Model year record

1997 Chevrolet Lumina

1 recall campaign on file for this model year. 438 owner complaints on file.

Recalls

Recall campaignNHTSA 03V527000

Steering: rack and pinion

Component
Steering: rack and pinion
Manufacturer
GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
Vehicles affected
750,283
Reported to NHTSA
2003-12-11
Owners notified
2004-02-05

Defect description

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.

Safety risk

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.

Manufacturer 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.

Owner complaints

A complaint is one person's report to a federal agency. It is not a finding.

ComponentComplaintsMedian mileage
Steering: rack and pinion3895,000 mi
Steering2075,000 mi
Air bags18100,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline18102,700 mi
Fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly1653,000 mi
Air bags: frontal15100,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip15
Power train: automatic transmission13
Engine and engine cooling: engine1166,000 mi
Unknown or other11
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe1072,817 mi
Electrical system: alternator/generator/regulator855,490 mi
Steering: hydraulic power assist system7
Vehicle speed control776,000 mi
Visibility: windshield wiper/washer: motor734,295 mi
Engine and engine cooling6114,498 mi
Exterior lighting: headlights660,000 mi
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: fuel pump647,000 mi
Electrical system510,000 mi
Fuel system, gasoline: carburetor system5
Fuel system, gasoline: fuel injection system: injectors5
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components5
Steering: rack and pinion: rack587,056 mi
Structure: body560,000 mi
Tires: tread/belt5
Electrical system: horn4
Fuel system, gasoline: fuel injection system455,490 mi
Fuel system, other: storage: fuel gauge system470,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc4
Steering: gear box (other than rack and pinion)4116,154 mi
Suspension: front4
Visibility: windshield wiper/washer4
Electrical system: ignition3
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system3
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system: radiator assembly3
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings3
Latches/locks/linkages: doors: latch3
Seat belts: front: webbing3
Service brakes, hydraulic355,490 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: pads387,056 mi
Steering: steering wheel/handle bar3
Steering: column3163,950 mi
Steering: linkages: tie rod assembly385,000 mi
Structure340,000 mi
Suspension351,000 mi
Visibility: windshield3
Wheels: lugs/nuts/bolts/studs398,000 mi
Air bags: on-off switch assembly2
Air bags: side/window2
Electrical system: 12V/24V/48V battery2
Electrical system: wiring: fuses and circuit breakers2
Electrical system: wiring: interior/under dash2
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system266,500 mi
Equipment: appliance: air conditioner2
Exterior lighting260,000 mi
Exterior lighting: brake lights273,900 mi
Exterior lighting: brake lights: switch264,352 mi
Exterior lighting: turn signal: switch2
Fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly: filler pipe and cap2
Fuel system, other2
Power train2
Seat belts: rear/other2
Seats2
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: drum: wheel cylinders2
Steering: hydraulic power assist: pump287,056 mi
Structure: body: door2
Structure: body: trunk lid280,000 mi
Structure: frame and members2
Suspension: front: control arm: lower ball joint250,000 mi
Vehicle speed control: accelerator pedal2
Visibility: power window devices and controls268,000 mi
Wheels2
Air bags: frontal: sensor/control module1163,950 mi
Electrical system: ignition: anti-theft: control module175,000 mi
Electrical system: starter assembly1
Electronic stability control (ESC)1189,632 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline: belts and associated pulleys153,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: emission control1
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: emission control: catalytic convertor1
Equipment: electrical: anti-theft devices1128,000 mi
Exterior lighting: hazard flashing warning lights169,300 mi
Exterior lighting: hazard flashing warning lights: unit1
Exterior lighting: turn signal173,900 mi
Fuel system, gasoline1
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery1
Fuel system, gasoline: fuel injection system: fuel rail1161,000 mi
Fuel system, other: delivery: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings1
Fuel system, other: storage1
Interior lighting1
Power train: automatic transmission: cooling unit and lines1
Power train: automatic transmission: park/neutral start interlock switch1
Power train: axle assembly1
Power train: driveline: differential unit1
Power train: driveline: driveshaft1
Power train: manual transmission1
Seat belts: front1
Seat belts: front: anchorage1
Seat belts: front: retractor1
Service brakes1100,000 mi
Service brakes, air: antilock: ABS warning light1
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: rotor1
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: drum1
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: drum: shoes/linings1
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings1
Service brakes, hydraulic: pedals and linkages1
Service brakes, hydraulic: power assist: vacuum1
Steering: column locking: anti-theft device1140,000 mi
Steering: gear box: shaft sector1
Steering: hydraulic power assist: hose, piping, and connections1
Steering: hydraulic power assist: power steering fluid1
Steering: rack and pinion: pinion shaft1
Suspension: rear: axle: spindle1108,000 mi
Tires1
Tires: valve174,000 mi
Vehicle speed control: cruise control1
Vehicle speed control: linkages1
Visibility: defroster/defogger/hvac system1
Visibility: defroster/defogger/hvac system: rear window1
Visibility: glass, side/rear1
Visibility: rearview mirrors/devices: exterior1

The 1996 model has about 1.5 times as many complaints as this one. The 1998 model has about 1.5 times as many complaints as this one. These figures reflect raw complaint counts, not failure rates. Higher-selling model years naturally receive more complaints.

Safety recall repairs are provided free of charge by franchised dealers, regardless of vehicle age or mileage. This page displays aggregated data for the model year. To check recall status for a specific vehicle, search its VIN at nhtsa.gov.