NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Steering complaints
11 reportsClear category filterMileage unknown · Feb 2, 2022
Air BagsSeat BeltsSteering
1. Security turns on while driving, making the vehicle to spin but not drive normally on road or highway when driving 2. Horn malfunctioning, stops working when security turns on while driving 3. Seatbelt warning and airbag light flashing when security turns on while driving, seatbelt becomes locked preventing driver from bei…
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1. Security turns on while driving, making the vehicle to spin but not drive normally on road or highway when driving 2. Horn malfunctioning, stops working when security turns on while driving 3. Seatbelt warning and airbag light flashing when security turns on while driving, seatbelt becomes locked preventing driver from being able to move to check blind spots or rear while driving 4. Emergency lights become disabled when security lights turn on Key ignition was inspected and fixed according to recall. The above are things that have been noticed by new driver/owner. Only drive when necessary to avoid traffic accidents. Do not have money to pay a dealership or GM to check problems. These problems occurred since day 1 after purchasing the vehicle.
NHTSA ODI #11450066
141,111 miles · Mar 22, 2018
Electrical SystemSteering
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 OLDSMOBILE ALERO. THE CONTACT HEARD A WHINING NOISE WHEN TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL FROM RIGHT TO LEFT. THE "SERVICE VEHICLE SOON" INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT CALLED A LOCAL DEALER (JERRY SEINER CHEVROLET, 1530 S 500 W, SALT LAKE CITY, UT 84115) AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE ORIGINAL KEY WAS NEEDED…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 OLDSMOBILE ALERO. THE CONTACT HEARD A WHINING NOISE WHEN TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL FROM RIGHT TO LEFT. THE "SERVICE VEHICLE SOON" INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT CALLED A LOCAL DEALER (JERRY SEINER CHEVROLET, 1530 S 500 W, SALT LAKE CITY, UT 84115) AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE ORIGINAL KEY WAS NEEDED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 141,111.
NHTSA ODI #11080966
147 miles · Nov 12, 2014
EngineSteeringFire
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 OLDSMOBILE ALERO. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 15 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED WITHOUT WARNING. ALSO, SMOKE STARTED TO EMIT FROM THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED AND WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 147.
NHTSA ODI #10654437
27,363 miles · Sep 15, 2014
Electrical SystemEngineSteering
MY CAR SHUT OFF WHILE DRIVING ON DOWNTOWN STREET. TOW WAS NECESSARY. IGNITION SENSORY ASSEMBLY HAD TO BE REPLACED. I RECEIVED RECALL FOR THIS TODAY GM #14350. I WAS TOLD THERE WOULD BE DIRECTIONS IN THE CASE THAT I ALREADY MADE REPAIR. THERE ARE NO INSTRUCTIONS. I HAVE A VERY SPECIFIC RECEIPT FOR THE REPAIR. HOW DO I GET R…
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MY CAR SHUT OFF WHILE DRIVING ON DOWNTOWN STREET. TOW WAS NECESSARY. IGNITION SENSORY ASSEMBLY HAD TO BE REPLACED. I RECEIVED RECALL FOR THIS TODAY GM #14350. I WAS TOLD THERE WOULD BE DIRECTIONS IN THE CASE THAT I ALREADY MADE REPAIR. THERE ARE NO INSTRUCTIONS. I HAVE A VERY SPECIFIC RECEIPT FOR THE REPAIR. HOW DO I GET REIMBURSED. PHONE #'S ARE ALWAYS BUSY...THAT'S WHY I'M TRYING FOR INFORMATION HERE. THANKS. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10633307
