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 - RACK AND PINION | ||||||||||||||||
| 03V527000 | GENERAL MOTORS CORP. | from 04/01/1996 to 05/31/1997 | V (Vehicle) | 750283 | 02/05/2004 | ODI | GENERAL MOTORS CORP. | 12/11/2003 | 12/18/2003 | |||||||
| Defect Summary | Certain passenger vehicles have lower pinion bearings in the power rack and pinion assembly in which the retainer tabs were not crimped properly. these retainers could fail and permit the ball bearings to escape. | |||||||||||||||
| Consequence Summary | If this occurs, the pinion shaft can be forced upward during left turns and back down as the steering wheel is moved back and to the right. if the pinion shaft moves further, the driver will need to exert more effort to turn the steering wheel, similar to a vehicle without power assisted steering. if the pinion shaft moves even further, the driver will require much higher effort to turn left and may not be able to turn the wheel as much as intended. with the maximum pinion shaft movement, which requires internal gear component damage, the driver can encounter high resistance to turning left, followed by unintended power assist to the right. in any of these conditions, a crash could occur. | |||||||||||||||
| Corrective Summary | Dealers will install a new lower pinion bearing unless inspect of the existing bearing indicates that replacement of the gear assembly is necessary. owner notification began on february 5, 2004. owners should contact buick at 1-866-608-8080; chevrolet at 1-800-630-2438; oldsmobile at 1-800-630-6537; or pontiac at 1-800-620-7668. | |||||||||||||||
| Notes | Gm recall no. 03062.customers can also contact the national highway traffic safety administration | |||||||||||||||
Bulletins
| Bulletin | Bulletin date | Replacement Bulletin | Item no. | Summary | Added |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| STEERING - HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM | |||||
| 01292004 | 01/29/2004 | 10013031 | Power steering gear lower pinion bearing, safety recall 03062. *tt | 04/06/2005 | |
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 | ||||||
| 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. | ||||||
| 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 | |||
| 06/13/2001 | 23331 | 2 | 08/09/2000 |
| While turning to the left at 10 mph the steering wheel locked up. the vehicle was towed to an independent shop. the dealer never was notified. *ak they replaced the entire rack and pinion steering unit, it failed again one month later and the repair shop realigned the power steering fluid line. *scc *jb | |||
| 2 | 12/01/1997 | ||
| Steering failed. nlm | |||
| STEERING - GEAR BOX (OTHER THAN RACK AND PINION) | |||
| 10/15/2003 | 37598 | 1 | |
| The steering locked up which made it difficult to control the vehicle as well as turn corners.*ak the dealer replaced the rack and pinion assembly. *nlm | |||
| STEERING - HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST - PUMP | |||
| 09/29/2003 | 42744 | 1 | 04/03/1998 |
| While driving and without warning steering wheel locked up. dealer replaced rack and pinion and right axle.*ak the vehicle was taken tot he dealer where they found the lower pinion bearing damaged, dust cap missing, power steering pump leaking, serpentine belt cracked and the right axle boot torn, which caused axle noise. the dealer replaced the rack and pinion, axle seal, replaced and resealed the power steering pump, replaced the serpentine belt and flushed the brake and power steering fluid. the lower intake manifold leaked at the left rear. the brake hose was twisted. the dealer replaced the hose. *ts *nlm | |||
| STEERING - HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM | |||
| 09/04/2005 | 107900 | 1 | 07/28/2004 |
| Groaning noise coming from steering column/gear when steering wheel is turned. *jb | |||
| 12/20/2003 | 60000 | 1 | |
| While driving vehicle pulled to the right. consumer pulled the steering wheel to the left and the vehicle rolled over and went into a ditch. vehicle was totaled. *ak | |||
| STEERING - RACK AND PINION | |||
| 10/24/2005 | 1 | 07/15/2000 | |
| I bought a 1997 cutlass supreme from gabriel jordan of henderson texas. there is a recall on a piece of equipment. in their words: corrective summary: dealers will install a new lower pinion bearing unless inspect of the existing bearing indicates that replacement of the gear assembly is necessary. owner notification began on february 5, 2004. owners should contact buick at 1-866-608-8080; chevrolet at 1-800-630-2438; oldsmobile at 1-800-630-6537; or pontiac at 1-800-620-7668. they have absolutely refused to replace this equipment even though it is faulty. they claim their parts are not on the vehicle. they have given me a quote of $1,300 to replace it.*jb | |||
