steering shafts dorman part nos. 425-151, 425-152, and 425-153, (sold under dorman's oe solutions brand name), balkamp #'s 7-3057, 7-3058, 7-3059 (sold under the napa brand name), and platinum parts #'s 2425151, 2425152, and 2425153 manufactured during the month of september 2007. these replacement steering shafts can be used on the vehicles listed above. the weld connecting the inner tube to the outer tube may be defective.
Consequence SummaryIf the weld fails, loss of steering could result, possibly resulting in a vehicle crash.
Corrective SummaryDorman will notify owners and replace the steering shafts free of charge. the recall began on october 16, 2008. owners may contact dorman toll free at 1-800-523-2492.
NotesThis recall only pertains to dorman's oe solutions brand name, balkamp's napa brand, and the platinum brand steering shafts and has no relation to any original equipment installed on vehicles manufactured by general motors corporation.customers may 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


BulletinBulletin dateReplacement BulletinItem no.SummaryAdded
STEERING
15090009/15/2000619039This message concerns vehicles exhibiting a clunk noise coming from the front of the vehicle. customers may state that a clunk noise is heard when turning the steering wheel. *tt05/11/2001
STEERING - GEAR BOX (OTHER THAN RACK AND PINION)
53330103/01/19954031300Unknown11/01/1995
53330103/01/199539815Clunk noises from front of vehicle when riding over large bumps. *tw11/01/1995

