NHTSA Campaign 03V527000

STEERING:RACK AND PINION

Issued by GENERAL MOTORS CORP. · Reported Dec 11, 2003 · 750,283 vehicles affected

What's wrong

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

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.

Vehicles affected by this recall

Make Model Year Units
BUICK REGAL 1996 750,283
BUICK REGAL 1997 750,283
BUICK REGAL 1998 750,283
CHEVROLET LUMINA 1997 750,283
CHEVROLET LUMINA 1998 750,283
CHEVROLET MALIBU 1997 750,283
CHEVROLET MALIBU 1998 750,283
CHEVROLET MONTE CARLO 1997 750,283
CHEVROLET MONTE CARLO 1998 750,283
OLDSMOBILE CUTLASS 1997 750,283
OLDSMOBILE CUTLASS 1998 750,283
OLDSMOBILE CUTLASS SUPREME 1996 750,283
OLDSMOBILE CUTLASS SUPREME 1997 750,283
OLDSMOBILE INTRIGUE 1998 750,283
PONTIAC GRAND PRIX 1996 750,283

Source: NHTSA Campaign 03V527000 on nhtsa.gov. To check the current repair status for a specific vehicle, use our free VIN decoder.