Steering Rack And Pinion problems of the 1998 Buick Regal

The contact owns a 1998 Buick Regal. The contact stated that while driving approximately 10 mph in a parking lot, a loud noise emitted when turning the steering wheel. The contact was able to continue driving. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer, who stated that the rack and pinion would need to be replaced. The lower bearing assembly was replaced, but did not correct the failure. There was a recall related to the defect associated with NHTSA campaign id number 03v527000 (steering:rack and pinion). The VIN was ineligible under the recall. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 108,330.

1998 Buick Regal GS. Rack and pinion problems at 96k miles. Nothing noticable leading up to problem. One day it has hard to steer to the left. Now it is effecting turning to the right. Other '98 Regals were under recall for this issue but for some reason my Regal isn't. Spoke to Buick at 8666088080 and was told by a manager there was nothing they could do since it wasn't part of recall. Kept refering to car age even though the car has under 100k miles. Taking to Buick dealer this weekend to see if fixing is worth it. Dealer says full rack and pinion overhaul will run $1500 to $2000. Car is only worth $2500. Sad to see a car die before it hits 100k miles but I guess there is a reason gm was in such bad shape.

I was leaving a parking lot when the power steering failed to assist when turning right, turning left was o k. I managed to get the car home, it was a short distance. This occurred on or about 8/2/07. On 8/13/07 I looked under the car with a mirror and was able to find a open cavity on the bottom of the steering unit. There was a shaft and nut in the cavity but could not discern a bearing. I looked on the internet for relevant information and found that a recall had been issued for this problem. I went to the local dealer and found out that the dealer had accomplished the recall on the vehicle. I came home and found the invoice for the recall, it indicates a date of July 27, 2004, a mileage of 58,373 and that the power steering gear lower bearing was replaced. The car now has 96,644 miles on it. I have an appointment with the dealer on 8/17/07 to ascertain what needs to be done to remedy the situation. No parts are available. Just thought you might like to know.

The contact owns a 1998 Buick Regal. In 2004, the contact received recall notice number 03v527000 (steering:rack and pinion). The vehicle had 48,721 miles at the time. She went to the dealer and had the recall repair performed. The power steering has failed again and she believes that it should not have failed so quickly. The current mileage was 72,000 and failure mileage was 71,000.

The steering rack and pinion of the Buick Regal has been noted to fail in various models, years 1996-1998; however many vehicles (identified by VIN) are not subject to recall status. I believe that further investigation needs to be conducted, simply because some of the vehicles not listed are experiencing the same problem. The steering suddenly fails to the left, causing hazardous driving conditions for the driver.

1998 Regal power steering rack wont turn left. This is irresponsible of gm (Buick) to not step up and fix this problem. I was given this car this year with only 26000 miles on it. Within 2 months the steering gave out on the highway 600 miles from home. Buick had the same old story, your VIN doesn't fall within the recalls block of VIN's. This problem has nothing to do with VIN's or production dates. The casting on the housing of the steering gear is where the true manufacturing defect can be identified. The state dept of rehab was going to put hand controls in this car for me, but now I have a 1200$ repair bill I can't afford. This isn't right.

: the contact stated while making left turns, the steering became hard. The vehicle was not inspected. There was a NHTSA recall, # 03v527000, regarding the rack and pinion. The vehicle was not included in the recall due to the VIN.

: the contact stated while driving 15 mph, the steering wheel would not turn left. The dealership determined the rack and pinion needed to be replaced. There was a NHTSA recall, #03v527000, concerning the rack and pinion. The vehicle was not included in the recall due to the VIN.

Vehicle has difficulty turning to the left - as if the power steering has failed. When you press on the gas after making a left turn the car will jerk back to the right - this could result in a serious accident. There is a recall matching this information, however the inconsiderate person (william bloechel) said that this car is not covered by the recall and would not let me speak to anyone else at the company.

Steering requiring more effort than normal and jerky when making left turns. Replaced power steering pump and flushed system, all new fluid. Problem still exists. Took it to a dealer because there is a recall for this exact problem. Buick recall campaign number: 03v527000 date: 2003-Dec-11 component: steering: rack and pinion the dealer said my VIN wasn't covered in the recall but they would be glad to check it & fix the problem if I paid for it. What gives? what good is a recall if the dealers don't honor it? I found numerous complaints on carstats. Com of the same problem with the dealers saying their VIN isn't covered under the recall.

: the contact stated the vehicle looses all power steering while turning the vehicle to the left. There is a NHTSA recall, # 03v527000 regarding the steering: rack and pinion. The vehicle has the same problems as indicated in the recall; however it is not included in the recall due to the VIN.

I took car my car into a shop to have checked out, one of my complaints was that my steering appeared to be loose and not turning right when I turn left especially. Although this doesn't happen continuously it has become a big concern of mine. It sometimes feels like I don't have control over the steering wheel. The mechanic looked up and founded that a recalled had been placed on this make of auto. I contacted general motors immediately, only to be told that my car was not included in recalled. This problem is serious and I will like to know if there is anyway you can assist me.

