NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Service Brakes, Hydraulic complaints
59 reportsClear category filterMileage unknown · Mar 31, 1999
Electrical SystemService Brakes, HydraulicStructure
CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WOULD COME ONE FOR A DAY AND GO OFF DID THIS 3 TIMES BEFORE TOTAL FAILURE OF ALTERNATER & BATTERY/FRONT END/STEERING/BRAKES(ABS) ABD SHOCKS. CAR WILL PULL HARD TO THE LEFT WHILE BRAKING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. HAVE TO FIGHT STEERING WHEEL TO KEEP CAR IN LANE. HAD BRAKES CHECKED AND COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING. ( FRONT…
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CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WOULD COME ONE FOR A DAY AND GO OFF DID THIS 3 TIMES BEFORE TOTAL FAILURE OF ALTERNATER & BATTERY/FRONT END/STEERING/BRAKES(ABS) ABD SHOCKS. CAR WILL PULL HARD TO THE LEFT WHILE BRAKING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. HAVE TO FIGHT STEERING WHEEL TO KEEP CAR IN LANE. HAD BRAKES CHECKED AND COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING. ( FRONT BRAKES WERE VERY HOT) HIT SMALL BUMP OR POTHOLE OR TAKING TURN OR GOING DOWN THE STREET/HIGHWAY AND CAR WILL WANDER LEFT AND RIGTH WHILE YOU ARE HOLDING THE WHEEL. SOMETIMES IT IS BAD ENOUGH TO HAVE TO TAKE CORRECTIVE ACTION TO KEEP GOING STRAIGHT. NHTSA RECALL #96V249000 MY CAR DOES NOT FALL IN THE MANFACTURED DATE OF JULY 96 CAN I STILL HAVE CHECKED NO CHARGE? I WAS TAKING WAX OF MY CAR WITH KEYS IN THE IGNITION CAR OFF, THE POWER DOOR LOOKS LOCKED CAR. I HAVE SEEN MORE COMPLAINTS IN YOUR CONSUMER COMPLAINT SECTION OF THESE ISSUES I HAVE JUST REPORTED. *AK
NHTSA ODI #705154
Mileage unknown · Mar 4, 1999
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
FRONT RIGHT DISC BRAKE CALIPER HANGS UP AND DOES NOT RETURN PROPERLY AND TEARS THE ROTOR UP SEVERELY. BRAKE PULSATION OCCURS. DEALER CONTACTED AND IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM, BUT CANNOT REMEDY THE PROBLEM. PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK
NHTSA ODI #835452
Mileage unknown · Nov 23, 1998
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
ABS BRAKE PADS WENT OUT AT 19,000, AND 20,000, NEW PADS WERE PUT ON AND NOW THE BRAKES MAKE NOISE. DEALER HAS THE VEHICLE FOR REPAIRS, PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. *AK
NHTSA ODI #831152
Mileage unknown · Sep 4, 1998
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
BRAKE SWITCH OUT OF ADJUSTMENT, REAR WHEEL CYLINDERS LEAKING, AND BRAKE SHOES AND DRUMS CONTAMINATED WITH FLUID. ALL RELATED PARTS HAD TO BE REPLACED.
NHTSA ODI #540603
Mileage unknown · Aug 12, 1998
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
BRAKES MALFUNCTION.
NHTSA ODI #539793
Mileage unknown · Jun 20, 1998
Service Brakes, HydraulicInjury
I WAS DOING 30 MPH ON THE EXPRESSWAY DURING RUSH HOUR. THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME SLAMMED ON HIS BRAKES, AS I SLAMMED ON MY BRAKES I REALIZED I WAS NOT STOPPING. I SWEARVED TO THE LEFT LAND AND HIT THE MEDIAN WALL THAT DIVIDES NORTH AND SOUTH BOUND TRAFFIC. MY AIR BAG DID NOT INFLATE, I HIT THE WALL DIRECTLY ON THE LEFT HIGHLIGHT…
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I WAS DOING 30 MPH ON THE EXPRESSWAY DURING RUSH HOUR. THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME SLAMMED ON HIS BRAKES, AS I SLAMMED ON MY BRAKES I REALIZED I WAS NOT STOPPING. I SWEARVED TO THE LEFT LAND AND HIT THE MEDIAN WALL THAT DIVIDES NORTH AND SOUTH BOUND TRAFFIC. MY AIR BAG DID NOT INFLATE, I HIT THE WALL DIRECTLY ON THE LEFT HIGHLIGHT AND MY BRAKES FAILED. THIS IS THE SECOND TIME IN THE PAST YEAR MY BRAKES HAVE FAILED. WHENEVER THEY ARE LOOKED AT AFTERWARDS, NOTHING IS FOUND. I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW IF THERE IS SOMETHING I CAN DO ABOUT THE BRAKES AND THE AIR BAG. THANK YOUR.
NHTSA ODI #537156
Mileage unknown · Jun 5, 1998
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
COONSUMER WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65MPH WHEN SHE SMELLED SMOKE. PULLED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, AND THERE WAS SMOKE AT DRIVER'S AND PASSENGER'S FRONT BRAKES.
NHTSA ODI #824013
Mileage unknown · Jun 3, 1998
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
WHILE DRIVING AND ATTEMPTING TO APPLY BRAKES, VEHICLE SLOWS DOWN AND FRONT END BEGINS TO JUMP AND REAR UP. ACTS AS IF IT IS GOING TO JUMP OUT OF GEAR. *AK *SLC
NHTSA ODI #823947
Mileage unknown · Nov 28, 1997
Service Brakes, HydraulicSuspension
BRAKES SQUEAL AND DO NOT STOP APPROPRIATELY.
