NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Service Brakes, Hydraulic complaints
31 reportsClear category filterMileage unknown · Mar 8, 2000
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
SINCE I BOUGHT THE CAR IN MAY OF 1997, I HAVE HAD TO HAVE THE FRONT BRAKES REPAIRED OR REPLACED FOUR TIMES. THE FIRST TIME WAS TWO WEEKS AFTER I BOUGHT THE CAR, I TOOK IT IN TO THE DEALER, BECAUSE THE BRAKE FLUID KEPT LEAKING, AND THE FRONT DISC PULLED. THEY TOLD ME THAT THIS WAS A RECALL PROBLEM, AND THEY CLAIMED TO FIX IT. …
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SINCE I BOUGHT THE CAR IN MAY OF 1997, I HAVE HAD TO HAVE THE FRONT BRAKES REPAIRED OR REPLACED FOUR TIMES. THE FIRST TIME WAS TWO WEEKS AFTER I BOUGHT THE CAR, I TOOK IT IN TO THE DEALER, BECAUSE THE BRAKE FLUID KEPT LEAKING, AND THE FRONT DISC PULLED. THEY TOLD ME THAT THIS WAS A RECALL PROBLEM, AND THEY CLAIMED TO FIX IT. NINE MONTHS LATER I HAD TO HAVE THE THE FRONT BRAKES REPLACED, AND THE REAR BRAKES ADJUSTED, DUE TO PULLING AND SQUEAKING, (AT SEARS AUTO CENTER). LATER IN OCTOBER OF 1998, I HAD TO REPLACE FRONT DISCS AGAIN. THIS WAS WHEN I TOOK MY CAR IN FOR ITS 60000 MILE SERVICE. THE MECHANIC AT KAUFFMAN TIRE IN HIRAM, GA SHOWED ME THE WEAR ON THE PADS AND BRAKES, THEY REPLACED THE PADS AND MACHINED THE ROTORS. IN JUNE OF 1999, THE BRAKES STARTED SQUEAKING AGAIN, AND IT WAS PULLING TO THE LEFT. I HAD THE BRAKES FIXED AT MID-STATE MOTORS, IN MANCHESTER, TN, AND THEY WORKED FINE UNTIL ABOUT MID-FEBRUARY 2000. NOW WHEN I PRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL, IT VIBRATED VIOLENTLY. I FEEL THAT THE BRAKES ARE WEARING AND GOING BAD MUCH SOONER THAN THEY SHOULD. *AK
NHTSA ODI #719831
Mileage unknown · Aug 18, 1999
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
WHEN BRAKE PEDAL IS APPLIED THERE IS A CLICKING SOUND, THEN BRAKES RELEASE AND VEHICLE WILL CONTINUE TO ROLL WITH THE BRAKE PEDAL GOING TO THE FLOOR. DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED. *AK
NHTSA ODI #845325
Mileage unknown · Jul 25, 1999
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
DEALER TOLD CONSUMER TO THROW AWAY FRONT WHEEL ROTORS BECAUSE THE WERE TOO THIN TO GRIND. NLM
NHTSA ODI #782569
Mileage unknown · Jun 13, 1999
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
STATE SAFETY INSPECTION MECHANIC NOTED THAT BOTH FRONT BRAKE ROTORS WERE DEEPLY RUSTED AND/OR PITTED AND SHOULD BE INSPECTED BY A GM SERVICE CENTER. THE SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE AT DAGLEY CHEVROLET GEO INFORMED THAT BOTH FRONT BRAKE ROTORS WERE RUSTED AND PITTED SO DEEP THAT THEY COULD NOT BE RE-SURFACED, THEY NEED TO BE REPLACED …
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STATE SAFETY INSPECTION MECHANIC NOTED THAT BOTH FRONT BRAKE ROTORS WERE DEEPLY RUSTED AND/OR PITTED AND SHOULD BE INSPECTED BY A GM SERVICE CENTER. THE SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE AT DAGLEY CHEVROLET GEO INFORMED THAT BOTH FRONT BRAKE ROTORS WERE RUSTED AND PITTED SO DEEP THAT THEY COULD NOT BE RE-SURFACED, THEY NEED TO BE REPLACED AND THE REPLACEMENT WOULD NOT BE COVERED BY GM. I LOOKED AT THE ROTORS MYSELF AND FIND THAT THE INSIDE BRAKE ROTOR FRICTION SURFACES ARE RUSTED OR PITTED AWAY, APROX. 1/3 OR LESS OF THE FRONT INSIDE BRAKE PADS ARE ACTUALY MAKING CONTACT WITH THE ROTOR SURFACE. IN MY OPINION, THIS RESULTS IN A VERY SIGNIFICANT LOSS OF BRAKING EFFICENCY.
