Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
Limited mileage data: 81 of 347 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
Steering. Review the 88 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 52 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Fuel System, Gasoline. Review the 42 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
34 crash reports8 fire reports18 injury reports
What owners actually said
347 reports
63,213 miles · Apr 12, 2004
Steering
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. *AK AFTER THE RECALL WAS PERFORMED, THE VEHICLE WAS HARD TO…
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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. *AK AFTER THE RECALL WAS PERFORMED, THE VEHICLE WAS HARD TO TURN TO THE RIGHT. *SC *JB
NHTSA ODI #10066978
Mileage unknown · Apr 8, 2004
Steering
CONSUMER NOT SURE IF RACK AND PINION WAS CORRECTED. *PH (RECALL #03V527000) THE DEALER INVOICE STATED THEY WERE UNABLE TO PERFORM THE RECALL BECAUSE, THE VEHICLE HAD AN AFTER MARKET STEERING RACK INSTALLED. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10067087
159,000 miles · Mar 30, 2004
Engine And Engine Cooling
WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH VEHICLE STALLED. CONSUMER MANAGED TO RESTART THE VEHICLE. DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10065168
128,000 miles · Mar 22, 2004
EquipmentFire
PURCHASED REMOTE CONTROL DOOR LOCK ON 10/10/03 FROM WALMART. WAS LOCKING DOOR AND ACTIVATED THE REMOTE CONTROL FOR VEHICLE'S DOOR. REMOTE CONTROL CAUSED TRAILER LIGHTS TO SHORT OUT AFTER HOOKING TRAILER TO VEHICLE. THERE WAS A FUSE BLOWN, AND VEHICLE HAD CAUGHT ON FIRE. HAD TAKEN VEHICLE TO DEALERSHIP, WHERE REMOTE CONTROL WAS …
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PURCHASED REMOTE CONTROL DOOR LOCK ON 10/10/03 FROM WALMART. WAS LOCKING DOOR AND ACTIVATED THE REMOTE CONTROL FOR VEHICLE'S DOOR. REMOTE CONTROL CAUSED TRAILER LIGHTS TO SHORT OUT AFTER HOOKING TRAILER TO VEHICLE. THERE WAS A FUSE BLOWN, AND VEHICLE HAD CAUGHT ON FIRE. HAD TAKEN VEHICLE TO DEALERSHIP, WHERE REMOTE CONTROL WAS DISCONNECTED. INCIDENT WAS CAUSED ON 10/25/03. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10063568
Mileage unknown · Mar 16, 2004
Steering
THE DEALERSHIP IS UNABLE TO PERFORM THE STEERING GEAR RECALL 03V527000 REPAIRS BECAUSE THEY DON'T HAVE THE TOOLS.*AK
NHTSA ODI #10063278
Mileage unknown · Mar 8, 2004
Steering
VEHICLE WAS MISSING THE STEERING SHAFT SEAL. *PH SHAFT SEAL WAS MISSING AFTER A RECALL REPAIR WAS PERFORMED ON THE CONSUMER'S VEHICLE. ALSO, CONSUMER SAID THAT NO PRIOR REPAIR WAS DONE THAT COULD HAVE TOOK OFF THE MISSING STEERING SHAFT SEAL. COMPONENT WAS INSTALLED ON THE VEHICLE. CONSUMER FELT THAT PART WASN'T PRESENT IN …
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VEHICLE WAS MISSING THE STEERING SHAFT SEAL. *PH SHAFT SEAL WAS MISSING AFTER A RECALL REPAIR WAS PERFORMED ON THE CONSUMER'S VEHICLE. ALSO, CONSUMER SAID THAT NO PRIOR REPAIR WAS DONE THAT COULD HAVE TOOK OFF THE MISSING STEERING SHAFT SEAL. COMPONENT WAS INSTALLED ON THE VEHICLE. CONSUMER FELT THAT PART WASN'T PRESENT IN THE VEHICLE WHEN IT WAS ASSEMBLED. CALLED GENERAL MOTORS (GM) BUT HAS NO ANSWER. *LA
NHTSA ODI #10062884
34,295 miles · Feb 26, 2004
Visibility
CIRCUIT BOARDS FAILED. AS A RESULT, WINDSHIELD WIPERS BECAME INOPERATIVE.*AK *MR
NHTSA ODI #10055358
95,000 miles · Feb 16, 2004
Steering
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 KEE…
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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.*AK
NHTSA ODI #10058280
98,000 miles · Feb 16, 2004
Wheels
ALL FIVE BOLTS ON THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE OF MY VEHICLE BROKE AT THE SAME TIME, CAUSING MY ENTIRE WHEEL TO FALL OFF. PART OF THE BOLTS REMAINED ON THE CARE AND THE OTHER HALF OF THE BOLTS ROLLED DOWN THE STREET ON THE WHEEL. THE MECHANIC SAYS THAT IT IS NOT SUPPOSED TO HAPPEN. I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW IF THIS IS A DEFECT.*AK
NHTSA ODI #10058275
Mileage unknown · Feb 9, 2004
Air BagsSteeringCrash
WHILE DRIVING AND MAKING A LEFT TURN STEERING COLUMN LOCKED UP. DRIVER WAS NOT ABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND HIT ANOTHER VEHICLE. UPON IMPACT, BOTH FRONTAL AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. DRIVER WAS NOT HURT. CONSUMER HAD VEHICLE TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION, AND MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE SHAFT INSIDE OF…
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WHILE DRIVING AND MAKING A LEFT TURN STEERING COLUMN LOCKED UP. DRIVER WAS NOT ABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND HIT ANOTHER VEHICLE. UPON IMPACT, BOTH FRONTAL AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. DRIVER WAS NOT HURT. CONSUMER HAD VEHICLE TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION, AND MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE SHAFT INSIDE OF THE STEERING WHEEL NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *AK
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.
Consequence & remedy
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.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
2
EA03019 · 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.
1997 Chevrolet Lumina Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year
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