NHTSA ODI #525856
Mileage unknown · Nov 6, 1997
Fuel System, GasolineService Brakes, Hydraulic
INTERMITTENTLY, THE DEFECTIVE ABS BRAKING SYSTEM MALFUNTIONCTIONS WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKE PEDAL THERE'S A SPONGY FEELING AND GOES TO THE FLOOR, CAUSING EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE. DEALER REPLACE FUEL PUMP AND BRAKE PADS. DEALER CANNOT DETERMINE PROBLEM. *AK
NHTSA ODI #818483
Official recalls
4Mar 6, 2002
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES. IF THE ENGINE FAILS TO START AND THE DRIVER HOLDS THE KEY IN THE "START" POSITION FOR AN EXTENDED PERIOD, HIGH CURRENT FLOWS THROUGH THE IGNITION SWITCH, AND SOMETIMES PRODUCES ENOUGH HEAT TO MELT INTERNAL SWITCH PARTS.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IF THE SWITCH IS DAMAGED, A FIRE COULD OCCUR IN THE STEERING COLUMN, EVEN WITH THE ENGINE OFF AND THE KEY REMOVED.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A RELAY KIT IN THESE VEHICLES TO PREVENT HIGH CURRENT FROM FLOWING THROUGH THE IGNITION SWITCH. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN MARCH 27, 2002. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-222-1020, PONTIAC AT 1-800-762-2737, BUICK AT 1-800-521-7300, OR OLDSMOBILE AT 1-800-442-6537.
Feb 17, 1998
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE VEHICLES WERE BUILT WITH THE POTENTIAL FOR THE INTERIOR LAMPS TO COME ON UNEXPECTEDLY WHILE THE VEHICLES ARE BEING DRIVEN. THIS DOES NOT MEET THE REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 101, "CONTROLS AND DISPLAYS."
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THE INTERIOR LAMPS COMING ON UNEXPECTEDLY COULD STARTLE A DRIVER CAUSING A MOMENTARY LOSS OF CONTROL INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE ACCIDENT.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL RUN A DIAGNOSTIC TEST ON THE LAMP CONTROL MODULE AND, IF NECESSARY, REPLACE IT.
Dec 17, 1996
THE STEERING COLUMN LOWER PINCH BOLT WAS NOT PROPERLY TIGHTENED DURING ASSEMBLY.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: AN UNDERTORQUED PINCH BOLT CAN RATTLE AND CAUSE LOOSENESS IN THE STEERING SYSTEM. IF THE PINCH BOLT BACKED OUT OF THE JOINT COMPLETELY, ROTATION OF THE STEERING SHAFT AGAINST THE CONNECTOR COULD CAUSE INCREASING LOOSENESS IN THE STEERING SYSTEM AND RESULT IN LOSS OF STEERING AND AN ACCIDENT.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE STEERING COLUMN PINCH BOLT FOR CORRECT TORQUE AND, IF NECESSARY, TIGHTEN THE BOLT TO THE SPECIFIED TORQUE.
Dec 17, 1996
THE FRONT AND/OR REAR HAZARD WARNING LAMPS (FOUR-WAY FLASHERS) DO NOT FLASH WHEN THE HAZARD SWITCH IS ACTIVATED. THIS FAILS TO COMPLY WITH FMVSS NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT."
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IF THESE LAMPS WERE NOT FLASHING, OTHER VEHICLES WOULD NOT BE AWARE THAT THIS VEHICLE WAS STOPPED INCREASING THE RISK OF AN ACCIDENT.
Remedy: DEALERS OR VEHICLE OWNERS WILL INSPECT FOR PROPER FUNCTION OF THE HAZARD WARNING LAMPS. IF NECESSARY, DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE HAZARD LAMP SWITCH.
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
2RQ03001 · 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.
RQ98013 · Oversensitive Air Bag Deployments
Opened Aug 26, 1998 · No close date supplied
Status: open (inferred from source dates) · Air Bags
ON JUNE 26, 1998, GENERAL MOTORS BEGAIN A SAFETY RECALL, 98V-146, TO RECALIBRATE THE AIR BAG SENSING AND DIAGNOSTIC MODULE (SDM) IN THE 1996 AND SOME 1997 J BODY CARS, CAVALIER AND SUNFIRE.DUE TO CERTAIN CALIBRATIONS IN THE AIR BAG SDM, THERE IS AN INCREASED RISK OF INADVERTENT AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT IN A LOW SPEED CRASH OR WHEN AN OBJECT STRIKES THE FLOOR PAN.THE RECALL POPULATION CONSISTS OF 675,302 VEHICLES BUILT FROM APRIL 1995 THROUGH MAY 1997.ODI HAS RECEIVED 8 OWNER REPORTS ALLEGING INADVERTENT AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT WITHOUT A CRASH.THE PURPOSER OF THE RQ IS TO DETERMINE WHETHER GM SHOULD EXPAND THE RECALL TO INCLUDE THESE VEHICLES.CLOSING RESUME NOTE:AS OF AUGUST 5, 1999, ODI RECEIVED ONE ADDITIONAL COMPLAINT REGARDING THE ALLEGED DEFECT.THE INCIDENT RATES FOR THE SUBJECT VEHICLES ARE ABOUT ONE-THRID OF THE RATES OF THE RECALLED VEHICLES (WHEN THE RECALL WAS INITIATED).BASED ON THE AVAILABLE INFORMATION, A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT TREND HAS NOT BEEN IDENTIFIED AT THIS TIME AND FURTHER USE OF AGENCY RESOURCES DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE WARRANTED.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT DOSE NOT EXIST.THE AGENCY RESERVES THE RIGHT TO TAKE FURTHER ACTION IF WARRANTED BY FUTURE CIRCUMSTANCES.
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