NHTSA ODI #707501
Mileage unknown · Aug 26, 1998
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
BRAKES SQUEAL WHEN APPLIED.
NHTSA ODI #541532
Mileage unknown · Jul 17, 1998
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
BRAKE PADS WEAR EXCESSIVELY.
NHTSA ODI #537979
Mileage unknown · Jun 22, 1998
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
HAVE A KNOCKING OR CLICKING ON BOTH REAR TIRES WHILE DRIVING AT SLOW SPEEDS, LEES THAN 10MPH THE NOISE HAPPENS IN FORWARD OR REVERSE. ANOTHER PROBLEM IS THE BRAKE PEDAL FEELS VERY SPONGY WHILE BRAKING, HOWEVER THE CAR HAS BEEN STOPPING WHEN NEEDED TO. IT JUST SEEMS ODD TO HAVE TO PUSH THE PEDAL SO FAR DOWN TOWARD THE FLOOR, A…
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HAVE A KNOCKING OR CLICKING ON BOTH REAR TIRES WHILE DRIVING AT SLOW SPEEDS, LEES THAN 10MPH THE NOISE HAPPENS IN FORWARD OR REVERSE. ANOTHER PROBLEM IS THE BRAKE PEDAL FEELS VERY SPONGY WHILE BRAKING, HOWEVER THE CAR HAS BEEN STOPPING WHEN NEEDED TO. IT JUST SEEMS ODD TO HAVE TO PUSH THE PEDAL SO FAR DOWN TOWARD THE FLOOR, AND STILL FELL MUSHY.
NHTSA ODI #537176
Mileage unknown · Jan 13, 1998
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
BRAKES CONTINUALLY FAILING TO ENGAGE ALMOST RESULTING IN COLLISION ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS.
NHTSA ODI #528237
Mileage unknown · Dec 19, 1997
Power TrainService Brakes, HydraulicStructure
SINCE OWNERSHIP CONSUMER HAS EXPERIENCED BRAKING PROBLEMS, NOT ENGAGING PROPERLY.
NHTSA ODI #526930
Mileage unknown · Dec 10, 1997
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
WHILE APPLYING ABS BRAKES PEDAL GOES TO THE FLOOR. DIAGNOSTIC TEST WAS DONE ON BRAKE SYSTEM AND NO PROBLEM WAS FOUND. VEHICLE HAS AN EXTREME EXTENEDED STOPPING DISTANCE. *AK
NHTSA ODI #819884
NHTSA investigations
4EA03019 · Power Rack And Pinion Steering Failure
Opened Sep 15, 2003 · Closed Dec 18, 2003
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Steering; Steering:rack And Pinion
GM'S LETTER TO NHTSA DATED DECEMBER 11, 2003, EXPANDS ITS ORIGINAL RECALL (NHTSA 02V286) TO INCLUDE CERTAIN W-BODY VEHICLES: 96-97 OLDS CUTLASS SUPREME; 98 OLDS INTRIGUE; 97-98 OLDS CUTLASS; 97-98 CHEVY LUMINA, MONTE CARLO AND MALIBU; 96 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX; AND 96-98 BUICK REGAL.THE NUMBER OF VEHICLES RECALLED IS 750,283.GM DETERMINED THAT FAILURE OF THE RACK AND PINION IS RELATED TO DAMAGE OF THE LOWER PINION BEARING AND THE LEVEL OF THE PINION BEARING PRE-LOAD SPRING FORCE.GM STATES, HIGHER RACK PRE-LOAD SPRING FORCE (133 LB.) IS THE DESIGN CHARACTERISTIC MOST CLOSELY ASSOCIATED WITH HIGHER BEARING DAMAGE RATES IN MOST OF THE VEHICLE APPLICATIONS THAT USED THE GENERAL BEARING COMPANY (GBC) BEARING.ALL OF THE VEHICLES COVERED IN THE EXPANDED RECALL HAVE THE 133 LB SPRING FORCE.THE 96 LUMINA/MONTE CARLO AND 97-98 CENTURY W-BODY VEHICLES INCLUDED IN THIS INVESTIGATION UTILIZE A LOWER SPRING FORCE AND ARE NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL.
