Steering Rack And Pinion problems of the 1997 Chevrolet Venture

Steering locked up on '97 Venture van while being operated at 70 mph on a straight highway. Vehicle had to be towed, rack and pinion and steering pump replaced.

The contact owns a 1997 Chevrolet Venture. The contact stated that the manufacturer was not going to honor the recall for the steering rack and pinion because her VIN was not included. While making a right turn at 5 mph, the steering wheel locked. The failure occurs intermittently. According to the NHTSA manufacturer notices to dealers (etc rcmn-02v286-8630. Pdf), the VIN was included in the recall. The dealer stated that they could not find a recall for the steering rack and pinion. The powertrain and recall number were unknown. The current mileage was 160,000 and failure mileage was 100,197.

Steering rack broke. Driving down highway steering wheel can assume positions anywhere between 10 to 2 o'clock while still going straight. Steering action is not positive. At turns, more steering movement is needed and vehicle does not response as before. Found out there is a recall NHTSA #02v286000 for the steering rack lower pinion bearings that the dealer would replace the lower pinion bearing or replace the steering rack. We took the car in 5/28/05 for this recall and I believe the lower pinion bearing was replaced. Contacted Chevrolet customer service 1/17/05. Told to have car inspected by dealer. Lannan Chevrolet confirmed that damage is inside steering rack and it needs to be replaced. Talked with Chevrolet customer service 1/20/05, they decline responsibility for the current problem and said that it is due to "wear and tear". He blamed it on other things such as hydraulic hose leak. The hydraulic hose has been "wet" since the early days (1 or 2 years) after we purchased the car. The leak is not significant and the level has been checking every 1-2 week. We believe this current problem is a safety defect and the work done for the steering rack recall did not correct the underlining problem. Either there are additional steering rack defects or internal damage had already been done.

On September 4, 2004 consumer received a recall 02049 from the manufacturer concerning rack and pinion failure. , prior to receiving the recall letter, consumer had already fixed the vehicle. Consumer called the manufacturer to obtain reimbursement, and they indicated they won't honor the recall.

When making a right hand turn power steering failed. As a result, vehicle was thrown into oncoming traffic. Dealer stated that rack and pinion malfunctioned. No impact was reported.

The campaign 02049 was completed on 30 April 2003 the dealer replaced the power steering bearing. The vehicle steering slowly became stiff and gave resistance in may 2004 when turning or making steering corrections. I took it to the dealer in June or July as it was getting worse. On the way to the dealer it required a lot of exertion to steer. The dealer informed me the rack and pinion failed and needed replaced. I asked about the recall to check the gear and if it would be covered under that recall. He stated no not related. After the repair the vehicle was behaving erratically on the road. Steering corrections were sloppy you had to move it left or right 3 or more inches to turn. I took it back to the dealer he had some adjustment done and the steering seemed fine. Only now a groaning clunk upon turns and acceleration. I waited a few days then a component fell from the underside onto my driveway. I took the vehicle back again and voiced my concerns over the component and the noise. The dealer said they could not duplicate the noise and that the component was no problem only a loose wire bracket. I asked to speak to the mechanic and drove around to show him the noise. He heard the noise and would be able to duplicate it. Next the service writer told me the strut brackets needed to be replaced. I requested the mechanic to inspect the struts for damage from the faulty strut brackets and let me know if they needed to be replaced. The service writer called and said the struts were in need of replacement. I had purchased lifetime replacement from firestone so I had it put back together and I paid for the repairs and drove over to firestone to have the struts replaced. The mechanic at firestone said the struts were fine but replaced them anyway. The only abnormality the firestone mechanic noted was that the strut springs were not properly seated. After the strut replacement the same noise was present. It is still being repaired. Not sure of the start original date).

Vehicle requires excessive force to steer to the right, followed by unintended power assist to steer to the left. This is after recall campaign number 02v286000 (02049) was accomplished on 03/19/03 @ 103819 miles.

The caller bought a vehicle and found out about a recall before he got the vehicle. The recalled part was the steering rack bearing. He was told the repair was done. He says the vehicle was hard to turn when turning right. He will not let his wife drive the vehicle anymore because she could not turn the steering wheel. He thought the replacement part was faulty. Dealer said they might not do the work for free. Manufacturer said they would pay the repair costs, the first time he called, if it was the part in question. The second time they said they would not.

Nhtsa recall 02-v-286-000 Mini vans have lower pinion bearings in the power rack and pinion assembly in which the retainer tabs were not crimped properly. These and some other retainers used in vehicles assembled between January 1, 1996 and October 31, 1997, could fail and permit the ball bearings to escape. This recall failed. The dealer was notified.

Consumer seeking full reimbursement for repairs done to 1997 Chevrolet Venture regarding the rack and pinion.

While driving and attempting to make a left turn, the steering wheel locked up nearly causing a major accident. This now happens constantly to the point where we don't even want to drive this minivan. The last time I drove it, the steering locked up a total of 15 times. It is definitely a hazard to my wife and children.

The rack and pinion failed.

While in motion, consumer was making a left turn and the steering locked. Consumer had to apply considerable force to overcome the resistance. Driving about 100 feet and turning left the steering locked again. Consumer was later informed that a seal in the rack and pinion had failed and the assembly had to be replaced. Consumer disassembled the pinion gear and the seals were in tact. The seals didn't fail. Further inspection and consumer discovered that the lower pinion bearing was damaged and all of the ball bearings were gone. Consumer believes there is a design flaw in the rack and pinion assembly that poses a risk to the general public. Consumer would like to be compensated for monies paid to replace the assembly.