| 04/30/2004 | 1 | 01/06/1997 | |
| After having recall 03v527000 performed on my vehicle, i am having clicking noises every time i turn the wheel of the vehicle. *ak | |||
| 02/24/2004 | 45000 | 1 | 11/01/1996 |
| Recall 03v527000 concerning steering gear bearings failure. consumer was authorized to take the vehicle to a chevrolet dealership to have recall repairs done. the dealer informed the consumer that a leaking rack and pinion needed to be replaced before recall work could be done. replacement of the rack and pinion was part of the recalled problem. dealer charged the consumer for replacing the rack and pinion. *ak the consumer requested reimbursement. the transmission cable from the gear shift lever had to be replaced *jb | |||
| 1 | |||
| Vehicle's rack and pinion was leaking. *la *mr | |||
| 01/15/2004 | 80000 | 8 | 06/17/1997 |
| My vin 1g3wh52m2vf352498 is not included in gm recall # 03v-527. my 1997 oldsmobile cutlass supreme is having the same problems as described. the repair estimate for repair from caldwell clover chevrolet, an authorized gm facility is $843.00. the recall needs to be expanded to include all effected automobiles with the problem. this problem has occurred approx. 8 - 12 times over the past 3 months. another safety issue with this same car is the horn. it does not blow. an authorized gm facility cannot find the problem under the hood and stated it is in the steering column under the air bag which is a timely and expensive repair. this problem is constant. the horn has not blown in over 1year except on the rare occassion (approx. every two months) it will blow for less than 20 min. then stop again.*ak | |||
| 12/03/2002 | 40000 | 3 | |
| While driving 50 mph, the vehicle started experiencing difficulty with the steering. the consumer struggled to steer the vehicle to the shoulder. the vehicle was towed to the dealer who replaced the rack and pinion steering system. the manufacturer had been informed of the problem. *ak *scc *jb | |||
| 09/29/2003 | 42744 | 1 | 04/03/1998 |
| While driving and without warning steering wheel locked up. dealer replaced rack and pinion and right axle.*ak the vehicle was taken tot he dealer where they found the lower pinion bearing damaged, dust cap missing, power steering pump leaking, serpentine belt cracked and the right axle boot torn, which caused axle noise. the dealer replaced the rack and pinion, axle seal, replaced and resealed the power steering pump, replaced the serpentine belt and flushed the brake and power steering fluid. the lower intake manifold leaked at the left rear. the brake hose was twisted. the dealer replaced the hose. *ts *nlm | |||
| 12/01/2002 | 62000 | 1 | |
| Consumer stated while driving steering failed when wheel was turned to the left. dealer diagnosed that rack and pinion had failed and consumer had replaced. ts *tt | |||
| 06/09/2002 | 1 | 01/01/2097 | |
| Vehicle backed out of a parking place, and when i began to move forward the steering wheel wouldn't turn, even with force. a squooshing noise was heard. after a moment, the steering wheel again would turn so i went straight home (approx. 1 1/2 miles). had car in shop next day for repair and was told rack & pinion bad. dealership said mfgr not responsible due to age of car. i don't feel this item should've failed at only 5 yrs and less than 100k miles.*ak | |||
| STEERING - RACK AND PINION - PINION SHAFT | |||
| 02/01/2003 | 1 | ||
| Consumer was injured when her vehicle crashed into a telephone pole after she experienced lower pinion bearing separation. *ph *mr | |||
| STEERING - RACK AND PINION - RACK | |||
| 07/18/2003 | 131608 | 1 | 05/29/1999 |
| When pulling to the left out of a parking place i noticed that the steering wheel was becoming increasingly difficult to turn. eventually the wheel wouldn't turn even with force. while trying to turn the wheel a squooshing noise was heard. after a few moments the steering wheel did turn, but with extreme difficulty, and i immediately went straight home (approximately 14 miles). during that time i did not make any abrupt turns and was very cautious driving only 45 mph at the maximum. upon reaching home i contacted the local gm dealership for service, since the car was unsafe to be driven any major distance. after the car was inspected i was told the rack and pinion was defective and needed to be replaced in order for the car to be operable. i don't feel that this item should have failed at 6 years since the car has been regularly and properly maintained. i also feel that this repair should be fully reimbursed by the manufacturer since this is a safety issue. *la | |||