Additional source detail variants (2)
Steering
GM'S LETTER TO NHTSA DATED DECEMBER 11, 2003, EXPANDS ITS ORIGINAL RECALL (NHTSA 02V286) TO INCLUDE CERTAIN W-BODY VEHICLES: 96-97 OLDS CUTLASS SUPREME; 98 OLDS INTRIGUE; 97-98 OLDS CUTLASS; 97-98 CHEVY LUMINA, MONTE CARLO AND MALIBU; 96 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX; AND 96-98 BUICK REGAL.THE NUMBER OF VEHICLES RECALLED IS 750,283.GM DETERMINED THAT FAILURE OF THE RACK AND PINION IS RELATED TO DAMAGE OF THE LOWER PINION BEARING AND THE LEVEL OF THE PINION BEARING PRE-LOAD SPRING FORCE.GM STATES, HIGHER RACK PRE-LOAD SPRING FORCE (133 LB.) IS THE DESIGN CHARACTERISTIC MOST CLOSELY ASSOCIATED WITH HIGHER BEARING DAMAGE RATES IN MOST OF THE VEHICLE APPLICATIONS THAT USED THE GENERAL BEARING COMPANY (GBC) BEARING.ALL OF THE VEHICLES COVERED IN THE EXPANDED RECALL HAVE THE 133 LB SPRING FORCE.THE 96 LUMINA/MONTE CARLO AND 97-98 CENTURY W-BODY VEHICLES INCLUDED IN THIS INVESTIGATION UTILIZE A LOWER SPRING FORCE AND ARE NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL.
Steering:rack And Pinion
GM'S LETTER TO NHTSA DATED DECEMBER 11, 2003, EXPANDS ITS ORIGINAL RECALL (NHTSA 02V286) TO INCLUDE CERTAIN W-BODY VEHICLES: 96-97 OLDS CUTLASS SUPREME; 98 OLDS INTRIGUE; 97-98 OLDS CUTLASS; 97-98 CHEVY LUMINA, MONTE CARLO AND MALIBU; 96 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX; AND 96-98 BUICK REGAL.THE NUMBER OF VEHICLES RECALLED IS 750,283.GM DETERMINED THAT FAILURE OF THE RACK AND PINION IS RELATED TO DAMAGE OF THE LOWER PINION BEARING AND THE LEVEL OF THE PINION BEARING PRE-LOAD SPRING FORCE.GM STATES, HIGHER RACK PRE-LOAD SPRING FORCE (133 LB.) IS THE DESIGN CHARACTERISTIC MOST CLOSELY ASSOCIATED WITH HIGHER BEARING DAMAGE RATES IN MOST OF THE VEHICLE APPLICATIONS THAT USED THE GENERAL BEARING COMPANY (GBC) BEARING.ALL OF THE VEHICLES COVERED IN THE EXPANDED RECALL HAVE THE 133 LB SPRING FORCE.THE 96 LUMINA/MONTE CARLO AND 97-98 CENTURY W-BODY VEHICLES INCLUDED IN THIS INVESTIGATION UTILIZE A LOWER SPRING FORCE AND ARE NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL.
RQ03001 · Power Rack And Pinion Steering Failure
Opened Jan 2, 2003 · Closed Sep 15, 2003
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Steering; Steering:rack And Pinion
GM CONDUCTED A SAFETY RECALL (NHTSA # 02V286) TO ADDRESS A STEERING DEFECT PERTAINING TO A LOWER PINION BEARING (LPB) WITHIN THE RACK AND PINION STEERING GEAR (R&P). THE RECALL COVERED 1,159,156 MODEL YEAR 1997-1998 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX VEHICLES BUILT BETWEEN MARCH 1, 1996 AND OCTOBER 31, 1997, 1996-1998 PONTIAC TRANS SPORT, CHEVROLET LUMINA APV, CHEVROLET VENTURE, OLDSMOBILE SILHOUETTE MINIVANS, AND CHEVROLET CAVALIER AND PONTIAC SUNFIRE SEDANS BUILT BETWEEN JANUARY 1, 1996 AND OCTOBER 31, 1997.ODI OPENED THIS RQ AFTER RECEIVING REPORTS THAT OTHER VEHICLES WERE EXHIBITING THE SAME SYMPTOMS AS THE RECALLED VEHICLES.BASED ON ODI'S REVIEW OF TECHNICAL AND COMPLAINT DATA COLLECTED DURING THE RQ, THE W-CARS ARE ASSOCIATED WITH EITHER A HIGHER STEERING COMPLAINT RATE OR A HIGHER LPB FAILURE RATE THAN THE OTHER VEHICLES INVESTIGATED UNDER THE RQ AND ARE ABOVE OR NEAR THE RATES FOR THE RECALLED VEHICLES.THUS, ODI WILL FURTHER EXAMINE THE W-CARS (1996-1997 OLDSMOBILE CUTLASS SUPREME, 1996-1998 BUICK REGAL, CHEVROLET LUMINA, CHEVROLET MONTE CARLO, 1997-1998 BUICK CENTURY, AND 1998 OLDSMOBILE INTRIGUE) UNDER A NEW INVESTIGATION, ENGINEERING ANALYSIS (EA)03-019.