Consumer Complaints


Fail datemilesoccurencesPurchase date
STEERING
01/02/2004179850312/21/2003
 Tl*the contact owns a 1995 chevrolet cavalier. while driving 65mph, the gas gauge idled back and forth uncontrollably. when the fuel tank is full the gauge idled from full to a quarter then back to full. it also idled from a half tank, quarter tank then to empty. when attempting to close the trunk, it failed to close due to the link and latch moving out of place (not aligned). this failure also caused her trunk to open randomly. while driving 65 miles per hour, the vehicle began shaking uncontrollably. the dealer stated that the failure is due to the struts. the struts were replaced three to four times and the problem continued to occur. the failure and current mileage were 179850.
12/14/2002
 The steering wheel is hard to turn and it makes a loud noise. dealer has been notified. ph
09/11/1995
 Clunking noise when turning the steering wheel left or right, replace steering gear/rod kit/core return, to no avail. tt
08/07/1995
 Steering went out control and vehicle accident occurred. tt
06/23/1995
 The bolts in the control arm assembly fall out and it is part of a recall and her car was not involved and her steering locks up. please explain. tt
STEERING - GEAR BOX (OTHER THAN RACK AND PINION)
09/11/1997204/01/1995
 This unit failed again at 75216 miles. letters were written to the president of gm north america and the ceo of gm about this multiple failure as well as numerous other problems with this vehicle. gm had a customer service person call. however, even though she had copies of all the bills, she refused to acknowledge the failures. we have not received a response from the ceo. it makes me wonder what they are hiding. other owners of this vehicle have indicated they have also had these kinds of problems. we are concerned that their might be a serious defect that could cause an accident while driving. julie is my daughter. i am lyle pottebaum, 4996 stonecastle dr., venice, fl., 34293. phone 941-408-0815. no safety defect listed.
STEERING - HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST - PUMP
07/09/20011610/16/1998
 Power steering rack and pinion. while driving vehicle cut out like starved for gas, then died and wouldn't restart, replace tank electric fuel pump assembly. ck p/steering for leaks, p/steering pump leaking fluid, r and rps pump and reseal completed, p/steering pump bushing getting worn. on another occassion replace pressure hose due to lost of power steering. coolant light comes on and car overheates. vehicle caught on fire due to leakage, oil and power steering pump fluid was leaking, totalled.
07/18/19961
 Power steering pump failed.
02/08/1996
 Steering system failure, difficulty steering vehicle, dealer has replaced belts has not repaired vehicle. tt
STEERING - HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM
03/01/2002
 Fingers are bent and twisted towards the baby finger to conform to the steering wheel contour. this information being submitted on behalf of greg wheeler by mike tomich dt
06/28/2002208/01/2095
 While decelerating/braking on the curve of an off-ramp of a major interstate, the steering locked up on my car. it returned within a few seconds while i continued braking and attempting to force the car away from the embankment. on one other occasion, 4 days later and hundreds of miles later, the steering again locked up while braking on a curve of an off ramp of a major highway. i continued to apply the brakes because of the sharp curve and concrete barrier and steering ability returned just before hitting the concrete barrier. both incidents happened on a curve, once to the right and once on a left curve.*ak
04/17/19957
 Steering failed when attempting to turn right, causing vehicle to veer left/loss of control/accident. *skd
07/18/1995
 Cruise control failure, loss of vehicle steering. tt
STEERING - LINKAGES - ARM - IDLER AND ATTACHMENT
07/18/1995
 Cruise control failure, loss of vehicle steering. tt
STEERING - LINKAGES - KNUCKLE - SPINDLE - ARM
04/18/1997
 Owner states while driving at 70 mph the right rear spindle broke. owner is uncertain why this happened. dealers have not looked at vehicle. *ak
STEERING - LINKAGES - TIE ROD ASSEMBLY
07/26/2001105/08/2001
 Consumer noticed noise and vibration , salesman assured consumer that the noise and vibration was because vehicle had front wheel drive, the salesman informed consumer that the vehilce would thouroughly be inspected, however while driving vehicle consumer continued to hear the noise and vibration, vehicle was taken into a repair shop, in which inner and outer tie rods and gas strut assembly were replaced.*jb
STEERING - RACK AND PINION
09/15/2002201/01/2095
 On this 1995 cavalier at approx. 67,000 miles the entire power steering rack was replaced by the above mentioned dealer. about three weeks ago, the vehicle started exhibiting the same problem of the steering wheel locking up and not being able to turn. the frist time this occured maita chevrolet replaced the power steering rack citing it as the problem. this time maita refuses to fix the problem stating that they cannot duplicate the lock up problem. also rajesh ramsay at chevrolet customer assistance center, 1-800-222-1020, file # s1-37046805 , has been no help in correcting this either. he states the gm representitive , micheal renslow told the dealership that nothing will be done. when david weller ,maita service mgr. was asked to put in writting that the vehicle was safe to drive , he refused, mr. ramsey refused , thus here are the facts for you. thank you in advance for your help. roy sharp iii ( stepfather of melynda hughes ). mr
07/09/20011610/16/1998
 Power steering rack and pinion. while driving vehicle cut out like starved for gas, then died and wouldn't restart, replace tank electric fuel pump assembly. ck p/steering for leaks, p/steering pump leaking fluid, r and rps pump and reseal completed, p/steering pump bushing getting worn. on another occassion replace pressure hose due to lost of power steering. coolant light comes on and car overheates. vehicle caught on fire due to leakage, oil and power steering pump fluid was leaking, totalled.
STEERING - WHEEL AND HANDLE BAR
09/07/201160800
 Tl- the contact owns a 1995 chevrolet cavalier. the contact stated that the frame was rusting severely. the dealer was notified of the failure but denied any assistance with repairs. the manufacturer was not contacted and the vehicle was not repaired. the failure mileage was 60,800 and the current mileage was 61,000. the vin was unavailable. kmj
09/07/2011
 Tl- the contact owns a 1995 chevrolet cavalier. the contact stated that the frame was rusting, making the vehicle unsafe to drive on the highway. the dealer was notified, but denied any assistance with repairs to the failure. the manufacturer was not contacted. the vehicle was not repaired. the failure mileage was 60,800 and the current mileage was 61,000. the vin was unavailable. nw
12/30/2001
 After driving for more then an hour steering will become harder to turn. consumer almost ran into a mcdonalds because steering became real hard to control. also, it felt like someone was tugging wheel as driving. vehicle not driveable. *ak
1
 Steering column failed resulting in lock up.
09/10/19950
 Steering wheel locked up. *sd