Steering Rack And Pinion problems of the 1997 Chevrolet Lumina

The contact owns a 1997 Chevrolet Lumina. While driving 35 mph, the steering wheel seized without warning. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic. The technician diagnosed that the rack and pinion needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The failure mileage was 228,890.

The contact owns a 1997 Chevrolet Lumina. The contact was attempting a left turn at 15 mph when the power steering failed. The steering wheel became extremely difficult to maneuver. The contact stated the failure would only occur when making a left turn. The contact checked the brake fluid levels which were adequate. He was able to locate a recall for the failure (NHTSA campaign id number: 03v527000- steering: rack and pinion) but was advised by the manufacturer that his VIN was not included. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and current mileages were 110,000. Updated 11/03/10. Updated 11/04/10.

Ltr fwd wmail fm (TX) re recall of a 1997 Chevrolet Lumina for defective steering column. The consumer's daughter was involved in an accident which resulted in fatal injuries. The vehicle has an open recall on the steering rack and pinion. If this part failed it could result in loss of steering control. The consumer believes the part failed and caused his daughter to loose control of the vehicle. As a result the vehicle crashed into a full size pickup which was pulling a stock trailer.

Contact received NHTSA campaign recall 03v527000 letter from Chevrolet on 7-7-05 concerning the power steering gear/ lower pinion bearing separation. When he called local dealer on 7-14-05, they told him they needed a special tool from gm to repair the recalled part, and they were unable to get the tool. They have been trying to get the tool for a month and a half. When consumer asked when they will get it they had no idea. They did not tell him why they could not get it. . . He has called gm, and could not reach anybody. . He has not had any problems with the car.

Consumer stated after recall 03v527000 repairs were performed rack and pinion bearing malfunctioned. As a result, the steering became hard.

Recall notice received for the replacement of the lower pinion of the rack and pinion gear assembly. Recall#03v527000. After the lower pinion was installed, a noise developed in the steering mechanism. The consumer was told that the rack and gear assembly needed to be replaced. The manufacturer refused to give approval to replace the rack and pinion again due to the high mileage on the vehicle.

After the dealership replaced the lower pinion bearing as stated in recall 03v527000 the vehicle had a severe pull to the right and the steering wheel was hard to control. The consumer took the vehicle back to the dealership. The dealership then replaced the steering gear because they indicated the replacement of the lower pinion steering caused the steering gear to fail. The problem still exist.

Recall 03v527000 regarding steering gear bearings failure. The recall was done on the vehicle, but the bearings were the only thing replaced. Several days later, the steering went out. A certified mechanic determined that rack and pinion needed to be replaced. After the recall was performed, the vehicle was hard to turn to the right.

Ten months after the rack and pinion bearing/ steering recall 03v527000 repairs were performed it failed. While making a left hand turn the steering wheel locked up, causing the vehicle to go into a spin and crash into a guard rail. A mechanic inspected the vehicle after the crash and indicated that the rack and pinion broke.

I own a 1997 Chevrolet Lumina that I received a recall notice from general motors asking me to select a gm dealer to make the repairs to the rack and pinion steering for which the car was recalled. The dealership stated that it would be over a month before they could schedule my appointment and even then, they would require keeping the car for one full day to accomplish the repairs. My concern is that I am driving in a dangerous situation, because the car's left turn gets stuck when driving. I am also concerned about having to leave my car for a full day because my employer will not allow me to miss a day of work without reprimand and loss of wages. I need some assistance - the dealership nor gm is not showing any interest in providing transportation to and from work for me for one day.

Problems with steering even after recall repair. After the recall repair the vehicle had significant steering and front end issues that were not present at the time the vehicle was taken to the dealer. The consumer indicated that the vehicle has not been repaired to her satisfaction.

The dealership is unable to perform the steering gear recall 03v527000 repairs because they don't have the tools.

While driving, the steering had become difficult when making right and left hand turns. The dealer was notified and stated it was possibly the rack and pinion. The steering locked.

Power sterring locked up. Could not turn left. Power steering fluid all over the rocker arm and ground.