The rack and pinion failed prior to recall notification 02v-286000. The consumer requested reimbursement but was denied.

Consumer states while driving 25 mph, the steering wheel locked up. Took vehicle to rerpair shop, in which they had repaired and stated that the rack and pinion will need replacing. Consumer stated that the warranty had expired. (06/26/02).

Worsening over the course of one week occurring at all speeds power steering locks up while turning left. Chevrolet dealership chevy chase maryland states rack and pinion cracked requiring replacement, power steering flush and hose replacement, and alignment required for tires after placement of new rack and pinion. No mention made of history of gm 1997 model rack and pinion similar problems though history of same found over internet.

While driving rack and pinion steering system failed, resulting in loss of steering control. Vehicle has been checked by dealer.

I sent a report earlier this week regarding the steering failure of my van on 3/18/02. I brought our minivan to iron trail to be repaired. On 3/28/02 we called to find out when the repairs would be complete and the mechanic told us that the replacement rack he installed in our van broke when he was taking it for a test drive after installation. He also told us that this is the second Chevrolet Venture that he needed to replace the rack and then the replacement rack also broke. This seems to be a failure on the part of Chevrolet in that the rack is defective. This is a major problem since the vehicle can not be steered at all when this occurs. I feel this is a serious safety issue and that it needs to be investigated futher. There are probably many people out there that don't realize that their steering can "freeze" at any time. A minivan is a family vehicle and a person should not be concerned about getting in a serious accident because of steering failure. Please contact me regarding what is done with these type of reports and what follow up there is. Thank you.

Loss of power steering led to the death of driver's infant daughter as stated by the consumer's lawyer. While driving the vehicle's steering locked up. The consumer lost control of the vehicle which then ran off the road and struck a tree. In January 2003 the manufacturer issued a recall for the vehicle's rack and pinion.

While driving 5 mph, the steering went out, dealer determined that rack and pinion needed to be replaced.

While driving approximately 10 mph in a parking lot heard a noise coming from vehicle, and the steering wheel locked up suddenly, preventing consumer from controlling direction of vehicle. Steering wheel would lock up and release intermittently. Dealership informed consumer that rack and pinion steering broke. Please provide any additional information / attachments.

No summary listed for abov evehicle.

While backing out of a driveway steering wheel locked up. Vehicle was towed to dealer, and they said it was rack and pinion.

The steering locked-up and could not be turned to the left. Dealer replaced the entire rack and pinion gear system. Even though the van was out of warranty, gm covered 50% of the cost of the repair. This could have been a fatal situation.

While driving rack and pinion steering broke in half, causing fluid to leak out. Tensioner and serpentine belt were damaged. This allowed steering wheel to spin freely, breaking the tape that connects to airbags and disabling air bags. Dealer has inspected vehicle.

While making a routine rt turn, the gear assembly of the rack and pinion assembly "blew-out". This event locked my steering up. No warranty in place to recover loss. But, the nature of the event was unusual. That is, the mechanical failure of the gear(s)fracturing and exploding it's housing causing loss of steering is highly questionable? at a higher speed this would have cause injury or loss of life. A certified mechanic with 20+ years experienced indicated that he has never seen a rack and pinion assembly "blow-out" like the one I am presenting in this case. The supervisor mechanic further indicated, "that this could have caused a serious accident". I have the rack and pinion assembly in my possession and I have also contacted general motors customer service (doc# 000029454 gm). Gm has denied my request for reimbursement regarding the repair costs and has indicated no interest in having GMC engineers look at the failed system. This is a public safety concern. I believe strongly that a valid liability does exist that and that there is a mft defect with this product. I have high hopes that you also have an interest in my concern. I will wait for your response before I go public regarding this issue. Thank you, mike johnson.

I made a left hand turn onto the street I live on, the steering wheel locked up and released. It ripped out of my hands and sent me right on onto someone's front lawn nearly missing a tree. I regained control just in time and got it back on the road. I limped it home and parked it. I called the dealer I bought it from and did not believe me and would not help, so I started looking for a different vehicle with help from my parents. Found a dealer ship 3 cities away and said bring it in and we'll help you. They called in saginaw steering plant rep. And it did it to him and said we'll replace for free just pay labor. Seeing it was not covered by my extended warranty I accepted and traded it in on a s-10 pick-up.

This failure occurred while driving out of a supermarket parking lot. The steering wheel seized and had to be forcefully righted. This occurred twice more and the vehicle was brought into a local shop for diagnosis and repair. Gm was notified of the repai.

Rack and pinion steering cracked. No reason for happening, just turning into a parking space and hear a loud thud. Could not make full turns.

Steering wheel locked while making a left hand turn. After vehicle was towed and repaired, dealer informed me that the bearing on the steering column "disintegrated" causing the shaft to slip lower into the rack and pinion. This caused rack and pinion gears to go bad.

Consumer's wife was driving at approximately 55 to 60 mph when power assisted steering failed. Took the vehicle to a dealership, which determined that a bracket broke loose, causing a loss of control in rack and pinion gear. Consumer complained is that vehicle was about ready to experience same problem again due to handling and steering vibrations. Please provide any additional information/attachments.

1997 Chevrolet Venture van replaced power steering pump and rack pinion steering, writer question if his vehicle is included with recalled campaign id number 02v286000. .

Vehicle steers to the right at all times. Dealer replaced rack andpinion and it is pulling on the opposite side.

Consumer was informed no parts were available regarding the rack and pinion recall 02v286 000.

End cap at end of rack and pinion steering popped out, causing steering to lock up while making a turn. Please give any further details.