I was driving on ac expressway when my steering failed. I could turn right but was blocked from turning left. After some time I could force the car to go left, but it forced the gear bearing to slip and now the steering wheel is 180 degrees upside down at straight ahead position. I have not had the car repaired yet. It is still inoperable. This Regal was made in canada in April of 1998, more than six months after the Buick Regal recall for this same problem. I am asking for an investigation from odi so that if all 1998 and 1999 Regals have this potential problem, that their owners be notified that steering may fail while driving. Only the 1998 Regal owners who had cars built from 1/1/97 to 10/15/97 have been notified so far. And with my vehicle being manufactured six months after the recall, it wasn't just built with an errant 'old' part, as g. M. Claims, but which can be refuted by all the other complaints since then. Owners must be informed, as the Regals were originally sold with the pitch that the cars could go 200,000 miles before wearing out due to the 'w' wheel base. And owners like myself may try to drive that far- not knowing that the steering fails at around 100,000 miles.

The vehicle turns properly to the right, but when turning to the left, it feels as though there is no power steering. The vehicle is currently at dealership being repaired, and consumer was told it was a problem with rack and pinion. Vehicle is not part of the current recall.

While driving consumer tried to turn left but was unable to do so. The steering wheel locked. And consumer was unable to turn left. However, consumer was able to turn right. Consumer was able to maintain control of the vehicle, and drove it to the dealer for inspection. Mechanic determined that the rack and pinion needed to be replaced.

As the consumer attempted to make a left turn, the power steering did not respond. Later, the steering worked intermittently when a left turn was made. There were no problems when making right turns. Recall#03v527000. The entire steering system needed to be replaced.

While driving and turning to the left steering column failed. The vehicle would turn only to the right. Dealer replaced the rack and pinion shaft gear at consumer's expense.

Steering.

Have 1998 Buick Regal with symptoms identical to recent safety recall 03v527000 for steering defect. However, since car was built in Feb 1998 it appears to be out of the range of the gm recall (ends for cars built prior 10/97). Suggest recall be extended to recall cars with same symptoms that were built in months surrounding time frame since gm parts tracking not that exact.

The rack and pinion steering went out in November of 2003 and was replaced by day motors. A couple of weeks after the repair we say on tv and in the news paper there was a recall on this vehicle for this repair. Day motors said they did not know anything about this recall. After several months, they responded and said that our vehicle VIN # was not on the recall list. I fail to see how this could be, as the defect stated on the kelly blue book information describes this same problem I had with the rack and pinion steering. Had I not caught this problem in time, this could have caused a serious accident.

While pulling into a parking space, the steering wheel did not turn left. The vehicle gave no indication that anything was wrong it had gone out at once. The rack and pinion was repaired. The consumer requested assistance for the repairs.

Problems with rack and pinion caused the steering on vehicle to become hard while turning.

While driving 30 mph the consumer noticed that the steering wheel could not be turned to the left. Vehicle was able to make right turns. It was later determined that the rack and pinion failed. The dealer technician indicated that this was a common problem with these vehicle.

While driving rack and pinion steering locked without warning.

Power steering rack. Intermittent loss of power assist while turning to the left. Dealer diagnosed as bad power steering rack.

Symtons and complaint identical to NHTSA campanign #02v286000.

C/s steering column sticking when turning. Found rack and pinion gear binding causing vehicle not to turn left. Replaced rack and pinion with shor gear and reset toe in to correct concern. Test drove to verify.

The rack and pinion steering gear assembly broke while in a parking lot. Vehicle could not be turned to the left. Normally at the time this occurred, I would have been on the freeway and most likely would have suffered a fatal crash. The dealer said there were no recalls. The factory denied any steering problems, recalls or repair assistance. Dealership mechanics said there has been problems with the rack and pinion steering. Drive trains and engines are warranted to 100,000 miles along with emissions systems. A part as essential to safety as the steering should not be failing especially at the age and mileage of this car. The owners manual makes a big deal out of the fact that tuneups, antifreeze, etc should last 100,000 miles. Isn't steering more important!! I feel that Buick should pay for this repair.

There is currently a recall for this problem but dealers and Buick says it did not include my VIN no. Nhtsa no. Is 03v527000 mfg. No. Recall no. Is 03062. The complain and problem is within the steering of the car the rack and pinion when making a left hand turn of any sort the rack and pinion tries to pull the steering back to the right with a re-pronounced jerking , it feels like the car will not turn left, I have call several Buick dealers they said there was no recall. I have called Buick they said there was with the same exact symptoms I have, but the recall did not include my VIN. No. They said to take it to a Buick dlr. Have them check it , and if, and only if ,it is the same as the recall states the will only assist in the repair. And I have to pay for the dealer checking it . This is a serious problem and has to be repaired , I don't feel I have to pay for it when there is a lightening recall on the books for the problem. I need help , before some one gets hurt or killed.

Binding, racheting and vibration in steering. Replaced power steering pump twice and rack and pinion steering unit once. Vibration still present. Dealer says manufacturer is aware of problem, but no fix yet, after eight months. Yet.

Without warning, the consumer was barely able to turn the steering heel to the left since the power steering system was inoperable. Rack and pinion system failed.

Defect which caused the wheels to turn to the right when making a left turn. The vehicle was intermittent when turning left at low speeds. The consumer's wife crashed into a parked vehicle. The problem recurred. The rack and pinion steering gear assembly was replaced. Recall#03v527000.

Failure in steering system. The consumer stated he was unable to turn the steering wheel to the left, because the power steering system was inoperable, however he was able to turn the steering wheel to the right. The consumer was told that a bearing in the rack and pinion had failed.

Problems with power steering mechanism. There was a clunking sound in the steering mechanism. Mechanics believed that this was associated with the rack and pinion. The steering started to have difficulty in movement as well as almost locking when slowing or turning.

Steering binds in low speed turns and always makes whining noise. Fluid level ok.