112,000 miles · Feb 27, 2014
Electrical SystemElectronic Stability Control (esc)Steering
THE CAR TURNS OFF WHILE I AM DRIVING RESULTING IN LOSS OF ALL ELECTRICAL AND POWER COMPONENTS. NO POWER BRAKES OR STEERING. IT DOES THIS ALL THE TIME AND I'VE TAKEN IT IN AND THEY CAN NOT FIND THE PROBLEM. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10566295
Mileage unknown · Feb 11, 2013
Electrical SystemSteering
I LOVE MY CAR BUT THE THING IS A DEATH TRAP. IT SHUT OFF 15 TIMES WITHIN A MILE OF DRIVING IN 5 O'CLOCK TRAFFIC. IT HAS ALMOST ME MY LIFE SEVERAL TIMES. THE DASH CLUSTER GOES OUT SO I HAVE NO IDEA WHAT SPEED IM GOING OR IF THE CAR IS RUNNING HOT. GM IF YOU THINK THIS ISN'T A PROBLEM IT IS PLEASE RECALL THE CAR FIX IT AND I WILL …
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I LOVE MY CAR BUT THE THING IS A DEATH TRAP. IT SHUT OFF 15 TIMES WITHIN A MILE OF DRIVING IN 5 O'CLOCK TRAFFIC. IT HAS ALMOST ME MY LIFE SEVERAL TIMES. THE DASH CLUSTER GOES OUT SO I HAVE NO IDEA WHAT SPEED IM GOING OR IF THE CAR IS RUNNING HOT. GM IF YOU THINK THIS ISN'T A PROBLEM IT IS PLEASE RECALL THE CAR FIX IT AND I WILL KEEP IT TILL I NEED A BIGGER CAR. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10497824
Mileage unknown · Jan 25, 2013
Electrical SystemEngineSteering
THE CAR HAS BROKE DOWN AND WOULDN'T RESTART, FUEL PUMP, ECM? MODULATOR FUSES. POWERING STEERING LEAKS ALL THE TIME AND SOMETIMES LOCKS UP. REAR DEFROSTER WON'T WORK. DRIVER'S SIDE CONTROLS FOR WINDOWS, LOCKS, STOPPED WORKING. DRIVERS SIDE WINDOW DROPS DOWN AND BREAKS-REPAIRED 3 TIMES AND JUST HAPPENED AGAIN. BELT BROKE, LOST POW…
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THE CAR HAS BROKE DOWN AND WOULDN'T RESTART, FUEL PUMP, ECM? MODULATOR FUSES. POWERING STEERING LEAKS ALL THE TIME AND SOMETIMES LOCKS UP. REAR DEFROSTER WON'T WORK. DRIVER'S SIDE CONTROLS FOR WINDOWS, LOCKS, STOPPED WORKING. DRIVERS SIDE WINDOW DROPS DOWN AND BREAKS-REPAIRED 3 TIMES AND JUST HAPPENED AGAIN. BELT BROKE, LOST POWER BARELY ABLE TO GET IT OFF THE ROAD. FRONT PASSENGER WHEEL THUMPS, POPS, ETC. HAD FIXED AND STILL HAS THE SAME PROBLEMS. I'VE MAINTAINED ROUTINELY, BUT IT CONTINUES TO KEEP BREAKING DOWN. THE HANDLE TO PUT IN GEAR/PARK HAS BROKE. A LOT OF PLASTIC PARTS, CLIPS ETC CRUMBLING APART, KNOBS, LIGHT SWITCHES, WINDOW TRACTS. ALL OUT OF POCKET. RECALL FOR WINDOWS, REAR DEFROST, POWER STEERING, FUEL PUMP, BELT BREAKING, FRONT HUBS/WHEELS/STEERING !!!!! *TR
NHTSA ODI #10494745
121,950 miles · Oct 28, 2006
Steering
THE STEERING WAS HARD AND HAD IT INSPECTED. THE RESULTS BEING A WORN OUT STEERING RACK THAT WAS LEAKING POWER STEERING FLUID. THE ASE CERTIFIED MASTER MECHANIC STATED THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM IN GM VEHICLES. CARS ARE ENGINEERED PRODUCTS - THE USER SHOULD NOT HAVE TO REPLACE SUCH PARTS ON A REGULAR BASIS BECAUSE, THE CUST…
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THE STEERING WAS HARD AND HAD IT INSPECTED. THE RESULTS BEING A WORN OUT STEERING RACK THAT WAS LEAKING POWER STEERING FLUID. THE ASE CERTIFIED MASTER MECHANIC STATED THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM IN GM VEHICLES. CARS ARE ENGINEERED PRODUCTS - THE USER SHOULD NOT HAVE TO REPLACE SUCH PARTS ON A REGULAR BASIS BECAUSE, THE CUSTOMER BUYS CARS BASED ON THE RELIABILITY OF MECHANICAL AND HYDRAULICALLY ENGINEERED COMPONENTS. I AM DISAPPOINTED THAT IT IS A CONSTANT MENTAL STRESS FOR THE OWNER TO ACTUALLY 'EXPECT' KNOWN PROBLEMS THAT GM IS NOT READY TO ACKNOWLEDGE - THOUGH COMPARABLE JAPANESE AND GERMAN CARS RUN WITHOUT SUCH PROBLEMS IN THE SIMILAR COMPONENTS FOR THE LIFE OF THE CAR. *NM
