Recall 03V527000: 1996–1998 Buick Regal and 7 other models

Report received

Dec 11, 2003

Manufacturer

General motors corp.

Potentially affected

750,283vehicles

Model years

1996–1998

Check your own vehicle. A recall applies only to vehicles within the affected build range. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Recall repairs are free at a franchised dealer.

What NHTSA recorded

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.

Possible 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.

Affected model years

Pages for each model year show complaints, parts, mileage and other recalls.

• 1996 Buick Regal204 complaints
• 1997 Buick Regal136 complaints
• 1998 Buick Regal302 complaints
• 1997 Chevrolet Lumina347 complaints
• 1998 Chevrolet Lumina223 complaints
• 1997 Chevrolet Malibu443 complaints
• 1998 Chevrolet Malibu976 complaints
• 1997 Chevrolet Monte Carlo164 complaints
• 1998 Chevrolet Monte Carlo100 complaints
• 1997 Oldsmobile Cutlass96 complaints
• 1998 Oldsmobile Cutlass155 complaints
• 1996 Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme47 complaints
• 1997 Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme43 complaints
• 1998 Oldsmobile Intrigue510 complaints
• 1996 Pontiac Grand Prix79 complaints