Additional source detail variants (2)
Steering
GM CONDUCTED A SAFETY RECALL (NHTSA # 02V286) TO ADDRESS A STEERING DEFECT PERTAINING TO A LOWER PINION BEARING (LPB) WITHIN THE RACK AND PINION STEERING GEAR (R&P). THE RECALL COVERED 1,159,156 MODEL YEAR 1997-1998 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX VEHICLES BUILT BETWEEN MARCH 1, 1996 AND OCTOBER 31, 1997, 1996-1998 PONTIAC TRANS SPORT, CHEVROLET LUMINA APV, CHEVROLET VENTURE, OLDSMOBILE SILHOUETTE MINIVANS, AND CHEVROLET CAVALIER AND PONTIAC SUNFIRE SEDANS BUILT BETWEEN JANUARY 1, 1996 AND OCTOBER 31, 1997.ODI OPENED THIS RQ AFTER RECEIVING REPORTS THAT OTHER VEHICLES WERE EXHIBITING THE SAME SYMPTOMS AS THE RECALLED VEHICLES.BASED ON ODI'S REVIEW OF TECHNICAL AND COMPLAINT DATA COLLECTED DURING THE RQ, THE W-CARS ARE ASSOCIATED WITH EITHER A HIGHER STEERING COMPLAINT RATE OR A HIGHER LPB FAILURE RATE THAN THE OTHER VEHICLES INVESTIGATED UNDER THE RQ AND ARE ABOVE OR NEAR THE RATES FOR THE RECALLED VEHICLES.THUS, ODI WILL FURTHER EXAMINE THE W-CARS (1996-1997 OLDSMOBILE CUTLASS SUPREME, 1996-1998 BUICK REGAL, CHEVROLET LUMINA, CHEVROLET MONTE CARLO, 1997-1998 BUICK CENTURY, AND 1998 OLDSMOBILE INTRIGUE) UNDER A NEW INVESTIGATION, ENGINEERING ANALYSIS (EA)03-019.
Steering:rack And Pinion
GM CONDUCTED A SAFETY RECALL (NHTSA # 02V286) TO ADDRESS A STEERING DEFECT PERTAINING TO A LOWER PINION BEARING (LPB) WITHIN THE RACK AND PINION STEERING GEAR (R&P). THE RECALL COVERED 1,159,156 MODEL YEAR 1997-1998 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX VEHICLES BUILT BETWEEN MARCH 1, 1996 AND OCTOBER 31, 1997, 1996-1998 PONTIAC TRANS SPORT, CHEVROLET LUMINA APV, CHEVROLET VENTURE, OLDSMOBILE SILHOUETTE MINIVANS, AND CHEVROLET CAVALIER AND PONTIAC SUNFIRE SEDANS BUILT BETWEEN JANUARY 1, 1996 AND OCTOBER 31, 1997.ODI OPENED THIS RQ AFTER RECEIVING REPORTS THAT OTHER VEHICLES WERE EXHIBITING THE SAME SYMPTOMS AS THE RECALLED VEHICLES.BASED ON ODI'S REVIEW OF TECHNICAL AND COMPLAINT DATA COLLECTED DURING THE RQ, THE W-CARS ARE ASSOCIATED WITH EITHER A HIGHER STEERING COMPLAINT RATE OR A HIGHER LPB FAILURE RATE THAN THE OTHER VEHICLES INVESTIGATED UNDER THE RQ AND ARE ABOVE OR NEAR THE RATES FOR THE RECALLED VEHICLES.THUS, ODI WILL FURTHER EXAMINE THE W-CARS (1996-1997 OLDSMOBILE CUTLASS SUPREME, 1996-1998 BUICK REGAL, CHEVROLET LUMINA, CHEVROLET MONTE CARLO, 1997-1998 BUICK CENTURY, AND 1998 OLDSMOBILE INTRIGUE) UNDER A NEW INVESTIGATION, ENGINEERING ANALYSIS (EA)03-019.
EA96023 · Inappropriate Air Bag Deployment
Opened Sep 27, 1996 · Closed Feb 13, 1998
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Air Bags
THE FAILURE RATE (1.25/100K) ON THIS ISSUE IS LOW.A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT TREND HAS NOT BEEN IDENTIFIED AT THIS TIME AND FURTHER USE OF THE AGENCY RESOURCES DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE WARRANTED.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITURE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT NO SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT EXISTS.ODI WILL CONTINUE TO CLOSELY MONITOR THIS ISSUE.THE AGENCY RESERVES THE RIGHT TO TAKE FURTHER ACTION IF WARRANTED BY THE CIRCUMSTANCES.AN ENGINEERING ANALYSIS CLOSING REPORT IS INCLUDED IN THE PUBLIC FILE.
PE96031 · Inappropriate Air Bag Deployment
Opened Apr 18, 1996 · Closed Sep 27, 1996
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Air Bags
There is no summary currently available
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