Buick Regal; Chevrolet Lumina, Malibu, Monte Carlo and 4 more (1996-1998): Steering
Recall 03V527000 · Dec 11, 2003 · General Motors Corp.
750,283
vehicles affected
750,283
vehicles affected
Facts
- Recall number
- 03V527000
- Date
- Dec 11, 2003
- Maker
- General Motors Corp.
- Units affected
- 750,283
- Kind
- Vehicles
- Component
- Steering > Rack and pinion
- Model years
- 1996-1998
- Started by
- The safety regulator
- Hazard
- Crash risk
What is wrong
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.
What can happen
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.
The fix
Recall repairs are free of charge.
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.
Vehicles covered
8 models, 15 model years in all
| Make | Model | Model years |
|---|---|---|
| Buick | Regal | 1996-1998 |
| Chevrolet | Lumina | 1997-1998 |
| Chevrolet | Malibu | 1997-1998 |
| Chevrolet | Monte Carlo | 1997-1998 |
| Oldsmobile | Cutlass | 1997-1998 |
| Oldsmobile | Cutlass Supreme | 1996-1997 |
| Oldsmobile | Intrigue | 1998 |
| Pontiac | Grand Prix | 1996 |
Related pages
Questions and answers
Which vehicles are in recall 03V527000?
8 models: Buick Regal (1996-1998), Chevrolet Lumina (1997-1998), Chevrolet Malibu (1997-1998) and 5 more, about 750,283 vehicles in all.
What is the fix for recall 03V527000?
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.
What can happen?
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.
A recall means the maker found a safety problem and offers a free fix; it does not mean every unit has the problem. Units affected are as reported by the company. Popular models sell more and so have more recalls and complaints. Official public data; texts are shortened. A dealer can tell whether a single vehicle still needs the repair.