CONSUMER DISSATISFIED WITH THE WORK DONE ON HER VEHICLE. *PH THE DEALER TOLD THE CONSUMER THAT THE STEERING PROBLEM SHE EXPERIENCED HAD NOTHING TO DO WITH RECALL 03V-527000. THE CONSUMER DISAGREES AND BELIEVES THAT THE DEALER REFUSED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE UNDER RECALL BECAUSE SHE REFUSED TO LET THEM REPLACE OTHER ITEMS ON THE…
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CONSUMER DISSATISFIED WITH THE WORK DONE ON HER VEHICLE. *PH THE DEALER TOLD THE CONSUMER THAT THE STEERING PROBLEM SHE EXPERIENCED HAD NOTHING TO DO WITH RECALL 03V-527000. THE CONSUMER DISAGREES AND BELIEVES THAT THE DEALER REFUSED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE UNDER RECALL BECAUSE SHE REFUSED TO LET THEM REPLACE OTHER ITEMS ON THE VEHICLE. *NM
NHTSA ODI #10064786
63,167 miles · Feb 19, 2004
Steering
WHEN MAKING A LEFT TURN, THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP. THE DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED. THE DEALER IS REPLACED THE RACK AND PINION. *JB *NM
NHTSA ODI #10054136
Mileage unknown · Feb 18, 2004
Steering
HEARD A LOUD RUMBLING NOISE WHILE BACKING OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER, AND DEALER DETERMINED THAT RACK AND PINION STEERING NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10059258
65,000 miles · Jan 15, 2004
Steering
WHEN TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL TOWARDS THE LEFT, THE STEERING LOCKED UP, WHICH CAUSED THE CONSUMER TO LOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. *AK THE RACK AND PINION WAS REPLACED *JB *NM
NHTSA ODI #10047868
70,122 miles · Jan 7, 2004
Steering
I AM HAVING PROBLEMS WITH MY 1997 MONTE CARLO. THE POWER STEERING INTERMITTENTLY LOCKS UP AND/OR BECOMES VERY DIFFICULT TO OPERATE. PROBLEM ALWAYS OCCURS WHEN TURNING TO THE LEFT, USUALLY AT LOW SPEEDS. PROBLEM BECOMING PROGRESSIVELY WORSE TO THE POINT WHERE VEHICLE IS NOT DRIVABLE.*AK
NHTSA ODI #10052603
Mileage unknown · Oct 7, 2003
Power TrainSteering
LEFT REAR BOLT THAT HELD THE CONTROL ARM ON TO THE AXLE BROKE OFF. IT WAS NOTICED WHEN VEHICLE WAS BEING BACKED OUT OF THE GARAGE. VEHICLE WAS CHECKED AT THE DEALER. AND NO EVIDENCE OF PREVIOUS DAMAGE WAS FOUND.*AK
NHTSA ODI #10042463
915,000 miles · Aug 15, 2003
SteeringCrash
WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 15 MPH, THE STEERING FAILED WITHOUT WARNING, WHICH CAUSED THE CONSUMER TO LOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND CRASHED INTO THE CURB. DEALER DIAGNOSED THAT THE RACK AND PINION SYSTEM WAS DEFECTIVE. *AK GM STATED THAT THERE WAS A DEFECT IN THE RACK AND PINION BUT NOT THIS VEHICLE. *SCC *JB
NHTSA ODI #10029934
67,035 miles · May 11, 2003
Steering
HIGH PRESSURE POWER STEERING HOSE FAILURE. NLM
NHTSA ODI #10018529
118,000 miles · Apr 29, 2003
Fuel System, OtherSteering
POWER STEERING LOCKED UP WHEN MAKING A LEFT TURN. AT FIRST IT HAPPEN WITH MY SON DRIVING, WAS FINE ONE DAY, AND LIKE SOMETHING BROKE THE NEXT. I TOOK MY CAR TO MY MECHANIC, THEY SAID THEY HAVE SEEN 3 MONTO CARLO'S THAT MONTH HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM. I HAVE OWNED NUMEROUS VEHICLES IN MY LIFE AND HAVE NEVER HAD THIS KIND OF P…
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POWER STEERING LOCKED UP WHEN MAKING A LEFT TURN. AT FIRST IT HAPPEN WITH MY SON DRIVING, WAS FINE ONE DAY, AND LIKE SOMETHING BROKE THE NEXT. I TOOK MY CAR TO MY MECHANIC, THEY SAID THEY HAVE SEEN 3 MONTO CARLO'S THAT MONTH HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM. I HAVE OWNED NUMEROUS VEHICLES IN MY LIFE AND HAVE NEVER HAD THIS KIND OF PROBLEM. IT IS A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION. THEN WHEN DRIVING IT TO MY MECHANIC, THANK GOD MY SON WAS IN THE CAR WITH ME, AND HELPED ME MUSCLE THE CAR THROUGH THE TURN, OR THERE WOULD HAVE BEEN A SERIOUS ACCIDENT. ALSO THE GAS GAUGE HAS NEVER GIVEN A ACCURATE READING. WHEN MY MECHANIC TOLD ME THEY HAD BEEN SEEING A LOT OF MONTE CARLOS WITH THIS PROBLEM, IT ALERTED ME THAT THERE MUST BE A SERIOUS PROBLEM WITH THE POWER STEERING, AND I STARTING CHECKING THE RECALLS, AND SURE ENOUGH, GM HAS RECALLED 96 - 98'S CHEVROLET LUMINAS, WHICH IS A SISTER CAR TO THE MONTO CARLO, THE ONLY MAJOR DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THESE TWO CARS IS THE BODY STYLE COUPE (2 DOOR) TO SEDAN (FOUR DOOR). THEY HAVE THE SAME MECHANICAL WORKING PARTS. HOPEFULLY THEY'LL GET THE MONTE CARLO RECALLED SOON BEFORE THERE ARE SERIOUS CONSEQUENCES. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10016691
Mileage unknown · Feb 4, 2003
Steering
WHEN TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL WILL NOT ROTATE BACK TO STANDARD POSITION. THE WHEEL CONTINUES TO ROTATE AROUND IN A CIRCLE. PH
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 & remedy
Consequence: 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.
Remedy: 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.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
4
EA03019 · Power Rack And Pinion Steering Failure
Opened Sep 15, 2003 · Closed Dec 18, 2003
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Steering; Steering:rack And Pinion
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.
Additional source detail variants (2)
Steering
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
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 · Power Rack And Pinion Steering Failure
Opened Jan 2, 2003 · Closed Sep 15, 2003
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Steering; Steering:rack And Pinion
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.
Additional source detail variants (2)
Steering
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
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.
EA98019 · Degraded Braking Performance
Opened Aug 31, 1998 · Closed Dec 13, 2001
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Service Brakes, Hydraulic
There is no summary currently available
PE98023 · Degraded Braking Performance
Opened Apr 23, 1998 · Closed Aug 31, 1998
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Service Brakes, Hydraulic
No summary supplied.
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