NHTSA ODI #10172046
50,000 miles · Jul 19, 2005
SteeringCrashInjury
AS I WAS MERGING ONTO THE HIGHWAY 496 FROM WAVERLY RD IN LANSING HEADED EAST MY CAR SUDDENLY BEGAN SHAKING TERRIBLY AND THE NEXT THING I KNEW THE VEHICLE JUST SHOT TO THE RIGHT AT INCREASED SPEED CAUSING ME TO HIT A NUMBER OF TREES BEFORE FINALLY STOPPING. MY 5 YEAR OLD SON WAS IN THE BACKSEAT OF THE VEHICLE AT THE TIME. ONCE TH…
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AS I WAS MERGING ONTO THE HIGHWAY 496 FROM WAVERLY RD IN LANSING HEADED EAST MY CAR SUDDENLY BEGAN SHAKING TERRIBLY AND THE NEXT THING I KNEW THE VEHICLE JUST SHOT TO THE RIGHT AT INCREASED SPEED CAUSING ME TO HIT A NUMBER OF TREES BEFORE FINALLY STOPPING. MY 5 YEAR OLD SON WAS IN THE BACKSEAT OF THE VEHICLE AT THE TIME. ONCE THE TOW TRUCK CAME HE DETERMINED THAT THE TIRE ROD BROKE ON THE VEHICLE CAUSING THE ACCIDENT. THIS IS A 2002 ALERO STILL UNDER WARRANTY AND HAD JUST BEEN SERVICED JULY 14, 2005 FOR OIL CHANGE TIRE PRESSURE CHECK AND SO FORTH.
NHTSA ODI #10129342
Mileage unknown · Apr 4, 2005
Steering
2002 OLDSMOBILE ALERO HAS PROBLEMS WITH STEERING ASSEMBLY.*MR THERE WERE TIMES WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION, THE FRONT STEERING MECHANISM WOULD STEER LEFT OR RIGHT WITHOUT THE STEERING WHEEL MOVING AND THE CONSUMER WOULD HAVE NO CONTROL. THE POWER STEERING PUMP ASSEMBLY, POWER STEERING GEAR ASSEMBLY, STEERING ROTATION SENSO…
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2002 OLDSMOBILE ALERO HAS PROBLEMS WITH STEERING ASSEMBLY.*MR THERE WERE TIMES WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION, THE FRONT STEERING MECHANISM WOULD STEER LEFT OR RIGHT WITHOUT THE STEERING WHEEL MOVING AND THE CONSUMER WOULD HAVE NO CONTROL. THE POWER STEERING PUMP ASSEMBLY, POWER STEERING GEAR ASSEMBLY, STEERING ROTATION SENSOR , HUB ASSEMBLY BEARING WERE ALL REPLACED SEVERAL TIMES. (LAWYER ON BEHALF OF CONSUMER)*JB
NHTSA ODI #10117693
Official recalls
1Jul 3, 2014
This defect can affect the safe operation of the airbag system. Until this recall is performed, customers should remove all items from their key rings, leaving only the ignition key. The key fob (if applicable), should also be removed from the key ring. General Motors LLC (GM) notified the agency on July 3, 2014, that they are recalling 5,877,718 model year 2000-2005 Chevrolet Impala and Monte Carlo, 1997-2003 Chevrolet Malibu, 2004-2005 Malibu Classic, 1999-2004 Oldsmobile Alero, 1998-2002 Oldsmobile Intrigue, 1999-2005 Pontiac Grand Am and 2004-2008 Pontiac Grand Prix vehicles. In these models, the weight on the key ring and/or road conditions or some other jarring event may cause the ignition switch to move out of the run position, turning off the engine.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: If the key is not in the run position, the air bags may not deploy if the vehicle is involved in a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will install two key rings and an insert in the key slot or a cover over the key head on all ignition keys, free of charge. The recall began on September 9, 2014. GM's number for this recall is 14350.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