Over past few months vehicle has exhibited considerable play in steering when wheels are turned half-way to the left. When held in this position the steering wheel would oscillate left to right 1 to 2 inches. This morning while driving the vehicle I suddenly found it difficult to turn the wheel to the right. It was similar to a power steering failure. After a subsequent left turn the steering wheel re-centered itself to the left approximately. 20 degrees off-center. During the remainder of the drive the steering was erratic in turns. Alignment is fine. Power steering pump was replaced due to leaking 1 year ago. Vehicle receives regular maintenance per manufacturer's guidelines. The steering failure is consistent with defect described in recall 02-v-286-000. Reported this to gm and was informed that by the VIN the vehicle is not subject to this recall, and that due to the age and mileage there is no reimbursement for repair costs. I work with the auto industry and I am familiar with the common practice of parts substitution or "approved engineering deviations". While gm may not show the defective rack & pinion bearing assembly on the bill of material for the 1997 Lumina, it is evident from the number of complaints reported that several of the model year '97 Lumina's were manufactured with the defective assembly. At the least gm should recall the 1997 Lumina's for dealer inspection and repair those with defective bearing assemblies.

The consumers vehicle experienced symptoms of NHTSA recall # 02-v-286-000 which states that certain passenger vehicles and Mini vans have lower pinion bearings in the power rack and pinion assembly in which the retainer tabs were not crimped properly. The consumers vehicle was not included in the recall due to VIN.

The rack and pinion had to be replaced on the vehicle.

1997 Chevrolet Lumina locked up on left turn 2 times. Took into repair shop and they diagnosed as internal rack and pinion failure. Had rack and pinion replaced for $693.

Car was hard to turn to the left. Couple days later while pulling out of the driveway the steering went conpletely out. Heard on news there was recall on Luminas and other Chevrolet models, dealer claims its only on Lumina vans.

The rack and pinion failed, there was a recall regarding the issue, however consumer's vehicle was not included.

Vehicle experienced a failure with the rack and pinion steering, there was a recall regarding the issue, however it did not apply to consumer's vehicle.

See NHTSA action pe01-038. Dt.

Lower pinion bearing in the power steering separated on vehicle. Bad power steering pump, rack and pinion had to be replaced. Dealer not aware of any recall.

At any speed vehicle will pull to the left and its hard to steer, the steering wheel locks up with no warning and at any speed,. The dealer replaced the rack and pinion.

Started having stiff left turns and the steering wheel would not return to centered position. . . Stayed left. Now it is difficult to turn both directions. I'm reporting this because it seems to be more than meerly the rack and pinion 'wearing out'.

Steering failed to turn left, but would turn right.

It has been brought to my attention by my mechanic,that this has been a problem reported in a seattle area newspaper with other gm vehicals in this class. I called lee johnsons and the 1-800 to see if there was any recalls were issued. No recalls at this time. The new paper said that this problem has caused injury accidents. The dust cap falls of and causes excessive were to the gear box. I feel this is a dangerous design flaw and should be corrected before more people are hurt. This is to important of a part to not have attention drawn to it. I feel a recall is nessary.

The consumer received a recall letter#03v527000, regarding the steering gear bearings. Prior to receiving the recall letter consumer fixed the vehicle. Manufacturer refused to honor the expenses which were paid to fix the vehicle. The vehicle would not make a complete left turn. The consumer had to pull over and park the vehicle.

The rack and pinion had to be replaced, and the consumer requested reimbursement.

Rack & pinion suddenly failed, causing car to continue in a left turn; extreme effort was needed to straighten the car. Driving at any speed, the car may suddenly swerve left or right, and it is difficult to recover from these turns.

Consumer not sure if rack and pinion was corrected. (recall #03v527000) the dealer invoice stated they were unable to perform the recall because, the vehicle had an after market steering rack installed.

Letter in reference to recall for chevy Lumina which has experienced steering problems. The entire steering unit had become inoperative. There was a loud pop noise, suddenly the vehicle was not able to make left urns. The consumer made repairs to the pulley that was connected to the power steering unit. The consumer was driving down the road when power was lost again. The consumer discovered that the pulley was wobbly and the serpentine belt was fried. The consumer requested reimbursement.

The vehicle experienced problems with its rack and pinion system.

While driving, the lower pinion bearing in the power steering gear separated and the consumer loss control of the vehicle when she attempted to turn right or left. Consumer was told the manufacturer issued a recall on certain 1996,19997 and 1998 pontiac, grand prix/sunfire and trans am vehicles regarding the power steering gear separation. Consumer wanted to know if her vehicle was included under the recall since it experienced the same problem.

The vehicle experienced the same problem with the rack and pinion as stated in recall # 02 v 286 000, however the vehicle identification number was not included in the recall.